Chen Heng raised the cup to show respect and took a small sip.
At this moment, the aristocratic family woman next to Yu looked at Chen Heng and Peng and said, "I haven't seen those two brides before. Are they the brides of some duke or state, or of aristocratic families?"
"She is just the wife of a minor official. She can sit here only because she has a good relationship with the Eighth Prince." Another woman said with a rather contemptuous tone.
"Ah, there are really no rules nowadays. Even the wife of a minor official like this can be on equal footing with us."
"that is."
Seeing Peng's expression change, Shen Heng pointed to the vinegar beans beside her and said, "These beans are just the right amount of sour. Try some."
"I have no appetite." Ever since she became pregnant, Mrs. Peng has been easily affected by others' emotions. In the past few months, even if she saw her husband chatting and laughing with a maid, she would be sulking for several days. Now she feels better, but she doesn't want to be talked about like this in public.
Although the Peng family is not one of the best in Yuezhou, it is still a prominent family, and she can't stand such humiliation.
Chen Heng felt a little apologetic. She was the true wife of a minor official, and Peng was also a noble lady from an aristocratic family. The great-grandfather of the Meng family had been the emperor's tutor, so naturally she was qualified to sit here.
As a former working woman, her heart was like a funnel, which could hold stones but also filter out gossip. But Peng was proud and would never let anyone say that to her.
Just as Shen Heng was trying to think of something to say to distract Madam Peng, who was pregnant after all, the woman sitting opposite her raised her wine cup and offered a toast to Madam Yu: "Madam Tang, please. Speaking of Master Tang, I met him once eight years ago. When I saw him in the outer hall just now, I almost didn't recognize him."
Yu's expression froze for a moment, then a flash of emotion passed away: "Really?"
"Yes. At that time, my husband was working in Lord Tang's hometown. Lord Tang was studying hard and taking the imperial examinations. I was fortunate to have met him several times. It has only been eight years, and he seems like a completely different person." The woman smiled and toasted Yu again.
"I don't think my husband has changed at all." Yu said coldly.
"How could he not have changed? His face used to be slightly square, and now his jaw has become much thinner. Haven't any of you ladies here seen Lord Tang from seven or eight years ago?"
The ladies thought about it, and one of them said, "It seems that he has changed a lot, but I only saw him when Lord Tang came to the imperial capital to welcome his bride. It seems that Lord Tang has grown a lot taller?"
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Come on, I'll toast everyone." Yu picked up the wine cup and toasted everyone, hoping to avoid the topic.
The women quickly stood up and paid their respects.
After the toast, Yu thought the woman beside her would leave, but she smiled and said, "I heard that Lord Tang was injured seven years ago and was bedridden for a year. Could it be that his appearance changed during that time?"
Yu's expression changed and she glanced at the woman.
The women looked at each other.
Even Shen Heng, who was standing by, looked at this unsophisticated woman with curiosity. She looked about thirty-five years old and had an ordinary appearance, but she was dressed in silk and satin, looking elegant and luxurious. Her gestures were no different from those of an ordinary woman from an aristocratic family. She was smiling as she spoke to Yu.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that this woman was targeting Yu, but what she said made everyone curious. Could a person's appearance really change so much?
"My husband did fall seriously ill seven years ago. After all, he was just a minor official then. Now he is an important official in the Dali Temple. He has been immersed in officialdom for many years, so naturally he has become different." Yu said coldly.
"Madam is right." The woman said nothing more and sat down in her seat. When she sat down, she glanced at Shen Heng vaguely, gave her a kind smile, and then picked up the wine cup and toasted again.
A thought suddenly flashed through Chen Heng's mind. This woman was so against Yu Shi, could she be someone sent by Xie Jian?
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