On the day of the banquet, Gu Xi dressed herself up carefully and arrived early at the main courtyard where Second Madam resided.

Second Madam was giving instructions to Nanny Jin when she spotted her approaching. She hurriedly greeted her: “You’re here! A’Dan is still in her room dressing up. If you’re bored, go sit in her room and chat for a while.” Then she continued talking with Nanny Jin and the others.

Gu Xi looked around but didn’t see Yu Tang. She wanted to ask about Yu Tang’s whereabouts, but after Second Madam spoke this way, she found it inappropriate to say anything and could only go to Fifth Miss’s quarters.

Fifth Miss was still somewhat confused, not knowing why they were hosting the Qin family today. She was simply obediently following her mother’s instructions—to dress up well, get along well with the Qin family members, and be a gracious and enthusiastic host so others wouldn’t look down on them. Therefore, when Gu Xi arrived, she was solemnly selecting the clothing and accessories she would wear later.

Seeing this, Gu Xi couldn’t help but worry for her, saying: “What time is it already? The Qin family could arrive at any moment, how come you’re not dressed yet?”

Fifth Miss’s face flushed red as she said in a low voice: “Yesterday I selected a light green outfit, but when I got up this morning and saw that the wine banquet was set up in the flower hall, I had to change my clothes again.”

The area around the flower hall was mostly planted with trees. In this midsummer season, with green trees providing shade, wearing light green clothing would make a person practically invisible.

Gu Xi sighed and said: “Even if the banquet weren’t set up in the flower hall, green definitely wouldn’t be suitable for this season. Which outfit are you planning to change into? Goose yellow or silver red would be best, pink wouldn’t be bad either. The weather is so hot—it’s better to keep the jewelry simple too.”

Fifth Miss nodded repeatedly. Under Gu Xi’s guidance, she changed into a different outfit. Then a nanny from Second Madam’s service came to urge them: “Third Madam has arrived. Young Madam and Fifth Miss should hurry over as well—the people from the Qin residence should arrive soon.”

Gu Xi and Fifth Miss went to the main hall.

Yu Tang was still wearing a silver-white waistcoat, though this time it was made of fine striped gauze with pearl buttons the size of lotus seeds. She wore no jewelry at all on her person, only a row of jasmine flowers tucked into her cloud-like dark hair. When one approached her, one could smell the elegant fragrance—fresh and refined. Yet her jet-black eyebrows, fair complexion, and rosy lips somehow produced an indescribable beauty that drew people to look at her again and again.

She was talking with Second Madam.

Gu Xi thought to herself that ever since Yu Tang wore white at the Jiang family’s celebratory banquet, she had worn white several times now. Did she think white suited her particularly well?

She and Fifth Miss stepped forward to pay their respects to Second Madam and Yu Tang.

Yu Tang felt that Gu Xi’s makeup was a bit excessive. On such a hot day, she was wearing a madder red Hangzhou silk waistcoat trimmed with yellow foliate flower borders—too many colors, making it tiring to look at.

Much like her previous life, without much significant change.

Perhaps Gu Xi simply liked dressing this way?

She smiled and greeted Gu Xi, then asked Fifth Miss: “Did you sleep well last night? A few days ago I obtained an incense that’s said to kill insects. Last night I tried it out, and the effect was surprisingly good. Would you like to take some to try?”

Fifth Miss voiced her approval repeatedly, still complaining: “I don’t know why, but those mosquitoes just keep biting me, while A’Shan is fine.”

A’Shan smiled with pursed lips.

Yu Tang affectionately touched Fifth Miss’s head and said to Gu Xi: “You two go sit in the flower hall for a while. When the Qin family arrives, I’ll have someone call for you.”

She and Second Madam were going to check the back garden later. A flower pavilion had been prepared in the back garden, and when they went to look last night it wasn’t finished yet—they didn’t know if it was completed today.

Gu Xi and Fifth Miss went to the flower hall.

Fifth Miss carefully examined a pair of ivory tusks about three feet long newly displayed on the curio shelf in the flower hall, saying to Gu Xi: “Do we have some favor to ask of the Qin family? Why is everything so grand?”

Gu Xi couldn’t guess either.

But she was somewhat worried.

The Yang family had asked her to pass along a message, yet the Pei family remained calm and quiet, as if they hadn’t understood.

She wondered what the Pei family was planning?

Should she go ask Yu Tang?

Thinking about having to use respectful language with Yu Tang made her feel extremely uncomfortable.

But before she could meet with Yu Tang, a young servant came running in, sweating profusely, asking: “Where are Second Madam and Third Madam?”

Could it be that the Qin family wasn’t coming?!

Gu Xi speculated, casually asking: “Why are you in such a rush? What happened?”

Seeing it was Young Madam, the servant hurriedly said: “The Yang family’s First Madam has arrived, without an invitation…”

Today was mainly for hosting the Qin family. For the Yang family to come uninvited—was it coincidence or intentional?

Gu Xi very much regretted having spoken up just now. She quickly said: “Second Madam and Third Madam went to the back garden.”

The servant ran off in a flash.

Fifth Miss asked in confusion: “Did we also invite people from the Yang family today?”

Probably not.

But the Yang family was Pei Tong’s maternal family—speaking of it wouldn’t give Gu Xi any face either.

She responded vaguely.

Who knew Fifth Miss would pull at Gu Xi: “I’ll accompany you to greet the Yang family members, shall I? Anyone who comes is a guest, after all!”

Looking at the room full of maids and matrons, now Gu Xi had no choice but to go.

Gu Xi cursed the Yang family several times in her heart and steeled herself to greet the Yang family members.

Yang family’s First Madam got off her carriage and stood waiting at the main entrance of the Pei residence.

The Pei family gatekeepers watched anxiously—let her in? She had no invitation. Don’t let her in? She had already disregarded propriety by showing her face in public.

The gatekeepers only hoped the Pei family’s female relatives would arrive quickly—anyone would do.

But Gu Xi really didn’t want to be in this spotlight. She walked slowly with Fifth Miss, even saying: “Should we wait for your mother and Third Aunt?”

Fifth Miss didn’t know why the Yang family would come without receiving an invitation, but in her heart, hosting guests required wholehearted attention. Today they said they were hosting the Qin family, but they had also invited Madam Fei and Madam Yin as company. For the Yang family, with whom they had little interaction, to appear at this time was rather inappropriate.

She said: “What if we run into the Qin family people? That would be somewhat disrespectful.”

Gu Xi thought of what the Yang family had said when she last visited them. Sweat broke out on her forehead and she said urgently: “Then let’s hurry over.”

If Yang First Madam was here to cause trouble, that would be a disaster!

She pulled Fifth Miss and they rushed outside.

Fifth Miss nearly dropped the gold hairpin from her head onto the ground.

When they met Yang First Madam, they were somewhat out of breath and had someone invite Yang First Madam inside.

Yang First Madam was quite surprised to see these two, saying: “Where are Second Madam and Third Madam of your residence?”

This meant she didn’t want to talk with them.

Wasn’t it because neither of them could make household decisions?

Gu Xi sensed that Yang First Madam must have come with a purpose. She quickly smiled and said: “Our two madams are both in the back garden. We’re in the front hall, so we definitely arrived faster than they would. Please come in quickly and have a cup of tea in my quarters!”

Yang First Madam thought for a moment, smiled in agreement, and entered the hanging flower gate with Gu Xi and Fifth Miss, heading toward where Gu Xi lived.

Gu Xi shot Fifth Miss a meaningful look. At the fork in the covered walkway, she said to Fifth Miss: “Go tell Second Aunt and Third Aunt that Yang First Madam is at my place, so they won’t rush to the main gate for nothing.”

Fifth Miss agreed and ran off in a flash.

Yang First Madam watched coldly with a sneer, saying to Gu Xi: “I didn’t realize you truly consider yourself the Pei family’s Young Madam! What’s this? I heard the Pei family is hosting Madam Qin today, and you’re rushing about—are you afraid my uninvited arrival will disturb your family’s refined entertainment?”

Gu Xi had endured such treatment before, but that was from her own blood relatives and elders who had taught and raised her. Why should Yang First Madam, a relative by marriage who still needed favors from the Pei family, give her attitude!

She wanted nothing more than to slap her across the face.

But she still restrained herself, smiling: “What are you saying, Elder Maternal Aunt? My place is quite messy—normally I can’t even get you to visit when I invite you. Now that you’ve finally come today, I’m delighted—how could I speak of being disturbed? I just thought that since you’re closest to our family, I wanted to invite you for tea.”

She put on an expression of “it seems I still overestimated myself,” looking somewhat anxiously at Yang First Madam and saying: “How about we go to the flower hall to wait for the two madams? That’s where we’re receiving the Qin family, and it’s also closer to where the two madams are.”

Yang First Madam had indeed come to quarrel, but not to break off relations.

She looked at Gu Xi with a half-smile and said: “I didn’t realize you were quite an opinionated person.” After speaking, without caring about Gu Xi’s reaction, she continued: “Since that’s the case, I won’t beat around the bush. Your family must give me an explanation today, or we’ll take this all the way to the Golden Hall and see who loses face! See who gets spurned by the scholarly community!”

What terrible luck!

Gu Xi grumbled inwardly but didn’t show it on her face, still maintaining a gentle and dignified demeanor: “Elder Maternal Aunt, I told Yu Tang everything you said word for word. What’s this? Has she shown no response all this time?”

Otherwise why would she come calling without regard for propriety!

Yang First Madam’s old face flushed red, and she had to admit: “Not only has she given me no response, even the two masters of the Pei residence have given our family no response. That Yu woman—did she even listen to what you said? How exactly did you tell her?”

For this matter the Pei family had committed, complete family execution was possible. How could the Pei family act as if nothing had happened, showing no reaction at all?

Gu Xi truly hadn’t expected the Pei family would leave the Yang family hanging like this. Was this really alright?

She became somewhat flustered herself, saying: “Elder Maternal Aunt, let’s talk in my quarters.”

Yang First Madam, seeing she didn’t seem to be pretending, followed Gu Xi to her residence full of confusion.

Pei Tong wasn’t home.

After Yang First Madam sat down and the young maids had served tea and refreshments before withdrawing, she couldn’t help saying: “What has A’Tong been doing these days? Why hasn’t he visited us?”

Gu Xi quickly said: “My sister-in-law invited Minister Yin to help guide my husband in policy essays. My husband has been frequently visiting the Yin residence these days.”

Yin Mingyuan’s essays were famously excellent. Even if Yang First Madam was dissatisfied, she couldn’t say anything.

She frowned and said: “Still, we need to see who will preside over the examination. It would be better to consult with several great scholars.”

Gu Xi smiled: “My elder brother said the same thing. So sometimes he takes him to visit the Hanlin Academy.”

Yang First Madam had nothing to say.

A young maid ran in, saying: “Third Madam has arrived.”