Chapter 445: Princess Wei’s Birthday Banquet (2) (1/2)

Matriarch He had been living in the capital for so long that she understood all the nuances of the etiquette in play here. Her face was kindly, making her look approachable despite her age.

“There’s no need for you to greet me. It is my honour to be invited to Princess Wei’s birthday banquet. I will have to trouble Senior Servant Lan to pass on my blessings to Princess Wei.”

He Ying was standing to one side. When she saw how courteous her mother was acting towards a servant, disdain surfaced on her expression.

This person wasn’t even the princess herself, she was only a servant. Did her mother really need to fawn over a mere servant like this, with her title as first-ranked noble wife? Could it possibly be her age getting to her?

Senior Servant Lan was sharp-eyed, as befitted her position. She had caught He Ying’s small movements.

“You’re too courteous, Matriarch. This old servant will pass on your words to Princess Wei later on. It’ll be the eve of the new year tomorrow. Has there been any news from Honoured Lady Jinyi in the north?”

Senior Servant Lan had mentioned Chu Lian in front of Matriarch He at this time on purpose. A smart person would instantly realise what she meant.

Matriarch He had never been a slow-witted person as the de-facto leader of her family.

Senior Servant Lan wasn’t really asking about news of Chu Lian. Princess Wei had sent two of her bodyguards along when Chu Lian had left for the north. If there was really any news, Prince Wei’s Estate might even find out earlier than they did.

Right now, she was using the mention of Chu Lian to remind her that the only reason they had received the invite and why they now able to mingle with Prince Wei’s Estate, was purely due to Chu Lian’s efforts.

When you drink water, think of the person who dug the well.

Matriarch He sighed, “I have not received any news of her. I’ve always been thinking of Lian’er, please pass on my gratitude to Princess Wei for remembering Lian’er. If there’s any news, I’ll definitely send a message to the princess immediately.”

When Senior Servant Lan saw that the matriarch had understood her reminder, she ended the topic. She spoke up courteously, “Look at this, this old servant has completely forgotten about the time while chatting. Apologies for keeping Matriarch here out in the cold wind. This old servant has failed in my duties. Matriarch, it’s getting late. This old servant will guide you to the inner court.”

He Ying had already lost her patience some time ago while waiting.

It wasn’t until the three ladies had gotten onto the sedan that the prince’s estate had arranged to take them into the inner court that Matriarch He finally got the chance to give a stern warning to her daughter.

“Miss Ying, what kind of look was that just now?” Matriarch He intoned.

He Ying was too stubborn to accept the scolding and snapped back, “Mother, what were you doing talking so nicely to an old servant? Even if she’s dressed lavishly, she’s still just a servant. We’ll lose our dignity if we lower ourselves in front of a servant!”

Matrairch He harrumphed, annoyed with her daughter’s tone. “What do you know?! That servant you’re talking about is a highly ranked court lady! Her rank is even higher than yours!”

He Ying was frozen stiff in shock, “That old woman is a court lady?”

Matriarch He suppressed her rage, not wanting to have it out with her daughter at this time. However, her tone turned more icy, “Put away that haughtiness of yours! This birthday banquet is extremely important, and so are all the guests here. If you offend a respected personage and make enemies for me, I’ll send you right back to Siyang.”