The sharply dressed doorman, expression meticulous and serious, guided Jiang Mingxi and her party through a corridor lined with a luxurious carpet, arriving at the reception area in front of the banquet hall.
The place was already filled with fragrant scents and elegant figures; soft whispers and laughter mingled faintly with the gentle strains of a string quartet.
A foreign middle-aged man, about fifty years old, with his gray hair neatly combed, wearing a tailored black tailcoat and a white bow tie, strode steadily forward to greet them.
He bowed slightly, his gaze quickly yet politely scanning the group before resting on the most striking figure— Anna.
In a refined London accent, he complimented, “Good evening, esteemed lady. Allow me to be so bold as to say, your gown is stunning— like an Eastern goddess gracing this night.”
Anna gave a modest smile, thanking him for the compliment.
Then, turning to Jiang Mingxi, he maintained a professional smile, speaking politely and formally, “Good evening, sir. I am Charles, the head butler for tonight’s banquet. It is my honor to serve you. May I see your Invitation Letter?”
Upon hearing this, Anna retrieved a small, exquisite beaded clutch and took out an Invitation Letter stamped clearly by the British Embassy, handing it over.
Charles accepted it with both hands, carefully verifying the names, seals, and watermark. Once confirmed, his smile grew more genuine.
“Welcome to both of you. I wish you a pleasant evening.”
He bowed slightly, returning the Invitation Letter.
His eyes then shifted to the three men standing just behind Jiang Mingxi, all dressed elegantly.
Before he could speak, Jiang Mingxi smiled and said, “They are my servants.”
A faint crack appeared in Charles’s otherwise trained expression. Surprise and confusion flickered in his eyes.
By protocol, invited guests were indeed allowed to bring up to four servants; Jiang Mingxi had brought only three, so there was no violation.
However—
All three “servants” were impeccably dressed: one wore a brand-new sapphire blue silk brocade long robe with a black zhāng zhōng (漳绒) horse jacket over it, his jade finger rings and gold pocket watch chain gleaming; the other two were clad in Western evening suits, though slightly less tailored but undeniably made of costly fabrics, each adorned with gold lapel pins and translucent onyx cufflinks, their faces flushed and dignified, even overshadowing many foreign businessmen at the scene.
In stark contrast, Jiang Mingxi herself wore a classic-cut, perfectly fitted black evening dress, without any extra ornamentation save for a plain pocket watch— unadorned and exceptionally “simple.”
—Whose servant would dress more extravagantly and grandly than the master? This completely overturned Charles’s understanding.
He forced out a couple of dry laughs, attempting to ease the awkwardness. “Sir, you truly are a gentleman with a sense of humor.”
Jiang Mingxi’s expression remained unchanged, her voice steady but with an unusual persuasiveness: “I never joke at formal occasions.”
Charles fell silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping once again over the three “jeweled” servants, gently hinting, “Your attendants’ attire seems… quite… special.”
Jiang Mingxi raised an eyebrow without a hint of emotion: “I have more money than I know what to do with.”
Charles: “……”
He was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by the unapologetic reply.
Jiang Mingxi continued, “May I ask, is dressing your servants against any regulations?”
Charles looked deeply at Jiang Mingxi. He was almost certain this young Eastern gentleman was playing some game beyond his comprehension, yet he could not refute it— nowhere in the rules did it say servants couldn’t dress better than their master.
Ultimately, professionalism forced a flawless smile back onto his face. He stepped slightly aside to clear the way: “Please, as if nothing happened. You have the right to arrange your attendants as you wish. Please enter, and enjoy this wonderful evening.”
He thought to himself, perhaps this was some kind of Eastern humor or a new way to flaunt wealth?
Meanwhile, Qian Laoban and his two companions, who couldn’t understand English at all, didn’t realize they had been labeled “servants.”
Qian Laoban even leaned close to Jiang Mingxi and whispered, “Brother Jiang, what did that foreign butler mumble to you?”
He felt particularly well-dressed today and assumed the foreign head butler must have been full of praise.
Jiang Mingxi’s face remained calm as she replied in Chinese, “Nothing much. He’s just envious of how rich I am.”
This unexpected answer stunned Qian Laoban for a moment before he silently laughed in his heart: Envious of Jiang Mingchuan’s wealth?
That foreign butler must have poor eyesight! Jiang Mingchuan was nothing more than a poor young man with an empty reputation who had to buy four bolts of Hangfang fabric on credit.
That rented evening suit was probably worth less than a single button on his own horse jacket. What was there to envy?
Just as Qian Laoban finished his silent ridicule, his gaze inadvertently swept over Anna’s bare white arm and the striking curves outlined by her qipao.
He immediately shifted his eyes away as if burned, his face flushed, muttering to himself, “Jiang Mingchuan really… how could he allow his companion to wear such… shameless clothes! It’s a disgrace to the reputation of the Chinese people!”
Another merchant companion, with a trace of envy, added, “Brother Jiang, with a beauty as radiant and exotic as Miss Anna by your side, anyone would surely think you are immensely wealthy, a man worth a fortune!”
This was part flattery, part genuine opinion.
Jiang Mingxi shrugged indifferently and replied with a different nuance, “Perhaps Miss Anna is the one worth a fortune, and I’m just a face.”
They exchanged looks.
On second thought… this possibility seemed very likely!
The newspapers already made it clear— though he had extraordinary talent and was fortunate to be favored by influential people, he was still young and shallow in foundation,
yet penniless.
Tall and slender, with delicate, refined features, his eyes held the purity of youth and sharpness of character— indeed a rare beauty.
The classic story of a talented scholar and a wealthy beauty was hardly uncommon anywhere in the world.
Thinking this, Qian Laoban laughed out loud, “Brother Jiang, you’re truly witty! So blessed in love, it makes others envious!”
Yet inwardly, his contempt for Jiang Mingxi deepened: so it was just a kept man! Using women’s connections to sneak into such circles, utterly spineless and disgraceful to Chinese men!
As they spoke, the group passed through the reception area and formally entered the main hall of the banquet.
In an instant, it was like entering another world.
The banquet hall was vast and magnificent. The high vaulted ceiling was adorned with several enormous, tiered crystal chandeliers whose countless facets refracted dazzling, brilliant light, illuminating the entire room like daylight— yet with an even more golden and dreamlike splendor.
The surrounding walls were decorated with ornate reliefs and gilded trims, large classical oil paintings hung prominently.
The air was filled with the rich scent of fine cigars, rare perfumes, and the mingling aromas of exquisite wines and delicacies.
In the corner, a small symphony orchestra played smooth, elegant jazz tunes. Well-dressed men and women held champagne glasses, gathering in small groups to chat quietly.
This was the high society Qian Laoban had longed to touch, and he was momentarily stunned.
Just as Anna had predicted, from the moment she stepped into the dazzling hall, she immediately became the undeniable center of attention.
Dressed in a bright red qipao embroidered with gold thread, amidst the sea of Western evening dresses and changshan horse jackets, she stood out like the sole striking red flower in a field of green, instantly capturing every eye.
The qipao’s unique and bold cut perfectly outlined her voluptuous, sensual Western hourglass figure, yet its Eastern high collar, frog buttons, and modest slit lent it a mysterious and elegant exotic charm.
The golden peony embroidery shimmered delicately under the lights, complementing her radiant blonde hair and blue eyes in harmony.
Whispers spread like ripples across the room.
“Oh my! Look at that dress!”
“How exotic and elegant! Who is that lady?”
“Is that a new style from Paris? I’ve never seen anything like it!”
Admiration, curiosity, and unabashed appreciation flowed from all directions.
The men’s gazes held pure admiration for beauty and sensuality, while the ladies focused more on the qipao itself— carefully inspecting the fabric’s sheen, embroidery craftsmanship, and unique tailoring, their eyes full of wonder and longing, quietly discussing which brand it might be and how to commission one.
Qian Laoban and the other two merchants were almost immediately pushed aside by the surging crowd.
He helplessly watched as Jiang Mingxi and Anna were quickly surrounded by a group of lavishly dressed, dignified men and women.
Among them were foreign trading house bosses, consulate officials, and Shanghai’s top Chinese business elites— people Qian Laoban had long tried to curry favor with but never succeeded.
Now, these big shots were smiling warmly as they conversed enthusiastically with the young couple.
Qian Laoban’s expression darkened completely.
He suddenly realized that even if he managed to squeeze into such an upper-class banquet, he was still an unknown nobody.
Yet the man he looked down upon— Jiang Mingchuan— had become the star of the night.
“Madam, you look absolutely enchanting tonight! That dress suits you perfectly!” an elderly British gentleman praised.
“Sir, may I ask which master crafted your companion’s gown? I’ve never seen such exquisite design in Shanghai,” a French lady, linking arms with her husband, inquired eagerly. Anna’s husband, a German industrialist, nodded in agreement.
“The silk quality and embroidery are truly unmatched! Is this Suzhou or Hangzhou craftsmanship?” a wealthy American businessman’s wife couldn’t help but lightly touch Anna’s sleeve, marveling.
When Jiang Mingxi explained that this was a new-style qipao, it caused another stir.
Everyone knew that Eastern women were traditionally conservative!
They typically wore thick skirts and trousers, covering their bodies tightly.
The traditional Chinese qipao was also dull and old-fashioned, failing to attract any fashionable Western ladies.
But this new-style qipao, with its bold design and flowing curves, completely overturned the banquet attendees’ preconceived notions of Chinese women!
Some whispered, “So it turns out Chinese people can design such fashionable dresses!”
Others exclaimed, “Oh, my God! I love this new qipao! If this style catches on, Shanghai will become the new fashion capital!”
Such a commotion soon caught the attention of the banquet host— the Deputy Consul General of the British Consulate in Shanghai, Sir Alan Pemberton.
A man around sixty, with silver hair meticulously groomed, embodying the typical British old-school gentleman demeanor, dressed in a traditional black tailcoat, his chest decorated with medals denoting his rank.
He was chatting with several friends nearby, including the newly appointed Chinese envoy to the United States, Shao Fangting, his nephew Xiao Wangshu, and Huang Lide, Huang Tianjiao, and Huang Wanyi.
Sir Pemberton’s friends, also significant figures in the British business community, looked curiously at the surrounded Jiang Mingxi and Anna.
One asked, “Alan, who is this striking young gentleman? His companion and her attire… truly the biggest surprise tonight.”
Sir Pemberton smiled slightly, raising his whiskey glass, speaking with a teasing elder’s tone, “This is the young ‘schoolboy’ Lewis has been mentioning often lately— Jiang Mingchuan. Lewis praised him as a rare genius in his letters but worried he might be too straightforward and fall flat in the business world. He even asked me to keep an eye out for him if he runs into trouble.”
The friend immediately understood, “Ah, that’s him! I remember Lewis’s letters. He lauded the young man’s language talent, even calling it a ‘tongue kissed by God.’ Seems Lewis worried unnecessarily.”
He scanned the enthusiastic atmosphere, “From what I see, Jiang Mingchuan isn’t just linguistically gifted; his business acumen and ability to seize opportunities are impressive. He doesn’t need my extra help. He looks capable of making his own way.”
Sir Pemberton nodded in agreement, his eyes landing on the ladies clustered around Anna, their enthusiasm for the qipao evident.
He joked, “Not only does he not need help, but seeing my wife, daughter, and other ladies utterly captivated, I suspect soon us husbands and fathers will be signing some hefty checks.”
Xiao Wangshu squinted at the pair surrounded by the crowd, then suddenly said, “Alan, you said his name is Jiang Mingchuan?”
Sir Pemberton nodded, noticing his young friend’s expression had turned odd. “You know him?”
The young man withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly.
“I’ve heard of him,” he said, “didn’t expect…”
He trailed off, sipping his red wine, his smile laden with meaning.
Sir Pemberton made no effort to probe further. He noticed Huang Wanyi frequently glancing toward Jiang Mingxi and Anna, her eyes shining with undisguised curiosity and admiration.
He smiled kindly and said to Huang Wanyi, “Miss Huang, it must be dull to accompany us old fellows in conversation. Surely, you would rather join those ladies over there to discuss fashion? Please, don’t hesitate— go join them.”
Huang Wanyi’s eyes lit up, about to nod, when Huang Lide’s face suddenly darkened.
His jaw tensed, and through gritted teeth, he sternly interrupted, “Wanyi! You are not to go!”
For a moment, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.
Feeling the gazes from Sir Pemberton and Envoy Shao, Huang Lide appeared to seek justification for his abrupt order.
He deliberately raised his voice enough for nearby guests to hear, filled with disdain as his sharp eyes pierced Anna’s striking qipao, “That kind of clothing— bare-chested and revealing— is nothing but immoral and indecent. A proper lady would never be so shameless!”
Huang Tianjiao immediately echoed his father.
Having harbored resentment against Jiang Mingxi’s growing influence, he vented with harsher words, “Father is absolutely right. Second sister, look at that slit! To put it bluntly, even the girls at Four Horse Road wouldn’t dare wear such shameless clothing in public! You are the precious and noble second daughter of our Huang family— how could you degrade yourself by touching such wanton things?”
Huang Wanyi’s cheeks instantly turned pale.
Her delicate fingers clenched tightly around her embroidered handkerchief, knuckles whitening.
Her lips parted slightly as if to retort, but under the oppressive gazes of her father and brother, she grudgingly lowered her eyes, fixating on the trembling pearl ornament at her shoe tip.
Sir Pemberton observed all this and shook his head subtly.
Exchanging a helpless yet disappointed glance with Envoy Shao, he had always thought the Huang family was educated in a modern fashion and should be more open-minded.
He hadn’t expected their mindset to be so conservatively stubborn, even bearing the air of barbaric feudal moralists.
This deeply disappointed him, shaking his originally good impression of the Huangs.
Shao Fangting’s thoughts wandered further.
Looking at the arrogant, outspoken Huang Tianjiao, he frowned.
He had indeed considered bringing this young man— proficient in multiple languages and seemingly promising— to accompany him to Washington.
American society was open and diverse, requiring diplomats who could embrace and adapt to different cultures.
But Huang Tianjiao clearly did not meet the requirements.
To Shao Fangting, Anna’s dress merely exposed her arms and calves and was not inappropriate.
If Huang Tianjiao criticized this so harshly, how could he possibly work diplomatically in America when seeing the diplomats’ wives and children wearing skirts barely passing the knee?
“What a reactionary old fossil,” he thought bitterly.
“How can such a man handle the complex and delicate work abroad? Looks like this personnel arrangement needs serious reconsideration.”
Unfortunately, Huang Tianjiao was completely unaware of this.
He didn’t realize that his rash words might cost him a crucial diplomatic future.
All his attention was consumed by the growing resentment toward Jiang Mingxi’s success, the fire of jealousy burning his reason.
Finally, when the American businessman’s wife once again praised Jiang Mingxi’s design, Huang Tianjiao could no longer contain himself:
“Jiang Mingchuan is no genius; he’s a fraud, a murderer!”
His voice was low but loud enough for several nearby to hear.
At least, Xiao Wangshu did.
He lifted his eyelids, his gaze darkening.
“Mr. Huang, speaking ill behind someone’s back is not the act of a gentleman.”
The eldest son of the Shao family was usually warm and friendly, but when he didn’t smile, he was especially intimidating.
Under his cool and piercing eyes, Huang Tianjiao shivered, and his raging anger was immediately extinguished.
He finally regained some composure.
“I have evidence,” Huang Tianjiao said firmly.
Then he raised his chin, smugly adding, “I have Jiang Mingchuan’s Wanted Poster!”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.