A few plum petals fell on the table.

Du Yunluo lowered her eyes. The bright red petals were right by her hand, more vivid than the crimson at her fingertips.

She suddenly thought of the sixteen or seventeen-year-old Mu Lianhui.

Mu Lianhui’s appearance might not be breathtakingly beautiful, but perhaps due to three years of listening to Buddhist teachings on Putuo Mountain, she carried a more serene and gentle aura, like a blue lotus before the Buddha, or like cold plum blossoms on a branch.

Every frown, every smile, every gesture naturally conveyed the poise of a noblewoman of the Royal Family.

The Imperial Consort had meticulously cared for this young lady for three years. She did not fall short when compared even with Princess Hui or Princess An Ran, let alone with other princesses.

When Mu Lianhui returned to the Capital at sixteen or seventeen, it was the most radiant time of her life.

Unlike Princess An Ran, who loved to wear red, Mu Lianhui’s attire was simple and elegant, with mostly wooden and jade accessories, which made her instantly endearing at first sight.

Du Yunluo initially liked her very much too.

After marrying into Prince Rui Mansion, her style changed little by little. In her twenties, carrying the title of Princess Consort Rui, she could no longer maintain her youthful delicacy, surrounded by gold, silver, jade, enamel, and all kinds of eye-catching items.

Du Yunluo vaguely recalled that after Mu Lianxiao’s death, when she, as a widow, changed back into plain clothes like other widowed women, Mu Lianhui stared at her for a long time.

Later, Mu Lianhui said, "Yunluo, I think you looked best before, with coral hair accessories and Yunluo-colored dresses."

How did she reply back then?

Du Yunluo quietly thought for a long time before recalling she said, "Sister-in-law, I also think you looked best before, gentle as jade, elegant and pleasing."

Mu Lianhui smiled with curved eyes.

After the upheaval, Mu Lianhui went to the Imperial Mausoleum.

Du Yunluo never saw her again; she only heard Lian talking about her tearfully, saying how Mu Lianhui’s living conditions were far inferior to before. Now, not to mention being served by others, she had to cook meals and boil water herself. When had this daughter of hers ever suffered?

And that all her beautiful clothes and jewelry were confiscated, now her attire was hardly better off than a rural woman’s.

While Lian cried in distress, Du Yunluo thought that this was indeed when Mu Lianhui looked her best.

Of course, she could never say this aloud at the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.

And now, in the blink of an eye, it’s as if a lifetime has passed.

Even with lingering hatred, Du Yunluo had to admit that the best-looking Mu Lianhui was back.

This was not going to be an easy person to deal with.

Then, about this invitation to the plum banquet...

Du Yunluo lightly bit her lower lip.

Having dealt with Mu Lianhui for so many years, Du Yunluo knew she was very cautious. No matter what she was thinking or planning, her surface demeanor never betrayed her.

If she didn’t have real skills, how could Mu Lianhui win favor before the experienced, discerning Empress Dowager and Imperial Consort?

And in her previous life, how could she return to the Capital and outshine all the noblewomen, leaving others speechless?

If not for this, how else would Du Yunluo come to realize, only after so many years, how much Mu Lianhui contributed in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s internal struggle?

In a past life, if Prince Rui hadn’t initiated a rebellion, if Li Luan hadn’t killed his father and surrendered, Mu Lianhui could have been considered a winner in life.

She grasped everything she desired.

A rightful daughter-in-law, the future Princess Consort, an obedient legitimate son, her maternal family’s glory, a brother who inherited the title, power firmly in hand.

As for the success of Prince Rui’s rebellion, for Li Luan to inherit the throne, Mu Lianhui wouldn’t oppose it, but Du Yunluo knew that wasn’t her true desire.

Turning the Prince Rui Mansion’s easy-to-manage, singularly dominant inner hall into a scheming palace uncertain from day to day — Mu Lianhui had no interest in such things.

Would such a cautious and meticulous Mu Lianhui invite inappropriate guests at the plum banquet?

Du Yunluo didn’t believe it, absolutely didn’t.

So what was the reason for inviting guests in this manner?

Moreover, if the Empress Dowager and Imperial Consort knew about it, how did Mu Lianhui convince them of such an arrangement?

Du Yunluo, unable to work it out after much thought, decided to cast her doubts aside for now, stood up, and asked Nanny Xu to show her the invitation.

Nanny Xu looked to Old Mrs. Xia for permission, and Mrs. Xia nodded slightly.

Du Yunluo accepted the invitation; the Shuiyun Shu Paper bore elegant small characters written in a decorative script. Du Yunluo was familiar; in her memory, Mu Lianhui had always had beautiful handwriting, and her copies of Buddhist scriptures were beloved by palace ladies.

Mu Lianhui wrote plainly and clearly. She had just returned to the Capital; it was winter, and having heard of Wangmei Garden’s beautiful plum blossoms, she especially invited the Du family siblings to view them. She also mentioned the familial ties between the families and apologized for her lapse in social propriety, asking their elders for forgiveness.

All pleasantries, but Du Yunluo could not help but curl her lips.

Mu Lianhui was just like this, always so meticulous and cautious.

Which wasn’t always a good thing.

Du Yunluo held the invitation in front of Old Mrs. Xia, saying: "Grandmother, please look. The Lady has written many reasons for inviting us. I wonder what she wrote to other mansions?"

Old Mrs. Xia raised an eyebrow, her slightly muddled eyes sharpening instantly, and said in a deep voice: "Yunluo means..."

"Perhaps Fourth Aunt would know," Du Yunluo said softly.

Mrs. Xia was startled, then clapped her hands: "Go invite Huai’en’s wife over."

Nanny Xu complied and went out.

When Lian arrived, Mrs. Xia would undoubtedly have some probing words. Du Yunluo not wanting to be in the way, sought to excuse herself.

Mrs. Xia did not stop her, smiling: "Go see your mother then. Since you’re attending the banquet, choose a good outfit and accessories early. While we might not compare to the Prince Mansion, we still can’t lose face."

Du Yunluo nodded.

Upon leaving Lianfu Garden, the cold winter wind blew, and she tightened her cloak, hastening towards Qinghui Garden.

Previously, Mu Lianhui, at the palace gates, refused Princess An Ran, causing the Princess to be grounded and a suitor selected by the Old Master, which was the last straw.

With Mu Lianhui’s personality, she definitely wouldn’t leave such matters unmentioned.

Du Yunluo was eager to know how Mu Lianhui would write the invitation to Duke Jing Mansion.

But unfortunately, aside from sending Lian to discreetly inquire at Duke Jing Mansion, she had no way of knowing what was written in invitations received by other mansions.

Not talking about the princely heirs or young lords, just the female guests — Princess An Ran, Jiang Yunuan, and Mu Lianhui — this plum banquet would be quite a show.

And since the passing, this was the first time she was meeting them again.

Du Yunluo let out a breath, white mist freezing over.

In Qinghui Garden, Mrs. Zhen was speaking with Shui Yue. Seeing Du Yunluo arrive, she quickly invited her inside.

"It’s cold outside, have you caught a chill?" Mrs. Zhen held Du Yunluo’s hand, guiding her to sit. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Du Yunluo smiled gently, shaking her head: "I’m not cold. I just have something to discuss with Mother. Just now, the Lady sent an invitation for us siblings to view the plum blossoms."