The Devious First-Daughter

Chapter 660 The Rich and Resourceful Madam Wu Yao

Madam Wu Yao was speaking to a man in a wide-sleeved long robe when she saw Ning Xueyan arriving at the banquet. She quickly ended the conversation and walked toward Ning Xueyan.

It went without saying that Ning Xueyan had the high status out of everyone present. Even if Wu Yao belonged to the politically neutral faction, she must show an attitude befitting of a host.

“Is this the Crown Princess? Please, come this way.” Wu Yao went up to Ning Xueyan with a bright smile.

Ning Xueyan glanced at Wu Yao with a smile, concealing the trace of coldness in her beautiful eyes.

Even though she had taken notice of Wu Yao in her present life, this was still her first time meeting her. It had been a few years but Wu Yao hadn’t changed much. She was still the same kind and gentle motherly figure. Perhaps, in her mother’s opinion, Wu Yao was her good-tempered but unfortunate close friend.

It was a pity that Wu Yao was so wicked.

“Madam Wu.” Ning Xueyan smiled.

“I’m glad that you’re willing to come, Your Highness. It’s my honor to have you attend my banquet. Please, take a seat there.”

Wu Yao’s smile was respectful but kind. Her expression was even more so sincere. People meeting her for the first time would have been attracted to her warm smile and considered her a friendly, considerate woman. One would easily let down one’s guard in front of her.

She was especially respectful when speaking to Ning Xueyan, and even led her to the main seat.

It was obvious that the seat was the principal seat of the banquet.

If Ning Xueyan, the Crown Princess of the nation, didn’t take the seat, no one would be able to. Whether it was out of respect or friendship, she ought to take the seat. It was her obligation to.

Yet, when she saw Commandery Princess Muling sitting near her, a thought sparked in her and her eyes turned dark. It seemed that she was truly fated with this princess. It felt as if she was running into the princess at every turn.

“We meet again, Your Highness.” Commandery Princess Muling stood up when she saw Ning Xueyan approaching and shifted her body sideways to make a salute. No matter what, her status was beneath that of Ning Xueyan and she would be in the lower generation after marrying Ao Mingyu. There was a distinction between them as the ruler and the ruled.

Even so, she was not yet married and represented Manor Mu at the moment. Ning Xueyan had to show her some measure of respect too.

She nodded at Commandery Princess Muling and then took the principal seat. Commandery Princess Muling took the side seat, with the host, Wu Yao, taking the other side seat.

It was getting late and most guests had arrived. The men wearing wide-sleeved long robes and tall hats in the men’s area were mostly known for their talent. Few of them took official positions and those who did were just small-time officers, though with a great reputation.

People tended to look at these famous and talented men with respect. Even the propriety between men and women wasn’t as closely observed for they thought that these famous men wouldn’t do anything to ruin their reputation. This was why no one raised an eyebrow when a lady went over to talk to them earlier.

The platform was well-tied to the ground, showing that personal performances were inevitable. One would truly be known as a talented lady after gaining fame at this banquet. Nearly no one would give up on this opportunity, so most had brought their best tricks with them. Their maids were carrying musical instruments like zithers, dance clothes, or brush pen, ink, ink-stone, and the like.

Commandery Princess Muling looked at what Ning Xueyan’s maid, Qingyu, was carrying. In Qingyu’s hands was a zither-like object. The case told her that it was the same Mark of the Moon that she gifted to Ning Xueyan. A sneer silently crept onto her face. To think that an insignificant daughter of the Lord Protector’s Manor would dare to compete with her.

Ya Moqin was also a host in her own right, so she sat right beside Wu Yao. Her gaze would fall on the zither in Qingyu’s hands from time to time. There was a smug expression on her face.

When Ning Xueyan turned to look at her, she looked away and spoke to another lady as if she hadn’t been paying attention to Ning Xueyan. Yet, when Ning Xueyan turned her head again, she would look at the former now and then.