The sky was covered with dark clouds, as if there was a hole in it. Heavy rain fell continuously as if it was woven together. The ground was covered with dense mist, bringing coolness and comfort to the hot autumn weather that had just arrived.
The invitation for the chrysanthemum viewing banquet to be held in the palace has been sent to the residences of officials of the sixth rank and above. Because it is hosted by the Empress every year, everyone is familiar with it.
In the garden of the imperial palace where guests were entertained, plum blossoms were in full bloom, a magnificent sight. In the pavilion on one side, there were many ladies and young ladies from similar family backgrounds, who were talking to each other in whispers.
Although the circle of nobles in the capital is large, only officials of the sixth rank and above and their families can enter the palace to attend the banquet. They are also very well-informed about the news in the court or the capital. They all know who will be invited today and what their family backgrounds are. The topic of discussion changes every day, and today they are quietly talking about one person.
"The He family, the wealthy merchant who donated 5 million taels to disaster relief, will also be at the banquet today, right? Why haven't we seen them yet?"
A lady looked towards the door curiously, wanting to see why the person she was talking about didn't come in.
This wealthy businessman donated 5 million taels in time during the previous flood, which solved the emperor's urgent need. As an exception, he was given the title of imperial merchant before the next imperial merchant election, and his current head of the family was given a sixth-rank idle position in the Ministry of Revenue. Although he is still a businessman at heart, he can be considered a Shangguan family.
The ladies nearby showed some curiosity when they heard this. Today was the first time for their family to attend a formal banquet. They secretly wondered in their hearts what kind of character this family had.
"I heard that the He family has a young lady who is waiting to be married. She is very favored. It would not be bad if the legitimate son, the second son or the illegitimate son of the family married her."
The wife of the Minister of Revenue, Lady Nian, chuckled. Her words caused many ladies to ponder secretly. Family marriages are not only about friendship but also about benefits. The He family is in great favor and has money. Although their legitimate daughter is not worthy of the legitimate eldest son who was raised by Jing Xin, it is not bad to give her to the second son or concubine's son. All the ladies became active at once.
"Prince Pei went to Jiangnan to provide disaster relief, and Lord He also went there. The two of them are good colleagues. Has the wife of the prince met Madam He and Miss He?"
Xiao Yunrou was drinking her tea quietly, she didn't expect that she would be asked this question.
"That's not the case. Hearing is believing, seeing is believing. You ladies will know what it is like in a moment."
Upon hearing this, a lady from a scholarly family covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed:
"What's so good about this? She's just a merchant's daughter. She squeezed into our circle with money. She stinks of copper."
Many scholars looked down on businessmen, thinking they were lowly people and unwilling to associate with them. The lady's words were met with a sneer from Mrs. Xue.
"What do you eat and use that isn't sold by merchants? Even the shops in your house aren't businesses? According to you, we are all people with a silver smell?"
Mrs. Xue was the prime minister's wife. Her words made those who had objections to the He family dare not speak out. The scene suddenly became quiet and the lady was very embarrassed.
After a while, another lady whispered:
"Madam, is that your sister from your mother's family?"
Following the direction she said, the other ladies also looked, and saw behind the palace maid, a young girl with a decent smile on her face. On her face, as soft and crystal as mutton-fat jade, a pair of phoenix eyes were bright and shining, embellishing her entire charming and beautiful face. However, she did not seem frivolous, but instead exuded a dignified and noble air.
Xiao Yunrou smiled when she saw the person coming over, and when the person approached, she took Xiao Yunya's hand. There were a lot of rumors outside, and although there were many regrets, no one really wanted to go to the Xiao family to propose marriage. However, seeing the bright Xiao Yunya again today, without a trace of resentment or depression, the ladies' minds became active again.
"Why are you alone? Where's your mother?"
Xiao Yunya remained calm and composed when being stared at by everyone, neither humble nor overbearing, which made those who originally laughed at her secretly and wanted to laugh at her feel a little annoyed.
"As soon as I entered the garden, I ran into my aunt, and my mother went to talk to her."
Xiao Yunrou nodded, and Madam Xue on the side smiled and said:
"Miss Xiao Er looks more beautiful than before. I wonder who will be lucky enough to marry you in the future."
Although Xiao Yunya was not to blame for the cancellation of the engagement, there were still many rumors. Xiao's father and mother were waiting for the next spring imperial examination to discuss the marriage, but in Xiao Yunrou's opinion, it was not so reliable. After all, Zheng Yiyang was the legitimate son of the Dali Temple Minister. If Xiao Yunya married a lower-ranking man in the future, there would be no end to the gossip.
Xiao Yunrou took Xiao Yunya to talk to the ladies, but her eyes kept looking at Madam Zheng outside the pavilion, with a dark look in her eyes.
After Xiao Yunya arrived, Madam Zheng stayed aside and chatted with some ladies of lower official positions. Those ladies praised her in every way they spoke, but they could not bring her the slightest sense of pride.
The collapse of the Ruan family happened in a matter of moments. Although it was Meng Yu who reported it to the emperor, it happened after the two families broke off their engagement. She would not believe a word of the words that it had nothing to do with the Xiao family.
Thinking about her husband being targeted by the Xiao family and her son not having such a good marriage, she could hear gossip whenever she went out after the two families became enemies, which made her feel depressed. Not to mention that it was even harder to find a marriage for Zheng Yiyang. No one from a wealthy family was willing to marry their daughter to him, and she looked down on the small families.
Mrs. Zheng sighed deeply. She could only place her hope on the next spring examination. As long as she got a good ranking, she would not be afraid of not being able to marry a girl from a good family.
"Father and mother want to keep Yaer for two more years, so there is no rush."
After the third person asked about Xiao Yunya's marriage, Xiao Yunrou said something ambiguous, and everyone became indifferent and stopped asking. It would be good if they could talk to Su privately.
When the time was almost up, no one saw the mother and daughter of the He family as rumored, until the eunuch announced the start of the meal and everyone sat down. After the Empress arrived and introduced the mother and daughter who came in with her, everyone came to their senses, but their eyes were a little subtle.
Even Xiao Yunrou raised her eyes and looked at the woman standing next to the Empress. She was about fourteen or fifteen years old, with willow-shaped eyebrows, red eyes, and delicate facial features. However, she was wearing a light yellow dress, five heavy gold hairpins on her head, gold earrings, and a necklace around her neck. She looked so golden that Xiao Yunrou couldn't help but twitch her lips.
Many ladies and young ladies were laughing quietly, but Miss He was completely unaware of it. She felt very good about herself and held her head high with pride.
"A businessman is a businessman. Look at the jewelry she wears. She must be trying to cover her head, right?"
"Isn't it? He was standing next to the Queen Mother. Didn't he see the ugly expression on the face of the daughter of the Duke of Yue's mansion? That position was not occupied before."
"What's the big deal? The Empress Dowager promoted her because it was the Emperor's will. She just donated five million taels of silver, so she shouldn't be given some face, right?"
"I've heard that. Because most of the officials in Jiangnan were purged, and the He family took the lead, the emperor wanted all the wealthy merchants to donate some money. Shouldn't we hold them in high esteem?"
"No wonder, look at her smug look, she really thinks she can fly into the sky."
The ladies were sharing gossip, and after the Emperor gave the order to serve the meal, Miss He returned to her seat. Then everyone's gazes gradually turned away and they looked at the song and dance being performed in the center of the venue.
When the banquet was in full swing, Mu Yuying came over to the last table with a smile on her face. Her words were extremely kind, and there was no hint of hatred towards this woman from her just now.
"You must be Miss He."
He Huanhuan nodded proudly, which made Mu Yuying's eyes flash with sternness.
"I am Mu Yuying, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Yue, and the Crown Prince's cousin."
When Mu Yuying revealed her identity, He Huanhuan's attitude immediately changed. She said with a smile:
"It's Sister Mu. My name is He Huanhuan. The Queen just mentioned Sister Mu. Huanhuan hoped to spend more time with Sister Mu, but I didn't expect to see her now."
Mu Yuying smiled faintly, and her eyes became even more profound as she watched her actions. She waved her hand, and a palace maid came over and followed Mu Yuying's instructions to pour two glasses of fruit wine.
"Miss He must be extraordinary to be loved by the Queen Mother. It is a rare opportunity to meet such a wonderful person as Miss He today. Why don't we drink this cup together to show our love."
He Huanhuan took the wine glass, very happy, and even a little proud. Look, the daughter of the Duke's Mansion came to toast her, so she knew she was in a good position. So she didn't think much about it, and drank it all in one gulp after clinking glasses with Mu Yuying, without seeing her meaningful smile.
Not far away, Xiao Yunya was facing He Huanhuan's table. Seeing He Huanhuan drank Mu Yuying's wine, she showed a hint of sarcasm.
"A newborn ox is not afraid of a tiger. If she dares to drink this cup of wine, Miss He will be completely ruined tomorrow."
Xue Lin, who was sitting next to her, saw her expression and looked over. She couldn't help but shook her head and whispered to Xiao Yunya.
Although she is a bit reckless, she is not stupid. She has been infatuated with Xiao Yunyan for many years and has done many "earth-shaking" things, but she has never really hurt anyone. Although she realized some things later, the daughters of wealthy families who are really familiar with her are all her good friends. With their obvious and covert suggestions, she can also discover things that she has never noticed before.
Mu Yuying was gentle and generous in front of others, but some people knew her vicious and cruel methods. Just like the second daughter of the Duke of Weiyuan, who drank with her at the banquet at the royal hunting ground a year ago, was found to have an affair with someone after the banquet, just like what was seen today.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunya looked at Xue Lin in surprise, which made her feel a little embarrassed.
"Don't say you don't know."
Xiao Yunya looked calm, not surprised at all, but wondered in her heart how Xue Lin knew? She knew everything, but she only knew about the eldest brother.
"The Duke of Yue's Mansion will not let anything happen to her."
Xiao Yunya said lightly, which made Xue Lin curious and she looked at her intently.