Chapter 85: Attending the Banquet (Part 1)

The festive days always fly by, and in the blink of an eye, the day to attend the Yuan family banquet had arrived.

Yin Qianhua was still hesitating, unsure whether she should go. However, a single remark from Prince Jing helped her make up her mind.

“Don’t you want to check out potential daughters-in-law? From what I know, quite a few officials and their families will be attending the Yuan family banquet today.”

“Alright, I’ll go.” For Yin Qianhua, nothing mattered more than her son, daughter, and future daughter-in-law.

“Should we bring Ruonan along?” Prince Jing asked.

“I’ll ask her.”

Yun Ruonan didn’t even consider the proposal before rejecting it outright, as the Prince and his wife had expected.

“Would having a playmate help her?” Prince Jing asked his wife.

“Perhaps.”

“Today, you can also look for girls around Ruonan’s age who have good temperaments and come from decent families. If she makes a few friends, maybe her personality will brighten up.”

“I’ll keep an eye out,” Yin Qianhua replied, though she wasn’t as optimistic as Prince Jing. She knew her daughter well. Making friends with Ruonan wasn’t easy. Even as her mother, she often found herself excluded by her daughter, let alone strangers.

As the time approached, Prince Jing accompanied his wife in the carriage, while Yun Yichen rode his horse. The three of them headed to the Yuan residence for the banquet.

Lady Han, a concubine, had an unusual moment of insight and did not request to join. She wouldn’t dare step foot in the Yuan household.

Ever since the poisoning incident involving Yun Ruonan, Prince Jing had ignored orders from Empress Dowager Han, leaving Lady Han’s life in the Jing Manor increasingly difficult. Now, she finally understood that the Empress Dowager, the Han family, and she herself no longer held the same place in Prince Jing’s heart.

With this realization, she had to tread carefully in her words and actions. The once-arrogant Lady Han could no longer assert herself in the manor.

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By the time the Prince Jing household departed, the Xiao family’s carriage had already arrived at the Yuan family residence. They were greeted by the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yuan family and the housekeeper nanny.

After formal introductions led by Yuan Yutong, the two sides exchanged pleasantries. The ladies boarded small palanquins to traverse the expansive General’s Mansion.

“Isn’t my grandfather’s house enormous? I got lost several times the last time I stayed here,” Xiao Yuan whispered to Xiao Yao as they shared a palanquin.

“In such a big courtyard, I’d get lost too,” Xiao Yao replied. The Yuan family residence was much larger than her own home. It seemed that, in any era, those with established roots always lived better than those who had to carve out their fortunes from scratch.

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Since the Xiao family had arrived early, there weren’t many guests in the main hall yet—mostly members of the Yuan clan and a few close relatives.

“Dear sister-in-law, it’s been years since we last met,” said Yin Shi, rising to greet her relative.

“Indeed, more than ten years. But you look as vibrant as ever,” Qin Shi warmly responded.

“My health can’t compare to yours. You look like your life has been smooth and fulfilling.”

“That’s because I have three wonderful daughters-in-law.”

After the exchange of pleasantries, the younger generation of the Xiao family lined up to pay their respects to Yin Shi.

“Dear sister-in-law, your Xiao family seems to be thriving with each passing year.”

“That depends on who you’re comparing us with. If it’s your Yuan family, then we fall far short.” The Yuan family was a top-tier clan in Tianyu.

The boys left for the front hall after their greetings, leaving the room full of women.

“What a beautiful young lady! This is the first time I’ve seen such a sight,” a noblewoman exclaimed, drawing everyone’s attention to Xiao Yao, who hadn’t yet left the hall. Xiao Yao had no choice but to pause and endure the crowd’s gaze.

“Let me guess—this must be Ping’an, the elder sister of Ruiyi,” Yin Shi said. She hadn’t met Xiao Yao in person before but had heard of her, thanks to her granddaughter’s constant mentions of her sister.

“Greetings, Grandmother.” Xiao Yao curtsied politely, her movements flawless.

“What a fine child! Dear sister-in-law, you truly are blessed.”

“Ping’an and Ruiyi are both good children,” Qin Shi said, beaming with pride. Her family already had a dashing son who was famous throughout the capital. It seemed that Ping’an’s future reputation wouldn’t lag far behind her fourth uncle’s.

“Come, let Grandmother take a good look. I can’t bear to let you go!” Yin Shi exclaimed, holding Xiao Yao’s hand and gazing at her fondly.

“Grandmother, isn’t my sister beautiful?” Xiao Yuan asked, her head tilted proudly.

“Of course she is. Ping’an is beautiful, and Ruiyi is adorable,” Yin Shi replied, amused by her granddaughter’s sincerity. Xiao Yuan seemed to have no jealousy in her heart and was instead proud of her sister.

“She’s complimenting you, Sister!”

Even Xiao Yao, with her usually thick skin, blushed deeply, lowering her head in embarrassment.

“Let Jing Biaojie take you to the back to play,” Yin Shi suggested, noticing Xiao Yao’s discomfort.

“This child has such a good disposition,” Yin Shi remarked after the girls had left.

“My daughter has many virtues,” Yuan Yutong added, finding solace in her niece’s beauty and her daughter’s character.

“Indeed, she takes after you—carefree and straightforward.”

The room erupted in laughter at the remark. Xiao Yuan joined in, then grabbed her cousin and sister by the hands and skipped out of the room.

Her chubby little frame, flanked by two slender girls, made her particularly eye-catching.

“Isn’t she a bit plump?” Yin Shi asked, concerned. At this rate, her granddaughter might turn into a little ball of flesh.

“You think I’m not worried? But if this girl misses even one bite, she’ll throw a tantrum. I barely managed to control her portions, only to find her hiding snacks and candies under her blanket. When I confiscated those, she started bribing the gatekeeper to buy her treats or sneaking into the kitchen to grab food. It’s mortifying!” Qin Shi’s recounting of her daughter’s antics sent the room into another bout of laughter.

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From a distance, they heard laughter. Then, a dignified voice called out, “What’s making everyone so happy? Share it so I can laugh too.”

A graceful woman dressed in a plum-colored palace gown, exuding elegance and charm, entered the room, accompanied by Yun Yichen, a handsome twelve-year-old boy radiating nobility.

“Greetings to Princess Jing and the heir apparent.”

Everyone stood up to pay their respects to the esteemed guests.

“No need for formalities. We’re all family here,” Yin Qianhua said warmly as she helped her aunt up.

“Yichen, greet your great-grandmother.”

Yun Yichen respectfully stepped forward and bowed.

“Rise,” Yin Shi said, pleased with the polite and well-mannered child, who lacked even a hint of arrogance.

“Qianhua, you probably haven’t met your cousin’s mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. Come, let me introduce you.”

“Are they from the Xiao family?” Yin Qianhua asked, somewhat uncertain. If so, their family shared quite a connection with the Jing household.

“Yes, these are the Xiao family womenfolk,” Yin Shi replied. She had recently returned to the capital and wasn’t aware of Yun Yichen’s association with General Xiao’s training.

Qianhua greeted Qin Shi politely, and the latter hurriedly responded, flustered by the Princess’s high status.

“Madam Xiao, please treat me as a younger family member today,” Qianhua reassured her, sensing her unease.

Yun Yichen also stepped forward to greet Qin Shi, surprising everyone in the room, including his own mother and great-grandmother.