Pampered Consort:

chapter 6

Wei Lanying decided to attend the banquet, her mind still mulling over the recent days spent with the Sima family in Weifu. As the carriage rolled towards the Grand Princess' residence, she shared the journey with Bai Ting Ping, the air filled with anticipation.

As they arrived, Wei Lanying was immediately struck by the beauty and elegance of the residence. The scent of flowers lingered in the air, promising an enchanting evening ahead. They were ushered in by a senior maid, who guided them through the grandeur of the place.

Entering the banquet area, Wei Lanying's eyes were drawn to a girl exuding a militant aura. She approached with a friendly greeting, "Greetings, I am Wei Lanying, daughter of General Wei. And you?"

"Wen Chyou, daughter of South border General Wen," came the brisk reply, instantly sparking a camaraderie between them.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the room, Grand Princess Rong and her son Mu Jiayi observed the guests. Grand Princess Rong broached a delicate topic, "Yi'er, what are your thoughts on Gao Xiao Jie?"

Mu Jiayi's gaze shifted towards Lady Gao, whose dominance seemed to overshadow her beauty. With a furrowed brow, he remarked, "Niang, everyone knows Gao Xiao Jie's affection for Guang Wang. I doubt she would be a suitable match."

Grand Princess Rong redirected her attention towards Wei Lanying and Wen Chyou, contemplating silently. She recognized traits in Wen Chyou of her mother, a study partner from her youth. Wei Lanying's background intrigued her, prompting thoughts about her mother, Sima Qiuyue, an unknown woman.

As more guests arrived, including Zheng Chun-hua and Princess Huiying, Wei Lanying's emotions churned. Memories of betrayal and deception surged within her, igniting a simmering hatred towards them.

Despite the underlying tension, Grand Princess Rong maintained her grace, addressing the gathering with a warm smile, "Today, as the flowers bloom beautifully, Bengong hopes that the guests also find joy in this splendid banquet."

The servants began to bring out the dishes, and the centerpiece was a roasted duck, rumored to be from the renowned Yun restaurant owned by the Eldest Prince, Nan Wang, Jing Haoyu. Wei Lanying's expression turned awkward; the cuisine of this era lacked the refinement she was accustomed to from the 21st century. Tentatively, she took a bite of the roasted duck, only to find it overwhelmingly seasoned with salt and pepper.

Observing her discomfort, Wen Chyou inquired, "Is something amiss with the roasted duck? It's from the Yun restaurant."

"It's overly salty," Wei Lanying grimaced, "The fare at Weifu is far superior to this."

"Is that so?" Wen Chyou replied, intrigued, "Then extend me an invitation to Weifu."

"Consider it done," Wei Lanying agreed.

Noticing two ladies eyeing them, Wei Lanying asked for clarification, "Chyou, who are they?"

Wen Chyou's expression soured as she identified them, "They are the daughters of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Rites."

"You seem to hold quite a grudge against them," Wei Lanying observed.

Wen Chyou remained silent, focusing on her food.

"Princess," Zheng Chu-hua interjected, presenting a bottle of wine, "This is the spiritual fruit wine of Hua Sect, refined by me. I hope you and the esteemed guests will enjoy it. Shizun has praised my talent in refining."

"What grade does this refined wine hold?" inquired Gao Furen.

"It's a fifth-grade refinement," Zheng Chu-hua answered proudly, "It won't intoxicate, but it aids in cleansing the meridians."