Resplendent – Chapter 575

Chapter 575: The Guest Becomes the Host

Gu Ye found her enthusiasm rather unnerving. To an outsider, one might mistake the Fu’an County Princess for the hostess of today’s banquet. Besides, did she not know the quality of today’s pastries? She had personally ordered Tasty Delights to prepare these special treats, several of which being brand-new creations, not even available for sale at the shop!

Princess Anya’s face darkened instantly. She yanked Gu Ye toward her, narrowly avoiding the Fu’an County Princess’s grasp. With a cold snort, she declared, “Sister Ye is my honored guest. It is my duty to host her. There is no need for you to trouble yourself, County Princess.”

Fu’an County Princess, her expression awkward, withdrew her hand and offered an embarrassed explanation: “I once had the honor of meeting Miss Chu. Seeing her today truly delighted me, and I momentarily forgot myself. I hope Your Highness will forgive me!”

Fu’an was known for fawning on those above her while bullying those below. She treated anyone beneath her with arrogance, yet could lower herself to flatter those of higher status. Her position in the capital was rather awkward. Her family’s title had been inherited at a reduced rank, and her father was the last to hold it. After his death, the family declined further.

Her brother, frankly speaking, was a profligate young master. He had once fawned over Prince Tai, mastering every vice from falconry and dogfighting to carousing with courtesans, yet possessing no genuine talent. He merely inherited a seventh-rank ceremonial post. By their generation, it was only this county princess who upheld the family name. Otherwise, who in the capital would even remember such a family?

Yet the Fu’an County Princess failed to recognize her place. She fancied herself important as a county princess appointed by the emperor. She not only flaunted her status among the noble ladies but also harbored ambitions to wed into the powerful Defender Duke’s family. 

She initially set her sights on the position of the Crown Son’s Consort. When that proved impossible, she shamelessly pursued the second son of the Chu family, clinging to him relentlessly, a behavior that earned her the scorn of her peers.

Today, the haughty County Princess showed such unusual attentiveness toward Miss Chu, not without an intention to curry favor with her future sister-in-law. She ought to take a good look at herself in the mirror. In terms of both family background and character, what aspect of hers could possibly match the young and promising Second Young Master Chu?

The young ladies in the hall, though none of high birth, all looked down upon her behavior, their eyes betraying a hint of disdain. Then their gazes shifted to the young girl beside Princess Anya. Though not yet fully grown, she already showed hints of grace.

Her face was as small as a palm, with bright eyes and pearly teeth. Her brows were naturally arched like dark clouds, her lips naturally rosy like cherry blossoms. Though clad in plain moon-white robes, she radiated anything but simplicity. 

As she moved, it seemed moonlight flowed around her, making her delicate features appear even more crystalline and translucent. Especially those bright eyes—large and round, with slightly upturned corners framed by long, curled lashes. They shimmered with clear, watery light, lively and spirited.

Gu Ye also quietly observed the other young ladies present. Introduced by Princess Anya in a gesture of ‘lowering her status,’ the one wearing a powder-blue Hangzhou silk jacket and a snow-white satin pleated skirt adorned with cloud patterns, exuding a somewhat cool and aloof aura, was Mo Yuning, the third daughter of the Minister of the Imperial Academy. 

As it happened, this young lady was actually distantly related to Gu Ye. Jun Shanshan, the eldest daughter of the Jun family’s eldest son, had married Mo Yunong’s elder brother, Mo Jiaxuan.

The girl with strong, defined features—thick brows, large eyes, a straight nose, and full lips—exuded an open, refreshing aura. She was Ding Yongyi, daughter of the Deputy Judicial Officer, possessing a cheerful and unreserved disposition.

Another young lady, Dong Mingtong, aged fifteen or sixteen, wore a peach-colored butterfly-patterned jacket over a stone-blue eight-panel Xiang skirt. Though not exceptionally beautiful, her features were dignified and graceful, her every movement precise as if measured by a ruler. Born into a distinguished scholarly family of the Jiangnan region, her father held the rank of fifth-rank Grand Scholar of the Hall of Martial Prowess. His status as a close courtier to the emperor secured him an invitation to this gathering.

Princess Anya hosted this banquet partly to thank Gu Ye for curing her brother’s illness, and partly to celebrate her own release from over a month of rigorous evaluations, allowing her to step out and relax.

On the other hand, her brother was no longer young and had reached marriageable age, yet the family showed no intention of arranging a match for him. Even if that lady of the house were to help her brother find a bride, she didn’t believe that woman would refrain from meddling. Only by personally vetting potential partners for her brother could she feel at ease.

Originally, Princess Anya had always disdained associating with the daughter of a fifth-rank official like Dong Mingtong. However, the Dong family was a renowned scholarly lineage in Jiangnan. During the previous dynasty, they had produced two chief ministers and three cabinet members—all capable statesmen who governed during times of prosperity. The Dong daughters were also celebrated far and wide, their virtue and skill in managing households equally renowned.

Given the current state of the Prince Qing’s household and the siblings’ circumstances, they truly needed a virtuous, shrewd, and resourceful wife for the heir apparent. Dong Mingtong was the only eligible daughter of the main branch of the Dong family.

“Princess, Princess Shunrou of the Prince Li’s household has arrived,” a maid hurriedly entered and whispered to her mistress.

“Commandery Princess Shunrou? She’s always disliked me, thinking even speaking to me would make her seem coarse. Why has she come uninvited today?” Princess Anya hailed from the Prince Qing’s Manor, a title bestowed upon her ancestors for their military merits.

The Prince Li household, however, was imperial kin. Coupled with Princess Anya’s unsavory reputation, the young princess of the Prince Li household had always looked down on her, particularly disdaining the chaos within her household… 

The two had almost no interaction. Even when they occasionally crossed paths at banquets or gatherings hosted by others, they never exchanged a word. Still, since she was here, she couldn’t very well leave her standing outside.

Princess Shunrou was Prince Li’s most cherished granddaughter. Raised from childhood under the care of Prince Li’s consort, she was well-behaved, sensible, and had a straightforward temperament. This was precisely why she looked down on Princess Anya.

After entering, her gaze swept over the young ladies present, and she remarked with a hint of displeasure, “I heard Princess Anya was hosting a banquet at Liuquan Manor. I’ve come uninvited, but I trust the princess won’t mind my intrusion?”

Princess Shunrou, whose given name was Nangong Rou, was the younger sister of Nangong Qinghan. Her gaze lingered briefly on Gu Ye, who was enjoying her pastries with relish. Before Princess Anya could speak, she walked over to the modestly dressed young girl, offered her a gentle smile, and took a seat beside her.

Seeing her seat usurped by Princess Shunrou, Princess Anya wore an displeased expression. She replied coolly, “A guest is a guest; how could I not welcome you? However, Princess Shunrou and I have never been close, so I dared not send an invitation. Please forgive my oversight.”

“Not at all! Truth be told, I didn’t come here for you today!” When dealing with those she disliked, Princess Shunrou was neither compliant nor gentle, too lazy even to feign politeness.

Turning to Gu Ye, who had returned her smile, she said, “Miss Chu, I’ve watched every one of your assessments. You’re so talented! You’re a Level 9 Pharmacist, even though you’re a year younger than me! Speaking of which, you’re our family’s benefactor. You saved my grandfather’s life!”

Gu Ye had rushed out that morning and barely touched her breakfast. Finding little common ground with the other young ladies in the hall, she’d kept her head down, quietly nibbling at pastries. She hadn’t expected Princess Shunrou, whom even Princess Anya looked down upon, to strike up a conversation with her.

She pondered whether she should feign flattered surprise, but doing so now would seem overly polite. She leisurely pulled out a handkerchief, dabbed her lips, and offered a sweet smile. “Your Highness flatters me. It’s the grace of Prince Li’s household, and perhaps the favor of Lady Luck. Otherwise, how could I have happened to have made the Instant Heart-reliever Pills during that very episode?”

Princess Shunrou smiled. “Miss Chu is too modest. Your medicine truly is remarkable. Even the imperial physicians declared my grandfather’s illness beyond hope. Before, when his symptoms flared, he’d be confined to bed for weeks at a time, unable to rise. Yet after taking your medicine, he improved immediately! You live up to your lineage as a disciple of the Sage Apothecary, truly surpassing your master!”

“Your Highness flatters me. I’m truly embarrassed…” Gu Ye would rather perform ten surgeries than face the warmth and gratitude of patients’ families. She gave an awkward smile and glanced at Princess Anya, signaling her to come quickly and save the day.

Princess Anya did not disappoint, stepping beside Princess Shunrou: “Princess Shunrou, you are sitting in my seat. And that cup you’re holding? It’s one this princess has used!”

Hearing this, Princess Shunrou immediately set down her cup with disgust, frowning. “Is this how you entertain guests? Not offering tea or water to visitors? How rude!”

“Rude? Surely Princess Shunrou has heard of the principle that guests follow the host’s lead? How can a guest arrive uninvited and then proceed to occupy the host’s seat?” Princess Anya, clearly disdainful of her counterpart, showed no intention of smoothing things over.

Gu Ye, fearing Princess Shunrou might take offense, quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Your Highness, this cup of tea was just brewed and remains untouched. If you’re thirsty, you may have mine first. And these pastries, they’re a new creation from Tasty Delights. They are quite delicious…”

A servant from Princess Anya’s side reported that new guests had arrived. She could no longer afford to hold a grudge against Princess Shunrou and went to receive the guests.

Watching her retreating figure, Princess Shunrou silently cursed under her breath: “What a lack of manners, completely lacking decorum…”

However, she seemed to realize that her earlier attitude had made Gu Ye somewhat uncomfortable. She quickly changed the subject, “The handkerchief in your hand, is it made with the kesi silk embroidery technique from the Feng family of Jiangnan? During the previous dynasty, kesi was revered as the pinnacle of weaving, with the saying ‘an inch of kesi silk is worth ten taels of gold.’ Alas, the Feng family of Jiangnan was framed during that era, and not a single member of the main branch survived. The art of kesi has been lost for ages. I only recognized it because my grandmother once possessed a kesi handkerchief.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Ye unfolded the handkerchief and laid it on the table for Princess Shunrou to examine. She studied it closely before realizing the plants, flowers, and birds depicted were not embroidered but woven directly into the fabric. This handkerchief had been unearthed from the pile of gifts given by Brother Chen.

Meijing pointed out that the patterns on the handkerchief complemented her dress perfectly today, which finally persuaded her to bring it along. Who would have thought such a small handkerchief could hold so much artistry!

Yet, after Princess Shunrou’s explanation, the more she looked, the more exquisite it seemed. Warp and weft threads intertwined to reveal intricate designs, with sharp, defined borders that resembled carved and engraved effects, creating a striking two-dimensional depth.