Chapter 301: Chapter 262: Going with the Flow

A few days later, the noble families of various mansions received invitations from the Cheng’an Hou Mansion, inviting them to attend the banquet celebrating the legitimate eldest son’s return to the family.

Not long ago, the National Guardian General had just found his wife and daughter, and that banquet was remarkably grand, especially the scene where the National Guardian General personally welcomed his wife and daughter home, which was extremely spectacular.

With the National Guardian General’s banquet as a comparison, everyone paid special attention to the arrangements of Cheng’an Hou Mansion. Back then, the National Guardian General’s arrangements were considered top-notch, with each table consisting of precious dishes. The silver coin spent on the dishes alone amounted to several thousand taels, not to mention the exquisite wines and desserts. Some people estimated that the banquet cost over ten thousand taels of silver.

However, the banquet at Cheng’an Hou Mansion was different. In the presence of everyone, Zhou Wangshu and Su Yaoguang first registered into the Xia Family’s genealogy, officially returning to the family with the blessings of the elders.

The entire ceremony was very elaborate, making people want to doze off. Many guests couldn’t bear it and went out for a stroll mid-way, planning to return to dine after the ceremony was complete.

"The grand young master and the grand young mistress have returned to the family, recorded in the genealogy, ceremony completed, serve the wine."

With the oldest elder in the family announcing the completion of the ceremony, a servant presented the wine. As long as Zhou Wangshu and Su Yaoguang drank that glass of wine, today’s ceremony would come to an end.

Zhou Wangshu and Su Yaoguang drank the wine.

Jiang Yihuan stood among the crowd, watching Su Yaoguang and Zhou Wangshu drink that glass of wine, her eyes full of excitement.

However, she waited and waited, but did not see the result she was expecting.

What’s going on?

Wasn’t there supposed to be poison in that glass of wine?

She had specifically arranged for her maidservant to administer the poison, waiting for it to take effect on the spot and see Cheng’an Hou Mansion and the National Guardian General tear each other apart, causing a scene.

"What’s going on?" she asked the maidservant.

The maidservant shook her head fearfully, saying, "Master, I really did put it in, I don’t know what went wrong."

Zhou Wangshu and Su Yaoguang parted ways, Zhou Wangshu went to entertain the male guests, while Su Yaoguang followed Marchioness Cheng’an to greet the female guests.

Jiang Yihuan frowned and said, "No, I have to find another opportunity to try again, or today will be a missed chance."

A maidservant brushed past her.

Jiang Yihuan found a note in her palm.

She clenched her palm, walked to the corner and, seeing no one was watching, unfolded the note to read it.

The note contained only an address: Linqi Courtyard.

"Go find out if there is a Linqi Courtyard in the mansion," Jiang Yihuan instructed the maidservant beside her.

The maidservant went to inquire and quickly returned, revealing the location of Linqi Courtyard.

Jiang Yihuan speculated that it was Xiao Yanci who had sent someone with the note. He must have seen Su Yaoguang and Zhou Wangshu fail to get poisoned and wanted to ask why she didn’t follow the plan. She needed to explain herself, or else that wretch might slander her in front of Marquis Jing’an, ruining her life of prosperity, which would be a huge loss.

Jiang Yihuan did not let the maidservant follow, and went to Linqi Courtyard alone.

Linqi Courtyard was empty, uninhabited, but it was kept quite clean.

Jiang Yihuan pushed the door open and immediately sensed that this was a perfect place for a secret meeting, further confirming that the note was sent by Xiao Yanci.

Today was the auspicious day for Zhou Wangshu’s recognition and return to his clan. Su Rende and his wife, as relatives by marriage, were certainly present. The people of Cheng’an Hou Mansion were very courteous to them, creating an atmosphere filled with joy and harmony.

Su Yaoguang graciously greeted the female guests.

In her previous life, she often faced difficulties and ridicule from those noblewomen at such banquets; to avoid embarrassing Xiao Yanci, she worked hard to become an official wife, tried to integrate into their circle, and strove to make herself seem less out of place.

Now, she no longer had to please others or seek their approval. Even if she acted rudely, no one mocked her openly, and even if there were any unpleasant incidents, people would first ask if she was injured.

The banquet at Cheng’an Hou Mansion fell far short compared to that of the National Guardian General Mansion.

The noble circle was fond of comparisons, but given the standing of the National Guardian General Mansion, except for the Imperial Family, no official family dared to host such an extravagant affair.

"Fire! Fire!" someone shouted loudly.

Upon hearing the alarm, everyone quickly left the banquet and ran outside.

As they ran out of the courtyard where the banquet was held, they found that the fire site was not far from there; even if they wanted to leave Cheng’an Hou Mansion, they had to pass through it, so they rushed toward that direction.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.