The Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star Chapter 259
Translated by Pure
Chapter 259 Young Lady Jiang’s Birthday Banquet
After bidding farewell to Mu Yang and Fu Zixian following the meal, Wen Yantong retired to her courtyard to examine the rewards bestowed by the emperor. She started with the blood coral pearl bracelet from Mu Yang, marveling at its small, exquisite design. When draped around her wrist, encircled three times, the pearls gleamed beautifully in the sunlight. Clearly, this was a precious gift.
Completely enamored by its beauty, Wen Yantong wasted no time in adorning her wrist with the bracelet. She then picked up the face ointments, intending to apply some before retiring for the night.
Fu Zixian's gift mirrored Mu Yang's, albeit with a touch of sophistication befitting his status. Although not as lavishly expensive as Mu Yang's offering, they were still top-quality trinkets.
The remaining rewards were an assortment of treasures bestowed by the emperor. Wen Yantong carefully examined each item before instructing her servants to document them in her accounts and store them away.
With most of the sorting completed, Wen Yantong retreated to her courtyard, where she reclined on a lounging chair wrapped in a fox fur coat. Enjoying the warmth of the sun, she basked in its comforting rays.
Reflecting on her past, Wen Yantong remembered her early days in the Academy when she was nothing more than a lowly cannon fodder, frequently subjected to bullying from her peers. Fearful and powerless, she navigated the halls with trepidation, avoiding confrontation at all costs.
However, everything changed when she aligned herself with Chi Jingxi. Now, she enjoyed both status and wealth, transforming the once-empty Wen Residence into a place of opulence. It was no wonder that supporting female characters in every story sought the proximity of the protagonist. Who wouldn't relish such favorable treatment?
As the days passed, and it has now been over an year since she arrived in this world, though the time seemed to stretch longer than the two decades of her previous life. Almost forgetting her past existence, this place had gradually become her home, replete with relatives, friends, and her beloved.
Lost in these ruminations, Wen Yantong was interrupted by a servant bearing news of Third Young Lady Fu's visit.
Hastily, she sat up and instructed for her guest to be ushered in.
Fu Tanghuan hadn't seen Wen Yantong for a while, but her greeting was warm and familiar as ever. She enveloped Wen Yantong in a hug, expressing her concern, "You're far too brave. Venturing all the way to Yibei! What if something had gone awry?"
Wen Yantong chuckled in response, "But look at me, I'm perfectly fine, aren't I? And with your younger brother and the Little Marquis by my side, what could possibly go wrong?"
Fu Tanghuan initially wanted to scold Wen Yantong for her recklessness, but her concern quickly turned into a gesture of friendship. She handed over the cakes she had bought from a famous shop and explained, "I've been wanting to visit you since I heard you were back a few days ago, but my father wouldn't permit it. He explained that you'd receive an imperial decree soon, so he forbade me from coming. Once I learned about your bestowment, I rushed over."
Wen Yantong gratefully accepted the cakes and indulged in one, expressing her regret, "I'm sorry for causing you worry."
"It's a relief that you returned unharmed," Fu Tanghuan remarked with a smile, her eyes twinkling. "But now that you're a Commandery Princess, your status is elevated. I fear it will be quite hard to see you in the future."
"Nonsense. I'll always be here at Wen Residence. You're welcome to visit anytime," Wen Yantong reassured her.
"Oh, before I forget," Fu Tanghuan reached for an apricot-colored metal invitation card, which her servant promptly handed over. "This arrived for you just as I arrived at your doorstep. It's an invitation from Minister Jiang's first wife."
"Invitation?"
"Minister Jiang's daughter's birthday is tomorrow, and they're throwing a grand banquet. Many eligible bachelors and young ladies from Chaoge have been invited, likely in search of a suitable match for her."
Wen Yantong mulled over this information. "Then why invite me?" she asked, a hint of unease creeping into her voice as she recalled her previous encounter with Young Lady Jiang.
"This is how Chaoge holds banquets. Every person with some status in the capital must be given an invitation, otherwise it may offend others," Fu Tanghuan explained. "You are the only Commandery Princess in Shaojing, so they don’t dare to neglect this bit of etiquette.”
Wen Yantong pondered for a moment. "Can I not go?"
"Of course," Fu Tanghuan replied, "but I think it's better for you to go. There will be a good show tomorrow, and the Little Marquis will also be there. Haven't you not seen him for a while?"
Upon hearing this, Wen Yantong's resolve solidified. "Then I must go and take a look."
Fu Tanghuan clasped her hands happily. "Then I'll drop by Wen Residence tomorrow, and we'll go to Jiang Mansion together."
The two sat together and chatted for a long time. Fu Tanghuan shared the happenings in Chaoge, while Wen Yantong recounted her experiences in Yibei. They exchanged stories until it was dark.
Reluctantly, Fu Tanghuan bid her farewell as the evening grew late. Wen Yantong had a simple dinner and retired early to rest, preparing for the banquet the following day.
The next morning, Wen Yantong rose early, a departure from her usual habit of sleeping in.
She instructed Mo Li to fashion her hair into an elegant style, adorning it with light-yellow gem-inlaid hair ornaments. With each step, the tassels on the hairpins swayed, emitting a pleasant, tinkling sound.
Her attire was carefully chosen from the garments bestowed by the emperor: an almond-yellow wide-sleeve lined blouse paired with a waistcoat featuring snow-white edging. The craftsmanship and embroidery were exquisite, enhancing Wen Yantong's demeanor.
With her elevated status, she understood the importance of dressing appropriately for social engagements and banquets, abandoning her previous casual attire.
Fortunately, Mo Li was knowledgeable in matters of fashion, expertly selecting clothing and jewelry to complement Wen Yantong's appearance. Her makeup, too, exuded calmness and elegance.
Once fully adorned, Wen Yantong and Fu Tanghuan departed in the carriage, bound for Jiang Mansion. Initially anticipating a spectacle, Wen Yantong found herself unexpectedly thrust into the role of the main attraction.
Upon reaching the entrance of Jiang Mansion, their carriage was halted. A servant from the Jiang Residence approached, offering a respectful salute, before saying, "According to our records, the carriage conveying the legitimate daughter of the Fu Residence has already arrived."
Fu Tanghuan's expression froze as she parted the curtain and addressed the servant. "What do you mean? I just arrived now. How is there already a record of a carriage?"
The servant also appeared to be put in a difficult position. "This... the carriage of the legitimate daughter of the Fu Residence is clearly documented in the ledger as having arrived."
Fu Tanghuan's frustration grew. "I'm here for the banquet, aren't I? Surely, there's space for my carriage."
The servant hesitated. "The carriage locations were predetermined. The space reserved for the direct daughter of the Fu Residence has already been occupied..."
Fu Tanghuan's brows furrowed with anger. She could sense the curious gazes of onlookers and quickly lowered the curtain, muttering under her breath, "It must be Fu Tian and the others! How dare they humiliate me in front of outsiders!?"
Fu Tanghuan's older brother and sister were born to Fu Sheng's deceased first wife, making them legitimate heirs.
The individual who had taken the carriage parking space designated for the legitimate daughter of the Fu Residence was likely Fu Tanghuan's older sister, Fu Tian. As Fu Tian was also a legitimate daughter of the Fu Residence, there was no fault in her occupying that position.
The situation presented a dilemma for the Jiang Residence, as accommodating Fu Tian's carriage meant there was no space left for Fu Tanghuan's.
Being forced to leave and find another parking spot would be highly embarrassing, especially given Fu Tanghuan's status as a legitimate daughter of the Fu Residence. There was no justification for her to be subjected to such treatment by her older sister, especially in front of others.
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The author has something to say:
Mu Yang: Brother Xi has been busy recently.
Fu Zixian: Little Marquis is indeed busy.
Wen Yantong: I know he’s busy.
[A day in Chi Jingxi’s life]:
Early morning: Get up
Morning: Busy
Noon: Busy
Afternoon: Busy
Night: Sleep
Chi Jingxi: What on heck am I busy with?
—
T/N: Just as a refresher, Young Lady Jiang made a couple of appearances in and around chapter 226
