Madam Wu smiled faintly and echoed, "Sixth Miss Yu's etiquette is indeed impeccable." As for propriety, however, Madam Wu inwardly shook her head.

From what her own daughters had told her, this Sixth Miss Yu was exceedingly haughty, only deigning to befriend young ladies and gentlemen from families of fourth-rank officials or higher.

Given that her own husband held a fifth-rank position, whenever their children encountered this Sixth Miss Yu at banquets, she would merely tilt her chin up in acknowledgment, barely returning their greetings.

Yet, this same Sixth Miss Yu had no qualms about mingling with young gentlemen in the company of her two elder brothers. At such a tender age, she had already stirred discord among several young men who vied for her attention...

Though this banquet was ostensibly for fourth-rank officials and their families, those lower in rank who enjoyed the Emperor’s or the Empress Dowager’s favor were also granted special permission to attend.

Her own husband, for instance, was highly regarded by the Emperor. Thus, despite his rank being half a step below Madam Yu (the third), Madam Wu felt no intimidation in her presence.

Madame Sun, oblivious to Madam Wu’s thoughts, continued, "Seventh Sister has only recently returned to the family. In the Taoist temple, she learned nothing but menial chores—running errands and serving others.

Now that she’s a young lady of the Yu Family, she must study etiquette and decorum from her sixth sister. Otherwise, when she steps out into society, her lack of refinement will tarnish the reputation of all the Yu Family’s daughters..."

"Third Daughter-in-Law!" The Yu matriarch, who had been chatting with her old friends, could no longer tolerate this foolish woman’s increasingly inappropriate remarks. She interrupted sharply, heedless of the occasion.

The matriarch seethed inwardly. If left unchecked, Madame Sun would ruin Seventh Sister’s reputation beyond repair. What kind of birth mother would say such things? This was the behavior of an enemy, not a parent!

She had only looked away for a moment, and this fool had already begun slandering her own flesh and blood—all to elevate that impostor’s status!

It was infuriating!

"Mother, you called for me?" Madame Sun was displeased. She hadn’t finished speaking, hadn’t yet ensured all the assembled ladies and young misses knew of Sister Rou’s virtues.

If she didn’t build Sister Rou’s reputation now, how could the girl hope to marry well later? Even with her and Third Master’s doting, a young lady’s prospects were always subject to scrutiny when it came to marriage.

And Madame Sun harbored ambitions for Sister Rou to marry into a higher station.

In her eyes, the girl was perfection itself—though even she, blinded by maternal bias, had to admit Sister Rou’s looks fell slightly short compared to other young ladies of standing.

Thus, a sterling reputation was all the more crucial for Sister Rou.

Madame Sun’s gaze flickered inexplicably toward Yue Fuguang’s face. If only that face belonged to her Sister Rou!

The matriarch’s expression darkened imperceptibly. She forced a measured tone. "Third Daughter-in-Law, I’ve lost an earring. Go with your Eldest Aunt to search for it."

Yue Fuguang’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. She hadn’t missed how the matriarch had discreetly removed her own earring and slipped it into Eldest Aunt’s hand.

This was the matriarch’s ploy to remove Madame Sun after her senseless remarks.

"Then I’ll take Sister Rou and Seventh Sister to help search. We’ll find it faster that way," Madame Sun reluctantly agreed.

With so many high-ranking ladies present, she hated to waste this golden opportunity to sing Sister Rou’s praises.

"Take Sixth Sister. Seventh Sister will stay with me."

The matriarch dared not let this fool take the girl alone again. One banquet under Madame Sun’s care, and the child’s reputation would be in tatters.

No—she would have to discuss this thoroughly with the family head and that useless Third Master upon their return. They couldn’t sacrifice her true granddaughter’s standing for the sake of an impostor.

Only a brainless creature like Madame Sun would trample her own daughter to elevate a counterfeit.

"Esteemed ladies, gentlemen, and young misses, please proceed to the banquet hall. The festivities shall commence shortly."

They had scarcely settled when palace maids arrived to usher them to their seats.

The banquet’s imminent start signaled the arrival of the three most exalted figures: the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress.

The grand hall accommodated over three hundred guests. Officials occupied the foremost seats, followed by their ladies, arranged strictly according to their husbands’ ranks.

The rearmost seats were reserved for the young misses and gentlemen of each household.

Thus, Yue Fuguang’s seat was far back, surrounded by unfamiliar faces—young peers from various families. Aside from Yu Ningrou and her two brothers, she recognized no one.

This time, only the first and third branches of the Yu Family had attended. The second branch was stationed elsewhere, their children either studying or accompanying their father at his post.

The fourth branch, though in the capital, had not come—the fourth master, a mere concubine-born son, managed the family’s estates, much like Second Master Lian.

The first branch had no children of suitable age, while the third branch had brought only these four. As for concubine-born children—though the Empress Dowager’s banquet ostensibly welcomed those above eight, no family would actually bring eligible illegitimate offspring.

Given certain... indiscretions during the late Emperor’s reign, the current Empress Dowager and Emperor placed great emphasis on distinguishing legitimate from illegitimate. None dared court disaster now.

As Yue Fuguang listened to the three siblings’ whispered laughter and Yu Ningrou’s occasional smug glances, she waited calmly for the spectacle to unfold.

Her blade was sharpened, ready to slaughter pigs—no, people—no, that wasn’t quite right either.

She corrected herself silently: the blade was drawn, the net spread. All that remained was for the grand figures to step into her trap of their own accord.

"All rise for His Majesty the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and Her Majesty the Empress..."

Yue Fuguang’s musings were abruptly cut short by a piercing, high-pitched announcement.

As the eunuch’s voice rang out, the entire assembly rose, preparing to kneel once the Emperor was seated.

[Wait!]

A sudden, childish, urgent voice echoed in the ears of some—but not all—present.

On the raised dais, the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress frowned as one.

The Empress, who had orchestrated this banquet, shot a dagger-sharp glare at the Minister of Rites. Was this fool trying to sabotage her?

She signaled her chief maid with a glance, but for once, the woman seemed baffled, failing to grasp her mistress’s intent.

The scene turned absurdly comical. Those who heard the "Wait!" instinctively froze mid-motion, while those who hadn’t continued their descent into a kneel—only to hesitate upon seeing their peers stand rigid.

The unhearing guests wavered, uncertain whether to kneel or remain upright.

For those who had heard, however, the question wasn’t about kneeling—it was about survival.

Whatever child had dared interrupt at this moment would surely face dire consequences.