“No,” Jiayin suddenly thought of a possibility and frowned deeply, “the invitation was sent to Baozhu, or rather, the invitation was to have the Jia family bring Baozhu into the palace.”
"Why would the Imperial Concubine invite a young girl? Or rather, do all the guests the Imperial Concubine invites bring their own young girls?"
The Third Princess also realized what was going on and cursed, "She's quite the schemer! What summer banquet? Is she trying to find a wife for the Second Prince? The civil and military officials recommended him as the Crown Prince, and that wasn't enough. Now she wants to use marriage to strengthen his position? She really thinks Tianwu is hers for the taking!"
Jiayin didn't care how the Imperial Concubine plotted for the Second Prince; she absolutely wouldn't allow Baozhu to get involved.
Even if she were to become a concubine for the Second Prince, she would still be a concubine!
Given the Jia family's social standing, Baozhu had absolutely no chance of becoming their wife!
The thought of the innocent and gluttonous Baozhu, who might be trapped in the palace for life, scheming and fighting with a group of women, made her uncontrollably irritable.
"Caiyun, could you please go and find out who the guests are tomorrow? Do they all bring their daughters?" Jiayin instructed.
The Third Princess quickly chimed in, "That's right, Caiyun, go and find out as much as you can, the more detailed the better."
Caiyun didn't dare to delay and immediately went out.
The emperor's favor and attention are the barometer of the palace.
Previously, the Emperor sent the Third Princess tonics every day and even visited her late at night. Now, no one in the palace dares to neglect the Third Princess.
As the head maidservant of the Third Princess, Caiyun was respected and fawned over by everyone wherever she went.
Besides, Caiyun just wanted to ask who the guests would be at tomorrow's summer banquet; it wasn't some big secret.
Therefore, everyone is eager to take the initiative to explain things clearly.
Caiyun sent out a few small purses, and soon returned to Zhilan Palace to report.
“Princess, Your Highness, the summer banquet tomorrow has invited more than eighty families, and indeed every family has brought their daughters. Most of the daughters are around ten years old, and a small number are noble ladies of thirteen or fourteen, from prominent families.”
What's there to not understand!
The Third Princess immediately launched into a sarcastic remark, "The Imperial Concubine is quite the schemer. It seems the Second Prince's principal wife will be chosen from among these noble ladies of good family background who are a few years older. As for the others of similar age, we'll see how they fared first, and then slowly select them as concubines later!"
Jiayin was also unhappy and said, "I don't care what she plans to do, Baozhu absolutely cannot be involved. Let's go there tomorrow and find an excuse to bring Baozhu to Zhilan Palace."
The Third Princess nodded and asked, "What are the Jia family's thoughts? They wouldn't really want to send Baozhu in, would they?"
Jiayin shook her head. "Second Madam Jia dotes on Baozhu the most, and she doesn't want Baozhu to go to the palace. She entrusted me to take care of her in her letter. As for the thoughts of the rest of the Jia family, they are not important."
"In this world, apart from parents, there aren't many people who truly care about their children's future!"
The third princess felt a pang of sadness when she thought of her father, the emperor.
It is clear that the Emperor's health is in serious trouble and he cannot hold on for much longer.
He not only had to deal with those people in the court, but also had to plan and arrange things for her.
This is fatherly love—silent yet great!
Nothing happened that night. The next morning, the palace maids were busy in the main hall and side halls of Zhilan Palace.
On weekdays, the weather is too hot, so Jiayin and the Third Princess dress very casually, mostly prioritizing comfort.
But since I'm attending a banquet today, I need to dress up nicely.
For no other reason than that, whenever they appear in front of others, they represent the dignity of the royal family.
Jiayin chose a sky-blue summer shirt with white magnolia branches, paired with a plain pleated skirt, embroidered shoes with pearl tassels, and a set of pink pearl headdress, adding a touch of liveliness.
The third princess was much more flamboyant, wearing a bright red gauze dress embroidered with large peonies in gold thread, and a red gold nine-phoenix crown on her head. She was practically glittering with gold from head to toe, exuding an air of nobility.
As soon as Jiayin saw her, she couldn't help but laugh and said, "You definitely did that on purpose!"
The Third Princess proudly adjusted her golden crown and replied, "Yes, I did it on purpose! Even if she is a Noble Consort, she is still a concubine!"
"This Nine Phoenix Crown is only for the Empress and me, the legitimate princess, to wear! No matter how much she tries to curry favor with me, she still has to bow half her head before me!"
Jiayin stepped forward and took her arm, laughing, "Do you know why I'm still willing to play with you now, even though you bullied me when we were little?"
The third princess blushed and said awkwardly, "Oh dear, why bring this up? I was young then, and no one taught me, so I inevitably became quite spoiled and domineering. I saw that Father Emperor liked you, so I did something stupid. Why are you still holding a grudge? It's been so many years, why bring it up again!"
Jiayin laughed and replied, "Of course I know, otherwise I wouldn't have forgiven you! Although you are domineering and arrogant, and sometimes incredibly stupid, I even want to pry open your brain with a chisel to see if it's full of mush."
"But I must say, you're a straightforward person, with clear likes and dislikes! You repay kindness with kindness and avenge wrongs! That's much better than those two-faced ladies!"
"Of course, I'm the best..." The Third Princess was feeling smug and was about to boast a bit when she suddenly realized what she had said, stomped her foot and shouted, "What did you say about me? That I'm stupid and my brain is full of mush?"
Jiayin giggled and ran out, lifting her skirt, prompting the Third Princess to chase after her. "You brat, you wait! If you don't make me two bowls of ice cream today, this grudge won't be over!"
Caiyun, Shuiling, and Shuiyun exchanged glances, then followed with smiles...
Given the fierce attacks of the barbarians and the sudden relocation of the capital, it was impossible to build large palaces in advance.
Therefore, the current palace is just a converted former imperial palace.
In recent years, Tianwu has been recuperating and developing, and the national treasury has accumulated some surplus.
The palace has undergone some renovations, but the foundation remains the same, and no matter how much it's changed, it can never be considered truly magnificent.
Fortunately, the emperor had few concubines and even fewer children, so there was enough room for them to live.
For a summer banquet like today's, the only choice is the Imperial Garden, which offers a spacious setting with beautiful scenery.
The world is never short of clever people. The Second Prince is currently very popular, and the Imperial Concubine is also extremely favored.
Today's banquet, organized by the Imperial Concubine, naturally received enthusiastic help from eunuchs and maids throughout the palace.
The Imperial Garden, already vibrant with color, was now kept even cleaner and tidier, without a single weed.
Even the pavilions were covered with fine gauze, making them breathable and cool.
Occasionally a gentle breeze blows, causing the fine gauze to flutter, adding to its ethereal beauty.
There were many visitors, and to avoid crowding in front of the palace gates, many families of lower social standing set off before dawn.
The Jia family was one of them.
Baozhu's father held a low-ranking official position, and her mother did not hold any official title, so she had no choice but to come to the banquet with her aunt.
Madam Jia's personality was somewhat rigid and concerned with rules, unlike Madam Jia's second wife who was more tactful and adaptable.
Therefore, Baozhu was strictly required to sit up straight, not to talk, not to eat or drink, and not even to doze off.
She's going crazy!
At this moment, Madam Jia and several other ladies of similar social standing were chatting in a corner of the banquet. Baozhu was hiding behind them, secretly covering her mouth and yawning, her sleepy tears almost falling.
The girls from the other families gathered together and talked about clothes and jewelry. When someone occasionally turned their head and saw Baozhu like this, they couldn't help but sneer.
Two updates today!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com