In the blink of an eye, I have been back at the Shangshu Residence for five days. During these five days, Father has not stepped once into Yunying Garden. According to Yinyin, Lady Wei often pulls Father into Zhuzhu's room under the pretense of checking her studies. To be honest, I didn't really care about these matters. It's just that Yinyin has mentioned it so many times in my ear, I couldn't help but remember some of it, thanks to her nagging.

After finishing breakfast, Yinyin, who was originally about to leave, suddenly returned. I thought she was going to tell me some gossip she had heard from other servants and minions, so I put on a serious and attentive appearance, intending to let it go in one ear and out the other.

This time, when Yinyin came in, it was different from usual. Instead of speaking as soon as she entered, she first glanced at me and then made a frustrated gesture, saying, "Miss, have you ever seriously listened to what Yinyin said? Why are you still sitting here? And your hair, how can you style it like this for a banquet? Come over here, Yinyin will do your hair. Lady Wei and Miss Yu Zhu are already prepared to leave, yet you always hesitate and never take any initiative. Clearly, you are the legitimate Miss of the Shangshu Mansion, but they never wait for you when they go out and steal all the limelight. Why are you not even the least bit worried?"

Until Yin Yin dragged me to the dressing table, my mind was still in a daze. I had no idea what she was talking about when she mentioned the banquet. No matter how hard I racked my brain and searched through my thoughts, I couldn't find even the slightest trace of impression. The only thing I discovered was that Yin Yin's words weren't entirely nonsense. At least, there was a portion that needed to be listened to.

I couldn't continue watching and looked confused. While Yinyin was combing my hair, she sighed and said, "Miss, the maidservant told you yesterday. Today is the Princess Qingyang's birthday. The emperor has arranged a birthday banquet for her at the princess's residence. High-ranking officials with families have been invited to accompany her. At this hour, Lady Wei and Miss Yu Zhu have probably already left. I'm afraid you won't be able to catch the carriage to the Shangshu Residence." I don't know why, but I felt a slight hint of annoyance and frustration in Yinyin's words.

I know that Yinyin is unhappy with me being constantly suppressed by Lady Wei since my return. However, I can't find any meaning in competing with Yu Zhu for attention or feeling jealous. Many things that used to irritate me to no end are gradually fading away from my mind. I pulled Yinyin closer and forced a smile, saying, "It doesn't matter. Not sharing a carriage with them might actually be more peaceful. Plus, it's still early now. I'll have Xiaosi go out and rent a larger carriage later. It will definitely be more impressive than the one at the Shang Book Mansion, and it won't embarrass Yinyin."

As soon as I finished speaking, I saw through the bronze mirror in front of me that Yingying, who was combing my hair, fiercely glared at the back of my head. Then, I heard her say, "Miss, even if the carriage is big, it's not as grand as the Lord Prefect's. Others only pay attention to the Lord Prefect's seal, who cares how big your carriage is? You, like this..." Perhaps seeing my indifferent expression infuriated her, Yingying suddenly stopped speaking halfway through her sentence. She even stopped combing my hair, her eyes filled with undiminished anger.

Looking at Yinyin's current appearance, I suddenly recalled the image of a market vendor scolding her son for not studying hard. I don't know if all mothers in the world scold their children in this way, and I don't know if my own mother has ever scolded me like this. I think, if my mother were still alive, she would probably also hate me like Yinyin does. After all, as the legitimate daughter of the Shangshu Residence, I have repeatedly sacrificed my dignity and pride to become the laughingstock of Wei Heng and Yu Zhu after meals.