The incident with Shi Ning could be considered a small interlude. The other party had already apologized and promised to explain at an appropriate time.
She would naturally not dwell too much on this matter either, so she ate and drank by herself, watching a large group of people celebrate the old lady's birthday.
The old lady was hale and hearty, but Rong Dai had spent a long time in the harem in her previous life, so she also knew a little about medical skills.
The Qiao family's old lady was most likely just having a temporary burst of vitality. She probably wouldn't last too long. But at the old lady's age, whether it was a celebration or mourning, it was all the same.
Although she held the title of Lady Huo, and had caused such a stir in Shenjing recently, none of the noblewomen and young ladies present were willing to stand with her or even talk to her.
Rong Dai didn't mind the solitude, but she could feel the huge gap.
She could stand here today, watching these upper class people reveling, entirely relying on the Huo family background.
Without the Huo family, she probably wouldn't even get through the doors of the Qiao family.
But she didn't feel too disappointed. In her previous life, she had attended countless banquets even larger than this one.
Although the etiquette here was different from her previous life, she had already spent some time here and was somewhat familiar with it.
She liked the champagne here. The aroma made her feel happy.
"Ms. Rong."
She was drinking by herself in a corner when she heard someone calling her from behind.
She instinctively turned around to see a woman in her mid to late twenties smiling and walking towards her with a wine glass.
This woman was quite beautiful, with elegant and delicate features. She had an oval face that gave off a gentle impression, very pleasing to the eye without any aggressiveness.
Because of her facial features, she had a somewhat world-weary look when not smiling.
Rong Dai had some impression of this woman. She had seen her during the birthday celebrations earlier.
She was Qiao Wanzhou, the Qiao family's daughter.
"Ms. Qiao," she politely acknowledged.
Qiao Wanzhou smiled and walked to her side. Very generously, she clinked her glass against Rong Dai's.
"Don't mind these people, Ms. Rong."
She took a small sip from her glass, her eyes gleaming with some sharpness, like a detached observer looking at the noisy crowd, with a hint of mockery in her gaze.
Rong Dai looked at her curiously. This Ms. Qiao clearly did not like these people very much.
But from her interactions with them earlier, she seemed to know how to handle herself.
Worldly yet not worldly.
"Ms. Qiao, I'm not bothered at all."
With her experience from her previous life, what vicissitudes of life had she not seen? How could she care what these strangers thought of her?
As long as she was happy with her own life, that was all that mattered.
These people had no bearing on her life, and she had no intention of trying to please anyone.
"How they treat me makes no difference."
Seeing Qiao Wanzhou's raised eyebrows, Rong Dai explained further.
Qiao Wanzhou was a bit special. She didn't give off the arrogance of a spoiled rich girl like Shi Ning. Although a bit aloof, she was not unlikable.
Qiao Wanzhou looked at her in surprise for a few seconds before responding, "You're not like how the media portrayed you at all. The media really does kill people."
Rong Dai's faint smile remained, maintaining her composure and grace: "I'll take that as Ms. Qiao's compliment."
Qiao Wanzhou smiled lightly, casually flicking her hair in a very open and relaxed manner, nothing contrived about it at all. In fact, it made people feel comfortable.
She first withdrew her hand, took another sip of red wine, then squinted at the lively crowd in the distance.
"Actually, I've always really liked Huo Shao Ting."
Rong Dai looked at her in surprise. She knew how outstanding Huo Shao Ting was. Although she didn't know Qiao Wanzhou well, given the Qiao family's background, her status was certainly not low either.
And Qiao Wanzhou gave her the impression of being no simple character.
Seeing her impassive reaction, just a brief flash of surprise that quickly faded, Qiao Wanzhou became puzzled instead.
"Aren't you angry?"
Rong Dai smiled faintly, "Ms. Qiao, you jest. Shao Ting is outstanding, and so is Ms. Qiao. That you like him reflects well on my judgement. Why would I be angry?"
Qiao Wanzhou sized her up in a somewhat aggressive manner, then spoke after a few seconds: "You're different from how the news reports portrayed you. The media really does kill people."
Rong Dai's faint smile remained. She maintained her composure and propriety: "I'll take that as Ms. Qiao's compliment."
Qiao Wanzhou smiled lightly and withdrew her gaze, continuing to watch the revelry in the Qiao family's hall.
"I've liked him since I was little. He's an outstanding man. I thought that when I became a bit more accomplished, I might have a chance to get to know him.
But I didn't expect him to get married so soon. Well, opportunity comes to those who are prepared."
Qiao Wanzhou sighed lightly.
Rong Dai didn't respond. She was very curious about Qiao Wanzhou's motive for saying these things to her.
She was no ordinary woman. Such words were not enough to provoke her.
Otherwise, in her previous life she probably wouldn't have had to waste away in the Cold Palace, but would have been angered to death by the imperial consorts much sooner.
"I've been wanting to see what kind of person you are. Now that I've met you today, seeing is believing."
Qiao Wanzhou spoke candidly, without any coyness. It made people feel comfortable instead of disgusted.
"Don't worry, I'm not saying this because I want to compete with you."
She turned to look at Rong Dai with a smile in her eyes.
"I observed you for a long time just now. I find you very interesting and wanted to get acquainted since after all, Huo Shao Ting is no ordinary man. The woman he married must have something special about her."
Rong Dai felt somewhat exasperated inside. If Qiao Wanzhou knew about the original host's interactions with the Huo family, would she still be able to say these words?
"To be honest, if Huo Shao Ting hadn't chosen you, I really would have tried my luck. After all, a man as outstanding as him is as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns in Shenjing!"
Qiao Wanzhou smiled and tidied her hair. Her frank attitude really made it impossible for Rong Dai to dislike her, and even made her appreciate the other woman a bit.
"Ms. Rong, don't worry. I'm not saying this because I want to compete with you."
She turned to look at Rong Dai with a smile in her eyes.
"I watched you for a long time just now and find you very interesting. I wanted to get to know you since after all, Huo Shao Ting is no ordinary man. The woman he married must have something special about her."
Rong Dai felt somewhat exasperated inside. If Qiao Wanzhou knew about the original host's interactions with the Huo family, would she still be able to say these words?
"I saw the video of your audition. You have a lot of explosive power. You're a formidable opponent."
Hearing her say this, Rong Dai became puzzled.
"I also have high hopes for this drama. I've taken on the role of the main antagonist. It's been a long time since I've seen such an interesting work, and I really admire you, Ms. Rong. I look forward to competing with you."
Qiao Wanzhou explained.
