Lu Nian Fu was suddenly back in her previous life.
Back then, she attended various banquets with the title of Prince Ning's concubine, and she was met with these kinds of strange glances. Even though they had made a lot of money by relying on her, the richest person, they were still merciless in their gossip behind her back.
It was as if her past life in the brothel meant she deserved to be trampled under their feet, and that she should be grateful for even a polite smile.
Bah.
She scanned the faces she once knew well, turning a blind eye to the blatant disdain in their gazes. Ungrateful wretches, she wouldn't help them earn a single coin in this lifetime. Speaking of which, now that her husband had become Prince Rui, could her business expand a little?
With money in hand, things were easier. If Gu Yan Chen were to lead troops into battle again, she could at least ensure the supply of money and grain from the rear.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and the din of the banquet, Lu Nian Fu openly drifted off, further provoking the strong dissatisfaction of the other ladies.
A merchant's daughter is still a merchant's daughter. She's a nobody who can't ascend to high society, and even if she flies to a branch, she can't become a phoenix. Does she think she can secure the position of Prince Rui's wife just because she's become a Duke's daughter? And she dares to be so arrogant? Heh, they'll just wait and see her make a fool of herself.
"Sister." Zeng Wei Yang tugged at her sleeve. "What are you thinking about?"
"I think the flowers in the Imperial Garden are really beautiful. Why don't we take a stroll?"
"Ah? Isn't that inappropriate? All these madams and young ladies are watching you. Besides, today is Prince Rui's grand occasion, shouldn't you be here to host guests?"
Lu Nian Fu was unconcerned. "The banquet is arranged by the Ministry of Rites, I don't need to interfere. Besides, if I really stayed here to host, these madams would feel slighted."
Zeng Wei Yang, accustomed to being on the fringes, whispered, "You still can't leave, can you? They'll say you're ill-mannered behind your back."
"But even if I sit here, what good words could they say about me?"
Lu Nian Fu found it incredibly tedious to sit here like a monkey on display, being watched and gossiped about.
Seeing that she couldn't persuade Lu Nian Fu, Zeng Wei Yang was unwilling to leave. She clutched her forehead and said, "Sister, I feel a bit dizzy."
Her only way out in this life was to marry into a wealthy family, and this kind of opportunity today was truly rare. She still wanted to show herself off more.
"Then you sit here. I'll go by myself." Lu Nian Fu hadn't insisted on her company in the first place. Seeing her reluctance, she bid farewell and walked towards the blooming flowers. After only a few steps, she saw a woman dressed in opulent attire, leading a few palace maids, approaching her. The woman carried herself with grace, her skirt undisturbed as she moved, only the phoenix hairpin on her head gently swayed with her steps, reflecting dazzling brilliance under the sun.
She stopped in front of Lu Nian Fu and said with a smile, "This must be my seventh sister-in-law, correct?"
Lu Nian Fu looked at the noble and elegant woman before her and recognized her as Crown Princess Fu Ying Xiao. After all, the status of Prince Rui's legitimate wife was different from that of Prince Ning's concubine. In her previous life, the Crown Princess had never even deigned to look at her.
Of course, in this life, Lu Nian Fu was supposed to be unfamiliar with the Crown Princess.
She showed a hint of surprise, and a palace maid beside Fu Ying Xiao spoke up, "Wang Fei of Rui, this is the Crown Princess."
Lu Nian Fu feigned a moment of surprise, then gracefully bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Princess."
Fu Ying Xiao smiled, "We are sisters-in-law, there's no need for such formality. Just call me Second Sister-in-law. Come, I'll take you to meet some people."
Given the other party's cordiality, Lu Nian Fu couldn't refuse. She readily agreed, "Then I shall trouble Second Sister-in-law."
Fu Ying Xiao indeed took Lu Nian Fu's hand and began introducing her to people. Naturally, the ladies she introduced were those who supported the Crown Prince. Seeing the Crown Princess actively showing kindness to Lu Nian Fu, they couldn't help but re-evaluate her.
Their smiles towards Lu Nian Fu became more sincere.
"Her Majesty the Empress arrives, Her Ladyship the Noble Consort arrives, Her Ladyship the Virtuous Consort arrives."
The eunuch's unique high-pitched voice always carried far. The ladies present quickly assumed their positions to greet the royal party. Shortly after, the Empress, leading a retinue of imperial consorts, made her grand entrance.
"All rise, please. Today is a joyous occasion for Prince Rui to reclaim his lineage. Let's forgo these mundane formalities and enjoy yourselves."
The Empress was very pleased with Fu Ying Xiao's proactive approach in befriending Lu Nian Fu. Ying Xiao was indeed sensible, knowing to win over Prince Rui's wife. Noble Consort Jian, however, frowned. The Crown Prince, or Prince Rui, both were figures she was wary of. One was already difficult enough to deal with; if the two of them joined forces, what hope would her son have for the throne?
The Empress was truly unreliable.
She had just agreed to cooperate in suppressing Prince Rui first, but in the blink of an eye, she had her Crown Princess forging ties with Prince Rui's wife.
Could it be that she saw Prince Rui's maternal and paternal families as lacking the power to achieve anything, and thus was trying to win him over for her own use?
Vicious. That woman was truly vicious.
Noble Consort Jian pondered many things. By the time she snapped back to attention, the Crown Princess had already led Lu Nian Fu to the Empress. The Empress smiled with great kindness and benevolence, "Oh, this must be Prince Rui's wife, isn't it? You're so pretty. I hear you're from Jiangnan?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, this humble one's ancestral home is in Xiangshui Town, Yangzhou."
"It has always been said that Yangzhou produces beauties, and it is indeed true." The Empress removed a jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it on Lu Nian Fu's hand. "I took an instant liking to you. Consider this bracelet a welcoming gift. Also, in my presence, you should refer to yourself as daughter-in-law."
So, the royal family was so detestable.
They clearly felt no closeness and had no desire to be close, yet due to etiquette, these appellations were reserved for the most intimate of people.
Lu Nian Fu feigned shyness, but inwardly felt immense helplessness. "This daughter-in-law understands."
"Very good. Go and pay your respects to Sister Jian. Later, if she gives you a meager gift, she'll be upset."
Noble Consort Jian curved her lips, "Naturally, I wouldn't dare outdo my sister."
Then, she took a box from her palace maid. Inside lay a golden hairpin. The style was a bit dated, but it was undeniably heavy. "Little Seventh's wife, it's our first meeting, and I wasn't sure what to give. I heard you came from a merchant background, and merchants love wealth. This golden hairpin is the perfect gift for you. If you don't like it, you can sell it for its weight in gold, can't you?"
She had started by mocking her background.
Lu Nian Fu inwardly tutted. This woman was just like her in her previous life.
She nodded and said, "Your Ladyship the Noble Consort speaks wisely. It's remarkable that someone of your status has such a common item in your storeroom. You are truly thoughtful."
Noble Consort Jian's eyes narrowed. This little brat dared to insinuate things to her.
She touched her freshly painted nails and said coldly, "You understand then. Accept it."
Lu Nian Fu didn't stand on ceremony. It was free gold, after all. She might as well take it, considering it as interest paid on her son's behalf.
Next was Consort Hui. Consort Hui held her hand and praised her profusely, then presented her with a set of blue sapphire jewelry, which was even more presentable than the Empress's bracelet. Noble Consort Jian pursed her lips. The Empress wanted to win over the newly prominent Prince Rui, so she naturally had to spend a bit.
But what was Consort Hui after?
Everyone knew that Prince Yong had no chance of ascending the throne. With the money spent on gifts, she might as well save it for her retirement.
These were the three most influential consorts in the harem. The ones with lower ranks could come out to join the fun, but it was unrealistic to expect the Prince's wife to pay her respects to them. If Lu Nian Fu hadn't already been registered in the imperial genealogy, these low-ranking consorts would have had to pay her courtesies instead.
While the three in the harem had varied reactions, the other ladies naturally followed suit. Although Noble Consort Jian's displeasure was evident, she couldn't resist the Empress and Consort Hui's cordiality towards Lu Nian Fu, so many ladies gathered around her.
Their conversation wasn't exactly flattering, but compared to the previous coldness and disdain, it was indeed much more obsequious.
Lu Nian Fu felt disgusted, but Zeng Wei Yang was quite pleased, managing to get herself remembered by many distinguished madams. Of course, immediate marriage proposals were unlikely.
Even though she was Prince Rui's wife's younger sister, it was still uncertain whether Prince Rui's wife could secure her position. Looking at the Emperor's favor towards Prince Rui today, how could he only marry a merchant's daughter?
Even if he didn't divorce her, he would likely take in two girls from prominent families as secondary wives.
At that time, that merchant's daughter would just have to wait for a severe loss.