The Eldest Daughter is Delicate and Pretty, How Can She Be a Malicious Supporting Character - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Elegant Gathering

After a heavy rain, the weather had turned cold, and it was now late autumn. The comfortable temperature of the previous days was gone, replaced by a chill in the air.
In the Lanyue Pavilion, everything was normal.

Today was the elegant gathering hosted by County Lord Changle, and Pei Lingyi was sitting in front of the dressing table, getting ready. Layan and Luoxu were attending to her.
“Miss, which dress would you like to wear today? The sky-blue beautiful clouds dress or the lilac-colored brocade dress?” Layan asked, holding up two dresses.

“These are the new dresses made by Liuyun Building, and they arrived just in time for today’s gathering,” Luoxu said as she pinned a jade hairpin into Pei Lingyi’s hair.

Pei Lingyi thought for a moment and pointed to the lilac-colored dress, “The weather is getting cooler, so let’s wear the brocade dress. It looks softer and more gentle.”
Layan nodded and helped Pei Lingyi change into the dress.
Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror, Pei Lingyi smiled slightly, looking gentle and elegant.
Even though Layan and Luoxu saw their miss every day, they couldn’t help but admire her beauty. There was no other young lady in the capital city who could compare to her.

“Go and check on Third Miss’s preparations. If she’s ready, we can leave,” Pei Lingyi said.
“Yes,” Layan and Luoxu replied in unison and left the room. Pei Lingyi sat alone on the couch, her expression unreadable…

In the Fangcao Hall——
Pei Yangyang was getting ready, surrounded by exquisite jewelry.
Those were the gifts Pei Lingyi had given her after paying respects to their grandmother.
As a young girl, Pei Yangyang couldn’t help but feel delighted when she saw the beautiful jewelry. She picked up a hibiscus flower hairpin and smiled, “Concubine, do you think this hairpin suits me today?”

Pei Yangyang was a delicate and pampered girl who loved beautiful things. Unfortunately, as a concubine-born daughter, she didn’t have the opportunity to wear such exquisite jewelry often. If Pei Lingyi hadn’t given her these gifts, she would probably still be wearing the same old accessories.

Concubine Yue looked at Pei Yangyang’s elaborate attire and didn’t show much happiness. Instead, she was filled with worry.
As a concubine-born daughter of a minor official, Pei Yangyang wasn’t favored before her marriage. Being given to Father Pei as a concubine was already a great fortune.
The habits she developed in her family made her avoid drawing attention to herself. However, her daughter was a spoiled child, and she couldn’t help but indulge her.

“Yangyang, it’s a great honor that Eldest Miss is taking you to the banquet today. You must listen to her and avoid causing trouble,” Concubine Yue advised earnestly. She was happy to see her daughter grow up but didn’t have high expectations. She just hoped Yangyang would have a peaceful life and marry into a small family as the mistress.

Pei Yangyang was wearing a peach-pink dress and the hibiscus hairpin. She looked more beautiful than the flowers. She pouted and leaned against Concubine Yue, “Concubine, I know. I’ll definitely listen to Eldest Sister when I’m out. Don’t worry.”

“Lamei, let’s hurry. It’s almost time. We don’t want to keep Eldest Sister waiting.”
Concubine Yue watched them leave and sighed inwardly.
Pei Yangyang didn’t look happy after leaving the room, despite her earlier excitement while getting ready.
Her maid, Lamei, noticed and asked, “Why aren’t you happy, Miss?”

“I’ll naturally be happy to attend the County Lord’s gathering. However, Concubine only wants me to marry into a small family. I don’t want to settle for that.”
The County Lord Changle was the noble daughter of the Eldest Princess, and not everyone could receive an invitation from her. Since Eldest Sister had given her this opportunity, she couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

Lamei had grown up with Pei Yangyang and knew her thoughts, so she didn’t say anything.
As they turned a corner, they suddenly bumped into Layan, who was looking for them. “Third Miss, Eldest Miss asked me to remind you that we’re about to leave.”
Pei Yangyang wouldn’t want to be rude in front of others, so she regained her usual composure. “Let’s go!”
When Pei Yangyang got into the carriage, she saw that it was already prepared. The carriage body was simple and elegant, with the mottled bamboo pattern that was unique to the Pei family.

Inside the carriage, she found a cozy and luxurious space.
Pei Lingyi sat at the top, and there was a small table with tea and snacks. Incense was burning, and the curtains were made of expensive silk. The soft carpet underneath made the ride smooth.
Pei Yangyang was amazed by the luxury inside the carriage, as this was her first time riding in Pei Lingyi’s carriage. She wouldn’t dare feel jealous or resentful.

As the eldest legitimate daughter, Pei Lingyi deserved such treatment. Moreover, she had never been arrogant or abusive, and she was always kind to her sisters. In Pei Yangyang’s eyes, Pei Lingyi was the perfect noble daughter.
When Pei Yangyang entered, Pei Lingyi opened her eyes and said softly, “There are snacks on the table. Try them and see if you like them.”
Pei Yangyang tasted a few and smiled, “These are delicious. I don’t usually get to eat such good snacks except during festivals. Thank you, Eldest Sister.”

The Pei family, under Madam Pei’s management, wouldn’t be stingy with their allowances. They had more than enough clothes and daily necessities, and the girls’ dresses were all new and seasonal.
However, to live a luxurious life, they needed more than just their allowances. Pei Yangyang’s concubine mother didn’t have a large dowry, so she wouldn’t spend money on unnecessary things.

“By the way, thank you for the jewelry, Eldest Sister. I wouldn’t have been able to find something decent without your gifts.”

Pei Yangyang hadn’t had new jewelry made in a long time, and the old ones were outdated. If she wore them to the banquet, she would be laughed at.
In the capital city, noble girls loved to compare with each other, and gatherings like this were opportunities for them to show off.
Looking at the hibiscus hairpin on Pei Yangyang’s head, Pei Lingyi smiled, her elegance and beauty captivating. “I’m glad you like it, Yangyang. Since I’m taking you to the gathering, I won’t let you embarrass the Pei family.”

Pei Yangyang gazed at her sister, who looked like jade and smelled like orchids. Her noble aura was intimidating, and that smile just now had left her speechless.
She had always wondered why her sister had been attending fewer gatherings and poetry meetings in recent years, but today she had agreed to County Lord Changle’s request.
However, considering the close relationship between her sister and the county lord, and the county lord’s noble status, it wasn’t surprising.
As the carriage moved forward slowly, they soon arrived at the Eldest Princess’s mansion.

County Lord Changle was the only daughter of the Eldest Princess, and her invitation was highly valued. Today’s gathering was just a casual one, as the princess had received a pot of snow-red plum blossoms and wanted to share the joy with the noble young masters and ladies of the capital city.
The guests had various intentions, but one thing was certain: receiving an invitation meant that one had a certain reputation. This gathering also gave them a chance to see each other, and maybe even the princes would attend.

In short, this kind of gathering was not something that could be easily obtained.
Pei Yangyang was attending a gathering for the first time, so she followed Pei Lingyi closely. After Pei Lingyi handed over the invitation to the servant at the door, a maid came to lead them.
“Miss Pei, my family’s County Lord has been waiting for a while,” the maid said as she led them to the backyard.