Chapter 17: Encounter with a scumbag, Fourth Miss makes a stunning appearance

  "Girl, why did you give that good cloud brocade fabric to Pei Yuange? And a whole set of ruby and gold headdress!" In the Fourth Virtue Courtyard, Pei Yuanrong was selecting clothes and accessories for the flower appreciation banquet. Although everything in front of her was luxurious and not inferior to Pei Yuange's, she still felt resentful. How could that little cheap thing be worthy of the same treatment as her?

  "She's now the apple of your father's eye, and also the legitimate daughter. I couldn't possibly mistreat her openly. Besides, what are you worried about? With Pei Yuange's looks, even if she wore clothes made of gold and silver threads, it would be a waste! Moreover, she's someone who has been jilted before, are you still afraid that she'll surpass you?

  Zhang Yun glared at her, and those clothes were all tampered with. "Don't think I don't know what's on your mind, you're still pining for the young master of Shouchang Bo's manor, aren't you? I told you early on, your father wants to betroth Pei Yuange to him!"

  "Father is always biased towards her, and he even used his belt to hit me for this little slut!" New hatred and old resentment surged up in his heart, Pei Yuanrong indignantly said, "With that ugly face of hers, I don't believe the young master would be interested in her! How could she deserve such a good marriage?"

  "She doesn't deserve it!"

  Zhang Yun muttered to herself, her eyes filled with a fierce and venomous glare that seemed to spread everywhere, almost ruining the marriage at the Town Country Duke's estate. Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, Master would want to arrange another marriage for her with Shou Chang Bo Fu? Don't even think about it! If she could ruin the first one, she could ruin the second one too. Wait until later when that little wretch loses everything and her reputation is ruined, then we'll see how smug she can be. But for now, the most important thing is Rong Er.

  Thinking of this, Zhang Yun sighed again. Hua'er was talented and beautiful, rich and strategic, no need to worry. But Rong'er was different, she had been spoiled since childhood, her talent, intelligence and appearance were not as good as Hua'er's, it was not easy to say that the noble family would be willing to marry her, the flower festival banquet in front of her was a great opportunity, as a mother, she must think more for her.

  "Rong'er, don't be so shallow! This time, the Empress's invitation is nominally a flower appreciation banquet, but in reality, it's to arrange marriages for eligible imperial relatives. If you make a good impression at the banquet and catch the Empress's eye, your father being a second-rank official will be enough to secure a marriage with an imperial prince! You think the young master of the Shouchang Duke's estate is good? That's because you haven't seen truly exceptional ones! The ninth imperial son under the Empress's care has a stunning appearance, and every miss who has seen him can't help but fall for him. At just sixteen, he has already achieved great military accomplishments, and even your father, who is so picky, can't praise him enough. He's far superior to that Fu Kunsheng!"

  Zhang Yun's words piqued Pei Yuan Rong's curiosity, and he asked languidly: "Mother, is what you're saying true?"

  "What am I deceiving you for? This time at the flower banquet, the Ninth Prince will also be attending. When the time comes, you'll understand with just one look! Once you see the Ninth Prince, even if Pei Junwei were to rush over and marry you, you wouldn't agree to it!" Seeing that she had finally come back to her senses, Zhang Yun let out a huge sigh of relief.

  Bai Yuangong was indeed moved, and worried: "But mother, I..."

  "Don't worry, you're my daughter, how could I not make arrangements for you? I've already made inquiries, at this flower appreciation banquet, Consort Liu will bring out a painting of the border landscape and have all the young ladies compose poems to test their talent. This is what your mother spent a lot of money to have someone help you write, when the time comes, just recite this poem and you'll definitely dazzle everyone, how could Ninth Prince not notice you then?" Chapter Yun said with confidence, putting the folded rice paper into her bosom, a determined smile on her face.

  Although Ming Jin was more arrogant than her when she was alive, but her daughter can trample Pei Yuange under her feet!

  Unfortunately, Hua'er accompanied Wen Yuan to Qingfu Temple to pray for blessings and was not in the government office. Otherwise, with her talent, beauty, and intelligence, Pei Yuansong would have had no foothold!

  Holding the rice paper that could decide her fate, Pei Yuanyong smiled brightly, but soon, worries rose from the bottom of her heart: although Pei Yuange's appearance was far inferior to hers and she had been rejected in marriage, with a tarnished reputation, sometimes even Master would praise her poems. What if she also showed off her talent at the flower appreciation banquet... She must think of a way to make her lose face thoroughly.

  That's right!

  At that time, she shone brightly, but Pei Yuange was so embarrassed that he couldn't even go home, and from then on, he could no longer compare to her!

  For a moment, the two women's faces burst out with the same radiant and sparkling smile...

  Liu Guifei... the flower appreciation banquet... Pei Yuange's gaze was fixed on the peach blossoms outside the window, radiant like clouds and mist. She seemed lost in thought. Just like Zi Yun's message, there hadn't been such a banquet in her past life. It seemed that this time, after being reborn, many things would be different from before. But no matter what, for her, this was a rare opportunity to show herself off in front of everyone!

  In her previous life, she was self-conscious about not being as beautiful as Pei Yuanyu, so she always stayed in the quiet and secluded Jingyi Pavilion. Later, she was also rejected by the Zhen Guo Hou Fu and didn't dare to step out of the house.

  So she could only watch as Pei Yuanhua and Pei Yuanrong accompanied Zhang Yiniang on visits, eventually becoming the number one talented woman in the capital, with Pei Yuanrong also being praised for her beautiful appearance and refreshing innocence. As for her... that day at Heibaiqi Jianxuan, Yang Xian had said she was as dull as salt, without talent or virtue... She had never appeared before the crowd, so it's no wonder these rumors came from who-knows-where, perhaps there were even more like this!

  So after being jilted by the Marquis of Jingyuan's household in her past life, no one ever came to propose to her again, which was why she was deceived by Wan Guanxiao...

  Thinking of the past, even with a thick fringe covering her face, she couldn't hide the hatred in her eyes. Staring at the ordinary-looking words on the copper mirror, Pei Yuange's mouth slowly curled up into a cold smile. This flower appreciation banquet was just the opportunity for her to shed off this disguise and stand before everyone, shining brightly, letting them get to know the "unremarkable, untalented, and unvirtuous" Pei Yuange!

  Let this be the first big gift for Zhang Yun and her mother!

  "Zi Yun come in and help me with my hair!"

  On the day of the flower banquet, Pei Zhucheng was summoned by imperial decree to the Ministry of Justice early in the morning. He wasn't at home, so Zhang Yunle ignored him and claimed illness, refusing to send him off. Pei Yuanyong despised going with Pei Yuange and embarrassing himself, so he made an excuse that he had promised to meet a certain noble's daughter and left early. As a result, only Pei Yuanqiao and Pei Yuange were left to ride the Pei family's carriage into the palace together.

  This is exactly what Pei Yuansong had in mind, so that Pei Yuanrong wouldn't make any more trouble on the way.

  Bae Won-kyo stared blankly at Bae Won-yong, still in a daze from the moment he saw her until they entered the palace. Was this really the ordinary-looking Bae Won-song? He couldn't believe his eyes! It felt like Bae Won-song had changed into a completely different person after falling ill this time, becoming increasingly unapproachable... Bae Won-kyo thought to himself, wondering how he would navigate the days ahead, perhaps needing to reassess everything.

  They got off their carriage at the palace gate and switched to a sedan chair, which took them all the way to the Xiangxiang Hall where Liu Guifei was hosting a banquet.

  She asked the palace maid about Pei Yuans location, and Pei Yuan Ge led Pei Yuan Qiao to walk towards the purple wisteria trellis not far away. Before they approached, they heard Pei Yuan Rongs voice coming from afar: "You havent seen my fourth sister, shes really ugly, so she always combs her long bangs to cover her face and doesnt dare let people see her. She hides in the Qingxiao Chamber all day like a ghost, rarely showing herself. Its rare to have this opportunity, so let you see what it means to be as plain as salt. If you get scared later, dont say I didnt warn you!"

  "Is she really that intimidating? But I heard she's very clever and even won against the master in a game of Go!"

  "Hey, I've heard that she didn't win at all! That day, it was the eldest daughter of the Yangning Duke's mansion who wanted the seven-colored crystal beads and provoked the master. Probably the master was angry but couldn't afford to offend the Yangning Duke's mansion, so he found an excuse to give them to General Pei, and as a result, rumors spread and it became like this!"

  "No wonder, people say she's as dull as a saltless dish, without talent or virtue. How could she possibly win at chess? I've also heard that she has a quirky temperament and is disobedient to her husband!"

  "What's that? The wet nurse who has been taking care of her since she was a child can almost be beaten to death by her, and such a ruthless woman is no wonder the Crown Prince wants to break off the engagement!" She raised her voice and said in a flattering tone, "An Shizi, don't you think so?"

  An Shizi? Zhen Guo Hou Fu An Zhuoran?

  He's also here to attend the flower appreciation banquet? What a coincidence! Pei Yuange's mouth curled up into a smile, and he stood in front of the flower stand, calling out to the group of people who were enthusiastically discussing something, using his softest, most gentle and melodious voice: "Third Sister,"

  Third sister? Could it be that they are talking about Pei Yuansong who has arrived?

  For a moment, everyone turned their heads and looked in the direction of the sound...