Chapter 38: Poetry Gathering and Matchmaking Banquet

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Tang Mi led Tang Ying and Tang Ning to pay their respects to Xiao Lengyu.

“You must be the young lady of the Tang family.” Just as Tang Mi bowed, Xiao Lengyu helped her up, studying her carefully with a smile. “Just as they said, you are truly a beauty.”

Tang Mi blushed slightly and said shyly, “Your Highness flatters me.”

Xiao Lengyu laughed. “How is that flattery? You’re like a fairy, this is the first time I’ve seen such beauty.”

Tang Mi’s face turned even redder, but she didn’t respond further.

“And these must be the other young ladies of the Tang family.” Xiao Lengyu turned her gaze toward Tang Ying and Tang Ning.

Though Tang Ying enjoyed attending all kinds of social events, she had never met Xiao Lengyu before due to the latter’s frail health. This was their first meeting.

It wasn’t proper to introduce herself, so Tang Ying looked at Tang Mi.

Tang Mi smiled and gestured to the other two. “This is my second sister and my sixth sister.”

Xiao Lengyu looked at Tang Ying and remarked, “The second young lady of the Tang family is reputed to be the most beautiful woman in the capital. Now that I’ve met you, the title seems well-deserved.”

Tang Ying’s face reddened too, but not out of shyness. It was embarrassment.

How could she still claim to be the most beautiful woman when standing beside a peerless beauty like Tang Mi?

Was the Duchess intentionally mocking her? But they’d never met before, she couldn’t have offended her.

Xiao Lengyu then turned to Tang Ning. “The sixth young lady is also adorably delicate.”

Tang Ning’s small face turned red as she politely thanked her, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Xiao Lengyu was genuinely charmed by her innocence this girl seemed pure at heart.

Tang Ning’s polite thanks made Tang Ying realize that she had just been rude. But now it was too late to say anything.

Tang Ying began to feel flustered and anxious.

“There are a few more young ladies already here. Let me introduce you,” Xiao Lengyu said, leading them toward the nearby pavilion.

By now, several ladies were already seated in the pavilion. Upon seeing Xiao Lengyu approach, they all stood and greeted her, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Seeing them bow again, Xiao Lengyu said helplessly, “I already told you, no need to be so formal. You’re here to enjoy yourselves. Being overly polite ruins the mood of a poetry gathering.”

Everyone laughed at her words.

“Then we’ll skip the formalities. Don’t blame us, Your Highness,” said Xia Wanwan, the Minister’s legitimate daughter, playfully winking at Xiao Lengyu.

Xiao Lengyu teased her back, “What, do you think I was joking?”

The crowd burst into laughter again.

“These are the daughters of the General’s residence the eldest, second, and sixth young ladies,” Xiao Lengyu introduced Tang Mi and her sisters.

Everyone turned to look at the trio and they were instantly amazed.

“The eldest Miss Tang is truly stunning.”

“She’s so beautiful, makes the rest of us look plain!”

“Oh, don’t say that. It’s not a beauty contest. But Miss Tang really does look like a celestial maiden.”

…

Over a dozen young ladies took turns showering Tang Mi with praise until she was practically glowing.

Tang Ying followed behind, clenching her fists in jealousy.

In the past, all the attention had been on her. But today, it was as if no one noticed her at all. With Tang Mi around, she completely lost her shine.

Tang Mi blushed slightly from the praise but still responded with graceful nods.

Looking around, she recognized many familiar faces.

Mo Xueyou, the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter and former Consort Ning; Shan Feiyu, daughter of the Grand Preceptor and Consort Yun; Xia Wanwan, daughter of the Minister and now Imperial Consort Li; and a daughter of a Deputy Minister of War, formerly a beauty in the palace.

“All the young ladies from the General’s residence are so pretty,” Xia Wanwan said after examining them for a while, then suddenly turned to Mo Xueyou. “Don’t you think Mo-jiejie should switch places with Tang-jiejie?”

Everyone looked at each other, puzzled.

“What do you mean by that?” someone couldn’t help but ask.

Xia Wanwan laughed. “Don’t you think Tang-jiejie, with her stunning looks, doesn’t quite seem like a military general’s daughter? Mo-jiejie, on the other hand, has such a heroic aura more like a general’s child.”

The crowd laughed at her observation.

“That’s actually kind of true.”

“Only you could come up with something like that.”

Tang Mi glanced at Mo Xueyou and gave her a slight nod.

Mo Xueyou was momentarily surprised but nodded back.

Seeing their harmonious interaction, Xiao Lengyu relaxed and smiled. “Come, everyone take a seat. Let’s have some tea and snacks before the ‘debt collectors’ arrive.”

Xia Wanwan’s eyes sparkled. “You mean the young marquis and the heir of Fengze?”

“Who else?” Xiao Lengyu smiled. This poetry gathering had been arranged by her mother to help match these two with potential brides. Since it was all ladies present, her mother couldn’t attend, so she hosted on her behalf.

Though her mother couldn’t come, those two “debt collectors” were bound to show up. If they didn’t, her mother wouldn’t let it go.

This was just a heads-up. The girls’ mothers and grandmothers had probably already warned them, but a little reminder wouldn’t hurt to avoid embarrassment when the men arrived.

“That’s perfect! The young marquis is great at composing poetry, and the heir of Fengze is so witty. With them here, we’ll get beautiful verses and a lively atmosphere,” Xia Wanwan said cheerfully.

Xiao Lengyu gave her a teasing look. “I think just having you here is enough to keep things lively.”

Everyone laughed again.

A maid came over and whispered something to Xiao Lengyu. She nodded, and the maid stepped back.

Xiao Lengyu smiled. “Speak of the devil, here they come. They’re causing a ruckus, so don’t be scared off, ladies.”

Everyone attending knew the true purpose of this poetry gathering. Some were shy and hopeful, others indifferent like Tang Ying, who had no interest in either candidate.

Soon, several people entered all familiar faces.

Alongside the Young Marquis Xiao Yihuan and the Heir of Fengze, Xiao Fengze, were Jun Qianche (brought by Fengze), and two friends of Yihuan, Mo Xuanyang and Xia Yuanyuan.

“Brother? Why are you here?” Xia Wanwan was surprised to see Xia Yuanyuan.

Xia Yuanyuan teased her, “It’s just a poetry gathering. If you can come, why can’t I?”

Xia Wanwan pouted. If she had known he was coming, she’d have come with him and wouldn’t have had to arrive so early.

Mo Xueyou showed no reaction upon seeing her brother, only exchanged a silent glance.

But Xiao Fengze’s eyes lit up the moment he saw Tang Mi. Excited, he slapped Jun Qianche on the shoulder. “She’s here! She really came!”

Jun Qianche scowled and brushed his hand away, frowning at Tang Mi.

So she really came, didn’t she know this was a matchmaking event? Or… was she interested in Yihuan or that fool Fengze?

Xiao Lengyu hadn’t expected them to bring so many people including Jun Qianche. Her face flushed, and she forced down her nerves. Smiling, she said, “We were just talking about you. Seats have been saved, go ahead and sit across from us.”

“Let’s go,” Xiao Fengze said, dragging Jun Qianche over, only to be stopped by a servant who came running in.

“Your Highness, Young Marquis, Heir Fengze, Prince Yu and Prince Xuan have arrived!”