Duchess Yan paused for a moment, thinking of saying something to Duke Yan in front of others, only to see Zhao Bi with a darkened expression, his hand on her back, pretending to support her yet subtly nudging her forward, saying, "How careless of the servants. The weather is a bit chilly now; let me escort the Duchess back to change clothes."

Duchess Yan realized there might be some situation she wasn’t aware of, and it certainly wasn’t good, otherwise her husband wouldn’t have such an expression. She quickly cooperated by slightly quickening her pace as Duke Yan escorted her aside, sending two maids who usually served her to accompany her to the inner quarters.

Afterward, he sat back down as if nothing had happened, raised his cup, and loudly said, "Apologies, everyone. Earlier, a careless servant disrupted the mood.

My wife isn’t young anymore, and can’t withstand the cold. I’ve asked someone to attend to her and help her change. Let’s continue."

From start to finish, he appeared as if he hadn’t noticed anything wrong with his wife’s attire earlier.

Since he acted so calmly, other guests naturally couldn’t say much either, responding in agreement and raising their cups for a toast, gradually restoring the atmosphere from the earlier silence.

When saying the atmosphere was restored, it was actually not quite the same. Earlier, everyone’s faces were full of flattery and sycophancy, but now, while maintaining respectful attitudes, there was a perceivable hint of detachment.

After this, Duchess Yan did not appear again from the inner quarters; it was unclear if she was attending to the female guests there or simply hiding away.

After a while, people began to stand up and take their leave one after another, with a variety of excuses: some claimed they couldn’t handle the alcohol and felt dizzy, others mentioned unexpected urgent matters at home requiring their immediate return.

As they decided to leave and for reasons presented so appropriately, Duke Yan could not refuse, his face calmly accommodating the departures, though his eyes showed signs of coldness.

Once someone initiated leaving early, it naturally led many others to follow, for being the first to speak up was difficult, waiting till the end was awkward, and staying longer only increased unease.

Some, who held higher positions in court and had close relations with Duke Yan, felt uneasy leaving, considering the social ties, while most eager to depart were those not essentially aligned with Duke Yan, quickly weighing pros and cons, anxious to distance themselves, fearing involvement should Duke Yan cause trouble.

Lu Qing elbowed Zhu Yu, giving her a glance, and both took advantage of the situation, mingling among those taking their leave.

After all, their table consisted of unimportant distant relatives called as a mere formality for the Duke Mansion’s birthday banquet, and departing among the crowd meant little attention, not needing farewells.

Walking among the departing guests, they silently proceeded, slowly moving, and once outside the Duke Mansion’s gates, due to the numerous guests, many carriages were parked at some distance, as they walked farther, hushed whispers began around them.

Both Zhu Yu and Lu Qing walked silently, their ears tuned to catch snippets of conversation around them.

"It’s all your fault!" said one man chastising the person beside him who followed Zhu Yu and Lu Qing, sounding like a guest of some sort, "I’ve always said we had no dealings with the Zhao Family, trying to cozy up now is unrealistic, but you insisted it’s better late than never, offering gifts just to test if we might later envy others’ success!

Now look what’s happened, the gifts were sent, and what an incident at the banquet! 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

So many people were there today, so many eyes watching, and so many mouths talking!

There’s no such thing as a completely secretive wall; so many watching might make the walls full of holes like a sieve!

If word reaches the Holy Emperor, he might assume we’re conspiring with Duchess Yan in her phoenix robe, thinking we’re plotting something!"

"Sir, since matters have come to this point, further discussion is futile.

The Holy Emperor is wise; should an investigation arise, leaving early shows our ignorance, we’re not their accomplices!

Besides, Duke Yan will surely act, finding a way to clear this trouble.

No one could foresee today’s event; doesn’t it seem odd? Even if Duke Yan had such intentions, he’d secretly view any taboo items in the inner quarters, not brazenly parade them before everyone!"

"If not for the water splashing, would anyone know she wore a phoenix robe?!"

"Well... that’s unascertainable..."

"Exactly! Perhaps both outfits held hidden meanings known to them, unknown to us, and everyone came to the birthday under pretense, suggesting a degree of homage?

Maybe they secretly wanted to indulge in this thrill but were exposed by a splash of water!

Enough! Since it’s already this way, pondering further is late; we must act cautiously, avoiding any mishap in the coming days!"

Still, Zhu Yu and Lu Qing kept on, occasionally catching phrases.

Clearly, the version they heard at the Headdress and Shoes Workshop from the steward had already spread across town, now differing opinions outside regarding Flowing Clouds emerged, some believed the fabric was newly produced by the Workshop, only reaching Duke Yan Mansion.

Others held that such rare material, if crafted by the Workshop, should be spun again and sold at high prices to other noblewomen, as many times before, taking upfront payment and delivering finished garments after the noble’s prominence faded.

This way, many noblewomen could compete in beauty without vexing the palace’s favored concubines.

Yet, only the Flowing Clouds was claimed to be unique by the Workshop, with no second piece possible.

Clearly indicating it was acquired by Duke Yan, fearing repercussions, they dare not admit, using the Workshop’s name to sew clothes for the Duchess!