I've Got This Cannon Fodder Trope Covered!

Chapter 14

The one who welcomed the guests on the female side was the wife of the Yongle Marquis's eldest son. When she saw the Wei family members arrived, and the marquis's wife, Liu Shi, was among them, her face immediately showed some eagerness, and she welcomed them into the inner courtyard.

Several early-arriving noble guests were already seated in the main courtyard. As Old Madam Liu led the Wei women inside, the Marchioness of the Marquis Yongle rose from her chair and warmly greeted, "You've finally arrived. I was just thinking of you."

Despite being a generation apart, the two noblewomen greeted each other as equals, both holding prestigious titles and then took their seats.

The Marchioness of the Marquis Yongle then turned to politely greet Madam Qian, before focusing on her future second daughter-in-law, growing more pleased with each passing glance. After asking a few questions, she noticed the unfamiliar face of Wei Hanzhang.

Her eyes lit up, and she smiled, "This must be your family's Ninth Miss. Truly as striking as the rumors say, she's unforgettable. Even at my age, seeing her brings joy. I can't imagine how many young men she'll charm once she steps out. Any suitors yet?"

Old Madam Liu patted her granddaughter's hand gently and replied warmly, "No formal engagements yet, but there is a candidate."

"What a missed opportunity," the Marchioness of the Marquis Yongle said regretfully. "It's rare to see such an outstanding girl. I was hoping to match her with my nephew."

The Marchioness of the Marquis Yongle's maiden family was the Duke of Chen's household, and the nephew she referred to was likely the Duke of Chen's heir, Chen Zishu, already a young official in the Dali Temple and an exceptional young man still unmarried in his youth.

Hearing this, Madam Jiang couldn't help but regret agreeing to the Gu family's proposal so early.

To Madam Jiang, her delicate daughter deserved the best match available in the capital's noble families.

Originally, Madam Jiang thought that the Gu family being far away in Xuzhou wouldn't be an issue, and that her daughter's happiness was the most important. But now, even that didn't go as hoped, leading to her regrets.

Although the marriage match couldn't be secured, the Marchioness of the Marquis Yongle still took off the jade bracelet from her wrist and gave it to Wei Hanzhang as a meeting gift, smiling warmly, "You look like a blessed child. Don't stay here and go out and play."

She summoned a maid and instructed her, "Take our guests around the garden and make sure they are well taken care of."

The four sisters left the main hall and entered the marquis's rear garden. With the spring scenery in full bloom, they walked casually for a while. Just as they decided to visit the Feihua Hall, they heard Wei Hanyu say, "Sister Hanshuang, Ranran, Sister Hansu and I want to visit Jiuqu Pavilion over there."

Wei Hansu, with a shy expression and eyes filled with a hint of hope, said, "I've heard Jiuqu Pavilion at the Marquis Yongle's residence is beautiful. Since we're here, I would love to see it."

"You may go," Wei Hanshuang smiled lightly, "but this is someone else's estate. Since you're unfamiliar with the grounds, don't go without a maid."

She then instructed their maids, "Take good care of your mistresses. If anything happens..."

She didn't finish, but the implied threat made Wei Hansu and Wei Hanyu's maids shrink back and agree hurriedly.

Even Wei Hanzhang sensed the underlying meaning in her words. As they walked toward Feihua Hall, she couldn't help but ask, "Is something wrong with them?"

"Who can say for sure? Look at their outfits today. They might be hoping to find a suitable match at this banquet. That's fine, as long as they don't bring shame to the Wei family."

Wei Hanshuang glanced at her with a smile, then seemed to realize, "I see why they walked away so quickly. Perhaps they felt that, no matter how they dressed, standing next to you, Ranran, they wouldn't outshine you. No wonder they were eager to get away."

Wei Hanzhang was used to her Sixth Sister's occasional teasing and couldn't help but smile, "Aren't you afraid I'll outshine you too, Sixth Sister?"

"I'm not looking for a match, what's there to fear?" Wei Hanshuang playfully knocked on Wei Hanzhang's forehead, warning, "Don't smile at people like that; some passerby might lose their soul."

In the Dalin Dynasty, the atmosphere was open and the separation between genders was not strict. Although the banquet was divided by gender, everyone was in the garden and could run into each other at any time.

Therefore, at any banquet, it was an ideal opportunity for unmarried young men and women to seek potential matches.

That's also why Wei Hansu and Wei Hanyu wanted to distance themselves from Wei Hanzhang.

Just as Wei Hanshuang suspected.

The sisters chatted as they walked, meeting several male guests along the way. They didn't avoid them, greeting and exchanging courtesies naturally. When they reached Feihua Hall and were about to enter, a woman with disheveled hair and tear-streaked face suddenly rushed out.

She collided with Wei Hanzhang, causing her to stagger. The woman paused briefly, whispered an apology, and vanished.

Wei Hanshuang steadied her sister, then looked at the plaque of Feihua Hall and asked the maid from the Marquis Yongle's residence, "Do you know that woman?"

The two maids exchanged a glance and shook their heads, "No, we don't."

"..." Wei Hanzhang remained silent, doubting their words.

She turned to Wei Hanshuang, "Shall we still go in?"

There might be something inside...

After a moment's contemplation, Wei Hanshuang said, "Never mind, the banquet is about to start. We shouldn't be late."

Her wedding date was set for early July, less than three months away. It wasn't appropriate for her to get involved in the affairs of the Marquis Yongle's household.

Wei Hanzhang had no objections. She wasn't particularly curious. It was normal for large, noble families to have some secrets. Even in the Jiang family, her eldest uncle's household was quite lively.

Although no one intentionally told her about the messy matters, growing up in the Jiang family, she inevitably knew a bit.

The sisters walked back the way they came, having accomplished nothing, but their mood was unaffected. They chatted and laughed along the way until they saw Wei Hanyu's personal maid approaching with a worried expression.

Seeing the two legitimate daughters of the household, the maid let out a breath of relief and knelt hurriedly, "Ladies, our Eighth Miss was admiring the view at Jiuqu Pavilion, slipped, and fell into the lake."

Wei Hanshuang's expression changed instantly, "Were there any male guests around? Has she been rescued? How could she be so careless!"

"There were many male guests. The young master from the Marquis Yongle's household saved her. She was awake when I left, and the Seventh Miss is with her. I was sent to find our people," the maid tearfully said, bowing her head. "I dare not lie; our Eighth Miss said she was pushed from behind and fell into the lake."

It wasn't an accident?

Wei Hanzhang furrowed her brow. Why would anyone target Wei Hanyu, a concubine-born daughter who rarely socialized?

Was she caught in someone else's crossfire?

Wei Hanshuang seemed to think the same. Someone harming another must have a motive. Targeting a concubine-born daughter wouldn't impact the Marquis's household much.