To Be A Virtuous Wife

The birthday banquet arrives! You guys are amazing with your comments! Qu Qing Ju’s stepmother seems to be a very simple person… …

Chapter Nine Valued Guests

It had already entered autumn and the weather had gradually become colder. All over Chang De Gong Fu was an atmosphere of cheer as a variety of carriages parked inside. The gatekeepers had bowed to the point their waists couldn't straighten but kept smiles on their faces to welcome people inside the main gates.

At ermen, the Chang De Duke's only son and his nephew through his wife enthusiastically welcomed the coming guests. The two were still very young and received compliments of being promising youths.

In the recent years, Chang De Gong Fu had declined further and further but nothing could beat the fact that they gave birth to a good daughter that married Duan Wang to become a wang fei. No matter what they though inside, they still had to do all the formalities. If they didn't act on behalf of the monk, they still had to respect the Buddha. All of them still had to respect Duan Wang.

Thankfully, this Chang De Gong Fu was Duan Wang's in-laws so the benefits of coming in person and giving presents were higher than the cost.

"The Duke of Chang De's fortunes are as good as the North Sea is deep." The one that spoke was the Marquis of Bao Rong. He was only a middling character in the city of Jing but the Duke of Chang De didn't dare offend him and came up to greet him.

"It's nothing, nothing. Thanks, Marquis, for coming all this way." The duke took the other's hand as they walked towards the main hall. The other didn't remain courteous and as they walked, he said, "Today is your birthday, I wonder when will Duan wang ye arrive. When the time comes, I will have to rely on the duke to introduce me to wang ye."

When the Duke of Chang De heard this, he didn't feel so good inside. The message that Duan Wang Fu returned said clearly that wang fei will come, but as to whether wang ye would come or not, that wasn't confirmed. The words of the Marquis of Bao Rong stirred irritation in the Duke of Changde's heart at his married daughter for not having any skill at conquering wang ye's heart and forcing him to feel so awkward.

"Of course, of course," The duke smiled as he ushered the other person into the room to disguise his awkwardness.

The Marquis of Bao Rong smiled and said: "Since the duke is busy, I'll walk myself in, no need to be so courteous." Finishing, he entered the hall. Inside, he really was mocking the duke. Maybe others didn't know but he was clear, that daughter that the Qu Family married into Duan Wang Fu wasn't liked one iota by wang ye. It would be a strange thing indeed if wang ye did come participate in the Duke of Changde's birthday banquet.

Did he think that if his daughter was a wang fei, he was a relative of the Imperial Family? Pah!

In the gardens of neiyuan, Liang shi was receiving the womenfolk. Seeing that this year was busier than last year, Liang shi felt conflicted. In past years, these people only sent presents but didn't come personally. Today, they all had the spare time. It was all because that Qu Qing Qu became a wang fei. These people were still scorning her for not treating Qu Qing Ju well, as though if they said it, they were much more noble.

"The way I see it, furen really is lucky. The eldest daughter is Duan Wang Fei, and this third daughter looks like a flower," The Marquess of Bao Rong stopped and looked meaningfully at the shu last year." The Duke of Chang De saw that wang ye's tone was calm, and didn't dare to exaggerate, only telling the truth

This Duan Wang was only about twenty years old but he just wasn't someone that could be overlooked. The Duke of Chang De felt rueful, he was definitely an imperial son.

"This young man is the duke's only son. He is still young, the duke shouldn't put too much pressure." He Heng nodded, "Ben wang has heard of Dong Shan College, many famous scholars have come from there. Ben wang heard that your furen had the rare dragon-and-phoenix twins that year. This young man will be accomplished in the future."

"No, no, wang ye is too complimentary." As a father, he naturally liked others compliment his son. Additionally, Wang Zhi and Yue Su were a pair of dragon-and-phoenix twins which was rare in Jing Capital. That had been the subject of much pride for many years. But at this time, he didn't see the iciness in He Heng's eyes.

Qu Wang Zhi, who had been walking at the back, heard the discussion between the two men. Thinking of his mother's dislike towards his eldest sister, he couldn't help but think, now that eldest sister was a wang fei, would she purposefully take revenge against them? If it was third sister that became wang fei, it was much better. Mother wouldn't have to be angry over eldest sister.

In the gardens, Liang shi and the Marquess of Bao Rong finished their duel of words and heard a yahuan hurried walked inside: "Furen, Duan Wang Fei has arrived."

The people present were not as highly ranked as Duan Wang Fei. Hearing the announcement, they all stood. As much as Liang shi didn't wish to, she still had to stand and wait by the Door of Hanging Flowers[3] to receive.

When she had walked to the Door of Hanging Flowers, she saw a sedan made of fragrant wood with inlaid jewels stop by the door. Before the sedan could be lowered, a host of mama and yahuan crowded around, their expressions full of cautiousness and reverence.

She smiled coldly. It was really a pheasant become a phoenix. Even her behaviour had become outrageous.

[1] 庶(shu): children born of a concubine, as opposed to those born from the wife as di

[2] 秀才: person that passed the county-level imperial exams

[3] 垂花门: Drooping flower door/gate