Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1338 - 548: The Banquet (Part 2)

The words from Yueyao made everyone freeze. Yueyao usually gave an impression of warmth like a spring breeze, but these words carried a certain coldness.

Zhuang Ruolan then smiled and explained, "Yueyao had heard of this woman’s remarkable dancing in Suzhou and wanted to invite her to perform at the residence. The woman set a condition, saying she wouldn’t take money but wanted Yueyao to paint a picture for her. Yueyao said that she would paint if she felt inspired. Later, upon seeing her dance beautifully, Yueyao did indeed create a painting. Afterwards, that woman sought to make a name for herself and deliberately told people that Yueyao was very close to her and even willing to help redeem her and support her for the rest of her life." The latter part was added by Zhuang Ruolan.

Wanhe was the first to laugh, "Very close friendship, and even helps to redeem and support her for life? It’s a wonder she dares to say that. What wishful thinking." Yueyao was not a man, so could she really be attracted to her beauty? That brothel woman was truly out of her mind.

Lady of Earl of Changle stood up and said, "Lady An, it’s getting late, we should be going now." Lady of Earl of Changle was really worried that her airheaded daughter-in-law might say something astonishing again.

With Lady of Earl of Changle leading the way, other ladies also took their leave. Mu Qinglian stood up as well and said to Yueyao, "They say Lady An is deeply blessed; today I see Lady An indeed has great fortune." As for what kind of fortune, only Mu Qinglian knew.

Yueyao replied calmly, "Madam Ning, you’re too kind."

After seeing everyone off, Yueyao felt a bit exhausted, but even though the guests had left, the matters within the residence still needed tidying up.

Yueyao looked up at the sky, "Isn’t the Old Master done yet?" What time is it? Why haven’t the guests left?

Gu You came back and said, "Madam, the Old Master is still accompanying Marquis Luyang and the Heir to Marquis Yongding in drinking!"

The social interactions among men were not something Yueyao could comment on. Yueyao strongly believed in the principle of men handling external matters and women handling internal affairs, so she never interfered in An Zhichen’s external dealings, including social gatherings. Yueyao instructed the kitchen to prepare sobering soup so that An Zhichen could drink it when he returned.

With the residence properly tidied up, several men were still chatting without saying much. Yueyao had the habit of taking a nap, but hadn’t taken one today, so she was feeling drowsy.

Not being the kind to be hard on herself, Yueyao returned to her bedroom, removed the Phoenix hairpin from her head, thought for a moment, and called for Xiang Wei, asking, "Do you find anything strange about Mu Qinglian?" But when it came to pinpointing what was strange, Yueyao couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

Xiang Wei knew what Yueyao found odd, "This woman looks dignified, but there’s a certain alluring vibe inherently emanating from her, which is why you feel it’s off."

Yueyao didn’t understand what Xiang Wei meant.

Xiang Wei explained with a smile, "Mu Qinglian must have learned the ways to please men. However, she conceals it well, and most people can’t tell. Those who have learned such techniques can never completely hide all traces. Observant individuals like Yueyao can notice, but Yueyao hadn’t considered it in that way."

Yueyao opened her mouth slightly and said in a low voice, "It can’t be, right?" Usually, it’s only concubines who learn such methods to please men. Mu Qinglian surely wouldn’t go that far!

Xiang Wei replied with a smile, "Believe it or not." Previously, Mu Qinglian was very similar to Yueyao, equally talented and beautiful, and just as proud. The only difference was that Yueyao didn’t restrain her pride while Mu Qinglian hid it well. Nonetheless, Mu Qinglian was fundamentally a proud woman. But now? Her pride was gone, replaced by a sense of resentment.

Xiang Wei had always heard from outsiders that Mu Qinglian was adept in social situations, but her performance today was nothing like the rumors. Why was there such a difference? Because Mu Qinglian was envious, and it made her lose her usual composure.

Yueyao shook her head and said, "Forget it, what Mu Qinglian turns into has nothing to do with me." Yueyao changed her clothes and lay down, closing her eyes.

Xiang Wei quietly withdrew as well.

After Xiang Wei left, Yueyao suddenly opened her eyes. In truth, it wasn’t that she didn’t believe Xiang Wei’s words, but she didn’t want to believe them. How proud was Mu Qinglian, there was no one more aware than Yueyao. Yet to please Ning Lixuan, she had forced herself to learn the ways of a brothel woman. Imagine the courage it took.

Yueyao considered herself inferior to Mu Qinglian. When she faced difficulties, she only thought of escape through death. However, when Mu Qinglian was driven to such extremes, she never considered dying, instead struggled to survive in desperate circumstances, ultimately ascending to the position of Wife of the Heir of Duke Ning. Even though Yueyao despised Mu Qinglian’s actions, she couldn’t help but admire Mu Qinglian’s abilities.

Half-asleep, Yueyao suddenly woke up. Opening her eyes, she saw An Zhichen lying beside her. Yueyao called softly, "Heyue, Heyue?"

An Zhichen had drunk quite a bit. He was dead drunk by now, so Yueyao didn’t call out anymore, instead, she got dressed and went out.

Yueyao asked Gu You, "Where are Brother Sheng and the others?"

Gu You replied softly with her head down, "The Eldest Young Master is also drunk, they’re all sleeping right now!"

Yueyao said in exasperation, "The children are still young; how could they let them drink?" The way boys are educated is completely different from girls. In An Zhichen’s mind, their sons were already eight years old and had grown enough to drink and ride horses. But in Yueyao’s mind, the three sons were still children, and she believed that anything dangerous or bad was not suitable for the three boys to do.

Fortunately, although Yueyao didn’t approve, she didn’t interfere with how An Zhichen taught their three sons. Of course, when it came to instructing Kexin, Yueyao didn’t allow An Zhichen to interfere either.