Among the women present today, several had attended banquets with Qin Yining in Ci’an Palace in the past.

On that day, when the Empress Dowager saw Lu Heng, she kept calling him “Brother Heng” and almost treated him like her own nephew. At that time, the Qin family lady was still unmarried, and the Empress Dowager’s intention to matchmake them was clear to anyone with eyes.

If not for Prince Zhongshun daring to flip the table in front of the Empress Dowager, perhaps the current Prince Zhongshun’s consort should now be called Madam Lu instead.

Therefore, when everyone saw Qin Yining, they each harbored their own thoughts. However, they were all intelligent people of considerable status who wouldn’t say anything that would make everyone look bad. Instead, they chatted pleasantly.

These women removed from politics naturally leaned toward topics of daily necessities, and would also discuss various family gossip and trivial matters.

Qin Yining rarely interacted with them normally. When she was with Pang Xiao, aside from romantic matters, they discussed court politics. Her social circle had almost no overlap with these noble ladies.

Therefore, seeing these women today discussing these inconsequential matters while still finding mutual entertainment, Qin Yining found it interesting. For once she didn’t need to think about life-and-death matters, and sitting among the noble ladies listening to this idle chatter was quite amusing.

“Princess, please have some fruit.”

Bingtang placed a small dish of delicately cut fruit beside Qin Yining and handed her a small silver fork inlaid with gems.

Qin Yining ate fruit to pass time, occasionally chatting with the noble ladies.

She didn’t speak much, but when she did, her words were substantial. These noble ladies and young misses unfamiliar with Qin Yining now had a new understanding of her, feeling this was the character only a woman from a prestigious family could possess.

After all, Qin Huaiyuan’s former reputation as “Wise Viscount Pan An” was known by everyone in both Great Yan and Northern Ji.

By afternoon, there was still no sign of the banquet being set.

Ji Yun had quietly gone out to inquire and returned to whisper near Qin Yining’s ear: “Today’s wedding banquet at the Lu mansion is in the evening, so our banquet here will probably wait until then to begin.”

Qin Yining nodded understandingly. Although they said they were having a simple meal, ultimately they had gathered here because of Lu Heng’s wedding, so naturally the meal time would follow theirs.

Given this, Qin Yining was in no hurry to return home, treating it as stealing a day of leisure.

At midday everyone had some light refreshments and fruit, and several women gathered to play cards.

A few who were drowsy went to find private rooms to rest alone.

Ji Yun and Bingtang also worried Qin Yining might be bored, having already arranged with the establishment to prepare a separate room for the princess to rest.

However, just as Qin Yining was about to rise, someone downstairs quickly ascended, their footsteps on the wooden floor making urgent tapping sounds.

“Ladies and young misses, Loyalty Bo’s wife has arrived.”

The women playing cards and chatting all paused their movements, exchanged glances, and found it strange.

“Did I hear wrong? Loyalty Bo’s wife? Isn’t Loyalty Bo getting married today?”

“Yes, the bride should still be waiting to bow in ceremony, shouldn’t she? How is she already out?”

…

The women all found it curious. Qin Yining also stood up in confusion, exchanging glances with Bingtang and Ji Yun, whispering: “Is it really Bian Shi who came?”

“That’s what they reported outside – there should be no mistake.”

Amid everyone’s surprise, footsteps soon approached. The door to the private room was pushed open, and a group of maids in red and green surrounded a beautiful young lady of about sixteen as they entered.

The young lady was of medium height with a powdered peach-blossom face and upturned eyes that showed playfulness mixed with several degrees of arrogance. Her bright red jacket outlined her voluptuous figure, adding several degrees of glamour to her lively temperament.

The noble ladies present were all worldly people who understood immediately upon seeing Bian Shi’s appearance.

“So it really is Loyalty Bo’s unmarried wife.”

“Yes. How is the bride out at this time?”

…

Bian Ruohan paid no attention to these women and was too lazy to respond. Her bright almond eyes only stared at Qin Yining, with three parts understanding, three parts envy, and the remaining four parts all jealousy and hatred.

“You are Qin Shi?” Bian Ruohan walked directly toward Qin Yining.

She didn’t address her as Princess, nor politely call her Sister according to age, being so unfriendly.

Qin Yining couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows in surprise – she had come specifically targeting her?

The noble ladies who had wanted to actively chat with Bian Ruohan all gave up the thought, revealing expressions of watching a good show.

You must know, Lu Heng and Prince Zhongshun’s consort had almost become a pair before. Perhaps they really had some entanglement, and now Bian Shi was Lu Heng’s newlywed wife. On her wedding day, instead of staying home grooming and waiting for the bridal sedan, Bian Shi personally ran here with a look full of jealous hatred targeting Prince Zhongshun’s consort.

Such good drama – they hadn’t seen it in many years.

If Prince Zhongshun’s consort and Loyalty Bo had no relationship, why would this person act this way?

Many noble ladies were quietly watching the show, while others exchanged glances, clearly having already concocted a passionate tale of love and hatred in their minds.

Bian Ruohan walked to Qin Yining’s side ignoring everyone else, discovering she was actually shorter than the other party. To avoid losing in presence to Qin Yining, she coldly snorted and stepped back two paces.

“People say you’re devastatingly beautiful. Seeing you today, it’s truly well-deserved.” Her tone was drawn out, not concealing her hostility and malice.

“I don’t deserve such praise. Today is Loyalty Bo’s wife’s joyous wedding day. The auspicious time is about to arrive, yet Loyalty Bo’s wife is willing to receive guests. We who cannot attend the wedding feast for various reasons are truly flattered.”

Qin Yining’s words caused all the ladies to whisper among themselves.

They had seen many weddings but had never seen a bride casually wandering about before the ceremony.

Bian Ruohan’s eyes flashed with viciousness and resentment: “Truly a woman with a glib tongue.”

Qin Yining smiled: “Loyalty Bo’s wife flatters me.”

Her serene manner of thanks made it seem as though Bian Ruohan was genuinely complimenting her.

Bian Ruohan suddenly took a deep breath and said coldly: “I came here to tell you – in the past, my husband was much obliged to your care. From now on he has me by his side, so you can rest. Don’t forget your identity and lose face.”

“What are you saying? Whether you care for Loyalty Bo or not is your business – what does it have to do with me? At such a young age, please think before you speak, lest you lose your own face!” Qin Yining’s expression turned cold. With her extreme beauty, when truly containing anger, her presence was indeed intimidating.

Bian Ruohan was startled by Qin Yining’s appearance, and when she recovered, her face reddened with anger: “What? These days do people who’ve done wrong become self-righteous? You think with your righteous appearance, everyone doesn’t know what you’ve done? Born with a fox-like seductive look, just hugging someone’s thigh to become a small princess – what do you have to be arrogant about! No matter how capable you are, in the end the one my husband married is still me! The mistress of the Lu family is still me!”

The room fell silent, with the noble ladies each harboring their own thoughts.

Bian Ruohan’s accompanying maids and servants were about to cry with worry, tugging at her sleeves: “The time is approaching, Miss, please return quickly.”

“Yes Miss, delaying the auspicious time would be bad.”

Bian Ruohan snorted: “Just wait – I’ll let you off today, but if you dare seduce my husband again, I won’t let it go!”

Having said this, without waiting for Qin Yining’s reaction, she turned and quickly left.

This was simply an unwarranted disaster. Qin Yining sat back down with a composed expression, laughing lightly: “It seems Loyalty Bo’s household will be very lively in the future.”

Lady An Ping Bo recovered from her shock and smiled to smooth things over: “Young girls believe everything they hear and speak without thinking. Princess, please don’t take it to heart.”

Qin Yining said calmly: “I naturally won’t take it to heart. I’m not the one who lost her dignified demeanor.”

“The Princess truly has magnanimity.” Several women also timely intervened to smooth things over, unable to help but admire Qin Yining somewhat.

Qin Yining’s comment about “losing dignified demeanor” was truly hitting the nail on the head.

The Bian family only produced an Imperial Concubine Zhuang and had some wealth – how did they raise such an ignorant and arrogant daughter?

If it were them, regardless of whether the matter was true or false, being pointed at and accused face to face, they probably would have been unable to stay and fled in panic long ago.

Yet Qin Yining seemed completely unbothered. If she had left then, it would have aroused many people’s suspicions. Even if she and Loyalty Bo had nothing between them, it would have been spread that she had a “guilty conscience” and was “ashamed to face people.”

Now displaying this tolerant magnanimity instead made people even more disdainful of Bian Shi’s behavior just now.

Ji Yun and Bingtang were already fuming with anger. When the ladies went about their own business, Bingtang moved close to Qin Yining and whispered: “Princess, should I prepare a medicine…”

“No need.” Qin Yining smiled: “Such a brainless person isn’t worth wasting your medicine on.” Qin Yining’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if cold glints flickered: “To make a young girl do such a thing, there must be someone pulling strings behind the scenes.”

“You suspect… Imperial Concubine Zhuang?”

Qin Yining smiled without saying more.

Imperial Concubine Zhuang was merely a concubine – whose face was she looking at when acting? She was a harem consort working hard to climb up. With no old grudges or recent enmity with her, would she dare casually offend Prince Zhongshun’s consort without someone’s hint?

Although Li Qitian was wary of Pang Xiao, this was something only a very few people knew. In the public eye, the Prince was still a great hero, and even if the Emperor showed some neglect, he would still go out of the city to welcome him.

Therefore, Qin Yining had good reason to suspect today’s events were pushed by Li Qitian, specifically to cause trouble for Pang Xiao.

The smile at the corner of Qin Yining’s lips became even gentler.

Anyone who wanted to cause trouble for Pang Xiao – she would definitely clip their wings!

As for whether she might be wrong?

Qin Yining wouldn’t even consider being wrong or right. Li Qitian was someone she was determined to deal with anyway. Who told him to want to harm Pang Xiao?

The women present no longer mentioned this matter. Seeing the sky darkening, the banquet was also prepared and served, with various noble ladies taking their seats according to status.

Sounds of celebration music and firecrackers came from nearby Loyalty Bo Mansion.

The ladies at Shunfu Restaurant also began their meal.

Being from noble families, they naturally observed the rule of silence during meals. Everyone hadn’t come purely to eat, so they didn’t eat much.

After the meal, the establishment served tea.

Qin Yining accepted the tea and continued chatting with these ladies. The time was about right – she could soon take her leave and return home.

However, just then, another set of footsteps was heard.

The entire Shunfu Restaurant had been reserved, so any visitors must be related to Bo Mansion.

Someone went to check at the door and soon returned with a smile: “Loyalty Bo has arrived.”