Ji Yunhuan also got on her own carriage. The interior was very comfortable and the ride was very smooth. She took a nap in the carriage and was awakened by Nanny Yan when she was almost at the palace gate.
There were many carriages parked at the palace gate, and it was very busy. Those who came to attend the Hundred Flowers Banquet had to get off the carriages and line up, waiting for the palace ladies to verify their identities one by one.
Ji Yonglian fanned herself desperately, but there wasn't even a tree to provide shade at the palace gate, and the sun made her dizzy and extremely uncomfortable.
From time to time, noble ladies from wealthy families would arrive late. Because of their noble status, they would naturally be placed in front, while concubines from small families like her could only retreat back again and again.
"It's all Ji Yunhuan's fault for wasting time, otherwise I wouldn't be so far in line."
Ji Yonglian didn't dare vent her anger on the noble ladies and could only curse Ji Yunhuan inwardly, "Where the hell has Ji Yunhuan been? She must be at the end of the line. She deserves to be late!"
Ji Yunhuan watched the carriage turn a corner and arrive at another palace gate.
This place was obviously not open to the public, and the guards at the door were even tighter. Nanny Yan took out the palace badge, and soon the guards let them in, and even the carriage drove in.
Ji Yunhuan's eyes widened in surprise. "Madame Yan, this isn't good, is it? How about I just get down and walk?"
Nanny Yan smiled and said, "There's nothing wrong with that. Your Majesty is pregnant and will have to enter the palace sooner or later. I just came in to take a look in advance. There's no reason to let Your Majesty walk in."
The carriage soon drove into the Hundred Flowers Garden.
It is the time when all the flowers are in full bloom, and the garden is full of colorful flowers, which is beautiful beyond words.
There is a water pavilion in the garden, dividing the two sides. Men on the left and women on the right look at each other across the water, adding a bit of poetic beauty.
The main banquet was held in the water pavilion, and only the most distinguished clan members could have a seat there.
Families like the Ji family could only sit scattered around the garden. Ji Gongming hadn't been promoted for many years and was at the bottom of the list among the assistant ministers of the Ministry of Revenue. Ji Yunhuan could only sit in the corner.
Nanny Yan originally wanted to take Ji Yunhuan to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager, but Ji Yunhuan refused.
"I don't know the rules and I'm afraid of offending the noble. Why don't I wait until the Hundred Flowers Banquet is over before I go to see the Queen Mother?"
Nanny Yan nodded. "I was too impatient, but Your Majesty is more thoughtful. There are many people in the waterside pavilion, and the more you keep a low profile, the better. It will be quiet here."
"This is Xia Liu, a lady-in-waiting in the palace. Your Majesty, please feel free to ask her to do anything you need."
A woman in her thirties came forward to greet Ji Yunhuan, "Hail, Your Majesty."
Ji Yunhuan helped the person up and said, "Thank you for your help, sister."
Xia Liu followed Ji Yunhuan not too far away, not too close, without showing off, but Ji Yunhuan could find her at any time.
This place is remote, but it also has beautiful scenery. Ji Yunhuan felt tired after walking around for a while. Xia Liu didn't know where he got the cushions and hot tea from, and also brought a plate of cakes, and then he left silently.
On the waterside pavilion, a female official's high-pitched voice rang out, "The Empress Dowager has arrived. Kneel down!"
Everyone knelt down. Just as Ji Yunhuan was about to kneel down, someone beside her helped her up.
Xia Liu's gentle voice reached Ji Yunhuan's ears, "This servant is a member of the Queen Mother's family. The Queen Mother has instructed that since Your Majesty is pregnant, these empty formalities can be dispensed with."
Ji Yunhuan was originally sitting in the corner. Everyone was trying their best to squeeze forward, but she didn't even ask for a proper seat. Instead, she randomly chose a stone bench to sit on.
Everyone was kneeling forward and no one noticed her.
Ji Yun was so happy and relaxed that she simply stopped kneeling. "The Empress Dowager is so caring. I am truly ashamed to accept it."
The Queen Mother's eyes swept across the room and she immediately spotted Ji Yunhuan in the corner. This child was quite patient and sat far away to avoid any injustice to himself.
Ji Yunhuan knelt down and saluted the empress dowager, and was soon helped to sit down by Xia Liu.
The Queen Mother felt even more satisfied, and the smile on her face became more sincere.
"When I get older, I like to look at young and bright girls. They are all well-educated and well-mannered good girls. I like them just by looking at them."
"Today is the Hundred Flowers Banquet. Everyone should be more casual and there's no need to be formal. Maybe we can even help create some good marriages."
Since the Queen Mother has spoken, everyone will naturally support her.
Many young men came forward to perform to liven up the atmosphere, some reciting poems, some showing off their boxing and swordplay, which drew rounds of applause.
The ladies sitting by the waterside pavilion could no longer sit still, and they all went on stage to perform, some playing the piano and singing, some painting and calligraphy, and some embroidering, each with their own strengths.
The Queen Mother smiled so much that she couldn't stop, and bestowed rewards like a stream. Among them, Prince An and the eldest daughter of the Wu family received the most generous rewards. The Queen Mother also gave an extra pair of jade ruyi.
Prince An is only eighteen years old and is the emperor's youngest brother. He is in love with the eldest daughter of the Wu family.
"I really enjoy the zither and flute playing you two have done together. You are both good children. How about I grant you a marriage today?"
The two knelt down to express their gratitude, and their cheeks blushed as their eyes met.
Ji Yonglian looked at her with envy. If she could also win the favor of the Queen Mother, not to mention marrying into the Marquis's Mansion, she might even have the hope of becoming a princess!
Su Honglang was performing sword dancing on the stage. He was only slightly literate and had no patience for studying hard. His poetry and songs were naturally not good, and his martial arts were also mediocre, but it was enough to fool the ignorant noble lady.
He was born with a pair of peach blossom eyes, giving people the illusion of deep affection. When his gaze swept over, many noble ladies on the right blushed.
The Queen Mother frowned and looked at him for a while, thinking that the boy was frivolous and dissolute, but she couldn't remember where he came from.
Marquis Dingyuan had an empty title, but he only held an idle position in Jingzhao Prefecture and received a salary for free. The eldest son of Marquis Dingyuan had no job so far and had never shown his face in front of the empress dowager.
Nanny Yan mentioned it tactfully, and the empress dowager suddenly realized it.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com