Xie PanāEr was very moved and immediately changed her address to "Third Sister-in-law"!
Zhu Xiuxiu grinned, "Oh! We wonāt play with such ill-mannered girls, letās go back to our seats! The banquet is starting! I specially invited performers from two opera troupes to celebrate you becoming a girl of the Ji Family, with the third disciple of Master Mei performing to honor you!"
Zhu Xiuxiu quickly led Xie PanāEr and the old Mrs. Ji back to their seats, without giving any face to those present.
She even trampled the dignity of the Dukeās Mansion and the Marquisās Mansion!
"This is outrageous! The Ji Family is going too far!"
The Duchess of the Dukeās Mansion was enraged, slammed the table, stood up, and was about to scold Zhu Xiuxiu, pointing at her nose!
However, someone outside shouted loudly, "Nanny Xiao has arrived!"
Nanny Xiao?
Everyone was shocked. Who was Nanny Xiao? Was she the Nanny Xiao they knew?
The favorite by the Empress Dowagerās side?
Everyone widened their eyes, looking towards the entrance of the banquet.
Nanny Xiao entered with several Palace Maids and two Eunuchs.
The Duchess of the Dukeās Mansion smiled so broadly that her face bloomed like a flower.
"This is the Nanny beside the Empress Dowager. Her visit to the Ji Family today must be to see me!"
Everyone knew that the Empress Dowager came from the Dukeās Mansion and it was said that she had a good sisterly relationship with the Duchess of the Dukeās Mansion.
So when they heard her words, everyone assumed she was right.
Thus, some people chimed in.
"The arrival of Nanny Xiao at the Ji Family at this time... could it be that she knows the Duchess and the young lady of the Dukeās Mansion were humiliated at the Ji Family and sent Nanny Xiao to support them?"
Some speculated this way, and others echoed, "Thatās right, I also think itās possible. The Ji Family is really arrogant, holding such a grand banquet just for recognizing an adopted daughter, and in the process, offending both the Dukeās Mansion and the Marquisās Mansion.
Now they even alarmed the Empress Dowager!
Just wait, in the future, Xie PanāEr might not have a place to stand in the capital!"
Some spoke sourly, words filled with schadenfreude!
Yet as soon as they finished speaking, they heard the voice of the Duchess of the Dukeās Mansion greeting Nanny Xiao!
"Nanny Xiao, why are you here?
Did the Empress Dowager hear about the happenings at the Ji Family?
So she sent you here to..."
"Madam, please wait, this old servant has some matters to handle first before catching up with you!"
The Duchess of the Dukeās Mansion had barely finished speaking when Nanny Xiao waved her off, leaving her aside, and walked straight toward the old Mrs. Ji!
The watching Marchioness of Marquis Ting Sheng suddenly let out a mocking laugh.
"The Duchess of the Dukeās Mansion has quite the face, still thinks sheās someone important?
The Empress Dowager is in the palace; she doesnāt have three heads and six arms. How could she know what happened at several banquets?
Really gilding her own face!"
The Marchionessās words were as if a massive slap landed on the face of the Duchess of the Dukeās Mansion!
However, the real face-smacking moment was yet to come!
"Eunuch Ling has arrived!"
A loud shout came from the door again!
"Eunuch Ling? Thatās the favorite by His Majestyās side!
The favorite by His Majestyās side coming to the Ji Family, could it also be that His Majesty heard about what happened with the Duchess at the Ji Family and sent someone to support you?"
Usually, the Marchioness of Marquis Ting Sheng didnāt get along with the Duchess of the Dukeās Mansion, and this was well-known. She would never miss an opportunity to step on the Duchess!
"You... donāt get too smug, today at this Ji Mansion, itās not just my Dukeās Mansion making a fool of itself!
Your Marquisās Mansion isnāt much better off!"
The Duchess of the Dukeās Mansion shouted angrily at the Marchioness, but before she could say more, Eunuch Ling started talking to the old Mrs. Ji!
"Greetings to the old madam! Is everything well with you?"
Eunuch Ling, upon entering, saluted the old Mrs. Ji, then his gaze turned to Xie PanāEr.
"Whatās going on with Miss PanāEr?
Why do her eyes seem a bit red?"
Eunuch Ling had sharp eyes and noticed at once that Xie PanāErās eyes looked as if she had cried!
"Itās nothing, just some snowflakes got into my eyes earlier; Iām fine now."
"Oh, so thatās what happened! I thought someone had upset you!
You are the savior of His Majesty, the beloved of the Empress Dowager, and now the ninth young lady of the Ji Family. Your status is quite extraordinary now. If anyone makes you unhappy, feel free to tell me, and Iāll help you out, how about that?"
Eunuch Lingās flattering words dropped many jaws in disbelief!
His actions at this moment even more brutally slapped every present personās face!