The banquet in the Marquis's Mansion was, of course, extremely lively.
Chen Xuan had a bad temper, but he was an upright man and was meticulous in handling affairs despite his rough exterior. Most of the officials in the court had a good impression of him. Those who had received the invitation cards arrived at the mansion early on the day of the banquet.
Chen Xuan greeted the officials with a smile and led them to their seats. As soon as Chen Tingfeng showed up, he was surrounded by his schoolmates. Although he was impatient with such a scene, he didn't show it. His expression only turned a bit colder, but since he was always like this, no one noticed anything amiss.
It was not until the Second Prince showed up that he was pulled out of the crowd.
Xie Yan said playfully with a smile, "On this happy day, your face looks so gloomy. Can't you smile like me?"
Chen Tingfeng gave him a disdainful look.
The male guests were seated in one area, while the female guests were in another.
Madam Bai led Fu Zhen to greet the female guests with smiles. Although the ladies were curious about this unfamiliar face, they didn't show it on their faces. Instead, they talked about her in private.
"That girl looks very unfamiliar. I don't think I've seen her before," a woman said.
Her close friend took a look at Fu Zhen and thought for a moment. "I've heard that a girl from the countryside moved into the Marquis's Mansion last winter. I'm afraid it's her."
"From the countryside? Can a girl from the countryside have such a demeanor?" the woman wondered.
After living in the Marquis's Mansion for a few months, Fu Zhen had long shed her former uneasiness. As she grew older, her figure had also developed. Now, she looked beautiful and extraordinary, somewhat resembling Chen Tingfeng's usual calmness.
Another woman laughed. "Who cares who she is? Even if she is really from the countryside, now that she has become the second young lady of the Marquis's Mansion, who would dare to look down on her? They must be tired of living."
The Marquis's Mansion was deeply favored by the emperor. Chen Xuan was a capable man, and now his only son had passed two consecutive imperial examinations, outshining all the young men in the capital.
Both the father and the son were successful. Who would dare to underestimate them?
Moreover, seeing how much Madam Bai doted on that girl, she really treated her like a daughter. Otherwise, which mistress of a family would bring a girl from the countryside out for socializing?
Just as they were talking, they saw Madam Bai walking over with a smile.
The ladies quickly put on smiles and congratulated her one by one. Fu Zhen followed behind, smiling politely and bowing. She wasn't shy at all, but she didn't speak rashly either.
How could she have a say in such an occasion?
Originally, Chen Huanyun was also there, but seeing that these noble ladies didn't pay much attention to her, she rolled her eyes and went to the area where the noble girls were. At this moment, she was smiling and talking to them.
Fu Zhen remembered that in her previous life, after she married Chen Tingfeng, she also went out for socializing. But those noble girls either sneered at her or made sarcastic remarks. They rolled their eyes so much that it seemed they were about to turn them upside down. They all thought highly of themselves and disdained to talk to her, a woman who had used improper means to gain a high position.
It wasn't a big deal. If it were her who met a woman like that, she wouldn't want to socialize with her either.
But she was a vengeful person. Even though they were right, she still felt uncomfortable seeing them.
Among the noble girls, there were several who had laughed at her in her previous life. She was too lazy to get along with them, so she simply followed Madam Bai.
Just to see the world.
When all the dishes were served, Madam Bai invited the ladies to take their seats.
After Fu Zhen sat down, Chen Huanyun hesitated for a moment and then sat down next to her.
"Thank you, sister, for the tassel you sent. I like it very much," Chen Huanyun said with a smile.
Fu Zhen also showed a proper smile. "I'm glad you like it, sister."
This was so fake. If she really liked it, she wouldn't have not worn it. Her self - control was not good enough.
Fu Zhen thought calmly. If it were herself, no matter how much she hated it, she wouldn't make such a mistake. No matter what she thought in her heart, she had to keep a straight face.
She had to deceive herself before she could deceive others.
Unmarried daughters sat with their mothers. The Chen family was also on the invitation list. Chen Yi didn't come, only Chen's mother came.
Chen's mother was overjoyed that her daughter had successfully moved into the Marquis's Mansion. She thought she had joined the circle of noble ladies. At this moment, she was smiling and socializing outside.
She was still as obsequious as ever.
The ladies didn't say anything to her face. After she left with a smile, their smiles immediately disappeared.
"This woman is still so annoying."
"Indeed," a woman in a dark green dress said disdainfully. "I heard that her family came to the Marquis's Mansion three times in order to get their daughter in. It's just that the people in the Marquis's Mansion have good tempers. If it were me, I would have driven them out long ago and wouldn't have even invited them to today's banquet."
A young woman beside her sneered. "Who says the Marquis doesn't recognize his relatives? He does, doesn't he? The daughter from such a family, that Chen Huanyun, was just trying her best to stand out while following my daughter. She looks like a snob. In my opinion, she's not as good as that girl from the countryside! At least that girl is well - behaved and knows her place."
"I heard that the girl is the daughter of the Marquis's sworn sister. They lost contact early on and only reconnected last year. Although she grew up in the countryside for the first dozen years, I think her behavior is proper. She really doesn't seem to be born into a peasant family," the woman in the dark green dress said.
The young woman looked at Fu Zhen, who was quietly eating, and nodded. "She's also good - looking, but she seems too gentle and weak. She may not be very fertile."
Hearing this, the woman in the dark green dress joked, "What? Are you interested and want to betroth her to your son?"
The young woman spat and pulled at her clothes, scolding with a smile, "My son is only five years old. What are you talking nonsense about? Be careful I tear your mouth in public."
The two of them seemed to be good friends. They were pulling and tugging at each other but not getting angry.
Fu Zhen knew nothing about this. She just kept her head down and quietly ate her food.
Everyone at this table was a relative. Except for Chen's mother, who was always causing trouble, the others knew their boundaries. After the initial greetings, there was no chance for her to speak.
Beside her, Chen's mother was whispering to Chen Huanyun and occasionally casting glances at her. Fu Zhen felt a bit impatient and lost her appetite even for her favorite dishes. She was full after just a few bites.
Seeing that she had eaten so little, Madam Bai whispered worriedly, "What's wrong, Zhenzhen? Is the food not to your taste?"
"No, aunt. The food is delicious. I just ate a few pieces of pastry earlier, so I'm still full," Fu Zhen said with an embarrassed smile.
Hearing this, Madam Bai served her a bowl of soup and said with a smile, "Sure enough, young people like to indulge in snacks. Well, if you can't eat, just drink this bowl of soup. I asked someone to put some nourishing herbs in it. It's just right for you."
Fu Zhen quickly took the soup and thanked her.
The other relatives at the table couldn't help but glance at each other and sized up this orphan girl who had come to the Marquis's Mansion again.
Seeing how favored she was, some of the more active - minded ones couldn't help but think of their unmarried sons. They couldn't get involved with the heir Chen Tingfeng, but it would be good if they could get involved with this so - called second young lady.