Chapter 178: All the Powerful Figures of Emerald City Appear; Trouble Breaks Out at the Banquet

Chapter 178: All the Powerful Figures of Emerald City Appear; Trouble Breaks Out at the Banquet

The first to arrive was, of all people, Anthony.

Cressida was calmly directing the servants in the front yard when the little boy came bounding in, wearing his tiger-head hat.

"Ms. Hamilton!" he called out to her in a very grown-up tone. "This young one bids you humble greetings."

His funny little manner made Cressida laugh.

"You're the first one here."

"I was up early practicing my martial arts and timed it perfectly. I knew I'd be first."

Then he scratched his head. "Though my nanny did say that when you're going to someone's house for lunch, you don't have to show up at the crack of dawn. Apparently I'm the only one who does that."

Cressida and Emma burst out laughing.

Anthony clapped his hands, and his guards immediately stepped forward with two silk-covered boxes.

Inside were a pair of beautifully crafted purple jade pieces.

"Last year Imperial Grandfather gave me a piece of purple jade. I had it made into two pieces and wanted to give them to Ms. Hamilton. Father said you should never show up empty-handed. I hope you like them."

He said all this with a perfectly straight face, sounding every bit the little gentleman.

Cressida smiled warmly. "Thank you. I love them."

Then, like a magician, she opened her palm to reveal several pieces of candy.

Anthony's eyes went wide. When his guards weren't looking, he grabbed them all and shoved them in his pocket, popping one in his mouth in one swift move.

"Teacher," he whispered, "please don't tell my father."

Cressida held out her pinky. "I promise I won't say a word."

Miguel had sent word ahead of time that he wouldn't be able to make it today, but that he'd send Anthony in his place.

Cressida bent down to talk to Anthony and noticed a faint bruise at the corner of his mouth.

She narrowed her eyes. "What happened there? Did someone hit you?"

Anthony licked his lips and touched the bruise. It stung a little, and he winced.

"He didn't get off easy either. I pinned him down and sat on him while I hit him. He only got in that one punch before he was crying for mercy."

"Isaiah, wasn't it?"

"Teacher, you're amazing," Anthony said, giving a thumbs up. "I went to the woods with some classmates and ran into him. He insisted on challenging me to an archery contest. We bet that whoever lost had to bark like a dog, and he lost but wouldn't own up to it. So we ended up fighting."

But Anthony had clearly won. He wiped his little nose with his thumb and grinned broadly.

"I put him in his place. He went home with a swollen face!"

Cressida nodded. "Good. Well fought."

Anthony looked surprised. "You're actually praising me? I thought you'd be like my nanny and say I was being reckless."

"When men make a bet, their word is everything. He didn't keep his, so why should he get away with it? Good on you for teaching him a lesson. He won't dare mess with you again."

Anthony's eyes lit up. "Exactly! That's exactly what I thought. A man's word is his bond."

He cheered up immediately and followed Cressida around chattering away like a little sparrow.

As time went on, more and more guests began arriving.

Anthony ran back and forth helping Cressida get the guests seated, acting every bit like a little adult.

When people asked why the Eldest Imperial Grandson was so devoted to the Hamilton family's affairs, he would say, "Well, if someone pulled you out from under an explosion, wouldn't you do the same for them?"

That always got a knowing smile, and no one dared ask further.

Before long, Bella arrived with a group of society ladies.

When Anthony spotted her, he ran over and called out brightly, "Aunt!"

"Oh, Anthony." Bella chatted with him briefly, then took him by the hand and led him to their seats.

Guests kept streaming in — Ms. Elysia Woods, Miss Simpson, a cousin from Jessica's maternal family, along with several ladies Cressida had met when she was copying out the sutras. Even Pearl showed up.

Cressida had sent an invitation to the Gomez family as a matter of courtesy. Whatever grudges existed between them was one thing, but keeping up appearances was another.

Pearl handed over her gift with both hands and a sweet smile. "Ms. Hamilton, my sister wanted to come, but she's been suffering from migraines these past couple of days. She asked me to apologize on her behalf and hopes you won't hold it against her."

Cressida had Emma take the gift and replied, "Not at all. Please pass along my well wishes."

"Cressida!" Jessica and Rita arrived together.

Rita caught sight of Pearl and her expression flickered with awkwardness. "Cressida, I'm going to find my mother." She hurried off.

Pearl let out a cold laugh and turned away as well.

Jessica leaned in and whispered to Cressida, "Rita used to tag along with Pearl and the Gomez girls all the time. Doesn't seem like she does anymore."

Cressida nodded, unbothered. "How are things going on your end? You've been spending time with those young men these past few days, so Peter must be getting anxious by now. Time to ease off. I've invited him today too — you two should have a proper talk."

Jessica pursed her lips. "I know. I need to clear the air with him. Otherwise he'll keep writing me five or six letters a day and going around probing Mr. Percy. It's so embarrassing."

Cressida smiled.

Soon enough, it was time, and the banquet got underway.

Cressida had chosen a clever venue — the garden of Hamilton Mansion.

Since it was mid-September, not yet late autumn, the weather wasn't too cold.

She'd had sandalwood incense burners placed nearby, with silver-thread charcoal added and positioned to block the wind.

This kept the garden fragrant while also taking the edge off the chill.

Rare autumn flowers were arranged throughout for the guests to admire as they dined.

Even Brynn couldn't help saying, "Cressida, you've thought of everything. You've done even better than your mother used to."

Cressida said nothing. Brynn suddenly remembered the strained relationship between Cressida and her mother, and felt a pang of embarrassment. She gave herself a little tap on the mouth.

"I said the wrong thing."

"It's fine, Aunt. Please, have a seat."

Cressida had hired a theater troupe, and they were already performing with great energy.

She sat at Bella's table, with Anthony and Princess Bella on either side of her.

Ladies came over from time to time to chat with them.

Pearl stared at the back of Cressida's head and spat out a longan seed with a sharp sound.

She thought to herself — no wonder her sister Emily only ever sighed whenever Cressida came up. This Hamilton girl really knew how to charm the nobility. What a performer.

After a while, Rita stood up. "Cressida, I'm not feeling well. My stomach..."

Cressida glanced over and replied quietly, "Go ahead. Just make sure you come back."

Rita hurried off.

Fifteen minutes later, Emma came rushing over and whispered something in Cressida's ear.

Cressida's brow furrowed. Her calm expression darkened.

Bella noticed something was off. "What's wrong?"

Cressida kept her voice low. "Rita isn't feeling well. I'm going to check on her. Please excuse me for a moment, Your Highness."

Bella nodded and watched Cressida get up and leave.

The moment she moved, several nearby maids immediately followed after her.

Brynn turned to look, her mind buzzing with questions. What's going on? And why hadn't her daughter Rita come back after all this time?