The noble ladies were all taken aback.
"Does Wanqiu want to learn double-sided embroidery? This embroidery technique is rare in the capital. You can ask Madam Shang about it."
“That’s right. Madam Shang’s embroidery skills are superb, and she is also very knowledgeable. She must know more than we do.”
Just then, a woman's voice, tinged with laughter, came from behind.
"What a coincidence! I just happened to hear my name as I was passing by. Could it be that the girls are talking about me behind my back?"
The ladies turned around in surprise, then burst into laughter.
"Madam Shang is still so humorous. You are known for your virtue and kindness. Even if we talk about you behind your back, we only say good things about you!"
"That's right, Wanqiu is looking forward to learning double-sided embroidery and hopes you can give her some pointers."
Madam Shang smiled broadly as she looked at Guo Wanqiu, who was sitting among the noble ladies.
She had also heard about Guo Wanqiu's affair with the Crown Prince.
The Guo family is known for its integrity and uprightness; it seems that in this generation, a Crown Princess will emerge.
Madam Shang smiled and said, "Double-sided embroidery is not difficult. If Miss Guo is interested, she can come to my residence another day and master it in a few days."
"Two or three days?" The noblewoman beside her exclaimed in surprise. "How could it be so fast? You must be joking."
“What’s there to lie about?” Madam Shang sighed, remembering something. “A few days is too many words. Madam Jiang only followed me for half a day before, and she learned double-sided embroidery. She was truly intelligent.”
Though the speaker meant no harm, Guo Wanqiu took it to heart and turned to ask, "Is it Madam Jiang from the General's Mansion?"
"That's right."
Upon receiving Shang's reply, Guo Wanqiu's expression stiffened.
It is common knowledge that Jiang Wan is favored by the Empress. She frequently enters and leaves the inner palace, and must be familiar with Pei Xuan.
During the silkworm-raising ceremony last time, she also witnessed the two of them talking together.
Although the atmosphere was a bit strange, their behavior was very familiar.
Could it be that the handkerchief Pei Xuan always carried was made by Jiang Wan?
This guess made Guo Wanqiu's heart skip a beat.
She wanted to ask about Madam Shang's handkerchief, but the words caught in her throat.
As a married woman, Jiang Wan was accompanied by the Crown Prince, and if word got out, it would not improve their reputations.
Perhaps... this is just a misunderstanding.
Men and women are different, and even if the two have some private friendship, it is still unreasonable.
She should have reminded the Crown Prince first.
Just as she was lost in thought, a maidservant announced from outside the door, "Madam Jiang from General Chengping's residence has arrived!"
Guo Wanqiu looked up in surprise.
That day, when she went to the palace to pay her respects to the Empress, she heard the Empress mention Jiang Wan with a worried tone. She then said that she wanted to invite Jiang Wan to her residence to attend the birthday banquet and even sent her an invitation. It was just a formality, a favor to please the Empress.
After all, such a big thing happened at the General's Mansion, who would be in the mood to attend a banquet?
But to her surprise, Jiang Wan actually came.
A woman walked in through the moon gate, wearing a crescent-shaped phoenix-tail silk dress, with her long, jet-black hair tied up behind her head, her eyes as bright as autumn water, and her light makeup, yet she was radiantly beautiful.
Although she wore a woman's hairstyle, her ethereal beauty outshone all the young girls.
Only the faint coolness in his eyes, conveying a sense of tranquility and aloofness, gave rise to a feeling of inviolability.
Guo Wanqiu was stunned.
She had never noticed before that Jiang Wan was so beautiful.
Thinking of the Crown Prince's handkerchief... she tightened her grip slightly.
"Sister Jiang!"
When Madam Shang saw Jiang Wan, she was overjoyed and stepped forward to take her hand affectionately: "I was thinking of asking you out in a few days, but I didn't expect to see you here!"
“After what happened, A-Xi and I were very worried about you, but we didn’t want to come to your door rashly.”
"If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know."
"Sister Shang, don't worry, I'm fine." Jiang Wan looked around. "Sister Sun didn't come today?"
Seeing that her cheeks were rosy and she looked well, Madam Shang was relieved and replied in a low voice, "After the Donglai people attacked the capital, A-Xi was confined to her room. I heard it was His Majesty's order. I don't know what happened, but don't worry, she sent a letter saying that she would be released from confinement in half a month and everything would be fine."
"And there's more good news, Ah Xi... is pregnant."
Shang's face lit up with joy, and Jiang Wan also smiled.
It seems that on that day, in order to protect Minister Pan, Lady Sun barged into the main hall to discuss political affairs, and Emperor Jingyuan punished her by confining her to her quarters.
Compared to being accused of bribery, being confined to one's home is nothing.
Madam Shang then looked at her and said, "Don't worry. Yesterday, my husband said that General Song's case seems to have taken a turn for the better. If he can get a lenient sentence, his family will not be implicated."
Jiang Wan smiled and responded, listening to her speak while picking up her teacup and taking a leisurely sip.
Shang couldn't help but take another look.
When a husband is in trouble, wouldn't the wife be anxious and begging for help everywhere? How come Jiang Wan doesn't seem worried at all, but instead seems to be in a good mood?
Just as she was about to speak, a servant hurried over and walked to Guo Wanqiu's side, saying, "Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived and is currently speaking with the Grand Secretary in the front courtyard."
Guo Wanqiu's face lit up with joy.
When she mentioned this to Pei Xuan, he remained noncommittal, and she had assumed he wouldn't come.
The fact that the Crown Prince himself came to offer birthday greetings was a great honor for the Guo family.
In everyone's eyes, this respectability was entirely due to Guo Wanqiu.
Therefore, after the banquet began, Guo Wanqiu was all smiles, and at the suggestion of Grand Secretary Guo, she even personally went to toast Pei Xuan.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for personally coming to our residence to celebrate my grandfather's birthday."
Pei Xuan nodded and returned the greeting in a light manner, but his gaze fell on a certain spot in the women's section.
Because of this lapse in concentration, he didn't notice that Guo Wanqiu next to him suddenly stepped on the hem of her skirt, and his hand trembled, spilling the wine in his glass onto his sleeve.
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