In the blink of an eye, it was the day the Zhong family was to recognize their godson.
It happened to be the Laba Festival.
As the saying goes, after Laba, it’s New Year.
Every year, on the Laba Festival, renowned mansions in the imperial city would prepare with exceptional grandeur.
Given that the Zhong family had matters to attend to today, the household servants began preparations from early morning.
As soon as the hour of Chen passed, guests started arriving one after another.
The first to arrive were the Xue family.
Actually, Xue Yinuo didn’t intend to arrive so early. Today was Ji Zizhao’s main event; why would she come so early? Was she trying to steal the spotlight?
However, Xue family's concubine and Xue Xiaochun had already tidied themselves up early.
Xue Yongnian always felt indebted to Xue Xiaochun for her broken engagement and had been overly permissive lately.
Upon hearing that Xue family's concubine was taking Xue Xiaochun in a carriage, Xue Yinuo naturally followed suit.
She had to keep a close watch today and absolutely could not let that mother and daughter cause trouble.
Who would have thought that the moment Xue family's concubine and Xue Xiaochun alighted from the carriage, a commotion ensued.
By this time, many guests had already arrived, but out of politeness, they remained quietly in their carriages, waiting for the day's host to enter first before they would alight.
As a result, just as everyone was dozing off from waiting, they were jolted by Xue concubine and Xue Xiaochun.
Xue concubine was seen wearing a vibrant red long dress, with a shawl of the same fiery red on her shoulders, and her hair was adorned with every hairpin and ornament she could wear.
Looking at Xue Xiaochun walking beside Xue concubine, although she wasn’t dressed in such a bright red, the makeup on her face was so gaudy that it was beyond reproach.
The other ladies sitting in their carriages were stunned by the scene.
They found themselves questioning, unsure if the Zhong family was recognizing a godchild or holding a wedding.
When Xue Yinuo looked back, she almost spat blood.
The Xue family's madam quickly grabbed Xue Yinuo's arm, "Today is an important day for the eldest daughter of the Ji family; you absolutely must not cause trouble. Moreover, many dignitaries are present today, you must not bring shame upon our Xue family."
Xue Yinuo was indignant, "Mother, are you sure it’s me who’s embarrassing us, not them? Look at what they're wearing; anyone would think it's some middle-aged woman remarrying!"
The Xue family's madam, angered, covered Xue Yinuo's mouth, "Say something befitting a young lady!"
Under her own mother's stern gaze, Xue Yinuo could only reluctantly close her mouth.
Just then, a tall figure walked over.
Upon seeing him, Xue Xiaochun quickly ran over with a smile, "Sun Lu, why are you only arriving now."
Sun Lu smiled and said, "I'm sorry to keep you waiting; it's my fault."
If one didn't compare him to the exceptionally handsome young gentlemen in the imperial city, Sun Lu could be considered a handsome man.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have captivated Xue Xiaochun to such an extent.
Now, standing in the sunlight and smiling gently, even the ladies sitting in their carriages felt a stir of interest.
Xue Xiaochun's heart surged with emotion, and she quickly pulled Sun Lu towards the Zhong family's entrance.
The doormen of the Zhong family eyed Xue concubine and Xue Xiaochun suspiciously as they ascended the steps.
After all, who would dress like that if they were proper ladies?
Sun Lu, always proud and aloof, could not tolerate being treated with such disparity, and his expression turned cold.
Seeing this, Xue Xiaochun quickly shouted at the top of her lungs, "You bunch of snobs, do you know who I am?"
The Zhong family doormen: "..."
They really didn't.
"We are invited by the eldest daughter of the Ji family. If you dare to look down on us, be careful the eldest daughter of the Ji family seeks retribution! Do you know who the eldest daughter of the Ji family is? She is your Zhong family's new mistress!" Xue concubine directly invoked Ji Zizhao's name, which startled everyone.
However, the Zhong family doormen dared not offend Ji Zizhao and quickly ushered them inside.
Watching Xue concubine and Xue Xiaochun stride in with airs of superiority, Xue Yinuo was so angry she wished she could kick them.
When Ji Zizhao arrived, she saw Xue Yinuo sulking, "Who has upset you so early in the morning?"
Xue Yinuo looked at Ji Zizhao, her eyes red, "Truly, if it weren't for your character and our friendship, which makes me steadfastly believe in you, I would think you were deliberately making me look foolish."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
It seemed she was quite upset.
The Xue family's madam quickly smoothed things over, "This child is spoiled by me and cannot withstand even a small storm. Eldest daughter Ji, please do not take her words to heart."
Ji Zizhao smiled, "Madam Xue is too kind."
Knowing that her daughter had a good relationship with Ji Zizhao, and wishing for that relationship to continue, the Xue family's madam entered first, leaving Xue Yinuo to Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao looked at Xue Yinuo's visibly annoyed expression and smiled, taking her hand, "If you pout any more, you won't get any Laba porridge today."
"Why?"
"I'm afraid it will all spill out if you eat it."
Xue Yinuo: "..."
The boat of friendship had capsized completely.
As Ji Zizhao led Xue Yinuo into the Zhong family mansion, other female guests also alighted from their carriages.
Zhong Xinyi, who had heard of Ji Zizhao's arrival, was waiting in the front courtyard. Seeing Ji Zizhao and Xue Yinuo approach, she smiled and rushed to greet them, "Good that you came early; otherwise, I would have been bored to death."
Ji Zizhao smiled, "It should be my fault for making you all get up so early."
Zhong Xinyi quickly took Ji Zizhao's hand, "I wish I could get up this early. Just thinking that we'll be calling each other sisters from now on excites me immensely. My brother didn't sleep last night; he was just saying he wanted to come and greet you. He's currently entertaining guests on the men's side."
Ji Zizhao looked at Zhong Xinyi's sincere expression and smiled broadly.
In the future, they wouldn't just call each other sisters, but also sisters-in-law.
After the wedding, their interactions would only increase.
"Oh, a friend of mine will be arriving later, but I don't want her to attract too much attention. Do you have any good ideas?" Ji Zizhao was not just here to recognize a godchild today but also to make a statement.
Zhong Xinyi nodded, "That's easy. When she arrives, I'll have her enter through the back door."
Ji Zizhao hadn't expected Zhong Xinyi to agree so readily, "Aren't you going to ask why?"
Zhong Xinyi gave a helpless look, "Please, if I don't trust you, who else can I trust?"
Xue Yinuo looked at Ji Zizhao in confusion, "Since she's your friend, why didn't you bring her along?"
Ji Zizhao smiled mysteriously, "I want to give you a surprise."
Xue Yinuo: "..."
She didn't want surprises; she just hoped it wouldn't be a fright.