The Qingyuan Earl’s Manor chrysanthemum viewing banquet would open tomorrow. After receiving Jiang Xuening’s word “go,” Tang’er drafted a reply and had someone send it to the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor. After all, sending an invitation was merely an invitation—not everyone who received one would attend. Sending a reply to the host family would allow them to make arrangements in advance on the day of the banquet.

However, this matter eventually reached Yan Lin’s ears through various channels.

On this day, after the daily lecture ended, he and Shen Jie left the palace and brewed tea at Shen Jie’s residence. His handsome face was dark and stormy as he lost his temper, “I asked her if she wanted to see the lantern festival on the ninth day of the ninth month—she wouldn’t go. Someone invites her to view chrysanthemums on the Double Ninth Festival, and she eagerly goes! The Qingyuan Earl’s Manor, that declining household—is she deliberately trying to anger me!”

This was a matter between young people, so Shen Jie couldn’t very well interject. He only watched him.

Yan Lin couldn’t get over it and was still feeling jealous.

He had just picked up his teacup, couldn’t drink it, and set it back down again.

Frowning, he called out, “Qingfeng! Go back to the manor and check whether our manor received an invitation from the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor. If so, send a reply—I’ll go too when the time comes. If not, then there must be one anyway! Just take my calling card and deliver it. Would they dare to bar me at the door?”

Qingfeng hesitated for a moment and carefully reminded him, “But Young Master, the Chengguo Duke’s Manor also sent an invitation. If you go to the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor at that time…”

The Xiao clan of the Chengguo Duke’s Manor was the only great family in the capital that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Yan clan.

Over twenty years ago, the two families had even been related by marriage.

But now…

Yan Lin gave a cold laugh, “The Chengguo Duke’s Manor is for the adults to feast together, while the younger generation merely accompanies them. Moreover, our Yongyi Marquis Manor and the Chengguo Duke’s Manor have long since had no dealings with each other. What’s so strange about me not going? Why are you wasting words? Hurry up and go.”

Qingfeng didn’t dare say more and only asked, “Should I tell Second Miss?”

Yan Lin said sullenly, “Don’t tell her. I want to see what kind of nonsense she’ll come up with when she sees me there!”

Shen Jie laughed at him, “That temper of yours.”

But after saying this, thinking it over carefully, he surprisingly said, “Since that’s the case, I’ll also accompany you to the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor for the excitement.”

Yan Lin raised his brows and looked at him.

But Shen Jie calmly drank his tea and explained, “You also know the recent rumors in the palace—everyone says Imperial Brother wants to establish me as Crown Prince. Today when leaving the Wenhua Hall, Teacher Xie advised me that people’s words in the court are fearsome. Even though my conscience is clear, recently it would be best to distance myself from the Xiao clan somewhat.”

The Chengguo Duke’s Manor, which was to say the Xiao clan, was the maternal clan of the current Empress Dowager and the maternal family of the current Emperor.

Shen Jie and Shen Lang were brothers born of the same mother. The Emperor’s maternal family was naturally also his maternal family.

However, the current timing was indeed special.

After all, his Imperial Brother was now the Emperor, and the Xiao clan was powerful. Though it was rumored that his Imperial Brother wanted to establish him as Crown Prince, if he became too close to the Xiao clan, it would inevitably arouse his Imperial Brother’s suspicion and doubt.

Yan Lin lowered his eyes in contemplation for a moment, “Teacher Xie is willing to guide you.”

Shen Jie didn’t mind and only said, “Teacher has the bearing of a gentleman and the legacy of a sage. He’s good to everyone.”

The matter of the Chengguo Duke’s Manor and the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor both sending invitations for chrysanthemum viewing banquets on the Double Ninth Festival had already quietly spread among the high-ranking households in the capital. Most people who received invitations from both manors prepared to go to the Chengguo Duke’s Manor.

For no other reason—the Xiao clan was too illustrious.

Those of lower rank rushed to curry favor with them.

Those already of high rank looked down on the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor as a declining household.

So although they felt this matter was quite disrespectful to the You Manor, many people still found an excuse—or were even too lazy to find an excuse—and declined the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor’s invitation.

Everyone guessed that few people would attend the Earl’s Manor this time.

But no one expected that in the afternoon, news suddenly spread that the Young Marquis of the Yongyi Marquis Manor and His Highness Prince Linzi had sent replies and would attend the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor’s banquet together tomorrow!

For a moment, everyone’s jaws dropped in shock.

Even within the Earl’s Manor, there was complete bewilderment. Everyone looked at each other in confusion: Do we have connections with the Yongyi Marquis Manor? Who knows the Young Marquis? Which of us has attached ourselves to His Highness Prince Linzi? Have we even exchanged a few words? Why would they come out of nowhere?

But immediately afterward came wild joy.

Originally, having their banquet coincide with the Chengguo Duke’s Manor’s had left them both anxious and embarrassed. Setting aside that they had received only a sparse few reply invitations these past days, half of those they did receive were polite refusals.

The You Manor could already foresee the desolate scene when the banquet opened tomorrow.

But suddenly saying that His Highness Prince Linzi and the Young Marquis would come—this was truly great news falling from heaven! After all, these two young lords’ status was second to none in the entire capital!

The entire manor immediately became energized.

By evening, presumably because the news that Yan Lin and Shen Jie would come tomorrow had spread, various reply invitations and calling cards flew toward the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor like snowflakes.

Originally, the tables and seats they had prepared had seemed excessive.

But unexpectedly, after clicking through on an abacus, they still weren’t enough!

So they busied themselves through the night. The entire manor’s courtyards were brightly lit all night, fearing they hadn’t prepared well enough and would neglect the distinguished guests tomorrow.

The You Manor had two legitimate young misses: the eldest miss was called You Shuang, and the second miss was called You Yue.

Both sisters could be considered above average in looks.

When they heard from the servants that Prince Linzi and the Young Marquis would come, both widened their eyes in shock and covered their lips with their hands.

The servant’s face was full of joy as she said to them, “The Earl has instructed that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The First Miss and Second Miss must prepare well and dress beautifully.”

These words were tactfully expressed.

But both You Shuang and You Yue understood. Their faces flushed slightly, though they said, “Father is truly meddlesome. For such an important banquet, we sisters naturally won’t disgrace the Earl’s Manor.”

The servant repeatedly said “yes.”

But You Shuang, thinking it over, felt the matter was unusual.

Her features were cooler. Frowning in thought, she said, “How strange. When did our Earl’s Manor ever attach itself to the Yongyi Marquis Manor? I’ve also never heard of our brothers having any connection with the Young Marquis or His Highness Prince Linzi. Why would they say they’re coming today, just like that?”

Moreover, the time the reply came was also rather late.

It seemed more like a last-minute decision to come.

You Yue, on the other hand, was openly delighted.

Her features were more vivid, and she was also younger. Her goose-yellow long dress looked quite charming.

Hearing her sister’s words, she didn’t care much, “Sister is just overthinking. Can’t people have a sudden impulse to come? Everyone says the Xiao clan and the Yan clan don’t get along. Perhaps Heir Yan is deliberately snubbing the Chengguo Duke’s Manor, which is why he’s coming.”

That wasn’t impossible.

But…

“Even if he wanted to snub the Chengguo Duke’s Manor, not going would suffice. How would it be our Earl’s Manor’s turn to receive the honor of his presence?” You Shuang was the elder sister and had learned many things from her mother. She had to think more deeply, so she asked the servant, “Let me ask you, before Heir Yan and His Highness Prince Linzi’s replies came, who else said they would come?”

The servant counted on her fingers, “Before the Heir and His Highness, there weren’t many people who sent replies saying they would come—altogether just the Shangshan Earl’s Manor, the Zhou Manor from the Censorate, oh, and this morning there was also the Second Miss from Vice Minister Jiang’s Manor of the Ministry of Revenue!”

You Shuang couldn’t help but frown, “Miss Jiang the Second…”

Heaven knows, the Earl’s Manor had sent the invitation to Vice Minister Jiang’s manor out of courtesy. They weren’t familiar with Jiang Xuening.

If Jiang Xuehui came, that would be normal.

But Jiang Xuening coming was as strange as Heir Yan and Prince Linzi coming, and moreover, she came before these two young lords…

But You Yue was too lazy to think so much. Upon hearing the four words “Miss Jiang the Second,” she immediately sneered, revealing a look of disgust, “Heir Yan coming was originally a wonderful thing, but who would have thought this country bumpkin would also come, adding an inauspicious air!”

You Shuang felt the matter was suspicious and didn’t respond.

Mentioning Jiang Xuening made You Yue think of another person she disliked. She lifted her chin and instructed the servant, “By the way, since there will be distinguished guests tomorrow, make absolutely sure to watch that harlot carefully. Lock her in the woodshed and don’t let her offend any noble persons.”

Jiang Xuening, still at the manor, didn’t yet know that her impulsive decision to attend the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor’s banquet had triggered such a long chain of reactions, nor did she know that Yan Lin and Shen Jie would be going.

Thinking about You Fangyin’s matter gave her a headache.

She hadn’t slept well last night either, and had been in a daze all day, lacking energy.

When Meng Shi heard she would go to the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor rather than the Chengguo Duke’s Manor, she surprisingly didn’t ask many questions.

Jiang Xuening privately thought she had probably breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, if she went to attend the Chengguo Duke’s Manor’s banquet, taking Jiang Xuehui would show dignity, virtue, and propriety, but taking her, with her pampered and unruly temperament, who knew what trouble she might cause.

Early the next morning, Jiang Xuening rose, took her porridge and meal, dressed and groomed herself, then boarded the carriage the manor had prepared. She circled half the imperial city and headed toward the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor.

The Qingyuan Earl’s Manor was located in the eastern part of the city.

That entire area was home to families of meritorious nobility.

Compared to the intimidatingly high threshold of the Chengguo Duke’s Manor, the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor had only the two stone lions at its entrance still showing some imposing presence, but the space between the gates already revealed some decline.

Fortunately, quite a few people were coming to attend the banquet today.

The previously desolate entrance was now bustling enough to be called lively with carriages and horses. People continuously entered with smiles on their faces, greeting each other, making one wonder if the Earl’s Manor was about to rise to prominence again.

In her previous life, Jiang Xuening had heard You Fangyin speak of it and was quite clear about the Qingyuan Earl’s Manor’s current situation. When she first got off the carriage and saw this lively scene around her, she almost thought she had come to the wrong place. She looked up and checked the plaque several times before confirming it was indeed the Earl’s Manor.

She found it strange but couldn’t very well ask more questions.

After presenting the invitation, a servant led them into the manor.

The group walked beneath the covered gallery with folded hands. Along the way, they could only smell the fragrance of osmanthus flowers and see scattered chrysanthemum blooms—the arrangement was quite elegant and refined.

But just as they were about to enter through the moon gate to the back garden, a slender figure suddenly rushed out from the side.

A green dress, somewhat dirty and torn.

It was a young girl with her hair in a hanging loop and split-tips style, though somewhat disheveled, with an anxious expression and reddened eyes.

Jiang Xuening momentarily felt she looked familiar and felt a shock in her heart. Seeing her hurriedly running over, before she had time to discern who it was or dodge, the girl bumped into her shoulder.

The embroidered brocade sachet tied at her waist fell to the ground.

Jiang Xuening stood without moving, only watching her.

You Fangyin had just escaped from the woodshed. She only wanted to see her seriously ill aunt one last time before she passed, fearing she wouldn’t even get to see her final moments. But now she had unfortunately bumped into someone, so anxious that tears fell from her eyes.

She quickly bent down to pick up the sachet.

But her tears fell and dampened the densely stitched white peony on the sachet.

When she tried to wipe it with her hand, it was already soiled with a stain.

At this moment, You Fangyin deeply hated her own clumsiness. Not daring to use her stained hands to wipe it further, she shamefully and fearfully held the sachet in both hands and returned it to Jiang Xuening, “Fangyin is clumsy. I’ve offended Miss and also ruined your sachet. I will certainly embroider one for Miss another day as compensation. Please forgive me, Miss!”

When she extended her hand, her sleeve slipped down slightly.

The exposed section of her wrist had not a single patch of good skin—it was a mass of greenish-black bruises and purple marks, with even several whip scars.

The servant leading the way was shocked to see her.

Jiang Xuening’s gaze moved from her face to her wrist, but her expression became increasingly dazed.

It was Tang’er who reacted quickly, seeing the situation wasn’t right. She quickly came forward to receive the sachet first, “Just give it to me.”

From the corridor on the other side came the sound of chaotic footsteps and several older women’s stern shouts, “Can’t even watch one person! You lock her up and still let her escape! And on such an important day too—if something goes wrong, you’ll all suffer the consequences! Quick, quick, go find her!”

Hearing this, how could You Fangyin dare to linger?

She quickly curtsied to Jiang Xuening, then lifted her skirt hem and ran toward the other direction. The flowering branches extending along the path tore her sleeves and the back of her hand, but she didn’t dare stop.

The older women behind quickly discovered her trail and chased after her.

A noisy commotion ensued.

The servant knew the manor had been unsettled recently due to matters concerning the aunt and didn’t dare let the guests know. He quickly smiled apologetically to Jiang Xuening, “Please forgive the spectacle, Miss. A maid the manor just bought has no manners. The matrons are disciplining her. You weren’t frightened, were you?”

Jiang Xuening only took the sachet from Tang’er’s hands. The originally magnificent peony had been embroidered with white thread, giving it an elegant and refined nobility, but now it bore a tear stain, and on the tear stain was a smudge of dirt.

She blinked and looked down at it.

Her long, thick eyelashes cast down, creating a patch of dark shadow beneath.

She could hear that cold voice in the depths of her heart: Don’t interfere, don’t interfere. So many people die every day in this world—what does one more matter? Don’t interfere. In just a few more hours, you’ll be able to meet the real “You Fangyin.”