"Madam Zhao doesn’t look like she’s from the countryside at all," Madam An began. This banquet was organized by her sister-in-law, and beforehand, she had specially inquired about this Meng Yao, showing that she valued Meng Yao greatly. So, she needed to support her a bit, ensuring that she didn’t suffer at the hands of the Grand Princess.
With Madam An breaking this strange atmosphere, others quickly followed suit. They were all sharp-minded individuals. Though the Grand Princess’s status was noble, she was, after all, just a princess.
Consort An was the Emperor’s most favored and might ultimately ascend to that position.
Seeing how much Consort An regarded Madam Zhao, they’d be fools to belittle her.
"Madam An is right, Madam Zhao has an excellent demeanor," began the wife of the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice. "My husband is the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice, his surname is Tang. He greatly admires General Zhao and has always taken him as a role model. Madam Zhao, we should interact more in the future."
"As long as Madam Tang doesn’t mind that I’m from the countryside," Meng Yao smiled, accepting Madam Tang’s kindness. The source of thɪs content is 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝘯𝘦𝘵
"Why would I mind? To be honest with Madam Zhao, I’m from the countryside too, and my husband Tang also started with bare feet." Madam Tang laughed heartily, "He always says something that I’ll share with you: If you go back a few generations, who wasn’t barefoot once?"
"Madam Tang is right, even His Majesty often says so. Our great ancestor used to be a cowherd," Consort An echoed.
"Although my sister-in-law is from the countryside, she has raised very outstanding children. My second nephew is already a Scholar at fifteen, just waiting to participate in the Autumn Examinations," said Madam Yu.
A fifteen-year-old Scholar is not exceptionally rare. Among aristocratic children, Scholars of this age aren’t many but not too rare.
However, it was known that Madam Zhao had only recently come to prominence.
The Zhao Family had also never previously mentioned this person.
This showed that before this, Meng Yao and her children hadn’t benefited from Zhao Family resources.
A Scholar emerging from such circumstances held considerable weight.
After all, aristocratic children are tutored by renowned teachers from an early age.
Everyone looked at the Grand Princess with a hint of deeper meaning.
Though Meng Yao’s status wasn’t impressive, she indeed gave birth and educated well.
Such a young Scholar, now acknowledged by the Zhao Family, surely had a bright future ahead?
As for the Grand Princess, she became even more enigmatic.
If she hadn’t known General Zhao had a wife and children, her intentions might be excusable. But now, knowing he had a wife and children, one wondered if she intended to use her title as the Grand Princess to break them apart.
Some with handsome husbands thought more. Today, the Grand Princess had her eyes on General Zhao, but would it be their husbands next time?
Meng Yao was a bit puzzled why Madam Yu suddenly supported her, thinking she had temporarily set aside her prejudice to side with her against a common enemy. However, noticing a hint of pride in her eyes, Meng Yao realized the comments were directed at the Grand Princess.
As long as the Grand Princess was foolish enough, there was no fear she wouldn’t harbor thoughts.
"Indeed, my son has always been proud and ambitious, saying he wants to win me a title in the future and be a support for his sister, helping her find a good marriage," Meng Yao expressed great joy at Madam Yu mentioning Zhao Dahe, "He’s truly a good child."
Madam Yu had one son and one daughter; her son wasn’t ambitious and struggled with studies and managing household affairs.
Not to mention achieving a title, Madam Yu feared she couldn’t even be her daughter’s support in the future.
As for the Grand Princess, under her was only Bao Ping, her daughter.
Once married off, she’d belong to another family.
Meng Yao was deliberately stabbing their hearts.
I have a son, and he’s accomplished, enraging you all.
Meng Yao found revealing a hint of sharpness appropriately wasn’t an issue since these people, whether or not she displayed her edge, considered her an eyesore.
"Sister-in-law, has Hui Jie’er not been discussed yet?" Consort An winked at Madam An.
"Your Highness, Hui Jie’er is only ten years old. However, a five-year difference isn’t much, right? Madam Zhao, has Zhao Gongzi’s marriage been arranged?" Madam An asked Meng Yao.
Before Meng Yao could answer, Madam Tang chimed in, "My daughter is twelve, and lately, I’ve been seeking a match for her. I’ve found a connection with Madam Zhao. Would you give me a chance for an in-law relationship?"
"My daughter is eighteen, as they say, ’a woman three years older holds a gold brick.’ Madam Zhao, what do you think?"
The conversation turned too quickly for Meng Yao to keep up.
All at once, those with daughters talked about them; those without, brought up nieces or grandnieces.
After all, Consort An initiated the topic, and they merely went along.
Moreover, General Zhao’s son matched theirs in status. Most importantly, the young man himself was talented.
Securing a match would be an excellent marriage.
As everyone chatted with Meng Yao, the Grand Princess was naturally overshadowed.
Besides, she had no room to interject.
She wouldn’t consider involving Bao Ping in the discussion, would she?
"My son is quite decisive and told me he would consider marriage only after achieving top honors. Furthermore, he said he wanted to decide his own marriage," Meng Yao said, "He seeks genuine affection, not family backgrounds. That boy is quite arrogant, claiming he can secure his own future without using his marriage as leverage."
These words served as a once-and-for-all declaration.
Meng Yao believed, post-banquet, Zhao Dahe’s stance on marriage would undoubtedly spread.
"He is indeed ambitious," Madam An praised.
To make such claims, one is either incompetent and just boasting.
Or genuinely talented and confident, not needing the in-laws’ support.
Zhao Gongzi was evidently the latter.
Initially, Madam An merely echoed her sister-in-law’s sentiments, but now, her views slightly shifted, albeit her niece Hui Jie’er was evidently too young.
"Boastful nonsense," the Grand Princess sneered.
"Anyway, the Autumn Examinations are in a few months. By then, Your Highness will see whether it’s boastful," Meng Yao responded.
"I honestly want to see how embarrassing you all will be then," the Grand Princess remarked.
"Your Highness won’t get the chance," Meng Yao said calmly and confidently. "I can’t understand where I’ve erred to offend Your Highness. I’m a bit slow-witted. Please enlighten me so I may amend my ways."
As for the matter of Little Flower, and her longing for Zhao Ting, neither could be openly discussed.
"Madam Zhao overthinks. You haven’t offended this Princess," the Grand Princess uttered through gritted teeth.
Whether others believed her was beyond her control. At any rate, they only dared to grumble internally.