Chapter 441 You are... Pei Tinglan?
Zhu Junning stood in the center of the hall, slightly bowing as he watched the Lingnan King's figure disappear. The osmanthus trees in the courtyard, their lush branches adorned with star-like pale yellow blossoms, were just as vibrant and lively as the Lingnan King's Mansion had been many years ago.
He withdrew his gaze, his eyes landing on the shattered porcelain scattered on the ground, a hint of desolation creeping onto his face. The Lingnan Prince's Mansion was now almost besieged on all sides; if not managed carefully, it would crumble to pieces like the scattered fragments.
Standing there in a daze for a long time, Zhu Junning pulled himself out of his thoughts, stepped out of the hall, and headed towards Pei Tinglan's courtyard. When he arrived, Pei Tinglan was already waiting. She was dressed in a crimson robe embroidered with gold, looking rich and festive, but Zhu Junning frowned.
“Grandmother, the Empress Dowager is unwell, and your clothes seem... inappropriate.” Zhu Junning gently advised, but Pei Tinglan’s face turned cold. “I’ve lived this long, do I not know what to wear for what occasion?”
Zhu Junning stood there resolutely with her eyes lowered, as if she wouldn't allow Pei Tinglan to leave until she changed her clothes. Pei Tinglan was so angry at her that her hands trembled slightly.
“Grandmother, you know our current situation without me having to repeat myself.” Zhu Junning was impatient and angry, but she didn’t show it on her face. Her voice remained gentle. “Our family is in the capital now. If we are not careful, we will not be able to return to Lingnan.”
Pei Tinglan felt embarrassed by what she had said, and awkwardly clenched her fists for a while before getting up and going back to her dormitory to change. Zhu Junning's face remained calm as she walked to a chair and sat down. After a while, Pei Tinglan came out wearing a dark green robe, and Zhu Junning stood up, smiling as she took Pei Tinglan's arm and led her outside.
"Grandmother, you should remember the identity Father arranged for you, right?" Zhu Junning asked as they walked.
Pei Tinglan gave a somewhat unfriendly "hmm," but Zhu Junning didn't seem to care and continued, "Among those attending the palace banquet today, there will definitely be old nobles from various prefectures. Perhaps someone will recognize you."
She paused for a moment before adding, "For example, the Lady of Anyuan Marquis."
Pei Tinglan stopped in her tracks upon hearing the words "Lady Anyuan." Zhu Junning, however, used some force to help her continue walking forward, saying, "Lady Anyuan is the maternal grandmother of the current Duke of Chu. It's no surprise that both the Duke of Chu's family and the Marquis of Anyuan's family already know what you did to the Duke of Chu's family over the years."
Pei Tinglan's body stiffened, but Zhu Junning seemed not to notice and continued walking and saying, "As the maternal grandmother of the Duke of Chu, the Lady of Anyuan Marquis will certainly not be friendly to you. You should avoid her."
Pei Tinglan felt a lump in her throat, but still nodded. Zhu Junning smiled and said, "The Tang family, the maternal family of the late Duchess of Chu, once did the Empress Dowager a favor. Perhaps some female members of the Tang family will attend this banquet. You should... avoid them."
Pei Tinglan's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. Her biggest regret was that the old Duke of Chu had once broken off their engagement, and that the old Duke of Chu had lived a harmonious life with his wife after their marriage. She had left the capital for Lingnan, become a concubine, and fought desperately and risked her life. Why did Jiang Jinglan have to live such a good life?
“Grandmother.” Zhu Junning stopped and looked earnestly into Pei Tinglan’s somewhat cloudy eyes, saying, “A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan.”
Pei Tinglan gritted her teeth, shook off Zhu Junning's support, and strode forward, her back view exuding a suppressed stubbornness. Zhu Junning had endured for so long, and even with her good temper, she couldn't hold back any longer. Her face also turned cold as she followed behind Pei Tinglan until she saw the Prince of Lingnan waiting at the gate of the mansion, at which point a smile appeared on her face.
When the King of Lingnan saw the grandmother and granddaughter approaching one after the other, he knew that the two had had a disagreement. And if the cause was to be found, it was his mother's fault. He lowered his eyes, went over and helped Pei Tinglan up, and said in a low and cold voice, "Jun Ning's intentions are all my intentions. For the sake of the greater good, Mother, please be patient for now."
This meant she was being ignorant, and Pei Tinglan's expression darkened further, but she didn't say anything. She forced a smile and, with the help of the Prince of Lingnan, got into the carriage. After a moment of hesitation, she finally turned back to the Prince of Lingnan and said, "Shangjing is not the territory of the Prince of Lingnan's mansion, but your uncle is the Prime Minister."
The Prince of Lingnan frowned, but before he could say anything, Pei Tinglan had already climbed into the carriage. The Prince of Lingnan could only swallow the words he was about to say and turned back to instruct Zhu Junning again, "Keep an eye on your grandmother. If things get really bad, find an excuse to leave early."
"Yes," Zhu Junning replied immediately. With the King of Lingnan's words, she felt much better.
Knowing her predicament, the Prince of Lingnan patted her arm and said, "Get in the carriage and let's go."
Zhu Junning nodded, watching as the Prince of Lingnan boarded the carriage and, with the help of his maid, stepped onto the horse's saddle. The carriage rumbled along, and after a quarter of an hour, they arrived near the palace gates. Officials of the third rank and above in the capital were allowed to bring their families to the palace banquets, so a long line of carriages had already formed long before they reached the palace gates.
Many guards were arranging for the carriages to stop. Seeing that the ladies and young women in the other carriages had all gotten off, Zhu Junning also lifted the curtain and got off. Then she walked to Pei Tinglan's carriage, lifted the curtain, and helped her down.
Pei Tinglan wasn't truly ignorant. No matter how unwilling and angry she had appeared in the manor, she now wore a smile, which secretly relieved Zhu Junning. She straightened her back, thinking about how to greet anyone who came to talk to her in the best manner.
Regardless, the Lingnan Prince's Mansion was the only princely residence in the Great Gan Dynasty. Apart from members of the royal family, everyone had to pay their respects and greet the princes at the Lingnan Prince's Mansion. Even though the Lingnan Prince's Mansion had always been at odds with the imperial court, as long as they didn't completely break off relations, the Lingnan Prince's Mansion maintained its status.
But what she didn't expect was that the ministers and their families either pretended not to see the people from the Lingnan Prince's Mansion, or they hurriedly bowed and left without giving anyone a chance to find fault. And today's banquet was ostensibly to welcome them back.
In this situation, not only Pei Tinglan, but even Zhu Junning could no longer maintain a smile. Only the Prince of Lingnan remained composed; he had already experienced this treatment at the morning court session and was used to it.
After giving the grandfather and grandson a reassuring look, the Prince of Lingnan took a step forward. Zhu Junning took Pei Tinglan's arm and was about to follow closely behind when a commotion broke out behind them, followed by a voice that announced, "The Duke of Chu has arrived."
The women in each household began to smile, and when Jiang Yu helped an old woman over, they rushed to greet and exchange pleasantries with her.
"Madam Anyuan, you are still so healthy."
"The Duke of Chu is filial, and the Lady of Anyuan is blessed!"
...
Countless compliments rang out as Pei Tinglan watched a woman in a blue brocade robe, elegant yet spirited, help an elderly woman with gray hair and a kind face as they approached. She narrowed her eyes; she had seen this old woman when she was young. Although more than forty years had passed and the woman had aged, she could still vaguely make out her youthful appearance.
Just as she was lost in thought, Jiang Yu, supporting Lady Anyuan, stopped in front of her and Zhu Junning.
“Grandmother, this is the Princess Dowager of Lingnan.”
Jiang Yu's sudden words stunned Pei Tinglan. Before she could respond, she saw the Lady of Anyuan Marquis's gaze fixed on her face, and then she said in surprise, "You are... Pei Tinglan?"
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