Whether it was because Feng Linyuan had pulled some strings behind the scenes or Princess Yunxi simply couldn't bear the humiliation, the conflict at the entrance of Xinrui Restaurant that day didn't lead to the consequences Bai Zheng had expected. Instead, it faded into calm along with Princess Yunxi's hasty escape.
It was like a violent storm that fizzled out after a few thunderclaps. The lake was now undisturbed, but dark clouds still hung low in the sky, threatening another tempest at any moment.
Every time she thought of this, a strong sense of unease welled up in Bai Zheng's heart.
"Miss, Miss?" Zhu Ling waved her finger in front of Bai Zheng, snapping her out of her reverie.
"Hmm?"
Seeing Bai Zheng's slightly raised eyebrows, Zhu Ling knew she hadn't been listening to what she'd just said. With a sigh, she held up the invitation in her hand and asked again, "Miss, are you going?"
Bai Zheng looked confused. "Where?"
"Second Miss's betrothal banquet!"
Ever since Bai Zheng had exposed the relationship between Bai Di and the Third Prince Feng Jingxuan, and Chu Feng had thoroughly angered Crown Prince Feng Jingye, Bai Di had stopped pretending and openly announced her engagement to Feng Jingxuan.
While Bai Zheng had been busy with her business, Bai Di and Feng Jingxuan had also been fully occupied with preparations for their betrothal banquet. Now that everything was in place, the banquet was finally on the agenda.
Although the General's Mansion usually didn't bother to invite the Bai Mansion to such happy occasions, especially considering the superficial sisterly bond between Bai Zheng and Bai Di, they still had to maintain appearances.
Bai Zheng forced a smile. "Your question is strange. How could I not go?"
"Great! This servant has never been to the palace before. I've heard it's filled with gold and is extremely magnificent. I'll finally get to see it with my own eyes!" Zhu Ling said excitedly.
"The palace?" Bai Zheng looked up sharply.
"Yes, Miss. This time, the betrothal banquet between the Third Prince and Second Miss has been granted imperial grace by the Third Prince's birth mother, Concubine Yi. It will be held in the imperial palace," Qing Shao explained.
No wonder Bai Zheng was surprised. Generally, for a prince like Feng Jingxuan who had already set up his own residence and was taking a second wife, the betrothal banquet was usually held in his own prince's mansion. But Feng Jingxuan was currently in the limelight and highly favored by the emperor. Bai Di was the legitimate daughter of the illustrious General's Mansion, and her uncle Bai Yihuan had just achieved great military success in the Liyang Battle. With such a union, it was only natural that Feng Linche would show some respect and hold the betrothal banquet in the palace.
Thinking of this, Bai Zheng curled her lips, but her expression remained cold. "Since it's being held in the palace, that Princess Yunxi will surely attend."
Qing Shao replied softly, "You're very wise, Miss."
"This betrothal banquet is likely to be full of turmoil," Bai Zheng sighed. "Since we can't avoid it, we'll just have to deal with whatever comes our way."
"By the way, these days, ask the Marquis to send people to keep a close eye on that Princess of Xiliang. She suffered a loss at my hands last time, and now she probably hates me to the core. Send more guards to protect Nian Jin, Nian Ming, Father, and Mother," Bai Zheng ordered.
"Miss, the Marquis has already thought of these things. You don't need to worry," Qing Shao replied with a smile, seeing Bai Zheng's worried look.
Zhu Ling excitedly chimed in, "That's right, Miss. You just need to worry about what clothes and jewelry to wear for this betrothal banquet. Let those blind people see that our Third Miss is the most beautiful in Yongding! That Second Miss is just a clown!"
As soon as Bai Zheng heard this, her head started to ache. She was afraid that her dear mother, Mrs. Lin, would start bustling about her clothes and jewelry again.
Sure enough, not long after, Mrs. Lin entered Bai Zheng's room. She rummaged through everything but couldn't find anything satisfactory.
At Bai Zheng's previous marriage selection banquet, at her own request, she had worn a plain and old dress. Unfortunately, Mrs. Lin had overheard Bai Di and Su Muxiao privately ridiculing Bai Zheng's attire. Since then, Mrs. Lin had been obsessed with how to dress Bai Zheng for important occasions.
For a young lady from a noble family attending a banquet, the most important thing was never to wear old clothes. It was best to wear the latest styles and patterns to show face. Now that Bai Zheng was about to get married, Mrs. Lin didn't have many opportunities to worry about her daughter like this. So, although she had been whipped by Princess Yunxi last time, driven by motherly love, she still summoned up the courage to drag Bai Zheng out again to choose clothes.
"Mother, why do we have to go out ourselves? We can just ask the tailor shop to send the fabric and patterns to the mansion for us to choose," Bai Zheng said helplessly, sitting in the swaying carriage.
"If I knew how to choose, I would definitely ask them to send them. But since I don't, I have to go to the tailor shop and sit there for a while to see what patterns others are buying. Only then can I have an idea and choose something good," Mrs. Lin said aggrievedly.
"Zheng'er is just worried about you, Mother. It's at least safe in the mansion. If something like last time happens when we're out..."
Mrs. Lin comforted her, "Mother knows you're filial, Zheng'er. But now that you're about to get married, there aren't many things Mother can do for you. Just humor Mother..."
Before Mrs. Lin could finish her sentence, the carriage suddenly jolted. Bai Zheng's face changed drastically. She tightly grabbed the window frame of the carriage with one hand and supported Mrs. Lin's arm with the other, barely stabilizing her figure.
"Whoa! Whoa!" the coachman outside called out repeatedly.
When the carriage finally stopped, Zhu Ling nervously lifted the side curtain and asked, "What happened?"
"It's the Fourth..." Qing Shao's words were suddenly interrupted by a clear laugh.
"So it's Third Sister. This is really like the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple. Family members don't recognize each other."
Third Sister?
Bai Zheng frowned deeply inside the carriage. This was the first time she had heard this address. Those cousins had always called her "Zheng'er" directly. No one had ever called her like this before. But the voice was far from unfamiliar. In fact, it was very familiar.
Bai Zheng immediately understood. She helped Mrs. Lin out of the carriage and walked up to the man. She curtsied and said, "Greetings to the Fourth Prince."
Feng Jingyang leaped off his horse and smiled as he pretended to support her. "Madam Bai, Third Sister, there's no need to be so polite."
Third Sister? Bai Zheng sneered inwardly. In just a few days, Feng Jingyang had really improved. He could even utter such nauseating addresses.
Although she was scoffing in her heart, Bai Zheng didn't show a hint of it on her face. She simply stood up and lowered her eyes respectfully. "Your Highness's words really humble this subject's daughter. Your Highness is of royal blood, while Bai Zheng is just the daughter of a court official. How dare I claim kinship with Your Highness..."
"I was wondering which blind person dared to collide with our carriage!" Suddenly, a haughty and sarcastic female voice interrupted Bai Zheng. "So it's the future Marquis's wife, Miss Bai San."