Yi Xin as a concubine

The next day, Xin Baoer was going to attend a banquet, which was a birthday party hosted by a prince she knew for his father. The banquet was scheduled to be held in the largest banquet hall on the third floor of Ziqidonglai.

This is a formal banquet, which starts at the end of Chenshi in the morning and usually ends at the end of Weishi in the afternoon.

The gatherings of nobles here are also divided into different levels, such as weddings, funerals, hundred-day banquets for newborns, birthday banquets for the elderly, etc. For normal social interactions, the banquets are larger, and those invited to the banquet will wear appropriate formal attire according to the situation, which should be dignified and decent, and the colors and styles should be relatively traditional.

Xin Baoer has been in Nanzhao for nearly half a year and has attended many banquets, big and small, but this is her first time attending a formal banquet.

Nanzhao's traditional costumes are brightly colored and have several layers inside and outside. In Xin Baoer's eyes, any single piece of clothing could only be called a "piece of cloth." She took it back from the embroidery room three days ago. She studied it for half the night but still couldn't figure it out. Finally, she asked the manager of the embroidery room to come and help, and it took three times for her to learn how to wear it.

After half an hour of hard work, Xin Baoer finally got herself ready. By this time, Xin Chengzhi had already finished touring the entire garden under the guidance of Qin Chu, and was waiting for Xin Baoer to have dinner in the restaurant on the basement floor.

Just when I was getting impatient and was planning to go look for her myself, Xin Baoer finally showed up at the stairs in an awkward manner.

"Baoer, here." Qin Chu had sharp eyes and spotted Xin Baoer, who was walking awkwardly, and waved to her quickly.

When she spoke, everyone in the restaurant looked in Xin Baoer's direction. They were already restricted by their clothes, and now they felt even more cramped.

In fact, it’s no wonder that everyone is looking at her. She is naturally good-looking, and with her careful grooming, it’s no exaggeration to say that she is stunningly beautiful.

Her skin was smooth and delicate, with a soft luster under the bright candlelight. Her carefully carved face was no longer covered by a veil, and her homemade lazy bun was simply captivating.

A red short-sleeved tight-fitting top and a wrap skirt of the same color with intricate patterns. The skirt was very long, reaching the ankles, and had no slits, so she couldn't take wide steps when she walked. She was like a snake emerging from water, swaying from time to time, revealing her slender waist, which was really mouth-watering.

Usually Xin Baoer wears a veil when she goes out. Thinking that it was not time to open for business today and that she was having dinner with her dear second brother, it would be awkward to wear a veil, so she didn't wear one.

Because I was in such a good mood, I actually forgot that there were guests staying overnight on the third floor.

She felt very uncomfortable being stared at, and if she hadn't seen her second brother walking towards her, she would have wanted to run away.

"Why are you dressed like this? Aren't you uncomfortable?" Xin Chengzhi turned sideways to cover most of Xin Baoer's exquisite figure, then complained.

Xin Baoer smiled ingratiatingly and said a little aggrievedly: "Is it necessary for work?"

Xin Chengzhi frowned immediately, thinking of something not so good, his expression became serious, and he said with a straight face: "What kind of work is this? My second brother went to get it back for you. Isn't this a waste of people?"

Seeing how serious she was, Xin Baoer's awkwardness faded a lot and she burst out laughing.

"Second brother, what are you thinking about?" The soft and white arm naturally crossed over her brother's arm, and the two were led to the dining table.

"It's just a normal banquet, not as filthy as you think. Do you want to go with me to take a look and broaden your horizons?" Xin Baoer said temptingly.

Xin Chengzhi still didn't quite believe it. This was because he hadn't visited the main building of Ziqidonglai yet. If he had visited the clothing store on the second floor and seen the low-cut, backless clothes she designed herself, he would probably have cursed her for being shameless.

Xin Baoer wanted to laugh when she thought of that scene.

"Okay, I'd like to see what kind of formal occasion requires dressing like this." Xin Chengzhi growled indignantly.

Hearing that he agreed to go, Xin Baoer raised her hand and called the waiter who was waiting on the side. She whispered a few words in his ear, and the man took the order and left.

After breakfast, Xin Chengzhi was still feeling antsy and urged Xin Baoer to take him to that crappy banquet place.

"Don't worry, you can't enter the banquet hall in this outfit. I have asked people to prepare clothes for you. Change quickly in your bedroom. Time is running out. It's your elder's birthday, and it would be bad if you, as an invited junior, were late." Xin Baoer urged.

Xin Chengzhi reluctantly went back to the house and changed his clothes. The men's clothes were not complicated. After all, as soon as he entered Nanzhao, he changed into local clothes to hide his identity. The clothes Xin Baoer prepared for him were more exquisite and comfortable than what he was wearing now, but he still found it difficult to accept.

Both of them are good-looking and are not picky about clothes. When they stand together, they are handsome and beautiful, very pleasing to the eye.

The two were followed by Wei Yu, who was dressed in tight clothes and holding a large box. The three of them arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall. Although they tried to keep a low profile, they still caused a small sensation.

"If she is willing to take off the veil, she can be at home wherever she goes. Okay, stop surrounding her."

Just when Xin Baoer was feeling embarrassed, Marquis Tuya, who arrived a little late, rescued her. Xin Baoer quickly pulled her second brother to greet Tuya and briefly introduced the two of them.

Tuya is always easy to talk to when it comes to beautiful people and things. She smiled sweetly at the two of them and took the initiative to introduce them to the few people following behind her.

The first one is her legal husband, a very handsome man who doesn’t look like the type who would share a wife with someone else. But one cannot judge a person by appearance. Tuya has quite a few male favorites, and she has brought three or four of them with her.

At the formal banquet, in addition to Zhengfu, there were also several cousins. Tulu, the construction fanatic whom Xin Baoer first knew, was among them. Xin Baoer greeted him very happily and introduced him to her second brother very solemnly. After hearing this, Xin Chengzhi was very grateful to this man of few words and promised to bring him newly developed tea when he had the chance to come again next time.

The group walked into the venue. Tuya went to say hello to people she knew, so she left Xin Baoer and her brother.

Xin Chengzhi looked at the banquet hall in front of him. If he didn't have good self-control, he would have held his chin without hesitation, otherwise he would really be - shocked!

When he was still in Shengjing, as a rich young man, he attended many banquets of all sizes. Because of his second sister, he also went to palace banquets several times. But compared with the current scene, it was nothing.

The banquet hall was ablaze with lights and feasting. Glass wine glasses were stacked into a tall tower, shining brightly under the illumination of the hanging luminous pearls.

Looking at the food, most of them were things he had never seen before. Although they were all cold, they were not bad to eat. They were sweet and soft, and paired with various fruit wines, they were sweet and refreshing, and complemented each other very well.

The hall is spacious and bright, without bulky tables, chairs and benches to obstruct the flow, allowing people to communicate with each other more casually and intimately. Men and women dressed in gorgeous clothes, holding wine glasses, chat and laugh elegantly and casually.

It is rare to see shyness on women's faces, and most men behave very gentlemanly and politely. Without those barriers between men and women, everyone behaves confidently and calmly, and both men and women can show their own style.

Everything before his eyes was overturning the three views he had formed over twenty years. For a moment he didn't know what to do. He just followed Xin Baoer stupidly, following her unconsciously.

"Try this, it's sweet with a hint of bitterness, you should like it." A square piece of food was handed to him by a tender little hand, which also drew Xin Chengzhi's attention back.

"Second brother, what are you thinking about?" Xin Baoer realized belatedly that her second brother was in a bad mood, and asked even though she knew the answer.

"Are all banquets in Nanzhao like this?" Xin Chengzhi asked.

"Not really. I own this banquet hall, so of course we are responsible for the decoration. However, we have to come up with a plan in advance, and the final decision will depend on the host." Xin Baoer said.

"Freedom and casualness, this atmosphere is really good." Xin Chengzhi has liked going outside since he was a child. He has made many friends who like to drink and eat together. He is a playful and mischievous person, so after being surprised, he easily accepted it.

"I knew you could accept it, but national conditions are different. This model is not suitable for large-scale implementation in the country. It can be imitated for small-scale family dinners or gatherings with friends." Xin Baoer said pertinently.

"The host is free now. We can go over and say hello and leave temporarily. When this is over, as the host of the banquet hall, we can come over and help see the guests off."