Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 58 Palace Banquet

Chapter 58: Chapter 58 Palace Banquet

The private account books recorded the gift lists from past years. Fengyu exercised discretion, giving slightly more to Duke An Yuan’s family due to Princess Xue Lan. Marquis An Yuan and Feng Changqing shared a life-and-death friendship, while the Marchioness and Su Yuejiao were close friends. The two families had maintained a strong bond, especially since the Feng Family returned to the Capital City and frequently interacted.

Besides managing relations among the older generation, Fengyu also had to deal with social exchanges involving stewards and shopkeepers in the Capital City. These matters were intricate, tedious, and required immense effort.

Moreover, the twelfth month brought numerous banquets. The First Lady often took Feng Wan and Feng Ling out for social occasions every few days. Each time, she invited Fengyu, but Fengyu would always claim illness to stay home.

On this day, the First Lady came to see her, instructing her to accompany them to the palace banquet the next day.

Fengyu was a bit surprised. The First Lady explained, "The palace is hosting a banquet, and officials ranked third grade and above are required to bring their families. You are explicitly included."

"Why?"

The First Lady appeared equally puzzled. "Your conflict with Lin Yu Yan caused quite a stir, harming the Lin Family’s reputation. The Crown Princess Consort specifically requested for you to attend. Perhaps she wishes to ease the tension."

Fengyu had never entered the palace for a banquet. Ever since Feng Changlin was promoted to a Capital City position and became an Assistant Minister of Ministry of Personnel last year, the First Lady, Feng Wan, and Feng Ling had been able to attend palace banquets together. Feng Changqing, holding a fifth-rank military officer position, prevented Feng Shu and Fengyu from attending. Only once had Marchioness Zhenbei brought Feng Shu along, and Fengyu had assumed that she would not be involved this time.

The Old Madam gathered Fengyu, Feng Wan, and Feng Ling for a shared meal, advising them to act cautiously in the palace, follow their elders, refrain from wandering off, and avoid any conflicts. Feng Ling muttered that this advice seemed solely intended for Third Sister, as she and her siblings were always well-behaved and would never provoke disputes. Feng Wan reassured their grandmother, promising to look after her younger sister so the grandmother need not worry.

Qiuxiang and Chunlu had already begun preparing dresses and accessories for Fengyu. Her wardrobe featured the latest styles from the Capital City, showcasing elaborate and luxurious craftsmanship. Even the daughters of Earl Mansions might not have garments and jewelry as vibrant as Fengyu’s. In her leisure time, Fengyu enjoyed sketching designs for jewelry, and each piece she created became a hot-selling item in Linlang Pavilion. Qiuxiang and Chunlu picked out several new outfits for her.

"The palace banquet will be filled with distinguished guests. It’s better not to dress too ostentatiously; let’s choose something more understated," Fengyu remarked, propping her head up and smiling softly, waiting for Qiuxiang and Chunlu to choose her attire and accessories.

Dressing flamboyantly outside the palace was acceptable, but inside, with the presence of empresses, princesses, and commandery princesses—especially during this time of palace austerity—the daughters of officials should aim for restraint.

After rummaging through the wardrobe, Qiuxiang and Chunlu failed to find a particularly understated gown. Fengyu’s wardrobe was filled with bright hues, and her few plain pieces were primarily exquisite white snow satin, soft in texture and adorned with delicate patterns.

"Miss, should we go to a dress shop and buy a few simple ones?" Qiuxiang suggested.

"There’s a lake-blue winter outfit I haven’t worn yet. Let’s go with that one."

Chunlu retrieved the winter outfit: a lake-blue brocade with cloud-patterned embroidery, light and soft material paired with a lake-blue embroidered cloak skirt. The cuffs were lined with fox fur. The overall ensemble exuded simple elegance, cleanliness, and warmth. Qiuxiang selected magnolia hairpins and pale pink and blue bead flowers as accessories.

When Fengyu stepped out into the doorway fully dressed, her appearance instantly drew everyone’s attention. Having grown accustomed to her bold and flamboyant style of dressing in vivid reds and greens, they now found her understated look all the more ethereal. Her hands were as delicate as soft jade, her skin as smooth as cream, and every step she took was graceful, brimming with elegance. Feng Wan thought of the phrase, "A beauty like flowers beyond the clouds." She seemed inhumanly beautiful—like a dream, distant and untouchable, imbued with an alluring but aloof charm.

Feng Wan and Feng Ling were dressed in soft orange and pink winter outfits, both comprised of cloak skirts, harmonious in appearance, dignified yet lively. These young women were at the peak of their youth, radiant and graceful.

"Third Sister has dressed quite simply today," Feng Ling remarked with a pout.

"Fourth Sister looks elegant and refined, so beautiful," Fengyu responded, ignoring her insinuating tone and praising her attire. Relieved by the compliment, Feng Ling refrained from making any further snide remarks.

Feng Wan couldn’t help but laugh, worried they might start bickering. "Yu’er, please board the carriage first. It’s warmer inside."

"Alright!"

Feng Changlin and the First Lady’s carriage led the procession, followed by the three sisters’ carriage. Feng Wan chatted with Fengyu about amusing incidents from recent banquets, which Fengyu listened to attentively, making the journey enjoyable and unboring. As they approached the palace gates, the number of carriages increased. Due to the hierarchy of ranks, lower-ranked officials had to yield to higher-ranking ones. The Feng Family, being one of the lower-ranked attendees, arrived early but had to continually yield, ultimately placing them at the very end.

Suddenly, all carriages pulled aside and came to a halt, remaining still. Fengyu heard the sound of approaching hooves, prompting Feng Ling to lift the curtain and look outside. A long line of carriages had organized themselves into a formation, creating a path for a single vehicle. It was the carriage marked with the insignia of Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, moving steadily as the elite horse guards accompanied it, heavily armed and majestic.

Among those attending palace banquets, only Marquis Zhenbei Mansion had cavalry escorts.

On a horse adorned with a silver saddle, Xie Xun rode ahead of Marquis Zhenbei Mansion’s entourage. His posture was upright, and his presence akin to a soaring dragon. A coveted figure among the noble young women of the Capital City, he was someone they could only admire from afar, as unattainable as a deity.

Noticing the Feng Mansion insignia, Xie Xun glanced over. Feng Ling, caught by his piercing gaze, felt her cheeks heat up, turning crimson as she quickly lowered the curtain. Sitting by the window, Fengyu also caught sight of Xie Xun. Unlike the pampered sons of noble families in the Capital City, Xie Xun’s extended time in military service had granted him an imposing aura uncharacteristic of his youth—a presence so intense it seemed suffocating. With only a fleeting glance, he withdrew his gaze. The stillness lingered on both sides of the carriages until the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion’s convoy passed through the palace gates, allowing others to proceed orderly.

The Imperial Palace loomed, grand and awe-inspiring. Layered red walls and green tiles stretched endlessly into the twilight sky—a vast labyrinth of grandeur. Feng Ling peeked out from the curtain but could only see an expanse of endless red walls.

Specific attendants managed the palace banquet services. Ordinary maids brought by the officials held low statuses and were prohibited from appearing before the monarch. They were led to designated side halls to rest and wait. If needed, palace maids would summon them.

Fengyu entered the hall with Feng Changlin and the First Lady, standing at the rear. Among the numerous attendees, officials brought their spouses, legitimate sons, legitimate daughters, with illegitimate children barred from the palace. Fengyu stood quietly, her eyes scanning the crowd, recognizing several familiar faces from the Imperial College.

The Feng Family was positioned at the very end, only able to glimpse the massive assembly ahead, packed with solemn attendees. Fengyu spotted Commander Li with his wife and Li Pengfei. Coincidentally, Li Pengfei turned and shot her a fierce glare. Fengyu noticed his haggard appearance, recalling the gossip shared by Qiuxiang.

Apparently, Lin Xiao and Li Pengfei, inseparable brothers famed for their unsavory exploits, had recently fallen out. Lin Xiao had publicly beaten Li Pengfei, leaving them both bloodied. Rumors suggested their quarrel stemmed from a romantic rivalry over a woman, though Fengyu dismissed it as idle chatter.

Eunuchs and palace maids entered the hall, guiding guests to their assigned seats. The banquet was held in a spacious outdoor hall featuring a grand central stage flanked by rows of seating on either side. The Feng Family was seated in the third row on the left. After Fengyu settled into her seat, she noticed Xie Xun directly opposite in the first row alongside the Marchioness. She caught a glimpse of the Marchioness saying something to Xie Xun, to which he inclined his head to listen, his expression tinged with subtle resignation.