Chapter 331: Chapter 332: Banquet
The Marquis Wuâan Mansion
As soon as they entered the Marquis Mansion, Jin Qianqian and Ancient Wen Heng were separated and led to the front and rear courtyards, respectively.
Stepping into the Marquis Wuâan Mansion for the first time, Jin Qianqian looked at the decorations and could guess at some of the hobbies of the mansionâs matriarch.
Everywhere she looked screamed luxury, as if afraid others wouldnât know how wealthy the Marquis Mansion was.
âBut according to the information we have, the Marquis Wuâan Mansionâs expenses have long exceeded its income. This is probably all just for show.â
Led by a servant girl, Jin Qianqian arrived at the main hall of the third-entry courtyard, where several wives of officials were already drinking tea and eating snacks.
After encountering a few ladies she knew, Jin Qianqian went over to greet them according to their rank before quietly finding a seat in a corner.
Guest after guest arrived, but the lady of the house was still nowhere to be seen.
Someone nearby began to mutter, "This Marchioness really puts on airs. There are so many First-class Extraordinary Ladies here, yet she hasnât even come out to greet anyone."
"Oh, you donât know? The current Marchioness is a second wife, one who was promoted from being a concubine. How well can she possibly treat the legitimate son of the first wife?"
"But no matter what, today is the Princely Heirâs wedding day. Even if itâs just for the sake of appearances, she shouldnât be acting like this, right?"
"Tch. If you were in her shoes, you probably wouldnât even show your face. Donât forget, the one inheriting the title isnât her biological son. No matter how busy she is now, itâs all for someone elseâs benefit."
"..."
Jin Qianqian was so engrossed in listening to the gossip that she didnât even notice Yang Wenlan had sat down beside her until Lichun quietly reminded her. Only then did she snap out of it.
"Sister Yang, youâre here." Jin Qianqian started to rise but was pushed back down by Yang Wenlan. "Weâre like sisters, thereâs no need for such formalities. I saw you listening so intently just now. Did you hear something interesting?"
Jin Qianqian covered her mouth, not wanting to be a gossipmonger. "I just heard a few interesting things and couldnât help but get drawn in. Why are you just now arriving? Are the roads outside still blocked?"
"I would have come earlier if Iâd known," Yang Wenlan said, secretly pinching her calf. "Two streets away, the carriage couldnât go any further. I had no choice but to walk the rest of the way."
Jin Qianqian once again felt thankful that having Nanny Ou and Nanny Duan in her household had saved her from so much trouble.
This was her first time attending such a large banquet. If she had followed her old habits, she definitely would have left at the last minute, just as she always did.
She sipped her tea in small mouthfuls. After what felt like an eternity, the master of the household finally arrived. Everyone rose and offered their congratulations one after another.
"Thank you all for coming to my grandsonâs joyous celebration. Please forgive us if our hospitality is lacking in any way." Leaning on her cane and supported by others, Old Madam Bai made a circuit of the hall.
Early that morning, Ms. Kuang had started throwing a fit. To prevent her from ruining her grandsonâs wedding, the Old Madam had no choice but to have her sent back to the Buddhist Hall to kneel.
Since she didnât want the dignity, the Marquis Mansion wasnât going to help her save face.
As for her grandson and granddaughter who pleaded tearfully, Old Madam Bai simply issued a warning: "If you keep making a scene, your eldest brother and sister-in-law will be the ones running this household from now on." The two of them didnât dare make another sound.
Seeing Old Madam Bai hosting the banquet with her cane, everyone understood. It seemed the conflicts within the Marquis Mansion were about to be laid bare for all to see.
The Front Hall
Bai Jinglie welcomed his bride through the gates. Seeing only Marquis Wuâan seated in the main hall, he gave an unconcerned smile and beckoned to Ye Yi. A moment later, the spirit tablet of the former Marchioness of Wuâan appeared in the hall.
"You rebellious son, what do you think youâre doing?" Bai Yugang glanced at the tablet, hissing through clenched teeth.
"On such an auspicious day, whatâs wrong with my mother being in this position? Besides, didnât your dear Aunt Kuang give up the spot herself? Even if she were here, I doubt sheâd be worthy enough to receive our bow of respect."
After speaking, Bai Jinglie looked at the master of ceremonies. "The auspicious time is almost here. Letâs begin!"
No matter how displeased Bai Yugang was, he knew he couldnât make a scene at a time like this.
He glanced at his first wifeâs spirit tablet, took a deep breath, and sat back down in his seat.
Bai Jinglie smirked, and under the guidance of the master of ceremonies, the wedding was completed.
Meanwhile, in the small Buddhist Hall at the back, Kuang Yunqiao smashed another full set of tea things. "This is too much! Too much! Heâs completely disregarding me, the lady of this house! Who the hell does Bai Jinglie think he is? One day, Iâll make him a stepping stone for my son!"
Kuang Tianman, who had been on her way to visit, stood at the door. She stared thoughtfully at the Buddhist Hall, then turned and headed for the rear courtyard.
That day, the Marquis Wuâan Mansion became the laughingstock of Shangjing. Unexpectedly, the farce continued the very next day.
Jin Qianqian blinked at Liu Qingmei. "Are you sure you heard that right?"
Liu Qingmei shook her head. "Itâs all over the capital. The Marchioness has been causing a scene at the gates since early this morning."
Jin Qianqian said, "Bai Jinglieâs younger brother is named Bai Jingyang, right? If I remember correctly, heâs not even sixteen yet. And as a Marquisâs son, surely he wouldnât be so indiscreet?"
Liu Qingmei replied, "I donât know the details. Apparently, the Kuang Family is gathered outside the Marquis Mansion now, demanding that Marquis Bai give them an explanation."
Jin Qianqian recalled the results of her previous investigation. Kuang Tianman had been a long-term guest at the Marquis Mansion, and it was an open secret that her target was Bai Jinglie, the Marquisâs Heir.
But the Holy Emperorâs bestowed marriage had shattered the Kuang Familyâs carefully laid plans.
âKuang Yunqiao had only wanted to use her niece to control Bai Jinglie. This time, her plan backfired spectacularly. Her feelings right now must be complicated,â she mused.
Jin Qianqian wasnât wrong. Kuang Yunqiao was about to explode with anger. She had wanted to marry Kuang Tianman to Bai Jinglie, but she had never intended for her own son to marry her.
âTian Man is several years older than Bai Jingyang, and with her family background, how could she possibly be a match for my son?â
"Brother, this wonât do. The entire Marquis Mansion already belongs to Bai Jinglie. I wanted to find a noble marriage for Jingyang to secure some support for him. I donât mean to speak harshly, but our entire Kuang Family can only prosper if my sonâyour nephewâdoes well."
Kuangâs eldest brother gritted his teeth. "Of course I know that! But what is Tian Man supposed to do now? Sheâs given her innocence to Jingyang! Do you think she can still find a good family to marry into? Youâre her biological aunt; you canât just watch your own niece be driven to a dead end, can you?"
Kuang Yunqiao wished she could slap herself a few times. But she kept her composure and looked at Kuang Tianman. "There are no outsiders here now. Tell your aunt, how did you end up in your cousinâs room last night? Were you set up by someone?"
Kuang Tianman covered her face and shook her head, unwilling to say anything.
This display only infuriated Kuang Yunqiao. She strode over and yanked Kuang Tianmanâs hands down. "Say something, damn it! Thatâs your own biological cousin! How could you bring yourself to do such a thing?"