"So this is the legendary Four Seasons Manor."
Yan Lu helped Grandma Yan out of the car, her eyes sweeping over the grand manor gates ahead. In the distance, layers of verdant hills stretched endlessly, clouds mingling with the mist—majestic yet retaining a classical elegance.
Grandma Yan patted the back of her hand and advised solemnly, "This isn’t Chunzhou. Speak less, observe more."
Yan Lu replied with a bright smile, "Got it, Grandma. Let’s head in."
Watching her granddaughter’s innocent smile, Grandma Yan sighed deeply within.
She hadn’t expected an invitation from the Yu family to arrive so suddenly.
She feared this banquet might not bode well.
A servant dressed in a mint-green Chinese-style jacket and skirt led the grandmother and granddaughter inside. There were many servants bustling about within the manor, their outfits uniform, their movents disciplined, creating a picturesque sight amid winter’s chill.
Yan Lu also noticed that every few ters, a guard stood dutifully at their post, expressionless and steadfast.
Passing through a grove of plum trees, a massive glass conservatory ca into view. Its dod roof was adorned with vines, which upon closer inspection turned out to be genuine.
These were likely flown in from the south just for the occasion. After the banquet, those green vines would surely shrivel in the cold.
The banquet was being held right inside this glass conservatory.
Compared to the icy world outside, the interior was warm and inviting, with a variety of flowers blooming in the corners.
A soft, printed carpet covered the floor, with seating arranged on either side. Plates of fruits and snacks sat above, while mats were placed below, mimicking ancient traditions where guests knelt on the floor.
Yan Lu had the urge to laugh as soon as she stepped in—whoever ca up with this idea really deserved so credit.
Neither fully traditional nor truly modern, and in the air... full of flower pollen. "Achoo!"
Yan Lu rubbed her nose.
Several guests had already arrived early in the conservatory, and thus, the grandmother and granddaughter duo imdiately drew attention as they entered.
"Mrs. Yan." A wealthy lady recognized Grandma Yan and walked over with a broad smile, initiating the usual pleasantries.
Grandma Yan glanced at the lady in front of her: ...
She had always been face-blind, even in her younger years. Jingzhou was ho to countless aristocratic families, and the noblewon here all shared a similar fashion style—she truly couldn’t distinguish them.
Moreover, she hadn’t been to Jingzhou for years, and the current prominent set of noblewon was entirely unfamiliar to her.
The lady was tactful enough to introduce herself right away, "You recall the Gao family, don’t you? I rember about twenty years ago, my grandfather celebrated his 80th birthday, and you brought Miss Yan along to congratulate him. I rember it vividly. Oh my, is this Miss Yan? She looks exactly like your niece back then. The genes in your Yan family are truly remarkable—every young lady you raise is so charming."
Flattering words were welco to anyone, especially when they were directed toward her favorite granddaughter. Grandma Yan’s lips curved into a slight smile.
Yan Lu raised an eyebrow—rembering events from twenty years ago in such detail? This Ms. Gao was quite sothing.
"Thank you for the complint. I’m nowhere near my aunt’s level." Yan Lu blushed modestly, appearing sweet and humble.
Ms. Gao’s gaze flickered slightly as she stared at Yan Lu, stepping forward to take her hand. "I have two sons, and I’ve always dreamt of having a daughter. If only Miss Yan were my own daughter, how wonderful that would be."
Yan Lu subtly withdrew her hand—how forward these Jingzhou elites were!
Grandma Yan’s smile faded slightly, and she quickly deduced why this woman surnad Gao was trying so hard to ingratiate herself.
Ms. Gao ca from a decent family, and the Gao family was considered aristocracy in Jingzhou. However, her husband hailed from the Guan family, which had risen from humble origins by aligning itself with the Yu family. Over the years, their standing had diminished, far less favored than the Jing and Xiang families, so much so that they were now relegated to the sidelines.
Ms. Gao’s elder son was soon to be transferred to Chunzhou, where he would serve under Grandma Yan’s grandson. In such circumstances, social status mattered little, and naturally, she wanted to shower them with praise to win their favor.
Grandma Yan, however, was far too shrewd to fall for it. Her responses were perfectly polite yet impenetrable, leaving the other woman utterly powerless.
Soon after, Lady Jing and Mrs. Xiang arrived.
These two were notorious for their rivalry; anyti they crossed paths, quarrels were inevitable. Yan Lu sipped her tea and watched the drama unfold.
Oh, even the tea cups they were using were exquisite blue and white porcelain—tsk tsk, the Yu family really did know how to flaunt their wealth.
Following close behind Lady Jing was Jing Zhan, who noticed Yan Lu in the corner. He narrowed his eyes, sneered, and approached her, gazing down at her with evident disdain. "What are you doing here?"
Yan Lu took a bite of a plum blossom pastry. She couldn’t help but marvel—how did the Yu family’s pastry chef manage to make it so airy and soft, each bite bursting with sweet plum fragrance?
If only she could take the Yu family’s chef ho with her.
"What a stupid question. Of course, I walked here," Yan Lu rolled her eyes.
"You..." Jing Zhan scoffed coldly, "All you do is eat, eat, and eat. You lack even a shred of elegance befitting a proper lady—truly disgraceful."
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