"Why is your sixth daughter not here?" asked Madam Yao.
"My sixth sister is unwell and needs to rest," Yu Miaoyan said, trying to curry favor with Madam Yao.
"Unwell?" Madam Yao's third daughter chimed in, "I think she's faking it."
As soon as Madam Yao's third daughter finished speaking, the other young ladies from the Yao family burst into laughter.
"Yes, I heard she even hit someone a few days ago. Now she's sick?"
"Perhaps she's under house arrest and too embarrassed to come out..."
The Yao family ladies had long harbored animosity towards Yu Mingyue and seized the opportunity to slander her.
Yu Miaoyan felt embarrassed, clutching her handkerchief. She wanted to retort but dared not offend them. It was all sixth sister's fault; if she were here, this wouldn't have happened.
The young ladies from the Yu family also dared not speak up. Madam Yao was notoriously overbearing, and they could not afford to provoke her.
However, Yu Miaoling, standing at the very edge, glared at Madam Yao's third daughter with indignation. "The Duke's mansion is hardly a place of peril. Why would sixth sister feign illness to avoid coming? Does the Duke's mansion not permit guests who are unwell?"
The speaker was Yu Miaoling, the fifth daughter of the fourth branch of the Yu family. The fourth branch was of concubine birth, placing them in an awkward position within the Yu household. The fourth madam was low-profile, and her daughter was also extremely timid.
Unexpectedly, she dared to speak up for Yu Mingyue.
"And who are you to speak so boldly?" Madam Yao's third daughter immediately changed her tune.
Madam Cui pressed her lips with her handkerchief and said unhurriedly, "The young ladies from the Duke's mansion are lively and innocent, truly enviable."
"Innocent" was a polite word, but when applied to fifteen-year-old girls, it implied foolishness. After all, children from noble families were precocious and should know what to say and what not to say at that age. With such a disposition, it was no wonder Concubine Yao did not favor her.
Madam Luo's expression stiffened further. "Children are prone to playful mischief. Madam Cui, please do not mind the noise."
"Not at all. The young ladies in my household are usually very serious, like little adults. I find your young ladies to be vibrant and interesting," Madam Cui praised the Duke's daughters subtly.
Madam Luo wanted to retort. "Vibrant and interesting"? Was that how one described people? It was as if all her learning had been fed to the dogs. However, she was the hostess today and had to maintain a dignified demeanor.
Madam Cui was impressed by the fifth daughter today. She remembered that Yu Miaoling was a month older than her own daughter. With Yu Mingyue, the legitimate daughter of a Duke, present, no one would pay attention to a daughter from a concubine's branch. Yu Miaoling, inheriting her mother Madam Lin's slender build, was petite and delicate, yet pleasing to the eye.
Madam Cui had kept Yu Miaoling by her side throughout the banquet, introducing her to several madams. It was then that the madams from various noble families in the capital noticed that besides the adored sixth daughter, the Duke's mansion also had a fifth daughter who was greatly favored by Madam Cui.
Madam Lin had initially thought her daughter had caused trouble and would be punished upon returning home. To her surprise, Madam Cui did not blame her but instead introduced her to the other madams. This would undoubtedly be beneficial for Yu Miaoling's future marriage prospects. Madam Lin's gaze towards Madam Cui now held not only respect but also a measure of gratitude.
On the way back, Yu Miaoyan was furious. She threw her hand warmer in the carriage. She was the eldest daughter of the Duke's mansion, yet Madam Cui preferred to elevate a girl from a concubine's branch rather than bring her along.
Yu Miaoyan dared not blame Madam Cui, but she was far less polite towards Yu Miaoling. As soon as they alighted from the carriage, Yu Miaoyan called out to Yu Miaoling and, with an imposing air, walked up to her and slapped her hard across the face.
Yu Miaoling was stunned by the blow, looking at Yu Miaoyan in bewilderment. "Eldest sister..."