The two women were wearing bright dresses, and their hairpins and rings sparkled in the sunlight. One was as beautiful as a flower, and the other was naturally charming, attracting the attention of many young men attending the banquet.
Mrs. Sang had a smile in her eyes and moved among the ladies with appropriate reserve.
The purpose of her trip was clear: to take advantage of this banquet where the top powerful circles in the capital gathered together, she must find good matches for the two concubines' daughters whose marriages were previously blocked due to Sang Wenyin's "death".
Almost at the same time, another large carriage with red wheels and a canopy decorated with the emblem of the Yongding Marquis' Mansion slowly came to a stop.
The maids quickly put down the stepping stools and opened the carriage curtains.
The wife of Marquis Yongding, Xu, came down first. She was wearing a red brocade palace dress with a double-breasted collar, and her demeanor was graceful and calm.
Immediately afterwards, her biological daughter, Jiaqing County Princess Jiang Songyi, was helped out of the car.
Jiang Songyi was only wearing a lake green silk dress, a moon white gauze bodice, and a simple white jade hairpin in her hair. Although she was of noble status, she appeared to be deliberately low-key among the heavily made-up and fancy clothes.
Three other young women then filed off the carriage. They were all cousins raised by Aunt Jiang Shu: Jiang Qinghe, Jiang Qingmo, and Jiang Qingzhi. Old Madam Jiang was ill, and Jiang Shu needed to be by her side, so she stayed at the mansion.
The three cousins are in their prime, and they are attending this noble banquet today, so they naturally show off their charm.
Jiang Qinghe was gentle and well-dressed; Jiang Qingmo was lively, looking around with bright eyes full of curiosity; Jiang Qingzhi was a little reserved, following Xu closely.
"Follow closely, don't wander off casually." Madam Xu whispered to the girls, her eyes sweeping across the bustling ceremonial gate ahead. "Today is different from the past."
She spoke briefly and to the point, but Jiang Songyi saw a barely perceptible solemnity in her mother's eyes.
Jiang Songyi nodded slightly, and the moment she stepped into the Second Prince's Mansion, her breathing subconsciously paused.
At the center of today's wedding banquet, there is a huge jade basin carved from a whole piece of warm green jade and filled with warm water.
Several high-ranking female officials from the Ministry of Rites and maids from the inner court stood around the jade basin with solemn expressions.
At this moment, the Second Prince's wife, Qi Mo, was being carefully supported by two trusted maids as she slowly walked out of the warm room with golden curtains.
She was wearing a bright red auspicious gown embroidered with a hundred children in gold, and a phoenix crown inlaid with red gold, kingfisher feathers, and oriental pearls. She was adorned with jewels and precious stones, exuding an air of nobility. But even such heavy attire could not completely conceal the haggard look on her face.
In her arms, she held tightly a little baby wrapped in a bright yellow swaddling cloth with auspicious patterns of dragons and phoenixes - the protagonist of today's third-day baptism, the emperor's eldest grandson Xin Yiche.
Just as Qi Mo slowly approached the jade basin with the child in her arms, Jiang Songyi's pupils suddenly constricted.
A dark red aura that ordinary people could not see was swirling like a living thing, heavily enveloping Qi Mo and the small swaddling baby in her arms.
Evil spirit!
The sharp warning sign instantly pierced Jiang Songyi's heart.
The tragic scene of her previous life suddenly flashed before her eyes like a tearing tear—
It is also a baptism ceremony.
The scene was far less grand than today. Qi Mo was wearing a half-worn palace dress, and her face was numb and a dead silence of being forced into a desperate situation. There were only a few guests, and the atmosphere was oppressive and suffocating.
Right next to that simple jade basin, in full view of everyone, the numbness on Qi Mo's face suddenly turned into a tragic expression that was almost crazy.
Without any warning, she suddenly raised her arms and threw her own flesh and blood in her arms onto the cold blue brick floor like a broken doll.
"puff!"
The swaddling clothes rolled to her feet, and the golden and red silk spread out, revealing a motionless purple body inside...
The old emperor on the throne was so shocked and furious that he fainted on the spot. Xin Yi Zigu, the regent, used this as an excuse to force Xin Yiwei back to the capital, his every word a high-sounding conspiracy: "The emperor's sister-in-law committed immorality and murdered her son. As the commander of the imperial relatives, shouldn't my second brother return to the capital to plead his case and appease the government and the people?"
Xin Yiwei never returned. All that was reported back was the banners signaling troop movements to the border.
Qi Mo was sentenced to death by Bai Ling, and then a monstrous war swept across half of the country.
The bone-chilling coldness rushed from the tailbone to the top of the head, and a thin layer of sweat instantly seeped out of Jiang Songyi's vest.
"Sister Songyi, look! That's the little grandson of the emperor, right?" Jiang Qingmo, who was beside her, suddenly grabbed her arm, his voice full of excitement and curiosity, pulling her back from the cold memories.
Jiang Qingmo stood on tiptoe, pointing at Qi Mo, who was surrounded by many imperial edicts, and the baby in her arms. "I heard that she looks a lot like the Second Prince. Let's go and take a look!"
As she spoke, she tried to pull Jiang Songyi forward.
Jiang Songyi's body suddenly stiffened, as if being pricked by a needle. Almost subconsciously, she vigorously shook off Jiang Qingmo's hand. The force was so great that Jiang Qingmo was caught off guard. He stumbled and the excitement on his face instantly turned into surprise and grievance. "Hey! What are you doing?"
"I can't go!" Jiang Songyi blurted out.
Although she tried her best to lower her voice, her decisive tone still attracted the attention of several female relatives nearby.
Her face was unusually serious, her eyes fixed on the swirling evil spirit and the figure of Qi Mo holding the swaddle as she walked towards the jade basin, "Don't come any closer!"
Jiang Qingmo was frightened by this and felt a little embarrassed. He curled his lips and muttered softly: "Look what happened? I didn't steal it from him. The county lady is so arrogant..."
"Qingmo!" Jiang Qinghe, standing beside him, quickly and precisely stuffed a small piece of delicate lotus cake into Jiang Qingmo's mouth. Her gentle smile carried an undeniable strength. "It's crowded here, so watch your step."
His movements were smooth and flowing, and he subtly resolved any further complaints that Jiang Qingmo might have made.
Jiang Qingzhi also came closer and quickly reminded Jiang Qingmo in a voice only they could hear: "Sister, keep your mouth shut! This is the prince's residence, and it's the emperor's eldest grandson's third birthday. If you get so close, neither you nor I can bear the consequences if something goes wrong! Do you think everyone will let you do what you want like they do at home? Many important people have gathered here today, and they all have different thoughts. It's safest to stay away."
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