Bai Ruozhu laughed. With the matriarch’s declaration, who would dare to invite them into the Meng Residence?
"Let’s go. If we walk leisurely to the banquet, it should be about the right timing," Bai Ruozhu said.
Yu Hongxiu got up cautiously and left the room with Bai Ruozhu and Fang Guizhi. At this time, Nanny Lu hurried over, bringing two pairs of hand warmers, "The matriarch asked me to bring these to you. I heard the Plum Appreciation Banquet is beautiful, but it’s terribly cold in the prime of winter. Make sure to keep your hands warmed up."
After speaking, she noticed that Bai Ruozhu had brought another lady with her. Somewhat embarrassed, she added, "The matriarch didn’t know there would be another young lady, so she only sent two pairs of hand warmers. The little lady can use this heater."
When Fang Guizhi heard this, she felt somewhat at a loss and looked at Bai Ruozhu nervously. Bai Ruozhu gently patted her arm and said, "Take Nanny Lu’s goodwill and accept it."
"Thank you, Nanny Lu." Fang Guizhi quickly took the small heater, bowed to Nanny Lu, and expressed her gratitude.
"I have not introduced her to Nanny Lu yet; this is my sister, Guizhi, my parents adopted daughter," explained Bai Ruozhu.
Nanny Lu stated that she had only been aware of one daughter in the Bai family, and only then did she understand the situation about Bai Ruozhu’s sister.
Fang Guizhi followed Bai Ruozhu and Yu Hongxiu out of the house in complete silence. She was not nervous, but rather, she felt somewhat melancholic.
Starting today, the outside world would know that she was the adopted daughter of the Bai family, thus, there was no chance for her and her second brother anymore due to the inappropriateness. But even if she wasn’t the Bai family’s adopted daughter, there was no chance with her second brother either. She should have been enlightened long ago.
Fang Guizhi sighed in her heart. She had been foolishly attached and had daydreamed. Love cannot be forced. She had understood this point some time ago, but it didn’t make it any easier to let go.
They quickly arrived at the Plum Appreciation Banquet. As expected, Wang Miaoshuang, who was granted the title of a princess by the former Emperor, held a very elaborate banquet. Because they were appreciating the plum blossoms outside, some beautifully handcrafted canopies, adorned with painted plum blossoms, had been set up. Even if you didn’t look at the actual plum blossom trees, these canopies were certainly a pleasing sight to the eye.
Tables with tea and dimsum had been set up under these canopies, with many guests already seated.
It was not until they were close that Bai Ruozhu found the place not as cold as she had imagined. On closer inspection, she discovered that there were one or two charcoal basins next to each table, which were like modern radiators.
At this point, a maid came over, took their invitations, and led them to their seats. The maid brought Bai Ruozhu and Fang Guizhi to the main table, but she assigned Yu Hongxiu to the table next to the main one, separating the three of them.
This was not an issue, but she was assigned to the main table and had also brought a guest. She was unsure if there would be enough seats for everyone. She quietly asked the maid about it, and the maid replied with a slight bow of her head, "Don’t worry, we have three additional places at each table, and we can add more seats if needed."
Relieved, Bai Ruozhu nodded and tipped the maid. She was truly afraid that Guizhi might be assigned to another table, where she might be uncomfortable having no acquaintances or friends.
Shortly after, the two young ladies of the Meng family appeared. Many people greeted them with smiles, especially showing enthusiasm to the older one, Meng Jinse. She was going to turn fifteen after the new year, and many of the noblewomen had turned their attention to her.
Meng Jinse, holding the hand of her sister, Meng Jinxia, walked up to Bai Ruozhu, bowed with a smile and said, "Jinse greets Miss Bai."
Meng Jinxia also followed suit, but the look in her eyes as she looked at Bai Ruozhu was rather complex.
Now, even those in Beiyu City who did not know Bai Ruozhu, knew of her. There was a period when rumors flew about her having an affair with the city Lord, and she was even caught in the act by the Lord’s wife. For a time, she was even thrust into the eye of a public storm. But not before long, the wife of the city Lord invited many noblewomen of the city and publicly apologized to Bai Ruozhu, explaining her misunderstanding. This incident made Bai Ruozhu even more noticeable to all.
What type of woman is Wang Miaoshuang? Who among the noblewomen hasn’t encountered her? It’s definitely no ordinary person who could make Wang Miaoshuang apologize in public.
Now, even the Misses of the Meng Family are exceptionally courteous towards her. This Bai Ruozhu really is extraordinary.
Bai Ruozhu also smiled and bowed to the Meng sisters before introducing Fang Guizhi at her side, "This is my younger sister Guizhi. Our ages aren’t too different, so let’s drop formalities and call each other by name — it would make us feel more close-knit."
Meng Jinse showed delight and took a seat next to Bai Ruozhu, "Then, Sister Ruozhu, I hope you will give us more advice in the future, especially for my younger sister."
Bai Ruozhu’s fondness for this young lady increases a couple notches more. Even though Meng Jinxia is her half-sister, she truly cared about Meng Jinxia’s health.
It is not appropriate to leak the fact that the second Miss Meng has heart disease. Otherwise, it will be hard for her to get married in the future, regardless if she’s healed or not.
Bai Ruozhu nodded at both, saying, "When I have time, I’ll invite you for some dimsum, and we can chat properly."
Both Meng sisters gratefully smiled at Bai Ruozhu. Guizhi stood on the side, confused but not daring to ask. Bai Ruozhu naturally understood her doubts, but with everyone around, it was not a suitable time for explanations.
Soon, Wang Miaoshuang arrived. Almost all of the banquet guests were present. The lady who opened the counterfeit knitting shop, Lady Li, appeared with her, and also sat at the main table, just across from Bai Ruozhu.
To the left of Bai Ruozhu were the Meng sisters, while to her right sat Fang Guizhi. To the right of Guizhi was a somewhat familiar lady, who smiled and greeted Bai Ruozhu, "Miss Bai, I am the leading lady of the Du family."
Bai Ruozhu was taken aback, and hurriedly bowed to Lady Du. If she hadn’t brought Guizhi with her, it would have been Lady Du sitting next to her today.
Before Bai Ruozhu had time to think, Wang Miaoshuang laughed and greeted everyone, saying, "Attending a plum appreciation gathering today, everyone looks so charming that I don’t know whether to admire the plum blossoms or something else."
A lot of people laughed, saying that Lady Meng has quite a sense of humor.
At this time, the beautiful Lady Li on the main table spoke up, "I have noticed, Miss Bai’s outfit today is extraordinary. Even if we don’t appreciate the plum blossoms, we could appreciate the snow by looking at her."
Hearing this, Wang Miaoshuang laughed and turned to look at Bai Ruozhu, "That’s true, Miss Bai really has an incredibly ingenious mind to think of the snowflake pattern. Knitting a snowflake, I am seeing this for the first time myself."
Bai Ruozhu felt extremely nervous being complimented by the two, she stood up and bowed, saying, "Lady Meng, Lady Li, your compliments are too kind. It was just a small clever trick, thanks to my own shop."
Is Wang Miaoshuang truly praising her? If so, why would she forge the pseudonymous Yun Xiaorong behind her back? Praising her publicly like this now, she really must have ill intentions, right?
Thinking of this, Bai Ruozhu rallied her spirits. Come what may, she would be ready to face it!
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After waking up, I caught all the bugs and fixed all the typos. Thanks for the reminder, Book Friends of ’Meng’!