In ancient times, the powerful and wealthy seized power step by step.

On the day of the victory celebration banquet, Yangzhou was bustling with activity and people everywhere.

Today, almost all the important officials from the Liangjiang region have gathered in Yangzhou to attend Lord Gu's banquet and congratulate him on his success in suppressing the bandits.

The celebration banquet started at 3:45 PM. Because it was a night banquet, Zhu Qingyu originally planned to go to the clinic in the morning, return to the Zhang family from the clinic at noon, have lunch, take a nap, and then prepare to go out for the banquet. She had plenty of time and was quite relaxed.

As a result, I was unable to leave the house after waking up in the morning.

First, Zhang Ruohua's maid came to report that the Third Miss was ill.

Given the grand occasion today, Zhang Ruohua, who loves excitement, originally intended to go with Zhu Qingyu.

Although she was frightened at the government office last time, and the banquet was also being held there, the young girl was forgetful and had a short memory. She was listless for the first few days after returning from the government office, but after a few days, she regained her lively nature and continued to eat and drink happily every day, having long forgotten the unpleasantness of that day.

After receiving the invitation, knowing she was going to attend a grand event, Zhang Ruohua arranged for many embroiderers to work overtime to cut several sets of clothes.

After preparing for so long, at the last minute, she couldn't go. When Zhu Qingyu went to see her, Zhang Ruohua's eyes were filled with tears:

"Sister-in-law, I can't go with you."

Zhu Qingyu touched her forehead and found she had no fever. She then took her pulse, which was also normal. She wasn't seriously ill; she just had a cough, a runny nose, and small red rashes on her face.

According to Zhu Qingyu, Zhang Ruohua's symptoms didn't seem like a cold, but more like an allergy. She just didn't know where the girl had gone to play or what she had come into contact with these past few days.

Young girls love to look pretty and care about their image; they would never go out with such a face, so naturally they refused to go.

Zhu Qingyu comforted her:

"Have your maid change all the clothes you've worn and the bedding you've used these past two days. Also, check what you've eaten; don't let her eat anything unfamiliar. By tomorrow, you'll definitely be better. Once you're better, there are plenty of banquets in Yangzhou, and I'll take you there then."

Zhang Shen also visited Zhang Ruohua and promised to give the little girl some more money to buy jewelry. After making his sister happy, the two of them came out together.

Since her third sister was ill, Zhu Qingyu discussed the matter with Zhang Shen:

"Either I won't go tonight, you go."

Zhang Shen hesitated for a moment, but finally said:

"Lord Xiong personally sent an invitation. If you don't go, Lord Gu might think we're being disrespectful, which wouldn't be good. I think Ruohua is alright, so let's go and come back as soon as possible."

But Zhang Ruohua isn't going, and Zhang Shen is a little worried about her being alone at the banquet.

"When the time comes, I'll be at the front table and you'll be at the back, so I won't be able to keep an eye on you, and you'll be all alone."

Zhu Qingyu smiled and said:

"What do you mean, 'alone'? That's the government office, there are people everywhere, under everyone's watchful eyes. Do you think I'd be kidnapped and lost? Besides, there are plenty of women from various families at the banquet in the back courtyard. I'll see where Madam Xue sits and follow her. I won't get lost."

Among the wives of several prominent merchants in Yangzhou, Zhu Qingyu got along best with the eldest wife of the Xue family. Neither of them liked socializing much, so whenever they went out to a banquet, they would sit together and eat together, thus avoiding having to spend energy dealing with other people.

Plans can't keep up with changes. Because Zhang Ruohua was sick, Zhu Qingyu not only couldn't go out in the morning, but also missed her planned afternoon nap after lunch.

Zhang Shen had previously arranged for her to have two maids who were dedicated to combing her hair. These two maids were carefully selected by Zhang Shen, as they were not only proficient in hairstyling but also in makeup. Unfortunately, they had no opportunity to use their talents when they were by Zhu Qingyu's side, and she had been feeling frustrated for a long time.

Today, the eldest daughter-in-law is attending a banquet, and she finally has a chance to show off her skills. The two maids are overjoyed. As soon as lunch is over, they push Zhu Qingyu in front of the dressing table and want to do her makeup and dressing.

Zhu Qingyu was already sleepy after dinner and was completely dazed.

"It's only 1-3 PM now, is it really necessary to be this early?"

The two maids were frantic, one taking her hair apart and the other washing her face, saying hurriedly:

"It's already past noon, Madam, it's too late!"

Professional matters should be handled by professionals. The two maids were very accurate in judging the time. It took an hour to shave her head and another half an hour to draw her eyebrows and apply powder. By the time they had dressed Zhu Qingyu in the complete set of clothes, it was already past mid-Shenshi (3-5 PM).

She had started preparing right after lunch, and it was just a matter of getting ready, but by the time she was ready to leave, time was tight. Zhu Qingyu started to feel tired as soon as she got into the carriage and complained to Zhang Shen:

"My God, I did nothing for an hour and a half, just sat there for an hour and a half. Luckily I don't have to go out like this every day. It's like fighting a war. It's much more tiring than working at the clinic."

From the moment Zhang Shen went to pick her up, he seemed somewhat absent-minded.

When Zhu Qingyu spoke to him like that, he didn't react at first and just stared at her. He could hear her mouth opening and closing as if she was speaking, but he couldn't remember a single word she said.

As he watched, Zhang Shen even blushed and stammered:

"Oh, oh, yes."

Zhu Qingyu found it intriguing to see him blush, so she leaned closer to look at him and asked:

"Why are you blushing? Is this your first time meeting me?"

Zhang Shen didn't know why he was blushing. They had known each other for more than three years, and the novelty should have worn off long ago. Even if she were a fairy descended to earth, he should have gotten used to her after three years.

But for some reason, from the first time I saw her, I was always moved and couldn't control myself.

Especially today, her rare fine clothes and jeweled ornaments made her radiant and stunningly beautiful, captivating everyone who saw her and making it impossible to look away.

She was so close that Zhang Shen became even more nervous under her gaze, and he didn't even dare to meet her eyes. He looked away, filled with regret.

"I'm such a blockhead. I should have found you a few maids to help you with your hair and embroidery to help you with your clothes. When we get back, I'll find you a few better ones."

Again?

Zhu Qingyu was afraid of him and hurriedly said:

"Don't do that. Once or twice is fine, but if you do it every day, I feel like I'll shorten my lifespan."

Zhang Shen's face clearly showed his disagreement:

"Don't talk nonsense! Who says they'll shorten their own lifespan?"

And said:

"If you don't like it, that's fine. I won't force you. Ultimately, it's up to you to like it."

When they arrived at the Yangzhou government office, it was almost dusk. Both the front and back gates of the government office were packed with guests who had come to attend the banquet. Zhang Shen first escorted Zhu Qingyu to the back gate and asked the welcoming matron if the eldest daughter of the Xue family had not yet arrived. The two waited at the gate for half an hour until the eldest daughter of the Xue family arrived and watched them enter the back courtyard before Zhang Shen returned to the front courtyard for the banquet.

At today's banquet, there are many wives from various official families, while the head merchant is completely inconspicuous among them.

Zhu Qingyu and Madam Xue were seated at a table that was quite out of the way. Neither of them seemed uncomfortable; instead, they exchanged a glance.

Madam Xue winked at her and smiled:

"This place is good. After we finish eating, no one will notice, so we can go back early."

Great minds think alike, Zhu Qingyu nodded vigorously and handed some snacks to Madam Xue:

"Yes, yes, that's what I think too. Let's go together later."

The banquet began, and maids came to pour wine for each table. The wine served at the banquet in the backyard was usually fruit wine.

Madam Xue was a connoisseur of wine. After taking a sip, her eyes lit up, and she whispered to Zhu Qingyu:

"This is truly excellent wine, you should try it!"

Zhu Qingyu didn't like this, but since Madam Xue said it was good, she took a sip as well.

Sure enough, she didn't like wine. The wine that Madam Xue had mentioned was actually quite bitter to her, despite its sweetness.