After taking care of the princess, Jiang Yuwei took Xia Yue back to her own courtyard. Tomorrow she was going to attend a new banquet, so she had to prepare well and not show any weakness in front of outsiders.
Jiang Yuwei first went inside and picked out a few outfits, then had Xia Yue help her try them on.
Finally, Jiang Yuwei chose a yellow and green outfit, tidied herself up, and went to bed.
The next day,
Ning Zixuan was very happy to hear that Jiang Yuwei was going to attend the new wine banquet with him today, and he got ready early in the morning and waited at Jinglan Pavilion.
As soon as Jiang Yuwei stepped outside, she saw that Ning Zixuan looked very handsome and pleasing to the eye, and couldn't help but nod and say:
"It seems that you, Your Highness, are quite perceptive, knowing that there will be many noble ladies at our banquet today. Your attire today will surely attract their attention, thus increasing your options."
As she spoke, Jiang Yuwei patted Ning Zixuan on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely keep a suitable girl for you when the time comes."
Ning Huaizhi, who came out of the house, heard Jiang Yuwei's words and said with a smile:
"Then Madam must carefully select a girl for the young master, for ordinary girls will certainly not catch his eye."
Jiang Yuwei nodded and smiled.
"Madam, please be careful at the new banquet and don't drink too much. I have to go to the military camp today, so I won't accompany you."
Jiang Yuwei waved for Ning Huaizhi to leave.
"Don't worry, the young master is here. You should hurry up and leave, lest you delay important matters."
At this moment, Ning Zixuan had long lost his previous happy demeanor, and was now looking at Jiang Yuwei with a cold face.
"If you don't leave soon, we'll be too late."
Jiang Yuwei nodded hurriedly and followed Ning Zixuan out, muttering to herself as she did so.
"You can't keep such a sullen face today. If those noble ladies see you like this, they'll be scared. Who would dare to propose to you then?"
"I look down on them."
Ning Zixuan only gave Jiang Yuwei a cold reply before pursing his lips and quickly walking out.
Ning Zixuan watched Jiang Yuwei get into the carriage before mounting his horse and leading the way. Soon, the two arrived at the estate in the suburbs. This year's harvest was good, so the Empress organized this new banquet.
Although it was supposed to be a celebration for the common people, the banquet was attended by high-ranking officials and nobles.
After Jiang Yuwei arrived, a maid led her to her seat. She looked around at the people who had come and saw several familiar faces. Princess Qinglan was sitting next to the Empress, staring at Jiang Yuwei from a distance.
Even Li Huarong, who had been on a hunger strike at home just a few days ago, came to the new banquet today with her mother, Madam Meng.
Jiang Yuwei looked around and saw that there were indeed quite a few girls of similar age to the young master, but only a few were pleasing to the eye. However, having a good appearance alone was not enough; if one wanted to be the young master's wife, one had to be of excellent character.
With that in mind, Jiang Yuwei began chatting with a lady sitting next to her.
"May I ask whose wife you are?"
"I am the wife of a censor from the Censorate. My surname is Wen."
Mrs. Wen responded with a smile.
“I recognize you. I saw that box you gave to the Empress at the Celebration Banquet that day. It was very unique. I was thinking of asking you privately where you got the treasure, but I never had the chance to meet you again. It’s fate that we are sitting together today.”
Jiang Yuwei straightened the handkerchief in her hand and smiled:
"I designed that makeup box myself; you can't buy it anywhere else. I also made all the things inside myself. If Mrs. Wen likes it, I'll give you another one later."
Upon hearing this, Madam Wen's eyes lit up immediately, and she pushed the pastries in front of her toward Jiang Yuwei.
"How could I possibly accept your gift, Madam Jiang? Please try these pastries; they're made with flour from this year's new rice, and they taste really good."
Jiang Yuwei picked up a pastry, took a small bite, and nodded:
"The taste is definitely different."
As she spoke, Jiang Yuwei placed the pastries she was holding onto the plate in front of her.
"Madam Wen, whose daughter is that girl in pink sitting in the left corner?"
Madam Wen looked in the direction Jiang Yuwei was pointing.
"Oh, that's the hostage sent by the Jing Kingdom. He's been raised in the palace for over ten years, and he's grown up quite well."
Jiang Yuwei shook her head repeatedly upon hearing this. Although the girl was beautiful and had a graceful demeanor, her identity was indeed quite sensitive and unsuitable for being the wife of the heir apparent.
If the Jing Kingdom is willing to remain subservient in the future, that would be fine. But I fear that one day the Jing Kingdom might suddenly rebel, and in that case, the Jing Prince's Mansion will surely suffer as well.
Therefore, one should not only look at the present but also choose a family with a more stable family background.
So, Jiang Yuwei pointed to the girl in green sitting next to the girl in pink and asked in a low voice:
"Madam Wen, whose daughter is the one sitting next to her?"
Madam Wen glanced at it and smiled:
“That lady, I know her very well, she’s also the daughter of an imperial censor.”
Jiang Yuwei stared wide-eyed at Madam Wen.
"She is your daughter?"
Madam Wen smiled and waved her hand, saying:
"No, no, that is the daughter of Lord Wang, the Left Censor-in-Chief, and my husband is the Right Censor-in-Chief."
Jiang Yuwei then nodded and said:
"No wonder you look so young, how could your daughter be that age?"
Madam Wen took a sip of tea before looking at Jiang Yuwei and speaking.
"Madam Jiang, which family's young master is looking for a daughter for? Let me tell you, that Miss Wang is not someone to be fooled. She's not young anymore and still hasn't found a man she likes. You should think it over carefully."
Jiang Yuwei smiled faintly, then sat up straight.
"Madam Wen is too kind. Who would I be looking for a girl for? I just don't often attend these kinds of gatherings, and seeing that everyone here is a stranger, I thought I'd ask you for some information."
Madam Wen put down her teacup and moved closer to Jiang Yuwei, then pointed to a stern-faced lady sitting not far away and whispered:
"Did you see that? That Madam Wang is the mother of Miss Wang from earlier. She spoils her child rotten. Miss Wang is already this age and still not engaged, and even the son she raised is a good-for-nothing."
Jiang Yuwei glanced at Madam Wang, then smiled and turned back to look at Madam Wen.
"Let's talk less about these things, lest someone overhears and we lose face again."
Upon hearing Jiang Yuwei's words, Madam Wen stiffened, then sat up straight with a disdainful expression and said indifferently:
"I didn't realize that Madam Jiang was such an upright person. I've only told you this, there are no outsiders here, so what's there to be afraid of?"
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