Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 337: Just Like That

The Empress Dowager is unwell and cannot attend the banquet.

The Empress will host the women’s side of the banquet, while the ministers will be on the other side, presided over by the Emperor.

After all, most of the court’s ministers are present. Including their families, there are many people, men and women alike. The noblewomen are fine, but the young unmarried girls always need to avoid suspicion, so it’s better to have separate seating for men and women, making it more convenient and comfortable.

Anyway, everyone knows they are here to congratulate Princess Zhuyu.

The seating was arranged early, and Qu Fulan doesn’t understand what the Empress was thinking, placing the Pei Family in the first seat on the left. Although Pei Ji’an holds substantial sway in the court, there are many elders with more influence than him who should be seated in such a position.

Yet with the Empress’s arrangement, she cannot refute openly.

Luckily, the Xiao Family sits opposite the Pei Family, so the Pei Family is not exactly the center of attention.

Qu Fulan accompanied Madam Pei and is now seated by her side.

As for Madam Pei’s friend, the Eldest Princess, she is not attending the banquet.

It has nothing to do with whether she likes Princess Zhuyu or not. The Eldest Princess has always been free-spirited, preferring private gatherings among sisters over such elaborate banquets. She only attends if it’s related to the Empress Dowager, Emperor, or Empress.

She has always been this way; neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager says anything, and others have nothing to say.

But the Eldest Princess did send her regards to Princess Zhuyu with a gift; the thought is what counts.

Princess Zhuyu is dressed resplendently, sitting beside the Empress, with impeccable manners. The noblewomen and young ladies below look on in awe, praising the princess’s excellent demeanor.

But for Qu Fulan, who witnessed everything behind Princess Zhuyu, she can still see the princess striving to maintain composure, trying not to make mistakes, something beyond the understanding of most people.

Actually, Princess Zhuyu has learned everything from scratch over the last ten days, achieving the current result, which Qu Fulan considers remarkable, befitting her royal bloodlines. Perhaps deep down, there’s a natural aristocratic gene, so even though she learned slowly at first, she gradually adapted.

The saying, dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes to phoenixes, while mice dig holes, isn’t it just the truth?

While thinking this, she noticed Princess Zhuyu glancing in her direction.

Possibly, the days spent together have created a tacit understanding, with Qu Fulan able to interpret the princess’s gaze as seeking confirmation on her actions being correct or inappropriate.

Qu Fulan discreetly gave a thumbs-up, prompting a subtle smile from the princess’s lips.

The calm surface didn’t last long; with the Emperor’s three palaces and six courtyards, so many concubines present, something was bound to stir.

Consort Zhang was the most active. When she spoke, it was rarely anything good.

"Young Lady Pei is truly the fastest and best at learning etiquette among those I’ve seen, without her guidance, Princess Zhuyu would hardly have today’s grace, the princess ought to thank Young Lady Pei properly."

Qu Fulan suddenly felt as if sitting on pins and needles, with so many noblewomen and young ladies here, including the Empress present, she couldn’t bear the title of ’best and fastest’.

Consort Zhang’s words directly made Qu Fulan the focus of attention.

Previously, Qu Fulan had little feeling towards Consort Zhang, but from this moment onward, she completely lost favor for her.

Yet regardless of her inner complaints, Qu Fulan calmly responded, "Consort Zhang flatters, I’m still often needing my mother-in-law’s instructions at home, with much to learn, how could I accept the titles ’best and fastest’? Consort Zhang’s words overwhelmed me."

Consort Zhang laughed, "Why be modest, Young Lady Pei? Nanny Gui complimented you too, you certainly deserve it, isn’t that right, Princess Zhuyu?"

Pulling one down wasn’t enough, she wanted to bring down another as well.

However, Princess Zhuyu, having just returned to the palace, knew nothing of the deep waters within. She didn’t sense the provocation in these words but did feel Consort Zhang’s unfriendly intentions, momentarily unsure how to respond, anxiety creeping back in.

Ultimately inexperienced in such situations, previously poised, now faced with sudden questions, despite Nanny Gui discussing various possible scenarios, this situation wasn’t among them, leaving her clueless.

Should she say yes or no? If yes, yet Young Lady Pei spoke that way, she can’t really contradict; if no, yet Young Lady Pei did indeed teach well.

How is she supposed to answer now?

Ultimately, the Empress stepped in to resolve the situation.

But those noblewomen and young ladies still looked at Qu Fulan with peculiar expressions.

Even Mrs. Xiao scrutinized Qu Fulan with a few judgmental glances. Ji Nishang, who also attended with Mrs. Xiao, looked at Qu Fulan when Consort Zhang praised her, eyes filled with envy and jealousy.

No matter how it’s put, Qu Fulan is the legitimate Young Lady now, whereas she, still unmarried, is deemed an old maid by others, despite not hearing the gossip.

If Ji Nishang proactively asked Mrs. Xiao to find someone for her, Mrs. Xiao would surely help, even finding someone good, given her son delayed her this long, feeling guilty inside.

Though satisfied with this niece, if her son refuses marriage, one can’t forcibly demand, resulting in endless delays. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

This man delays without care, whereas a woman cannot endure.

Ji Nishang refuses to give up, insistently waiting.

Either her cousin marries her or doesn’t marry at all, as the most threatening competitor poses no threat anymore.

Yet, Ji Nishang gazed at Princess Zhuyu above, lips pursed.

Like when Qu Fulan initially heard Pei Ji’an was injured while saving the princess, her heart skipped a beat, Ji Nishang surely felt the same?

The princess is of marriageable age; coinciding with a hero saving a beauty, Pei Heir has wed while her cousin hasn’t!

The banquet proceeded.

Palace maids began serving dishes to each table, when one maid carrying a tray tripped over something near Qu Fulan, causing the soup to spill towards her.

Qu Fulan reacted swiftly, rising immediately to avoid it, though some soup still splashed on her skirt, the hot liquid soaking through to the skin, a warm sensation felt, thankfully this is winter, else the temperature would be different.

The maid, as if causing a grave accident, turned pale, kneeling on the ground, trembling with fear.

The Empress frowned, "How can you be so careless? Someone, take her away for strict supervision, she’ll be dealt with later."

Since it’s the princess’s banquet today, hosted personally by the Emperor, blood can’t be seen during a banquet—it’s inauspicious.

She then ordered someone to escort Young Lady Pei to change clothes.

Entering the palace, splashed with soup, changing clothes—such scenarios appear often in novels and TV shows, always leading to something happening.

Qu Fulan had to be precautious; leaving with the maid to change, she had Bicao stay behind.

When her master left, Bicao quietly retreated as well.