"Madam, the one wearing a sapphire robe is Pan Shizi. The noble lady beside him," Yuer paused for a moment, "youve also met her, its the Princess of the County."

  The peony-faced girl smiled and looked at those people without fear. She saw clearly that the Qinghua County Master, who was about twenty years old, had a beautiful face, high hair bun, and a seductive figure. Her dress was even more luxurious. The five-color silver mud wide-sleeved long shirt trailed on the ground, the yellow silk wrapped around her chest was extremely low, revealing a patch of snow-white full ***, the eight pieces of yellow silk silver mud long skirt revealed a pair of delicate small pearl shoes, and the single strand red bottom silver mud scarf danced in the wind.

  The mistress of Qinghua didnt have any hairpins on her head, she only wore a single, intricately designed eight-treasured flower hairpin and step shake, nothing else. Not even a speck of makeup on her face, just a plain face. Yet, as she stood there, everyones eyes were drawn to her alone, all the clothes and accessories were merely accompaniments, indeed, her aura was powerful and captivatingly beautiful.

  A woman who dares to attend such a grand banquet without makeup can only be one of two possibilities: either she doesnt understand the rules, or she is extremely confident in her appearance and believes that no one can surpass her. The Marquise of Qinghua obviously belongs to the latter. Peony thinks that judging by appearances alone, Liu Zhen indeed has good taste.

  The mistress of Qinghua furrowed her brow slightly. She was also sizing up Peony, remembering that Peony was a sickly and weak girl who spoke in a mosquito-like hum, but deep down she was the most spoiled and stubborn, yet lacked confidence. Whenever she faced her, she would unconsciously show a few hints of weakness and timidity, never daring to look directly at her, only stealing glances with tears in her eyes. But the Peony in front of her was clearly different from the woman she remembered, her weak and sickly aura completely gone, beautiful and elegant, not only daring to look directly at herself, but also smiling calmly and composedly, putting on a mistress-like demeanor.

  Peony walked a few steps away from the crowd, composed herself and bowed solemnly to Qinghua Countys mistress: "Greetings, Your Ladyship."

  Tsinghua County Master pretended not to hear, pulling Liu Chong and laughing, laughing so hard that the flowers were shaking. Pan Rong stroked his chin, staring at Peony and said: "Zi Shu, is this your younger sister? Its been a long time since Ive seen her, and shes actually become like this. Youre really lucky."

  He mentioned this, and the Qinghua County Master couldnt pretend to be confused anymore. She glanced at Pan Rong with dissatisfaction and smiled: "You really are meddling too much, showing off your affection for Xiangyu in front of Zi Shus family." Seeing Liu Chengs unpleasant expression, she waved her hand: "Forget it, were not following formalities at this family banquet. Otherwise, I wouldnt be able to sit still with all these people bowing to me one by one."

  "Thank you, Lady Xie." Peony looked at Pan Rong and bowed again: "Wishing the young master a long life."

  "Hurry up, hurry up, dont be polite." Pan Rong couldnt help but praise Peony, shaking her head and laughing: "Really unexpected. As I said, Zishu, your familys mistress is indeed a name that matches reality."

  Liu Chang heard Pan Rong praising the peony, and obviously saw the jealousy in Qinghua Junzhus eyes. He wasnt pleased in his heart, but said: "What does she understand? Its already laughable that she cant even handle a small task, let alone undertake a major responsibility."

  The peony was just like a dogs mouth spitting out ivory, with a faint smile on its face, without even raising an eyebrow.

  What kind of mistress? A mistress who has been married for three years and still hasnt consummated the marriage? The noble lady from Qinghua sneered, her noble bloodline evident in her demeanor. Born as the beloved niece of the current emperor, she had grown up with every luxury at her fingertips, surrounded by attendants and admirers. With her stunning beauty and exceptional intelligence, she had always been the center of attention at every social gathering since her debut, including todays event. As long as she was present, even the most beautiful peony would be reduced to a mere weed, trampled underfoot at her whim!

  Tsinghuas mistress thought of this, and with a gentle smile: "Peony, I went out today, also wanting to follow the custom of wearing flowers on my hair, who knew that after searching all over the mansion, I couldnt find one that suited me. I heard that you have a stem of Wei purple peonies in full bloom here, and Id like to ask for one from you, would you be willing to give it to me?"

  Pan Xiang didnt wait for Peony to respond, and instead ridiculed the Qinghua County Mistress: "Oh, I see you today without a hairpin flower, and I thought you were above those ordinary women who rely on flowers to show off. I was just about to praise you, thinking that like your brother and sister, you too are a natural beauty, but now youve disappointed me."

  The mistress of Qinghua Manor flashed a hint of displeasure on her face, coldly laughing: "I want the flowers from the Zi Shu family, and the masters household hasnt even spoken up yet. What business is it of yours to meddle? Scram! Just seeing you annoys me!"

  Pan Xiang didnt get angry, she just smiled.

  Tsinghua county master saw peony hanging down her eyes and not speaking, so she leaned softly on Liu Chongs body, covering her mouth with a beautiful fan, and smiled slyly at Peony: "Its just a flower, why dont you speak? Peony doesnt speak, Chonglang also doesnt speak, do you want to take the whole pot away from me?"

  Liu Chang hesitated for a moment and said slowly: "If you really like it, its not impossible..."

  "Peony was furious, you scoundrel of the Liu family! How dare you privately use her dowry as a gift without her permission? Does she think shes dead? This time its flowers, what will it be next? She took a step forward, blocking the way in front of Qinghua County Master, and said with a fake smile: Its an honor that the county master condescends to bestow favor, but unfortunately, this pot of flowers may not be worth much, but it was given by my parents as part of my dowry. Although Im foolish, I dare not be unfilial. I hope the county master will take pity on me!"

  Peonys move left everyone around her in shock. This woman, known for her gentleness and weakness, had actually dared to defy both her husband and the county lord at the same time - was she possessed by a fierce tigers spirit? Liu Cheng slightly furrowed his brow as he looked at Peony, but didnt show much displeasure.

  Tsinghua county master "ha" laughed and pointed at Liu Chongs face with her orchid finger, saying in a delicate voice: "Chong Lang, she doesnt agree. What you said doesnt count, you really dont have charm."

  Liu Chang gently took her hand away and said in a low voice: "Dont make trouble."

  The face of the Tsinghua county master flashed with a hint of anger, and he suddenly withdrew his hand, looking at Peony with a cold smile: "Hmph, after three days apart, one should look at each other with new eyes."

  Mrs. Lin rushed forward and grabbed Peony, saying repeatedly: "Young Madam, youre being foolish! Although its a dowry, its just a pot of flowers. The princess likes it, its your good fortune, why dont you thank her quickly?"

  Lins mother said this, and it sounded like she was advising Mudan to give in, but upon closer listening, it was actually Qinghua, the young lady of the Qinghua manor, trying to cleverly take over the dowry of someone elses family. Pan Rong couldnt help but laugh and say: "Qinghua, stop teasing people, look, theyre about to cry."

  Peony couldnt recall any friendship with Pan Rong, but today he was indeed helping her. Without thinking twice, she followed his lead and said pitifully: "Its my ignorance, the young lady is a daughter of the imperial family, what havent you seen before? How could your garden lack such a flower? And how would you bother to argue with me, an ignorant woman?"

  Liu Chong glanced at Peony and scolded in a low voice: "Something that cant even get on stage!"

  The peony asked curiously: "Husband, what is this thing that can be put on the table?"

  Liu Chuan was choked with rage, staring coldly at Peony. Peony looked at him seriously, with a humble and inquiring expression.

  Pan Shuang couldnt help but laugh: "Wonderful! Next time my wife scolds me like that, Ill just retort in the same way."

  Tsinghua County Master glanced at Pan Rong and smiled: "Alright! No matter how I mix, I wont fall into the name of bullying for a pot of ordinary flowers. Otherwise, those idle imperial historians will find another excuse to talk about me." After finishing speaking, she didnt even glance at the peony and asked Liu Cheng with a fan: "Arent you going to sit down yet? Didnt you say theres something particularly fun today? Youd better be careful if you dare to cheat me!"

  Liu Chang smiled and said: "When have I ever deceived you? If I say there will be, then there will definitely be one. You can rest assured."

  The two of them threw Peony to one side and walked forward hand in hand, looking down on everyone. Pan Rong approached Peonys side and smiled: "Youve really made me look at you in a new light, are you sad that he treats you like this?"

  Because of his repeated efforts to speak up for himself earlier, Peony, although aware that he and Liu were the same kind of person, didnt particularly dislike him. She smiled slightly and said: "If you think I should be sad, then Ill be sad. If not, then I wont."

  Pan Xiang smiled and said: "Being able to keep this life is good, if you still want to be greedy, its a greedy heart." After finishing speaking, he laughed loudly and went forward.

  Peony smiled coldly, no matter what kind of temperament the people around Liu Chong had, they all thought she was overreaching. But why was Pan Rong willing to help her? Although it seemed like he wasnt very willing, he still helped in the end. And also, why hadnt Li Wei come yet at this time? Hadnt what she thought before been wrong?

  Yuer carefully observed Peonys expression, thinking that she would surely retreat to her own courtyard with a lost soul like before. But unexpectedly, Peony was as calm as an old monk in meditation. Yuer worriedly pushed Peony: "Young Mistress? Are you okay?"

  "Of course Im fine," Peony smiled.

  Yuer smiled and said: "Will the maidservant wait for you to enter? Inside, its probably a banquet."

  "Alright." Peony led Lins mother, who was still in a state of shock, and Yuhe into the banquet hall. The feast had already begun, and the band had started playing music. Xian Su had changed into a flowing white dress with wide sleeves and a long skirt, and was dancing the Green Waist Dance.

  The lotus flower breaks through the waves, and the snowflakes swirl in the wind. It cant be denied that Xianer dances very well, but there are only a few people in the hall watching her dance, while everyone else is chatting to themselves. Especially Liu Chuan and Qinghua Countys young lady, who were whispering to each other with their heads together, suddenly bursting into loud laughter, its unknown what theyre up to.

  Lins mother was so angry that her whole body was shaking. Since she had invited Peony to the banquet, the host had given the seat to a mysterious and unknown princess, wasnt this slapping Peony in the face?

  The peony watched the dancer with rapt attention, unaware that others were also watching her. Alas, everyone had taken their seats, but she stood there motionless, making it hard for people not to notice her. With a face and figure like hers, it was easy for people to guess her true identity - Liu Chongs legitimate wife who had been in semi-seclusion due to illness.

  Everyone was excited like a shot of chicken blood, this is going to be fun. The Tsinghua county master refused to sit in his seat and instead went to squeeze together with Liu Chuan. Such bold public display of affection, while the beautiful and melancholic little wife gazed at her husband and lover with a mixture of sadness and longing, wanting to speak but hesitating, what a melodramatic scene!

  ——*——*——*——

  Everyone looks at it as if its good-looking, might as well collect it and give a recommendation ticket, O(∩_∩)O~