The old housekeeper not only found them a way to enter the plum blossom banquet but also prepared a set of suitable clothes for them to go out.
From the inner garments to the outer cloaks, even the hairpins were ready.
On the day of the plum blossom banquet, the old housekeeper sent a carriage to deliver them to the entrance of the garden where Prince Ning was hosting the banquet.
The group of seven or eight youths immediately attracted many gazes upon their arrival.
It wasn't just because they were young; youth alone wasn't that special. Besides being young, they were also exceptionally good-looking.
The Lin family was renowned for their fine looks in Jiangnan. If it weren't for this, Mother Lin would never have insisted on marrying Father Lin.
Moreover, the clothes they wore were not made of ordinary fabric. The thick fur cloaks looked warm, and the fabric beneath them was also luxurious.
As they moved, hidden patterns flowed. Exquisite yet not gaudy embroidery was strategically placed. When still, it was unremarkable, but with the slightest movement, lifelike plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums would subtly appear.
Each person’s attire was different, yet when they stood together, it was evident that these clothes belonged to a series.
These outfits were prepared by the Lin family's fabric shop, and they had a bit of a strategy. These young masters of the Lin family were tall and graceful, making them excellent models.
If they could shine brightly at this plum blossom banquet, it would surely boost the sales of their fabric shop.
Lin Yan also arrived at the entrance of the garden where Prince Ning was hosting the plum blossom banquet with her uncle's family.
Lin Yan's carriage followed behind the Marquis's carriage. She had her own carriage and was alone in it.
After all, no one wanted to attract the Marquis's wife's attention at this time. Therefore, the Marquis's wife and Feng Yue were in one carriage, a few concubines' daughters were in another, and Lin Yan was in a carriage behind them.
As for the heir, Feng Feiyu, he rode on horseback by the side, escorting the female members of the household.
However, Feng Feiyu, riding in front, kept looking back many times, his gaze filled with worry.
He truly couldn't understand why his mother had to target his cousin constantly, even to the point of making his sisters afraid to get close to her.
His cousin was always alone at home, and even when visiting others, she didn't share a carriage with anyone. His cousin must be feeling very sad right now.
The way the female members of the household treated her only made him pity his cousin more.
However, Lin Yan inside the carriage was not as sad as Feng Feiyu imagined. Her carriage was her own. Although it wasn't as grand as the Marquis's, it had been modified.
After all, carriages were too bumpy these days, so she had added some shock-absorbing measures, making her carriage much more comfortable than those that looked grand.
Lin Yan was currently drinking flower tea. Her health had always been poor, and she was constantly taking medicine, so she couldn't drink tea.
Unlike other noble young ladies who rarely went out, she didn't open the carriage window to look outside, so she didn't see Feng Feiyu constantly looking in her direction.
She didn't see it, but Feng Yue did. Upon seeing it, she angrily closed the carriage window.
"What's wrong?" The Marquis's wife saw her daughter angrily close the carriage window.
Although the Marquis's wife also felt she shouldn't look outside, she thought her daughter was still young and naturally curious about what was happening outside. Moreover, with herself present, she wouldn't do anything outrageous, so she decided to let it be.
"It's my brother! He keeps looking behind!" Feng Yue was very angry. After speaking, she realized she shouldn't have said that in front of her mother. But the words were already out, and there was no taking them back.
She cautiously watched her mother's expression, afraid of angering her.
However, the Marquis's wife's anger had already subsided. Her husband and son seemed bewitched by that seductive woman. The more angry she became, the more pitiful that little vixen seemed.
She was good at pretending, but sooner or later, she would reveal that sickly girl's true colors in front of them. They would then see what sort of person they were protecting!
"Alright, since you know your brother values her, don't openly oppose her. Don't you see I was punished by your father because of her!"
After they entered the garden, they separated. The Marquis's wife took her daughters to see Princess Ning. Although she had promised Marquis Huaiyin to bring Lin Yan, it was impossible for her to introduce Lin Yan to other ladies.
Feng Qiong, taking advantage of the Marquis's wife's inattention, looked worriedly at Lin Yan. But seeing that Lin Yan showed no reaction to the Marquis's wife's actions, she was slightly relieved.
Lin Yan strolled leisurely through the garden. She was dressed warmly, and unlike others, she wore thermal underwear beneath her inner clothing, a remnant from her previous lives.
Gu Yu followed beside her, carrying a thermos food box.
Unlike other young ladies attending the banquet who wanted to show themselves off, Lin Yan was as relaxed as if she were on a casual outing.
There were many plum trees in this garden. It was said that because the Old Princess Ning liked plum blossoms, the Old Prince Ning had planted a whole garden of them for her.
Later, the plum blossoms in this garden became famous. The Old Princess was also fond of lively gatherings, so she would always send out invitations to people when the plum blossoms were in full bloom.
The ladies competed in elegance and beauty, while talented male guests were allowed to enter.
Over the years, Prince Ning had collected many excellent poems about plum blossoms through this garden.
When Lin Yan reached the gathering spot, she saw everyone chatting in small groups. Lin Yan had no friends in the capital, so she found a corner and quietly admired the brilliantly blooming plum blossoms.
It had snowed a few days ago, and now that the sky was clear, the plum blossoms seemed even more vibrant and beautiful than before the snow.
As Lin Yan admired the plum blossoms and ate pastries she had brought herself, a young woman in a ginger-yellow jacket and skirt walked up to her.
"Your pastries seem different from the ones at this banquet?"
Lin Yan turned her head upon hearing the voice and saw an unfamiliar young woman. However, the girl's gaze was clear, and while there was a hint of appraisal in her eyes as she looked at Lin Yan, there was no malice.
"I brought them from home. I am taking medicine, and many things are incompatible with its properties, so I prepared my own pastries. They taste quite good. Would you like to try one?"
Lin Yan warmly invited her, seeing that this young woman likely came from a good family with a harmonious upbringing. Otherwise, she wouldn't have such a forthright personality.
Most people, even if they noticed her pastries were different, wouldn't directly say so. But this girl said it so openly; it was quite interesting.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony!" She unceremoniously sat down beside Lin Yan and put a piece of pastry into her mouth.
"My mother has been restricting my diet for a long time just so I can look good at this plum blossom banquet."
She complained about her mother as she ate.
"But you also want to look good, don't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have really stopped eating."
"That's right. Everyone is here, and I can't be outdone. Hmm, your family's pastries are really good," she praised.
"If you like them, I can have someone send you the recipe later."
Upon hearing Lin Yan's words, the girl looked at Lin Yan for a moment and then said,
"You're not as unlikeable as people say!"