Chapter 70 Palace Gate
Song Zhimian rode in the East Palace carriage, heading straight for the palace gate after leaving the Crown Prince's residence.
If Song Zhimian felt that her only good fortune today was riding in the East Palace carriage, then she was lucky.
The princes' carriages passed through the Vermilion Bird Gate.
They didn't have to wait a long time at Xuanwu Gate like other noble families.
Song Zhimian glanced out the carriage window.
Look, those nobles enter the palace through Xuanwu Gate, and they have to get off their carriages at the gate.
Then they walked all the way to the Linde Hall where the banquet was held.
Watching the pampered young ladies and wives slowly walk towards Linde Hall, Song Zhimian felt a little sorry for them.
It's so far, and the weather's so hot. I hope my makeup won't be ruined by the time I get to Linde Hall...
Song Zhimian only glanced at it before quickly pulling her head back.
She saw Princess Yongxin helping an old lady into a sedan chair.
This must be His Majesty's favor, showing kindness to the elders of the maternal family so that Madam Zhao won't have to work too hard.
The carriage entered the Vermilion Bird Gate, and the guards only glanced at the waist token that Song Zhimin took out and looked at the bottom of the carriage before letting it pass.
Song Zhimian didn't even need to get out of the car.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess's carriages have already headed towards Taiji Palace.
According to the rules of the imperial harem, Emperor Xiao Xuan was to receive the kowtows of the princes and grandsons at the Empress's Fengwu Palace today.
However, after the late empress passed away, Emperor Xiao Xuan could only accept the congratulations of his descendants in Taiji Palace.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess took the little prince to Taiji Palace, while Song Zhimian went to Xingde Courtyard next to Linde Hall to prepare. This was where the Crown Prince and Crown Princess would temporarily rest for the day.
Song Zhimian sat in the carriage and headed towards Xingde Courtyard. This route happened to pass by Guangde Gate.
Song Zhimian leaned against the window, watching the situation at Guangdemen.
Today is a birthday banquet, with song and dance performances, as well as some acrobatic acts.
The performers all lived outside the palace. After the 40th year of Emperor Wu's reign, the Dayu Dynasty no longer allowed these people to live in the palace.
A special courtyard was set up outside the palace to house these people.
Now, these people who enter the palace to perform for Emperor Xiao Xuan's birthday celebration must undergo a thorough inspection.
But these guards conducting the inspection...
Song Zhimian frowned slightly. Their investigation process didn't seem to conform to the rules of the Inner Palace!
The guards were not under the jurisdiction of the inner palace; they were managed by specific people, and Aunt Cui had no authority over them.
It's best not to say too much, otherwise it might cause trouble for Aunt Cui.
Song Zhimian sat back down in the carriage.
...
Upon arriving at Xingde Courtyard, Song Zhimian put away all the things the young prince usually used, and chatted for a while with Ruyi, the head maid of the Crown Princess. Then she waited for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to bring the young prince over.
Xingde Temple is very close to Linde Hall. Just turn left after exiting Linde Hall and you'll find Xingde Temple.
After Song Zhimian had packed up all of the little prince's things, making sure nothing was left out, she immediately followed Ruyi to check on the situation at Linde Hall.
Many nobles have already entered the Linde Hall.
Under the guidance of palace servants and eunuchs, everyone took their seats.
Those who know each other greet each other, those who don't nod, and what if they have a grudge...?
Hehe, hold it in!
Emperor Xiao Xuan was already being considerate by not arranging for you to sit together; who would dare cause trouble on this occasion!
No one would be foolish enough to not care about their own wealth and status.
"His Highness and the Empress will be sitting over there."
That is the closest place to His Majesty.
In addition, the young prince will not sit with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess today; he will have a separate seat.
Go a little further down, so today you must stand behind the little prince and keep an eye on him.
"Although the palace servants are very dedicated, the young prince is more familiar with you!" Ruyi whispered to Song Zhimian.
Song Zhimian nodded quickly.
In short, the point is that during this grand banquet, as the young prince's primary nanny, she must stay by his side at all times to serve him.
When everyone is watching the song and dance performance, she can watch along for a bit.
While everyone else was enjoying their food, she would only glance at it a couple of times...
Song Zhimian looked around the general layout of Linde Hall and got a general idea of what it was like.
Despite the rumors circulating that the Crown Prince's position is unstable, today's scene clearly shows that his position remains secure.
The Crown Prince sat to the lower left of Emperor Xiao Xuan, and below him was the Prince of Qi.
To the right, seated at the lower end, is Consort Wu, and below her is Prince Zhao, and Prince Wu…
As for the other concubines... they were all behind Consort Wu.
The other noble families sat below the main hall according to their titles and status, with men on the left side of the Linde Hall and women on the right.
Song Zhimian thought this was fine too.
At least you can see what the person on the other side looks like.
If the Crown Princess were to host any large-scale matchmaking event in the future, I would suggest that she arrange it this way, so that at least she could see the faces clearly...
Two people sit in front of each small table.
Those with influence sat in the front row so that Emperor Xiao Xuan could see them and offer their congratulations immediately.
Those sitting in the back, whose status wasn't particularly distinguished, were basically just there to make up the numbers.
After all, once the post is up, you wouldn't dare not come, would you!
...
The more Song Zhimian looked at it, the more interesting it became. Who said that such banquets were boring? The banquets in the palace were the most interesting!
At this banquet, everyone can see who is currently the most favored, who the imperial family favors, and who they heavily rely on...
Look, among the eight dukes of Dayu, the Shen family, the Duke of Dingguo, is still the head, followed by the Huangfu family, the Duke of Changsheng, and then the Han family...
These families held positions second only to the princes...
Song Zhimian also saw familiar faces.
Princess Yongxin followed Madam Zhao very obediently, not daring to say a word.
Song Zhimian knew that Princess Yongxin was always particularly well-behaved on such occasions.
She was afraid that Emperor Xiao Xuan would suddenly notice her and then arrange a wrong match for her.
Besides Princess Yongxin, Song Zhimian also saw her stepmother, Madam Ding...
She was the wife of the Marquis of Zhongyong, a position that was neither too high nor too low.
At that moment, she also saw Song Zhimian. Song Zhimian could clearly feel Ding Shi's hands clenching tightly, and the look in her eyes was like poison...
Song Zhimian gave her a very generous glare, then exchanged a few words with Ruyi and left.
Ding must hate her to the core now!
After all, the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion has become a laughing stock in the capital because of him!
However... harming others ultimately harms oneself, and Song Zhimian felt that she had done the right thing.
Back at Xingde Courtyard, Song Zhimian waited for Xiao Jingjue to return.
But the unease in my heart seemed to have intensified a little more...
Song Zhimian thought for a moment, then walked around Xingde Courtyard again, and then looked at the situation in Linde Hall.
Where is a good place to escape? Where is a good place to hide? Where is a good place to watch the excitement?
In any case, we should think everything through, just in case we need it!
...
Song Zhimian waited for quite a while.
The Linde Hall next door is becoming increasingly lively.
Even inside Xingde Courtyard, Song Zhimian could hear that the number of people in Linde Hall was increasing.
"His Highness should arrive in a little while."
"Every year at this time, His Majesty would take the Crown Prince and the young prince to Fengwu Palace," Ruyi whispered from the side.
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