The Eldest Daughter-in-Law [Reborn] - Chapter 56

The following topics all revolved around Wang Yining, but she did not want to talk in depth and instead brought up the flower-viewing banquet.

She asked the girls, “The Empress will host a flower-viewing banquet soon. Will you all attend this year?”

The flower-viewing banquet hosted by the Empress was of a very high standard, and the ladies from prominent families in the capital were vying for a place to get in. It was called a flower-viewing banquet, but in fact, it was a banquet for selecting concubines for the princes and royal relatives. In addition, young men from aristocratic families could also take the opportunity to meet each other and find suitable marriages.

Xie Yunchu won the first prize at the flower-viewing banquet two years ago and was chosen by the Eldest Princess to be married to Wang Shuhuai. The previous year’s flower-viewing banquet was not held due to the Empress’ serious illness, so this year’s banquet became extremely precious.

The second lady, Wang Shuqin, swore not to marry, so she was naturally not interested, “I won’t go.”

The third lady, Wang Shuyi, was eager to try and looked at Xie Yunchu eagerly, saying, “Sister-in-law, please teach me later. I want to participate this year.” She hoped to showcase her talents and win Xiao Huaijin’s favor.

But Xie Yunchu pretended not to hear.

The fourth lady, Wang Shuya, lowered her eyes shyly.

At that time, the Fourth Madam noticed that Xie Yunchu was wearing a string of corals. “Oh, I seem to have seen this string of corals on my mother’s dressing table. It turned out to be a reward for you. Huai’s wife is lucky to be my mother’s granddaughter-in-law.”

All the hot gazes were cast on Xie Yunchu, but she remained calm and composed.

The third girl, Wang Shuyi, was jealous and wanted it just after looking at it. In the past, whenever her sister-in-law got something good, she would always allow it as long as she asked.

Several daughters-in-law received rewards, but Xie Yunchu’s reward was different from others, which made everyone feel a little jealous.

The Eldest Madam, Miao, smiled and joked, “Mother clearly gave her a string of corals, but I’m afraid it’s worth half a manor.”

When Wang Shuyi heard that, her heart skipped a beat, “Is it so expensive? Grandmother can just give her half a manor equivalent as a reward; then wouldn’t she be as rich as a country?” If it was too expensive, she wouldn’t dare to ask, after all, her sister-in-law was rather cold to her.

The speaker may not mean it, but the listener may take it seriously.

The First Madam held her handkerchief thoughtfully, while the Fourth Madam gathered the jade bracelet in her sleeve and slowly lowered her eyes.

Wang Yining glanced at everyone’s expressions and sneered.

Madam Jiang thought her daughter was talking too much, so she said, “Don’t stand here; go to the small hall and study. Talent competitions cannot rely on just talking, but also on brains.”

Wang Shuyi and Wang Shuya stood up quickly, but the second lady Wang Shuqin was reluctant to leave and was seen by the Third Madam, who was walking slowly over.

“Your second aunt said something, didn’t you hear it?”

Wang Shuqin stuck out her tongue awkwardly and quickly left with the other two.

At noon, Xie Yunchu returned to Chunjing Hall and began to think about the headband. After two days of hard work, she finally finished it on the morning of the ninth day and sent it to Xiuchun Pavilion, where Wang Yining stayed.

Wang Yining held it in her palm and examined it carefully. “Oh my God, this phoenix is so vivid, with its wings spread out as if ready to fly. You embroidered it with the aura of an eagle.”

Xie Yunchu was confident that she had some ability, so she generously accepted her praise.

She had her reasons for doing so. The Eldest Princess was a person of great stature. She was born in the palace and was a phoenix. But a phoenix was not good enough for her. She wanted to be an eagle, just like her late mother…

Speaking of the late Empress, she was a legendary figure throughout the ages.

The late Emperor was in poor health, and the late Empress assisted him and ruled the country for several years. One year, the Mongols invaded the border, and the court officials were afraid to act. However, the Empress acted decisively, refused to negotiate, and marched the army north. The Eldest Princess was deeply influenced by the late Empress since she was a child and had a lot of her mother’s characteristics.

Every year, students would commit suicide to express their determination and curse the hen that crows at dawn, but this could not shake the status of the late Empress and the Eldest Princess at all.

It was because these two outstanding women had such unique vision and strong political acumen that it was difficult for court officials to disobey them.

Wang Yining did not understand Xie Yunchu’s deeper meaning; she just thought the embroidery was very good.

She told her personal maid to keep it, and then she went inside and brought out a three-inch-long red sandalwood box and handed it to Xie Yunchu.

“Chu’er, you’ve put so much effort into me, and I have no way to repay you. You know, I’m not very skilled. I can’t cook, and I can’t sew. I don’t have anything to show off. I really envy you for being so capable and outstanding in everything. This is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will accept it.”

She opened the box, revealing a set of red-gold head ornaments.

Xie Yunchu took a look and was blinded by the light. She quickly closed it and pushed it back to her, saying bluntly, “I don’t want it. Don’t say you are my elder. I should do this. Even if you are not my elder, it is not a big deal for friends to help each other. I am relieved that you value me and treat me as a confidant.” Instead of being like those ungrateful people in her previous life who all took advantage of her.

Wang Yining glared at Xie Yunchu, saying, “Since you said I’m your elder, then do you dare to refuse a gift from an elder? You must accept it.”

Xie Yunchu stood up to leave, but Wang Yining hurriedly grabbed her and said, “Good girl, listen to me.”

Wang Yining was touched by something sad, and she shed tears, which was rare. Xie Yunchu stopped immediately, turned around, and supported her, “What happened?”

Wang Yining choked up and pulled her to sit down. The two held hands.

Wang Yining’s eyes were red as she asked, “Why do you think my mother wants to help me get the title of Princess?”

Xie Yunchu thought of Wang Yining’s fate in her previous life, and her heart suddenly ached, but she endured it with a forced expression, “Why?”

Wang Yining wiped away her tears and said, “I am already 25 years old this year, and I have only given birth to two daughters. Now my parents-in-law are quite dissatisfied and are secretly trying to get a concubine for their son. I naturally refused. I went to the palace to complain to my mother, but my mother was not in the mood to listen to me. She just said that if life is not going well, we can just divorce… Why should we divorce when things are going well? Besides, I still have confidence in myself.”