Chapter 60: Attending the Banquet

Chapter 60

Attending the Banquet

The festival concluded successfully amidst the admiration of the townspeople. Now, in the Huangjing City, no one was unfamiliar with the name of the Lady Boss and the Xiangyun Tea House. Everyone spoke eagerly of wanting this festival to be held annually.

Nie Shuang hurried back to the mansion to prepare for that evening’s banquet. She would be attending as the Young Furen of General Song, so her attire had to be especially meticulous. Xiao San and Xiao Tong had been sent to train in hairstyling since childhood by Nie Shuang’s father, Nie Ran, so they could accompany her when she married out. As a result, their hairstyling skills were exceptional.

Nie Shuang chose a light purple gown embroidered with Chinese flowering crabapple, draped with a soft, smooth white shawl, and adorned with a precious jade tassel at her waist. Her hair was styled in elegant waves, revealing her thick, luscious locks that, when gathered up, exposed her long, fair neck. After dressing, Song Qilin entered to check on his wife, gazing at her reflection in the mirror, utterly mesmerized, and stepping closer to admire her up close.

“Did you bring the set of jewelry I once gifted you?”

He asked. Nie Shuang nodded and glanced at Xiao San.

“It’s just a private banquet; there’s no need to wear such extravagant jewelry,”

She gently protested. This wasn’t the capital, and people here were simpler. If she dressed too lavishly, people might look at her with envy.

“Shuang Shuang, none of those things compare to you. I want you to have only the finest. No one should even think about outshining you.”

Nie Shuang laughed. What kind of man spoke as though he were competing with other women at the banquet? Little did she know, Song Qilin’s only desire was to please her, ensuring she saw no one better than him. With Kang Wang being a formidable rival, especially with the fact that he would remain close to her while he had to leave for duty, he was deeply unsettled.

Xiao San returned with four jewelry boxes, displaying them on the table for Nie Shuang to choose from. In truth, she liked every set but eventually settled on the pink jade pieces. The hairpin was shaped like a flower with golden stamens crafted from real gold. The same pink jade was used to create matching floral hair combs, earrings, and delicate bracelets. After putting them on, Nie Shuang felt slightly tense, worried she might accidentally damage them.

The pink jade jewelry matched perfectly with her light purple gown, and the addition of a silver hairpin with hangings further enhanced her radiant appearance. Once she finished her makeup, she stood up and noticed Song Qilin silently watching her, his face serious.

She raised her eyebrows. What’s wrong now!? He looked like a dog that didn’t recognize its owner. Xiao San and Xiao Tong quickly excused themselves. Nie Shuang smiled at him.

"Qilin?"

The man approached and wrapped her tightly in his arms.

“My Shuang Shuang is so beautiful. I...don’t want anyone to see you like this...Can we just not go?”

His voice was hoarse as he buried his face into her neck. Nie Shuang laughed softly.

“Don’t be childish. We’ve already agreed to attend; how can we not go? Besides, there will be many beautiful women there. It’s not just me.”

“You’re the most beautiful—no one can compare,”

Song Qilin spoke stubbornly, still not releasing her from his embrace. Nie Shuang rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Qilin, if you behave tonight, when we return from the banquet, I will..."

Nie Shuang trailed off, not finishing her sentence but giving him a suggestive look. Her soft red lips moved without a sound, mouthing the words ’indulge you.’ Instantly, Song Qilin’s expression shifted to excitement.

"Really!? You can’t take it back! No pleading like last time either."

His eyes sparkled with anticipation, and his tone was slightly demanding. Nie Shuang smiled, her face tinged with embarrassment, which made Song Qilin almost unable to bear it.

“Let’s hurry and go then. We’re not the hosts tonight, so we don’t need to stay long. We’ll just show up, let people see us, and then leave quickly.”

He grabbed her soft hand and led her out of the room. Before they even left the mansion, he was already fussing over her. Nie Shuang’s figure was delicate, but her ample chest was noticeable, especially in her outfit—a gown with a wide neckline that revealed a hint of her white undershirt and the swell of her breasts. Song Qilin became increasingly dissatisfied, repeatedly adjusting her shawl to cover her chest. Finally, Nie Shuang had enough and slapped his hand away.

"Do you want everyone to pay attention to my chest or what?!"

Her skin was fair and smooth, and with her hair styled and dressed so elegantly, she looked stunning, making it hard for anyone to take their eyes off her. It wasn’t surprising that Song Qilin was so protective. Seeing his gaze, Nie Shuang blushed, her cheeks glowing a beautiful red.

"I’m just possessive. Besides our three little piglets, I don’t want anyone else to see,"

He said softly, his eyes drooping pitifully.

"Even if they see, it’s not like they can take anything. You’re thinking too much,"

Nie Shuang teased, walking ahead of him.

Though Nie Shuang was a well-known figure in Huangjing City, not everyone had seen her in person. Aside from the merchants she dealt with and some guests at the tea house, many had only heard rumors about her intelligence and skill. As their carriage arrived, the guests eagerly awaited a glimpse of the famed Lady Boss.

Song Qilin stepped down first, and as usual, his handsome, rugged features immediately caused the young women to steal a glance at him with fascination. He was tall and well-built, with sharp facial features—thick, slanted eyebrows, a prominent nose, thin lips, and piercing eyes that scanned the surroundings. But when he extended his hand to help his wife down from the carriage, his expression softened, exuding warmth and charm that made many hearts melt.

When Nie Shuang stepped down, her movements weren’t as demure as those of typical women, but they were filled with confidence. The young women who had once looked down on her were left speechless upon seeing her in person.

Was Lady Boss this beautiful in person?!

Walking side by side with the General, Nie Shuang entered the banquet. The servants of Kang Wang’s palace led them to a private reception room. Since it wasn’t yet time for the event to begin, Kang Wang was reclining on a daybed, resting. When he saw Nie Shuang, he immediately jumped up in delight.

"Shuang Shuang!"

He called her joyfully, his eyes sparkling with undisguised admiration.

"You look absolutely stunning today."

Song Qilin glared at his friend and stepped forward to block his wife’s figure from Kang Wang’s gaze.

"Your Highness, please mind your manners. Haven’t you memorized any etiquette you learned!?"

"What nonsense! Is there anything improper about admiring a beautiful woman!?"

Nie Shuang sat down and poured herself some tea, ignoring the two men. Eventually, they realized their behavior and quickly sat down on either side of her.

"Shuang Shuang...it was him who started it by picking a fight,"

Kang Wang quickly complained.

"No, it was because he looked at you with an untrustworthy gaze,"

Song Qilin retorted. Nie Shuang smiled faintly.

"No need to argue. I don’t like quarrelsome men."

“...”

After that, she never heard the two argue in front of her again.

A while later, when it was time, the three of them made their way to the banquet. Rows of scholars and teachers sat facing each other, with tables for their families and attendants behind them. The palace of Kang Wang, though simple and airy, was decorated elegantly. Kang Wang gave a speech to open the event, after which food and drink were brought in. The atmosphere became lively. Nie Shuang and Song Qilin sat beside Kang Wang, followed by Master He and Master Wang, both of whom had sons studying at the academy and had been invited. However, their real purpose for attending was not just to celebrate the festival. Each had a daughter of marriageable age—He Xiyou and Wang Sulie, both renowned beauties of Huangjing. Though they weren’t exactly friends, they weren’t rivals either. With their fathers, Master He and Master Wang, holding equal ranks, making them suitable to be friends. However, they found themselves in constant competition, neither of them willing to let the other be more prominent. The people of the city had to refer to them as the Twin Beauties of Huangjing.

In truth, if Nie Shuang were still unmarried, the title would undoubtedly have gone to her. But whether she held that title or not didn’t concern her in the least. She was far more focused on what new investments she could make with the overflowing wealth in her treasury. Thus, even if the beauties eyed her with jealousy, she paid no mind.

Song Qilin’s gaze rarely left his wife, making the other women at the banquet, who had carefully dressed for the occasion, feel neglected. It wasn’t just General Song—Kang Wang himself, seated at the head of the table, was also intently focused on her. No matter what she said, both men would listen attentively, laughing at her every word. Many attendees, their envy blazing, could hardly enjoy their meals.

After the meal, Song Qilin prepared to leave, but Kang Wang stopped him, as if knowing exactly what Song Qilin was planning. It seemed like he was teasing him on purpose. Nie Shuang smiled and sat back down, prompting her increasingly frustrated husband to follow suit. Kang Wang spoke in a cheerful tone.

"Today is the Qixi Festival. How could you leave without watching the calligraphy contest among the scholars? Let’s not forget that the Young Furen herself promised to award the winner with a prized box of valuable Hong Bao red tea, didn’t she?"Nie Shuang, finding it amusing, decided to stay. Watching the calligraphy and poetry competition sounded like a delightful experience. Seeing her interest, General Song reluctantly agreed to stay as well. Once the servants cleared away the food, the Four Treasures of the Study were brought out, immediately heightening the excitement in the room.