Everyone quickly bowed and paid their respects. Even the Imperial Concubine stood up and said with a smile, "Didn't we send someone earlier to say that you couldn't come? How come the Third Princess is free again? Please take a seat!"

After saying that, she instructed the palace maid to arrange two seats beside her, and added, "In my opinion, the princess is young and at the age where she should be playful, so she should go out more often."

The Third Princess nodded casually and sat down, completely ignoring the Consort's words.

She's not a child anymore; she can't be coaxed with just a few kind words.

Moreover, she heard it clearly that night: the poisoning of her father was definitely the work of the Imperial Concubine.

Who could feel close to the person who killed their father?

The imperial concubine felt rather embarrassed, especially since it was in front of so many people, and she was losing face.

She was furious, clutching her handkerchief tightly in her hand, but she forced herself to suppress it.

But when he bent down to sit, his gaze fell upon the crimson-gold nine-phoenix crown on the Third Princess's head, and he almost lost his composure...

That brat, she definitely did it on purpose!

They deliberately came to embarrass her!

Jiayin followed the princess with a smile, saying nothing, but simply bowed to the imperial concubine and then sat down.

The people below were all shrewd; after all, no fool would be allowed to enter the palace by his family.

They had clearly seen the concubine's embarrassment and the princess's pride.

Some people thought their chance had come and wanted to show off in front of the Imperial Concubine, but when they thought about how favored the Third Princess was and her ruthless and domineering temper, they were a little apprehensive.

So someone changed their mind and said with a smile, "Your Highness, before you arrived, we were discussing the performance with the Imperial Concubine. If Your Highness doesn't mind, please join us in enjoying the show, shall we?"

The Third Princess raised an eyebrow, toying with the enamel and gemstone-inlaid nail guard on her left hand with her right, and replied casually, "Is that so? You all brought your daughters to the palace today, didn't you take a fancy to the Second Prince?"

"Is it really this difficult to be a wife or concubine these days? You have to be virtuous and gentle, and also proficient in chess, calligraphy, and painting?"

Everyone blushed and lowered their heads, unsure how to respond.

Although they did come to the palace with this purpose in mind, it was still quite embarrassing to be exposed so suddenly.

After all, no one likes their daughter to be picked over like a cabbage.

To everyone's surprise, the Third Princess made no attempt to hide anything and ripped through the fig leaf they had been trying so hard to keep hidden.

Jiayin didn't want the Third Princess to offend everyone, so she smiled and said, "As the elder sister, the princess naturally hopes that the Second Prince will have a good marriage. Since we've happened to be here today, the princess should take a look and also give the Imperial Concubine some advice."

The Third Princess snorted coldly, and although she was still somewhat unwilling, she finally agreed, "Fine, then I'll see what kind of skills these noble ladies of the new capital have!"

The Imperial Concubine did not want today's banquet to be disrupted, so she quickly waved her hand to signal the head palace maid to begin.

The first performer was that girl from the Lu family.

Two eunuchs helped set up a guqin (a seven-stringed zither). The Lu family girl sat behind the guqin and started playing quite skillfully, showing that she had put in a lot of practice.

Surrounded by a garden bursting with flowers, a gentle breeze caressed their faces, and soothed by the melodious music. They were all momentarily immersed in the atmosphere, their brows unfurrowed, and many distracting thoughts cleared from their minds.

When the song ended, everyone showered her with praise, and Miss Lu blushed with joy.

Even the Imperial Concubine bestowed upon her a pair of jade bracelets.

Miss Lu knelt down to express her gratitude and happily withdrew.

The second girl to perform was a painter, and she chose the theme of "Flowers Bloom and Wealth Abounds".

Regardless of the artist's skill, a paper full of flowers can instantly lift anyone's spirits...

Jiayin drank half a cup of tea, then looked at Baozhu sitting in the distance, her neck stretched out like that of some long-lived species, and couldn't help but laugh.

She then whispered something to the third princess, and then lifted her skirt and went around behind the crowd.

Baozhu rushed forward almost immediately, hugged Jiayin's arm tightly, her eyes red, and pitifully complained.

"Waaah, Sister Jiayin, I really can't live like this. I was woken up before dawn, and I wasn't allowed to eat. I can't even sleep on the bus! I'm so sleepy and hungry right now, waaah, I'm so pitiful."

Jiayin was both amused and exasperated. Then, seeing Baozhu's dark circles under her eyes, she felt sorry for her.

This chubby girl has always had a good life, and she's never suffered like this before.

She glanced around and saw that no one was paying attention, then took out a packet of dried meat from her sleeve and handed it to Baozhu, saying, "Have something to eat first. I'll take you back to Zhilan Palace later and cook you something delicious."

"Waaah, Sister Jiayin is the best!" Baozhu was so moved she almost cried.

Who can understand a child whose stomach is growling like a frog, constantly croaking? It's so pitiful!

Madam Jia was also helpless with her niece, fearing that she would embarrass herself in such a situation, since she had eaten too much and needed to change her clothes.

A girl who goes to the toilet too often will always be laughed at.

But the dried meat was given by Jiayin, and her niece had clearly found a backer; she stood tall and straight, and there was nothing Jiayin could do to stop her…

Jiayin wasn't particularly familiar with this Madam Jia, but the two families were on good terms, so she should be polite to her.

So she sat down next to Madam Jia, chatted for a few minutes, and then comforted her, "Madam, don't worry. Baozhu is a bit simple and honest, but she's very clever. Besides, the princess and I are here with her, so nothing will happen to her."

"Besides, the First Madam must know why this banquet is being held today. Since our family has no such intention, there's no need for Baozhu to be so insistent on everything and to make everything go as she pleases."

The First Madam understood, but her feelings were complicated.

Wealth and status can be alluring.

If Baozhu could become the Second Prince's wife or concubine, the Jia family would naturally benefit immensely when the Second Prince ascends the throne.

But this was only the thought of the eldest branch of the family. The old master and old lady were reluctant to let Baozhu go to the palace, and the second branch of the family would never agree to it.

Therefore, even after she arrived in the palace, her mind was still wavering.

Jiayin sensed something was amiss and was somewhat displeased, but looking at Baozhu and thinking of the warm and cheerful Madam Jia, she patiently added a few more words.

"Madam, I regard Baozhu as my own sister, so naturally I would never harm her. Some things are better left unsaid until the very end. It's never too late to make arrangements after everything has settled down."

Madam Jia chuckled dryly and quickly replied, "Thank you for the reminder, Princess."

"You're too kind, Madam. I'll be taking Baozhu to Zhilan Palace to leave early. You don't need to wait, Madam. You can go home first. I'll send someone to take Baozhu home before dark."

Since Jia Yin said this, Madam Jia naturally wouldn't refuse.

Jiayin didn't say anything more, but sat with Baozhu, secretly eating, watching the show, and whispering to each other.

Baozhu was overjoyed and kept giggling.

The third princess sat up there, listlessly pulling at her handkerchief, occasionally glaring at the two heartless maids.

They had a great time, leaving her to sit on the sidelines!

Of course, everyone below was constantly watching the expression on the face of the person in charge.

Following the Third Princess's gaze, everyone quickly spotted Jiayin and Baozhu, the two onlookers...

Two updates today!