Chapter 63: The Famous Name Card of Yang Gong Fu

  Thank you for the four anniversary cakes from Yu Hou Tingyuan, Nini Ai, Baozi Bao, and Cardcat. Thank you Lizzy, Feng Guo Liu Xiang 01 for the pink tickets, Hong Dou Ni, Ansons for the reward of peace symbol...

  Oh, my neck has been aching so much lately ⊙n⊙b sweat

  Although Qingjin and Qingyao were both beautiful, one as stunning as a peony and the other as elegant as a lotus, they each had their own unique charm. However, in the eyes of those noblewomen, Qingjin's beauty was undoubtedly accompanied by a certain aggressiveness. The Anji Marquis Manor was currently favored by the Emperor, so being able to form an alliance with them was a good thing, but the daughter-in-law was too beautiful and too overbearing - this wasn't what they wanted to see.

  After all, in these big families, many couples are married for family interests. In the eyes of these ladies, it's hard to say whether their husbands are theirs or not. But the sons they give birth to are definitely theirs. They work hard to raise their sons to be strong and capable, so that they can have a son who will support them in old age and allow them to hold their heads high at home. If their son marries a daughter-in-law who is too beautiful or too strong-willed, and the son's heart is stolen by his wife, who can feel comfortable about it?

  So when they heard that Qingjin was already engaged, they all secretly let out a sigh of relief. When they looked at Gu Qingyao again, the expressions on their faces were clearly different. This girl was soft and weak, obviously easy to control.

  The Anji Marquis's family is currently in the limelight, and her father is also the emperor's lifesaver. Marrying her would be a good way to control things, and it would also provide an extra guarantee for their son's future prospects. Looking at Qingyao's etiquette and demeanor, it's clear that she has been carefully taught by someone. After marrying her, there's no need to worry about not being able to hold one's own in high society.

  After a stunning contrast with Gu Qingjin, she was even more satisfied. When she heard that Gu Qingjin had become engaged to the young mistress of a noble family, everyone immediately surrounded Gu's third aunt, Su Shi, and fourth younger sister, Gu Yinyao.

  Qing Jin looked at the ladies of those aristocratic families gathering around San Shu and Qing Yao, a hint of amusement flashing in her downcast eyes. She wondered how her aunt would handle these enthusiastic ladies.

  If things go as expected, Third Aunt will definitely not agree to any of the marriage proposals from the noblewomen present. I don't know what kind of reason she'll use to decline, and at the same time, avoid offending these noblewomen. It's worth noting that the noblewomen present are not those minor aristocratic families' wives that Anji Houfu has dealt with before. If things go wrong, not only will Third Aunt offend these noblewomen, but it may also affect Third Uncle's relationships in the imperial court.

  Just as Qingjin was sitting quietly waiting for the good show to begin, she found that she had obviously underestimated her third aunt, Su Shi. She didn't think that Su Shi, looking at the crowd of ladies who had gathered around, was only slightly caught off guard at first, but after a moment, she had already adjusted her mood and was chatting and laughing with the ladies, dispelling their notions with just a few words. And not offending any of the noblewomen present in the slightest.

  Listening to the ladies of the aristocratic families chatting about clothes and jewelry, Qingjin couldn't help but think that her third aunt was not simple. However, looking at the expressions of those ladies, they should have only temporarily dispelled their intention to form an alliance, and there will always be some who won't give up and will bring it up again at the next banquet. It's just unknown how Third Aunt will handle it then.

  After the banquet, Junshi and Sushi took Qingjin and Qingyao back to Anji Houfu.

  Returning to her room, after washing and changing clothes, Qingjin thought about tomorrow's banquet. If she met the lady from the aristocratic family again, they might bring up the engagement once more. Just as she was thinking about how Third Aunt would respond, a messenger arrived from Junshi's place with news that Qingjin didn't need to accompany Junshi to the banquet tomorrow.

  Upon hearing the news, Qingjin looked at Yuanyang beside her with a puzzled expression. As soon as Yuanyang met Qingjin's gaze, she immediately understood what Qingjin meant. She walked out and had a conversation with the young maid sent by Junshi, then came back and repeated to Qingjin what she had just said to the young maid.

  Originally, after San Shu Su entered the mansion, she didn't return to her own courtyard but instead went with Qing Jin's mother, Jun Shi, to Jun Shi's courtyard to discuss. She said it was to avoid today's incident and in the future when attending banquets, they wouldn't bring Qing Jin and Qing Yao along. After thinking for a moment, Jun Shi nodded in agreement with San Shu Su's proposal. Upon hearing the news from Yuanyang, Qing Jin couldn't help but laugh lightly. She had originally thought that San Shu was confident in refusing those aristocratic women, it seems that their enthusiasm really is more than San Shu can handle.

  It's better this way, every time following Mother Jun to attend a banquet, it's so hard to bear. For the sake of Anji Houfu's face, you have to sit with dignity and stand with poise, and listen to those aristocratic ladies discussing some old-fashioned and uninteresting topics, which is simply a double torture for both body and mind. Qingjin was thinking about what excuse she could use not to attend those boring banquets with Mother Jun next time, but unexpectedly Third Aunt proposed this suggestion, it's really in line with her wishes!

  Just like that, when the Jun and Su families went out to attend various banquets, Qingjin and Qingyao were idle. However, this peaceful life had not lasted for two days when Qingjin and the sisters of the Anji Houfu received an invitation from the Yang Gongfu in the capital city to a banquet for noble ladies.

  The host of the banquet was Yang Manor's eldest daughter, Yang Wenhua. Qingjin stared at the three characters "Yang Wenhua" on the back of the invitation, lost in thought.

  The Yang family, like the Anji Marquis's estate, is a centuries-old aristocratic family. However, unlike the Anji Marquis's estate, which might have declined completely in a few years if not for Qingjin's rescue, the Yang family is quite the opposite. Every generation or every few generations, the Yang family produces one or two outstanding individuals, either in literature or military affairs. As a result, the Yang family has continued to thrive over the years, while the Anji Marquis's estate has gradually declined due to its later generations being mediocre.

  If I'm not mistaken, the head of the Yang family in this generation is actually Yang Wen Hua's father, Old Master Yang.

  The Yang family has been prosperous for a hundred years, and the current master of the house is Yang Wenhua's father. Compared to Qingjin in her past life, this Yang Wenhua should be the true pride of heaven. Coincidentally, Yang Wenhua also likes colorful and luxurious clothing, just like Qingjin. In her past life, the Yang family had also sent out invitations to the Anji Marquis Manor, but Yang Wenhua was the only one who didn't give them a good face.

  Because Qingjin and Yang Wenhua are so similar, two similar people who also like to be in the limelight, and both women of the same sex, their collision is certainly not beautiful. Furthermore, the Yang family has been prosperous for a hundred years, and Yang Wenhua's father has a higher rank than Qingjin's father, so in Yang Wenhua's eyes, the Anji Hou Mansion is undoubtedly that kind of lucky nouveau riche. Therefore, at the banquet hosted by the Yang family, Yang Wenhua was extremely disrespectful to the Anji Hou Mansion, and the banquet ended in discord!

  The Yang family, a hundred-year-old aristocratic family, had many followers. This also led to the fact that although the Anji Marquis's mansion received many smiling faces in the capital city, once it involved the Yang family, the Anji Marquis's mansion had no advantage at all. It wasn't until later when the female members of the Anji Marquis's mansion were invited by several princesses of the Ming Emperor to attend a banquet that, under the mediation of the princesses, the Anji Marquis's mansion and the Yang family maintained a superficial peace. However, privately, the Yang family still didn't give the Anji Marquis's mansion any face.

  As she recalled this, Qing Jin rubbed her brow, originally not wanting to attend Yang Wen Hua's banquet. However, looking at the invitation in her hand, she finally couldn't help but let out a sigh. Alright, thinking back to her past life, Yang Wen Hua probably wasn't that difficult to get along with either. It was just that she was young and arrogant back then, and although the An Ji Marquis Manor rose suddenly, she relied on being a transmigrated female, encountering Yang Wen Hua and becoming overly competitive, which led to the strained relationship between the two families. Now thinking about it, she and Yang Wen Hua didn't have any deep grudges or hatred towards each other. On the contrary, both the An Ji Marquis Manor and the Yang family were enfeoffed due to military merit during the founding of the country. If the An Ji Marquis Manor could get along with the Yang family, it would be extremely beneficial for her father and the An Ji Marquis Manor.

  She has lived for three lifetimes, how could she still be bothered with a young girl like that? Thinking this way, she waved her hand and told the little maid to inform Gu Qingyao, Gu Qingxia and Gu Qingqi about the invitation from the Yang family.

  Qingjin's grandmother, Shen Shi, upon learning that the Yang Gongfu had sent a message to the mansion, specially called Qingjin and her sisters to the Chaoyang Temple, gave them some jewelry, and warned them not to lose their composure when they went to the Yang Mansion.

  Before long, the time for the Yang family banquet arrived. On this day, Qingjin got up early, dressed and made herself up, then came to the horse beside the gate of the mansion.

  Gu Qingyao was the second to emerge, and when she saw Qingjin standing beside the horse, she couldn't help but feel a wave of astonishment. By the side of the carriage, Qingjin wore a long dress in a pale blue color, with wide sleeves and soft satin shoes embroidered with flowers. Her waist-length hair seemed to have been washed clean of all impurities, as if she had just stepped out of the water. She looked like a completely different person from the sister who used to wear red clothes and was proud and carefree.

  Seeing her second sister like this, a faint dark light flashed in Gu Qingyao's eyes. Before she could say anything, Gu Qingxia and Gu Qingqi, who followed behind, also showed a hint of surprise at Gu Jing's simple outfit today.

  It was still Gu Qingxia who spoke first with a sarcastic tone: "What's going on today, the sun is rising in the west? We are always high and above, fond of beautiful clothes, second sister. It's rare that you're wearing such plain clothes today, it's really strange."

  Gu Qingyao, who was behind her, came back to her senses in Gu Qingxia's words, hiding the slight awkwardness and rejection in her heart towards her second sister's green clothes, smiled at Qingjin and opened her mouth: "Second sister looks good in green too!"

  "Hmph, Fourth Sister, don't be too kind-hearted. Maybe someone is just trying to steal your thunder by dressing similarly to you, but your gentle elegance isn't something that anyone can easily learn... or else they might end up drawing a tiger but getting a dog instead..." Gu Qingxia said sarcastically.

  Upon hearing Gu Qingxia's words, Qingjin's gaze shot towards her like lightning: "A painting of a tiger that doesn't resemble a tiger but instead looks like a dog... Fifth sister's learning is quite impressive..."

  Upon hearing Gu Qingyun's words, Gu Qingxia was about to say "of course" when Gu Qingyun opened her mouth: "I'm afraid some people are always inferior and don't even have the qualifications to paint a tiger. And let me tell you, Gu Qingxia, if you're not willing to attend today's banquet, then get out of here! Don't go to the Yang family later and humiliate our Anji Hou Mansion..." This was the first time after rebirth that Gu Qingyun had spoken so harshly to the provocative Gu Qingxia, displaying the demeanor of a noble lady from the Hou Mansion.