Chapter 90: The Betrothal Token
The brief disturbance caused by the seating arrangement gradually faded as the conversations within the Flower Pavilion resumed.
Although many of the noble ladies continued casting curious glances toward Wang Gege from time to time, none openly brought up the matter again. Instead, they returned to discussing poetry, embroidery, and the rare flowers blooming throughout the imperial gardens, as though nothing unpleasant had happened moments earlier.
Wang Gege quietly released the breath she had unknowingly been holding.
She had honestly prepared herself for Gu Ruyan to continue making things difficult for her after the seating incident. Yet to her surprise, the young lady merely returned to her own seat with the same graceful smile she always wore, no longer sparing Wang Gege another glance.
Not far away, Shen Yurou had likewise taken her seat among several familiar young ladies. Their laughter rose softly from time to time, blending naturally into the cheerful atmosphere surrounding the pavilion.
Looking at the two women, Wang Gege could not help but narrow her eyes slightly.
’That’s it? She had expected far more, ’I was already mentally prepared for another round. Did I overestimate them?’
Just as that thought crossed her mind, a gentle voice suddenly sounded from beside her.
"Young Madam Xie."
Wang Gege turned her head.
Standing before her were three unfamiliar young ladies, each dressed in elegant silk robes befitting daughters of noble households. Their expressions carried warm smiles, and there was nothing within their manners that appeared unfriendly.
The young lady standing in the middle stepped forward before gracefully lowering herself into a respectful greeting.
"This young lady greets Young Madam Xie."
Wang Gege immediately returned the courtesy with a smile, "There is no need to be so formal."
The young lady’s smile widened ever so slightly.
"We have long heard of Young Madam ever since your marriage into the Xie Residence. It is merely unfortunate that we never had the opportunity to properly introduce ourselves."
One after another, the three ladies politely stated their names and family backgrounds before naturally beginning a conversation with Wang Gege.
To Wang Gege’s surprise, none of them mentioned anything about her background or whatever things that had crossed her mind way before she took a seat.
Instead, they spoke casually about the flowers blooming throughout the imperial gardens, praised the embroidery upon Wang Gege’s sleeves, and even asked whether she had grown accustomed to life within the Xie Residence.
The conversation flowed far more pleasantly than Wang Gege had expected. Before she realized it, the slight tension she had been carrying since entering the palace gradually eased.
’Looks like... I really was overthinking.’
Perhaps not everyone attending today’s banquet wished to make things difficult for her and Gu Ruyan had merely wanted her own seat back.
Just as the conversation continued pleasantly, the clear voice of a palace maid suddenly echoed throughout the Flower Pavilion.
"Her Highness, the Princess Consort, has arrived."
Almost instantly, every conversation ceased.
The noble ladies who had been seated leisurely only moments ago immediately rose to their feet before turning toward the pavilion entrance.
Wang Gege followed suit.
A few moments later, the Princess Consort slowly walked into the pavilion, accompanied by several palace maids.
The moment she entered, everyone respectfully bowed.
"This subject greets Her Highness, the Princess Consort."
The Princess Consort smiled gently, "You may rise."
Only then did everyone return to their seats.
’So this is the Princess Consort...’ Wang Gege’s eyes lingered on her for a few moments.
The Princess Consort slowly swept her gaze across the gathering before smiling warmly.
"It pleases this Consort to see so many familiar faces attending this year’s Flower Banquet." Her voice was neither loud nor imposing, yet every person within the pavilion listened attentively.
"Spring has always been my favorite season. Flowers bloom, the weather is pleasant, and it is one of the few opportunities for everyone to set aside the burdens of their households and simply enjoy each other’s company."
Several noble ladies smiled in agreement. The Princess Consort’s gaze eventually shifted toward Wang Gege.
For only a brief moment, their eyes met.
A faint smile crossed the Princess Consort’s lips before she naturally looked away again, as though nothing unusual had happened.
Wang Gege blinked, ’Was she... looking at me?’
Before she could dwell on it any further, a palace maid respectfully stepped forward carrying an exquisitely carved sandalwood box.
The moment the box was opened, a soft murmur spread throughout the pavilion.
Resting upon a cushion of crimson silk was an emerald-green jade pendant carved into the shape of a soaring phoenix. Under the morning sunlight, the jade seemed almost translucent, its flawless surface reflecting a gentle luster that immediately revealed its extraordinary value.
Even Wang Gege, who knew very little about jade, could tell, it was priceless.
The Princess Consort gently picked it up before smiling, "This jade pendant was bestowed upon this Consort by Her Majesty on the day I entered the royal household."
Her fingers lightly brushed across its polished surface. "For many years, it has remained one of this Consort’s most treasured possessions."
Several ladies could not help but admire it aloud.
"It truly is a rare piece of jade."
"I have never seen such a beautiful carving."
"It is worthy of a gift from Her Majesty."
The Princess Consort chuckled softly before handing the pendant back to the palace maid, "Place it inside for now."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The palace maid respectfully accepted the jade pendant with both hands before carefully closing the sandalwood box and carrying it toward a side table beside the Princess Consort’s seat.
Wang Gege’s eyes followed the box for only a brief moment before she quietly withdrew her gaze.
’That thing... Even if someone offered it to me, I’d probably be too afraid to touch it.’
After all, if something that valuable were accidentally damaged, she doubted she could repay it even after selling herself several times over.
As that thought crossed her mind, a shiver involuntarily ran down Wang Gege’s spine.
Just then, a startled voice suddenly interrupted the peaceful atmosphere.
"My pouch..."
Everyone instinctively turned toward the source of the voice.
A young noble lady had already risen from her seat, her hands anxiously searching the folds of her robe before repeatedly checking the embroidered pouch hanging from her waist.
"My pouch..." Her face gradually turned pale, "It’s gone."
The surrounding conversations immediately ceased.
One of the ladies beside her frowned, "Miss Zhao? What happened?"
Miss Zhao’s eyes were already beginning to redden, "The jade token... My jade token is missing."
Several ladies looked at one another in confusion.
"What jade token?"
Miss Zhao’s fingers trembled.
"It..." She swallowed hard before answering, "It was the betrothal token given to me by my fiancé’s family."