Chapter 1522: Chapter 1502: Household Strife Routine (Part 1)

However, not everyone was happy about the Du Residence receiving the Sect’s favor; some even looked quite displeased in secret.

When Du Lanming led Luo Yanhai and Du Yuwei led He Wenyu into the Du Residence, someone was gritting their teeth in secret.

Tightly clenching their fists, they looked at the two departing backs with a dark gaze and a strange expression.

"Did Miss Shiliu bring a gift? Today is the birthday celebration of the Du Residence’s old lady, after all." Someone walked up from behind, linking arms with Du Yuwei, and laughed lightly at He Wenyu, full of liveliness and curiosity: "I suppose someone from the Sect wouldn’t give something like Beautiful Jade of Brocade, gold, silver, or porcelain like we do?"

Du Yuwei’s expression changed immediately. She certainly hadn’t mentioned this to He Wenyu, as inviting guests to a senior’s birthday celebration was somewhat inappropriate.

Feeling a bit annoyed, she frowned slightly at the newcomer: "Miss Shiliu’s presence as a guest is the greatest blessing for the old lady. No gift is necessary, so Miss Shiliu, don’t mind it."

He Wenyu took a deep look at the woman who approached, dressed in a rose-red front-buttoned long dress, with delicate silk flowers on her head, seemingly trying to wear all the silk flowers to catch everyone’s eye.

But a woman dressed in a light pink long dress beside her drew He Wenyu’s attention more.

Though not as ostentatious as the woman who approached, and perhaps even deliberately acting as her foil, this woman was evidently more elegant and refined compared to the somewhat flamboyant woman.

Moreover, amidst this crowd of bright and colorful women, she was clearly more fresh and unpretentious.

However, she stood right in front of He Wenyu.

It was well-acknowledged that He Wenyu had fair skin and a rather tall figure. Yue Tingyu had picked out a light blue outfit for her, which, while not flashy, was still strikingly fresh and out of the ordinary in a group dominated by red, with not the slightest sense of gaudiness. Even the woman who could be called fresh and unpretentious paled in comparison.

As someone who had watched palace drama series for over a decade, He Wenyu was well versed in the situation before her.

However, representing the face of the Nine Heavens Pavilion, she wouldn’t act impulsively, just looking at the woman speaking before turning her gaze to Du Yuwei: "Do I need to display my gift for everyone to see? Is there such a rule? Does the gift need to be shown to guests before it’s given to the celebrant?"

Du Yuwei was slightly stunned but then overjoyed.

While their country had a Sect as backing, it was for the Royal Family, not them. It was rare to have contact with a Sect in normal times.

He Wenyu’s words clearly indicated she had prepared a gift! It might not be pre-arranged, but she still had presentable items at hand.

Though she could guarantee this Miss Shiliu definitely wouldn’t have known about these matters in advance, as people from the Sect wouldn’t care about such mundane issues.

For this reason alone, she felt deeply grateful to this Miss Shiliu.

He Wenyu was satisfied with Du Yuwei’s expression of gratitude; knowing gratitude and repaying kindness is a good trait.

"There’s certainly no need for that." Du Yuwei laughed lightly at He Wenyu: "Miss Shiliu, rest assured, everyone here understands etiquette, and no one will check what you’ve brought before the old lady." With that, she motioned for He Wenyu to enter: "Miss Shiliu, please come inside."

He Wenyu calmly entered the main gate, unperturbed by the previous events, earning a newfound respect from those present.

Truly different from the rest, as expected from someone from the Sect.

"Miss Shiliu, I apologize. I didn’t know they would..." Walking into an empty courtyard, Du Yuwei hurriedly and sincerely apologized to He Wenyu.

He Wenyu’s eyes darkened slightly: "Why didn’t you tell me in advance that it was your esteemed old lady’s birthday? Had I not had something presentable with me, were you attempting to let me embarrass the reputation of the Nine Heavens Pavilion before everyone?"

Though knowing Du Yuwei didn’t do it deliberately, her Second Uncle had advised her to maintain composure in front of others, given the disparity in status; she need not fear others openly challenging her.

"It’s not like that." Du Yuwei lowered her head in panic, a light sweat beading her forehead, as if on pins and needles.

"Even if Miss Shiliu hadn’t prepared anything, there are ready-made gift boxes in my room, ensuring neither Miss Shiliu nor the Nine Heavens Pavilion would lose face."

Observing Du Yuwei’s reaction, He Wenyu’s expression turned strange before saying, "You may rise."

Rising, Du Yuwei saw He Wenyu’s calm demeanor, unperturbed, and couldn’t help but silently praise her.

Such composure, comparable even to the princesses and commandery princesses of their country, no less?

In their understanding, a princess or commandery princess was the highest rank for an unmarried woman, but they’d never imagined seeing female cultivators on the stage of the Sect’s competition, a true role model for women!

"Send someone to inform my elder brother that I’ve prepared the gift here, so he need not worry." He Wenyu calmly instructed Du Yuwei.

After Du Yuwei led He Wenyu away from the courtyard, she hurriedly found a confidant to notify the male guests.

Then she led He Wenyu on a tour of the entire Du Residence.

The tour included merely an introduction of each courtyard, followed by entering the garden. The back garden had various flowers, many of which He Wenyu had never seen before, piquing her curiosity and interest, prompting her to observe with greater attention.

"Vivi, you brought Miss Shiliu here, we’ve been waiting for you all this time." A woman dressed in a bright yellow gown, bearing a resemblance to Du Yuwei, seemingly sisters, said.

He Wenyu remained silent, calmly observing the unopened flower buds before her, contemplating whether to buy some flowers for Yue Tingyu to brighten up her room, bringing joy to the scene.

"Cousin." Du Yuwei greeted the woman before her calmly, introducing He Wenyu: "This is Miss Shiliu. Sister, why are you here?"

"Your second brother asked me to come, fearing some might behave inappropriately." The woman shook her head slightly, giving Du Yuwei a look, to which Du Yuwei’s eyes momentarily flashed with anger.

But, glancing at He Wenyu beside her, she suppressed it.

"Miss Shiliu, this is our Du Fu’s cousin, my mother’s sister’s daughter, the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s eldest daughter, Cong Ying." Du Yuwei mustered the courage to introduce, noting He Wenyu’s lack of interest: "Cousin is very nice; I believe you’ll get along with Miss Shiliu."

He Wenyu nodded slightly before lowering her gaze again.

She merely wished to be an observer, not wanting any part in the mansion drama, only wanting to enjoy the show.