There was a moment of brief silence.
Nan Shiying put down her teacup, surveyed the room, and then asked, "What, did I say something wrong?"
"No, not at all."
The County Princess Consort came back to her senses and denied it. It wasn't that she had said anything wrong, but rather that Wei Yuan's age was similar to Mu Baiyu's, and he was merely an imperial physician. The highest official post in the Imperial Medical Academy was only the Chief Imperial Physician, a rank of Fourth Grade. For Wei Yuan at his current age, it would likely take another decade or more to reach the Chief position. Although he was handsome and carried himself well, he was somewhat unworthy of the biological granddaughter of Prince Gong.
"It's just..." The County Princess Consort didn't know why her Highness suddenly mentioned Wei Yuan. Was it a casual remark or a matchmaking attempt? Therefore, she dared not be too explicit, carefully choosing her words: "Imperial Physician Wei is a bit older than Xiaoxiao."
Nan Shiying nodded, "I was just making a casual remark. Sister-in-law needn't overthink it."
Judging by Madam Mu's distant and unfamiliar tone when discussing Wei Yuan, she seemed genuinely unaware of Wei Yuan's connection with Mu Baiyu.
Of course, Nan Shiying wasn't trying to probe or scheme. She simply felt that if Xiaoxiao were to marry, Wei Yuan, whom she knew well, would not be a bad choice. At least, in the more than half a year she had been in Lin Yuan, she hadn't heard any gossip about Wei Yuan.
Her eyelids drooped slightly, making it impossible to tell if her words were true or false. The County Princess Consort could only hope they were true. Distracted by this, she completely forgot what she had intended to say to Liu Ling'er. Just then, a servant announced that the meal was ready.
"Your Highness, the sun is warm today, and there's no annoying wind. It's the perfect weather for lamb hot pot."
The County Princess Consort led Nan Shiying towards the dining area.
"Your Highness, please take the seat of honor."
Nan Shiying did not stand on ceremony and sat directly in the main seat.
Nan Yuan'er had caused no trouble from beginning to end. She had sat quietly in the room earlier and was now behaving herself, following them to the meal. Nan Shiying, looking at the calmly composed Nan Yuan'er through the rising steam of the lamb hot pot, knew that Nan Yuan'er could hear the taunts and ridicule. Yet, she remained composed. This demeanor was a hundred times better than her performance at her own full brother's funeral.
The essence of eating lamb hot pot lay in the atmosphere. The County Princess Consort had prepared not only a clear broth pot but also a spicy broth pot. Picking up a slice of meat, still slightly red with blood, with chopsticks, dipping it into the pot, swirling the wrist to roll the meat in the broth a couple of times, lifting it out, dipping it into the special sauce, and then putting it directly into the mouth while it was still hot.
The meat from the clear broth was fresh, tender, and smooth. One bite, and before much chewing, the meat simply melted away. The meat from the spicy broth, although its freshness was masked by the spiciness, provided a heat that shot straight to the heavens, making one feel ecstatic.
Mu Xiaoxiao ate with oil dribbling down her chin, showing none of the grace expected of a young lady from a noble family. The County Princess Consort shot her a stern glance but did not scold her excessively. After all, when eating this type of hot pot, proper demeanor was difficult to maintain. Glancing at the Princess, she saw her leaning back in her chair, holding a bowl. Her fingers were as slender and white as jade, even more translucent and beautiful than the milky white porcelain bowl in her hand. With her other hand, she held chopsticks, picked up about five or six slices of meat, and put them into her mouth, managing not to let any soup or liquid spill out.
Her movements, her appearance, her elegance—she couldn't help but glance again at her own gluttonous daughter, a soul-searching question arising: why was the gap between people so vast?
Nan Shiying's eating was elegant, but her pace was surprisingly fast. Two plates of meat only made her about half full. Ever since her eyes evolved, especially in the recent period, her digestion had become particularly rapid, and she could eat quite a bit.
Seeing Nan Shiying put down her chopsticks, the County Princess Consort, who had already finished eating, asked, "Does Your Highness wish for more?"
"No, thank you. This is sufficient."
Nan Shiying was actually not full, perhaps only seven-tenths full, but it wasn't appropriate to continue eating. Everyone had not drunk much during lunch. After the servants removed the hot pots and cleared the table, they served fruits, pastries, and tea and beverages. This so-called 'gathering to admire the snow around the stove' banquet had just begun to get underway.
However, it was nothing more than the usual games like drum passing and flying flower orders. Nan Shiying rested her elbow on the armrest of her chair, propped her temple with her hand, feeling a bit bored.
She looked at the young gentlemen present, and few of them seemed suitable for Xiaoxiao. Among the ladies, besides Liu Ling'er, there was another young lady who was rather interesting.
What was her name again? Shen Man?
Yes, Shen Man!
"Sister-in-law, whose daughter is that?"
The County Princess Consort followed Nan Shiying's gaze and saw a young lady sitting in a back seat, drinking tea by herself. Although she didn't know why her Highness was inquiring about her, she still introduced her, "Oh, she is the granddaughter of Minister Shen Chong."
Shen Chong?
"Former Grand Tutor."
The former Grand Tutor was the imperial tutor to the late emperor.
"After His Majesty ascended the throne, the former Grand Tutor resigned. His Majesty..." The County Princess Consort wanted to say that His Majesty respected the old Grand Tutor and granted him an honorary post, but considering her Highness's position, she swallowed her words and only said, "Minister Shen is now a Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy."