The staff at Prince Rui's mansion underwent a complete overhaul. Although the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent replacements the very next day, the moving banquet was too close, making even ordering a feast at Zui Xiang Lou feel rushed.
Lu Nian Fu was too busy to find Cheng Jiao Jiao, but fortunately, the invitation to the moving banquet had already been personally delivered to Cheng Jiao Jiao. Even if they couldn't have a deep conversation on the day, they could still chat briefly and arrange a meeting time.
In the blink of an eye, it was the eighth day of the eighth lunar month.
Qing Miao woke her up early to get dressed and ready. Today, she didn't have to do any work, just dress beautifully and entertain guests. Her newly made Xiang Fei colored autumn gown trailed on the ground, a cloud belt cinching her slender waist. Her hair was piled high, adorned with a jade hairpin inlaid with pearls, making her exquisite face even more radiant.
Qing Miao applied lip color for her. Even though she had dressed her up little by little, Qing Miao was still a little taken aback. "Miss, you haven't dressed like this in a long time. I almost forgot you were once the most beautiful woman in Yangzhou."
Lu Nian Fu gave her a playful glare. "Don't talk nonsense. If this gets out, people might think your mistress is too ostentatious."
"Don't worry, Miss. I know what to say and what not to say. I would never mention this outside," Qing Miao assured her.
Mian Er couldn't help but tease, "What is there for Miss to worry about? You always prefer staying in your room. It's hard to get you to go out."
With the involvement of the Ministry of Rites, even a small moving banquet became incredibly tedious. By the time all the procedures were completed, it was almost noon. Lu Nian Fu felt as if her shoulders were so sore they were no longer her own. The benefit was obvious: it saved her the time of entertaining and chatting with the female guests, allowing her to directly invite them to the table for the feast.
Lu Nian Fu felt the soreness was worth it. Heaven knew that in both her lives combined, she had the least patience for chatting with these so-called noble ladies.
The ladies of the Yin Dynasty valued "eating in silence and sleeping in silence." The men, however, were less concerned about such matters when drinking. Beyond the screen, there was already the clinking of glasses and occasional loud voices. Lu Nian Fu listened to their conversations, gaining some insight.
All the princes in the capital, including the Crown Prince, were present. Their words were full of official jargon, as if they had "benevolent and young brother" written on their foreheads. But no one knew what they were truly thinking.
Compared to the lively atmosphere on the male side, the female guests were much quieter. Everyone was here as a guest, and no one wanted to be seen as rude or ill-mannered. The new servants from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, mindful of the previous examples, dared not be negligent in the slightest. Their excellent service earned praise from several elderly ladies, who commented on how well Lu Nian Fu trained her staff.
In just one day, they had learned so much. Lu Nian Fu smiled outwardly. This wasn't training, it was coercion.
While the female guests were eating, Lu Nian Fu quickly returned to her room to discreetly eat something. She had barely taken a few bites when Qing Ya ran in. "Miss, Miss Cheng did not come."
"Why?"
"The one who held her invitation was her third cousin, Cheng Jiao Yi. She said that Miss Cheng is engaged and is at home embroidering her wedding dress."
Cheng Bei Zheng was still far away in Shanxi, mining. For Cheng Jiao Jiao's engagement to be set at this particular time, Lu Nian Fu knew it couldn't be good. She frowned and put down her spoon. "Engaged? Do you know to whom?"
"Third Miss Cheng did not disclose it, but I just met Song Ming and have asked him to investigate."
"Yes, have Song Ming keep a close eye on it."
"Understood. Miss, please eat more. There is still an entire afternoon, and you will be very busy."
The afternoon activity was a garden tour. No one knew how Emperor Chang Wu got the news that their mansion lacked precious flowers and plants, but he had people bring over several pots of rare varieties overnight for Situ Yan to use for entertaining guests. Therefore, although the garden was not meticulously maintained, with these famous flowers making an appearance, it looked quite presentable.
Many flower lovers exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, isn't this Wei Zi? I always thought this flower couldn't be grown in the capital."
"And that lily of the valley, how did it grow so luxuriantly?"
"The key point is, shouldn't the lily of the valley be out of season now?"
"Alas, if you can eat fresh vegetables in winter, then flower farmers naturally have the ability to change the flowering season."
"Who is the gardener at Prince Rui's mansion? If there's a chance, I must borrow them for a couple of days from the Princess Consort of Rui."
However, the Princess Consort of Rui was not in the mood to admire the scenery, because a person stood before her. Situ Jue, whom she had not seen for a very, very long time, cupped his hands towards her. "I suppose you are the seventh brother's wife. You are much more beautiful than the rumors say."