"Its a lot of trouble for you, Cai Momo, to deliver it to Grandpa." He Lean handed the gold-painted food box to Cai Momo with a smile.

  Cai Momo took the food box and said, "Sixth Miss doesnt have to be polite. I heard that the Fourth Miss of the Jin Ning Hou Mansion sent you an invitation to a tea party, and the time is almost here. You... really wont attend? Its such a rare gathering of young ladies from various families..."

  "Its rainy in summer, grandma always has aching bones. I want to study medicinal diet recipes at home to help grandma with her worries. Besides, there are only two days left before the banquet at the Yi Qin Wang Fu, and we can also meet the young ladies from various families then, no need to rush today."

  He Lean had to personally send Cai Momo out of the door, then turned around and busied herself in the small kitchen in her own courtyard. Another personal maid, Li Yun, couldnt help but mutter: "You cant see Mrs. Shaos face, its really too much. Yesterday, I accompanied Yuyun sister to go with Cai Momo, almost couldnt bear to refute for you."

  "If it werent for Cai Momo being from the Zhuo Yibos residence in the past, and having some relationship with Wu Momo by Old Lady Shaos side, Im afraid your painstakingly cooked soup wont even be able to enter the gates of the Zhuo residence, let alone be delivered into Old Master Shaos mouth every day."

  He Lean smiled and said, "Its precisely because Eldest Aunt is willing to give face to Cai Momo that Ive been asking her to take this trip every day. Before we leave, I told you not to get involved in the hustle and bustle of the Mo household, but you didnt listen. You must have gotten upset, right? Just say these things to me and consider it settled; I dont want anyone else to hear them and go tattling to Grandmother, making her feel uncomfortable."

  Moreover, He Shi was also asking her grandmother to help Shao Yingxiu find relatives. If something went wrong, they might blame her again. Although she wasnt afraid of them, its better to have fewer troubles than more. What she really wanted to do was to study the different flavors and recipes from various regions during her free time.

  Cai brought back a letter written by Shao Yingxue, which clearly explained the follow-up treatment for Old Master Shaos illness. It also said that although Old Master Shao didnt want to see her and was cold towards the soup or pastries she sent over, he would finish them every time, and told her not to be disheartened.

  He Lean looked at Shao Yingxues elegant handwriting and felt her gentle comfort, his heart warm and fuzzy.

  On the day of the banquet at King Yis residence, He Lean sat in front of the mirror with a worried expression, looking at her reflection which was dressed up elegantly but with a troubled face. She thought about how the girls from the Jin Ning Hou residence had become hostile towards her because of a ambiguous remark made by King Yue, and she didnt feel like attending this banquet, yet King Yue insisted that she must attend, wondering what his intentions were.

  At this time, Xing Yu came in to tell her that the carriage was ready.

  Although He Lean was reluctant, she feared that the unpredictable Prince of Yue would really bring the imperial physician to her doorstep, so she had no choice but to slowly make her way out. When she arrived at the garden in the Yi Qin Wang Fu where guests were being entertained, there were already many distinguished guests inside. As it was a grand celebration with feasting and drinking, there was no separation of male and female seating areas. Amidst the beautiful scenery, men and women could be seen chatting and laughing together in groups of three or four, reciting poetry and composing couplets, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere filled with happiness and laughter.

  And she saw He Shi squeezed among several noblewomen, and when she hesitated whether to go forward and pay her respects, she saw that it was already Shaoying Xiu who had beckoned to her: "We were just talking about An Taijie, and here comes An Taijie."

  "...what else can be done, He Lian had to walk forward and pay respects to the younger generation, but He Shi did not follow the normal procedure. Not only did she not introduce the noblewoman beside her, but also asked her to pay respects to the elder with a slight smile, covering her mouth with a silk handkerchief as if mocking or not..."

  "We six sisters have such a good face, but unfortunately, our birth is ultimately not worthy of being on the stage, and its laughable for all the ladies to see."