Chapter 1675: Chapter 1675 Venting
Lin Xi whispered in the Crown Princess Consort’s ear, "The young lady from the Duke of Yongan Residence has been staring at you."
The Crown Princess Consort didn’t need Lin Xi to say it; she already sensed it. She was well aware of the intentions of the Duke of Yongan Residence. Even if the Crown Prince had no intention of marrying a concubine, even if he did, it would not be from the Duke of Yongan Residence.
The Crown Princess Consort thought of her husband and felt melancholic. The Crown Prince was not unkind to her; they just lacked deep affection. They had been married for many years, and the passion that should have bloomed early in their union seemed to have faded.
Seeing Lin Xi continue to stare, the Crown Princess Consort asked in confusion, "What’s the matter?"
Lin Xi’s smile gradually faded, "Zhuo Ya’s new wife’s headpiece looks so familiar."
The Crown Princess Consort, being a perceptive person, asked, "Is there something amiss?"
"Hmph, my second aunt designed a headpiece for my third cousin. At that time, the Countess Ye saw the finished product, and today I saw a headpiece that resembles it by sixty percent."
Upon hearing this, the Crown Princess Consort understood everything and slightly frowned. She didn’t like the Duke of Yongan Residence, not only because the Crown Prince didn’t like them but also for personal reasons, "I remember you said that the third Miss Zhou is about to come of age."
Lin Xi replied, "Yes, my second aunt gave it to my third cousin as a coming-of-age gift."
The Crown Princess Consort patted Lin Xi’s hand, thinking the Countess was too wily to do such a thing, and the dignified Countess Ye would not be so foolish.
Yu Wen had been observing Lin Xi; seeing her talk with the Crown Princess Consort and occasionally glancing at Ye Ying, she unconsciously swirled her teacup.
Yu Die noticed Yu Wen’s actions, having seen her fifth sister’s schemes before, asked softly, "Yu Wen, what are you thinking?"
Yu Wen blinked, "I’m thinking about how to stand up for my sister."
Yu Die’s heart trembled at her sister’s protective nature, worried about Yu Wen causing trouble. Her intuition told her that a quiet Yu Wen was truly intimidating!
The tea party consisted of unmarried young ladies; only a few were engaged, and most were not. With many girls, there was much comparing.
Jewelry naturally became the main topic of discussion, and under Yu Yi and Lin Xi’s deliberate guidance, Ye Ying’s headpiece became the focus.
Miss Li, the granddaughter of the Minister of War, said, "This set of headpieces is really beautiful. I also want a set."
Yu Yi replied, "Sister Li can ask Ye Ying where it was made."
Miss Li truly liked it and naturally didn’t want to wear the same one. She intended to ask where it was made to have her own designed, "Sister Zhou is right; I’ll go ask."
Miss Li didn’t invite Yu Yi to go with her, as she was aware of the nuances between the Marquis Zhou’s Residence and the Rongan Ducal Residence!
Lin Xi leaned in, "Not saying where it was made would be petty. For the sake of the Duke of Yongan Residence and the Count Residence’s reputation, I imagine Miss Ye will certainly inform everyone."
Yu Yi, "Miss Ye brought it out with the intention to share, so she’ll naturally be happy to tell."
Yu Die, "....."
Clearly, she was the most upset, yet her sisters defended her, and she decided to simply watch quietly.
Ye Ying was clever; when one person asked, she thought it was just a compliment. But when many inquired, she realized something was wrong, as noble ladies are very particular about jewelry, and her face turned pale.
Zhuo Ya was concerned about her sister-in-law, "Sister-in-law, what’s wrong?"
Ye Ying, "Nothing."
She regretted bringing the headpiece out. She should not have worn it to the Crown Princess Consort’s tea party. The guests today were all of high status, and she couldn’t refuse.
The Crown Princess Consort glanced at Lin Xi, who was enjoying the drama, and couldn’t help but smile.
After the party ended, Yu Yi boarded the carriage but left her close maid behind, who didn’t return to the residence. Yu Wen was aware of what her maid was up to.
Upon arriving home, Yu Die hurried to the second wife’s quarters, while Yu Wen and others went to the main courtyard.
Zhulan knew about what Yu Yi and Lin Xi did, and instead of being angry, she awaited the spectacle. However, something seemed amiss as she looked at Yu Wen.
Yu Wen: "Grandmother, why are you staring at me?"
"I’m surprised you didn’t take action."
Yu Wen, "There is an order to seniority."
Zhulan, "..."
She didn’t believe that Yu Wen would stay passive just because Yu Yi took the initiative!
Mrs. Zhao, after hearing her daughter’s report, brought out the headpiece with a stern face, "It’s only a few days until your coming of age."
Yu Die was worried about her mother’s health from anger, "Mother, please don’t be upset."
Mrs. Zhao snorted, "Why shouldn’t we showcase it? I’m sending an invitation to the Duke of Yongan Residence."
Yu Yi and Lin Xi had guided the situation, and after the tea party, everyone would understand how Ye Ying’s headpiece was made. She couldn’t confront it directly, so she boldly showcased it, letting the women of the capital decide. She’d like to see Ye Ying face society after this.
Yu Yi’s close maid returned, "The shopkeeper will be straightforward."
Yu Yi got up, "Grandmother, Yu Jiao and I are going back to rest."
Zhulan, "Alright."
Yu Wen stood up and left as well. Zhulan remarked to Qing Xue, "They’ve all grown up, and there’s no need for me to intervene."
Qing Xue, "The young ladies are doing well."
Zhulan was proud, as they were all taught by her!
Information spreads fastest among women, and Zhulan made sure to have someone keep an eye on the shopkeeper, who didn’t hide anything, revealing the origin of Ye Ying’s headpiece, which was indeed an infuriating tactic.
Soon, the young ladies began receiving invitations from the Marquis Zhou’s Residence for the third Miss Zhou’s coming-of-age ceremony.
The Duke of Yongan Residence also received an invitation and was surprised. Due to the spread of rumors among the young ladies, the Crown Prince’s Consort was unaware but decided that her daughter should attend after discussing it with her husband.
Zhuo Ya didn’t want to go, and Ye Ying even less, but they had to follow the Crown Prince’s Consort’s orders. Ye Ying, as the eldest granddaughter-in-law representing the Duke Residence, didn’t dare to feign illness.
The Marquis Zhou’s Residence was already preparing for Yu Die’s coming-of-age banquet, while Yu Wen had chosen an auspicious day to pull Ming Hui along for an outing.
Ming Hui couldn’t fathom Yu Wen’s thoughts and decided to ask directly, "You rarely go out; where do you want to take your brother today?"
Yu Wen smiled, "Brother got it wrong."
"What did I get wrong?"
"It’s actually brother taking sister out to gain experience."
Ming Hui straightened up, "Fifth sister, don’t lead me into trouble."
He didn’t want to get scolded!
Yu Wen chuckled, "Rest assured, sister won’t cause trouble for brother."
Ming Hui was uneasy, as Yu Wen seemed up to something, "Why don’t you give brother a hint?"
"Sister is going to settle scores."
Ming Hui, "?"
Yu Wen, however, fell silent, playing with the handkerchief in her hand. Ming Hui grew anxious. Despite being lazy, Yu Wen’s mind was incredibly sharp, and he had seen his fourth uncle test Yu Wen before and felt discouraged.
Ming Hui thought of returning home, "Why not find Uncle instead?"
Yu Wen, "Uncle has already gone ahead."
Ming Hui, "..."
What had his sister and uncle schemed? He felt excluded!
In the Marquis Zhou’s Residence, Zhulan also changed her clothes, "Let’s go too."
Qing Xue chuckled, "Fifth Miss definitely doesn’t know you’re aware of everything."
Zhulan raised her brows, "This show is going to be good."
She just knew Yu Wen was planning something big, with something beyond Yu Yi’s actions, bringing Chang Xhong along for the ride, and Qing Xue was to keep an eye on them.
Qing Xue asked, "You’re not bringing the other young ladies?"
Zhulan, "If I bring them along, I’m sure to be exposed."