From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 733: Chapter 735: Arrived Late

Mrs. Xiao finally reacted. She raised her head. "Are you really not lying to me?"

Mrs. Liu and the others covered their mouths, giggling. "Look at this! We tell the truth, but it’s not as pleasant to hear as a lie. She’s got truth and falsehood completely backwards, and now she’s questioning us."

Mrs. Wang wasn’t having it. "Do you think something is automatically true just because a lot of people say it? You simply didn’t notice just now. She really did look over here, just for a fleeting second. I’m not lying."

The crowd fell speechless.

At that moment, Mrs. Liu suddenly pointed at the entrance with a surprised expression. "...We’re in for a good show today."

At the archway to the garden, the very subject of their gossip had just made a highly conspicuous entrance, surrounded by a flock of maids and old servant women.

She wore a magnificent dress unlike anything they had ever seen, paired with a dazzling set of hair ornaments that gleamed brightly. The entire garden instantly fell silent.

Mrs. Xiao took a deep breath. "Oh, my heavens, what kind of act is she putting on today? Just the outfit she’s wearing... our family probably couldn’t even afford half of it if we sold everything we owned!"

"There’s no ’probably’ about it. You definitely couldn’t," said Mrs. Wang, whose family wealth was comparable to Mrs. Xiao’s, clutching her chest. "Just one random gemstone from her jewelry would bankrupt us, and we still might not be able to afford it."

"People always said Mrs. Gu was wealthy, and it’s clearly not just a rumor. She used to dress so modestly, looking no different from the rest of us. I guess she was just trying to accommodate us." Mrs. Xiao’s gossipy nature reignited. "Do you think she showed up dressed to the nines today because she’s preparing to fight back?"

"Judging by this grand display, I’d say yes." Mrs. Wang felt a bit blinded from staring at Jin Qianqian for too long, so she turned to look at the maids standing behind her. Her tone turned sour. "Even the maids beside her are dressed better than we are. Look at them. Their outfits might seem simple, but they’re adorned with real gemstones. Even as the matriarchs of our households, we don’t necessarily have such things, yet she decks her maids out in them. This is simply too arrogant."

"If you hadn’t mentioned it, we really wouldn’t have noticed." Mrs. Liu and the others also caught on. "Look, Mrs. Xun is going over to greet her, but look how stiff her expression is. She sent the invitation, so isn’t it perfectly normal for the guest to attend? Giving her a sour face now is a bit out of line."

"It’s not like you don’t know. Lord Xun works under the Governor. Mrs. Xun has always followed Lady Liang’s lead. She probably figured that because of this connection, Mrs. Gu definitely wouldn’t show up." Mrs. Wang took a sip of fruit wine, wearing a look of anticipation for the drama. "It looks like her flattery backfired this time. Today’s banquet is definitely going to be unforgettable."

While they were chatting animatedly, Mrs. Xun had already walked up to Jin Qianqian and curtsied. "Mrs. Gu, please forgive me for not coming out to welcome such an esteemed guest."

Jin Qianqian smiled and reached out to gently help her up. "Mrs. Xun, I was slightly delayed by some matters before leaving the house. I’ve kept you waiting."

The crowd was speechless once again. She was actually wearing jewelry on her hands, too, and the gleam was almost blinding.

Standing so close, Mrs. Xun could see it even more clearly. She masked the jealousy in her eyes. "...We have just taken our seats as well. Madam, please come this way."

As Jin Qianqian followed her into the rear garden, she didn’t forget to nod in greeting to the ladies she was acquainted with.

As for those who harbored ill will towards her and had long since drawn a line between them, Jin Qianqian didn’t spare them a single glance.

They made their way to the main table, which was already fully occupied.

Only then did Mrs. Xun awkwardly realize that, having been certain Jin Qianqian wouldn’t attend, she hadn’t even arranged a seat for her.

"Look how muddle-headed I am. I’m getting old and useless. To think I’d make such a mistake while organizing a banquet." No matter how much Mrs. Xun disliked Jin Qianqian, she knew she had handled this poorly.

Even if someone wasn’t expected to show up, as long as she hadn’t received a formal decline to the invitation, she shouldn’t have left out their seat.

However, Jin Qianqian looked at her with a smile. "Does Mrs. Xun have some sort of problem with the Gu Mansion?"

This escalated the mistake significantly. It was no longer just a slight against the womenfolk, but it dragged the men outside into the conflict as well.

Panic set in Mrs. Xun’s heart, and she couldn’t help but look toward Mrs. Liang He. But the woman was sitting there steadily, looking entirely unconcerned, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

However, the ladies sitting next to her had their backs ramrod straight. They had already noticed that Lady Liang’s fists had been tightly clenched from the moment Jin Qianqian appeared.

"Good day to you, Lady Liang," Jin Qianqian said, taking a few steps toward her. "It’s been a while since we last met, but you still look as radiant and glowing as ever."

Mrs. Liang He tried her best to make her smile look natural, but her words still carried a hint of sourness. "Mrs. Gu is certainly looking resplendent..."

The two women were roughly the same age. To match Governor Liang’s status and age, Mrs. Liang He had mostly worn dark, muted colors over the years, though she secretly loved bright, dazzling hues as well.

Setting aside the immense value of those accessories, just the styles alone were something she likely couldn’t wear in public even if she wanted to.

The thought of never being able to dress up beautifully for the rest of her life made her find Jin Qianqian’s outfit today exceptionally grating to the eye.

Jin Qianqian let out a hearty laugh, deliberately spreading her arms and spinning around twice right in front of her. "Does Lady Liang think so, too? I actually thought it was a bit too flashy."

The crowd was speechless. So she did have some self-awareness after all.

"Originally, when these clothes and jewelry were made, I planned to hide them away at home and just take them out occasionally to admire them myself," Jin Qianqian continued. "But I’ve been so busy lately and missed so many banquets. I was worried the ladies might forget about me, so I specifically wore them out to make a splash and leave a deeper impression on everyone."

The crowd silently begged her to just keep them at home to admire herself! After today, they would all probably go home feeling like their own wardrobes and jewelry boxes were severely lacking.

Lady Liang forced a response. "...It certainly leaves a deep impression, but Mrs. Gu’s display is a bit too ostentatious..."

Jin Qianqian raised her hand with a helpless expression. "I also think this jewelry is a bit too flashy. But after all, Mr. Gu drew the designs himself and personally found someone to polish and craft them. If I just kept them hidden in a chest, I’d feel like I was doing a disservice to his heartfelt intentions."

Mrs. Wu asked in astonishment, "Are you saying Mr. Gu had all of these custom-made specifically for you?"

Jin Qianqian beamed with pride. "Exactly. What do you think, Mrs. Wu?"

"They’re truly beautiful." Catching herself speaking too quickly, Mrs. Wu turned to look at Mrs. Liang He, only to find that the lady could no longer even maintain her polite smile.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Xun had already ordered the servants to rearrange her own seat for the guest. "Mrs. Gu, please take a seat over here."

Jin Qianqian shot her a meaningful glance. Surrounded by her senior maids, she sat down with complete composure.

But it was obvious she wasn’t really there to enjoy the banquet. "I arrived late today, so I will penalize myself with three cups of wine. I hope you will all forgive me."

Shedding her usual low profile, Jin Qianqian raised her cup first, proposing a toast to everyone present.