He Linglong stood frozen, watching the scene unfold in disbelief. Normally, her younger sister, He Jinyu, would already have thrown a tantrum over such an exchange. Yet here she was, momentarily stunned into silence.
"I say you don't follow proper etiquette, so you don't!" He Jinyu finally snapped, stubborn and unreasonable as ever.
"Etiquette forbids one from speaking freely? Are the laws of Dayun solely defined by you?" Jiang Huaiyu's response was calm but unyielding. She met the princess's haughty gaze without flinching.
"How dare you!" He Jinyu pointed at her furiously, not waiting for her maid to intervene.
"And what exactly am I guilty of? Discussing food?" Jiang countered, her tone light but resolute. "The Grand Princess invited us here to relax and enjoy ourselves. If casual conversation is prohibited, perhaps she should only invite mute women next time."
Her melodic voice carried a natural charm, instantly earning the favor of those nearby.
"You—!" He Jinyu stammered, momentarily at a loss for words.
Jiang smiled faintly and continued, "But let me ask you this: do you agree that crabs are delicious?"
"…What of it?" He Jinyu retorted impatiently.
"Autumn crabs are at their fattest and most flavorful now," Jiang explained. "Pair their rich taste with the delicate fragrance of chrysanthemums, ginger finely shredded into vinegar, and a pot of warmed plum wine. Picture it simmering gently over a clay stove as the autumn breeze whispers by. Wouldn't that be delightful?"
The vivid imagery caught He Jinyu off guard. Her anger faltered as she unconsciously swallowed, the thought of such a meal stirring her appetite. Although she typically dismissed crabs as bland and unrefined, Jiang's description painted an entirely different picture. She couldn't help but entertain the idea.
By the time they moved to the main pavilion with the best view of the chrysanthemums, He Jinyu was still questioning Jiang with wide-eyed curiosity.
"Mooncakes are really that good?" she asked, her tone incredulous.
"They truly are," He Linglong interjected at last, relieved to find an opening in the conversation.
Jiang chuckled. "I've been experimenting with new flavors. I'll be sure to send some your way to try."
"Perfect! If they're as delicious as Royal Sister says, I'll buy some myself!" He Jinyu exclaimed, her ornate hairpins clinking softly as she nodded eagerly. Her normally sharp and imposing demeanor now seemed almost childlike.
The other women at the table—wives and daughters of high-ranking officials—were astonished. They had all experienced He Jinyu's domineering temperament firsthand and couldn't help but marvel at Jiang's ability to pacify her. They found themselves not only impressed by Jiang's composure but also intrigued by her resourcefulness.
Jiang Huaiyu, meanwhile, was quietly reflecting. She hadn't anticipated He Jinyu being a princess, but upon reconsidering her brazen and capricious behavior, it made sense. Only someone born into royalty could afford to act so unreasonably. Yet despite He Jinyu's haughty personality, Jiang found her easy to handle—her actions were impulsive but straightforward.
"After the tea and pastries, let us stroll through the garden to fully appreciate its beauty," He Linglong announced, seamlessly transitioning the gathering into the next activity.
"Today's visit is truly delightful," one woman said with practiced grace. "It's clear the chrysanthemums have been meticulously cared for. I don't recall seeing such vibrant colors on my last visit."
He Linglong smiled modestly. "The flowers have received special attention this season. It seems the effort was worth it."
As the conversation shifted, the wife of the Minister of Rites turned her attention to Jiang. "And what about you, Madam Jiang? You've been rather quiet. Surely you have unique insights about the chrysanthemums."
Her words carried an undercurrent of provocation, aimed at testing Jiang's social standing.
Jiang replied with a calm smile, "I am Jiang, an independent woman with no official titles to my name. My silence simply reflects my desire to listen and learn from the wisdom of others. I don't claim to have unique insights; I simply find the scene before us to be breathtaking."
Her response was measured, deflecting potential conflict while subtly challenging the other woman's motives. The veiled tension in the room dissipated, leaving Jiang in a position of quiet strength.
"You're all so insufferable," He Jinyu suddenly interjected, breaking the silence. "Why go around in circles, repeating the same questions? What do you even want to hear?"
Her bluntness left the room in stunned silence. He Linglong sighed internally, knowing her sister's impulsiveness would not be curbed easily.
"Her Highness is simply defending me," Jiang said, her tone light and unperturbed. "I'm sure the ladies were only trying to include me in the conversation."
He Jinyu blinked at Jiang, as if confused by her lack of gratitude. "Then why are they calling you quiet? Weren't you just talking about food?"
"Perhaps they didn't hear me earlier," Jiang added with a pointed smile.
The Minister's wife flushed. "It was just a casual observation."
"Then you shouldn't speak carelessly," He Jinyu shot back without hesitation, refusing to offer her any dignity.
He Linglong seized the opportunity to steer the conversation elsewhere. "Ladies, shall we take a walk? The garden's pavilions and courtyards are particularly lovely this season."
The group rose, their silks and jewels catching the light. As they moved through the garden, Jiang's Liuxian dress naturally drew admiring glances. Among those present was Jin Yunqiu, who narrowed her eyes as recognition dawned. She now understood that Li Sumeng's scheming target was none other than Jiang.
If they had worn the same dress, it would have been an unmitigated disaster, especially with He Jinyu's unpredictable temperament. Jin Yunqiu clenched her fists, her anger at Li Sumeng simmering. Yet she couldn't help but feel curious about Jiang's other designs. Jin rarely concerned herself with such matters, but she was tempted to ask Jiang if she had other styles to recommend.
Unaware of the brewing admiration around her, Jiang continued walking beside He Jinyu, who was firmly attached to her side. The princess was too enthralled by Jiang's culinary ideas to let her go.
"Actually, spicy stir-fried crab is another excellent option," Jiang mused aloud, drawing another hungry look from He Jinyu.
By the time they reached the Jade Feather Pavilion, He Jinyu's enthusiasm hadn't waned. "Do you think chrysanthemums could be used to flavor crab dishes?" she asked eagerly.
"Let's admire the flowers first, then discuss crabs," Jiang replied with a laugh. Though He Jinyu's boldness amused her, Jiang found her honesty refreshing. It was rare to meet someone so unapologetically true to themselves.
The atmosphere shifted abruptly when Li Sumeng appeared. She hadn't noticed Jin Yunqiu yet and mistakenly believed her scheme had succeeded. Standing in a prominent spot, she remarked loudly, "Lady Jiang, wearing the same dress as someone else? Has your family fallen so far that you can't afford originality?"