She then instructed Lixia and Liqiu to fetch so attire suitable for the upcoming banquet at the Fan Family's residence in a couple of days.
Unbeknownst to Mrs.
Jia, Qiao Xuan regarded the Fan Family's invitation rely as an opportunity to advance her own agenda.
With Shao Yunduan having already incurred the wrath of the bandits from the three villages, Qiao Xuan was eager to provoke the Fan Family as well.
It could potentially yield favorable results!
Both Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan harbored suspicions that these affluent families might have clandestine dealings with the bandits.
The i Family and the Huo Family appeared to adopt a neutral stance, seemingly aligning themselves with whichever faction erged victorious.
Consequently, Shao Yunduan deed them unworthy of serious consideration.
Banditry was rampant in Anze Province, forcing many to engage in covert transactions for survival.
This was an accepted reality.
However, the deep-seated animosity the Old Lady of the Fan Family harbored towards Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan raised doubts about whether she would seek to establish any form of collaboration.
Shao Yunduan's strategy involved eliminating the mountain bandits before consolidating control over Anze Province's local power structure.
This approach would facilitate smoother execution of commands, circumventing the need for incessant clashes with influential family clans.
Few things were as daunting as the prospect of dismantling one of the three mighty clans, naly, the Fan Clan.
The Fan family likely never imagined that, in the eyes of the Prefect, their reckoning lood on the horizon.
That morning, after spending so ti playing with her son and attending to his needs, Qiao Xuan entrusted him to the care of the nanny and maids.
She then changed into her attire as a guest, tidied her hair, and dispatched a servant to summon Mrs.
Jia.
Qiao Xuan's attire was resplendent: a vibrant satin gown adorned with inch-wide silver trimmings along the sleeves, collar, and lapels.
Delicate begonia flowers were intricately embroidered onto the edges, complented by a pleated white silk skirt.
Her hair was styled into an elegant bun, accented by a peach-shaped red jade ornant with rubies, and adorned with diamond-shaped beaded jade hairpins at the temples.
With lightly brushed eyebrows, delicately tinted cherry lips, and a complexion akin to smooth jade, her minimal makeup enhanced her clear autumn eyes and radiant smile.
Each gesture exuded grace and poise befitting the Prefect's wife, commanding respect without appearing domineering.
Mrs.
Jia, too, was attired for the occasion, donning a silver-blue embroidered gown paired with a golden hairpin, emanating an air of dignified elegance.
These matching grape ornants were a special gift from Qiao Xuan to Deputy Prefect Jia upon his recent promotion, exquisitely crafted and adorned with rubies and sapphires, exuding opulent splendor.
This pair of golden hairpins was valued at around 500 taels of silver, a sum far beyond Jia Heming's ans.
Upon receiving the gift, the couple was taken aback.
Though they couldn't ascertain its exact value, they could discern its extravagance.
Mrs.
Jia hesitated to accept it, considering its exorbitant worth, and suggested returning it to Qiao Xuan.
However, Jia Heming insisted they retain the gift, proposing instead to express their gratitude personally by sending a gift to the east courtyard the following day.
It was the first ti Mrs.
Jia had adorned herself with these golden hairpins to receive guests.
Despite feeling a bit anxious, Qiao Xuan's complint eased her nerves.
"These golden hairpins suit you perfectly, Mrs.
Jia!
They enhance your appearance beautifully!
I have a knack for selecting gifts!" "Indeed, you do!" Mrs.
Jia responded with a smile, feeling reassured.
Unperturbed by the anticipation of the grand entrance, Qiao Xuan remained unfazed.
Upon their arrival at the Fan Family's residence, they discovered they weren't the last to arrive, though nearly all the guests had assembled.
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