Chapter 144 Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet
The wheels rolled over the road, making a creaking sound, and the conversations of vendors and passersby could be heard from time to time.
Tao Tao sat in the middle, with Granny Wu on her side and Rong'er, the maid assigned to her by the Prince's Mansion.
She didn't bring any familiar people with her when she entered the palace this time, because she herself felt uneasy about the unknown. Things were different now, and if something happened, she didn't know if she could get away.
She can't take that risk, so it's best not to bring anyone with her.
"Don't worry, Miss. I'm here. If you encounter any unfamiliar ladies from official families, I'll be there to remind you."
Granny Wu noticed her unease and kindly comforted her.
"Thank you, Granny Wu. I didn't mean to say that that day. Please don't take offense."
That day, Granny Wu looked at her with slight surprise, then suddenly remembered that she was talking about how the Tao family hadn't let her stay overnight that day, and her smile became more genuine.
"Miss, please don't say that. I am just a servant. Whatever you say or do is what I should do."
Tao Tao placed her hand on the back of her hand and smiled, "I know that Granny Wu treats me differently. I also hit it off with Granny Wu at first sight, and I was delighted to see her again. If only I could win you over."
"It's a pity that the old lady is from the palace, so we are destined to be apart."
Upon hearing this, Granny Wu laughed and said, "Miss is a mistress and will be in a higher position in the future. You only need a servant, and the Prince will agree to it."
She smiled happily: "Really? That's wonderful!"
"I'll tell my godfather when I get back."
Upon hearing the words "godfather," Granny Wu's expression changed slightly, and she reminded her, "Miss, from now on you can call the Prince 'father' directly, without needing to say 'godfather'."
“Now that a family recognition banquet has been held and she has been included in the imperial register, even if there is no blood relation, she is still a legitimate legitimate daughter.”
Tao Tao's eyes widened in surprise, a feeling of shock welling up inside her.
She originally thought that obtaining her birth chart was just to find an auspicious date for the family reunion banquet, but she never expected that she would actually be included in the royal family register.
Doesn't that mean she really has another father?
So the one outside really became her brother?!
She couldn't resist lifting the carriage curtain and peeking out, just in time to see Murong Yan riding his horse alongside the carriage.
He felt the gaze on her, turned his head and looked over, and said with a teasing smile, "If Little Peach wants to see her brother more, just say so. It's not like I won't let you see him."
Tao Tao looked at him expressionlessly, scoffed lightly, and returned to the carriage.
Thinking to myself, this person is incredibly narcissistic.
Murong Yan looked at her expression and chuckled with interest.
Soon, the carriage stopped at the palace gate and could not go any further. Everyone had to get off the carriage and walk in.
Rong'er and Granny Wu went down first, followed by Tao Tao.
She leaned forward and saw a hand appear in her eyes. Just as she was about to reach out, she realized something was wrong. Looking up, she saw that the person smiling in front of her was Murong Yan.
They stayed there for a while, and many people around looked over with curious expressions.
Tao Tao frowned slightly, but still placed her hand on it.
Murong Huaishi encountered acquaintances and greeted them with a smile: "These are my son and daughter, Murong Yan and Murong Tao."
"This is Lord Lin Taichang, please greet him as Uncle Lin."
Hello, Uncle Lin.
Tao Tao and Murong Yan said in unison.
Lin Taichang stroked his beard and smiled: "Your son is full of vigor and your daughter is as beautiful as a flower. You have truly raised a fine pair of children."
"That's too much, that's too much."
He glanced at Murong Huai Shi's children beside him and said, "My wife is ahead, and my daughter and your daughter are about the same age, so they might have a lot to talk about. Why don't we go over together?"
"If that's the case, then let's go together."
Lin Taichang led the way first, and soon they saw a group of women chatting and laughing.
Along the way, Murong Yan also ran into some acquaintances, greeted them, and then left.
"Madam! Here I am."
The lady in the dark blue robe turned her head and looked over. Her plump face was smiling as she walked over with a girl in a light blue ruqun beside her.
Madam Lin smiled and asked, "Sir, who are these two?"
"This is the Prince of Yingzhou and his beloved daughter."
She exclaimed in surprise and quickly bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness." Lin Wange beside her also bowed.
"Madam Lin, please get up, there's no need to be so polite."
The adults were chatting in front, while the two girls walked behind them.
"What's your name? I'm Lin Wange."
My name is…
Tao Tao looked at her, hesitated for a moment, and was about to say that his name was Tao Tao, but then he introduced himself as Murong Tao.
“My name is Tao. You can call me Tao’er or Xiao Tao, either is fine.”
Hearing this, Lin Wange blinked and smiled, "Your name is so cute! I like peaches, so I'll call you Tao'er."
"Either is fine."
Led by the eunuchs, the group walked for about half an hour before arriving at the Guangzheng Hall, where the banquet was being held.
The hall was very large, with two rows of seats on each side, where female guests and male guests were separated and extended all the way to the outside of the hall.
She originally thought she was sitting in the same spot as Lin Wange, but a moment later someone came over, nodded to Wu Mama behind her, and led her to a spot a little further forward.
This position is closer to the top and therefore more eye-catching.
Tao Tao's presence here has already attracted a lot of attention, with people scrutinizing and looking her over, because they have never seen her before in their circles.
She realized that it would be strange if she wasn't nervous under the gaze of so many people.
However, he showed no fear whatsoever, remaining calm on his face as he picked up the teacup and took a sip.
"Who are you? Why are you sitting here?"
Suddenly, a displeased voice came from above.
She looked up, and before she could get up, she heard Granny Wu beside her bow.
"This servant greets Your Highness, the Eldest Princess."
The woman before him was voluptuous and elegant, dressed in a magnificent red and gold palace robe, exuding arrogance and domineering arrogance.
As soon as she arrived, the attention focused on Tao Tao decreased by more than half.
A hint of fear still lingered on their faces.
“The daughter of Prince Murong Huaishi of Yingzhou greets Your Highness the Eldest Princess.”
Tao Tao bowed to her.
"Murong Huaishi? Oh, the one who doesn't have to do anything but owns a wealthy land."
Qi Roufu's words were clearly sarcastic and carried an air of disdain.
"Unfortunately, after Murong Huaishi dies, Yingzhou will no longer need you. It will become my fiefdom. So you are just managing it for me now."
These words were brimming with undisguised malice.
It seems he has a lot of grievances against the Murong family, as he can say it so openly in public.
"Aunt, Mother is calling you over. She says the banquet is about to begin."
Suddenly, a girl in a pink dress walked over. She looked somewhat afraid of Qi Roufu.
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