The night before the banquet, Gu Qinlan summoned all the servants to the front courtyard for a speech.
"Tomorrow, our mansion will be open to the public for the first time, hosting a banquet for guests from all walks of life. Everyone should understand the significance of this banquet. This is not only a major event concerning the reputation of our Zheng family, but also a golden opportunity to showcase our family's style. Therefore, everyone must be on their toes tomorrow and do their utmost to ensure perfection. Afterwards, everyone's monthly allowance will be doubled. And those who perform exceptionally well will receive an additional two taels of silver as a reward."
Upon hearing the reward, the servants' eyes gleamed with greed.
If they can perform well, each of them can earn more than three taels of silver!
This is almost half a year's income!
As a result, everyone was as if they had taken a stimulant, all their fatigue disappeared, and they were just looking forward to tomorrow so that they could show their skills.
The Prince Duan's mansion was brightly decorated and bustling with activity.
One after another, ornately decorated carriages slowly drove in, seemingly blocking the path in front of the gate.
The head steward of the manor, accompanied by his servants, strode forward, carefully guiding the distinguished guests from their carriages. Then, a designated person led the empty carriages to the pre-arranged area. In the blink of an eye, the area in front of the gate opened up, and the previously narrow passageway was completely clear of congestion.
"It's really unexpected. The Duan Prince's Mansion has an extraordinary ability to organize banquets. In the past, every banquet was incredibly crowded, but who would have thought that they could manage it so smoothly."
The distinguished guests who attended the banquet all praised it highly.
Upon entering the Prince Duan's residence, servants and maids led the male and female guests into different courtyards.
Gu Qinlan was chatting amiably with the ladies in the courtyard where she was responsible for receiving the female guests. Meanwhile, Zheng Dinglian was busy with the male guests.
Although the Prince Duan's residence wasn't particularly grand or imposing, it was spacious enough for daily living, but hosting such a large banquet did make it feel somewhat crowded. However, the entire residence was remarkably orderly and disciplined. The servants and maids were quick, methodical, and efficient, each fulfilling their duties while also assisting one another.
"I had previously thought that the Zheng family, having lived in a small city like Jindu for many years, would be in a state of chaos when organizing such a large banquet for the first time. I never expected that the scene would be handled so well, even rivaling the banquets of prominent families in the capital."
"I heard that this is all thanks to the Princess of Linchuan. The Zheng family was a laughing stock when they were in Jindu. Everyone knows how chaotic the Prince Duan's mansion used to be. The Princess of Linchuan married into the mansion and managed to bring order to the mansion in just one year. It's truly amazing."
The guests gathered together and praised every aspect of the Prince Duan's Mansion.
Just then, a maid rushed in and reported to Gu Qinlan: "Madam, the Fourth Prince and the Fourth Prince's Consort have arrived. The Prince requests that you go to the main gate to greet them."
All the guests were surprised that the Prince Duan's residence had actually invited the Fourth Prince.
Isn't Prince Zheng known for his aloofness and self-restraint? How did he end up getting involved with a prince?
Moreover, on the day of the palace banquet, Princess Linchuan openly disrespected the Fourth Prince's wife. Everyone thought the Fourth Prince's wife would hold a grudge, but unexpectedly she came to visit.
Could it be that Prince Zheng, who appears to be a loyal minister, is actually a confidant of the Fourth Prince?
The guests speculated, and Gu Qinlan herself had some doubts.
What exactly are the intentions of the fourth prince and his wife?
After meeting up with Zheng Dinglian, Gu Qinlan whispered a reminder: "This couple definitely doesn't have good intentions. We need to be vigilant and not fall into their trap."
Zheng Dinglian responded, "I suspect that the one who will make the move this time will be the Fourth Prince's Consort, because of the secret she's carrying..."
He glanced at Gu Qinlan with concern: "Can you handle this?"
Gu Qinlan nodded firmly: "I will make everyone in the family be on high alert and stay away from the Fourth Prince's wife. I will not allow anyone to get close to her."
Zheng Dinglian reminded, "All food and drinks sent to the Fourth Prince's Consort must be strictly inspected."
Their sudden visit at this critical juncture was clearly an attempt to set a trap for them, a trap they absolutely could not afford to fall into.
Gu Qinlan knew perfectly well what was going on and dared not be careless in the slightest. The Fourth Prince and his wife were no ordinary people; otherwise, they would not have been able to reach the pinnacle in their previous lives.
As the couple arrived at the gate of the mansion, the carriage of the Fourth Prince's mansion slowly came to a stop outside the gate.
Zheng Dinglian and Gu Qinlan immediately stepped forward: "Your humble servant and your wife respectfully await the arrival of the Fourth Prince and the Fourth Prince's Consort."
The Fourth Prince and his wife stepped down from the carriage and stood hand in hand. The Fourth Prince smiled and said in a gentle manner, "Your Highness Prince Zheng and Princess Linchuan, we are here uninvited, and we hope you will forgive our intrusion."
In public, the Fourth Prince was elegant and approachable.
Zheng Dinglian said respectfully but with dignity, "Your Highness is too kind. It is a great honor for us, Your Highness and Your Highness's wife, to have you here. Please come into our residence."
The Fourth Prince smiled and took his wife's hand, leading her slowly through the gates of the Duan Prince's residence. As they entered, he spoke with gentle grace: "Your Highness, this is my first time setting foot in this mansion. I have long heard of your esteemed collection of numerous weapons and military treatises. Would you be so kind as to allow me to witness their splendor?"
Zheng Dinglian calmly replied, "These are just ordinary items, probably not worthy of the Fourth Prince's distinguished taste."
His refusal was decisive and unpretentious.
A shadow crossed the Fourth Prince's eyes, but his smile remained unchanged: "Prince Zheng, please do not be too reserved. I have never liked to force others. I am here today only because my Princess Consort and the Princess of Linchuan had a slightly inappropriate exchange at the banquet in the palace the other day. Therefore, I have come to offer my congratulations in order to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings."
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