Chapter 32: Palace Family Banquet (Part 2)

Without waiting for the palace servant to respond, Cheng Nianying stood up on her own.

Mother Zou and Zhou Yunfu beside her were much more nervous than her. Zhou Yunfu even stretched out her hand, trying to keep her but failed, so her hand just remained in the air for a moment.

For a moment, everyone was looking at Cheng Nianying.

Today she was wearing a light blue shirt with narrow sleeves and a striped skirt that pinched her waist, making her look both thin and tall. She also wore a snow-white cape with a few plum blossoms on it, which made her look very elegant.

There were only pearls in her hair, and two bright pearls hung down, landing on her cheeks.

Pearls are now considered the most valuable in the imperial capital, but their color is not gorgeous, which only adds to the nobility without being overly graceful.

The whole garden was silent for a moment.

"What a beautiful and pure beauty." The woman's voice sounded slowly.

Everyone suddenly came back to their senses and bowed again: "Greetings to the Queen."

The empress looked younger than the emperor, not even a single hair of silver was visible. She waved to Cheng Nianying and said, "Come, come and sit down."

Cheng Nianying then took Mother Zou and two palace maids and walked towards that direction.

The others stared at her in silence.

Some people even looked at her feet - would she trip out of nervousness?

Cheng Nianying's back was extremely straight, and she walked steadily to the emperor.

The Queen pointed and said, "You two can keep each other company."

Cheng Nianying's eyes turned.

A girl of the same age as her stood up from her seat, grabbed her wrist and pulled her to sit with him.

The girl was wearing a smoky purple dress, a jade crown on her head, and a flower ornament on her brow. Her outfit was similar to Cheng Nianying's today.

It just looks noble without being too luxurious or gaudy.

But her makeup was obviously carefully applied, and she looked a little shy.

"Do you recognize me?" she asked softly.

Because the Wuning Marquisate rarely interacted with the royal family, Cheng Nianying could now shake her head with a clear conscience.

"This is our Princess Zhaoning." The palace servant said as she poured wine for Cheng Nianying.

"I haven't seen you much before, but it doesn't matter. I will see you more often in the future. When brother Huaiyan recovers from his illness, father will summon him to the palace again, and then we will be able to meet each other." Princess Zhaoning pushed the snacks in front of her to Cheng Nianying's hand.

Before Cheng Nianying could speak, she continued, "I heard that you can play the piano and write beautifully."

Cheng Nianying became alert.

Even Mother Zou clenched her sleeves.

Are you going to let the Princess perform in public?

"Some time ago, one of my mother's men brought me the music sheet for 'Feng Yin Guan'. It's the masterpiece written by Master Weiyang a hundred years ago. Unfortunately, I'm not very good at playing the zither, so today is the perfect time to give it to you. It's the best place for it to go."

Mother Zou was stunned.

ah?

It turns out that I just wanted to send something.

The nobles in this palace... aren't as high and mighty and domineering as one might imagine.

Cheng Nianying was not a shy person, so she would not refuse at this time. She said generously, "Thank you, Princess."

Princess Zhaoning continued, "I also love calligraphy. I used to learn from a female official, and later my mother taught me personally. I first learned the Liu style, and later the Yan style... I don't know..."

At this moment, the eunuch sang loudly: "The music begins——"

Drums and string instruments were playing.

Princess Zhaoning had to move closer and repeated, "I wonder which calligrapher you usually copy? We must have a good chat about this someday."

What is Liu style and what is Yan style?

Cheng Nianying had no idea, but there was no sign of panic on her face. She pursed her lips and smiled and replied, "Yeah."

When the prince recovers from his illness, he can go to the palace on his own. She won't come.

"My sisters have all left the palace to set up their own households and find princes-in-law. I am left alone and it is really lonely." Princess Zhaoning showed a lonely look on her face.

Cheng Nianying thought for a moment: "What about the other princes?"

"My brothers and sisters are either studying in the Imperial Academy every day, or busy running errands for our father or attending court. How can they have the time to talk to me?"

Princess Zhaoning paused for a moment and asked the palace attendant beside her, "By the way, why isn't the Crown Prince here today?"

The palace maid bowed and replied, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince fell off his horse the day before yesterday."

Princess Zhaoning's expression changed: "What? Why didn't you tell me?"

"My lady didn't tell you because she was afraid you would worry about her."

Cheng Nianying finally became interested in this conversation. She interrupted and asked, "Is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince the only one not here today?"

Princess Zhaoning nodded. "Father's point is that this is a turbulent year, and he doesn't want to celebrate his birthday in a grand manner. Today's family banquet will be considered as a celebration. Outsiders don't know this, but my brothers and sisters do know. So, apart from Prince Danshuo, who received a special decree from my father, how could anyone dare not come?"

Cheng Nianying wanted to ask more questions, but didn't want to alert others.

He lowered his head and took a bite of the dessert.

She was very ruthless that day.

Although the man's two guards reacted quickly and carried him away, it was still difficult for him to walk due to his injury.

But why is it the prince?

The crown prince is the next emperor. She understands this.

Why would the prince engage in such an incestuous affair? He wasn't just hooking up with one woman. He was flirting with women everywhere, like a male prostitute.

And why did King Liang and King Rui look at her?

It can't be because she looks good today, right?

"I see you always eat this one. Is it delicious?" Princess Zhaoning asked in surprise, while washing her hands and taking the dessert.

She took two bites, then put it down with a strange look on her face. "The Shangshi Bureau added some medicinal herbs to it. Don't you think it's bitter?"

Cheng Nianying: "Not bad."

Princess Zhaoning looked at her and sighed, "You're not what I imagined. You talk so little."

Cheng Nianying blinked slowly.

Should I be more lively?

How can I talk more?

Princess Zhaoning suddenly wiped her hands and said, "Don't move."

Cheng Nianying stopped for a moment.

Princess Zhaoning lifted a finger to press her eyelids, then touched her eyelashes. "Your eyelashes are so beautiful. When you wink at me without saying a word, it's so touching."

"Guo'er, don't make trouble." The emperor suddenly looked over here.

Guoer must be the nickname of Princess Zhaoning.

Princess Zhaoning smiled at the emperor and then withdrew her hand.

The emperor was old, after all, and he left the banquet early after only a short while. The empress was serious and not known for her geniality or humor. Therefore, the atmosphere at the banquet was not cheerful.

Fortunately, Cheng Nianying doesn't care.

She listened to the silk music, watched the dancers before her lift their legs and tap the ground softly... and chewed on food she had never tasted before. Just like her wedding night, she felt like she was in a dream.

What a wonderful day.

She liked it.

"Princess, please." The voice of the palace maid sounded in my ears again.

Cheng Nianying raised her hand to press her forehead, then stood up. She saw the rest of the people gradually disperse.

Princess Zhaoning supported her, came closer and asked, "Are you drunk?"

Cheng Nianying lowered her head and glanced across the table.

The water didn't taste like alcohol, and she could drink quite a bit.

She felt something was wrong, but her face showed no emotion. At this moment, under the moonlight, she even felt a little cold.

That's what a killer should look like.

She pulled her hand back and bowed, "I just drank two glasses of water. Goodbye, Princess."

Princess Zhaoning nodded. "Okay, then please walk slowly. I'll wait for you to come to the palace next time."

Cheng Nianying turned around and ran away quickly.

The maids around her were all stunned: "Princess, Princess, wait for your servant."

She didn't know if there was anything else in the water.

But according to her usual killing strategy...she always targeted those who were alone. Therefore, she would try to leave the palace with everyone else.

Cheng Nianying walked fast, so Mother Zou and the others had to quicken their pace as well.

All the way to the palace gate, I saw a familiar carriage.

Cheng Nianying shook her head. Was she overthinking it? Everything had been fine along the way.

Mother Zou panted, "Oh, Master, I just saw that Third Lady of the Zhou family calling you from behind, but you ignored her..."

Cheng Nianying had already taken three or two steps to the carriage: "We'll deal with it another day."

The driver jumped down from the carriage.

wrong.

This one is taller, thinner and more upright.

Cheng Nianying's eyes flickered, and she was about to take action.

The man walked out from the shadows, revealing a familiar face: "Cousin, my cousin asked me to pick you up."

*

Within the high walls.

"hiss"

"Changing the dressing is a bit painful, master, please bear with it." The subordinate was sweating profusely.

The man leaning on the couch pursed his lips before speaking, "...Hmm." "When a person's personality suddenly changes, completely different from before, it's either because they're possessed by a ghost, or because someone else has replaced them. But today... she was still able to sit and talk with Zhou Yunfu without any signs of abnormality. This means she hasn't been replaced."

"Tell me, what's going on with her?"