Chapter 189: Captivating the Entire Assembly
Chapter 189: Captivating the Entire Assembly
Wanping Princess left the palace earlier than Meng Qianqian, but even with that early departure, she had been confined for twenty days. Naturally, upon her return, a grand banquet was held to celebrate her homecoming, attracting a large crowd to the manor.
Among the guests were Lady Lin and her daughter, Lin Xiaoru, as well as Lady Zhou and her daughter, Zhou Nanyan. Lady Wang, being pregnant, stayed home to rest, with Wang Rou keeping her company.
Technically, Zhou Nanyan was about to enter the palace as a concubine, and she shouldn't be socializing. However, since Wanping Princess was the older sister of Zong Zhengxi, her etiquette teacher, Nurse Zhou, had to give her face.
The banquet was set up in a small, shaded garden, with a stage erected to the south where the capital's most renowned opera troupe was performing "The Hundred Flowers Pavilion," a story about a drunken imperial concubine.
The guests were captivated by the performance.
"It's Sister Meng!" Zhou Nanyan was the first to spot Meng Qianqian.
"Where?" Lin Xiaoru raised her eyes, looking around in confusion, "Oh, I see her. She's really here. Who's the person beside her?"
"What a stunning woman," Zhou Nanyan exclaimed, her eyes filled with admiration, "I've never seen her before."
She then tugged at the hands of the two ladies, "Aunt Lin, Mother, Sister Meng is here. Do you know the lady accompanying her?"
The two ladies, engrossed in the opera, simultaneously followed Zhou Nanyan's gaze when they heard that Meng Qianqian had arrived.
Meng Qianqian was already a rare beauty in the capital, and the woman who entered with her was equally captivating.
Dressed in Miaojiang attire and wearing a sparkling silver hat, her skin was like jade, and her features were exquisite. She was beautiful, mysterious, and ethereal.
"A Miaojiang woman?" Lady Lin covered her mouth with a handkerchief, "She can't be..."
Lady Zhou exchanged a glance with her, "I think it's very likely."
"What's going on, Mother?" Zhou Nanyan didn't understand their silent exchange.
Lady Zhou explained, "I heard that a group of Miaojiang people arrived at the south gate last night, claiming to be relatives of Lu Yuan. Among them was a woman who said she was Lu Yuan's birth mother."
Zhou Nanyan asked in confusion, "Isn't Sister Meng's husband an orphan?"
Lady Zhou turned to Lady Lin, "I remember that over ten years ago, when Lu Yuan was a scribe for Xun Yu, he studied at your home. Did he ever mention his family?"
Lady Lin shook her head, "No."
Zhou Nanyan stood up, "Let's go ask and find out, Sister Lin!"
"Oh."
Lin Xiaoru put down her book and marked her place, "Mother, please keep it safe for me."
Zhou Nanyan held Lin Xiaoru's hand and lifted her skirt, gracefully making her way through the small garden.
"Sister Meng!"
"Yan'er? Xiaoru!" Meng Qianqian's eyes lit up, surprised to see them here.
Zhou Nanyan smiled, then glanced at Liu Qingyun, who was holding Bao Shu, and asked, "Sister Meng, who is this?"
Meng Qianqian smiled and introduced, "My mother-in-law."
Zhou Nanyan was dumbfounded. Was this really Lu Yuan's birth mother? The two of them paid their respects to Liu Qingyun as juniors.
Meng Qianqian said to Liu Qingyun, "Mother, they are my friends, Zhou Nanyan and Lin Xiaoru."
Liu Qingyun's gaze swept over the two of them and then landed on Meng Qianqian.
Forget it, this girl is still the most beautiful.
Liu Qingyun left, holding the sleeping Bao Shu.
"That..." Zhou Nanyan pointed.
Meng Qianqian quickly explained, "Don't take it to heart. My mother-in-law is a good person. She's just new here and doesn't quite understand the ways of interacting with people from the Central Plains."
Zhou Nanyan asked, "I was wondering, was that Bao Shu just now?"
Dressed in Miaojiang baby clothes, she hadn't recognized her at first. She was so adorable; she wanted one too.
Liu Qingyun's appearance instantly drew everyone's attention.
A woman from a different ethnicity was already a rare sight, let alone one with heavenly beauty, and with a delicate little dumpling nestled in her arms.
The performance on stage couldn't compare to the spectacle of the two.
Liu Qingyun paid no heed to the stares and took a seat at the uppermost position.
Since ancient times, the left side has been the most honorable position, and today was no exception.
Just as she sat down with Bao Shu, a noblewoman dressed in luxurious attire approached with an air of arrogance. She signaled to the maid beside her.
The maid, noticing Liu Qingyun's peculiar attire, immediately spoke in a condescending tone, "Where did this actress come from? How dare she sit in our lady's seat? You actors were invited to perform at the Princess's Mansion, not to be treated as honored guests!"
In the distance, some ladies started whispering among themselves.
"An actress? Isn't she the biological mother of the Grand Marshal?"
"That's what we heard."
"Who made the mistake then?"
"It must have been Lady Zhou. Do you know who this lady is?"
"Who is your lady?" Liu Qingyun asked nonchalantly.
The maid proudly declared, "Listen up! My lady is the younger sister of Duke Xun, personally appointed by His Majesty!"
The ladies covered their mouths in surprise.
The younger sister of Prime Minister Xun? Liu Qingyun scoffed, "I thought His Majesty had appointed your lady."
The maid choked, "You—"
Liu Qingyun spoke calmly, "What did you say? You're blocking the light. Get out of my way, and stop making a scene here."
The maid glared, "How dare you call my lady ugly?"
Liu Qingyun glanced at the servants and then at Lady Wei, "One uglier than the other."
The maid clenched her teeth, "You, an actress, dare to speak ill of my lady. Today, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of my lady for being so arrogant and ignorant!"
As she raised her hand to slap Liu Qingyun, a cold, slender hand gripped her wrist. The voice, however, addressed Lady Wei, "Are you causing trouble in the Princess's Mansion, Lady Wei? Are you disrespecting the Princess or the Governor's Mansion?"
Meng Qianqian pushed the maid back, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground.
Lady Wei's face darkened, "Are you from the Governor's Mansion?"
Meng Qianqian replied, "Indeed."
Lady Wei narrowed her eyes, suppressing her anger, "Lu Yuan seriously injured my son, and I haven't even bothered your Governor's Mansion. Yet, you come here uninvited, seeking trouble."
Meng Qianqian coldly laughed, "Your son, Wei Mingxuan, is of poor character and has committed numerous offenses. He caused a disturbance at someone else's wedding. On a larger scale, my husband was upholding justice, and on a smaller scale, he was enforcing the law. You raised such a son and haven't reflected on your mistakes or apologized. Instead, you have the audacity to threaten us. Are all of you from the Prime Minister's Mansion so shameless?"
"You—"
Lady Wei was furious.
Liu Qingyun looked at Bao Shu in her arms and said impatiently, "You're making too much noise. If you don't stop, I won't hold back."
"Oh."
Meng Qianqian followed suit and sat back down beside Liu Qingyun.
Lady Wei was unaware that Lu Yuan's mother had come to the capital and assumed Liu Qingyun was a guest of the Governor's Mansion.
While others might be cautious of the Governor's Mansion, the Prime Minister's Mansion had no such concerns.
She didn't give Liu Qingyun any regard and said disdainfully, "Does being from the Governor's Mansion give you the right to sit here? In the Great Zhou, the Xun family is the foremost noble family. This seat belongs to the Prime Minister's Mansion!"
Liu Qingyun: Son, can I beat her up?
Lu Yuan: ...
The last day, remember to cast your monthly votes, dear readers.
(End of Chapter)
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