Madam Cui's mansion was in the south of the city, but it wasn't a popular destination anymore. The truly upstarts all lived in the east, where their residences were new, spacious, and close to Shengchun Mountain. It's said that feng shui changes every sixty years, and the same applies to the human world.

Madam Cui's late husband, Lord Cui of the Ministry of Rites, was once only a hair's breadth away from becoming a marquis, but tragically died at the age of fifty. Madam Cui's only son died young, and the adopted son, actually a nephew, succeeded him. While filial, he wasn't raised well, and his career as an official wasn't quite up to par. He relied on Lord Cui's legacy to become a minor fourth-rank official. Even with this level of status for the main branch, and none of his sons and nephews excelled, the Cui family was on the verge of decline. The Cui Mansion, once admired throughout the city when it was built, now seemed shrouded in a twilight, though still a prominent and prestigious family.

Madam Cui was now seventy years old. She held a high rank, so senior that even Madam Lou was her nephew, and she was related by marriage to the nobles in the palace, so she could still hold her own.

The ladies of the city respected her age and virtue, and she still presided over the first banquet of the spring. Horses and carriages from all over the city converged on the Cui Mansion in the south.

Second Madam Lou had calculated it perfectly; the three sisters arrived neither too early nor too late, like the daughters of a wealthy family, unassuming and unassuming, yet commanding respect. Many carriages were parked at the gate, but the daughters' sedan chairs were carried directly inside, and the banquet was held in the backyard.

Beijing had strict rules; unmarried daughters were not allowed to meet outsiders, but wives were allowed to disembark and spend some time in the front yard exchanging pleasantries.

Ling Shuang, always a bold woman, pried open a slit in the sedan chair curtain and glanced at the front courtyard. Sure enough, many ladies of high rank were chatting and chatting. Their clothes and hair were as brocaded as mist. The more prominent the lady, the more luxurious her attire. Peony buns were a popular trend in the capital lately, with hair styled loosely and covered in pearls and jade. It was truly magnificent.

The sedan stopped in the back hallway. The bearers stepped aside, and the maids from all families rushed to help them down. The maids of the wealthy families were all second daughters, and they had also arrived in carriages, just like the young ladies of ordinary families. Xianyue's maid, Tao Ran, was the most astute. Noticing the way the young ladies in the capital often placed their hands loosely on the maids' wrists, she immediately adapted.

"Madam, you ran into a good friend from back in the capital. They were talking, so you've come right over."

Yuexiang, the maidservant of the eldest daughter Qingyun, spoke as she came over to help her out of the sedan chair. A maidservant from the Cui family had already come to help. She looked like a housekeeper's wife, about forty years old, wearing a green dress. She supported Qingyun, looked the three sisters over, and exclaimed, "Are you the three young ladies of the Lou family?"

As they were talking, Second Madam Lou arrived with her best friend. It was none other than Fourth Madam Mei, a family friend. Both of them were from Jiangnan, and though they were close friends, they had only met after Second Madam Lou married into the capital. They hit it off instantly. When the second branch of the Lou family left the capital, only the Mei family had come to see them off. Now, their friendship was even more intense.

Fourth Madam Mei pulled the three sisters together for a look. They were all still young, so she smiled at the third, Ling Shuang, and said, "Third Miss, did the correspondence go smoothly along the way?"

Ling Shuang was a little embarrassed, but she was always easygoing and replied seriously, "Not bad."

Everyone laughed immediately. It turned out there was a deeper connection, one that hadn't been discussed yet.

Fourth Madam Mei was a few years younger than Second Madam Lou, had given birth later, and had only one daughter.

Fourth Madam Mei lived in Beijing and traveled frequently. When she saw the Cui family's housekeeper's wife, she called her "Madam Li." She held Second Madam Lou's hand, and the girls followed, talking as they entered the Cui family's backyard.

The weather was cold, and few flowers were in bloom. The long corridor was festooned with brightly colored silks and hung with palace lanterns. Long silk ribbons of brocade, adorned with messages to the goddess of flowers, were strung on bamboo poles. These were called "Spring Banners." Along the way, they encountered young ladies from various families and finally reached the Glazed Pavilion, where guests were received. Outside, a century-old cinnabar plum blossom blossomed, its blossoms as red as cinnabar and as brilliant as the morning glow, its fragrance filling the air.

There were about thirty young ladies from aristocratic families in the pavilion, all dressed in fashionable clothes and glamorous makeup. Ling Shuang took a peek and concluded: Qing Yun was the most outstanding talent, but Xian Yue was unmatched in beauty.

Old Madam Cui took the main seat, and each young lady who entered would come forward to greet them.

Old Madam Cui was delighted to see Qingyun. She took her hand and sat down beside her, smiling at Second Madam Lou, "How could Second Madam Lou have hidden such a beauty for so many years?"

As they were talking, the third branch of the Lou family arrived, but they didn't arrive alone. Yuzhu and Bizhu entered, flanked by a very pretty girl. She looked no more than fifteen or sixteen, not very tall. She wore sable and snow-kicking boots, looking quite charming. She had a small mole on her cheek. She had taken off her outer garment, revealing a red dress with a necklace dangling from the hem of her skirt. Around her neck was a string of dark gold pearls, each the size of a thumb, which set off her jade-like complexion and made her look incredibly beautiful.

Of the three sisters, Qingyun was gentle, Xianyue was charming, and Lingshuang had a perpetually stern expression. This girl was a stark contrast to the other three, rather like the mischievous little Tanxue who had grown up, only a little too arrogant.

She entered with familiarity and greeted Old Madam Cui first. Seeing Qingyun sitting next to her, she asked, "Who is this lady?"

"This is Qingyun." Old Madam Cui introduced them. "Qingyun, meet the young princess..."

"She's the young princess of the Xun family, right?" Second Madam Lou observed from afar. Although she wasn't in the capital, she was well-informed.

"Yes, that's her," Fourth Madam Mei said with a hint of ambiguity. "Princess Wen married into He Lingshu's family and had no children. However, a concubine gave birth to a daughter, who she adopted and raised. Later, she married into the Xun family, and she became her mother.

Her mother died young, and Princess Wen took pity on her, raising her year after year. Everyone called her the young princess, and that nickname became a common practice.

The Mei and Xun families, with their different factions in the court, had some animosity, and Fourth Madam Mei's tone was blunt.

After all, the Lang family, to whom the Mei family was marrying, also had fiefdoms, so they weren't afraid of her.

But the others were clearly more fawning. It was clear that the young princess was the leading figure among the noble ladies in the capital. She was a bit hesitant when Old Madam Cui was around. While she was talking to a few older ladies, the girls gathered in groups of three or five to chat. Some discussed their needlework, showing it off to one another. Some compared accessories. A few even went to the glazed windows to admire the flowers. Qingyun had a naturally gentle and generous personality that girls admired, and several girls quickly gathered around her. Some asked, "Sister Qingyun, what flowers are blooming in Jiangnan at this time?"

Some asked, "How is your handkerchief embroidered? Why are the stitches so natural?" The bolder ones had already made appointments, saying, "My family's having a banquet in March. Come and enjoy the plum blossoms." "

Xianyue, on the other hand, was a bit of a loner. She was graceful and elegant. She listened for a while beside Qingyun, then went to look at the flowers by the glazed window. Then, returning to Lingshuang, she said, "So they're divided according to their factions within the court. The different factions don't even talk to each other much."

Lingshuang was concentrating on her tea and didn't engage in her conversation.

"Trouble is coming," Xianyue suddenly said.

Lingshuang looked up. Princess Xun, accompanied by the sisters Yuzhu and Bizhu, had already arrived. She didn't act bossy right away, but instead asked, "Are you Sister Qingyun's sisters?"

"Yes." Xianyue deliberately leaned on Lingshuang's shoulder, smiling. Even if most girls could feign friendliness, they couldn't help themselves when they saw her like this. Sure enough, a hint of viciousness flashed across Princess Xun's eyes, and Lingshuang understood.

Yuzhu had just begun to say, "Third sister, you..." when Princess Xun interrupted her.

"Your family is really strange. Why don't you follow birth order?" "She asked with a hint of a smile.

In fact, judging by Yuzhu and Bizhu's servile demeanor, they'd probably already revealed everything about the Second Branch to her, and she was just asking on purpose. Lingshuang cursed Yuzhu and Bizhu for their stupidity, but at the same time, she was a little wary of Princess Xun. This little princess looked domineering, but she was actually quite clever. In large families, the children were usually ranked together. Yuzhu was older than Lingshuang, and above her were Qingyun and Xianyue. Lingshuang couldn't be third in line, so she caught on and took advantage of it.

"Little Princess, you don't know this. Second Uncle has been an official in Jiangnan for years and hasn't been home for fifteen years. Therefore, the sisters from the Second Branch are also not in the capital. Our ancestors joked that we should take our own place and not wait for them, but now we've gotten used to it and can't change it all at once." Yuzhu said with a smile.

Although she defended him, the girls around her weren't fools. Although they were all minding their own business, countless ears had already heard what had happened and would probably tell their families back home. If the reputation of the Lou family's second master being unfilial and causing unrest in the family spread, it would be embarrassing for the second branch, but it wouldn't benefit the third branch either.

Ling Shuang felt Xianyue's grip on her shoulder tighten, and she knew she was getting a little angry.

"Why are you here?"

Qingyun had come over at some point, taking Xianyue in hand, and said, "I've met a few new sisters. We've agreed to draw plum blossom patterns together later. I'm waiting for you two. Come with me."

She was always courteous. After taking the two away, she didn't forget to say to Princess Xun, "Sorry, I have to excuse myself." Princess Xun also said, "Of course not," clearly indicating that Bishop Wen had put his heart into her words.

Qingyun led the two of them to a small pavilion on the side, where the maid Yuexiang was already waiting, drawing the curtains for them.

"Mother's gone to play cards with them. I just asked, and dinner won't be served for another hour or two. You stay here and don't go out and chat with others. Be obedient." 

Qing Yun led them into the small pavilion. As expected, the place was exquisite and warm. Several kind-looking girls sat around a fumigation oven, sewing. On the warm kang, a girl of about thirteen or fourteen was sketching a pattern facing the bright window. They were all dressed similarly to the Lou sisters.

"This is Sister Huang Yuqin, and this is Sister Liu Zichan..." Qing Yun introduced them one by one.

They were all gentle and good-tempered, not prone to cliques, and all came from respectable families. Liu Zichan was probably from Minister Liu's family, and Huang Yuqin was probably a descendant of a fallen clan. Her jade pendant even had a goose-yellow tassel.

Qing Yun had this talent. No matter which group she joined, she could always find a group with similar personalities. Regardless of age, they quickly gathered together, and everyone got along harmoniously.

"Sit down. I just boasted about your painting skills. Teach Sister Huang how to sketch the plum blossoms first, and then go back to your work." "Qingyun said, holding Xianyue down.

Xianyue was relatively obedient, but Lingshuang was up again.

"Let me see what mother and the others are doing?" she said, and vanished like a gust of wind.

In the warm reception room, only a few girls were left, chatting, playing, eating fruit, and drinking tea. Princess Xun was talking to Yuzhu and Bizhu, surrounded by many other girls trying to please them. Seeing Lingshuang approach, she pretended not to notice, not even looking up. As she approached, a burst of laughter suddenly erupted from the whispers.

Lingshuang didn't bother playing this childish game with them and went straight to the back hall. Sure enough, there were four or five card tables in the hall, some playing leaf cards and some playing flower cards. Lingshuang walked to the mahjong table and found her mother.

Second Madam Lou was the banker, with Third Madam Lou as the next player, and two other families. Fourth Madam Mei was sitting behind her, watching the cards. Upon seeing Lingshuang, she smiled and said, "Here comes the little beauty." "

Her voice was so loud that several ladies immediately looked up at Ling Shuang. Undeterred, Ling Shuang walked over to stand behind Second Madam Lou. Second Madam Lou, who had a strong hand and was counting cards, asked without turning, "What's wrong?"

Ling Shuang immediately brought up Xianyue as a scapegoat.

"Xianyue is painting plum blossoms. I'm going back to get her brushes and paints."

"It's no big deal. Just send a maid in a sedan chair to get them." Second Madam Lou played a card.

"Bet." Third Madam Lou said immediately, smiling. "Maybe Xianyue's cough has come back. I saw she looked a little pale when she left today."

"Xianyue is in good health. She's going to pick plum blossoms later. It's Sister Yuzhu who keeps complaining that the fire is burning her bones. Ling Shuang replied stiffly.