Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved
Chapter 210 Part 2

Chapter 210: Chapter 210 Part 2

The next day, the news that Heir Zong of the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family had personally gone to Prince Duan’s Mansion to request marriage to Prince Duan’s heir spread quickly throughout Zheng Capital. Beyond surprise and amazement, there was also inevitable skepticism tinged with mockery.

Miss Tang Wei of the Wuxing Tang Family was quite renowned among her peers from prominent families; she and her biological brother, Heir Chen, had composed a pair of poems that became widely circulated in the Northern Border. As the legitimate daughter of the Wuxing Tang Family, Miss Tang boasted striking beauty, and the harsh environs of the cold lands had only served to make her even more slender and tall compared to other ladies from prominent families.

Even the Zhang Family of Hejian, who were usually superior, had Miss Zhang Linghui who was slightly shorter than this Miss Tang.

The Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family had calculated well. Although they were located in the Northwest Border, the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family originally hailed from the Imperial City and were a bit shorter than the people from the Northern Border. To gain a firm foothold in the Northwest Border, height was certainly a disadvantage for them.

For this reason, Old Lady Zong actually favored Miss Tang even more.

"Go what go? Wait for people to laugh at us?" The courtyard in the Imperial City belonging to the Wuxing Tang Family was nowhere near as luxurious or imposing as those of the Zong Sheng Aristocratic Family or Shiping Aristocratic Family. Being later adherents and separated by one more layer of relations, aside from Princess Helin of the Nanan Aristocratic Family, Tang Wei really didn’t want to go to this gathering.

"Miss, we have already accepted the invitation. If you don’t go now, they will definitely think that you’ve heard those rumors and are too scared to attend," Maid Xiao Wen said anxiously. The carriage was ready; these ladies from prominent families often had small gatherings, calling one another over for two-family or three-family get-togethers with frequent visits, but invitations to their own miss were rare.

Tang Wei rolled her eyes at her maid.

"Whatever they think, what can I do about it? That Heir Zong, in my eyes, seems to be the type befuddled by wine and meat. Otherwise, why would he do such a..."

"Nonsense, what credence is there in those rumors?" Tang Wei’s words were interrupted by Madam Tang, who cast a stern glance at her daughter and noticed that she still had not changed clothes.

"Hurry up and get your miss ready," she demanded.

"Mother, it’s just a small gathering of three ladies from prominent families, not a big deal at all. Why bother changing clothes?" Tang Wei was reluctant, for those intricate garments were nowhere near as convenient as those from the Northern Border. Wearing them made her feel constrained; she had already felt stifled all day during the lake outing, and following Princess Helin, she had no interest in the tour and went straight to the mountaintop, utterly bored.

Madam Tang signaled Xiao Wen with a look, and Xiao Wen immediately fetched the clothes.

"Hurry and change. Do you think if you don’t go, you won’t hear them laughing at you?" Madam Tang was not in a good mood, especially with all the talk throughout the day—how Heir Zong, for some princess, had still not agreed, and rumors claiming that Heir Zong was completely infatuated with Princess Chao Ren.

Rumors were spreading that Princess Chao Ren’s beauty was unforgettable.

In short, there was all manner of chatter, each person seemingly waiting to see their family’s drama unfold.

Tang Wei changed her clothes reluctantly.

"Who cares about their ridicule? It’s not like the matter can definitely be settled," Tang Wei muttered, annoyed, pulling at the embroidered flowers and vines on her sleeve.

"Old Madam indeed prefers you very much, but Duke of Qing favors the Nanan Aristocratic Family more. However, in the affairs of the inner courts, Old Madam’s word certainly carries more weight," said Madam Tang calmly, personally adjusting her daughter’s clothes.

Her daughter had grown up straightforward and carefree in the Northern Border, one to take things as they come, yet she was decisive. Madam Tang sighed inwardly. With things turning out this way, no matter what moves either side made, the Wuxing Aristocratic Family was already drawn into the affair, and it was too late to remain uninvolved.

"Now, you must stay composed, as if nothing has happened. After all, things are not yet settled, and the so-called favor is but a vague indication from both families. So, you might as well treat it as if nothing has happened, just like everyone else, and regard it as a matter for lighthearted discussion," continued Madam Tang.

"I understand," Tang Wei knew she had no choice but to attend, but upon reflection, considering Princess Helin would also be there, it wouldn’t be too unbearable with a companion present.

This small gathering was personally organized by Lady Zou of the Shiping Aristocratic Family; she only invited a few prominent families like the Wuxing Aristocratic Family, Nanan Aristocratic Family, and Jiumu Aristocratic Family, who still held some clout. She candidly stated that the courtyard was modest and space limited, hence only ladies from their direct lineage were invited.

As soon as Tang Wei arrived at the gate of Shiping Aristocratic Family’s residence, a female servant immediately took her inside, and at the inner second gate, Miss Nanmen personally greeted her.

"Miss Tang—"

"Miss Nanmen—" Tang Wei didn’t particularly dislike the person before her, nor could she say she liked her. She didn’t care for people who were opportunistic nor for those whose eyes brimmed with righteousness and national sentiment. Miss Nanmen here possessed both traits, carrying a semblance of Lady Zou from her younger days.

Nanmen Yuyan led Tang Wei into the inner courtyard, which was elegant and refreshing. They had only walked a few steps when they heard laughter from inside, interspersed with voices suggesting a significant number of attendees.

"Sister is absolutely correct, the winter in the Eastern Border is exceptionally short. It’s been years since we last saw snowfall."

Tall and scanning the room, Tang Wei easily located Princess Helin, who was seated to one side, echoing the laughter of others, yet with a strained smile.

Seeing Tang Wei enter, the ladies from the families of the Eastern and Southern Frontiers exchanged glances; their eyes betraying mockery and derision in silent communication, though their faces remained unaffected.

"Miss Tang, your outfit is really beautiful," a lady from one of the prominent families remarked immediately, followed by a chorus of agreeable voices.

Tang Wei smiled and nodded, already knowing well that such apparel did not suit her; she would have been more comfortable and imposing in the grand robes from the Northern Border.

"The dresses you young ladies are wearing are the real beauties; I’ve hardly seen such embroidery," Tang Wei said nonchalantly, already drawing closer to Princess Helin. Although Princess Helin was from the Northern Border as well, she was not particularly tall, only reaching up to Tang Wei’s chin.

Princess Helin weakly glanced at Tang Wei to signal a welcome, then looked down and remained silent.

"Not at all, Miss Tang is so sweet. By the way, I’ve always had a question that I never got the chance to ask Miss Tang, and today seems like the perfect opportunity. You will tell us everything you know, won’t you?"

Tang Wei nodded; coincidentally, she had many questions of her own to ask.

"Miss Tang, I heard that about half a month ago, there was an uprising in the Northern Border, and some from an evil cult escaped?"

On hearing this, Tang Wei looked at the person who had asked the question—it was Weng Ling from the Liugui Aristocratic Clan. But how could she know such a secret piece of news? Although it happened half a month ago, their people had tracked them down, and they were all dead.

"That did happen, but those people are all dead now."

"I heard they died horribly. Have you found out who did it?"

"Not yet." Will this ever end? It’s as if she should be involved in managing such affairs.

"There are rumors that The Savage from North Meng did it. What do you think, Miss Tang?"