It's all ruined, who cares about the chastity arch

At this moment, Concubine Pei's smile was like the sunshine shining through the clouds in summer, warm and noble.

Her appearance made Su Wanyu feel respect for her. The women in the Pei family were well-educated and their manners showed the demeanor of noble families. Concubine Pei was undoubtedly a role model among them. She climbed from an inconspicuous concubine to the position of imperial concubine. Her calmness and courage were beyond the reach of ordinary people.

"You don't know, His Majesty is compassionate and magnanimous," Concubine Pei's laughter was like a mountain spring, gurgling, clear and pleasant. It gently brushed across everyone's heart, dissolving the previous solemnity and seriousness, making the air seem to be filled with a layer of warm mist.

Just as the warm atmosphere was growing, a maid came in with light lotus steps, announcing the arrival of guests. Her voice was gentle, like a spring breeze caressing your face.

Upon hearing this, Yuan's lips curled up into a faint smile. Although it was not warm, it was just the right etiquette, revealing an imperceptible calmness and elegance.

The banquet was grand and Pei Sina sat in the honorable seat of the third seat on the right. In contrast, Su Wanyu was arranged at the last seat. Such an arrangement, seemingly respectful on the surface, actually concealed a deep meaning, attempting to subtly put her in a slightly awkward position behind this prosperity.

Su Wanyu was well aware of this deliberate arrangement, but she remained expressionless. Her behavior was that of a lady from a noble family, and her every move followed strict etiquette standards and was impeccable.

At this moment, Miss Pei seemed to be about to stir up trouble again, but was gently suppressed by Yuan with an unnoticeable elegance. Today, with Concubine Pei in person, maintaining the family's reputation is particularly important and no mistakes can be made.

"Qingzhi, add more tea for the concubine."

Yuan's voice was as gentle as spring water. This gentle call not only interrupted the words that the second young lady was about to say, but also eased the slightly tense atmosphere.

Concubine Pei's gaze always fell on Su Wanyu as gently as a loving mother. Her deep eyes contained complex emotions, which were both the care of an elder for a younger person and seemed to be exploring something, which was intriguing.

Facing the gaze of the Concubine Dowager, Su Wanyu slowly stood up, with elegant manners and proper courtesy. Her voice was clear and just the right amount of humility: "Replying to the Concubine Dowager, it is my daughter."

This brief response was both polite and well-crafted.

Concubine Pei's eyes were full of smiles, but her words were full of emotion: "Your mother and I were old acquaintances, but unfortunately, her fate was unfortunate and she left us early..."

These words caused ripples in Su Wanyu's heart. Although she tried her best to conceal it, the subtle fluctuations in her eyes still revealed some of her inner fluctuations. However, she still maintained her calm appearance without any flaws.

The Su family, a family that started out as merchants, has grown stronger through the ups and downs of life, just like a tough rock, withstanding the baptism of time.

Su Wanyu's father had not yet spread his wings when he was young, but in just two years, he had taken control of the Su family, causing the family business to spread rapidly like vines in spring, expanding tenfold.

Her mother married into the Su family. Her luxurious life of washing her face with goat's milk was enough to prove the honor and favor she enjoyed in her husband's family. Although she was a beauty with a tragic fate and died early, her marriage was undoubtedly a match made in heaven and she was glorious.

However, there seemed to be a certain contempt and disdain hidden between the lines of Concubine Pei's words, which was very different from what Gu Linjun had said before about the deep friendship between her and her mother.

If their relationship was so deep as Gu Linjun said, why would they express such negative feelings towards the Su family, whom their mother trusted?

Perhaps only those who smile on the surface but have their own thoughts in their hearts can get a glimpse of the twists and subtleties involved.

Perhaps realizing the inappropriateness of her words, Concubine Pei immediately covered her mouth with a smile and turned to talk about Madam Ning's extraordinary embroidery skills, and hoped to buy a set of gorgeous clothes for her birthday banquet.

However, embroidery work is complicated and delicate, and even the simplest piece requires more than a month. With only a few days left before the banquet, such a requirement is obviously extremely difficult and challenging. It is not only a test for the Su family, but also subtly reveals dissatisfaction with Su Wanyu's mother's skills.

Faced with the completely different attitudes of Concubine Pei and the eldest princess, Su Wanyu's heart was as clear as a mirror. The former obviously had no old friendship with her mother.

"It is my honor to be favored by the queen."

She responded with a gentle smile, her posture demure and elegant, "I will first weave a colorful feathered dress for the eldest princess, and then present a carefully embroidered new dress to the queen."

On the side, Miss Pei frowned when she heard this, and seemed to want to say something, but was stopped by Yuan calmly.

After all, among those present, the eldest princess' status was unmatched by Concubine Pei. If she spoke carelessly at this moment, it would undoubtedly be a provocation to the majesty of the imperial power. How could she ignore the eldest princess's entrustment for the sake of a piece of clothing from the Concubine?

Concubine Pei and Lady Yuan were both well versed in the ways of the world, so they could naturally understand the meaning behind each other's words.

In contrast, Pei Qingzhi was naive and inexperienced, and thought he could manipulate this woman from a merchant family at will in his own territory.

"In that case, let's leave it at that. If there is an opportunity someday, we can discuss this matter again."

Concubine Pei's voice was still gentle and her smile was sweet. She seemed unaffected, but the barely perceptible flicker in her eyes revealed a slight fluctuation in her heart.

Having been in a high position for many years, few people dared to make her feel so aggrieved.

After this little disturbance, the atmosphere of the banquet returned to its lively state.

Yuan's attention was refocused on Concubine Pei and Pei Sina, and Su Wanyu was completely forgotten.

Su Wanyu didn't care about this. Instead, she enjoyed her leisure time, savoring the fragrant tea in her hand and watching the changes in the situation at the banquet.

One of Yuan's purposes for today's banquet was to test Su Wanyu, and the other was to secretly plan to marry her concubine's daughter to Luo Wenxuan of the Luo family.

It just so happens that Concubine Pei is here. If we can take this opportunity to promote this marriage and use the Concubine's reputation to ask the royal family for a marriage, it will undoubtedly be the best of both worlds.

Holding a cup of tea and keeping an eye on the overall situation, Su Wanyu calmly waited for the next good show to begin.

The concubine's daughter of the eldest son of the Pei family, she was of the same age as Pei Sina, but her appearance and temperament were quite different. She had a slender figure and a pretty face. She sat quietly in a corner, almost blending in with the maids around her.

It is not known whether Yuan's action was a disrespect to the Luo family or an overestimation of her own concubine's daughter.

Although the Luo family is also a merchant family, their ancestor was a third-rank official. They have official blood flowing in their veins and a wealthy family background. As the only son, Luo Wenxuan is expected to pass the imperial examination and have a bright future.

Yuan despised the Luo family, but was eager to marry into a higher class, so she even tried to use the unpopular concubine's daughter as a pawn. This was a very clever move.