"Xiao Xin, are you done choosing? It's taking forever."
"Ming-ge, you have to be patient. It will be over soon."
I step out in one of the pink dresses Mother had chosen for me before she was swept away by work.
The recognition banquet is this evening, and the entire mansion is in disarray preparing.
Mother and Father said they want this to be perfect to highlight just how much they love their daughter and have been busy preparing.
She came earlier, dragging an unwilling Su Ming as well as three different dresses and a lot of jewelry, telling me to pick whichever I like.
"Young miss, I believe this dress fits you the best out of all of them."
"Xiao Li, you said the same about the other two dresses she wore."
"Third young master, I just can't help it. Our young lady looks so beautiful in whatever she wears."
"Sure, sure, sure. What a loyal dog you are."
"For my lady, I'm willing to be a dog for the rest of my life."
"Enough. Every time you come here, you always argue with Xiao Li. How can a big man like you be arguing with such a little girl? Isn't that bullying?"
"Exactly, young miss. I'm scared."
She clings to my arms and acts cute, hiding behind me.
"So you're taking her side? Alright then, I'm leaving. A gentleman knows when he is not wanted."
Xiao Li is usually so respectful and stiff with my brothers, except with Third Brother. They always argue and forget all master-servant etiquette.
During this time, Su Jin and Su Siyan have been busy with official duties, leaving only Su Ming and me. We have gotten quite close, and I realized he has a hard mouth but a very soft heart and is super popular among the servants.
"Wow, Xin-mei, you look absolutely beautiful."
"Da-ge, when did you get back? I was told you would return later."
"Well, in order to be present for Xin'er, all the way we decided to return early."
"Yan-ge, you're back also."
"Of course. I brought you a gift and decided to give it to you early. Congrats, meimei."
"Thank you, Yan-ge."
"Xin-mei, here's mine as well."
"Thank you, Da-ge."
"Hey, what did you get her?"
"I'm the one who has been present with her all this time. That's a gift on its own. And even if I did get her something separate, it's between me and my meimei and not your place to interfere, Yan-ge."
"Alright then. I'm sure whatever you got her would be the best. Xin-ban."
"You…"
"Enough. What disgraceful sight are you showing our little sister?"
He turns and glares at them, making them stop their impending fight.
"Today, you're the star of the banquet. We will leave you so you can prepare."
They both open their mouths to protest but are dragged by the collars out of my courtyard.
"Xiao Li, help me get ready. Today, I'm going to stun all of high society."
---
"Baobei, it's time. Your mama will proudly introduce you as the eldest young lady of the Marquis Mansion. Who dares look down on you?"
I take my mother's arm as we walk out of my courtyard, heading straight to the main courtyard where my father and eldest brother are already receiving guests.
"Mama, can I walk with you?"
We both stop and turn towards that seemingly sweet voice and see Wanwan wearing a dress almost identical to mine.
My mother's grip tightens around my arm as her face visibly darkens.
"Wanwan, what exactly are you trying to pull with that dress?"
"Mama, I didn't mean it. Pink has always been my color. How would I know that Xin-jie would choose it as well?"
Wow, she's so thick-skinned. If they were to use her face to build walls, no need to fear invasions. Trying to ruin me and still blaming me for it as well. What a joke.
"Someone come here quickly and escort the second young lady back to her courtyard to change. If she refuses to change, then lock her up and let her reflect properly once more."
Desperation really makes one stupid. They had just released her after the whole poisoning incident, and yet she pulls this stunt before the main thing has started.
What exactly was she expecting to happen?
My mother pats my arm once more and continues leading me. I can see the guilt visible on her face as she tries to smile.
"Wanwan had always been a good girl, just slightly spoiled. I really don't know why she is acting this way. Mama is really sorry to you, but please don't hold it against her, okay?"
"I won't. Don't worry. Let's just get through today. You put so much effort into it; we have to make sure it's perfect."
She places a hand on my cheek.
"You really are your mama's baobei."
Just as we arrive at the entrance of the main courtyard, Second and Third Brother join us.
"Xin'er, you look absolutely beautiful today. All the young lords present are going to be absolutely stunned, that's for sure."
"Of course. Don't you know whose meimei Xiao Xin is? With my excellent genes, there's no way my sister can be anything but a top beauty in all of Beijing."
"My baobei is already a top beauty, just like her mama."
I try so hard to hide the blush creeping onto my face but fail miserably.
"Let's go in. We don't want to keep our guests waiting."
As we walked in, all the chatter died down as all pairs of eyes locked onto me—some with curiosity, others with awe and shock.
Mother leads me to the front and stands beside Father, putting me in the middle as all three of my brothers take places beside either of them.
"Good evening, everyone. We thank every single person for making the time to attend our humble banquet. The main reason for this banquet is to allow you all to share in the good and festive mood of the Marquis Mansion."
My father pauses and takes a cup of wine from one of the maids and raises it up.
"So with this glass, I would like to toast you all as a thank you for coming to celebrate the return of our precious daughter and the eldest lady of the Marquis Mansion, Su Jingxin."
He then drinks the whole cup in one go as everyone else stands and downs theirs as well.
After that, everyone came forward and started saying their congratulations to Mother and Father and making light conversation with me as the banquet hasn't fully started yet.
A noble lady in a pale blue dress approaches me with a scornful look in her eyes.
"Miss Su, I am Liu Meiying. It is a pleasure to meet you. I have always wanted to see how someone raised in the countryside would look like, but seeing you now, I guess there was really nothing worth seeing."
"Miss Liu, I am simply glad to have piqued your interest. But as a noble lady of a respectable family, saying such things would make you seem narrow-minded, so I advise you to refrain from those words going forward."
I give her an innocent smile which only seems to infuriate her more as she covers her face with her fan and storms off.
Just then, Su Wanwan walks in, and the same piercing stares were directed at her and followed her, but this time most of them seemed to be filled with mockery.
She had changed into a light green dress and walked with confidence despite the whispers that seemed to line her path.
She approaches the front and grabs Mother's other arm.
"Sorry, Mama. Hope I'm not too late to support Xin-jie."
Mother just slightly pats her hand in response.
"Now, with everyone present, let's start the meal. Someone serve the dishes."
Everyone takes their seat as the maids start bringing out the dishes.
"What a lively atmosphere. Hope you all don't mind me joining."
Everyone quickly bows down as they see the newly arrived guest.
"Greetings, Prince Zhenbei."
"Please rise. Since it's a joyous day, we can just skip the formalities."
"I have to agree with Prince Zhenbei on that."
A eunuch's voice then rings out across the hall: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, heir to the throne, has arrived!"
Everyone immediately drops to their knees.
"Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live, long live the Crown Prince!"
"Please get up. Prince Zhenbei said no need for formalities, and I agreed. Doing this will only make me feel bad since I did come without an invitation."
My father quickly scrambles over and bows once more.
"I dare not expect the Crown Prince to grace our humble home with his presence and felt it would be insulting to hold such dreams at heart. That was why I had unintentionally made a grave mistake. Your Highness, please forgive me."
"General Su, there's no need for such. Please be at ease."
"Thank you, Your Highness. Please have a seat."
He leads the Crown Prince to the head seat and leads Prince Zhenbei to the seat beside him.
While passing, he stops and looks at me.
"Miss Su, you look rather beautiful today."
"Thank you, Prince Zhenbei."
"Really? Just 'thank you'? No sarcastic talk back or murderous intent in your eyes? I half came here thinking you might stab me, Xin'er."
He lowers his voice slightly.
"The night is still young, Your Highness. You shouldn't let your guard down."
He gives me one more look, smiles, and heads over to the seat my father had directed him to.
Once both highnesses sit down, everyone lowers themselves back to their seats, and the atmosphere becomes lively once more.
I turn to look around and see a malicious glee in Su Wanwan's eyes.
Su Wanwan, your audience has gotten so much bigger. Don't you dare disappoint me.