Chapter 19 The Banquet "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
Lu Wenjin carried the person back to Jiangyun Pavilion. When Shuangye saw Ruan Yang lying pale in the young man's arms, she immediately went to call a doctor to take a look.
The doctor removed the silver needles from the girl's acupoints and said, "The second young lady is fine. She is just so weak because she did not have a chance to take good care of her body after falling off the cliff. She will get better after resting for a while."
Xu glared at Ruan Yang and breathed a sigh of relief. She then turned to Lu Wenjin and said, "Young General Lu, my daughter went out to play happily last night. How come she came back like this? Anyone who didn't know better would think she had encountered some kind of ghost."
Lu Wenjin lowered his eyes and said, "Madam, I apologize. It was my negligence that caused Yangyang to be frightened. As for who did it, I have already sent people to investigate."
As Ruan Xishan's health deteriorated, Lu Wenjin temporarily took over as the commander of the three armies of Bashu. Xu no longer dared to look down on this poor boy from humble beginnings.
Looking at the spirited young man before her, who was working tirelessly for the survival of Sichuan, Xu chuckled inwardly. Loyalty and selflessness are good qualities, but unfortunately, he had encountered a family of ingrates like the Ruan family.
With the old lady putting pressure on her now, she's destined to be the villain who breaks up the couple.
She sighed, "You and Yangyang have been childhood sweethearts, and I know about your feelings for each other. But you haven't been married yet. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for a young, unmarried girl to always be with a man...?"
Unlike Ning, Lu Wenjin had been taught by a "good mother and beneficial father" since childhood, and he knew this basic sense of propriety and shame. However, due to lovesickness, he couldn't help but want to see Ruan Yang.
Seeing that no one was speaking, Madam Xu said, "I know you're a good child, but you're at that age where you're full of vigor and passion, and you're still innocent and naive. I'm afraid that when no one's around, you might not be able to control yourselves..."
Lu Wenjin asked, "Then when can I... set the wedding date with Yangyang?"
Seeing that he was determined to get to the bottom of things, Madam Xu quickly added, "Young general, don't worry. Yangyang is my daughter. As her mother, I will choose an auspicious day to send her off to become a nun. You just need to settle the dowry."
Interrupted, Lu Wenjin loosened his clenched fist and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Madam. I will observe etiquette and see Yangyang less often before the wedding."
Madam Xu, unwilling to keep Lu Wenjin any longer, rubbed her temples and feigned drowsiness, ordering people to leave Jiangyun Pavilion.
Seeing Madam Xu walking behind the screen with the help of her maid, Lu Wenjin coldly said to her back, "I hope that Madam will not be too harsh on Yangyang in the future, otherwise Aunt Xiao in heaven will not let you off the hook."
After hearing this, Madam Xu paused for a moment, then chuckled and said, "General, you are really joking. Don't worry, things are different now. I won't hurt your woman in the slightest."
When the old story was brought up, Madam Xu couldn't help but feel guilty. If it weren't for Lu Wenjin's help, she would have already gotten rid of that troublesome little brat Ruan Yang and could have lived a carefree life.
She was upset but had nowhere to vent her anger, so she glared at Ah Chou and said, "Ah Chou, how do you take care of your master?"
Ah Chou was taken aback, looked up at his mother, and slowly knelt down: "Madam, please forgive me..."
"Next time, without my permission, you are not allowed to let Miss step out of the Ruan residence. You take Shuangye and the others and kneel outside for an hour before coming back."
Outside, the sun blazed fiercely, cicadas chirped incessantly, and the woman's voice scraped against Ah Chou like a sharp weapon.
Ah Chou held her breath and said, "Yes, this servant will go right away."
After resting for almost an hour, Ruan Yang felt relieved to see the familiar scenery before her and to know that her kind and considerate stepmother was tirelessly watching over her.
"Mother...."
Xu was dozing off in her armchair when she heard the noise. She got up and exclaimed with a smile, "Yangyang, you're finally awake. You scared us half to death last night."
Ruan Yang rubbed her sleepy eyelids, and thinking of the inanimate objects in the box, she felt a lump in her throat.
She didn't know how to clear up the misunderstanding with Ning Xian.
In Ning Xian's eyes, she was a murderer who had personally killed their unborn child and committed the heinous act of yesterday. She was the one who hated her for her cruelty.
But why? Ning Xian said so many heartless things to hurt her, clearly he was tired of her and didn't like her anymore, so why should he still care about the product of a momentary impulse?
Ruan Yang stroked the jade bracelet Ning Xian had made for her wrist. Gradually, the smooth and translucent jade bracelet turned into a circle of white light.
No, he doesn't actually care about her at all.
How could a man who held hands with Jinlian in front of her, said so many hurtful things, and drove her to the brink of despair so that he could get rid of her and marry the woman he truly loved have any remorse?
What exactly is she feeling guilty about, and what is she sad about?
Last night must have been some scoundrel's prank; it was just a coincidence.
Seeing that Ruan Yang was not in good spirits, Xu sighed and said, "Alright, since you're not happy, let's not talk about this anymore."
She hesitated for a moment, then smiled as she stroked Ruan Yang's cold little hand and said, "By the way, tomorrow is the Empress's birthday banquet, and a letter has been sent from Fengqi Palace."
Ruan Yang came to her senses: "Is it Her Majesty the Empress who wants us to enter the palace?"
"Yes, your aunt has just recovered from a serious illness and wants to wash away the bad luck with some joyous events. This time, both the princes and princesses in the palace and the nobles with prominent family backgrounds in the court will be attending."
"Such a big show of force?"
Madam Xu said, "It's called the Thousand Autumns Banquet, but that's not really the case. I heard that the Empress Dowager wants to use this as an excuse to gather all the noble ladies together so that His Highness the Crown Prince can find a Crown Princess."
She stroked Ruan Yang's black hair and smiled, "Although our Yangyang is already engaged and won't dress up in front of the Crown Prince to join in the fun, you are still a daughter of the Ruan family. You still need to dress up properly so as not to be impolite or lose face."
After hearing this, Ruan Yang asked, "How long will this trip take?"
Madam Xu said, "This trip will take at least three days, and at most half a month. Your aunt and I haven't seen each other for a long time. When relatives meet, they inevitably have to catch up."
“That’s good enough.” Ruan Yang smiled.
To avoid causing trouble for the Ruan family and Lu Wenjin, it would be better for her to stay somewhere where she wouldn't run into Ning Xian for a while.
Seeing that she readily agreed, Madam Xu saved herself the trouble of saying, "Yangyang is so good. When I get back, I'll have the servants prepare her clothes and jewelry for the banquet."
For the sake of the Ruan family's future survival, Xu had no choice but to force a smile and try to please this pawn. If she was lucky enough to be favored by the emperor upon entering the palace, it would save her a lot of trouble.
Madam Xu chuckled inwardly. Entering the palace was like entering a deep sea, and having to patiently serve a man several generations older than herself was no easy task.
Ruan Yang pondered Xu's words and noticed that she seemed to have a strong prejudice against the Crown Prince. She asked curiously, "How old is His Highness the Crown Prince? Is he still unmarried? What kind of person is he?"
Madam Xu explained, "Our Crown Prince of Daye is named Ning Xian. He is the late Empress's only son and has just come of age. He could write poetry and prose at the age of seven, and at fifteen, he accompanied His Majesty on a personal expedition, achieving great military exploits. He also possesses unparalleled beauty. I've heard you young ladies secretly call him the Jade-Faced Asura..."
Forehead.
Ruan Yang's lips twitched slightly upon hearing this. Usually, people with so many fancy titles must be good-for-nothings who can only do a little bit of everything.
She replied dismissively, "Oh, he's so amazing. Have I met him before?"
Xu's eyes darkened; she had no intention of telling her about the massacre on the eve of her wedding: "You didn't see it."
Ruan Yang didn't ask any further questions. She wasn't actually interested in this crown prince with so many titles. Instead, she said, "Is that so? Then I'll have to get to know His Highness the Crown Prince properly this time."
...
The palace stands majestically, with vermilion walls and green tiles. The lotus flowers in Yaojin Pond are in full bloom, and a gentle breeze carries their fresh and fragrant scent.
It was midday and all was quiet except for Phoenix Palace, where laughter and chatter filled the air. A group of young women in brocade robes huddled together in twos and threes, some watching chess and admiring flowers, others drinking wine and composing poems.
After Ruan Yang lowered the curtain, she was helped down from the sedan chair by her maid. As the eunuch announcing the arrival of the gifts called out, all the noble ladies stopped what they were doing and looked back.
With fair skin and beautiful features, her hair as black as cicada wings, she possessed a calm demeanor and impeccable manners.
They were surprised by Ruan Yang's arrival. They thought that after witnessing her elder sister's tragic death, she would never show her face again, especially since... she was going to meet her nominal brother-in-law today.
"Now that everyone is almost here, please take your seats. I recently invited the best actors from the Southern Prefecture to watch the play with you all."
Empress Ruan Zhuoyin released the little white cat she was holding and led everyone to their seats. Since the Sixth Prince's untimely death, she had entrusted the Imperial Strategy and the Phoenix Seal to the Empress Dowager for safekeeping. Now, after more than half a year of recuperation, there was no trace of illness on her face.
After the actors on stage finished their singing, everyone began to exchange pleasantries, talking about all sorts of interesting things in the capital and happy things at home. In the end, everyone turned their attention to the rarely seen Ruan Yang.
One person laughed and said, "This must be the Empress's little niece. Miss Ruan has survived this ordeal and is sure to have good fortune in the future."
The Empress glanced at the little girl sitting in the corner. It was Ruan Xi who had come to visit Fengqi Palace, and it was Ruan Xi who was getting along so well with the noble ladies.
Although Ruan Yang was also her niece, she was usually quiet and reserved, and Xu Shi didn't often take her out. Therefore, she only met Ruan Yang a few times. Now that she saw her, she was quite a cute little girl.
Seeing that she looked somewhat bewildered, the Empress said, "Although our Yangyang escaped a calamity, she hit her head and can't remember some people and things. Come here, Yangyang, this is the Duchess of Jin."
Upon hearing this, Ruan Yang rose and bowed in greeting.
Taking advantage of everyone's presence, the Empress smiled and said, "Would it be alright if Yangyang stayed at Fengqi Palace for a few days, accompanying me for a while before returning home?"
All eyes were on her, and Ruan Yang couldn't refuse. She smiled and said, "Of course, Yangyang is willing."
"What are you all talking about? Why are you all gathered together?"
A young girl in a lotus-pink dress arrived late, and she ran down from the sedan chair and walked enthusiastically towards the banquet.
The Empress Dowager put down her teacup and said kindly, "Where did you go to play just now, my little girl? You didn't come back until the play was over."
Ji Changhuan had just caught a butterfly and was now covered in sweat. She took the handkerchief and wiped the light sweat from her forehead, smiling as she said, "This humble woman just went to play at the Crown Prince's place. His Highness even carved some little trinkets for me."
One of them covered her mouth and smiled shyly, saying, "His Highness is usually very taciturn with others, but this enthusiasm is unique to Miss Ji."
Upon hearing this, Ji Changhuan lowered her eyes and blushed.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Alright, let's not talk about these sentimental matters. Come here, Yangyang. This is a girl from the Ji family. You haven't met her before, so it's a good opportunity for you to get to know her."
Ji Changhuan turned around, and the two looked at each other. She was taken aback.
Ji Changhuan stared intently. This was indeed the person who had embarrassed her with the Chinese medicine. Even if she were reduced to ashes, she would still recognize him.
But how could the Crown Prince's mistress be a member of the Ruan family?
In the past, Ning Xian would never have let any member of the Ruan family go, not even a distant relative. She clearly remembered that the entire Ruan family had suffered countless deaths and injuries...
This is truly a case of the sun rising in the west; Ning Xian not only protects the daughter of his mother's killer, but also intends for her to give birth to his own child in the future.
Good heavens...
Ji Changhuan's head was buzzing.
How could Ning Xian be so confused? Does he really love her that much?
But what tricks did this little fox spirit use? Why can't she learn it...?
Ruan Yang hadn't expected to run into Ji Changhuan here. She forced a smile and gave Ji Changhuan a polite one. Just then, the eunuch outside the palace gate shouted at the top of his lungs.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
After hearing this, everyone turned their attention away from them, and Ruan Yang breathed a sigh of relief when she realized that she was finally out of trouble.
A note from the author:
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Daughter: Living with my aunt will at least help me avoid my ex-husband, right? [Sprinkling flowers]
Overlord Dog: That's not actually the case [shy]
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