My sister's grandmother was also a highly respected teacher, the first female teacher since the founding of the dynasty, and was granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady by the late emperor decades ago. Her manners and etiquette were impeccable, and my sister, who grew up by her side, was naturally no less so.
Like the older sister now, even the way she walks looks noble and elegant. From head to toe, she exudes the air of a person with excellent manners and etiquette.
This autumn banquet was the first grand banquet she had ever attended, and she wanted to stand out, so she couldn't be lacking in etiquette and manners.
Although my sister has been recuperating from an illness, she must be quite familiar with banquet etiquette. So, in addition to asking Wan Ge for advice on playing the zither, she has also learned a lot about the rules.
The Second Madam knew everything that had happened to Deng Wan Ning, so she sent Wan Ge many nice things.
The second wife was the daughter of a merchant. She was neither the richest man in the capital nor an imperial merchant; she was simply a little wealthier than the average merchant.
Logically speaking, someone of her social standing shouldn't be allowed into the General's Mansion. However, the Second Master of the General's Mansion thought she was straightforward and adorable, so even though the Old Madam objected, he still allowed the Second Madam to enter the mansion. Moreover, the men in the General's Mansion have always been devoted to their wives; neither the grandfather, father, nor the Second Uncle had ever considered taking a concubine.
So although my second aunt sometimes had different opinions from my grandmother and mother, the general's mansion was generally very harmonious.
The second wife had no shortage of money. Although she had difficulty acquiring rare books or other valuable items, she was not lacking in gold and silver treasures.
Knowing that Wan Ge was unwell, they sent her a lot of tonics and medicinal herbs, all of the highest quality. They also sent her some new jewelry and a silk skirt.
Although none of them were as valuable as the ones Wan Ge gave to her daughter, they were all the most fashionable and popular among women in the capital.
If she weren't also a businesswoman with her own clothing store, she might not have been able to get her hands on some of the more novel dresses.
…
The autumn banquet is actually not far away. Including the few days Deng Wanning has been studying, the autumn banquet will be held the day after tomorrow.
Wan Ge wanted to find an excuse to refuse, but the Imperial Concubine sent someone to personally deliver an invitation to her. Moreover, she was very considerate in arranging a seat for her, so she didn't need to do anything, just show her face.
With the other party putting things this way, Wan Ge really had no choice but to agree.
…
Looking at the invitation in her hand, she wondered if she would ever meet Jun Yuchen again. He had just passed the imperial examination with top honors and was from a prestigious family. He was a highly sought-after young master and would likely be at the banquet.
However, since men and women do not sit together, I am not sure if I will be able to see him.
When Deng Wanning learned that Wan Ge would be attending the Autumn Banquet, she was not unhappy at all, even though she knew that she would be overshadowed if Wan Ge performed a talent show.
Because Wan Ge had taught her everything she knew, and what she learned wasn't something that could be demonstrated at just one or two banquets. Moreover, even if she didn't come in first, she wouldn't be bad at all if she performed well.
On the contrary, I was quite happy, since I used to only be able to go with my mother, but now I can go with my sister.
"Big sister, since that's the case, shall we go together then?"
Seeing how happy her younger sister was, Wan Ge nodded and said, "Okay, let's go together then."
…
Wan Ge doesn't need to prepare anything; whether she's at her maternal grandparents' house or back home, someone will prepare everything for her.
On the day of the Spring Festival banquet, Wan Ge went out with Deng Wan Ning.
Just after getting off the carriage, Wange took a few steps and then remembered that she had forgotten something.
"Ah Ning, I forgot to bring the gift I was supposed to bring to the Imperial Concubine. You go in first, I'll follow you later."
"Okay, big sister, I'll go in first."
Wan Ge nodded and went back into the carriage with her maid to get her things.
Then he immediately followed, but as soon as he arrived at the banquet venue, he heard someone mocking his younger sister.
"Oh, isn't this the young lady from the General's Mansion? She's here for the Autumn Banquet too."
"Stop teasing her. What general's daughter? Now that the real young lady is back, what does she have to do with it?"
"Don't say that. Today's guests are all newly rich and powerful people in the capital, as well as the families of third-rank officials. If it weren't for the General's Mansion, how could she have gotten in?"
Deng Wanning's face also flushed slightly, and her hands clenched tightly in her sleeves.
Just then, a slightly cool hand gripped hers. The voice was soft yet firm: "My sister isn't a young lady from the General's Mansion, so are you?"
After asking her question, Wan Ge continued, "Even if her uncle isn't a first-rank general, her grandfather is a first-rank general. He's from the second branch of the family, but he's still a legitimate son, so why can't he attend?"
When others saw such a beautiful girl, they were all amazed, but at the same time they were also wondering who she was and why they had never seen her before.
After Wan Ge said that, everyone else lowered their heads in embarrassment.
Wan Ge looked at one of the people who had just mocked Deng Wan Ning: "If I'm not mistaken, this is the eldest daughter of the Duke's mansion, right? I wonder where the eldest daughter's father is currently serving? He's a third-rank official."
"No...no..." Her father only held a sinecure, not even a third-rank official, let alone a fourth-rank official.
She was able to attend the banquet because her grandfather was the Duke, and she was the eldest daughter of the Duke's family.
Wan Ge actually knew why they bullied Deng Wan Ning so much, and also understood why Deng Wan Ning was never invited to such banquets in the past.
My grandfather passed away early, more than 20 years ago.
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