Chapter 46 Banquet

On the day of the Ning Consort’s banquet invitation.

Mrs. Shu and Miss Shu Yuwan, together, rode in a carriage out of the house.

Arriving at the Ning Mansion, there were already many carriages parked at the entrance.

“It seems like the Ning Consort has invited quite a few people today,” Shu Yuwan remarked.

Mrs. Shu patted Shu Yuwan’s hand, comforting her, “Don’t worry, we will stand our ground. I won’t let anyone bully you, not even the Ning Consort.”

The mother and daughter got off the carriage, with the Ning servants coming to arrange the carriage and maidservants welcoming them inside.

Inside, a gorgeously dressed lady approached, “Oh, isn’t this Mrs. Shu? Just as the outside rumors quieted down, Mrs. Shu brings her daughter to the Ning Mansion. Could it be that she really wants to make it happen! Hehe…”

Shu Yuwan turned to see that it was the wife of the Minister of War, Madam Qiao.

Not knowing what old grievances the two had, but this Madam Qiao had never gotten along with her mother. Shu Yuwan knew that ever since she started attending banquets with her mother, whenever they encountered Madam Qiao, they would exchange a few barbed remarks.

Now, Shu Yuwan had become a good leverage for Madam Qiao to mock her mother.

However, later when the Shu family fell out of favor, her mother mentioned that Madam Qiao even sent money to her.

“We came to the Ning Mansion because we received an invitation from the Ning Consort. The maid beside the Ning Consort personally invited Shu Yuwan. How come, Madam Qiao, turning a blind eye, can’t manage her household affairs properly!” Mrs. Shu taunted.

“Oh, Mrs. Shu really has a big face.” Although Madam Qiao knew that what Mrs. Shu said was likely true, she didn’t want to lose face.

“Could it be that you really think a divorced daughter still wants to climb up to the Ning Mansion!”

Seeing Madam Qiao’s words hitting her daughter, Mrs. Shu also got angry, “Then Madam Qiao doesn’t need to worry!”

Madam Qiao was about to retort.

But at that moment, the Ning Consort approached.

“Queen, Mrs. Shu has arrived.” The Ning Consort was very enthusiastic, smiling as she greeted them.

Both Madam Qiao and Mrs. Shu stopped arguing and bowed to the Ning Consort, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Shu Yuwan also bowed with her mother.

“This is the Shu family’s youngest daughter, such a good girl.”

The Ning Consort was particularly warm towards Shu Yuwan.

Madam Qiao felt uncomfortable.

Interjecting, she laughed, “Isn’t she the one who was involved with the third son of the Anding Marquis family and got divorced.”

Mrs. Shu was furious, “Does Madam Qiao think that if her daughter encounters such a situation, she wouldn’t want her daughter to divorce and die in her husband’s house? Can’t you see how ruthless of a mother you are!”

Seeing Mrs. Shu genuinely angry, Madam Qiao was momentarily speechless. She thought that if it were her daughter, she might not bear to do it either, just not necessarily with the courage of the Shu couple.

The Ning Consort observed their interaction silently.

She then intervened, “Mrs. Shu pities her daughter, naturally she can’t bear it. I’m afraid Madam Qiao also has a motherly heart. Don’t let this affect your harmony.”

Both women agreed, “Your Highness is right.”

The Ning Consort then said, “Miss Shu is a good girl. Some things are not her fault, just the result of encountering the wrong people.”

Listening to the Ning Consort’s remarks, one couldn’t help but think of the Ning Consort’s bold deeds. Considering the Ning Consort’s temperament, she also understood the Shu family girl. Madam Qiao dared not make any more sarcastic remarks.

“I have a rascal son who doesn’t know how to appreciate girls! Especially someone like Miss Shu, brave and strong, very much in line with my temperament. If Mrs. Shu doesn’t mind, I would like to adopt Miss Shu as my goddaughter.”

The Ning Consort said, looking at Mrs. Shu and Shu Yuwan, seemingly waiting for their response.

Mrs. Shu and Shu Yuwan immediately understood the Ning Consort’s purpose in calling them, mother and daughter, today.

The Ning Consort disagreed and wanted to put an end to the Prince Shinzi’s intentions today.

Mrs. Shu sighed inwardly, looked at her daughter, and seeing her daughter’s expression, she knew that her daughter shared the same sentiment.

Hastily and anxiously, she said, “Thank you for the Ning Consort’s love, it is truly an honor for my daughter!”

The Ning Consort looked at Shu Yuwan, “I wonder if Miss Shu is willing!”

Shu Yuwan bowed, “Your Highness is noble and generous. To have you Your Highness as a godmother is my daughter’s blessing.”

The Ning Consort happily helped Shu Yuwan up, very pleased with the Shu family mother and daughter’s tact.

“Good child, get up quickly. I finally have a lovely daughter.”

“I will announce this good news at the banquet later!”

“We will also hold a grand ceremony to formalize the relationship, and add you to the family.”

“However, it’s inconvenient for the Prince to acknowledge a daughter, so I will add you to the Wang family, only as my goddaughter. Are you willing?”

Shu Yuwan knew that becoming the Ning Consort’s goddaughter was just a way to sever the Prince Shinzi’s intention to marry her. To be listed in the royal family required approval from the royal relatives, and the Ning Consort didn’t want to go through that trouble.

But for her, being included in the Wang family as the Ning Consort’s goddaughter was already a great advantage!

“I will follow the Queen’s arrangements.”

“Good, very good. This banquet today was truly worth it.” The Ning Consort was very happy.

The Shu mother and daughter were also delighted.

They thought they would face many difficulties today, but not only did they not, they also gained the status of the Ning Consort’s goddaughter.

Madam Qiao, on the other hand, felt shocked and resentful.

How did Shu Xiangya have such good luck!

How did a divorced daughter catch the eye of the Ning Consort!

And to be listed in the Wang family tree!

The Wang family was a prestigious family with a long history!

The Ning Consort only left after sending several people to the banquet, highlighting her regard for the Shu mother and daughter.

This made others hesitant to say anything derogatory to Shu Yuwan.

Madam Qiao also remained unusually quiet.

Once the guests invited by the Ning Consort had all arrived, the banquet finally began.

Shu Yuwan looked around and saw not only various noblewomen but also many eligible young ladies. It seemed that the Ning Consort intended to select a wife for the Prince Shinzi.

Although the Prince Shinzi was refined, his family background was excellent.

Many noblewomen and young ladies caught the Ning Consort’s eye.

After a round of poetry and music, the Ning Consort seemed very pleased with the eldest daughter of the Jining family and the second daughter of the Shubu Shangsu.

After praising the two of them, she gifted them jade bracelets.

Once the two shyly left, the Ning Consort announced publicly, “Today, there is another piece of good news that I want to share with everyone.”

She then beckoned Shu Yuwan forward, signaling her to come up.

Following the Ning Consort’s gesture, Shu Yuwan walked up, standing beside the Ning Consort in front of everyone.

The Ning Consort affectionately pulled Shu Yuwan closer, “This child, Shu Yuwan, is very pleasing to me. Her character aligns well with mine. Today, with Mrs. Shu’s blessing, I will be this child’s godmother, include her in the Wang family, and when the time comes for the banquet, I will invite all the noblewomen to attend.”