Stepping back to look at it, Wenren Pingting’s magnanimity is truly exceptional!
Admiration for Wenren Pingting slowly rose among the crowd.
Bai Junjun lightly scanned the expressions of the people around her, finding it quite amusing.
Wenren Pingting hadn’t stepped on her, but she had used her to build a good reputation for herself; it seemed she was indeed shrewd.
However, as long as it didn’t harm her own interests, what harm was there in helping someone look good?
Feigning ignorance, Bai Junjun followed Wenren Pingting into the bamboo forest with a smile.
The people present tacitly stopped discussing the matter as if nothing had happened.
Bai Junjun, having made an example of one to warn the others, calmed down all the restless noble ladies; those harboring various schemes quieted down.
The banquet had not officially started yet, and the ladies were only gathering in the bamboo forest for small talk, discussing inconsequential household matters.
Although the topics of the noble ladies were boring, the snacks on the table were quite abundant.
There was an array of summer fruits such as grapes and watermelons; Bai Junjun, who had only ever eaten watermelon, was quite excited.
Who would have thought that while the cuisine at the royal court might be unpalatable, the fruit was still plentiful.
So while the others chatted, she ate, and within half an hour, Bai Junjun had devoured all the fruit before her.
Dian Hong attentively refilled her fruit several times.
The crowd was astonished at her gluttonous demeanor.
It was said that Bai Junjun had lived a hard life during her three years of escape, and indeed, her current state resembled that of a starving ghost.
How could she commit such an impolite act???
Bai Junjun didn’t care what others thought; if you’re not eager when eating, there’s a problem with your thinking!
She hadn’t even had time to drink water at home just now; it was time to rehydrate.
And who knew what kind of delicious flower-infused water they had brewed for the table.
Wenren Pingting saw her love for food and drink and couldn’t help but smile, "This is osmanthus honey brew, it’s quite rare."
Bai Junjun nodded in understanding; so honey could be drunk in this way.
Then, could she also make a jasmine honey brew when she got home?
Throwing jasmine into the honey water should have the same effect, right?
Before long, a servant of Yuwen Luanfei appeared.
He hunched over and whispered a few words into Wenren Pingting’s ear.
Wenren Pingting nodded and instructed everyone to follow her to the banquet area.
There were already many gentlemen seated at the banquet, and their voices could be heard from afar, lively and merry.
The mingling sounds of silk and bamboo music with the clinking of cups and plates seemed to suggest an era of peace and prosperity.
Considering the tense war situation in the Eastern Land, yet finding such peace and festivity here, Bai Junjun didn’t know what to say.
Wenren Pingting quickly led the group of noble ladies into the courtyard.
A man-made river divided the courtyard in two, with male guests seated on the left and the seats on the right empty, obviously reserved for the noble ladies.
Yuwen Luanfei was seated at the head of the courtyard, and Wenren Pingting gracefully walked toward him; Bai Junjun was about to find a quiet corner to sit in when Dian Hong gently tugged on her sleeve.
"Miss Bai, let’s go this way," she said, leading Bai Junjun to the first table in the first row of the noble ladies’ circle.
Clearly, they intended for her to sit there.
The other noble ladies were sour and envious.
Bai Junjun had become an orphan of a fallen family and might even have lost her virtue to the Third Prince — what right did she have to sit in the seat of honor?
The noble ladies were a thousand times unwilling, but had no recourse.
After all, this was the will of Yuwen Luanfei and Wenren Pingting, and everyone could only begrudgingly accept it.