She took a deep breath, her eyes inadvertently falling on Shen Xinyan's bun, a flash of surprise in her eyes: "Second brother's wife, this phoenix hairpin is very unique, it seems like the first time I see you wearing it. I look at the craftsmanship, it seems to be made by Linglong Pavilion."

As soon as the words fell, everyone's eyes in the room fell on Shen Xinyan's hair.

Shen Xinyan held the hairpin, and a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

"Madam, you have a good eye. This hairpin is indeed from Linglong Pavilion. The young master personally selected the style and asked the craftsmen to make it. It was only made this morning. Even I am seeing the finished product for the first time." Tao, the female shopkeeper of Linglong Pavilion, said with a smile.

"So it was custom-made by the prince. No wonder! This hairpin alone outshines all the jewelry in the room." Fang glanced at Yang, who was staring at the hairpin in Shen Xinyan's hair with envy.

Yang looked down at the hairpins she liked and compared them with the one Shen Xinyan was wearing. Somehow, the jewelry that she had originally been very satisfied with now seemed quite ordinary no matter how she looked at it.

"Whether this piece of jewelry is expensive or not, it only matters whether it matches the wearer and whether it can fully display the owner's temperament. The hairpin worn by the Crown Prince's wife was specially made by someone hired by the Crown Prince. Even the winding of each gold thread is designed to show the Crown Prince's wife's grace and elegance. Therefore, only when the Crown Prince's wife wears it can it complement the Crown Prince's wife."

"The pair of emerald and pearl butterfly and mosquito earrings chosen by the Third Madam are so translucent and the gems so sparkling that they look so precious. They perfectly complement the Madam's elegance. I have to say that the Madam's taste really makes me feel inferior to her."

"This Miss Fang is as pure and elegant as an orchid in a valley. She wears oriental pearls and crabapple flowers as accessories, and puts on that fairy dress. She is truly like the goddess of heaven descending to earth!"

"And the first lady..."

Shopkeeper Tao's eloquence made Yang and the Fang sisters smile happily, especially the Fang sisters, who immediately felt unhappy about being repeatedly cut off by Yang.

The shopkeeper of Nishangxuan naturally did not want to be left behind, and spared no effort to promote the most luxurious and exquisite dresses in her store.

But in less than half an hour, everyone had picked out the jewelry and clothes they liked, and even Shen Xinyan picked out a piece of jewelry for Wei Junhang and his two children.

She chose transparent jade pendants for Wei Junhang and his son, and a double-beaded wedding headpiece for her daughter. Taking this opportunity, she also picked out two sets of headwear and a dress for herself.

Anyway, it’s public money that’s being spent, so it’s a waste not to spend it!

As for what reaction the smiling Fang would have after seeing the bill, that was not something she should consider.

***

On the day of the Hundred Flowers Banquet, Fang Birong got up early to dress up, and Fang even did the makeup for her herself. Seeing her sister grow up to be as beautiful as a flower, she couldn't help but feel relieved.

"Sister, what do you think of my outfit? Is it appropriate?" Fang Birong was a little nervous. After all, this was her first time showing up in the capital. She would not be able to marry into any family in the future, so this Hundred Flowers Banquet was crucial.

"She is extremely beautiful, even more beautiful than the Princess Rui back then." Fang replied with a smile.

"Really?" Fang Birong's eyes lit up and her pretty face flushed slightly.

Princess Rui was the most beautiful woman in the capital at that time. Any makeup she put on could easily make the ladies and girls in the capital rush to imitate her.

"Of course it's true. My sister is not comparable to ordinary women." Fang was very confident about her sister's appearance.

"Don't worry, sister. If there is a chance in the future, I will do my best to help Qi Ge'er regain the position he deserves." Fang Birong's eyes were firm.

"Okay, as long as we sisters are united, one day, we will make those who look down on us..." Fang did not say the last half of the sentence, but the sinister expression on her face revealed her thoughts.

"I thought I had seen through Shen, but her recent behavior is puzzling. When you go out with her, be sure not to offend her. Even if you feel wronged, be patient for now. Remember, it is never too late for a gentleman to take revenge."

"As for Yang, she is just a shallow-minded vulgar woman, there is no need to worry about her. But don't argue with her. She is a fierce woman who is willing to sacrifice her reputation. It is not a good thing for a girl to get involved with her." Fang warned worriedly.

"Don't worry, sister. I've taken note of it." Fang Birong nodded.

"Did you read all the names in the list I gave you a few days ago?"

“I recognize them all.”

"That's good. You left the capital when you were young, and this is your first time attending a banquet in the capital. You'd better say less and do less, but you must not offend people who should not be offended." Fang reminded again and again, and finally said, "The youngest son of the Prime Minister's wife is now eighteen years old, and it is time to discuss marriage. If you can catch her eye, you will be a great help in the future. There are also Minister Xu and Duke Li. These two families also have boys of the right age. The ladies of these three families will definitely go, so you have to be careful."

Fang Birong naturally agreed again.

While Fang in this room was giving a lot of instructions, Shen Xinyan over there had to coax her daughter who was acting coquettishly and wanted to go with them. After ceding land and paying a fee, she finally made the little girl happy. Then she took Qiutang and Yang and Fang Birong who were waiting on the side out of the house and got on the carriage to Prince Kang's mansion.

"I have just arrived in the capital and this is my first time attending a banquet. I would like to ask the Crown Prince's wife and the Third Madam to give me more advice on everything, so that I don't embarrass myself in front of you." Fang Birong said sweetly after sitting down.

"Miss Fang is an insightful person, and your sister is known for her intelligence. I believe she has already instructed everything and made thorough preparations. We are just stupid people and cannot afford the word "advice". " Shen Xinyan said meaningfully.

Fang Birong paused, a trace of anger flashed in her eyes, and she forced a stiff smile and said dryly, "Madam, you are too modest."

After saying this, he sat aside quietly and dared not say anything more.

Shen Xinyan ignored her and closed her eyes to rest.

Yang looked at this and that, and her eyes understood everything. Then, she took Fang Birong's arm affectionately and said with a smile: "Sister Fang is so beautiful, maybe some nobleman will take a fancy to her and marry a husband with a bright future. I just hope that sister will be rich in the future, but don't forget to take care of me!"

Fang Birong's pretty face flushed and she lowered her head shyly, but her mood seemed quite happy because of her words.

Shen Xinyan raised the corner of her mouth slightly in a mocking arc, but said nothing.

The carriage turned a few corners and arrived at the street where Prince Kang's mansion was located.

"There are too many people here. When will it be our turn to go in?" Noticing that the carriage had stopped, Yang lifted a slit in the curtain and looked outside, exclaiming in surprise.

Fang Birong could not help but secretly look out. All she could see were various carriages of different sizes and specifications, which blocked the originally wide street. From a distance, she could vaguely see a dozen men dressed as stewards welcoming guests in front of the Prince's Mansion.

Although she was from the capital, she had lived in other places with her parents since she was young. She had never seen such a grand occasion before and was stunned for a moment.

Shen Xinyan had attended the Hundred Flowers Banquet as the Crown Prince's wife in her previous life. She was mentally prepared and knew that she would have to wait for a while, so she continued to close her eyes and rest.

"Madam, whose car is that? Why is it so magnificent?" Fang Birong couldn't help but ask curiously when she saw several carriages parked closer to Prince Kang's mansion slowly making way for Shanshan's other luxury car, which was late, to enter first.

"Except for the car in the Prime Minister's house, which other family has such a great honor?" Yang replied, but she couldn't hide the envy in her eyes.

The Prime Minister of the current dynasty is not only the head of the inner cabinet, but also the biological father of the Empress. The honor of his family is unimaginable to others.

The Prime Minister’s family... Fang Birong was silent.

Shen Xinyan opened her eyes when she heard the word "Prime Minister". She glanced at Fang Birong who seemed a little dazed. Thinking of what she had done in the previous life, her eyes were filled with thought.

In her previous life, although she reluctantly brought Fang Birong to the banquet and disliked her, she always reminded her of her mistakes because she was the one who brought her up. But in the end, Fang Birong fell in love with her brother-in-law, Qi Liuxiu, the current editor of the Imperial Academy.

Fang Birong couldn't let go of Qi Liuxiu, but at the same time was unwilling to give up the opportunity to marry into a wealthy family. Later, the truth was revealed and she learned that her sister had met Qi Liuxiu at the Hundred Flowers Banquet. Naturally, Fang blamed her for it.

Not only Fang, but also her sister, Qi Liuxiu's wife Shen Xinlan, hated her to the core.

It was really funny. Even if Fang hadn't done that, she would still hate the man who had taken her place. But what about her sister? She didn't hate the adulterer, but hated her elder sister. Isn't it because she always picks on the weak?

She could have prevented Qi Liuxiu and Fang Birong from meeting for the first time at the Hundred Flowers Banquet, but on what basis? If a cow wants to drink water, could she force it to stop?

Don't blame her for being cold and selfish. No one can be magnanimous after being stabbed in the back by her own sister again and again.

***

This famous, disguised blind date banquet was held more than once by the Princess of Kang County, so although there were many guests this time, the Prince's Mansion had already made preparations. The male guests were led to the main hall, while the female guests were carried in a blue cloth sedan chair through the second gate and then to the flower hall.

When Shen Xinyan, Yang and Fang Birong came in, the hall was already filled with laughter and conversation.

The Princess of Kang County at the top was talking with the wife of the Prime Minister, and there were several noble ladies beside her who echoed their words from time to time. The young women dressed as girls were being greeted by Princess of Kang County's daughter, Lady Pingxiu.

Although the Duke of Ying's Mansion has no men who can support it in the court, the Duke's wife is the current emperor's aunt, Princess Jinghe. Although the current Crown Prince is a playboy, he is favored by the emperor. As a result, as soon as Shen Xinyan, the Crown Prince's wife, came in, many ladies from aristocratic families came forward to greet her.

"I haven't seen the Grand Princess for a while. I wonder how Your Highness is doing recently?" Princess Kang naturally did not dare to neglect her and asked affectionately.

"Princess Lao is thinking of my mother, and everything is fine."

"The girl next to the Crown Prince's wife is so pretty. I wonder whose daughter she is?" The Prime Minister's wife's eyes lit up when she saw Fang Birong, and she asked expectantly.

Fang Birong bowed to all the ladies with dignity, and stood beside Shen Xinyan gracefully, listening to Shen Xinyan's answer: "This is Miss Fang, the daughter of Marquis Pingliang. This is her first time in the capital, so my sister-in-law asked me to bring her here to see the world."

"It turns out that she is the girl from the mansion of Marquis Pingliang." The smile on the Prime Minister's wife's face faded.