Three days passed peacefully and quietly from the day Hailin was betrothed.
Du Caiyue and Hailing had calculated that Madam Liu and Miss Jiang Feixue would definitely come to cause trouble for them, but nothing happened.
They didn't appear from beginning to end, and the servants in Qinfang Courtyard were all well-behaved and no one dared to cause trouble.
Everything seemed so peaceful and serene, but Du Caiyue and Hailing Rouge knew perfectly well that this was just the calm before the storm, and that an irreversible catastrophe was about to befall them.
Madam Liu, the first wife, had been in charge of the household for many years and was of exceptional intelligence. In addition, Jiang Feixue was not an ignorant woman either. So, if these two women didn't act, they would be fine, but if they did, they would take their lives. However, Du Caiyue and Hailing were prepared.
If they were to attack them, they would absolutely retaliate fiercely, and they would never give others cause for criticism, ruin themselves, or have their lives murdered.
Three days later, the Jiang family held a banquet. This banquet was to make up for the previous incident where Jiang Batian was upset. At that time, everyone was drinking and having a good time when they received a report from the steward that an imperial decree had come from the palace. They had no choice but to send all the guests away and then set up an altar to receive the decree.
Therefore, the Jiang family should naturally invite them again.
Just like the last time, it was bustling with activity, even more so than before, because the Jiang family had produced a Crown Princess. No matter how unfavored the daughter was, the fact that the Jiang family had produced a Crown Princess was undeniable, and people kept coming to offer their congratulations.
Although Jiang Batian felt awkward and resentful, they all knew what the Emperor meant by doing this. It was nothing more than being wary of the Jiang family's power. Firstly, it was to save face for him in public; if he did anything wrong, he would be seen as disloyal. Secondly, it was to give him a warning. The Emperor knew that he favored his eldest daughter, Feixue, yet he deliberately betrothed the unfavored Hailing to the Crown Prince. The meaning was clear: it was a warning to him who was the master and who was the servant, and the Jiang family had to recognize this fact.
In the main hall of the Jiang residence, Jiang Batian and his two sons all wore smiles, though they didn't show it on their faces, even though they felt it was forced.
The only difference with today's banquet was that Madam Liu had sent someone in the afternoon to invite Du Caiyue and her daughter Hailing to the Jiang family's banquet in the evening. This was unprecedented. Hailing was now of the status of a crown prince, and even Madam Liu had to treat her with utmost respect. Originally, Madam Liu wanted to avenge her daughter and settle scores with Du Caiyue and Hailing, but Jiang Batian had given the order.
Punishing Hailing is a small matter, but Hailing is backed by the Emperor. Why would the Emperor betroth the Jiang family's unfavored daughter to the Crown Prince, and why would the Crown Prince accept it?
They wanted them to be harsh on Hailin, so that they could cause them trouble. The more difficult the situation, the more respectful they should be.
Madam Liu swallowed her anger and couldn't speak. Her poor daughter was so angry that she didn't eat anything for three days, and her beautiful face became thinner.
However, Madam Liu was a remarkable person. Since the master had spoken, she dared not disobey his orders. Therefore, for the past three days, no one in the Jiang household dared to cause trouble, and they were especially careful around the people of Qinfang Courtyard.
Today is still a banquet hosted by the Jiang family. Madam Liu sent her personal maid, Hongyun, to invite Du Caiyue and Hailing to the banquet on time tonight.
The moonlight at night was as clear and gentle as water, spilling into Qinfang Courtyard.
In the main hall of Qinfang Courtyard, Du Caiyue and Hailing sat upright, mother and daughter looking at each other. Although they did not speak, they exchanged glances, indicating that tonight's banquet was very unusual and made them feel uneasy, as if something was going to happen.
"Mother, shouldn't we go ahead?"
Given her current status, it was absolutely impossible for her not to attend such an occasion, so Hai Ling asked Du Caiyue, but remained seated without moving.
Du Caiyue raised her eyebrows and looked at her daughter, her eyes filled with worry: "Hailin, be careful tonight."
This is the first time the young lady has been in a formal setting with Ling'er. She fears that the young lady will try to deal with Ling'er. Although she knows that Ling'er is not a weak person, as a mother, she still can't help but worry.
"Don't worry, Mother."
Chapter 017 Flattery
In the hall, Rouge glanced at Du Caiyue, then at her mistress, and said calmly, "Don't worry, Madam. I will be careful about everything tonight and will make sure that Miss doesn't suffer any loss."
"Yes," Du Caiyue nodded, and then reminded her again, "Yanzhi, you must be careful and not fall into other people's traps."
"I will."
Rouge nodded, knowing that something bad might happen tonight. She wondered what tricks the young lady and the madam would use against her, so they naturally had to be careful. However, she was afraid that the young lady was not the same as yesterday's young lady. Anyone who offended her would definitely suffer the consequences.
Although she hadn't mastered all eighteen forms of the Golden Flower Eighteen Styles, she had almost mastered the first few, which was enough to deal with ordinary people. Besides, she also had the powerful Fire Cloud Boots and Wind and Thunder Gloves, so she had nothing to worry about tonight.
As the three were talking in the hall, Kexin, a maid from Qinfang Courtyard, came in and reported: "Madam, Miss, the First Madam sent Sister Hongyun to invite the Fourth Madam and Miss to the inner courtyard in front. Miss and the ladies have all arrived."
"Understood, we'll be right there. You can have Hongyun go and inform the First Madam first."
"Yes," Kexin left, and Du Caiyue and Hailing finally stood up. Yanzhi followed behind them and walked out the door.
Outside, the moonlight in the mid-sky enveloped the entire mansion like a light veil.
Inside the Jiang family mansion, the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drifted faintly, the lights were dim, and it was near the West City River, where painted boats were reflected in the lake, shimmering and making the entire mansion even more festive.
Hai Ling and Du Caiyue led several people from Qin Fang Courtyard forward, and from afar they could hear the lively and boisterous noise.
The male guests were entertained by Jiang Batian and his two sons in the outer hall.
The women were seated at a separate table in the inner courtyard, where they were entertained by Madam Liu, the eldest daughter of the Jiang family.
As soon as Hai Ling and Du Caiyue appeared at the door, the lively conversation in the inner hall abruptly ceased, becoming completely silent. All eyes turned to Hai Ling, as if she were an alien visitor, their eyes filled with astonishment, mockery, and disdain, though they quickly suppressed it. No matter how fat or unattractive this woman was, she was still the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace, a woman of noble status. Therefore, many people stood up.
Madam Liu, the first wife, led a group of servants from the Jiang household over and greeted them with a respectful smile.
"The Third Miss is here. Come in, come in quickly."
After Madam Liu finished speaking, she looked at Du Caiyue beside Hailing and gently called out, "Fourth Sister is here too. Come in and sit down. Everyone is waiting for you."
Du Caiyue had followed Liu for many years, so how could she not know Liu's character? Seeing her hypocrisy now, she couldn't help but get goosebumps. Moreover, she became more and more vigilant. Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious, so they had to be careful.
The mother and daughter entered the inner hall, and someone gave up the seat at the head of the table. It was Princess Ning, who had returned to the capital with Prince Ning.
Princess Ning was originally the most honored woman in the hall, but when Hai Ling appeared, she naturally had to give up her seat. The person in front of her was the Crown Princess, who, although not favored, was still a level above them in status. Being out of favor was her problem, but if they broke the rules, someone would probably find fault with them. These princesses and ladies were usually trained by their husbands to be very shrewd, and they were well aware of the current situation.
In the hall, all the young ladies-in-waiting and the wives of various families secretly sized up Hailing, and then inwardly looked down on her. This woman was as fat as a meat bun, and walked with a steady gait. Her face was not at all like a delicate, charming and pretty face; she was just a big pancake. The only thing she could look at was her skin, which was very good and enviable. It was as white and tender as a peeled egg, and her eyes were bright and spirited. Everything else was really unappealing. No wonder she was jokingly called "Sai Qianjin" (meaning "Better Than a Thousand Pounds").
Yet, this woman, who was so unremarkable, actually became the Crown Prince's consort in the Great Zhou Dynasty. The Crown Prince was a man of exceptional talent and beauty, a dragon among men, yet he ended up with such a woman. Everyone present felt sorry for the Crown Prince and complained that the Emperor was senile, that he was too old to stop scheming, and that he couldn't possibly find the Crown Prince a beautiful and charming woman. But it had to be this woman.
Although everyone inwardly despised, scorned, and mocked Hailin, they dared not show it on their faces, and all of them flattered and fawned over her with smiles.
"Miss San looks so refreshed today."
"He looks much thinner than before."