Inside the main hall of Yifu Hall.
Complete silence reigned.
Everyone had arrived and sat obediently in their respective seats, waiting for the Old Madam to speak.
The Old Madam sat upright in the seat of honor. She wore a dark green beizi, her hair meticulously combed and adorned with only a single jasper hairpin. In her hands, she rolled a string of agarwood prayer beads.
Those prayer beads had quite a history.
They were spoils of war brought back from the battlefield by the late Old Marquis. It was said that they were the beloved possession of a foreign nobleman, and now they had accompanied her for over thirty years.
The beads had been polished by time until they were warm and smooth.
As they turned gently between her fingertips, they emitted a faint rubbing sound.
"Click—click—click—"
The sound was unhurried, clicking one by one, like some sort of silent urging, or perhaps a long sigh of the passing years.
Everyone in the hall sat quietly with their heads bowed; no one dared to make a sound.
The Old Madam rolled the beads for two rounds.
Finally, she spoke.
Her voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly: "I called you all here today because I have a matter to announce."
Everyone raised their eyes to look at her.
The Old Madam continued, "The Marquis and I have both received invitations from the palace. This year's palace banquet is scheduled for seven days from now."
The palace banquet?
Pei Cijing was slightly taken aback, but he quickly realized what it meant.
Right, it was almost the end of the year.
Whenever this time of year arrived, the palace would hold a grand banquet, inviting important court officials and their families to attend. This tradition had started during the reign of the founding emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty and had continued uninterrupted for over a hundred years. Unless there was a severe natural disaster or man-made calamity, it remained an unshakable event.
The nature of this palace banquet was largely similar to a company's annual party in his previous life.
Pei Cijing had never attended one, but having worked in a company for a few years in his past life, he could guess a thing or two about its contents—it was nothing more than the emperor using the banquet to win over the officials, reward these "beasts of burden of the court" for their hard work over the past year, and encourage them to continue their efforts in the new year to jointly build a beautiful Great Qian.
And to paint a few grand illusions while he was at it.
He grumbled inwardly, but his face remained completely calm.
However, the threshold for this palace banquet was much higher than that of a company's annual party.
Not just anyone could go.
Only high-ranking officials who had reached a certain grade would receive invitations from the palace. And for a noble household like the Marquis Weiyuan's estate, there were only two people qualified to attend—
First was the Old Madam. She was the former Marchioness of Weiyuan, who had followed the late Old Marquis onto the battlefield and had been granted the title of a Second-Rank Noble Lady; the weight of her title went without saying.
Second was Marquis Weiyuan Pei Fucheng. He had inherited the title, stationed at the borders, gone to the battlefield, and achieved military merits, so he was naturally on the invitation list.
As for the Marchioness, Madam Li...
Although she also had a noble title, it was exchanged using the Marquis's military merits. Since she had made no contributions herself, her conferred rank fell just short of the requirement, so she was not among the invited.
But this was not a problem.
People of high rank and esteemed status were qualified to bring someone to the banquet.
For instance, the Old Madam could bring a female family member, and Marquis Weiyuan Pei Fucheng could bring a male family member. It was just that these candidates needed to be decided in advance and reported to the palace so that the Palace Administration could arrange the seating ahead of time.
At this time in previous years, the Old Madam naturally brought Madam Li—this was to give her face as the Marchioness and was the "legitimate eldest" posture that the Marquis Weiyuan's estate displayed to the outside world.
The Marquis brought the heir, Pei Ciling.
Because he was the heir to the title, he needed to show his face on these occasions, familiarize himself with the court figures early on, and get to know the dignitaries he would have to deal with in the future.
As for the second branch...
Pei Cijing knew the situation perfectly well in his heart.
Firstly, the second branch was born of a concubine. Secondly, his father, Pei Fugui, had no official position himself and had absolutely nothing to do with this matter. Therefore, in previous years, who the Old Madam and the Marquis brought to the banquet had always been an internal matter for the first branch. It had nothing to do with the second branch and did not need to be discussed in front of the whole family.
But today, the Old Madam had deliberately gathered the whole family.
Could it be—
The situation had changed?
Pei Cijing pondered secretly in his heart and stole a glance at Shen Ninghuan beside him.
His wife was indeed his wife; she still sat gracefully and properly. Not a single ripple could be seen in her eyes, as if what the Old Madam said was nothing more than a common remark like "the weather is nice today."
Her fair hands were folded and placed on her lap, her posture so elegant it could be painted.
Pei Cijing withdrew his gaze.
And continued waiting for the Old Madam to speak.
The Old Madam rolled the prayer beads for another round, swept her gaze over everyone, and spoke slowly, "For this year's palace banquet, Cijing and Ninghuan, the two of you will be brought along. Prepare yourselves well these next few days; do not lose your manners."
As her voice fell, the hall fell silent for a moment.
That momentary silence was like a stone thrown into a deep pool; the water surface stalled at first, and only then slowly rippled.
Pei Cijing had anticipated this and knew there would be a change, but he was still stunned for a second.
Bring him?
And his wife?
He subconsciously looked at his parents opposite him.
Pei Fugui had a smile on his round face, his eyes narrowed into slits. The smile grew wider and wider, until his entire face looked like a blooming chrysanthemum. Madam Zhou's eyes were curved as she looked at him and Shen Ninghuan, but in the depths of both their eyes was unconcealable pleasant surprise, along with a bit of... disbelief.
Obviously, the second branch had not expected such a good thing to happen either.
Pei Cijing looked up at the seat of honor again.
Marquis Weiyuan Pei Fucheng's expression remained unchanged, showing no emotion, but there was also not a hint of surprise. His brow was completely calm, clearly indicating that he already knew about this matter and had no objections.
On the other hand, the Marchioness, Madam Li—
Her expression changed slightly.
The change was very subtle—just her mouth pressing down a bit, her brow twitching slightly, and her fingers tightening around her handkerchief—but it could not escape Pei Cijing's eyes.
Madam Li opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, and ultimately could not hold back, saying, "Mother, is this appropriate? In the past, you always brought me and the heir..."
Before she could finish her words.
The Old Madam's gaze swept over.
That gaze was as cold as a knife in the twelfth lunar month, devoid of any warmth, yet sharp enough to carve out one's heart. Even though it was just a faint glance, it caused the second half of Madam Li's sentence to get stuck right in her throat.
Her face paled.
She lowered her eyes.
And dared not say another word.
The atmosphere in the hall subtly froze for a moment.
Marquis Weiyuan Pei Fucheng slowly turned his head and looked at his wife. There was no sharpness in his gaze, only a bit of complexity—helplessness, disappointment, and a trace of an indescribable sigh.
"Whomever Mother wishes to bring is naturally Mother's right," he spoke, his voice not loud but every word clear, echoing in the silent hall. "Cijing's imperial examination is approaching. Since he has this desire to advance, is there any problem with me, as his eldest uncle, bringing him to the banquet to broaden his horizons?"
He paused, his tone deepening a bit.
"Mother and I have already decided on this matter. Do you have any objections?"
Madam Li kept her head down, her voice muffled, as if squeezed out from her throat: "I... have no objections."
Pei Fucheng glanced at her.
And said nothing more.
Only the fingers of his hand resting on his knee tightened slightly for a moment before slowly relaxing again.
This wife of his.
She didn't actually have any major flaws.
She was neither vicious nor harmful to others, and she could be considered diligent in managing the household.
But her mind was ultimately not sharp enough, and her heart and tolerance were not broad enough. Her eyes were only fixed on her own little plot of land; she saw the small family of the first branch, but could not see the large family of the entire Marquis's estate.
When things happened, she was still so easily muddled!
In previous years, when Mother took her along, it was to give her face as the Marquis's wife. But this year, by not taking her, there were naturally considerations behind it. She didn't even think about the scandal that had occurred in the first branch this year.
Was it appropriate for them to attend the palace banquet?
Wouldn't it just invite ridicule?
She was still dreaming of finding a wife for the heir at the palace banquet, not even considering whether others would look favorably upon them.
Furthermore, taking her nephew and nephew's wife along now, aside from the stated reasons, was also a form of compensation to the second branch. At the same time, it sent a message to the outside world: the Marquis's estate remained harmonious.
It could be considered a way to salvage some of the estate's reputation...
Yet she didn't ask for the reasons or consider the big picture. Her first reaction was simply, "This is inappropriate." In her eyes, dignity and face belonged to her, and should always belong to her. If someone else took it, she considered it stealing.
She didn't even think about the profound meaning behind every single decision.
She didn't even think about how Mother's decisions needed no questioning from her. Could she be as wise as Mother? If she couldn't be smart, then she should learn to listen to those who understood reason!
Pei Fucheng's gaze shifted away from Madam Li and landed on Pei Ciling, who was sitting silently to the side.
Pei Ciling sat upright, his expression calm, as if the minor storm just now had nothing to do with him. He merely lowered his eyes, looking at the teacup in front of him. The tea had already gone completely cold, but he remained completely unaware, just staring at it quietly.
A trace of complexity flashed through Pei Fucheng's eyes.
This unfilial son.
He had actually managed to keep his composure.
It seemed that during his days serving in the Three Thousand Battalion, he had indeed gained some steadiness. He was no longer the fool who was led by the nose by a woman and caused such a scandal.
If he could just keep improving like this.
That would be good...
He withdrew his gaze, not continuing his train of thought.
Meanwhile, after the Old Madam glared daggers at Madam Li from head to toe, glaring so fiercely that Madam Li felt a chill in her heart and lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone, the Old Madam withdrew her gaze and didn't utter a word of reprimand.
The eldest son's own wife was best left for him to manage.
This Madam Li, too.
At this age, well into her forties.
She was a mother herself; if she were capable of improving, she would have done so long ago. As her mother-in-law, she had said enough in previous years, and now she was too lazy to say anything more.
She then turned to Pei Cijing and Shen Ninghuan. Her gaze softened, and her tone became a bit gentler. "The matter is settled then. You two prepare well these coming days. Especially Cijing, as it is his first time entering the palace. Ninghuan, you must teach him well, so he absolutely does not lose his manners."
Pei Cijing's mouth twitched slightly.
Was he really that frivolous?
Was he really that untrustworthy?
Although he was usually a bit laid-back, he was still very serious on formal occasions, alright?
It was just like attending an annual company party. Thinking back to his previous life, his company had annual parties too, and he had even gone on stage to receive an award on behalf of his department! When receiving the award, his speech was appropriate and his behavior was dignified; he hadn't embarrassed his department in the slightest.
Of course, he didn't dare say this out loud.
Beside him, Shen Ninghuan had already stood up. She curtsied slightly, her voice as gentle as the spring breeze in March. "Rest assured, Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law understands. Over the next few days, I will properly instruct my husband and explain the palace rules and etiquette one by one. There absolutely will not be any mistakes."
Since his wife had made her stance clear.
Pei Cijing followed her lead. He hurriedly stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and put on a serious face. "Your grandson will strictly follow Grandmother's teachings."
The Old Madam looked at him, her gaze carrying a bit of scrutiny, a bit of expectation, and a bit of... faint amusement.
She could actually tell.
Cijing had been a smart child since he was little. However, perhaps because the second branch lived too comfortably, he had lost his drive to succeed, which was why he always looked so lazy and undisciplined in the past.
The switched marriage might be a scandal for the first branch.
But for this child, it might have been a good thing. After marrying Ninghuan, he had someone to supervise and guide him. He was making progress in his studies, and he looked much more energetic. Now, he was much more pleasing to the eye.
She nodded, her tone carrying a rare gentleness. "Alright, you are all dismissed."
Everyone stood up and bowed.
They withdrew one by one.
...
After leaving Yifu Hall, Pei Cijing and Shen Ninghuan walked side by side toward Anle Residence.
The winter afternoon sun shone on them, warm and cozy, making one want to stretch lazily. The wind chimes under the corridor swayed gently in the breeze, making a tinkling sound.
Pei Cijing didn't walk fast, but his gaze was a bit distant.
A palace banquet!
In two lifetimes, he had never been inside an imperial palace!
In his previous life, he had finally managed to take annual leave and traveled to the capital. He queued for half a day at the entrance of the Forbidden City, only to encounter a closure for maintenance and completely missed out on going inside.
Later, he thought he would come back next time, but there was always a next time.
Before he could make up for the regret.
He was sent to the afterlife by a watermelon seed, failing to fulfill this small wish.
This lifetime was great; he was going directly into the palace as a guest for a banquet!
'I wonder what the imperial palace looks like?'
'Is it really like what the books say, with floors paved with golden bricks and jade pillars coiled with dragons? Is it really like what the operas sing, a new scenery every three steps and a picturesque view every five? Is there really a legendary imperial garden filled with exotic flowers and rare herbs?'
'Ah, and the most important thing.'
'I wonder how the food from the imperial kitchen tastes?'
'The skills of the imperial chefs should be better than our own restaurant's, right? Do they have the legendary Manchu Han Imperial Feast? Is there the kind of peerless delicacy that makes you feel like you are floating up to the heavens with just one bite?'
'If there is a chance, can I pack some up to bring back? So Father and Mother can taste it too...'
As Pei Cijing thought about this, the corners of his lips couldn't help but curve up, and his eyes brightened considerably.
Shen Ninghuan walked beside him. Catching a glimpse of his expression from the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but smile.
This husband of hers.
He was truly a glutton!
When others attended a palace banquet, they thought about broadening their horizons. He, on the other hand, was only curious about whether the palace food was tasty. Look at those eyes, shining as bright as a mouse that just stole some oil.
She didn't expose him, only coughing lightly. "What are you thinking about, Husband?"
Pei Cijing snapped back to reality and hastily reined in the smile on his face, saying solemnly, "Nothing. I was just thinking about what etiquette I should pay attention to since it's my first time entering the palace. I absolutely cannot embarrass the Marquis's estate."
Shen Ninghuan looked at his "I am very serious" appearance, and her smile deepened.
"Rest assured, Husband," she said gently. "I will teach you carefully over the next few days. Although there are many rules in the palace, they are not difficult; you just need to memorize them. Besides—"
"Since you are so smart, Husband, you will surely learn them immediately."
Pei Cijing felt a bit lightheaded from the praise, but he still held his ground and said, "That's only natural. Your husband might not be good at other things, but my memory is excellent. It's just some rules, a piece of cake!"
Although the imperial palace had many rules.
They shouldn't be too hard to learn, right? Right...
