Zhao Mansion received an invitation from the Princess Mansion. Since the Second Madam Yu and Third Madam Xie were still under confinement, the invitation was delivered to Old Madam Zhao instead. Old Madam Zhao immediately wanted to refuse, citing Yu and Xie’s poor health as an excuse. However, the person delivering the invitation spoke first, "Her Highness the Princess said that both madams must attend, and if there’s any issue, the flower appreciation banquet can be postponed." With such words spoken, Old Madam Zhao had no way to refuse, even though she knew the Grand Princess’s intentions for hosting this banquet were not pure. The other party was a Royal Princess, heavily valued by His Majesty. So, she had to give this face, even if she was unwilling. Old Madam Zhao instructed Huang Ying to wait at the gatehouse, so that when her two sons returned, they should bring their wives to the courtyard directly. Some things are better said upfront. Similarly, Madam Du also received an invitation, requesting her to bring Du Ruyi to the banquet. The person delivering the invitation also specifically mentioned Zhao Xiaohua, asking that Du Ruyi bring her along. "Sister-in-law, what does the Grand Princess mean by this?" Du Ruyi was confused, although she couldn’t find fault with her own invitation since they were acquaintances. But asking her to bring Zhao Xiaohua, what was the purpose? Madam Du shook her head, "I’m puzzled too." If Zhao Xiaohua were part of their Du Mansion, it would make sense for the Grand Princess to specifically request her presence. But the problem was, Zhao Xiaohua wasn’t part of Du Mansion. Du Ruyi was unaware that the Grand Princess valued Zhao Ting. Meanwhile, Madam Du did not know Zhao Xiaohua was Zhao Ting’s daughter. If she did, she might have guessed something. "Is this Grand Princess the mother of that Commandery Princess?" Zhao Xiaohua asked Du Ruyi. Du Ruyi understood, "Could it be that Bao Ping, the Commandery Princess, has complained?" Madam Du immediately inquired further, and Du Ruyi told her what had happened. "In any case, we are still in the right, but since the invitation has been extended, let’s just bring Xiaohua," said Madam Du. After all, she was a Princess. Whether we are favored or not is another matter, but we must maintain proper appearances. After saying this, she gently patted Zhao Xiaohua’s hand, "Xiaohua, don’t be nervous, your Aunt Du and I will take good care of you." The day of the flower appreciation banquet arrived in no time. Madam Du brought Du Ruyi and Zhao Xiaohua to the banquet. Several carriages were already lined up in front of the Princess Mansion. Du Ruyi lifted the curtain to look outside; people were gradually alighting from the front carriage. Although she hadn’t been in the Capital City for many years, she recognized familiar faces that hadn’t changed with time. "Today’s banquet is not simple," Du Ruyi commented with a grin. Madam Du was puzzled, "Why is that?" "I don’t know how many people the Grand Princess invited, but I recognize the three individuals in front," Du Ruyi replied. "Are they your close friends?" Madam Du asked. "Certainly not. Sister-in-law, you know that I don’t fit in with them. Who would want to be friends with me? These are all people that I’ve had conflicts with in the past," Du Ruyi replied. "Perhaps we should leave?" Madam Du hesitated. "We’re already here; we should at least greet old acquaintances. Besides, if we dodge this occasion, what about the next?" Du Ruyi had never been one to shy away from confrontations, "Sister-in-law, don’t worry." "Sister-in-law is worried about you..." Madam Du said, "Your brother is the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and I have an imperial edict. As long as they aren’t people looking to go against our mansion, who would dare to disrespect me? I’m worried you might suffer. "Sister-in-law, rest assured. I’ve never been afraid of confrontations, and if they want me to suffer, they better have the ability to do so." What’s the worst they can do, say a few sarcastic remarks? What a joke, she was never a thin-skinned girl who feared gossip or rumors. If she really was afraid, she wouldn’t return to the Capital City. Soon, it was their carriage’s turn. Du Ruyi was the first to jump out of the carriage, then helped Madam Du, and Zhao Xiaohua came down last. The usher was quite courteous, given the prominent status of Madam Du. They smoothly entered the flower hall. Besides the three madams before them, there was another group of people seated in the flower hall. Du Ruyi was surprised to see Yu and Xie had also come. At this point, the Grand Princess himself was certainly not present. Aside from a few maids serving tea, there were no signs of a Chief Maid. "Oh, isn’t this Du Ruyi? Weren’t you with your family at the post? How is it that you’re back in the Capital City suddenly?" The first person to speak was a madam surnamed Song, named Song Heyu. Dressed in opulent and noble fashion, she adjusted her hair with a hand adorned with large gemstone rings and wore jade bracelets of good quality. Du Ruyi chuckled inwardly, after all these years, how could Song Heyu not have learned anything? No one in this hall was friendly with her. Yet she spoke first, undoubtedly being used as a pawn. "My family is in the Capital City, so I can come back whenever I want," Du Ruyi casually replied. These people couldn’t possibly pretend not to know she was now a returnee to her natal family. Such insincerity, just fond of putting on a show. Updates are released by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁 "I heard that you’re now a returnee to your natal family." Someone immediately jumped in to expose Du Ruyi. Du Ruyi openly nodded, "Yes, I am, so what?" Honest and straightforward, admitted without any cover. This caught them off guard. Someone laughed, covering their mouth, "A returnee to her natal family, shouldn’t you be discreet? Making such a fuss coming to a banquet, aren’t you afraid of bringing bad luck to the host family, truly uncultured." "Her Highness the Princess specifically sent an invitation to Du Mansion for me. Tang Xuanxuan, if you say this, should I understand that you’re implying Her Highness the Princess is uncultured?" Du Ruyi rebutted, smiling. Tang Xuanxuan’s face froze, "Du Ruyi, what nonsense are you spouting? When did I say Her Highness is uncultured? I was talking about you." "But I was personally invited by Her Highness," Du Ruyi continued, sticking to this point. Sometimes, reasoning is just this straightforward. "Her Highness was acting out of necessity; surely she intended only to invite Madam Du," Tang Xuanxuan said. "Oh? Are you a worm in Her Highness’s intestine, or do you think your words can represent Her Highness’s opinions?" Du Ruyi asked. Both counter questions were challenging. Tang Xuanxuan’s face turned extremely unpleasant. "Is there anyone else who wants to say something? Think carefully before you speak, whether what you’re saying makes sense. Don’t you have brains? Before speaking, wouldn’t it be better to use your brains? Or else, I might think you left your brains at home," Du Ruyi said with a smile. Everyone in this flower hall, one by one, had some unhappy interaction with her, so she had no fear of hurting someone’s feelings.