Chapter 1525: Chapter 1505: Du Yulan (Part 1)

When Du Yuwei returned, she smiled at He Wenyu and said, "It seems tonight no one will steal the spotlight from Miss Shiliu."

"Is that so? I think not necessarily," she replied, having noticed Luo Yanhai gesturing to her earlier, clearly signaling her to stay low-key and not steal the spotlight.

After the cycle of gift-giving, the banquet was almost over when Du Yulan leisurely had a birthday cake brought out, announcing loudly, "This birthday cake was specially ordered by my granddaughter from the Forget Worries Tea House for the old lady."

Seeing the lively peach-shaped cream decorations, everyone immediately showed a rare expression of amazement.

Those present weren’t strangers to cakes from Forget Worries Tea House, as these treats were popular across the continent. They had some familiarity with the taste, and although they couldn’t claim expertise, they had tasted them.

The one thing they remembered well was the price—exorbitantly high.

He Wenyu glanced at the cake and almost laughed.

This was made on Luo Xihan’s request since there was nobody here who knew how to make cakes. The personnel was still en route. The pastries sold here were pre-stocked for long-distance transport.

Moreover, the beautifully decorated Peach of Immortality cream... well, there was indeed a real peach inside, as there wasn’t enough time to craft that shape with cream. They had to ask Yue Tingyu to make a milk and honey-flavored peach to support the cream decoration on the cake.

Therefore, everyone was full of compliments upon seeing such a large cake.

Without He Wenyu’s earlier incident, this might have been the most memorable thing tonight.

"Wow, you’re really willing to spend. I bought just a small piece, and it cost ten taels of silver."

"The old lady at the Du Residence can make decisions on the marital arrangements of the family descendants, even exceeding the authority of Madam Du, who cannot stop it. Du Yulan must have some plans."

"The legitimate children of the Du Family are outstanding; naturally, they won’t be outshone by a concubine-born daughter. Du Yulan is worried about becoming a stepping stone for Du Yuwei, isn’t she?"

"Stepping stone? Is Du Yulan even worthy? Du Yuwei, as a legitimate daughter, will undoubtedly become a proper lady, at worst a concubine of the Royal Family rank. Du Yulan, as a concubine-born daughter, isn’t that renowned. At most, she can marry beneath her to become a lady if she wants to marry someone somewhat suitable and be a noble concubine or marry a less favored concubine-born son."

"Even ordinary families’ concubine-born sons often marry legitimate daughters as wives."

"That’s true."

He Wenyu listened quietly to the conversations around her, merely raising an eyebrow, her face full of speechlessness.

People nowadays are too gossipy, aren’t they? But... it seems nowadays, taking a concubine into the residence doesn’t consider identity. Whether a brothel girl, poor family, or servant, as long as you fancy them and pay, they can be brought in, with varying degrees of upbringing for concubine-born sons and daughters.

She felt somewhat fortunate for modern society’s one-man-one-woman system, at least avoiding the messy affairs of the deep palaces and inner quarters.

Constantly scheming against other women, wondering when the "Master" might bring in another trusted person into the residence.

The surrounding chatter continued incessantly, with some people already leaving to do other things. Du Yuwei also changed into another set of clothes, seemingly prepared for the next program.

She shook her head gently, only to find the Third Princess looking at her expectantly, immediately stunned, "Does the Third Princess have any concerns?"

The Third Princess shook her head and then stood up nervously, her left hand hanging by her side, right hand drawing a semi-circle in front and gently resting on her chest, bowing slightly: "You may call me by my name, Miss Shiliu, no need to be formal."

This was a Southern Li female’s greeting style, but if it were a bowing ceremony, it would also offer her some comfort.

Otherwise, frequently witnessing people kneeling became really hard to accept.

However, He Wenyu didn’t know this form of salutation was seldom used.

Generally, to show the emperor’s grandeur, to satisfy the emperor’s vanity, bowing was still chosen.

"..." He Wenyu blinked.

"Just call me Ningning," the Third Princess quickly added.

"Ningning."

"Miss Shiliu."

He Wenyu exchanged smiles with the Third Princess, Huangfu Ning. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Miss Shiliu, actually Ningning has a request." Huangfu Ning looked at He Wenyu with a hint of pleading, pointing in the direction of the garden.

He Wenyu, understanding, got up and left with Huangfu Ning.

The two reached the garden entrance, observing the moonlit, empty garden. Before speaking, they heard a voice.

"Are you sure?"

"Miss, it’s absolutely true. It’s what the maid beside the cousin said, it’s about the brother of Miss Shiliu, who was also in the Sect competition!"

Hearing her own identity name, He Wenyu instinctively pulled the Third Princess to hide in a corner, squatting and eavesdropping.

He Wenyu knew one of the speakers; it was Du Yuwei’s sister, Du Yulan, already changed into a somewhat dashing red dress.

"Heh, it’s heaven’s help!"

"But Miss, the second young master stays close to her all the time..."

"No worries, opportunities are for those who are prepared."

As the footsteps faded, He Wenyu and the Third Princess stood up.

Huangfu Ning blinked her innocent large eyes towards He Wenyu: "Miss Shiliu, aren’t you worried?"

"If he could be schemed against, then I should be worried." Assuming he really could be schemed against.

Even if Luo Yanran didn’t watch television dramas like them every day, he shouldn’t be entirely ignorant of those little girls’ scheming, should he?

Thinking of Luo Qianqian, she sighed slightly, intending to pay more attention, so she wouldn’t inadvertently bring back a "big sister-in-law" for Luo Qianqian...

"Was there something, Ningning?" Remembering this, He Wenyu glanced at Huangfu Ning.

Huangfu Ning looked a bit embarrassed: "Actually, it’s like this; the Imperial Grandmother’s grand birthday is coming, and could you..."

"Gift? I don’t have any right now; are you thinking of the ’Nine Heavens Box’?" He Wenyu suddenly understood.

"Yes, yes." Huangfu Ning nodded repeatedly, her eyes sparkling: "Miss Shiliu, I can trade something with you for it."

He Wenyu pondered briefly: "Meet me at the Forget Worries Tea House tomorrow at noon, and I’ll give it to you."

"Thanks a million!" Hearing He Wenyu’s reply, Huangfu Ning seemed so excited she could almost embrace her.

Yet seeing He Wenyu’s slightly anxious expression, she smiled: "Next, it’s the talent show by young ladies from various families. This banquet is also to choose a wife for the second son of the Du Family."

Truly... wealthy and willful.

He Wenyu lowered her head, studying the feasibility of using Yue Tingyu’s birthday banquet to introduce Luo Yanhai and a series of other single young men to young ladies.