The Duke's Mansion used a two-story flower garden to entertain the female members of the family this time. In the large courtyard in front was a lush green lawn with a huge Taihu stone placed on top, which looked simple, steady and full of heritage.
There are a row of flower pots on the corridor.
Although it is spring, it is not something that ordinary noble families can do to display so many flowers at once.
Thinking about the long-declined Yongding Marquis Mansion, and then thinking about the troubles in the Zhongyong Marquis Mansion and the Changping Marquis Mansion, Mrs. Zhang felt an irrepressible sense of pride in her heart.
If he wasn't such a person, how could he be worthy of such an outstanding daughter like her
She patted her daughter's hand.
After a while, someone came from outside to report that Princess Chun'an had arrived.
Zhang Linghui immediately stood up straight.
She and Princess Chun'an were very good friends. They were of similar age and had played together before they got married. At that time, the status of the Zhang family and the Fenyang Palace was very different. But since they met at the party in the Yongding Earl's Mansion, they became good friends, and Princess Chun'an never treated her as an outsider.
She smiled and went out to hold Princess Chun'an's hand: "Thank you for coming so early. I was so busy, worrying about how to arrange for the ladies and princesses later! Now that you are here, I feel relieved."
Princess Chun'an was particularly tolerant and friendly to her. She followed her inside with a smile and said, "I came here to help you because I knew this was your first time taking over the job of the Duke's wife. You have to thank me."
"That's natural." Zhang Linghui smiled. "I just got a piece of Xiangyun gauze the other day. It's ice blue. As soon as I got it, I thought it would look good on you, so I kept it for you..."
Xiangyunsha is the most fashionable fabric in the Great Zhou Dynasty. It is as thin as a cicada's wing and has a faint pearly luster under the sunlight. It looks like clouds and fog, hence the name Xiangyunsha. Because it is shipped from overseas and is only available occasionally, it is even more precious.
Even the steward under Princess Chun'an couldn't find it anywhere, but she didn't expect Zhang Linghui to have one, and it was an even harder-to-find ice blue color. She sighed and couldn't help but look at Zhang Linghui: "Let me take a look, maybe she made a fortune from somewhere?"
They chatted and laughed all the way into the flower hall. Princess Chun'an was good friends with Zhang Linghui, so she was naturally very polite to Madam Zhang. Madam Zhang was very pleased and the smile on her face never stopped.
This wave of joy continued until Princess Mingchang and others arrived, and it reached an unprecedented high.
In the past, she was more of a guest, after all, her daughter was not the head of the family. But this time, the feeling was completely different. From now on, this huge backyard of the Duke's Mansion will be in the hands of her daughter. From now on, when the girls of the Zhang family go out, others will look at them with respect, and the people who come and go will all be royal relatives and nobles.
She was concentrating all her attention on listening to Princess Mingchang's questions when she heard someone outside report that the fourth young lady from the Yongding Marquis's Mansion had arrived. The expression on her face froze for a moment.
The four words "Yongding Marquis' Mansion" were extremely sensitive to her. When she heard them, she couldn't help but frown.
Sure enough, before she could react, everyone looked at her and Zhang Linghui with intriguing eyes. Even Princess Mingchang's eyes paused on Zhang Linghui for a moment.
... ..
Mrs. Zhang tried hard to act as if nothing had happened, but she felt very uncomfortable in her heart. She couldn't help but look at her daughter, not understanding why her daughter had invited people from the Su family.
Zhang San's grandmother hid her sleeves and smiled, whispering to Madam Zhang: "Mother, don't worry about this. Auntie is a very smart person. Besides, our Third Master didn't let the Su family take advantage of him the other day."
Mrs. Zhang understood as soon as she heard it, pursed her lips and sneered in her heart.
No matter what the reason was, she didn't like dealing with the Su family. If the Su family fell into decline, it would be fine as it would not affect her daughter. But once the Su family rose again, many scenes would be a little ugly, just like this time. She narrowed her eyes and waited for Su Yao to come in. Her eyes moved around Su Yao, and then her eyelids drooped, the corners of her mouth turned down, revealing a disdainful arc.
The room suddenly became quiet, and everyone's eyes fell on Su Yao.
Zhang Linghui followed in and smiled as she took Su Yao's hand and patted it: "Old Madam Su and Madam He were unable to take the time to come, so now their darling Eyeball is here. I really like this pretty and lovely girl the moment I see her, so please don't bully her."
Everyone had different expressions, and no one took up the conversation for a moment.
Su Yao's background is indeed somewhat peculiar. If Mrs. He had brought him personally, he would have to give Mrs. He some face and deal with a few words. But since Su Yao came out as a guest on his own, and everyone present was well-known, there was no need for him to lower his status for a junior.
As for people like Tian Rui, they all disdained to have anything to do with Su Yao.
Zhang Linghui seemed not to notice the awkward atmosphere and praised Su Yao with a smile: "Sister, you are really as beautiful as a fairy in a painting. Look at your charming aura. No wonder even the Imperial Concubine and the Li Concubine are full of praise for you."
Tian Rui looked towards Su Yao and curled the corners of her mouth in disdain.
The girls sitting nearby looked at Su Yao in a strange way. Finally, one of them couldn't help but burst out laughing, and then whispered, "The fourth lady Su is so popular with the wife of the prince. Is it because of the eldest young master Su?"
Although the voice was low, it was loud enough for many people to hear.
Tian Rui raised the corner of her mouth.
The discussion continued: "Don't talk nonsense! The wife of the prince is dignified and noble, how could she look down on Master Su?"
"That's right! I heard that Master Su didn't know what was good for him and always went to the Zhang family's villa. He was even beaten up by the Zhang family!"
Mrs. Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, then drank a sip of tea leisurely and chatted with Princess Mingchang about family matters with a smile.
"Master Su is simply a toad wanting to eat swan meat! His legs are lame, he is a cripple, how can he be worthy of the prince's wife?"
Zhang Linghui seemed a little embarrassed. She bit her lip and looked at Su Yao. The smile on her face was a little forced. She lowered her voice and said to Su Yao: "These are just hearsay. Miss Four, please don't mind..."
Seeing that no one was paying attention to Su Yao, he said, "Sister, come with me first..."
Mrs. Wang just came in with Wang Yuerong. When she saw Su Yao following Zhang Linghui, her expression suddenly became very strange. After greeting Zhang Linghui, she still looked at Su Yao with some hesitation.
Zhang Linghui apologized to them gently and politely, and then looked at Princess Chun'an: "Please, Princess, entertain the distinguished guests for me."