CHAPTER 1109: CHAPTER 225: EMBROIDERED PILLOW, ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS SHOWDOWN (PART 5)

Yun Ya appeared calm and composed, walking with poise, truly the epitome of elegance and grace.

Yan Song’s gaze pierced through the guests and landed on Zhuang Xiyue. The two exchanged a quick glance, and Yan Song couldn’t help but squeeze Yun Ya’s hand. Yun Ya turned her head to look at him, "Brother Yan..."

Yan Song curled his lips, "You can’t escape now."

Zhuang Xiyue walked over and held Yun Ya’s hand, looking her up and down: "This outfit suits you better."

Yun Ya smiled and said, "My previous clothes got stained, thanks to Huahua for lending me hers."

Zhuang Xiyue looked at Yan Hua, who was walking behind, "Thank you."

"No need to be polite, Aunt, Yun Ya and I are friends, it was just a small favor." With that, she walked over to Meng Shujing’s side, who glared at her fiercely. Yan Xing sidled up to her, discontented: "Second sister, you’re biased; ordinarily, you won’t even let me touch it, yet you let her wear it."

Yan Hua smiled faintly, "That’s because you always annoy me."

Yan Song glanced at Yun Ya, then stepped towards the main table. Old Master Yan waved at him from afar, "Is that Ah Song?"

Yan Song smiled as he walked over, crouching down to hold the old master’s hand: "Great Grandpa, it’s me."

"Stay by Great Grandpa’s side."

Yan Song sat down beside him. On the other side of the old master sat Yan Nanmo, the father and son sitting one on each side, clearly showing who was the most favored in the Yan Family. Others, no matter how unwilling, could only endure it.

Especially Yan Guosong and Yan Guobai, who, despite being sons, couldn’t compare to a grandson and a great-grandson. What kind of feeling was that in their hearts?

Zhuang Xiyue pulled Yun Ya into a seat, introducing Yin Suhua and Pei Ying to her. Yin Suhua looked at the young girl in front of her; she was too beautiful, and instinctively she felt displeased.

"Third Aunt," Yun Ya politely spoke, her manners impeccable.

"You look good, but what’s going on between you and Ah Song? Yueyue is kind and easily deceived, but I can’t just watch you cause trouble for the two brothers."

These words were quite blunt, and Zhuang Xiyue tightened her grip on Yun Ya’s hand, calmly saying, "Third Aunt, let’s talk about this later, but I can assure you, it’s definitely not what you think."

Third Aunt was always meddlesome, yet she was very weak-willed, unable to hold her head high under Lu Yuke’s oppression all her life, attempting to show authority without the ability. Upon hearing Zhuang Xiyue’s words, she wilted somewhat.

"Fourth Aunt, hello." Yun Ya smiled at Pei Ying. Compared to Yin Suhua’s pettiness, Pei Ying seemed to carry an air of transcendent grace, with remarkably clear features resembling Pei Xinyi’s. Yet, Yun Ya found her somewhat familiar, though she couldn’t recall why.

Pei Ying smiled faintly, "Good child."

The banquet began, and dishes of exquisite delicacies were served one after another. Zhuang Xiyue kept picking food for Yun Ya, her attitude very affectionate, like that of a mother and daughter. Whether old or young women at the table, harbored their own thoughts.

"This shrimp dish is smooth and not greasy, very savory; you must have invited a chef from Deyan Building." Dongfang Yi chuckled.

Deyan Building is the best Chinese restaurant in the Capital City, committed to promoting ancient imperial cuisine. Rumor has it that the head chef is a descendant of Royal Chefs from the late Qing dynasty. Deyan Building was a favorite among those who regard themselves as nobility, as dining there was considered a matter of prestige.

Lu Yuke laughed, "That’s right, today’s dishes were made by Chef Niu from Deyan Building. Miss Dongfang, who has tasted countless delicacies, for you to praise this shrimp dish is truly remarkable."

Indirectly praising Dongfang Yi for her noble birth, accustomed to delicacies, how much could a shrimp dish count for?

"This shrimp dish is actually called Fresh Shrimp Trotter Sashimi, from the ninth dish of the imperial cuisine of the Southern Song. Indeed, its reputation is deserved."

"Miss Dongfang, you are knowledgeable and talented, admirable." With that, glancing at Ji Yunya, "Truly someone raised by the Dongfang Family, with deep cultural resources and profound memory, much better than the girls in our family."

Yan Xing rolled her eyes in defiance, just praise Dongfang Yi, why put us down? Are you even our real grandmother?

With that, she glanced around, picked up a piece with her chopsticks, and smiled at Ji Yunya, "Miss Ji, have you ever had this? It’s a dish made by the head chef of Deyan Building, ordinary people wouldn’t have a chance to try it, you should eat more."

A few young ladies laughed deferentially, looking at Ji Yunya with mockery, a country bumpkin thinking she became noble by putting on some disguise?

In front of these families with profound heritage, she couldn’t hold her ground at all.

Zhuang Xiyue’s eyes turned cold. Yun Ya smiled faintly, picked up a piece, and said slowly, "The use of pig trotter ingredients in royal cuisine started in the Tang dynasty. The Tang physician Sun Simiao discovered that animal organs and human organs are similar in structure, shape, and function. Thus, through long-term clinical practice, he proposed the principles of ’treating organs with organs’ and ’supplementing organs with organs.’ This is an important rule in traditional Chinese dietary therapy—’supplementing shape with shape,’ commonly known as ’you are what you eat.’"