CHAPTER 287: CHAPTER 287: YOU DON’T LIKE ME, AND I DON’T LIKE YOU EITHER

Noble Consort An pretended to scold Wan Yue lightly.

Madam Yun, full of resentment, had to feign generosity while speaking for Wan Yue.

She always had smooth sailing; when had she ever faced such a setback?

All of this was thanks to the Meng family.

Very well, she remembered it all.

Soon, the various madams who received the invitations began arriving one after another.

Originally, those who felt disdain instantly changed their attitude upon seeing Noble Consort An.

The presence of Noble Consort An represented the stance of His Majesty.

With His Majesty backing County Princess Le’an, no matter how bold they were, they wouldn’t dare defy His Majesty!

Thus, the atmosphere was unprecedentedly harmonious.

Plus, with Madam Du and Madam Tang intentionally supporting, not a single disturbance arose.

Madam Tang also brought her daughter, Tang Yue, who was of similar age to Zhao Xiaohua.

Tang Yue’s personality resembled Madam Tang’s; straightforward and got along well with Zhao Xiaohua.

This was Zhao Xiaohua’s first close friend she made since arriving in the Capital City.

As for Song Xiu’er, Meng Yao always kept her by her side. Though Song Xiu’er received a crash course in etiquette, the etiquette of aristocratic ladies is taught from childhood, and no matter how hard Song Xiu’er tried, she couldn’t compare.

However, neither Meng Yao nor Song Xiu’er were intentionally secretive about their rural origins. They even casually mentioned countryside stories to Madam Tang.

Those who looked down on Song Xiu’er couldn’t say much.

After all, she publicly admitted her rural origins.

Picking at her would be pointless.

Moreover, who among those present had the rural blessings she had?

Not mentioning the Meng family, at least they were considered noble-born.

But Song Xiu’er, who knows how many good deeds she did in a past life to be so lucky in this one.

A village woman leapt to become the Heir’s wife of Duke Qi Mansion.

How many people envy such a situation?

Though Duke Qi’s Princely Heir was also a late starter, he had good parents and grandparents.

As the banquet drew to a close, Meng Yao made several new friends.

Of course, most of the madams appeared regretful for having met so late, but inside they still looked down on Meng Yao.

Such people were promptly added to Meng Yao’s no-contact list.

Noble Consort An was the first to leave, and before departing, she invited Meng Yao to the palace to chat when she had time, further supporting her.

After Noble Consort An left, Madam Yun with a forced smile also said her farewell.

Meng Yao calmly instructed someone to see Madam Yun out.

You don’t appreciate me, I don’t appreciate you.

If you don’t bother to pretend, I certainly won’t cater to you.

Knowing well, if the relationship can’t be good, there’s no need to make efforts.

Afterwards, the madams attending the banquet gradually took their leave, and after seeing off the last one, Meng Yao and Song Xiu’er both sighed in relief.

"Mother, are there many such occasions in the future?" Song Xiu’er asked Meng Yao.

She had maintained a graceful smile throughout, and now her cheeks felt stiff.

Clearly, she hadn’t done any work, yet Song Xiu’er felt exhausted, more so than after a full day of labor.

"Now that you’re the Heir’s wife, even though you can try to reduce social events, they won’t be too few," Meng Yao said, "So, you need to adapt quickly. Once you do, you won’t find it uncomfortable."

"Mother, I’m afraid I can’t handle it," Song Xiu’er said gloomily.

Initially, she found the Capital City very new and exciting, but after a few days, she began to miss life in Shanghua Village, working from sunrise to sunset.

The villagers were straightforward, saying whatever they meant without much mental exertion.

People in the Capital City, however, were different; their words were roundabout, and even after mulling over them several times, she still couldn’t confidently grasp the intended meanings.

Menta fatigue.

"I’ll accompany you, and you don’t need to appease those people. Say a few words if you want to, and ignore them if you don’t. In the future, when you’re Duchess of Duke Qi, few can dominate you." Meng Yao said.

Song Xiu’er sighed softly.

Zhao Xiaohua also spoke up, "Sister-in-law, don’t worry, wasn’t I there with you? When I visit Tang Yue’s house, you should come with me. Go a few more times, familiarize yourself with the banquet routine, and there’s nothing to fear."

Song Xiu’er gratefully glanced at Zhao Xiaohua, "Xiaohua does very well, I see, whether in etiquette or speech, she’s no different from those aristocratic young ladies."

Today, several madams brought daughters of similar age.

Unfortunately, Zhao Xiaohua only connected well with Tang Yue.

The others, though enthusiastic, didn’t feel right with Zhao Xiaohua. Their enthusiasm didn’t come from the heart.

More like an obligatory task.

So, for Zhao Xiaohua, these aristocratic young ladies were likewise added to her no-contact list.

Friends need not be many; even one genuine friend is plenty.

"Sister-in-law, I’ve studied for many more days than you, if you learn more, you’ll definitely do well," Zhao Xiaohua said.

"Mm, I’ll study diligently." Song Xiu’er said firmly.

Study diligently, and don’t disgrace her mother-in-law.

Otherwise, how would she have the face to stay in the Capital City?

Meng Yao then considered speaking to Qi Yunye later about hiring a governess to teach manners, as both she and Zhao Xiaohua, as well as Song Xiu’er, indeed had shortcomings in etiquette.

As for Zhao Dajiang, he could be directly entrusted to Qi Yunye.

——

After Noble Consort An returned to the palace, she went to Zhaoyang Palace where Emperor Jing was reviewing memorials.

Emperor Jing had just finished reviewing a stack of memorials and was sipping tea.

"Did the banquet go smoothly?" Emperor Jing asked Noble Consort An.

"With me in attendance, how could it not go smoothly? Where would I place my face if it didn’t?" Noble Consort An replied, "From start to finish, there were no disturbances."

"What do you mean by ’no disturbances’?" Emperor Jing asked.

"I intentionally made Madam Yun stand for a bit longer when performing her salute, probably tiring her out," Noble Consort An said.

"Oh?" Emperor Jing was a bit surprised.

"What can be done when she has too many thoughts? The Duke Zhen Country Mansion and Duke Qi Mansion had good relations; logically, Madam Yun should support Sister Meng, right? Yet, instead of supporting, she deliberately tried to intimidate Sister Meng. If I hadn’t happened to attend today, Madam Yun would likely have troubled Sister Meng." Noble Consort An said.

"Madam Yun causing trouble? That’s unexpected." Emperor Jing was puzzled.

"Right, even His Majesty thinks it’s unexpected. But alas, she did exactly that." Noble Consort An pouted, not speaking without evidence.

"Perhaps, it’s the matter of the Duke Zhen Country Mansion’s Princely Heir that triggered Madam Yun," Emperor Jing pondered.

The Duke accepted the son from his mistress into the mansion, something he was aware of.

He had met Yun Ying, clearly someone extraordinary.

Taught personally by Duke Jiang.

Such a person excels not like a son from a mistress but rather like a meticulously raised legitimate heir.

As the wife, Madam Yun must resent this.

If he had been raised by her from childhood, it would be another matter; the problem was, she didn’t even know about the son from the mistress before.