Although Mrs. Xia was making quite a ruckus, she just wanted to gain the upper hand in terms of momentum and that kind of baseless vanity, proving that she dared to confront a first-rank imperial enfeoffed lady.
It was a pity that Yi Qing didn't care about these things at all.
"Not everyone is here?" When Yi Qing arrived at the Western Garden, she found that some people she knew were absent.
"Mrs. Xie and Mrs. Jia didn't come," Ruo Hong whispered.
It was okay for Mrs. Xie not to come. With her status, position, and seniority, she would probably make a grand entrance later to put Yi Qing in a difficult position.
"Is there anything wrong with Mrs. Jia?" Yi Qing was worried that something might have happened to Mrs. Jia.
"I've already sent someone to keep an eye on her," Ruo Hong was also very cautious.
After everyone had entered the Western Garden, an unassuming small carriage stopped at the entrance. Mrs. Jia got off the carriage with a new-looking young maid and quietly entered the garden.
She actually didn't want to come, but she didn't dare not to.
"Mrs. Jia, your seat is here," Yi Qing saw Mrs. Jia trying to quietly sit in the back.
Everyone looked over and saw that Mrs. Jia was wearing a simple and elegant light blue gown with an ivory collar. The hairpins on her head were also a somewhat dull silver-white. She looked very dim and was easy to be ignored.
Yi Qing couldn't help but want to laugh at Mrs. Jia's outfit. The last time she saw Mrs. Jia, although she also dressed simply, the embroidery on the collar and the jade ornaments were all exquisitely made to the extreme. She was the kind of person who was unnoticeably eye - catching.
But this time, if she just stood there without saying a word, no one would probably notice her.
This Mrs. Jia was really a master, knowing what means to use to achieve her goals.
"I'm a widow. I don't want to spoil everyone's fun. It's okay for me to sit in the back," Mrs. Jia forced a smile.
"How can Mrs. Jia say that about herself? Mrs. Jia has a memorial archway bestowed by the emperor. She is a role model for women in the capital," Yi Qing looked incredulous.
"Yes," Mrs. Xia chimed in. "What's wrong with being a widow? A widow is better than some people who are unchaste." As she said this, she provocatively glanced at Yi Qing.
Yi Qing smiled meaningfully, while Mrs. Jia's face burned with embarrassment.
"Come on, let's go and sit over there," Mrs. Xia took Mrs. Jia's arm and walked over.
Yi Qing watched their backs and laughed even more inwardly. This Mrs. Jia had shaped herself too perfectly and had won over a group of fans. She had held herself in such a high position that it was really not easy to keep up the pretense.
Mrs. Lu looked at their situation and sat in the seat arranged by Yi Qing. It was best if she didn't say a word today.
After sitting down, Mrs. Zhou unconsciously looked around. Everyone here was vying to be the most gorgeous at the banquet. Mrs. Jia, who was so low - key and surrounded in the middle, was actually quite distinctive and hard to ignore.
She thought that Mrs. Jia did it on purpose. As a widow, it was so ostentatious for her to come out. She didn't know what her intentions were.
"Why isn't Lady Di here?" Mrs. Zhou deliberately asked.
"Mrs. Xie hasn't come yet. What's the rush?" Yi Qing sat sideways. "There are snacks on everyone's tables. Have some first."
Although she said so, who dared to eat?
"How can Lady Di be compared with Mrs. Xie? Mrs. Xie is the mother of the queen," Mrs. Xia sneered.
Yi Qing casually picked up her eight - dragon golden bell and played with it. As soon as everyone saw this golden bell, they immediately shut up.
Anyway, it was a golden bell bestowed by the emperor. Although it had no real power, it represented a very high status.
"I don't really care about other people's status. When people get along, if they get along well, they can interact more. If not, they can just go their own ways. Why do we have to compare and compete? What's the benefit?" Yi Qing said casually.
Everyone lowered their heads and didn't dare to say a word. Only Lady Xiao here was qualified to say such things.
The queen was a little anxious in the palace. Calculating the time, the banquet hosted by Yi Qing was about to start. She didn't know how Yi Qing would stir things up today. But unfortunately, she couldn't ask about this matter.
"Your Majesty, I heard that Lady Xiao is hosting the banquet in the Western Garden of the Xiao family. The Western Garden of the Xiao family is very close to the Xihua Court. Why don't you go and take a look on this pretext?" Mu Yu suggested.
The queen shook her head. "I can't do that even more." She was really troubled.
Her father used to be the leader of the civil officials. It was said that he had students all over the world, but actually they were all powerful and noble scholars. The incident back then was so big that her father couldn't have had nothing to do with it.
But she couldn't ask about this matter. The emperor had given her face by asking her to stay out of it.
"Then I'll send someone out of the palace to find out," the maid said.
The queen shook her head. "Forget it. Why should I worry so much?" She turned around and went to see the crown prince.
Yi Qing's overwhelming advantage made those noble ladies behave themselves. Everyone would look at Mrs. Lu from time to time and saw that Mrs. Lu was sitting upright, looking as if she didn't even notice them.
"Mrs. Xie is here—" the young servant outside announced.
Yi Qing casually stood up. After all, Mrs. Xie was older.
Everyone followed Yi Qing and walked over. They saw that Mrs. Xie was wearing a solemn imperial enfeoffed lady's dress and had even brought her own entourage. It seemed as if she was attending a palace banquet.
"Dear me, for Mrs. Xie to come in such grand attire to my humble courtyard, it really makes it shine," Yi Qing pretended to be very shocked.
Mrs. Xie was about to scold Yi Qing for being rude, but then she saw Yi Qing playing with the eight - dragon golden bell with her finger. All the scolding words she had prepared got stuck in her throat.
"Stop being so hypocritical," Mrs. Xie disdained.
"Then I also thank Mrs. Xie for coming to see my hypocrisy," Yi Qing made a gesture of invitation.
Everyone's hearts tightened. They looked at the people around them. If a quarrel broke out at this moment, which side would they stand on?
Immediately, they looked at Mrs. Lu and the others. These noble ladies seemed to take those people as their leaders. They would definitely have to follow their lead.
The banquet hadn't even started, but everyone could feel the undercurrent. In contrast, Yi Qing was smiling, looking as if she was just sitting back and watching the storm brew.
"I just returned to the capital some time ago. Everyone came to visit me, but I really didn't have the time. So I've gathered everyone here today. If there's something to say, say it. If not, just have a meal," Yi Qing said very casually.
"I don't think today's meal will be easy to eat," Mrs. Xie held herself high.
"Mrs. Xie hasn't tasted it yet. How do you know it won't be good?" Yi Qing motioned for the servants to serve the food. "Considering that everyone is getting older, I've specially chosen soft and easy - to - digest dishes."
Everyone let out a slight sigh of relief. They were really afraid that the table would be turned before they even started eating.
"Lady Xiao knows I'm not talking about the taste of the food," Mrs. Xie mocked.
Everyone held their breath again. Although they knew this matter had to be discussed, it seemed a bit too direct and aggressive for Mrs. Xie to put it like this.
"Then is it about the color and aroma?" Yi Qing looked at Mrs. Xie with a smile. "We can just forget about these superficial things. After all, whether it looks good is for others to see, but whether it tastes good is only known to oneself."