Feng Caiwei’s name was growing louder by the day, spreading far and wide.
When Wang Chan came to visit the Qi family, she joked with a smile, “Lately, I don’t even dare go out and socialize anymore.”
Qi Yuan naturally understood what she meant and responded with a faint smile.
Old Madam Qi glanced at Qi Yuan before finally speaking, “It’s true… these days, I hear this Miss Feng’s name almost every day. Is she really that impressive?”
It was rare for the usually composed and unshakable Old Madam Qi to show even a hint of unease.
She had never paid much mind to other young women. After all, truth be told, someone like Qi Yuan—there simply wasn’t another like her in the entire Great Zhou.
Having already met someone like Qi Yuan, how could Xiao Yunting possibly have eyes for anyone else?
But now, Feng Caiwei’s reputation was indeed soaring, to the point where even the rarely socializing Old Madam Feng had heard of this remarkable young lady.
Old Madam Qi couldn’t help but start thinking more about it.
Wang Chan spoke with a touch of dismay.
Before Qi Yuan and Feng Caiwei appeared, she never felt there were so many extraordinary people in the world.
But now, after being exposed to them, her eyes had truly been opened.
Qi Yuan’s brilliance was the kind that barged into your world, forcing you to open your eyes wide and confront it head-on.
Feng Caiwei’s brilliance, however, was of a completely different kind.
With a sigh, Wang Chan said, “Don’t even mention it. Duke Cheng’s residence hosted a Peony Banquet…”
She paused, her expression turning complicated. “There were over a hundred varieties of peonies at the event. Feng Caiwei painted a peony scroll—it was like she had plucked the flowers straight off their stems and placed them onto paper. And that’s not all…”
Recalling the scene, her eyes widened in astonishment. “Someone there deliberately tried to make things difficult for her. Who would’ve thought Feng Caiwei could name all one hundred-plus varieties—without a single mistake!”
It had to be said—the sight of Feng Caiwei standing in that pavilion was nothing short of radiant.
Old Madam Qi found it hard to believe. The Qi family had hosted flower banquets before as well, and even she, at best, could name a dozen varieties of peonies. Honestly, which noble lady or young miss could truly recognize every single type of flower?
She opened her mouth in disbelief. “That impressive?”
“It’s true!” Wang Chan exclaimed in admiration. “The deep red ones were Ink Peony and Cinnabar Frost. The red-and-golden ones were Golden-Red Radiance, Gold-Backed Crimson, and Rouged Lips…”
She mimicked Feng Caiwei’s manner that day. “Those with red petals and yellow stamens are Red-Heart Villa. Petals yellow outside and red inside—that’s Purple Dragon Lying in Snow. White outside, red inside—that’s Fragrant Hill Chick. Light pink are Clearwater Lotus, Blush Peach, and Pink Sunflower. Pure white like snow are White Cat Lion and Grass-Hut Fence…”
She grabbed Qi Yuan’s arm, eyes wide. “Sister Yuan, she rattled off so many names—I couldn’t even remember them all, let alone figure out how to tell them apart. But seriously, she’s incredible!”
After a moment, she chuckled and held her fingers slightly apart. “Just… a tiny bit below you.”
A girl like that—she would shine no matter where she went.
Qi Yuan smiled. “That is indeed very impressive.”
Old Madam Qi immediately grew even more anxious.
In the past, she used to worry whenever Qi Yuan went out. After all, whenever Qi Yuan left the house, it was usually to return with someone’s head.
But now… she was starting to feel like maybe Qi Yuan should go out more.
And yet, looking at Qi Yuan, she found herself a little conflicted.
Compared to Qi Yuan’s uniqueness, every skill that Feng Caiwei displayed was something presentable—something people could readily accept.
To put it bluntly, everything Feng Caiwei showed was a message to both society and the aristocratic circles: she had received excellent education and possessed exceptional natural talent.
Even Old Madam Qi was starting to feel a headache over this.
She could already imagine just how much the Empress and the Crown Princess must like this young lady.
Wang Chan also chimed in, “Exactly, she’s truly impressive! At first, even Ah Rong wasn’t convinced. But after that flower banquet, even she had to admit that Miss Feng has real abilities.”
Sigh, there were already so many capable people in the world—what difference would it make if there was one more?
Old Madam Qi was starting to grow weary of hearing about it. She inhaled deeply.
Wang Chan sighed even more heavily, her mood sinking lower than even Old Madam Qi’s. “In a few days, that Madam Feng is holding her 60th birthday banquet. We’ve already received the invitation. Of course, we have to attend. But now, whenever I think about seeing that Miss Feng, I just feel utterly ashamed of myself.”
And sure enough, speak of the devil—by that very afternoon, the Qi family also received an invitation from the Feng family.
This was now the most coveted invitation in the entire capital—an invitation from Chengen Marquis’s household. But Old Madam Qi only found it burning hot in her hands.
After some thought, she instructed the Second Madam, “You take Third Girl and Fourth Girl with you. Since they’ve already sent the invitation, naturally, we have to go. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be proper.”
The Third Girl was the Second Madam’s own daughter; the Fourth Girl was from the third branch. Second Madam was a little puzzled and asked, “Is Ah Yuan not going?”
She genuinely found it strange. Last time, Qi Yuan had merely strolled around Zhou Wang’s estate and returned without causing any trouble—highly unusual in itself.
Truth be told, Old Madam Qi didn’t want Qi Yuan to go.
That Feng Caiwei was indeed formidable. As Wang Chan said, she was likely someone the Feng family had painstakingly cultivated since childhood to possess such accomplishments.
Qi Yuan’s strengths were one thing—but in matters like this, she absolutely couldn’t compete with Feng Caiwei.
Old Madam Qi simply didn’t want Qi Yuan to suffer that humiliation.
But Qi Yuan didn’t feel there was anything humiliating about it. That evening, when she heard about the invitation, she told Old Madam Qi directly, “You can dodge for a while, but you can’t dodge forever. I heard one of those invitations was addressed to me specifically. Since that’s the case, I might as well go take a look.”
Old Madam Qi grew truly anxious now. “Ah Yuan, are you really going?”
Qi Yuan smiled. “Miss Feng is like a peacock in full display. The momentum has already been built up to this point. No doubt, the birthday banquet for Madam Feng will be her grand stage to truly shine. That’s why they sent me a separate invitation.”
Since that’s the case, of course she had to go and enjoy the show.
When Old Madam Qi heard that Qi Yuan was going, she immediately informed Second Madam. Then she added, “Since Ah Yuan is going, then Third Girl and Fourth Girl don’t need to go anymore.”
No need for so many girls from the same household to show up just to play the role of background decoration.
Old Madam Qi suddenly found these flowery tea parties rather boring. Why didn’t anyone organize a polo match instead?
Second Madam let out a small “ah” and, for some reason, felt an unexpected sense of relief settle into her chest.
She’d had this vague feeling of unease all along, and now she realized it was because she was so used to going out with Qi Yuan by her side. Without her this time, heading out to a social gathering felt strangely unsettling.
Her mood became complicated. “Miss Feng’s reputation is really too impressive right now. I wonder if Ah Yuan will…”
Old Madam Qi’s face immediately sank. “Ah Yuan knows her own limits. She’s perfectly clear on what should and shouldn’t be done. You don’t need to worry.”
Second Madam quickly nodded and agreed.
When they boarded the carriage, she still couldn’t help reminding Qi Yuan, “These flower banquets are all more or less the same—probably similar to the one we attended at Zhou Wang’s estate. Ah Yuan, if you find it boring, once we’ve delivered the birthday gift and made an appearance, I’ll take you home.”
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 20+ chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
