Chapter 177: Envied
In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve. Since Wen Mingqian lived in the temple, everything was kept simple.
She sent Ao Shuang back to spend the New Year with her family, leaving only Sang Er to accompany her.
On New Year’s Eve, while staying up late, she went to the Buddhist hall where A Shou and A Hui’s spirit tablets were enshrined. Between their two tablets, she placed a small, empty spirit tablet with no writing on it.
She stayed there all night and only returned to her room to rest at dawn.
If she were still in the Gong Family, this would be the busiest time, as they would be opening their doors to welcome the New Year on the first day of the lunar month.
But now, she could catch up on sleep without any worries, sleeping until Sang Er brought in lunch at noon, and only then did she get up.
However, even in the temple, one couldn’t be at ease all the time. After the second day of the lunar new year, families began to host tea gatherings.
Wen Mingqian received over a dozen invitations, and this was just before the Lantern Festival.
Naturally, she couldn’t attend every single one, so she sent polite replies to those she couldn’t visit, apologizing for her absence.
On the third day of the lunar new year, Wen Mingqian was invited to a banquet at the Jiangxia Marquis Mansion, so she adorned herself slightly, looking a bit more radiant than usual.
Before the banquet began, everyone was discussing Prince Changliu.
“This Prince is already thirty years old, why hasn’t he taken a consort yet?”
“He’s been stationed at the border for so long, he hasn’t even met a decent woman, how can he talk about getting married?”
“That’s not entirely true. The Emperor has tried to arrange marriages for him several times, but he refused. I really don’t know what the Prince is thinking.”
“Didn’t the Prince vow in his youth that he wouldn’t marry until the Xiongnu were vanquished?”
“Do you really believe that? Huo Qubing also said that, but didn’t he still marry and have children?”
“Then I don’t know. In any case, over the years, many noble ladies in the Capital City have been infatuated with the Prince, only to end up heartbroken.”
“Are all the guests here?” asked the First Madam of the Jiangxia Marquis Mansion with a smile.
“We’re still missing Madam Wen,” replied the head housekeeper. “She insisted she would come.”
“Let’s wait a little longer!” said Madam Jiangxia Qian Shi. “If she said she’d come, she will.”
Since Wen Mingqian was mentioned, some people also started talking about her.
“Speaking of which, why did Madam Wen leave the Gong Family so abruptly?”
“Who knows? It’s truly baffling. Her son entered San Jing Academy, bringing such honor to the family, and the Gong Family treated her exceptionally well. Instead of being the Matriarch, she chose to live in a nunnery.”
“Indeed, I’ve never heard the Gong Family say a bad word about her, nor have I heard of any unpleasantness between them.”
“Every family has its own difficulties. As one drinks water, one knows its warmth or coldness. I suppose Gong Er must have hurt her deeply, otherwise, why would she be unable to continue?”
“Perhaps not entirely. Maybe her temper is too stubborn. Men are often like that; they’ll turn a blind eye. If one demands perfection, how can a marriage last?”
“Didn’t you hear that Gong Er is already engaged?”
“My heavens, when did that happen? So quickly?!”
“It was just around the New Year. Didn’t you hear?”
“Oh dear, men are truly… so impatient.”
“Let’s not just talk about men. Eventually, he has to remarry! The position of Matriarch shouldn’t remain vacant, especially since the woman initiated the divorce. It’s not the same as being widowed.”
When Wen Mingqian entered, she overheard people discussing her. She didn’t mind at all, pretending not to hear.
Her arrival caused the murmuring to subside. The guests tacitly acted as if nothing had happened, exchanging smiles and greetings.
“All guests are here, let’s be seated!” Madam Qian said, rising with a smile. “It’s the beginning of the year, we must have a lively celebration.”
Wen Mingqian took off her outer cape. Today, she wore a grey squirrel-lined jacket with a silver-red silk outer layer, and a dark blue cotton-silk skirt underneath.
Her glossy black hair was adorned with a coral comb and hairpin, with matching earrings and a necklace.
These adornments made her elegantly beautiful, not vulgar, and her appearance was already top-notch.
However, when everyone’s gaze fell upon the Spring Water Jade she wore at her waist, their expressions couldn’t help but change.
Some managed to suppress their reactions, while others directly exclaimed in surprise.
“This… Madam Wen’s jade pendant… it’s so… so exquisite…” The one who exclaimed was the First Madam of the Yong’an Marquis Mansion.
Realizing she had lost her composure, she tried to cover it up with words.
“First Madam has a keen eye. This jade pendant is indeed quite rare,” Wen Mingqian said with a slight smile.
“Madam Wen, who gave you this jade pendant?” asked the Countess Linchuan curiously.
Her son, Xu Mang, was good friends with Gong Changan. Although she didn’t interact much with Wen Mingqian, she felt comfortable asking.
In fact, most people present were curious about it, and she had voiced the thoughts of the crowd.
“This jade pendant was a reward from the Grand Princess,” Wen Mingqian stated without reservation. “She also instructed me to wear it with care.”
Everyone chuckled and offered some perfunctory compliments, but inwardly, they were both shocked and suspicious.
Wen Mingqian clearly felt several unfriendly gazes directed at her. She smiled back, identifying the individuals.
She knew this was a high-profile move that would attract hostility, but this was precisely what she intended to do now.
While attracting jealousy, it also showcased her own standing. As expected, soon someone extended a friendly gesture towards her.
“Madam Wen, sit next to me!” said a woman around thirty years old. She was petite with a pointed, melon-seed face and almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with shrewdness, clearly a sharp and discerning individual.
“Thank you for your kindness, Madam. I won’t refuse then.” Wen Mingqian sat next to her. This woman was the grand-niece of Princess Consort Zhao, the Marchioness of Yunyang, Madam Liu.
Wen Mingqian and she had never dined together before, yet now she was actively inviting her. This was clearly thanks to the Spring Water Jade.
“Oh dear, where has my handkerchief gone?” Not long after the banquet began, Madam Liu couldn’t find her handkerchief.
“If Madam doesn’t mind, please use this one of mine! It’s new and unused.” Wen Mingqian took out a handkerchief and offered it.
Generally, female guests would bring a couple of handkerchiefs when visiting someone’s home. Wen Mingqian happened to have brought two today.
“This handkerchief is beautifully embroidered. Is it your work?” Madam Liu asked with a smile. “It smells so nice too! What fragrance is this? It’s so pleasant.”
“It’s a scent I blended myself. If Madam likes it, please take it,” Wen Mingqian replied.
“I haven’t heard that Madam Wen is skilled in incense blending. Perhaps you could visit my mansion one day? And teach me, would you?” Madam Liu said, partly because she genuinely liked the scent on the handkerchief, and partly because she had already intended to get to know Wen Mingqian.
“Alas, Madam Wen is truly adept at navigating social circles! See? It hasn’t been long, and she’s already gotten chummy with the Marchioness of Yunyang,” someone said sourly from a distance.
“Hmph, she’s just someone who’s only interested in currying favor!” someone said resentfully.
