The East Peace Earl’s manor was bustling with activity today, with carriages and horses filling the entrance. The banquet tables extended out onto the street.
The outdoor feast was a true flowing banquet. Empty plates and cups were constantly cleared away and immediately replaced with fine wine and delicacies. Any passerby who wished could sit down for a meal and partake in the joyous occasion.
At this moment, the Earl’s manor spared no expense, with money flowing like water.
In Old Madam Feng’s view, money should be spent where it counts, and this was precisely such an occasion. What could be more glorious than having the title inherited? This was a matter of honoring the ancestors, and achieving it under her management would allow her to face her predecessors with pride after her passing.
Taking the opportunity of her grandson’s safe return to host such an event, no one could find fault with it. There was no need to worry about people gossiping about the Earl’s manor being arrogant.
This money had to be spent.
Unlike the outdoor tables where people ate in the cold wind, the indoor banquet was prepared for those of status.
Many came to offer congratulations today, including numerous royal relatives and nobles, clearly out of respect for Prince Yan’s face.
The Emperor’s agreement to Prince Yan’s southern journey showed his favorable attitude towards this son. Now that Prince Yan had brought back the East Peace Earl’s heir safe and sound, the Emperor’s impression of him would likely improve even further.
Naturally, people were eager to get close to the prince favored by the Emperor.
Moreover, in everyone’s eyes, the Seventh Prince, Prince Yan, had no chance of competing for the throne, so they didn’t worry about the Emperor being suspicious of their efforts to curry favor.
As for Prince Qi and Prince Shu—secretly showing goodwill was fine, but openly flocking to Prince Yan would not do.
Old Madam Feng, surrounded by a group of noble ladies, was basking in glory and feeling utterly content. However, due to her advanced age, she couldn’t sustain it for long. She apologetically said to everyone, “This old woman is not up to the task anymore. Please forgive my negligence.”
Everyone hurriedly replied, “Old Madam, please go rest. We’re fine with just tea.”
As the East Peace Earl’s manor’s status gradually rose, they had all witnessed it. Naturally, they had to be courteous to this Old Madam, especially since Prince Yan’s wife was present today.
Old Madam Feng slowly rose, supported by a maid.
At this moment, Jiang Si stood up and said, “Grandmother, let me escort you to rest.”
Old Madam Feng was startled, her wrinkles even smoothing out, clearly delighted to see Jiang Si behaving this way in front of so many people. However, she still maintained a reserved tone, “The Princess should stay and accompany the ladies.”
Jiang Si insisted, “I’ll escort Grandmother to rest first, then return to accompany the ladies.”
“The Princess is too kind.”
“The Princess is truly sensible and filial…”
Jiang Si listened to these words without any ripple in her heart, while Old Madam Feng’s face beamed with even more glory. She nodded slightly to the Third Madam, Guo, “Take good care of the ladies.”
Madam Guo respectfully agreed, her heart filled with curiosity: The Princess usually showed no warmth towards the Old Madam, what was different today?
Looking around, Madam Guo made a guess: Perhaps the Princess didn’t want to give others any reason to criticize her for disrespecting her grandmother.
However, Jiang Si, who was accompanying Old Madam Feng inside, clearly had different intentions than Madam Guo’s assumptions.
She escorted Old Madam Feng to rest, seeking an opportunity to discuss past events with her, hoping to gain some insights.
After escorting Old Madam Feng into the warm room, Jiang Si didn’t leave. Instead, she instructed the maid who had followed, “You may leave first.”
The maid couldn’t help but look towards Old Madam Feng.
Old Madam Feng, coming out of her pleased state, nodded to the maid.
The maid quickly withdrew, leaving the two alone, and thoughtfully closed the door.
Old Madam Feng’s expression turned serious, “Does the Princess have something to discuss?”
Jiang Si smiled slightly, “Grandmother guessed correctly. Your granddaughter indeed has something to ask you.”
Hearing this, Old Madam Feng perked up.
No wonder the Fourth Miss was behaving so unusually today. It seemed the matter she wanted to ask about was not simple.
“Speak, then.”
Jiang Si, however, hesitated for a moment before asking, “Are you familiar with my maternal grandmother?”
Old Madam Feng was taken aback.
She had guessed at various questions but never imagined the Fourth Miss would ask about the Old Madam of Marquis Yining.
The Old Madam of Marquis Yining and Old Madam Feng were of the same generation. If one were to count back several decades, they would have frequently encountered each other at various banquets and events.
But to say they were familiar would be an overstatement.
Unable to discern Jiang Si’s intentions in asking this question, Old Madam Feng answered truthfully, “We’re not particularly close, but we do know each other.”
Having broached the subject, Jiang Si no longer hesitated and asked further, “Then do you know who my maternal grandmother was close to? Or who she frequently associated with?”
Being part of the circle of noble ladies in the capital and of similar age, Jiang Si believed that even if Old Madam Feng wasn’t close to the Old Madam of Marquis Yining, she would know something about each other’s situations.
Yesterday, after probing the Old Madam of Marquis Yining, Jiang Si was certain that she was concealing something. However, since the Old Madam was unwilling to speak, she couldn’t force her.
Given her current status, it would be odd to randomly inquire about her maternal grandmother’s past. After much consideration, asking Old Madam Feng seemed the most appropriate.
Old Madam Feng’s tone turned peculiar, “Why are you asking about this?”
Jiang Si smiled, “If Grandmother knows anything, please just tell your granddaughter.”
Saying this, she gave Old Madam Feng a meaningful look, her eyes flickering, “Your granddaughter will be grateful.”
Old Madam Feng immediately stopped asking further questions.
Simply talking about past events in exchange for the Fourth Miss’s gratitude seemed like a good deal.
By now, Old Madam Feng had realized that this granddaughter wasn’t pliant, nor was she the type to constantly think about her maiden family. To gain her support for the Earl’s manor, merely maintaining the stance of an elder wouldn’t work.
If the Fourth Miss could be grateful, that would be ideal. Coincidentally, her eldest grandson was to participate in the autumn imperial examinations this year. Once Cang’er entered officialdom, they would need the Fourth Miss’s help to secure a good position.
Thinking this way, Old Madam Feng said, “Although I’m not particularly close to your maternal grandmother, I do know who her closest handkerchief friend was when she was still unmarried.”
At this point, Old Madam Feng paused, her expression somewhat strange, “After all, that person’s current status is extraordinary. Those of us who were of similar age back then all remember this.”
Ordinarily, who an unfamiliar person was close to wouldn’t leave much of an impression after so many years. However, the status of the person close to the Old Madam of Marquis Yining was so special that it was impossible not to remember.
“That person is—”
Old Madam Feng smiled slightly and uttered two words: “The Empress Dowager.”
Jiang Si’s eyelashes fluttered, clearly not expecting this answer.
Her maternal grandmother’s handkerchief friend was the Empress Dowager.
Yet from her observations, her maternal grandmother and the Empress Dowager rarely interacted.
Jiang Si thought this to herself and voiced her question.
Old Madam Feng shook her head, “I find this quite strange as well. They were so close back then, but suddenly their relationship cooled.”
“Grandmother doesn’t know the reason?”
Old Madam Feng chuckled, “I wasn’t part of their circle, how would I know the reason? But they were young girls then, it’s not surprising if their friendship soured over some small matter.”