Soon, the guests began to arrive, and Yang Ning had thoughtfully arranged for the court ladies to escort them from the Main Palace entrance to the Dragon Pavilion where the party had been arranged.
Madam Guo and Liu shared a carriage, while other distinguished ladies arrived nearly simultaneously. The maids, in a graceful procession, escorted them together to the Dragon Pavilion.
Strolling through the palace grounds, the ladies couldn't help but marvel at the scenery and whisper among themselves. "Do you see? I have been here many times, but the gardens seem transformed—more orderly and lovely than ever."
"Yes, indeed. I have heard from my husband that His Majesty has entrusted the management of the palace to the Crown Princess. It's quite remarkable for her to shoulder such a significant responsibility. His Majesty must hold her in high regard."
"In the past, I used to think that Prince Zheng Xiang had a better chance of becoming the future Emperor than the Crown Prince. After all, his mother was the Empress, so it was natural for him to become the future successor. However, after the fall of the former Empress and by giving the Crown Princess this responsibility, His Majesty has dispelled all doubts."
The ladies' murmurs reflected the sense of awe and intrigue surrounding Yang Ning's newfound responsibilities and the apparent favor she had garnered from the Emperor.
Madam Liu remained quiet, her ears tuned to the whispers of the ladies ahead as they were led to the Dragon Pavilion. Her eyes briefly met Madam Guo's, prompting her to voice a thought, "What are your thoughts on the Crown Princess? Do you believe the rumors about her rudeness?"
Guo Yurong, with her usual stoic face, replied, "Rumors are just that—rumors. I judge by what I see. My impression of her is yet to be formed, but her personal touch on the invitations is certainly noteworthy. It's not every day you see a Crown Princess taking the time to do that."
As Yang Ning led the guests to the arbor where the tea party had been meticulously arranged, they couldn't contain their gasps of surprise. "Oh my! Everything about this place is so beautiful and magical."
"I have attended numerous tea parties in the past, but this is the first time I have seen such a dedicated effort put into decorations, and the result is truly elegant and beautiful. It's a unique approach, and in a positive way," one of the ladies remarked.
"You're right. The arrangement is even more splendid than the tea parties hosted by Empress Yan—" one lady began before hastily silencing herself, realizing the potential rudeness of her comment.
A subtle smile graced Yang Ning's lips as she observed their reactions. This was precisely the outcome she had hoped for. She had prepared diligently, and at least some of the ladies were taking notice. While she enjoyed the ladies' reactions, her attention was drawn to two women standing silently and examining the surroundings carefully.
Furrowing her brow, Yang Ning recognized them as Madam Guo and Madam Liu, the very individuals Yu Ling had spoken about. From what she had heard, Madam Liu and Madam Guo were considered the wealthiest individuals in the capital.
Madam Liu held a prominent position as the leader of various women's gatherings and possessed an exclusive boutique reserved exclusively for noblewomen. Similarly, Madam Guo also owned several thriving boutiques and jewelry stores that had established a strong presence, not only in the capital but throughout the entire Empire.
Only a few women in the Empire wielded such influence and were considered equals to men and Madam Liu and Madam Guo were among those exceptions.
With their extraordinary noble backgrounds and strong, clever personalities, they commanded the respect and attention of many ladies who sought their favor. Judging from the reactions of the other guests, it wouldn't be challenging to win their favor. However, her ultimate goal for this party was to make a favorable impression on these two influential women, no matter what it took.