Chapter 1148: Chapter 1150: Everyone was informed by Yang Chuxia_1
How could Yang Chuxia just wait patiently for someone to announce her? This would have been such a loss of face.
"Madam Zhou, such great joy today! I fear I have arrived late, and you must forgive me for that," she called out before even entering, laughing as she spoke. Her voice was rather loud, letting everyone immediately sense her brazenness.
Inside, Madam Zhou’s face turned ashen. She had heard the recent rumors throughout the county—that she was shameless, intolerant; that she had not only sent away her husband’s woman but also falsely accused others. And for all this, she had that very woman to thank. Had she not invited Mrs. Hong and Mrs. Liu, those loudmouths, how would the commoners have come to know these things?
Furthermore, how utterly rude of her to barge in without being announced.
The moment Yang Chuxia entered, she indeed saw the pallor on Madam Zhou’s face, and felt a surge of satisfaction.
She glanced around and saw that nobody else was present, it seemed that Principal Clerk Zhou hadn’t prevailed over Madam Zhou after all.
"Madam Zhou, isn’t it supposed to be a grand celebration for our Lord Principal Clerk today? Why is Zhou Residence so quiet and empty? Didn’t Principal Clerk Zhou say just the day before yesterday that he was going to host a banquet today? Could it be that he isn’t, or is he, like all men, unreliable in his words?"
She didn’t wait for Madam Zhou to speak or offer her a seat, instead taking it upon herself to sit in Principal Clerk Zhou’s usual seat of honor.
By rights, her status was higher than Madam Zhou’s, so she should be offered the seat of honor, but Madam Zhou didn’t utter a word. So, she simply took it upon herself to occupy the empty chair.
"Madam Ye, it’s just taking a concubine, and she can’t even enter through the front door. What’s there to celebrate?" Seeing Yang Chuxia sit down beside her, Madam Zhou felt even more irate and skipped any pretense of a courteous welcome.
"You are wrong, Madam Zhou. As long as he becomes a bridegroom tonight, it is indeed a great joy," Yang Chuxia said with another laugh. "I heard that when Concubine Cao first entered the Zhou Residence, two tables were set up. And now the second concubine is coming, and it was Principal Clerk Zhou who agreed to this. Yet, he decided not to host the celebration at the last minute. It’s fine if your family does not set up the banquet, but at least you could have let me know."
"Go ask Principal Clerk Zhou if he looks down on Concubine Cao because she came from the County Magistrate’s harem. I came here in good faith to join the celebration, but now there’s no banquet. If there’s no banquet, at least tell me. Are you playing a game with me, Madam of County Magistrate?"
Yang Chuxia thought to herself, if you won’t hold the banquet, I’ll make such a fuss today that you’ll have to start it, just to spite you for trying to stuff a concubine into my harem!
"You..." Madam Zhou was infuriated upon hearing this and glared at Yang Chuxia with narrowed eyes.
They were indeed supposed to host a banquet today, but in a fit of anger, she hadn’t ordered the harem to prepare the food, nor had she invited any dear friends.
Besides, she hadn’t expected Yang Chuxia to take her words from that day seriously—she was just a concubine, after all, yet she still showed up.
"Madam Zhou, don’t you always say that a woman should be generous? Lord Zhou had already agreed to host the banquet, yet you try to undermine him at this moment. It won’t look good if word gets out."
No sooner had Yang Chuxia finished speaking than she heard someone outside announce that Mrs. Hong had arrived.
Madam Zhou hadn’t yet caught her breath when someone else announced the arrival of Mrs. Liu, followed by Madam Huang and many other ladies. Suddenly, Madam Zhou felt stifled. She hadn’t invited any of these people, so why had they all come today?
Turning to meet Yang Chuxia’s sly, almost smirking eyes, she realized who was behind this mischief.
Yes, it was Yang Chuxia who had notified all these people.
Normally, the principal wife wouldn’t personally attend the introduction of a concubine. The female guests would usually be managed by nannies, and as for the male guests, Principal Clerk Zhou would indeed invite a few acquaintances.