Chapter 79 -

Chapter 79: Chapter

By the time Lin Fang returned with the heavy sacks of fresh ginger, dried licorice root, and mountain spring water, the sky outside had already turned a deep, bruised purple. Night was falling fast over the capital.

"We have everything, Young Madame!" Lin Fang panted, wiping sweat from his forehead as he set the supplies down in her office. "The ingredients are top quality. I made sure of it."

"Good work, Lin Fang," Yimei said, inspecting the rich, fragrant roots. "Have the servants pack everything into wooden crates so they are ready for the morning. We leave for the Minister’s mansion at dawn."

Outside, the heavy rattle of wooden wheels signaled that the Bai family carriage had arrived at the back entrance of Wenlong Teahouse.

"Young Madame, the driver says it’s getting late," Qinqin said, holding out Yimei’s dark green cloak. "We should head back before the estate gates close."

Yimei nodded, wrapping the cloak tightly around her shoulders. She, Qinqin, and Lin Fang stepped out into the chilly night air and climbed into the carriage. As the vehicle bounced along the cobblestone streets, Yimei had the driver stop at the nearest crossroad to drop Lin Fang off near his house so he could rest before the long day ahead.

With the carriage moving again, Yimei leaned her head against the wooden wall, mentally reviewing tomorrow’s brewing schedule.

Before long, the carriage pulled up to the side entrance of the Bai Manor. Yimei and Qinqin stepped down into the dark, quiet alleyway and walked through the side gates, making their way toward the quiet pathways leading to their broken courtyard.

They hadn’t even reached the courtyard entrance when a young maid rushed out from behind a moon gate, looking extremely anxious. It was Xiao Lu, one of the maids assigned to their wing.

"Young Madame! You’re finally back!" Xiao Lu gasped, bowing quickly with her hands trembling.

Yimei stopped, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "What’s wrong, Xiao Lu? Why are you waiting out here in the cold?" ℴ

"Old Madame Bai sent word an hour ago, Young Madame," the maid whispered nervously, checking over her shoulder. "She ordered that the moment you returned to the manor, you were to report directly to the Main Hall to see her. She is waiting for you right now."

Qinqin gasped softly, clutching Yimei’s sleeve. "Young Madame... do you think the Second or Third branch said something to Grandmother after you left this morning?"

"Let them talk all they want," Yimei replied coolly, her expression unreadable. She turned on her heel, her silk dress sweeping the ground. "Come, Qinqin. Let’s go see what Grandmother wants."

Yimei walked with steady, elegant steps into the main hall. The moment she crossed the threshold, she paused.

The room was completely packed.

To her surprise, almost every woman of the Bai household was present. Madame Liu, Madame Chen, and Madame Zhang sat in their usual places, looking like a flock of bitter crows. Next to them sat the sister-in-laws, as well as An Yulan, who was sitting gracefully near the corner, sipping her tea.

Grandmother Bai sat high in the center chair, her hand resting heavily on her wooden staff. When her sharp eyes landed on Yimei, the cold posture of the old matriarch relaxed just a fraction.

"Yimei, you’ve returned," Grandmother Bai welcomed her, her voice ringing clearly across the quiet hall. "Come in, sit."

A collective wave of cold sneers and irritated shifts echoed through the room. None of the other ladies looked even remotely happy to see her. Madame Liu’s lip curled into a bitter scowl, while An Yulan dug her fingers into her silk handkerchief, her eyes burning with pure green jealousy. They had clearly been waiting for hours, hoping Grandmother was about to punish Yimei for being out of the manor all day.

Yimei didn’t give them the satisfaction of a reaction. She smoothly smoothed her skirts, bowed respectfully to the matriarch, and took her seat.

"Grandmother," Yimei said softly, putting on her picture-perfect, innocent smile. "May I ask why everyone is gathered here so late into the evening?"

Grandmother Bai rested both hands on her wooden staff and looked around the room. "The Minister of War’s family is holding a grand engagement banquet for their daughter tomorrow. The Xiao family sent formal invitations to our Bai household, specifically asking for the young ladies, the married couples, and the madames to attend."

She turned her sharp gaze directly toward Yimei and Zhengyu’s seat. "Yimei, you and Zhengyu are invited, along with An Yulan, her husband, and your sister-in-laws."

The entire room erupted in hushed, excited gasps. An Yulan instantly straightened her back, her eyes sparkling with pride as she looked around at the other ladies, as if she were already the guest of honor. Madame Liu smirked smugly, fanning herself with grand satisfaction.

Yimei, however, sat completely still.

Inside, she almost wanted to laugh out loud. So Xiao Jun’s sister is the one throwing this massive banquet. She already had the full guest list sitting in her room and was literally taking over the Xiao mansion kitchen at dawn to brew her special ginger and licorice root tea for every noble present!

Instead of showing a single hint of what she knew, Yimei gasped softly, putting her hand over her chest. She widened her eyes in perfect, flawless surprise, looking just like an innocent young madame who was hearing the news for the very first time.

"The Minister of War’s family?" Yimei said, her voice filled with polite wonder. "What an immense honor for our Bai household. Grandmother, we will certainly prepare ourselves well so we do not bring shame to the family name tomorrow."

Grandmother Bai nodded, looking very pleased with Yimei’s modest and humble reaction.

Across the room, An Yulan sneered silently, thinking Yimei was simply overwhelmed by the thought of attending such a high-society event. Little did anyone in that hall know, while they were preparing to show off their fine dresses as mere guests, Yimei was about to control the entire flavor of the banquet from behind the scenes.