Gao Xianyue didn't think much of Jiang Shi before.

Although he had a good family background and was favored by the emperor, he was weak and it was doubtful whether he could live to adulthood. He looked like he would die young.

She was once worried that the emperor would marry her to Jiang Shi as a sign of his favor.

But things are different now.

Jiang Shi's health improved and he looked more and more like his father, Marquis Wu'an.

He will be the next Marquis of Wu'an, who will be famous in the capital for his extraordinary talent.

Only a man like this is worthy of her.

Gao Xianyue raised the corners of her lips, looking determined to win.

As for his fiancée, she was just the daughter of a second-rank local official and was not a cause for concern.

Gao Xianyue exchanged glances with Lady Kangle on the other side, and they understood each other.

The first Duke Kangle was a founding hero, and his descendants benefited from his kindness by going to the palace to stay up every New Year’s Eve.

The wife of Duke Kangle whispered to Duke Kangle, "My Lord, I feel a little unwell. I'm going outside to get some fresh air."

Duke Kang Le responded coldly.

After their eldest son entered the Dali Temple, Duke Kangle refused to even show her the superficial affection of a husband and wife.

If she hadn't refused, Duke Kangle would have brought his concubine's son, who is only seven years younger than Xu Naiming, into the palace to celebrate the New Year together.

A bastard son born to a concubine, whose biological mother is the bastard daughter of a fifth-rank official, is worthy of entering the palace on New Year's Eve. He is not afraid of angering His Majesty!

Lady Kangle gritted her teeth, suppressed her anger, and stood up to leave the banquet hall.

She would never allow her and her son's status, position and honor to be taken away by a despicable illegitimate mother and son.

A palace maid carrying a plate suddenly twisted her ankle when passing behind Yu Tanqi, and everything in her hand fell onto Yu Tanqi, and the wine spilled on her clothes.

The maid quickly knelt down and apologized, begging for mercy: "I'm sorry, I'm clumsy, please forgive me!"

Yu Tanqi's temples were throbbing, and he immediately thought of the palace fighting and family fighting stories he had read before.

On such a beautiful day, who wants to murder her?

"It's okay, you can get up." Yu Tanqi looked at the palace maid carefully. She looked panic-stricken, as if she was really afraid and nervous because of making a mistake accidentally.

Jiang Shi frowned and looked at the palace maid and asked, "What's your name? Which palace are you from?"

The maid lowered her head and trembled. "I am a maid in charge of menial tasks in Changqiu Palace. My name is Xiaowen."

Changqiu Palace is a palace where no concubines live, which means that this palace maid named Xiaowen has no official master.

Empress Zhang noticed the commotion on their side and asked with concern, "What happened to Crown Prince Jiang?"

Yu Tanqi stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, my clothes have been accidentally soiled. Please allow me to excuse myself and change my clothes."

Empress Zhang frowned slightly and said softly, "It's freezing cold, and getting wet can easily lead to catching a cold. Xin Xu, quickly take Miss Yu to the side hall to change her clothes."

"Yes." A purple-robed palace maid beside her bowed and replied.

Yu Tanqi looked at Jiang Shi, and Jiang Shi nodded slightly at her.

Empress Zhang's people can naturally be trusted.

Yu Tanqi felt relieved and followed Xin Xu out of the palace.

The New Year's Eve palace banquet was held in the Qingliang Hall, and the side hall was used for dignitaries to rest or change clothes in case of accidents.

After the first snow fell in the capital of Wanjin State, the ice and snow on the ground would not melt until the beginning of spring. At this time, the ground inside the imperial palace was still covered with white, reflective ice and snow.

"Miss Yu."

As Yu Tanqi walked out of the main hall of Qingliang Palace, a noble lady in a gorgeous red long dress came out from the side and called her.

She looked to be of the same generation as Empress Zhang, but her face, despite its delicate makeup, looked a little bitter.

Xin Xu immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Madam Kangle."

Yu Tanqi followed suit and bowed: "My daughter Tanqi greets the wife of Duke Kangle."

Lady Kangle smiled and stepped forward to hold Yu Tanqi's hands. "What a good girl! I've been looking for a chance to talk to you for a long time. Are you going to change your clothes? Let me accompany you."

The two had clearly just met, but she acted very familiar with him, which made Yu Tanqi feel a little uncomfortable.

She gently declined, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. However, we have just met and you are of high status, so I really cannot trouble you to accompany me to change clothes. Besides, the side hall is not far away, just a few steps away. Aunt Xinxu, who is by the Queen's side, will be able to accompany me."

However, her hands were still held by Lady Kangle, and she hesitated but did not let go.

Lady Kangle smiled and said, "That's nothing. I liked you the moment I saw you. I accompanied you on this trip because I wanted to talk to you."

"I wonder what Madam wants to say to me?" Yu Tanqi tried to be tactful, but deep down she really didn't like this kind of social interaction that required patience.

"It's windy outside and you're still wet. Let's talk while we walk." Lady Kangle didn't seem to be in a hurry. She grabbed her hand and led her towards the side hall.

Yu Tanqi frowned slightly. She felt that Lady Kangle was more and more strange. She was afraid that she would hurt herself, so she immediately pretended to slip and fell towards Lady Kangle unexpectedly.

Lady Kangle was caught off guard and lost her balance, so they both slipped and fell to the ground. Yu Tanqi didn't get hurt much because he fell on her.

Xin Xu and others were shocked and quickly helped them up.

"Miss Yu, are you okay?"

"Ma'am, are you okay? Did you fall anywhere?"

"I'm fine."

Yu Tanqi leaned weakly on Xin Xu's shoulder, looking at Lady Kangle who got up from the ground in a mess with a guilty and sad face, her voice trembling with uneasiness.

"I didn't expect the ground to be so slippery. I was walking too fast and accidentally slipped, causing Lady Kangle to fall to the ground. Madam, are you okay? I hope you are okay, otherwise Tan Qi will be blamed and will be very worried."

Lady Kangle felt a pain in her bones, and the pearl hairpin in her hair was even crooked. She had always lived a life of luxury, and had never seen such a miserable state before. She looked at Yu Tanqi with a cold, furious look.

However, thinking of her son who was still suffering in prison, she gritted her teeth and endured it, showing a fake smile: "It's okay, I know you didn't mean it."

Yu Tanqi was moved and said, "Madam, you are so kind. I feel relieved when you say this."

She did not miss the cold anger in the look Lady Kangle gave her.

Sure enough, he has ulterior motives. What is his purpose?

Lady Kangle was angry, and her voice was a little cold, but she still pretended to be gentle and amiable and said, "How about you? You didn't fall and get hurt, did you?"

Yu Tanqi showed a shy and cute smile: "Thanks to Madam for cushioning me, I didn't get hurt."

Lady Kangle took a deep breath and forced a smile, "I'm glad you didn't get hurt."

She cried out in pain, seemingly injured, but pretended to be calm and said, "You're still wet. Go to the side hall and change your clothes."

Yu Tanqi nodded obediently, "Okay, I'll go to the side hall to change clothes first. Goodbye, Madam."

Seeing that she was about to leave like this, Lady Kangle was a little surprised. Shouldn't most people ask about her guiltily when seeing her like this?