Seeing Yang Mengchen alight from the carriage, Madam Xu of the Xinyang Marquis Mansion and her two daughters-in-law, Madam Zhao and Madam Liu, approached with ingratiating smiles, respectfully greeting her, "Your humble servants have the honor to welcome Princess Chen. It is a privilege for the Hou Mansion that Princess Chen has come to attend the flower viewing party."
Everyone knew that Princess Chen rarely attended banquets, yet today she graced the Hou Mansion with her presence. This not only brought glory to the Hou Mansion but also allowed them to bask in the good fortune of the Princess.
"Please, rise." Yang Mengchen displayed an appropriately modest smile, "I have long heard that the Hou Mansion boasts a complete and valuable collection of flowers. Regrettably, I have been too busy with numerous affairs, but these past few days I happened to have some leisure time and thus have come to admire them."
Her implication was clear: she had come to the Hou Mansion to appreciate the flowers.
The guests nearby, who had either just arrived or had come out to pay their respects upon hearing of Princess Chen’s arrival, noticed the triumphant expressions of the mother-in-law and daughters-in-law and felt a mix of envy and resentment. Princess Chen had really given face to the Xinyang Marquis Mansion by attending the banquet, but they soon realized that she had come merely to admire the flowers.
For a moment, the looks that the crowd directed at the three women were full of deep significance.
The complexions of the mother-in-law and daughters-in-law turned into a colorful display of embarrassment. Despite their internal seething anger, they had no choice but to respectfully guide Yang Mengchen and Sister Jin toward the inner courtyard.
"Your servant pays respects to Princess Chen." At this moment, Chu Dieyi arrived.
"Madam Shao, you may dispense with the formalities." Yang Mengchen smiled and extended her hand to help Chu Dieyi up, "My father, the Emperor, has always praised Madam Shao as a heroine. I, too, hold deep admiration for you. It’s rare that we meet today; perhaps Madam Shao could share some heroic deeds of the sons and daughters from the borderlands." She said as she took Chu Dieyi’s hand and led her inside.
Chu Dieyi nodded with a calm expression and began to share, "Upon receiving your letter, Ah Yi went to the Grand Prince Mansion early this morning."
"The affairs in the Capital are overly complicated with too many twists and turns. It’s best to avoid them if you can, to prevent unnecessary trouble."
"We are well aware of that."
Yang Mengchen nodded. Shao Mingyi was a great general from the borderlands and Ah Lan was forthright by nature; it was for the best that they not get involved in the murky waters of the Capital’s politics.
The two deliberately kept their voices low so that neither the Xu mother and daughters-in-law in front nor Sister Jin and the others behind could hear.
Seeing Princess Chen show such esteem for Chu Dieyi, especially since the Emperor had also praised Chu Dieyi as a heroine, everyone displayed looks of envy and admiration.
Of course, there were some who disdained and despised associating with Chu Dieyi, who was of lowly birth. They even privately mocked Yang Mengchen and Chu Dieyi, one being a peasant girl and the other an official slave; no wonder they got along so well.
Along the way, many guests hurried forward to offer their greetings and exchange pleasantries with Yang Mengchen. Aside from the banquet and those few households who were closely acquainted with her, this was the first time Chu Dieyi was attending such an event. If they encountered someone unfamiliar, she would look to Yang Mengchen’s demeanor. If Yang Mengchen was cordial, she too would respond with generosity and good manners. If Yang Mengchen seemed more reserved, she would simply nod, a gesture that gained her the good opinion of many.
Upon reaching Shouhua Hall, where many of the female guests had already gathered, the sight of Yang Mengchen prompted them to quickly rise and pay their respects. The elderly matriarch of the Hou Mansion, supported by Sister Jin, stood up to greet her and then reverently invited Yang Mengchen to take the seat of honor.
Yang Mengchen caught a fleeting glimpse of calculation in the eyes of the elderly matriarch, and though her heart felt a mocking chill, her beautiful face remained appropriately smiling. She raised her hand to indicate that everyone should rise, followed by meeting with Princess Ning and Long Jingxi, and Princess Kang, and exchanged greetings with Lady Luo, Lady Xiao, and others. Finally, she took her seat beside Long Jingxi and Princess Kang, while Chu Dieyi sat down next to Lady Xiao.
Princess Ning and the others appeared relaxed and at ease. The Xinyang Marquis Mansion lacked a reputable family ethos, and they had initially not planned to attend upon receiving the invitation, but hearing that Yang Mengchen would be participating, they became concerned that she might fall prey to scheming. Thus, acting on a shared intuition, several ladies came to offer support. Seeing that Yang Mengchen’s words and actions were calculated, they too felt reassured.
When they noticed that Yang Mengchen did not take the principal seat, the elderly matriarch had a moment of stunned silence but quickly restored her respectful demeanor and refrained from returning to her original place at the head. Instead, she took the first seat on the right. As she watched Yang Mengchen talking amiably with Princess Ning and the others, a complex light flickered in her eyes. freewёbnoνel.com
"I have long heard that the flowers of the Hou Mansion are unparalleled. Let’s take the opportunity to go to the garden for an early glimpse before the banquet begins," suggested Princess Ning with a smile.
Most of those present had come especially for Yang Mengchen, eager to interact with her more, and naturally echoed the suggestion.
The elderly matriarch and her daughters-in-law fretted in secret, as they hadn’t yet allowed the young ladies of their household to meet Yang Mengchen to gain her favor. However, it was Princess Ning who had proposed going to the gardens, and they dared not obstruct. They could only let their girls seek opportunities to approach Yang Mengchen in the garden.
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