Chapter 7: The Banquet

As Ye Lingbo had predicted, with Qinglan present, there was no need for the Flower Message Banquet to be in any chaos.

The outfits, jewelry, hairpins—everything was perfectly prepared, needless to say. Four hairdressers had also been arranged early on. Ye Qinglan got up at dawn, took care of breakfast, then woke everyone to eat before sitting down to get their hair done and their clothes on. The makeup mirrors were lined up neatly, and the four young ladies sat side by side, styling their hair while chatting about different styles. For the first time, Acuo truly experienced the pleasure of sisterhood within the inner chambers.

“If you ask me, everyone should wear the plum blossom makeup. Why not dress Yanyan as she usually does during the festival? She’s naturally adorable, and a more festive look would please Madam even more. Acuo doesn’t need to stand out too much; after all, she looks good no matter what. As for Qinglan, why not have her wear a crown? That way, there’s no room for others to find fault. We just happen to have a jade lotus crown at home right now,” Lingbo suggested eagerly.

Qinglan only replied, “That wouldn’t be appropriate; I’m accompanying you all, so I shouldn’t be too conspicuous.”

Despite her modesty, Qinglan was, after all, the one who had nearly won the Flower Message Banquet years ago—a figure of grace and noble bearing, with natural beauty. Usually dressed simply, she hardly stood out. Today, the hairdresser simply fashioned a high chignon, adorned with a jade piece on the forehead and pearl phoenix hairpins securing the sides. She looked as serene as a female Bodhisattva, radiating a cool and refined aura that drew every gaze with every smile and frown.

Lingbo was entranced. Turning to Lady Lin, she asked, “Look at her—how does she compare to back then?”

“Her poise remains unmatched, but her temperament has become even more ethereal,” Lady Lin sighed. “If only the two madams were here to see this…”

Her words brought tears to everyone’s eyes.

“Don’t cry and ruin your makeup just after it’s done,” Lingbo joked. “Lady Lin, you’re too sentimental.”

“Blame me, blame me,” Lady Lin hurried to say. “Seeing the young lady like this, I spoke without thinking. Misses, don’t be sad—get ready to board the sedan chairs now.”

Lingbo personally helped Acuo into her carriage, fearing she might be frightened, and advised, “Don’t worry. Just bow, greet people, eat, and drink as you follow Qinglan’s example. The Lin family is well-known for their noble ladies; Qinglan was raised under her mother’s strict guidance. Her manners are exemplary—she’s the standard even the madams at the Flower Message Banquet look up to. Rest assured.”

Four sedan chairs passed through the southern city gate. In moments like these, the time seemed to fly. Before Acuo could even memorize the names Lady Lin had told her, the gatekeeper announced, “Madam Shen sends an invitation, visiting with the four Ye family young ladies.”

She recognized this as the invitation from Han Yueqi. Unfortunately, on this day, the Shen family had to entertain guests, and as the steward’s young madam, Han Yueqi couldn’t leave. She could only send her regards but would not be able to attend in person.

Thanks to Lingbo’s earlier briefing, Acuo was already wary of the He family. Indeed, they were a family in power, their residence imposing though an old mansion, newly refurbished. The official household kept the main gate closed year-round. Naturally, the young ladies’ sedan chairs entered by the side gate, where they disembarked in the front courtyard. Passing through the second gate, the vast courtyard was suddenly revealed—a dozen red plum blossoms bloomed fiercely, their deep vermilion petals contrasting vividly against the snow-laden branches, creating a picturesque scene.

The sedan chairs arrived one after another, all from prominent families in the capital. Each sedan was padded for warmth, decorated with various colorful silks, vibrant and festive, adorned with lanterns, hanging ribbons, and golden bells. Each lantern bore the family crest and surname, exquisitely crafted. The noble young ladies, seldom venturing out, showcased their status through these subtle details.

Disembarking was a different matter altogether.

The servants’ foremost task was to distinguish rank. For households with fathers or uncles in power, they surrounded the young ladies on all sides: wet nurses, maids, and the steward’s wife personally assisting from the sedan chair, followed by the mother. Wealthy families flaunted luxurious furs of fox, marten, and sable, accompanying faces as radiant as flowers, bedecked in pearls and jade. Some were refined, like the lady behind the blue satin curtains, simply draped in a white fox fur cape resembling a mound of snow, accompanied by only an old nurse and two maids, holding a plum blossom vase embroidered with orchid patterns peeking from her sleeve. Just like her visage: pure, ethereal, and otherworldly.

“That’s Lu Wanyang,” Ye Lingbo told Acuo.

At that moment, Lady Lin was helping Acuo down from her sedan chair. Since Acuo had no reliable senior maid, Lingbo lent her own attendant Yang Hua to accompany Acuo. Acuo’s own maid, Xiao Yue, who was young, also came along to gain experience.

Acuo lifted her gaze, scanning beyond the courtyard full of young ladies toward Lu Wanyang, who was just ascending the steps and turning back to look at the young ladies. Their eyes met squarely. Unlike the others who stared blankly at Acuo, Lu Wanyang smiled warmly, as if recognizing a kindred spirit.

“Sister,” Lu Wanyang greeted, then promptly turned to greet a very beautiful young madam, laughing, “Why have you come so early, sister?”

That was naturally Lu Wenyin. In their triumvirate of Ye, Han, and Lu, the Flower Message Banquet of the previous ten years was hailed as the most splendid. The top three rankings remained a mystery since Ye Qinglan’s engagement had fallen through, leaving her fate unresolved.

Acuo paid no mind to these details, obediently following behind Ye Lingbo. From afar, someone called out, “Sister Qinglan.”

Ye Qinglan was disembarking.

Her sedan chair stopped in the center, and the young ladies parted like flowing water on both sides, watching this once-renowned noble lady of the capital gracefully step down.

Her poise was impeccable, as was her beauty. Her hair was styled simply in a high chignon, her black locks framing her face like clouds, crowned with a creamy white jade lotus—it was a look of pure elegance, not diminishing her beauty one bit. Her brows lowered gently, a dignified and lovely presence reminiscent of Guanyin.

Having just turned twenty-four after the New Year, the age described in books as the blossom of youth, in the context of the Flower Message Banquet, she was already considered delayed, much to the scorn of gossip. Judging by the astonished looks in the young ladies’ eyes and the complex gazes of the madams, one could imagine how many new whispers would arise after today.

“Sister Qinglan,” some familiar young ladies called softly, bowing respectfully—a sign of esteem for her character, tinged with regret. In the silent courtyard, this only heightened the awkwardness, bordering on pity.

Ye Lingbo was the first to lose patience.

“Sister,” she stepped forward immediately, supporting Ye Qinglan, who smiled softly and turned to reassure her.

Yet, even this could not quell the idle gossip.

Because Yanyan had taken hold of Qinglan’s other arm, Acuo fell behind and naturally overheard the whispered conversations behind her. Mostly madams with their daughters, who had been chatting among themselves, now seized upon this unexpected event to comment.

“Isn’t that Ye Qinglan?”

“Why has she come back?”

“She’s already twenty-four, isn’t she?”

“Twenty-four? I’d say she looks twenty-seven, old and withered-looking. What’s she doing here causing a stir...”

“Well, her bearing is quite good.”

“What use is good bearing? She’s still delayed until now... Wasn’t she once engaged and jilted?”

“I thought it was some scandal? Otherwise, why would she still be unmarried?”

“Being here is scandalous enough—three sisters all attending the Flower Message Banquet. How shameless. She was supposed to be the banquet’s champion, so illustrious then. Today, she’s just a joke…”

Acuo remained expressionless but quietly noted each face of the madams and young ladies who whispered, laughed slyly, or spread rumors.

She was not like Yanyan, naïve and guileless. Now, as Ye Lingbo’s star disciple, she recalled Lingbo’s words: “There are twenty-four Flower Message Banquets; we have time ahead of us.”

All the young ladies had disembarked and entered the inner courtyard. No wonder they said the He family had grown arrogant with Lord He’s recent rise in office. Usually, the host family of the Flower Message Banquet would greet guests right from their descent from the sedan chairs, but the He family only sent a few stewardesses to assist with disembarking, while the steward’s wife waited at the inner courtyard gate. Madam He did not even appear in the main hall; she waited inside.

Yet their faces remained warm and their tones familiar, especially when they saw the leading madams and young ladies, showing surprise and delight. They immediately linked arms, saying, “We’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival. I’ve prepared the card table; no escaping once the game starts—we’ll play all night before you can leave.”

“How foolish,” Lingbo whispered to Acuo as she slowed down. “Madam He is really silly. The Flower Message Banquet requires equal courtesy to all guests, even sworn enemies must keep up appearances. She treats it like an everyday small gathering, only greeting familiar faces. Such narrow vision and tactics—no wonder someone else took her place so easily.”

Who had taken her place? Lingbo did not say, but Acuo could guess. Upon entering the main hall, Lady He’s matriarch sat at the head, her silver hair framing a commanding presence without anger. Beside her were not her daughter-in-law or granddaughter, but Lu Wenyin and Lu Wanyang.

Last night, Lingbo had explained to Acuo that Lord He had not come from a scholarly family but had bought his official position. The He family was old and wealthy but had only recently risen to prominence, which was just icing on the cake. For this reason, Lady He’s matriarch had long looked down on her daughter-in-law, Madam He, who came from a less distinguished family and whose brothers had failed to enter officialdom. After the son’s meteoric rise, the matriarch found even more fault with Madam He, despite her substantial dowry and family wealth. The old lady had married her in for those resources but now despised her shallow roots and narrow horizons.

Madam He indeed had little confidence and dared not criticize the Lu sisters, who Lingbo said had taken her place. She feared the matriarch and was also somewhat intimidated by the sisters. After all, the Lu family was currently on the rise. Lord Lu served in the Ministry of War, Lu Wenyin had married into the Chen family and bore their legitimate eldest grandson, managing the household impeccably. Among the young madams of the capital, she ranked just below Han Yueqi.

But the Shen family was large and demanding, so Han Yueqi could not attend today, leaving the Lu family dominant.

Seeing everyone arrive, Lady He’s matriarch made as if to stand, but a quick-witted madam hurried forward, “Please, matriarch, no need for such ceremony—we younger ladies are honored enough.”

“A guest is thrice noble,” the matriarch said. “Thanks to all of you, our family took first place this year, hosting the premier banquet. It brings honor to me as well. All of you are distinguished guests, whether close or distant; naturally, we will treat you as if you were home.”

Madam He stiffened, catching the subtle rebuke directed at herself, and stopped chatting with the madams, standing awkwardly to one side. She had never managed such a grand event before; the more effort she put in, the more mistakes she made, leaving her flustered and confused.

Lu Wenyin, skilled in social graces, smiled and said, “The matriarch is formidable. Such words make guests and hosts alike happy. Wanyang, have you learned this? I always say we should follow the matriarch’s example in hospitality—it’s truly invaluable.”

Lu Wanyang naturally smiled in agreement. The madams joined in with compliments, making the matriarch laugh heartily. Seeing how favored the Lu sisters were, it was no wonder Madam He feared them. When she mentioned, “The plum blossom bonsai in the front courtyard is quite nice,” Madam He worried it might seem like she was settling for mere bonsai and hurriedly said, “The plum trees in the back courtyard bloom even better; they are all decades old. Later, Mother Wang will take the young ladies to see them.”

The steward’s wife personally served tea, and the maids brought exquisite refreshments, showing Madam He’s care in the details. She enthusiastically explained the teas and treats but was cut off by the matriarch: “The pine-pulp cakes are a favorite of the young ladies. You should take them to the back hall to rest and drink tea. The madams will feel constrained here…”

Madam He hesitated, “But what about entertaining the madams…”

“With Wenyin here to help, you can attend to them when the banquet begins,” the matriarch said lightly but firmly.

Madam He was still unsure, but Lu Wanyang smiled, “Talking with the madams is the most enjoyable pastime for us. There’s no restraint at all.”

She had two followers among the young ladies who echoed her sentiment. Just as Madam He had a flicker of hope, Lu Wenyin laughed, “Wanyang is dutiful and likes to stay in the madams’ company, but today is for sightseeing and meeting new sisters. That is the main task.”

The matriarch nodded, “Exactly. You sisters should go to the back to drink tea. The plum blossoms are at their best, and sipping tea under falling plum petals is an elegant pastime.”

Lu Wenyin praised the matriarch further, teasing that only she appreciated such refined pleasures, unlike the rest who only knew how to embroider plum blossom patterns on needlework. Madam He had no chance to interject and had to lead the young ladies to the back courtyard.

It was winter, with fresh snow, lending a pure and simple beauty. The He family spared no expense, decorating the covered corridors with silk ribbons and floral silk ornaments. Lanterns hung everywhere, some inscribed with poetry, others with seasonal allusions—all related to plum blossoms. The back hall was warm, heated by dragon-shaped braziers, with a newly built glazed pavilion bathed in light. Outside, an ancient white plum tree bloomed. Though white, the lanterns and poetry made the scene lively and festive.

In the front courtyard, Lu Wenyin dominated among the madams; in the back, Lu Wanyang led the young ladies. She was modest, even offering the seat of honor to Qinglan, who politely declined, leaving the seat vacant. Madam He warmly entertained the young ladies, though her expression betrayed some discontent.

“Madam He has only one daughter, the one in the rouge-red lotus-patterned wide-sleeved gown, named He Qingyi. Her two younger sons are not yet of marriageable age, so they are no help in entertaining the young ladies,” Lingbo whispered to Acuo. “She wants to join the madams in the front courtyard, partly at He Qingyi’s urging, but Lu Wenyin won’t allow it. Their family’s Cauliflower Banquet is after the New Year, and Lu Wenyin is currently competing with Sister Han, establishing her authority and naturally taking over others’ positions. The matriarch is confused, and the daughter-in-law is not on good terms with her, so the Lu family is making a dress for someone else’s marriage, so to speak. But there is a reason behind this...”

Lingbo was about to explain when someone approached, so she fell silent.

The young ladies gathered in small groups, still shy and quiet. Though the banquet was meant for making new acquaintances, each noble family in the capital had its own social circles. At this moment, they clustered in twos or threes, chatting among themselves. Acuo remembered Lingbo’s advice: “Don’t be the first to stand out at the first banquet.” She kept her eyes and mind focused.

Yanyan, however, bounced around, sometimes covering the eyes of a girl her age, making her guess who she was; other times, she chatted with He Qingyi, asking, “Sister Qingyi, what’s the secret to your pine-pulp cake? I’ve tried so many at the banquet, but yours is the best.” This drew a crowd of girls flattering He Qingyi. When no one was looking, Yanyan ran outside the glazed pavilion, grabbing the first girl and two others, the four holding hands and excitedly comparing snippets of cloth pulled from their jackets, chattering away.

Lingbo looked at her with disdain.

“Don’t follow her example. She’s good-for-nothing, always playing around and eating for free. She’s not young anymore and spends her days scheming how to eat at the banquet without attracting attention. Don’t learn bad habits from her,” Lingbo scolded. Then, glancing at the young ladies, she frowned, “What’s going on? Where’s Shen Biwei? Late on the first day, and lunch is about to start. I’m going to find her.”

Acuo said, “I’ll go too.”

“No, stay here. It’s freezing outside. Stay with Qinglan, and if anything happens, follow Yanyan,” Lingbo ordered, not giving her a chance to refuse. “Yanyan, come here.”

Yanyan, obedient and pretty, wearing the red jacket Lingbo had chosen for her—a fox fur-lined coat with white fox fur trim at the collar and cuffs, her hair in double buns, looking adorable—came running like a bright-eyed puppy when called.

Lingbo was unsparing with commands: “I’m going to check on the Shen family matter. You watch over Acuo and don’t leave her side.”

“Okay,” Yanyan agreed promptly.

Only then did Lingbo feel at ease and instructed Yang Hua, “If anything happens, come find me outside.”

Yang Hua understood and nodded, staying behind with Acuo.

In the current dynasty, there was only one hereditary Duke without interruption—the brave Duke, Shen Biwei’s maternal grandfather. Her mother was the Duke’s legitimate daughter, and her father was a high-ranking minister and confidant of the emperor. Apart from imperial princesses, Shen Biwei’s status was the highest among noble young ladies. Even Lu Wanyang had to yield the position of host to her upon meeting.

To Ye Lingbo, the only one who could unseat Lu Wanyang as the top young lady this year was Shen Biwei. Yet, this girl was hopeless—reckless and unambitious—causing Lingbo endless worry.