jdhmnovel Chapter 397 Flowers in Full Bloom
Chapter 397 Flowers in Full Bloom
When Yunxi heard Madam Shen mention Yu Wan, she couldn't help but recall what had happened at the mansion gate a couple of days ago, and she still felt lingering fear.
She couldn't help but look at Madam Shen angrily and said reproachfully, "Mother! Why didn't you tell me beforehand that you and my sister-in-law were putting on an act? I was worried sick and thought my sister-in-law had really been angered and left."
Madam Shen looked guilty and gently patted Yunxi's hand, saying helplessly, "I went to the door to talk to you, but Yu Niang happened to arrive, so I didn't have time to explain to you."
“Yu Niang said that King Qi is definitely keeping an eye on us. If we are not careful, this play will fall apart.”
Although Yunxi was still a little aggrieved, she understood the implications and muttered, "Okay, then next time something like this happens, you must tell me in advance. I'm almost scared to death."
Madam Shen smiled helplessly and reassured her, "Okay, I'll definitely tell you next time."
Soon, the person sent to the Duke of Anguo's residence returned, bringing a message from Yu Wan.
Yu Wan told them to go without worry, as the Duke of Anguo's mansion had also received an invitation and would be going there as well.
Shen felt somewhat relieved.
With her son away, she believed that her daughter-in-law was the one who could make the decisions in the family, and that listening to her was always the right thing to do.
……
On the day of the birthday banquet, the Yun family's carriage slowly drove towards the Li residence.
Throughout the journey, Ms. Shen was filled with anxiety.
Looking out at the street scene, Madam Shen couldn't help but murmur worriedly, "I hope nothing goes wrong at this birthday banquet..."
Yunxi took Shen's hand and comforted her with a smile: "Mother, don't worry. Today, all the ladies attending Old Madam Li's birthday banquet are from prominent families in Shengjing City. They all care about their reputation and will certainly not make things difficult for us."
Hearing this, Madam Shen did not feel much relieved.
The aristocratic families of Shengjing City do value their reputation, but when these people become ruthless, they are as vicious as venomous snakes.
Shen and Yunxi's carriage stopped outside the Li residence. As they stepped out, they saw Yu Wan standing not far away.
When Yu Wan saw the Shen mother and daughter, she winked at them when no one was looking.
She waited here specifically to put the Shen mother and daughter at ease.
She knew that Madam Shen was a sensitive person and would definitely be worried after receiving the invitation from the Li family.
When Shen saw Yu Wan from afar, the heavy weight in her heart did indeed feel somewhat relieved.
But she remembered that the two families had now "broken ties" in public, so she just glanced at Yu Wan and handed the gift to the Li family steward as if nothing had happened.
This scene was witnessed by a lady from a prominent family in the crowd, and a meaningful glint flashed in her eyes.
Yu Wan also walked into the Li residence with a calm expression.
The Li family's courtyard was arranged with great elegance, exuding the graceful charm of Suzhou gardens in Jiangnan. Just by looking at the courtyard, one could feel the profound heritage of the Li family in Shengjing.
There were more female guests than male guests present today, so men and women were not seated separately and were all led to the banquet hall in the garden.
On a fine day like today, enjoying the blooming flowers in the garden while savoring a sumptuous feast is the favorite pastime of these ladies from noble families.
The banquet hall was already filled with people. The carved octagonal table was laden with a dazzling array of delicacies, and the screens around it were painted with auspicious patterns. The gilded tableware on the table was exquisite and luxurious, and every detail showcased the wealth and grandeur of the Li family.
Seeing that Shen Shi and Yun Xi had already found seats, Yu Wan chose a place that was neither too close nor too far from them to sit down.
As soon as she sat down, she keenly sensed several gazes falling on her.
Yu Wan frowned slightly, not letting them scrutinize her. Instead, she looked up and glanced back at them one by one with a dignified and unyielding air, a distant and indifferent smile on her lips.
The ladies and noblewomen who cast their gazes at her couldn't help but pause slightly when their eyes met Yu Wan's.
In truth, they looked down on Yu Wan from the bottom of their hearts.
Even if Yu Wan is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Anguo's mansion, so what? She has been wandering in the countryside for more than ten years. She must be completely ignorant of the etiquette, rules, music, chess, calligraphy and painting that those noble families value. How can she be compared with those born into prestigious families?
From the moment Yu Wan appeared, many people secretly curled their lip in disdain.
In their view, dining with someone like Yu Wan would be beneath their dignity.
But to their surprise, Yu Wan was very different from what they had imagined.
However, her calm and composed demeanor made people feel that she had been carefully cultivated by a noble family.
But these ladies and noblewomen did not want to admit it.
As a result, disdainful and contemptuous gazes were cast upon Yu Wan, but Yu Wan simply returned them indifferently, her expression calm and undisturbed.
Seeing her so calm and composed, the ladies and noblewomen felt increasingly uncomfortable, and their expressions became even more unpleasant.
They never expected that this girl who grew up in the countryside would have such a calm demeanor and temperament.
Lady Anguo arrived a little late. When she was led to the flower hall by her servants, she immediately noticed the hostile gazes of the ladies and noblewomen.
Her expression immediately turned sour.
What kind of looks are these people giving her? Do they look down on her daughter?
How dare you look down on her? Don't you even bother to open your eyes and take a good look at your own daughter? Is she even comparable to her daughter?
In the heart of the Duchess of Anguo, Yu Wan was the best. Which noble lady could endure so many hardships like Yu Wan, yet still maintain her kind and resilient character, her demeanor graceful and poised, in no way inferior to daughters of aristocratic families?
Even though her daughter grew up in the countryside, she was like the most vibrant flower, dazzling and eye-catching.
Lady Anguo sat down next to Yu Wan, and her presence caused many of the ill-intentioned gazes to subside.
Seeing that Yu Wan was not affected by these gazes at all, the Duchess of Anguo was too lazy to pay attention to those people anymore.
Not all the guests had arrived yet, and Mrs. Li had not yet appeared. The guests who had arrived were chatting in twos and threes.
Lady Anguo, accompanied by Yu Wan, exchanged pleasantries and chatted with the ladies she knew.
As it had been a long time since Shen had attended such a banquet, she could not hide her unease and nervousness as she faced a room full of women from prominent families.
Yu Wan had anticipated this and had asked the Duchess of Anguo in advance to have one of her acquaintances take the initiative to speak with Madam Shen.
When Shen saw that someone had taken the initiative to talk to her and was so friendly, she knew in her heart that this was arranged by Yu Wan.
Gradually relax.
For a moment, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
However, this harmony did not last long, as a sharp, piercing sound suddenly rang out, shattering the peaceful atmosphere.
"Oh dear, this must be the mother of Vice Minister Yun of the Ministry of Rites, right?"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, and after seeing who it was, they all showed interest in watching a good show.
When Lady Anguo saw who was speaking, her expression changed slightly. She leaned closer to Yu Wan and lowered her voice, saying, "This is Wang Ling's younger sister, Wang Jin. Because she has already married out of the family, she was not greatly implicated when Wang Ling's scandal was exposed."
Yu Wan looked up at Wang Jin.