Chapter 90: Attending the Banquet

The flower banquet at Duke Ding Guo’s mansion was grand and lively. Elegant carriages lined up at the entrance, and inside, there was a dazzling display of luxury. Despite the chill of early February, the garden was in full bloom, showcasing hibiscus, purple hibiscus, and iron plum blossoms along with rare and valuable flowers like peonies, orchids, camellias, and roses. These delicate blooms owed their beauty to the warm greenhouse. Lady Ding Guo had obviously put a lot of thought into this event, using the finest flowers and inviting the elites of the capital to enjoy this first flower banquet of the year.

The banquet featured not only flowers and wine but also performers and beautiful dancers who captivated Meinang, leaving her rooted under a tree in amazement. She found herself drawn to the ancient dance style, which was unexpectedly bold and invigorating.

The mood at Duke Ding Guo’s mansion contrasted with the more subdued atmosphere of the Xu household, where her family lived. Here, Duke Dingguo’s wife, Madam Pang, was the hostess. Known for her lively and open-minded character, Madam Pang was a second wife from a prestigious family, charming and loved by all, including her stepchildren. Her genuine concern for them had earned her respect and deep trust from her husband.

While musicians played a soft, graceful tune, reminding Meinang of a melody called “March Peach Blossom Rain,” she noticed the familiar instruments: yangqin, Yao Qin, kong Hou, dizi, and pipa. Recalling her own younger days dabbling in music, she felt nostalgic and amazed at the skill on display.

When Lady Ding Guo finished greeting some high-ranking guests, she came over to Meinang, gently teasing her for watching the performance alone. The Duke’s wife took her to socialize, assuring her that, like other noblewomen, she needn’t feel left out if her husband was elsewhere at the party.

Each noble lady formed a small circle based on rank, temperament, and interests, with Lady Ding Guo adeptly mingling among them. Meinang accompanied her, nodding politely and making small talk. Finally, they joined the group of Lady Chang Le and Lady Ding yuan, where Meinang felt more at ease. Here, the conversation was light-hearted and unrestricted, with the ladies cheerfully gossiping about household matters and sharing fashion tips.

In one of the smaller rooms, Meinang encountered the “Lady of Duke Ding Guo,” a woman known to her due to a previous unpleasant incident with her son. She observed the woman’s composed and elegant demeanor, thinking she might not be the type to raise a troublesome child. However, Lady Chang Le made it clear that this woman had indeed doted on her son, raising him with excessive indulgence.

By midday, men and women separated for lunch. The women’s banquet became more lively as they began their own drinking games, and Meinang gradually joined in. The noblewomen drank with abandon, laughing freely despite their tousled hair and scattered hairpins.

In the afternoon, Xu Jun Ying came to pick her up, surprised to see that Meinang, with her maids’ support, looked relatively presentable compared to the other noble ladies. She managed to hold her composure until she got into the carriage, where she drifted off to sleep and only awoke the next morning in her own room with a headache.

Complaining of pain, she declared she had a “real hangover” this time, letting herself rest further. After some coaxing from her maids and assurances that her husband had checked on her before leaving, she finally got up to prepare for an outing. Her maid, Cui Qi, and other servants arranged her clothes and reminded her to act carefully in public. Adjusting a silk mask, Meinang ensured her disguise was perfect.

Later, Cui Qi reported back on a task Meinang had assigned previously: compensating Lin A Mao for injuries he’d suffered. The arrangements were thorough, and Meinang was satisfied, appreciating Cui Qi’s careful attention to detail.