Logically speaking, Old Madam Chen's birthday banquet would not be enough to invite Old Madam Cui to attend in person. However, since the two families were considering a marriage proposal, things were entirely different.
The entrance to the Chen Manor was bustling with carriages and horses. The older servant women working for Old Madam Chen had been waiting there early on. As soon as they saw the Cui Manor's carriage arrive, they immediately stepped forward to bow.
"Greetings, Old Madam Cui, Eldest Miss Cui, and Second Miss Cui."
Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng supported Old Madam Cui on her left and right as she stepped out of the carriage. Immediately, many noble ladies came forward to strike up a conversation.
Old Madam Cui exchanged a few simple pleasantries before following the servant woman into the Chen Manor.
There are no walls in the world that don't let the wind through, especially when it came to a family as prominent as the Cuis. With the official matchmakers coming and going, people quickly figured out the underlying reasons.
"To think the Chen family managed to climb up the social ladder and connect with the Cui family. Their ancestors' graves must be smoking with good fortune; they are about to soar to great heights," someone remarked sourly.
"Are you jealous? Isn't your second son still unengaged? Why not hire an official matchmaker to smooth things over and compete with the Chen family?"
The woman's smile froze. "Let's just forget about that."
Eldest Miss Cui... her family's temple was too small to hold such a grand blessing.
Everyone was green with envy over the Cui family's power, but when it was mentioned that the bride would be Cui Yunchu, they felt an inexplicable sense of balance in their hearts.
Prime Minister Cui's boat was not something just anyone could board.
Old Madam Cui, along with Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng, walked to the festooned archway. A luxuriously dressed woman approached from a distance, bowed gracefully, and greeted them with great warmth.
"Greetings, Old Madam Cui."
"Madam Chen, please rise. There is no need for such formalities."
Madam Chen née Liu smiled as she stood up. She raised her eyes and inconspicuously glanced at Cui Yunchu, then personally led the way, inviting them to the banquet hall.
This person must be the mother of the Chen family's young master.
Cui Yunchu looked Madam Chen née Liu up and down. Her smile was dignified, and she appeared to be a clever person who was smooth, tactful, and highly socially adept.
It made sense. Anyone who could serve as the main wife and manage the household affairs would hardly be an ordinary person.
She wondered if this person would be easy to get along with.
"Don't worry, Eldest Sister. As long as the Cui family is here, the ones who should be worrying about getting along are the Chens," Cui Yunfeng whispered.
Cui Yunchu felt that Cui Yunfeng's words made perfect sense.
Old Madam Cui gave the two girls a reprimanding glance. "No nonsense. Do not let others think that the young ladies of our Cui family lack manners and etiquette."
There were already quite a few madams and young ladies in the banquet hall. Madam Chen née Liu did not lead them straight in, but instead took them to a side hall.
The young maidservant guarding the door saw them approaching from afar, curtsied, and hurried inside to report. In no time, Old Madam Chen personally walked out.
She had a head of white hair and kind features, though her constitution looked far less robust than Old Madam Cui's.
She bent down to bow but was quickly supported by Old Madam Cui. "Old Madam Chen, there is no need for such formalities."
Although Old Madam Cui had been recuperating in the Pine Crane Garden in recent years, she held an imperial mandate and an official rank.
Upon entering the side hall, Old Madam Cui immediately instructed Cui Yunchu to present the birthday gift prepared for Old Madam Chen.
Madam Chen née Liu personally received it, inevitably looking Cui Yunchu up and down for a moment, her eyes revealing an uncontrollable flash of amazement.
Cui Yunchu appropriately showed a look of shyness, curtsied, and retreated to the old madam's side.
Old Madam Chen and Old Madam Cui engaged in simple pleasantries, with Madam Chen née Liu chiming in from time to time.
Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng, on the other hand, felt extremely bored, having to occasionally deal with the scrutinizing gazes cast their way by Old Madam Chen and Madam Chen née Liu.
"A person only has one mouth, one nose, and two eyes. Why do they keep staring?" Cui Yunfeng muttered softly.
Cui Yunchu's face was almost stiff from smiling. She whispered back, "Maybe it's because I'm quite good-looking."
"..." Old Madam Cui glanced back at the two of them.
Old Madam Chen immediately said, "We old women are just chatting. I imagine it's quite boring for the younger generation to listen to. Why not let them go out for a stroll? They can play with the young ladies from other families and relieve their boredom."
Cui Yunchu: Then she'd rather not go out. After all, those noble young ladies looked at her as if they had seen a ghost. Being ostracized in her future husband's home would be quite embarrassing.
Cui Yunfeng, however, was very happy. Waiting until Old Madam Cui gave her permission, she pulled Cui Yunchu along, bowed, and quickly left the side hall.
Madam Chen née Liu's gaze remained fixed on Cui Yunchu, only disappearing when they were completely separated by the bead curtain.
Cui Yunchu paused her steps and looked back at the swaying bead curtain.
... "Let this servant take the two young ladies to the back garden. Many young ladies are over there."
The maidservants of the Chen Manor were extremely respectful and polite.
