Chapter 22: Palace Banquet Oolong
The old lady took her hand and smiled happily, "Thinking back then, our Jiang family also produced several important officials. My mother-in-law was granted the first rank imperial decree and often went to the palace to accompany the late queen. That was the most glorious time for our Jiang family."
She couldn't hide the excitement on her face, and her face flushed with excitement. "I really didn't expect that the Queen would summon Rufei to the palace for her birthday. I heard that it was because she saved the princess. The eldest princess and the Queen mentioned it, and the Queen said she wanted to meet the child."
The aunts in the other rooms all agreed with a smile, "Yes, Rufei has really brought honor to our Jiang family."
"It would be even better if I could please the Queen."
Second wife Cui praised: "Sister-in-law is so lucky to have such a good daughter."
Yao was originally unhappy, and she wished it was her daughter Rulin who went. But after hearing what her sister-in-law said, she felt that it was right. After all, it was her face, so why should she be angry?
She said modestly and proudly, "Look at what you said. We are all family. If the children are successful, everyone will be proud."
Cui was furious when she saw her smug look.
She was actually able to breathe a sigh of relief when she was given some face, as if everyone in the Jiang family didn't know that Jiang Rufei had been mistreated since she was a child.
She smiled and said, "My sister-in-law always said that Rufei was a child with many problems and would never have a future. I always thought that this girl had a clever spirit in her bones. Now that she has grown up and become more sensible, I was right."
Yao's face suddenly turned pale and blue. Cui's provocation was obvious. Did she think she was deaf and couldn't hear it?
Jiang Fei also noticed that the several branches of the Jiang family were not harmonious.
There was no need for others to sow discord between her and Yao. If it were the original owner, she might have been easily persuaded, but now that it was her turn, the relationship between her and Yao could not be eased. Easing it would only allow the bullying Yao to take advantage of her.
Based on the idea that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, Jiang Fei decided to win over the Cui family.
"Second Aunt, you are too kind. Rufei doesn't deserve such praise. Sister Rujin is well-educated and well-mannered. Last time at the flower viewing banquet, a young lady mentioned Sister Rujin and said that she was worthy of the words "ornate heart and virtuous character". I felt proud to hear that."
When Cui heard this, she was even happier. "Look, mother, this girl is becoming sweeter and sweeter."
The old lady nodded with satisfaction, "You have indeed made great progress. After entering the palace, you must be careful with your words and actions, and do not let down the Empress's grace."
Yao Shi felt choked up listening to this and couldn't help but interrupt, "Mother, since Ru Fei is entering the palace for the first time, why not let Ru Lin go with her so she can have someone to look after her."
The old lady's face darkened. "Nonsense! The Empress only summoned Ru Fei. What do you think the palace is? You can bring people just like that!"
Yao's face became even uglier after being scolded for no reason.
Jiang Rulin sat aside feeling aggrieved, glancing at Jiang Rufei from time to time, feeling so angry that her teeth were itching.
She couldn't understand how a silly person could suddenly become smart. He used to obey her but now he was better than her in everything.
She had heard of folk beliefs about ghost possession. Could it be that this person was possessed by some dirty creature?
"It's the Queen's birthday, so I can't go empty-handed. I need to think about what gift would be appropriate."
The old lady's words interrupted Jiang Rulin's thoughts.
Jiang Fei had no say in this matter. She had no experience at all. She just listened quietly to their discussion for a long time before deciding on a set of gilded ornaments, which was not a good deal.
…
In a blink of an eye, it was the day of the birthday party.
There were special eunuchs leading the way at the palace gate. When they arrived at the gate of Fengyi Palace, the eunuchs withdrew and the person leading the way was replaced by a palace maid.
The birthday banquet was held in the evening. The sun was only a streak of warm yellow in the sky. The lights in Fengyi Palace were just coming on, reflecting the gilded phoenixes on the tall pillars in the corridor, which seemed to be flapping their wings and about to take flight.
The palace maid led Jiang Fei to sit down in front of a table, and then she knelt beside her.
This location is pretty good, tucked away in a corner with a few rows of seats in front. Once it's full, no one will notice the area behind it.
After half of the people were seated, Jiang Fei looked around to see if Wei Mingzhen had arrived. She happened to see Zhou Ruolan and the two young ladies from the last flower viewing party at the Liu Mansion.
Zhou Ruolan seemed to notice her gaze, turned around, and was stunned to see Jiang Rufei, as if she didn't expect her to be here too.
It was the Queen's birthday banquet, so Zhou Ruolan naturally didn't dare to act rashly. She just glanced at Jiang Fei and then looked away.
Suddenly, a girl in a lavender gauze dress caught Jiang Fei's attention.
The girl had beautiful eyebrows and features, and her every move was lively and smart. She was sitting alone in the same seat as Jiang Fei, but her seat was much closer to the main seat than Jiang Fei's.
Seeing that she was looking over there, the maid beside her said considerately, "That's the young lady from the Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion. Miss Jiang, would you like to go over and say hello?"
The daughter of the Dingyuan Marquis's mansion? Isn't that the heroine Wei Ciying in the novel?
This is the key person for Jiang Fei to complete the mission.
Jiang Fei stood up immediately, and just as she raised her foot, she saw a familiar figure walking up to Wei Ciying first.
Isn’t that “Pei Jing”?
The two of them talked about something, and Wei Ciying reluctantly stood up, with a serious expression, and followed "Pei Jing".
Jiang Fei secretly thought that this was not good. In the book, Pei Jing was in love with Wei Ciying. Pei Jing was a madman who was fearless. Would he take the opportunity to do something excessive to Wei Ciying?
Thinking of this, Jiang Fei quickly got up and followed secretly.
The palace lanterns outside were swaying, but it was much darker than inside the palace.
Jiang Fei didn't dare to follow too closely. Just as she walked around the rockery, she suddenly felt a tightness on her wrist.
Jiang Fei was startled, and then a big hand covered her mouth and nose.
It is a familiar taste, coming from "Wei Mingzhen".
Pei Jing let go of her hand and looked at her, "Where are you going?"
Jiang Fei quickly pointed over there and whispered, "Wei Ciying has been taken away by a madman. Go and save her."
"Which lunatic?"
"Who else could it be? Pei Jing!"
The corners of Pei Jing's narrow eyes were slightly raised, reflecting the palace lanterns, and his pupils were as deep as a bottomless cold pool.
"Oh." He responded slowly.
Jiang Fei felt that he was a little too calm, "Aren't you anxious?"
"No rush."
"If you're not anxious, I am." After saying that, she pushed his hand away and chased in the direction Wei Ciying left.
Pei Jing looked at her leaving back and suddenly felt a rare sense of anticipation.
I want to see how Jiang Rufei reacts when she finds out she has recognized the wrong person.
…
Zhou Ruolan returned to her seat nervously, shaking uncontrollably.
Just now, she saw Jiang Rufei leaving stealthily, so she followed her secretly.
But I saw an extraordinary scene.
Jiang Rufei is actually with Prince Zhaoning.
King Zhaoning was very skilled in martial arts, so she didn't dare to get close to him and could only watch from afar.
But their actions were clearly intimate, and she did not scream when King Zhaoning hugged Jiang Rufei from behind.
And just looking at the attitude of the two when they talked, their relationship was extraordinary.
She should never, ever, provoke Jiang Rufei, let alone cause trouble for her.
"Ruolan, what's wrong with you?" Lin Zhishuang, who was standing by, saw that Ruolan's face was getting paler and paler after she came back from going out, and couldn't help but ask with concern.
Zhou Ruolan opened her mouth, and for a moment, she wanted to tell everyone what she had just seen.
But on second thought, Prince Zhaoning and Jiang Rufei deliberately chose to have a tryst in a deserted place because they didn't want anyone to know. If this matter were to get out and Prince Zhaoning investigated, wouldn't he use her as a scapegoat?
No, no.
Zhou Ruolan forced a smile, "No, nothing, I just felt a little dizzy suddenly."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
