Chapter 42 Spring Feast [7]
It takes half an hour to travel from the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence to Princess Pingyang's Yi Garden.
On the way, Rong told Achu about Princess Pingyang.
Princess Pingyang was the daughter of the Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess is also the current emperor's biological elder sister, born of the same mother.
The two are ten years apart in age and have a very deep bond.
Therefore, Princess Pingyang was also greatly favored by the emperor.
Princess Pingyang is thirty years old this year. She married her husband in her early years and died in an accident after falling from her horse.
Five years ago, she married the Duke of Lin as his second wife.
Princess Pingyang loved lively gatherings and frequently hosted various banquets.
This Yi Garden was specifically used by her to entertain guests.
As they approached Yi Garden, Madam Rong once again gave Shen Jingya some words of concern:
“Your sixth sister has never been outside before, so you must take good care of her today and make sure no one bullies her.”
Shen Jingya took Achu's hand affectionately and said to Rongshi with a smile, "Mother, don't worry! With me here today, no one can bully Sixth Sister!"
"Don't worry, I'll teach Sixth Sister anything she doesn't understand!"
Madam Rong nodded: "Your mother trusts you very much."
Just then, the carriage stopped; we had arrived at Yi Garden.
The maid pulled back the carriage curtain and invited Achu and the others to get off.
Shen Jingya got off the carriage first, followed by Achu, and finally Rong Shi.
Ah Chu looked around.
They arrived rather late; several carriages, each exquisite and beautiful, were already parked outside Yi Garden.
At the entrance of Yi Garden, stewards stood to greet guests, and ladies and young women alighted from their carriages, greeting acquaintances with smiles, creating a lively atmosphere.
As soon as Rong came down, she led Achu and Shen Jingya toward the entrance of Yiyuan Garden, where they encountered a familiar lady.
"Lady of the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness!"
Madam Rong turned around and greeted her with a smile, "Madam Chen, it's been a long time."
Madam Chen was a slightly plump woman who looked quite wealthy.
Beside her was a young girl who looked somewhat like her, curiously observing A Chu.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Madam Rong, Madam Chen turned her attention to Achu and Shen Jingya.
"Ya-jie looks as beautiful as a flower today!"
Shen Jingya smiled sweetly and brightly: "It's been so long since I've seen Madam Chen. You look younger and more beautiful than ever!"
Madam Chen smiled so much her eyes narrowed: "Ya'er, you really know how to compliment people!"
Her gaze shifted and landed on Achu.
Madam Chen had naturally heard about the recent commotion at the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence.
She was very curious about the sixth young lady of the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion!
"This must be the sixth young lady of the manor, right? Oh my, she's absolutely stunning!"
Madam Chen's praise was heartfelt; she even felt that such words were not enough to describe A-Chu.
She couldn't help but think to herself, "These twins really don't look alike!"
Miss Shen the Sixth is much prettier than Miss Shen the Fifth.
Of course, she wouldn't say this in front of Rong Shi and Shen Jingya.
Rong took Achu's hand and introduced her to Madam Chen with a smile: "Yes, this is my daughter, Shen Jingtan. I've never brought her out before."
"Tan'er, this is the wife of the Grand Secretary, Madam Chen."
Achu glanced at Madam Chen and gave her a curtsy: "Madam Chen."
Madam Chen hurriedly came to help Ah Chu, and the more she looked at him, the more she liked him. She couldn't help but praise Rong Shi: "Madam Hou, you are truly so good at giving birth!"
"Both daughters are more beautiful than the last!"
Achu lowered her eyelids shyly.
The smile on Shen Jingya's face was slightly stiff.
She took the initiative to help Mrs. Chen's daughter up: "Wanwan, it's been so long! Have you been on a diet lately? You look much thinner!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Wan's face lit up with surprise: "Really? You can tell I've lost weight? I've been eating half a bowl less of rice lately!"
Shen Jingya nodded: "Really, I feel like your face has gotten smaller!"
Chen Wan touched her face: "I also think my face has gotten smaller!"
Because Shen Jingya and Chen Wan were talking, the conversation that Madam Chen had been giving was naturally diverted.
Rong invited Madam Chen inside, and they chatted as they walked.
Upon entering Yi Garden, a maid led them to the garden, where today's banquet would be held.
When Achu and the others arrived, Princess Pingyang was already surrounded by many wives and young ladies of officials.
Hearing that Lady Zhongyi and her two daughters had arrived, everyone's eyes turned to them.
They looked at Achu, who was following Rong Shi, with curiosity.
When they saw Ah Chu's appearance clearly, they were all amazed.
Rong, along with Achu and Shen Jingya, paid their respects to Princess Pingyang.
Princess Pingyang is thirty years old this year. She is beautiful and has a flamboyant and generous personality.
She had naturally heard about the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion.
Upon seeing Achu, Princess Pingyang immediately asked, "Is this the sixth young lady who was taken away by the concubine of the Marquis's mansion?"
Rong replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
Princess Pingyang said indignantly, "That concubine is truly vicious! How dare she do such a thing! Has she been severely punished?"
Rong: "Naturally, a severe punishment will be imposed."
Princess Pingyang nodded in agreement: "She must be severely punished! Execution would not be too much. It's fortunate that she was born a stillborn child; if she had grown up, she would certainly not have been a good person!"
Rong didn't say anything, after all, Meng's daughter was standing right next to her.
The smile on Shen Jingya's face froze.
Luckily, she wore heavy makeup today, so no one could tell that she looked unwell.
Princess Pingyang beckoned Ah Chu to come to her.
She's obsessed with looks and loves looking at handsome men and beautiful women.
A beauty like Achu, extremely pretty yet non-threatening, was the kind of woman Princess Pingyang liked best.
Princess Pingyang took Achu's hand, looking at her slender wrist with affection:
"Poor girl, you must have suffered a lot by that wicked concubine's side. Look how thin you are."
"Here, this is for you."
Princess Pingyang took off a white jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on Achu's wrist.
Achu was somewhat flattered: "Your Highness... this is far too precious..."
Princess Pingyang: "Take it if I give it to you!"
Achu glanced back at Rong Shi, and seeing that she nodded, he politely thanked Princess Pingyang.
After leaving Princess Pingyang's side, other officials' wives came over to exchange pleasantries with Rong Shi, and also to praise A Chu and Shen Jingya.
Afterwards, Princess Pingyang let the young girls go and play on their own, while she led the ladies to watch a play.
Achu followed Shen Jingya and the other young ladies to the other side of the garden.
There is an artificial lake and a large lawn there.
This area has also been prepared, and kites have been provided for the girls to fly.
Some of the more lively ones would fly kites, while others who preferred quiet would go to the gauze shed to paint or play the piano.
Shen Jingya did indeed always have Achu with her.
She was clearly very popular and got along very well among the noble ladies.
Shen Jingya introduced Achu to the others: "My sister has never been out before. She's timid, so you mustn't bully her!"
She seemed to be protecting Achu, but in reality, she made sure Achu didn't leave a good impression on everyone.
It makes it seem like they enjoy bullying people.
Among the noble ladies, some have good personalities, while others do not.
Those with good personalities were very friendly to Achu.
If she has a bad personality, just ignore her.
Among them, the one with the worst personality was Lin Xueyao, the stepdaughter of Princess Pingyang and the daughter of the former wife of the Duke of Lin.
Lin Xueyao is arrogant and domineering, and also a bit brainless.
Moreover, she has a good relationship with Shen Jingya.
Lin Xueyao originally thought that since A Chu was Shen Jingya's younger sister, she would be kind to her.
As a result, she heard from Shen Jingya's maid that ever since Shen Jingtan was taken back by the Marquis's wife, the Marquis's wife had neglected Shen Jingya and always favored Shen Jingtan.
Upon hearing this, Lin Xueyao immediately became somewhat displeased.
She wanted to teach Ah Chu a lesson.
Lin Xueyao picked up the teapot and said to Achu, "Chen Jingtan, right? Since you are Ya'er's sister, you are also my sister."
"Here, have a taste of this fine pre-rain spring tea."
Upon seeing this, Achu picked up the teacup in front of her to accept the tea.
"Thank you so much, Sister Lin... Ah!"
Lin Xueyao poured her tea directly onto A Chu's sleeve. The tea was still a bit hot, and she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"Oh dear! I was so careless! I tipped it over!" Lin Xueyao said with a fake smile.
"Miss!" Xiao Liu rushed over anxiously.
Shen Jingya also came over and asked with concern, "Sixth Sister, are you alright? Xueyao didn't do it on purpose, please don't blame her."
Achu glanced timidly at Lin Xueyao and shook her head: "It's okay, I know Sister Lin didn't mean it."
Her voice was soft and pleasant to hear.
Those eyes were so clear and moist, and when they looked at you timidly, it made you feel soft-hearted.
Lin Xueyao suddenly felt guilty, wondering if she had gone too far.
She said to the maid beside her, "Hurry up and take Miss Shen to change her clothes!"
The maid led the way, taking Achu to the place where the female guests rested or changed clothes.
Xiao Liu helped A Chu up, looking at the slightly red skin on her wrist, and felt very sorry for her: "This young lady of the Duke's family is too careless."
Achu smiled reassuringly at her: "It's nothing, just a little red."
When officials' wives and daughters went out, they would always bring a change of clothes, just in case something happened at the banquet and they got dirty.
More thoughtful families will also provide guests with change of clothes.
However, Achu still wanted to wear his own.
She told Xiaoliu to go back to the carriage to get it.
While waiting for Xiao Liu, the maid who had led the way had disappeared.
Achu sat in the room for a while, then got up and went out.
She wandered further and further astray, seemingly lost and unsure of which way to go.
Just then, she saw what appeared to be people in the waterside pavilion ahead.
The light gauze was blown by the wind, and she could only see a deep red figure reclining on the chaise longue. She couldn't make out the figure's shape or whether it was a man or a woman.
Achu stood there hesitating for a moment, then decided to go in and ask for directions.
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