History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

When powerful and wealthy families hold grand banquets, the servants promptly inform the host of any important guests who are invited. Princess Yuan Ying, Yu Bao Ying, and Wei Yao soon learned of their arrival. She solemnly instructed Steward Wang and maid Fu Zhuang: "Treat these distinguished guests well, and make sure there are no mistakes!"

Of the three high-ranking officials, Yuan Jia was constantly indulging in wine and neglecting state affairs, and Yuan Cheng had been dismissed from his post. Of the remaining three in charge, only her husband, Wang Su, had not been slighted or framed by the treacherous minister Zhao Zhi. To protect her husband from being targeted or offended by Zhao Zhi, she had no choice but to be the first among the noble ladies of the capital to host a banquet for Zhao Zhi's daughter, giving Zhao Zhi ample face and thus dispelling rumors that she was dissatisfied with Zhao Zhi's lack of appreciation.

Thinking of those rumors, Yuan Zhenjun felt frustrated once again! She made the wrong bet, thinking that Wang Yu could deal with Zhao Zhi. If she had known that eunuch was useless, she really shouldn't have let him spread the little thing about her feud with Zhao Zhi so widely!
Yuan Zhenjun instructed Li Yin and He Lan: "Princess Chang Le is fond of poetry, Miss Yu likes flowers and plants, and Wei Yao... is picky and always carries a book of proverbs to record things anytime and anywhere. You two should use what you have learned to befriend the princess and Miss Yu. If you encounter Wei Yao, speak little and do not argue with her on academic matters."

This time, only He Lan answered "yes".

Yuan Zhenjun looked at Li Yin, who bowed and said, "I am ashamed of failing the Princess's cultivation and request to leave the residence."

"reason?"

Despite his timidity, Li Yin still spoke all the words he had prepared beforehand: "I never intended to compete with Wei Yao for the title of poetry champion before. It was my father who made me compete. Now that my father has passed away, I can't even find out who his enemies are. I can only continue to compete for the title of poetry champion to fulfill his wish. I know what is important and understand why the Princess doesn't want me to debate with Wei Yao on academic matters. However, this goes against my father's expectations of me. To avoid doing something wrong in the future and angering the Princess, I request to leave today."

"Since you've made up your mind, I won't force you to stay."

Li Yin bowed again, smiled at He Lan, and left.

He Lan couldn't laugh; she looked up in a panic.

Yuanzhen asked, "You and she are sworn sisters, why don't you go after her?"

No matter what answer he gave, it would be wrong. He Lan took a gamble and said, "My family background is different from Li Yin's. It is difficult for me to find error-free books, and it is even more difficult to listen to lectures by famous teachers. My original intention for learning is to learn! What I longed for, the Princess has given me. I am willing to repay this kindness with my whole life."

Yuan Zhenjun snorted and slowly waved his fan. His words were much colder than the wind emanating from his wrist: "You and Li Yin are like green leaves under a red flower. I cultivated you because Li Yin was there. Now that the flower has asked to leave, what use is the green leaf to me?"

A maidservant came to her and shooed her away: "Miss He, you are not among the invited guests at the banquet. This servant will escort you out of the mansion."

He Lan trembled all over, forced himself to bow to the princess despite the humiliation, and then burst into tears after leaving the room.

She left through the most secluded small door, the one used by servants to enter and exit the mansion.

After getting onto the official road, He Lan saw Li Yin. She stared at the other woman's leisurely walking posture and grew more and more resentful! She was also from a noble family with merits, so why was she Li Yin's foil? What kind of bullshit sisterly affection was this? If Li Yin had truly valued her as his sworn sister, he should have informed her before asking the Princess for permission to resign. In that case, she wouldn't have been banished and humiliated.

"Yuanzhen Jun, Li Yin, I will remember this humiliation. I can still learn the classics even without you! Li Yin, didn't you want to be the best poet? You will never win! I will surpass you. I will make you stand in the way of two mountains: Wei Yao and me!"

Qilin Garden.

The primary purpose of Wang Puxian and her siblings' visit to the Minister's residence today is to verify whether Minister Wang of the Great Wei is their long-lost father; recognizing him is secondary. Having experienced the hardships and destitution of their family, they no longer believe rumors, only what they see with their own eyes, and they know that survival is the first priority before discussing reunion and survival.

Upon entering the garden, Wei Yao said to Yuan Mao, "Let's explore separately and meet at the banquet at noon."

Even after getting married, Yuan Mao remained as stubborn as ever, never responding properly. He bumped into her, causing her to stumble, then, judging the direction of her attack, jumped to dodge, saying, "Hey, you can't hit me."

Wei Yao glared at him. What an annoyance! This guy is ruining the official's dignity!
Yuan Mao grabbed the stunned Wang Shao and said, "This is my first time visiting Minister Wang's residence. Come on, let me introduce you to some friends."

Wei Yao suggested separating from Yuan Mao because she noticed that Wang Puxian was too reserved. She guessed that it might be related to Xiao Qi's strict adherence to the etiquette of men and women not touching each other. Sure enough, Wang Puxian looked at the ladies and gentlemen near and far and said, "In Qi, men and women must stay in separate courtyards at banquets, and women must actively avoid men."

Wei Yao smiled gently: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Young lady, let's start getting used to the customs of Luoyang from this banquet."

Wang Puxian tried to relax and smiled, saying, "It's still better here. I'll get used to it."

Two young women were picking flowers among the blossoms ahead. One of them looked up at Wei Yao, then released her grip, and the flower she had just picked fell to the ground. This woman, surnamed You, said to her companion, "Some flowers really shouldn't be looked at up close; they have such a petty, unsophisticated feel to them."

Wei Yao looked around at the flowers and plants, frowned and said, "Could this garden have just been fertilized? There's a foul smell coming from here for no reason."

The young woman beckoned to Wang Puxian: "Are you a flower servant in the garden? Fetch me a flower basket."

Wang Puxian had been on the run for many years, and his complexion was indeed not very good.

Before entering the Wang residence, Wei Yao had already told Wang Puxian not to panic if any difficulties arose, as she would handle everything.

Wei Yao walked over and said directly, "I am Wei Yao, a third-rank female official. Bow to me."

The prostitute glared angrily: "You..."

Her companion quickly pulled her back and said to Wei Yao, "The invitation to the Wilderness Banquet states that once inside Qilin Garden, everyone will temporarily assume the identity of a commoner, with no distinction between officials and ordinary people."

Wei Yao: "If that's the case, why did your companion order my friend to help her get the flower basket? Why didn't you remind her when she broke the rules? You two broke the rules first, so I'll break them too."

The young woman sneered, stepping on the flower she had just thrown away: "I'm breaking the rules, I'm not going to bow to you, what can you do about it? Ah'e, let's go!"

When Wei Yao turned around, she saw Wang Puxian clutching the hem of his clothes, blaming himself. So she took Wang Puxian's hand and comforted him, "It's not your fault, they came after me."

Wang Puxian sighed, "There is trouble everywhere, whether it is a grand feast or a remote and impoverished village."

Wei Yao summarized with a double entendre: "Since we have to fight for it anyway, why bother in some remote and impoverished place?"

Wang Puxian: "The young lady could tell that my siblings, mother and I just wanted to know that our father was still alive. We didn't want to cause him any trouble and wanted him to recognize us."

Wei Yao: "His Majesty hopes that the descendants of the powerful families who came to serve Wei from Xiao Qi will also come to serve Wei. You three siblings are definitely not a trouble for your father. As long as you and your younger siblings are doing well, even if your mother lives alone elsewhere, it is far better than the sadness of not knowing your father's whereabouts before."

Wang Puxian's heart blossomed with hope, her eyes sparkling, and her captivating beauty instantly dispelled the weariness of her journey! "Miss Wei, thank you for your words of advice! I know what to do. Don't worry, if Minister Wang were my father, if he were willing to acknowledge me, I would never put on a pitiful act in front of him."

Wei Yao nodded with a smile: "That's right."

Upon reaching a fork in the road, many people called out to their friends to go to the Yarrow Pavilion. "Come quickly, the young lady from the You family is going to use yarrow stalks to divine her fortune and predict her luck." (End of Chapter)