Chapter 11: Birthday Celebration - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 11: Birthday Celebration
Feng Jinyao saw her like this, feeling somewhat sorry for her, so she spoke up to comfort her.
"Alright, today is grandmother's birthday celebration. I see they've set up a pitching game pavilion over there. I reckon both male and female guests can show off their skills. You should show your face then, so everyone knows that the Wei family's daughter follows strict rules, and the Bai family's people are not all outstanding."
"Really?" Bai Siruo's eyes lit up suddenly. Feng Jinyao coaxed her like a child and nodded along.
The two sisters chatted and laughed, becoming closer. They only got up to greet the guests when a servant came to say that guests had arrived.
At this moment, guests crowded the entrance of the Bai residence, with carriages lining up along the street. Nearby, vendors gathered to set up stalls, creating a lively atmosphere with congratulatory shouts and calls.
The steward of the Bai residence handed out some candied chestnuts to the children eagerly watching outside.
With the snacks, the children happily congratulated Madam Bai, and even the usually stern steward showed a warmer expression.
In the backyard, the atmosphere was equally lively.
Madam Bai had two best friends in her youth.
One was the wife of the Duke of Zhengguo, and the other was the wife of the Grand General of the Cavalry. Now, the two of them were accompanying her, chatting away.
"You're really lucky. I heard your seventh daughter-in-law is also pregnant?"
Madam Bai asked the Duchess of Zhengguo with a happy smile. At their age, they loved to gossip about family matters.
The Duchess of Zhengguo had a difficult childbirth when she was young, which left her with only one son. Originally, she thought it would be difficult to have more children, so she took in several concubines. Unexpectedly, the Duke of Zhengguo cherished his wife dearly, dismissed the concubines and devoted himself to his wife.
After the eldest son grew up and married a girl from the Yin family, she gave birth to one child after another, seven in total, four sons and three daughters, all outstanding. Even the youngest daughter was now pregnant, and the family prospered.
"It's true, but her pregnancy hasn't stabilized yet. I've asked her to rest more at home and not to join in the festivities. After she safely delivers the baby, I'll let her come to pay respects to you, sister."
"The important thing is the heir. I'm still healthy, and I'll prepare a good gift for my precious little great-grandson when the time comes."
"You spoil them too much."
The two old ladies chatted happily, while the Grand General's wife beside them remained silent, smiling quietly at their conversation.
Bai Siruo brought Feng Jinyao over and greeted a woman excitedly as soon as they entered the courtyard.
"Mingyue, I'm here!"
The woman called Mingyue was none other than Xu Mingyue, the granddaughter of Master Xu.
With eyebrows like crescent moons and cheeks like peaches, she looked just like her name, as bright and clean as the moon, making people feel close yet wary of defiling her.
"This is my cousin from the Feng family. You can call her Ah Yao. She hasn't been feeling well, so she rarely attends banquets. Today, there are many people, so I brought her out to meet others."
Bai Siruo introduced them, showing a hint of intimacy in her words.
"Sister Xu, hello."
"Ah Yao, you're too polite. This little tyrant has never introduced me to her sisters before. It's not easy for you to catch her eye."
Xu Mingyue joked, her relationship with Bai Siruo was exceptionally good, like sisters at first sight.
Although Xu Mingyue came from the Xu family, known for their strict rules, she was not a rigid woman. She had a sense of propriety, knew when to advance and when to retreat, and had a straightforward temperament, not constrained or artificial.
Seeing Xu Mingyue's friendly gesture, Feng Jinyao also felt impressed, especially because of her memories from her previous life.
In her previous life, after the engagement with the Liang family was broken off, Xu Mingyue didn't resort to drastic measures. Instead, she went to the Yunqi Academy and became a female scholar, not inferior to men in the slightest. Feng Jinyao admired her greatly for her character and ambition.
After she showed her goodwill, Feng Jinyao also felt a sense of closeness towards her.
The three of them chatted and laughed for a while until a group of people came in.
Leading the way was the well-known noblewoman in the Eastern Capital, Wei Lanxuan, with her beautiful eyes and charming smile, her fiery red fox fur cloak enhancing her allure.
Following her was none other than the most respected daughter of the Grand Justice of Dali, Liang Luo, the niece of the Ministry of Personnel's Assistant Minister, Wen Yuwei, and several daughters of minor officials, appearing like stars surrounding the moon in the courtyard.
As for the others, Feng Jinyao didn't pay much attention to them for now, except for a venomous look from Wen Yuwei towards her.
After whispering a few words in Wei Lanxuan's ear, everyone's gaze turned towards Feng Jinyao, their expressions not looking good.
Wei Lanxuan smiled and nodded at the three of them but then led the group into the main hall without saying a word, leaving them behind.
"Such arrogance."
Bai Siruo frowned slightly. She and Wei Lanxuan's faction had never had any grievances and they would usually exchange a few words when they met. What happened today that she didn't say anything?
Xu Mingyue, on the other hand was not surprised and whispered to the other two.
"I heard that Lady Wei is going to betroth herself to the Ninth Prince. Soon, the Wei family will have another prince's main wife. It's a big joy and her status will rise even higher."
No wonder she's so arrogant, she's going to marry into the royal family again.
The Ninth Prince was the only son of Lady Wei, not only already an adult but also favored by the Emperor. It was said that he intended to confer him the title of Prince. If the news was true, he would be the first among his peers to receive such an honor. Even the eldest son born to the Empress couldn't compare to him.
The Wei family's power and prestige were still boundless.
Bai Siruo pursed her lips, not interested in such matters.
Rather than staying here to see those people flattering the Wei family, it was better to go to the Qinxian Courtyard and guess riddles.
"Ah Yao, let's go."
Bai Siruo turned around but saw Feng Jinyao lost in thought, rubbing her thumb and index finger on the hand warmer.
When she saw Wei Lanxuan and Wen Yuwei standing together just now, she suddenly thought of something.
She had been puzzled before, why did the Wen family want Wen Yuwei to deliver the jade, even risking the engagement of their eldest son, Wen Mengsheng?
It couldn't be just to tempt her, right?
If it was because of the Feng family's power, then after they got married, the Feng family had already been divided into the faction of the Ninth Prince.
Moreover, after they got married, she did indeed trouble her father and brothers for her husband's affairs, even involving her maternal grandfather's family.
What exactly happened that made the Wei family and the Wen family willing to ruin the Feng family?
Unless...
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