Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 537 - 537 538 Intentional or Unintentional_1

Chapter 537: Chapter 538 Intentional or Unintentional_1 Chapter 537: Chapter 538 Intentional or Unintentional_1 Muniang was indeed taken aback. In Qinghua City, those who could match the status of being invited by the Rong Mansion were mostly from families with official ranks. Her identity hadn’t been revealed, so why would they invite her, a mere merchant.

It seemed Qingya had perceived Muniang’s perplexity, and then explained, “The Rong Family’s current glory is all thanks to the good fortune brought by Lady Rong. This banquet is said to be a gathering for everyone, but in truth, it’s to show off the promotion of that ‘my Lady’ in the palace. Now that you are the great contributor, Lady Rong, of course, they also extended the invitation. Moreover, the Yuyang Embroidery House is so renowned in Qinghua City now that quite a few powerful figures are eager to get acquainted with you, Lady. Perhaps this banquet is also the Rong Family’s way of facilitating that for others.”

Muniang thought about it and indeed it was so. She was the secret proprietor behind Yuyang Embroidery House, and in public, it was Madam Liu who operated the business. In the past, it hadn’t mattered much, but now only Muniang could produce those hand-painted patterns, with many daughters of noble families eagerly awaiting them. If she used this banquet, she might very well gain a good deal more business.

“Then I will go tomorrow,” Muniang agreed. She wasn’t too familiar with the network of relationships in Qinghua City, and this opportunity could help her understand it better, which would be largely beneficial for future business endeavors.

Muniang discussed with Madam Liu for a while about the new construction of the embroidery room, setting down specific details, before she rose and left.

The guest division at this banquet of the Rong Mansion was quite organized, with female guests in the inner courtyard’s Qin Fang Pavilion and male guests all in the front hall.

It was now winter, and the weather was chilly. Lady Rong had specially arranged the banquet in Qin Fang Pavilion. Outside, a heavy snow was falling, but inside, it was as warm as spring. Charcoal stoves, burning vigorously, were placed in every corner, and layers of curtains were hung in the pavilion. Along the way, Muniang saw groups of noble ladies and esteemed wives gathered together, chatting.

Perhaps because Muniang was a fresh face, coupled with her extraordinary demeanor and beauty, people along the way could not help but take an extra glance, followed by a round of soft murmurs and gossips.

Muniang didn’t much care and continued inside, following a little maid.

Upon reaching the innermost part, she finally saw Madame Rong seated in the chief position, chatting with others. Someone might have said something pleasing, as it had made her laugh continuously, her face beaming with smiles.

Lady Rong, seeing Muniang arrive, greeted her warmly, “You’ve come. Just earlier, many were asking me who created the embroidery piece for Lady Rong’s birthday feast at the palace. I told them it was made by a gifted and clever person, but they were not satisfied not having met the creator and kept pestering me about it.”

Muniang replied modestly with a smile, “This is no great skill of mine. The crucial factor is Lady Rong’s divine beauty. The Emperor must have long planned on promoting Lady Rong, but was just seeking the right opportunity. This was merely a lucky coincidence that I stumbled upon.”

Muniang’s words were pleasing, attributing all the credit to Rong Suqing’s beauty, which made Lady Rong laugh with delight.

Madam Rong’s intentions were exactly in line with enjoying such flattery. Naturally, Muniang steered the conversation towards praise. Her mention of her own daughter’s birthday was not to show off her embroidery skills, but rather to boast about her daughter’s birthday being the occasion for a promotion.

Actually, Muniang was just giving Lady Rong a push along the stream.

The surrounding crowd was full of flattery, with the Rong Family being the most prestigious in Qinghua City at the moment. Now with Lady Rong’s advancement, their status was unmatched, and everyone naturally sought to ingratiate themselves with her.

However, a lady dressed like a noblewife beside Muniang gave a disdainful snort, though it was so softly executed that Lady Rong didn’t seem to notice. Muniang, being closer, naturally heard it but pretended not to and didn’t turn her head. She didn’t want the lady to know she had heard, as it might lead to trouble.

Lady Rong laughed and had someone prepare a seat for Muniang. The maid considerately placed a soft cushion on the chair, and a warmer was prepared underneath. As soon as Muniang sat down, they also placed a foot warmer below for her to warm her feet.

Muniang felt the hand warmer grow cool, and someone immediately replaced it with a new one.

Seeing the refinement of this life, she was indeed taken aback.

Although it wasn’t cold at their house, they still used a heated brick bed. They never prepared anything as meticulous.

Taking her seat, Muniang found herself directly across from the woman who had previously scoffed at her. She took the opportunity to study her closely—the woman still had an elegant and distinguished demeanor, but her eyes held a sharpness that was not aimed at Muniang. It seemed to be directed at Lady Rong instead.

It was true after all, where there’s praise, there’s envy; not everyone is content to fall behind.

Madame He, intentionally or not, suddenly turned the conversation towards that woman, laughing as she spoke, “Speaking of which, your Fang Fei was close to Lady Rong since childhood, a bond as if they were swaddling companions. Lady Rong even inquired about Fang Fei in her last letter. Fang Fei isn’t young anymore, also sixteen this year, the same age as Lady Rong—it’s time to find her a suitable match. It’s no good, always dragging one’s feet on such matters, is it?”

Her words compared Fang Fei to Lady Rong, showing that Madame Rong was deliberately trying to show off to that woman.

Madame He laughed lightly, “Lady Rong, don’t rush about Fang Fei’s marriage. In time, she will surely have a good match. With Fang Fei’s talents and looks, finding a suitable husband won’t be difficult. Lady Rong has risen so high, we are but dust at her feet. Fang Fei often says, if she could be as distinguished as Lady Rong, her life would be complete.”

Lady Rong laughed triumphantly, “But that’s a matter of fate, isn’t it? To have such a destiny, one needs opportunity too. Otherwise, all the envy is in vain.”

Becoming the emperor’s woman is not easily achieved. Among the chosen maidens, born every three years, great attention is paid to their family background. Only those of fifth-rank officials and above have the privilege to send their daughters to the palace. What the He Family lacks in comparison to the Rong Family is a position like that of the second master of the Rong Family, who is a fifth-rank Minor Prefect in the capital.

Everyone thought Madame He would be infuriated, but she remained remarkably composed, merely replying with an almost smile, “Who can say for certain about the future?”

That caught Lady Rong off guard.

Muniang had initially stayed out of the affair until, unexpectedly, Madame He turned her gaze towards her, whether intentionally or not.

Muniang chatted with the group of women for a while but couldn’t quite muster any enthusiasm for the conversation, so she excused herself, needing some fresh air.

Yet she found that Madame He had followed her out at some point. Muniang looked at her with surprise—she shouldn’t know her, should she?

But Madame He, as if they were old friends, started to laugh, “Are you the remarkable woman from Qinghua City, Qiao Muniang? This is my first time meeting you; I’ve always been very curious.”

In the year since Muniang arrived in Qinghua City, Mei Garden and Yuyang Embroidery House had dominated the main market of the city, naturally leading to much talk. However, the moniker “remarkable woman” was something Muniang was hearing for the first time.