But Dong Shi wouldn’t even see her, and she was the clan leader’s wife!

“This servant naturally knows Madam is thinking of the clan leader’s good, and knows Madam wants to help the Bai mansion prepare the banquet to show those waiting to see the clan leader’s joke… that the Bai family relies on the clan leader and Madam!” Pu Liu held the porcelain shards in her hands and looked up at the still-angry Fang Shi, saying, “But Madam must understand that the capital Bai family could be called the foremost among noble families even in the capital. Such a family has its own rules – it’s not that we can see them just by going there. Don’t you think so?”

Pu Liu had been unable to accompany Madam to the Bai mansion today due to other matters. After hearing the returning maid’s account, she understood why Fang Shi was throwing a tantrum.

“This servant’s words might not please Madam’s ears, but only this servant dares speak such words to Madam!” Pu Liu stood up and bowed before continuing, “The clan leader received his position only because of Princess Zhenguo’s word. What Madam should be thinking now isn’t to be on equal footing with the capital Bai family like the previous clan leader… but rather to support the capital Bai family!”

This statement struck at what Fang Shi was truly thinking.

She wanted things to be like before – even the mighty Duke Zhenguo Bai Weiting had been on equal footing with her father-in-law. Why couldn’t she and her husband, now that he held the clan leader position, be on equal footing with the capital Bai family? That Bai Qingyan was technically her junior.

“To speak unpleasantly, if the capital Bai family gives face… the clan leader can indeed be on equal footing with them. But if the capital Bai family doesn’t acknowledge you, you’re nothing! Look at this time… Princess Zhenguo, the granddaughter of the Zhenguo King, changed the clan leader as soon as she returned!” Pu Liu moved closer to Fang Shi and lowered her voice, “And that prefect and County Magistrate Zhou are completely following Princess Zhenguo’s lead! In the face of power… the Bai clan’s clan leader truly doesn’t amount to much.”

Though Pu Liu’s words made Fang Shi’s face turn alternately green and white, Pu Liu was her most trusted maid who had followed her from her natal family when she married into the Bai family. She knew all of Pu Liu’s words were for her good.

Feeling wronged, Fang Shi’s eyes reddened: “When others were clan leaders, they were glorious and impressive. Why must we humble ourselves when it’s our turn?”

Pu Liu inwardly sighed at Fang Shi’s lack of clarity, but this was the girl she had grown up with, who had shown her deep kindness. She could only bend down and advise again: “There’s no need to humble yourself. As long as Madam wholeheartedly befriends Dong Shi and follows her instructions, don’t overstep Dong Shi’s authority in your actions. Just curry favor – there’s no need to insist on standing out, being the best, most outstanding, or most attention-grabbing. Let’s leave the limelight to Dong Shi. This isn’t humiliation or submission, but enduring hardship for long-term planning.”

Fang Shi’s tears immediately fell. She quickly dabbed at them with her handkerchief: “Pu Liu, I understand everything you’re saying. I’m just indignant and feel wronged, especially with my sister-in-law… already expelled from the clan, yet still gossiping in front of me, mocking that Qihe is just a temporary clan leader. I just wanted to show them all…”

“I know, Madam! I know it all!” Pu Liu comforted Fang Shi, “Madam needn’t worry now. When attending the banquet tomorrow, just lower your posture a bit when facing Dong Shi.”

Fang Shi wiped her tears and nodded: “I understand.”

On the sixth day of the fifth month, the Bai mansion hosted an evening banquet.

As the sun set and western clouds filled the sky, the prefect and Master Zhou arrived with their families.

The lanterns at the Bai mansion’s entrance were already lit, and the mansion’s interior was brilliantly illuminated.

Upon entering through the six open vermilion lacquered main doors and passing the screen wall, one could see bronze cast crane lamps placed every ten steps in the courtyard, immediately creating a sense of solemnity and grandeur.

Master Zhou was amazed by the Bai family’s carved beams and embroidered pillars as soon as he entered. He knew the Bai family had deep foundations, but hadn’t expected them to be so profound. With just a glance around the entrance, he could tell that most furnishings in this Bai ancestral mansion could probably be traced back to the previous dynasty.

This was the true bearing and grandeur that a family of bells and tripods should possess.

Except for the clan leader’s family and the already-expelled Fifth Master’s family, almost no one from the clan had ever visited the Bai ancestral mansion.

Everyone arrived early, and the Bai mansion began the banquet just as the sky darkened.

Dong Shi and Bai Qingyan’s several aunts didn’t appear. Bai Qingyan sat alone in the main seat, which disappointed Fang Shi, who had been hoping to curry favor with Dong Shi.

“The Bai family is still in mourning and shouldn’t host banquets, so there will be no singing or dancing entertainment today – just a simple family meal…” Bai Qingyan raised the teacup before her, “If our hospitality is lacking, we offer tea in place of wine. Please forgive us, Prefect and County Magistrate Zhou.”

Bai Qingyan’s words showed she wasn’t treating the Bai clan members as outsiders, which somewhat relieved the clan members.

As soon as Bai Qingyan finished speaking, servants filed in carrying dishes and pots with clear division of labor, flowing like water as they presented various delicacies before the guests with light and efficient movements.

County Magistrate Zhou looked at the six or seven plates of exquisite seasonal pastries before him, so refined they were tongue-clicking amazing. Even the plates holding the pastries were probably artifacts from the previous dynasty.

Most remarkable was that the Bai family possessed so many complete sets, showing their profound foundations.

The Bai family was still in mourning. Regardless of whether the elders privately allowed them to eat meat, they publicly still couldn’t touch it, so all the dishes today were vegetarian.

This banquet was completely different from the lively affair Fang Shi had imagined.

Without elegant music and dancing, it was already subdued, and Bai Qingyan in the main seat ate quietly and composedly, maintaining proper etiquette and determined to follow the rule of not speaking while eating. Others didn’t even dare breathe loudly.

Fang Shi finally understood – this wasn’t some banquet Bai Qingyan had prepared, but rather a show of force.

After Bai Qingyan finished her meal, she rinsed her mouth according to protocol. After having the bowls and dishes before her cleared, tea and fresh fruit were served. That phrase “simple family meal” truly wasn’t mere politeness.

But even so, this display by the Bai family already seemed quite formal to the Shouyang people.

“Regarding training troops and recruitment, how are the clan leaders’ preparations progressing?” Bai Qingyan put down her teacup and asked seriously.

Bai Qihe quickly straightened and bowed deeply to Bai Qingyan: “Currently, the Bai clan’s young men and tenant farmers from clan members’ fields and clan lands are all enthusiastically contributing people. Many commoners have also registered because they can receive monthly wages. However, the clan is still discussing the matter of training grounds.”

“The government’s martial arts field should be sufficient!” County Magistrate Zhou was the first to speak, also bowing toward Bai Qingyan’s direction, “Before the Princess’s return, the prefect had already instructed this subordinate to expand the martial arts field. It should be ready for use within three days.”

The prefect hadn’t expected Master Zhou to take credit for him in front of Bai Qingyan for this good deed. This wasn’t an order he had given, and he couldn’t shamelessly steal the credit. He quickly stood up: “This subordinate only mentioned to Master Zhou that the martial arts field might be insufficient. It hardly counts as an order – it was Master Zhou who was thoughtful.”