Invisible to the eye, their aunt had already become their role model, and marrying a man who could bring them honor, status, and wealth, had become the aspiration they tirelessly strived for in life.
When Du Wanqiu heard Du Wanru say "I can’t get married", she felt as if she had been stabbed in the lung. Her face turned red, and she held her chopsticks so tightly in her jade hand that she almost broke the ebony chopsticks, inlaid with ivory and silver. After gritting her teeth for a while, she suddenly started laughing in a low voice.
"Since my two younger sisters are so eager to enter the palace and broaden their horizons, as your sister, I will certainly enable you to. Tomorrow, I will surely take you into the palace. However, since you are to replace my maids in the palace, it’s inevitable that you’ll have to serve me. If I should offend you in any way, I hope both younger sisters will be understanding!"
The casual demeanor of her words conveyed a substantial threat. Tomorrow, the Du sisters would enter the palace as maids to Cai Wei and Du Wanqiu. If Du Wanqiu wanted to make life difficult for them in the palace, she could have them end up buried without a grave with just a word.
Although Du Wanru and Du Wanyue were unwilling to be overshadowed by Du Wanqiu, she held their secrets in her hands, which forced them to restrain their aggression and eat quietly.
If they were to continue arguing, and Du Wanqiu was irritated by it, she could make life difficult for them tomorrow. They would not even know how they had died!
Seeing that the Du sisters had obediently become quiet, Du Wanqiu snorted coldly, and began eating in a leisurely manner. Cai Wei had been disinterested in the quarrel to begin with. With the room finally quiet, she rolled her eyes and also continued eating.
During the meal, Du Wanqiu was very friendly towards Cai Wei, engaging in conversation and serving her food, just like a real older sister. She was so attentive that Cai Wei couldn’t help rolling her eyes.
The atmosphere over at the other table was also lively and harmonious. If an outsider were to see this, they would believe they were a happy and peaceful family!
Just as they were eating, Steward Cao came to report that Young Master Huo was here and was requesting to see Old Lady Wang and the Fourth Aunt.
Upon hearing this, Old Lady Wang quickly instructed Steward Cao to call Duke An to accompany the guest. However, Steward Cao said, "Young Master Huo specifically asked to see Old Lady and Fourth Aunt, he didn’t mention the Duke of the Country."
Upon hearing this, Old Lady Wang gave Cai Wei a meaningful look, and said to Lady Du, "Since he’s here to see us, let’s go meet him."
She then instructed Steward Cao to invite Huo Yuan inside.
Cai Wei and the others were currently having their meal inside the Osmanthus Pavilion. The inner hall of the Osmanthus Pavilion, where they were dining, was separated from the outer hall, intended for receiving guests, by a large sandalwood screen with a vivid hundred bird embroidery on a translucent veil. Sitting in the inner hall, they could clearly see outside by looking through the gauze, and likewise, those outside could get a glimpse of the inside.
When Huo Yuan came in, he immediately caught the attention of all the young ladies in the inner hall, especially Du Wanqiu. Seeing Huo Yuan’s handsome and elegant appearance, his cultured and scholarly demeanor, and his richly attired clothing, which were even more stunning than her imagined Huo Yuan, her heart was pounding uncontrollably. Her face flushed as though she had drunk alcohol.
The other young ladies’ cheeks also reddened. They sneaked glances at the elegant young gentleman outside, losing their appetite for food.
Cai Wei, on the contrary, was hungry due to a morning of dance practice. Therefore, she was the only one who ate without distraction.
After entering, Huo Yuan saw Old Lady Wang and Lady Du, politely went up and greeted them, and after setting the seating order, he ordered a little boy who was with him to bring up a large brocade box.
Old Lady Wang smiled and pointed at the brocade box, asking, "What is this?"