Chapter 010: You Fangyin

The chrysanthemum appreciation banquet at the Qingyuan Earl’s residence was to be held the next day. After receiving Jiang Xuening’s “yes,” Tang’er drafted a reply and sent it to the Qingyuan Earl’s residence. After all, an invitation is just that—an invitation. Not everyone who receives one will attend. Sending a reply helps the host make arrangements in advance.

However, this matter eventually reached Yan Lin.

After finishing his daily lecture, he and Shen Jie left the palace and brewed tea at Shen Jie’s residence. Yan Lin’s handsome face was dark with anger. “I asked her if she would go to the lantern festival on the ninth day of the ninth month, and she refused. But she eagerly accepted the invitation to the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet at the Qingyuan Earl’s residence. Is she deliberately trying to annoy me?”

Shen Jie, not wanting to interfere in matters of young love, just watched him.

Yan Lin was still upset and jealous.

He picked up his tea cup but couldn’t drink it, so he put it back down.

Frowning, he called out, “Qing Feng! Go back to the residence and check if we received an invitation from the Qingyuan Earl’s residence. If we did, send a reply. If not, make sure we get one! Just take my name card and deliver it. They wouldn’t dare keep me out!”

Qing Feng hesitated and cautiously reminded him, “But, Young Master, the Chengguo Duke’s residence also sent an invitation. If you go to the Qingyuan Earl’s residence…”

The Chengguo Duke’s family, the Xiao clan, was the only family in the capital that could rival the Yan clan.

Over twenty years ago, the two families were even related by marriage.

But now…

Yan Lin sneered, “The Chengguo Duke’s banquet is for the adults, and the younger generation is just there to accompany them. Besides, our Yongyi Marquis residence and the Chengguo Duke’s residence have long since ceased to associate with each other. What’s so strange about me not going? Stop wasting time and go.”

Qing Feng dared not say more and only asked, “Should we inform the Second Miss?”

Yan Lin, still sullen, replied, “No. I want to see what excuse she comes up with when she sees me there!”

Shen Jie laughed at him, “Your temper…”

But after thinking it over, he said, “In that case, I’ll join you at the Qingyuan Earl’s residence for some fun.”

Yan Lin raised an eyebrow at him.

Shen Jie calmly sipped his tea and explained, “You know the recent rumors in the palace. They say the Emperor wants to make me the Crown Prince. Today, when I left the Wenhua Hall, Master Xie pointed out that public opinion is formidable. Even if I have a clear conscience, it’s best to distance myself from the Xiao clan for now.”

The Chengguo Duke’s residence, the Xiao clan, was the Empress Dowager’s family and the Emperor’s maternal family.

Shen Jie and Shen Lang were brothers from the same mother, so the Emperor’s maternal family was also theirs.

But the timing was indeed delicate.

After all, the Emperor was now the ruler, and the Xiao clan was powerful. Although there were rumors that the Emperor wanted to make him the Crown Prince, if he got too close to the Xiao clan, it might arouse the Emperor’s suspicion and distrust.

Yan Lin pondered for a moment, “Master Xie is willing to advise you.”

Shen Jie didn’t mind and said, “Master Xie is a gentleman with the demeanor of a sage. He is kind to everyone.”

The matter of the Chengguo Duke’s residence and the Qingyuan Earl’s residence both sending invitations for the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet had already quietly spread among the high-ranking families in the capital. Many who received invitations from both residences planned to go to the Chengguo Duke’s residence.

The Xiao clan was too prestigious.

Those with lower status were eager to climb up.

Those with high status looked down on the declining Qingyuan Earl’s residence.

So, although they felt this matter was a blow to the You family’s reputation, many people had to find an excuse, or didn’t even bother to find one, and declined the invitation from the Qingyuan Earl’s residence.

Everyone guessed that not many people would attend the Earl’s banquet this time.

But unexpectedly, in the afternoon, news suddenly spread that the Young Marquis of the Yongyi Marquis residence and His Highness Prince Linzi had replied and would attend the banquet at the Qingyuan Earl’s residence together the next day!

Everyone was stunned.

Even the Earl’s residence was bewildered, with everyone looking at each other in confusion: Do we have any connections with the Yongyi Marquis residence? Who knows the Young Marquis? Who has any ties with His Highness Prince Linzi? Have we ever spoken a few words? Why are they coming out of the blue?

But then came the overwhelming joy.

Originally, they were apprehensive and embarrassed about holding the banquet on the same day as the Chengguo Duke’s residence. The few replies they had received were sparse, and half of them were refusals.

The You family could already foresee the bleak scene at the banquet the next day.

But suddenly, the news that His Highness Prince Linzi and the Young Marquis were coming was like a great blessing from the heavens. These two figures were among the most prominent in the entire capital!

The whole residence was instantly invigorated.

By evening, the news that Yan Lin and Shen Jie would be attending the next day had spread, and various replies and visiting cards started pouring into the Qingyuan Earl’s residence like snowflakes.

Originally, they had prepared more tables than they thought necessary.

But after doing the calculations, they found it still wasn’t enough!

So they hurriedly made arrangements throughout the night, with the courtyard brightly lit, fearing they wouldn’t be ready and would neglect their distinguished guests the next day.

The You family’s two legitimate young ladies were You Shuang, the eldest, and You Yue, the second.

Both sisters were considered above average in appearance.

When the servants told them that Prince Linzi and the Young Marquis were coming, they both widened their eyes in shock, covering their mouths with their hands.

The servants, full of joy, told them, “The Earl has instructed that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The eldest and second young ladies must prepare and dress beautifully.”

This was said tactfully.

But You Shuang and You Yue understood, blushing slightly, and said, “Father is really making a fuss. For such an important banquet, we sisters naturally won’t disgrace the Earl’s residence.”

The servants repeatedly agreed.

You Shuang, however, thought it was unusual.

With a slightly cold expression, she pondered, “It’s really strange. When did our Earl’s residence get connected with the Yongyi Marquis residence? I’ve never heard of our brothers having any ties with the Young Marquis or Prince Linzi. Why are they coming today?”

Moreover, the reply came quite late.

It seemed like a last-minute decision.

You Yue, however, was visibly delighted.

She had a more striking appearance and was younger, wearing a bright yellow long dress that looked very vibrant.

Hearing her sister’s words, she didn’t care much: “Sister, you’re overthinking. Can’t people decide to come at the last minute? It’s said that the Xiao clan and the Yan clan don’t get along. Maybe Young Master Yan is deliberately snubbing the Chengguo Duke’s residence by coming here.”

It’s not impossible.

But…

“Even if he wanted to snub the Chengguo Duke’s residence, he could just not go. Why would he come to our Earl’s residence to give us face?” You Shuang, being the elder sister, had learned many things from their mother and thought more deeply. She asked the servant, “Tell me, before the replies from Young Master Yan and Prince Linzi, who else said they would come?”

The servant counted on their fingers: “Before the Young Master and the Prince, not many people replied. There were the Shangshan Earl’s residence, the Censorate Zhou’s residence, and oh, in the morning, the second young lady from the Ministry of Revenue, Jiang Shilang’s residence!”

You Shuang frowned: “Second Miss Jiang…”

Heaven knows, the invitation to Jiang Shilang’s residence was sent out of courtesy. They weren’t familiar with Jiang Xuening.

It would be normal if Jiang Xuehui came.

But Jiang Xuening coming was as strange as Young Master Yan and Prince Linzi coming, and she replied before those two…

You Yue, however, didn’t bother to think so much. Hearing “Second Miss Jiang,” she immediately sneered, showing a look of disgust: “Young Master Yan coming was supposed to be a great thing, but now this country bumpkin girl is coming too, adding a touch of bad luck!”

You Shuang felt something was off and didn’t respond.

When You Yue mentioned Jiang Xuening, she thought of another person she disliked and instructed the servant: “By the way, since we have distinguished guests tomorrow, make sure to keep that maid in the woodshed. Don’t let her offend the guests.”

Jiang Xuening, still in the residence, didn’t know that her last-minute decision to attend the banquet at the Qingyuan Earl’s residence had triggered a series of reactions, nor did she know that Yan Lin and Shen Jie were going.

She was preoccupied with thoughts about You Fangyin.

She hadn’t slept well the previous night and felt groggy and listless all day.

When Meng Shi heard she was going to the Qingyuan Earl’s residence instead of the Chengguo Duke’s residence, she didn’t ask much.

Jiang Xuening thought she might be relieved.

After all, if she went to the Chengguo Duke’s banquet, taking Jiang Xuehui would be appropriate and dignified. Taking her, with her spoiled and unruly nature, who knows what trouble she might cause.

The next morning, Jiang Xuening got up, had her breakfast, dressed up, and then boarded the prepared carriage, circled half of the imperial city, and headed to the Qingyuan Earl’s residence.

The Qingyuan Earl’s residence was located in the east of the city.

That area was home to many noble families.

Compared to the imposing gates of the Chengguo Duke’s residence, the Qingyuan Earl’s residence only had two stone lions at the entrance that still held some grandeur, but the courtyard showed signs of decline.

Fortunately, many people came to the banquet today.

The once quiet entrance was now bustling with activity, with people constantly greeting each other with smiles and entering the gate, making one wonder if the Earl’s residence was regaining its former glory.

Jiang Xuening had heard from You Fangyin in her previous life and was well aware of the current situation at the Qingyuan Earl’s residence. When she got out of the carriage and saw the bustling scene around her, she almost thought she had come to the wrong place. She looked up at the plaque several times to confirm it was indeed the Earl’s residence.

She found it strange but didn’t ask much.

After handing over the invitation, the servant led them into the residence.

As they walked through the covered corridor, they could smell the fragrance of osmanthus and see the scattered chrysanthemum lanterns, creating an elegant and refined atmosphere.

Just as they were about to enter the round gate to the back garden, a slender figure suddenly rushed out from the side.

The girl in a green dress looked somewhat dirty and torn.

She had a disheveled hairstyle and a distressed face, with red eyes.

Jiang Xuening found her familiar and was shocked. Before she could react or avoid her, the girl bumped into her shoulder.

The embroidered sachet tied to Jiang Xuening’s waist fell to the ground.

Jiang Xuening stood still, just watching her.

You Fangyin had just escaped from the woodshed, wanting to see her critically ill aunt one last time, fearing she might not make it. But now she had bumped into someone, and tears started falling from her eyes in panic.

She quickly bent down to pick up the sachet.

But her tears wet the densely stitched white peony on the sachet.

When she tried to wipe it, she only made it dirtier.

At this moment, You Fangyin hated her clumsiness and didn’t dare to use her dirty hands to wipe it again. She held the sachet with both hands and handed it back to Jiang Xuening, saying, “Fangyin is clumsy and has offended you, young lady, and ruined your sachet. I will embroider a new one for you as compensation. Please forgive me!”

As she extended her hand, her sleeve slipped, revealing a wrist covered in bruises and whip marks.

The servant leading the way was stunned.

Jiang Xuening’s gaze moved from her face to her wrist, becoming more and more dazed.

Tang’er reacted quickly, seeing that something was wrong, and hurriedly took the sachet: “I’ll take it.”

From the other side of the corridor came the sound of hurried footsteps and the harsh voices of several older women: “You can’t even watch one person! How could she escape from the woodshed? On such an important day, if anything goes wrong, you’ll be in big trouble! Hurry, go find her!”

You Fangyin, hearing this, didn’t dare to stay any longer.

She quickly bowed to Jiang Xuening, lifted her skirt, and ran towards the other side. The branches along the way scratched her sleeves and hands, but she didn’t stop.

The older women soon spotted her and chased after her.

There was a commotion.

The servant knew that the residence had been unsettled recently because of the aunt’s illness and didn’t want the guests to know. He quickly apologized to Jiang Xuening: “I’m sorry you had to see that. The new maid is unruly, and the older women are disciplining her. I hope you weren’t frightened.”

Jiang Xuening took the sachet from Tang’er. The originally elegant white peony, embroidered with white thread, now had a tear stain and a smudge.

She blinked and looked down.

Her long eyelashes cast a shadow.

She could hear a cold voice in her heart: Don’t care, don’t care. So many people die every day, what difference does one more make? Don’t get involved. In a few hours, you’ll meet the real “You Fangyin.”