Three days passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Tang Ning and He Lanruo, following the custom of returning to their parents' home after three days, also went back to the General's Mansion together.
It could be said that almost the moment Madam Qin saw Tang Ning smiling as she stepped into the General's Mansion, and seeing He Lanruo standing by her side without leaving her side, her eyes seeing nothing but Tang Ning, she knew that her daughter's marriage might be even better than she had imagined. After all, whether a woman is happy or not can be seen from her face. Not to mention that at lunchtime, He Lanruo remembered Tang Ning's preferences clearly and put all the dishes she liked into her bowl.
Seeing the two of them interacting like this, Madam Qin's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally began to settle down.
On that same day, Qin Qianqian, who had married Tang Ning, also returned home accompanied by Wei Jing. However, it was unclear what the two were thinking, as they only appeared at the entrance of the General's Mansion in the afternoon, their expressions increasingly unpleasant.
You asked how Tang Ning knew?
It was because she had just boarded the Duke's carriage when Wei Jing and Qin Qianqian jumped off the Prince Jian's carriage.
The two groups of people happened to be perfectly separated. Tang Ning, who had lowered the carriage curtain early, only managed to catch a glimpse of their unpleasant expressions, and didn't see anything else after that. So she had no idea what Wei Jing and Qin Qianqian were having a fight about, or why they had come to the General's Mansion so late.
However, Helan Ruo, who was sitting opposite her, almost couldn't hold back her smile after she realized that Tang Ning had such an attitude towards Wei Jing. In order to prevent Tang Ning from noticing, she deliberately rested her chin on her hand and lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.
Unfortunately, the other person's upturned lips had already betrayed him.
That wasn't all. When they passed by Jin Yu Xuan, the largest jewelry store in the capital, he was so excited that he dragged Tang Ning inside and picked out dozens of pieces of jewelry from head to toe. If Tang Ning hadn't stopped him in time, she suspected that He Lan Ruo could have emptied the entire Jin Yu Xuan store.
Didn't you see how the shopkeeper almost grinned from ear to ear when he saw them off?
Sitting in front of the bronze mirror, looking at the various pieces of jewelry piled up in her jewelry box, Tang Ning smiled again as she recalled them.
She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't even notice the teasing glances exchanged between her two maids, Chun Tan and Chun Mian, who were standing behind her.
When she realized what was happening, she immediately saw in the bronze mirror that the two little girls had started winking at each other.
Seeing this, Tang Ning blushed slightly, turned around and scolded, "Well, you two are getting bolder and bolder, you even dare to laugh at me..."
As she spoke, she reached out and pinched their slender waists.
"Madam, please spare us! We promise we'll never do it again!"
In an instant, the three of them, master and servant, were in a chaotic mess.
"Aren't you dressed yet? Mother's already starting to urge you..."
"ah!"
He Lanruo casually pushed open the door, but before she could finish speaking, she suddenly felt a blue figure crash into her arms.
He Lanruo, who was about to push her away, immediately stopped herself when she smelled the exotic fragrance emanating from the woman in her arms.
Then she saw Tang Ning, who was already dressed up and even had a vermilion flower on her forehead, turn her head sharply with a blush on her face, and the smile on her face had not yet completely faded.
At first glance, Helan Ruo felt that Tang Ning was even more vibrant and radiant than the most beautiful flowers blooming in spring.
Even though Tang Ning had seen all sorts of outfits before, including the phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, He Lanruo still couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat every time she saw Tang Ning in a new outfit.
Even more unreasonably, she was convinced in her heart that no woman in the world could surpass Tang Ning in appearance.
Why is she so beautiful?
While thinking this to herself, Helan Ruo stared blankly at Tang Ning's face, which was so close to hers, until Chun Tan's teasing voice came from behind them with a smile, saying that she had already dressed up and that in order to avoid making the princess wait, she asked the young master to take his wife out now!
As soon as she finished speaking, Chunmian, who was usually carefree, let out two low laughs.
That laugh made both Tang Ning and He Lanruo blush.
Tang Ning turned her head and glared at the two mischievous maids behind her before following He Lanruo, whose face was flushed, straight towards the main courtyard.
Meanwhile, due to the Spring Festival banquet, regardless of what the ministers were thinking, the atmosphere gradually became more lively, and the female and male guests were only separated by a lake.
It is said that under the arrangement of Princess Qingping, the people from both sides will be able to compose poems together. The young men and women who have grown up in their boudoirs and have never had much contact with the opposite sex are secretly excited and looking forward to it. Some even hope that they can find their ideal husband at this Spring Festival banquet.
In contrast to the rare liveliness in the palace, a palace located near the northwest corner of the palace, with its entrance overgrown with withered yellow weeds, was eerily quiet.
It wasn't until several eunuchs carrying enormous food boxes creaked open the palace gates that the people inside poured out.
Unlike the imperial concubines in the palace, who were impeccably made up and dressed in gorgeous clothes, these women were all disheveled and unkempt. Their clothes were worn, bulky, and cumbersome, though they appeared to be quite warm. Most of them had deep wrinkles etched on their faces. In their condition, let alone becoming concubines, they probably wouldn't even be chosen as personal servants by any concubine.
However, besides these elderly women, there were also a few slender young women who seemed crazy. Despite their thin appearance, they were all incredibly fierce when it came to grabbing food.
Among these women, only one woman in white stood out from the crowd, with both her appearance and figure being exceptional.
She stood beside the women who were scrambling for food, seizing the opportunity to grab a white steamed bun from the food box. She held it in her hands and took a big bite, but the rough texture of the bun almost made her vomit on the spot, and her eyes quickly reddened.
She couldn't understand how she, Ji Muqing, had fallen to such a state.
She was pampered and spoiled from a young age, and she learned all kinds of arts and crafts very quickly. No woman in the clan could compare to her. Her mother even once held her and said that her Jiaojiao was so outstanding that she could become the empress in the palace.
How did she end up in this situation?
Ji Muqing's hands trembled slightly.
Although she had longed to escape from that deranged emperor more than once, she didn't know when she would wake up one day to find herself decapitated.
She had secretly rejoiced more than once when she learned that the fragrance on her body had no effect on the emperor.
Even when he was banished to the Cold Palace by the emperor with bloodshot eyes for a moment of disrespect before the emperor before the New Year, he felt a sense of relief.
But she never imagined that life in the Cold Palace would be so harsh. There was no fine silk or satin, no comfortable bed or soft pillows, and even the food was pig swill. You might not even be able to get the pig swill if you weren't careful, and if you couldn't get it, you would go hungry.
No one knows better than her how unbearable it is to be hungry.
She couldn't go on like this anymore, she really couldn't go on like this anymore.
Just then, one of the square-faced eunuchs responsible for delivering the food suddenly smiled and took out a piece of red bean cake from the food box next to him, handing it to Ji Muqing, who was in despair.
"Your Majesty, this is an extra meal for you. Remember, don't let anyone else take it from you."
He said this with a pointed remark.
After he finished speaking, he was about to turn around and walk out of the palace with the other eunuchs who had come to deliver the food when Ji Muqing grabbed his sleeve in the next second.
"Sir, could you please tell me... why is it so lively outside today?"
Yes, it was incredibly lively.
With the dreadful presence of Situ Yin, the entire palace was more desolate and quiet than any other place. Everyone in the palace, whether concubines or serving maids and eunuchs, moved as swiftly as cats, as if they didn't even need to breathe.
But why is it that she has only been in this cold palace for a short time, yet the outside world has suddenly become so lively?
Finally, Ji Muqing learned from this square-faced eunuch, whose attitude was relatively mild, that a banquet was to be held in the palace, and that it was Emperor Situ Yin who had taken the initiative to issue the decree to hold it.
But how could that be?
That's Situ Yin!
The slightest sound would give him a splitting headache, and he wished he could kill everyone he could see in one go. This was not the same Situ Yin who loved to eat, drink, and have fun, and who would hold a talent show to select two beauties to accompany his late emperor.
How could that be?
What exactly happened?
Ji Muqing's mind was slightly dazed.
However, Situ Yin is not the most important person right now. Even if he were to host a banquet, or even if he grew wings and flew in the sky, she would not want to have any contact with him at all.
She was utterly fed up with living with her head hanging over her neck every day, knowing that she might fall off at any moment.
Thinking of this, Ji Muqing hurriedly broke open the red bean cake in her hand. As soon as she got the note inside, the red bean cake disappeared instantly.
Ji Muqing looked up in disbelief and saw a thin, dry woman wearing thick cotton clothes moving her mouth incessantly, even licking the crumbs of pastry from her fingers. Ji Muqing felt nauseous at the sight.
Seeing that she had finished the red bean cake she had snatched, and was still staring at the half-eaten steamed bun in Ji Muqing's hand with shining eyes, Ji Muqing was startled and immediately stuffed the whole thing into her mouth without caring about the texture of the steamed bun.
Seeing that the steamed buns were gone, the pale and withered woman pursed her lips and left.
Ji Muqing was left standing alone, choking on her steamed bun for a long time, unable to catch her breath. After finally swallowing the bun, tears fell from her eyes. She raised her hand and wiped her slightly rough face, which hadn't been touched with perfume for more than half a month. The woman in white took a deep breath.
She couldn't cry, or her face would be ruined. She still had hope. Sure enough, her grandfather contacted her. He was the prime minister; he must have a way to get her out.
Ji Muqing, who kept telling herself this in her heart, quickly calmed down. Then, she clenched the note in her hand, avoided the crazy women, found a secluded place, and carefully opened Ji Xiang's letter.
The beginning of the letter was almost entirely filled with her grandfather's worries and care for her. As she read it, Ji Muqing couldn't help but smile.
Unfortunately, after only a short while, Ji Muqing's eyes widened, and her hands began to tremble slightly. By the time she finished reading all the text, it wasn't just her hands that were trembling; her entire body was shaking violently, and even her teeth were chattering.
Her grandfather gave up on her.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated in the letter, the implication was that she should take care of herself and hope for the best.
Hehe, hehehehe.
With her pale face, Ji Muqing couldn't help but burst into laughter. As she laughed, large tears began to fall.
What did her grandfather say when she realized that Situ Yin was interested in her and hesitated?
He said that now that the Empress's position is still undecided, it is the perfect time for her to enter the palace. Moreover, the new emperor has taken a liking to her. How can an unambitious Helan Ruo compare to the ruler of the world?
He told her to think carefully about herself and her family. The new emperor was cold and ruthless. It was alright for Princess Qingping to be alive now, but if she died later, it was uncertain whether Helan Ruo could keep her title. Rather than marrying him and hoping for that uncertain position of Duchess, she should go to the palace and try her luck for the position of Empress. Even if she didn't win, she could still keep her position as a concubine.
No matter what, the Ji family will always be her support.
They spoke so sweetly before, but now, as soon as they learn she's been banished to the Cold Palace, they're trying to keep their distance and tell her to fend for herself, right?
These are her family members, these are her family members!
Hahaha.
May you have good fortune?
In such a desolate place, how could she possibly hope for the best? She was terrified that one day she would either be beaten to death by these crazy women, or freeze to death, starve to death, or die of illness.
Rather than die such a miserable and ugly death, she would rather stay by Situ Yin's side, at least she would have enough to eat and wear.
Ji Muqing, clutching the note tightly in her hand, was filled with despair; she couldn't even see where her future lay.
what to do?
what to do?
What should she do?
Is this the only way she can live the rest of her life...?
Just as she thought of this, Ji Muqing suddenly raised her head.
No, she hasn't reached a dead end yet. Her family doesn't care about her, she still has Helan... she still has Helan!
She had never been so grateful that she had always liked to leave herself an out, and that even though she chose to enter the palace, she had not ruined her image in Helan Ruo's heart.
Even if no one else in the world cares about her, Helan will never abandon her.
She saved him when he was a child, when his kind second uncle had someone push him into a lake in winter.
From then on, Helan Ruo became her little shadow, and kept saying that he would marry her when he grew up and would never forget her for the rest of his life.
He said it.
At this moment, Ji Muqing felt as if she had grasped a lifeline, and kept thinking about this.
She was certain that Helan Ruo would be willing to do anything if she asked him to find a way to rescue her from this cold palace.
But if Helan Ruo had simply rescued her, she would probably have to live in darkness forever.
No, she absolutely refused to live that kind of life.
If only she hadn't entered the palace, she would have been Helan Ruo's rightful wife. Given Helan Ruo's personality, he would have surely treated her like royalty.
Unfortunately, Helan is now married, and his wife has become a concubine in the imperial harem.
Ji Muqing's eyes were filled with disappointment. If only there were a way to switch places with Helan's wife...
Just as she thought of this, an incredibly bright light flashed in Ji Muqing's eyes.
She then hurriedly stood up, not even caring about her numb legs, and finally retrieved a letter that her grandfather had once written to her from a hidden compartment in her bundle.
The woman, breathing heavily, searched through the letter until she finally found what she was looking for: her uncle, who roamed the martial arts world, had recently encountered a reclusive master who could change faces.
Face swap! Face swap!
Upon seeing these two words, Ji Muqing's eyes brightened.
If she could convince her grandfather that He Lanruo had unexpectedly encountered this reclusive master of face-changing techniques, she could then make another request...
Thinking of this, Ji Muqing looked at her pale wrist. She could write a letter in blood to He Lanruo. She didn't believe he wouldn't feel heartache or be moved.
As long as one can live a carefree, wealthy, and leisurely life, what does it matter if one is wearing another woman's face?
Moreover, according to her grandfather's letter, this Qin family's Tang Ning was also an absolute beauty, so she had even less reason to care.
Thinking of this, Ji Muqing clenched the note in her hand tightly, a look of determination flashing in her eyes.
Unaware that someone had already begun plotting against her beautiful face, Tang Ning's carriage finally stopped in front of the palace gate.
Who would have thought that fate would bring them together again? Just as she and Helan Ruo got off their carriage, Wei Jing and Qin Qianqian also got off their own carriage.
Heaven knows how Qin Qianqian, a mere concubine, could be qualified to attend such an occasion; perhaps she and Wei Jing had reached some kind of agreement.
Anyway, it has nothing to do with her.
The moment Helan Ruo encountered Wei Jing, she subconsciously glanced at Tang Ning beside her. Seeing Tang Ning's demure expression, she subtly shielded her from view, making sure that Wei Jing couldn't see a single corner of her clothing.
Even though Wei Jing couldn't see Tang Ning, he was still staring at her with a slightly absent-minded expression.
Tang Ning...
Standing beside him, Qin Qianqian could easily see Wei Jing's lingering affection and deep feelings for Tang Ning. She was right next to him, and Tang Ning was already married to someone else, so why couldn't Wei Jing forget her? And even for Tang Ning's sake, he hadn't... hadn't consummated the marriage with her yet.
Who would believe that she, who had been married to Wei Jing for several days, was still a virgin?
Not to mention that on their wedding night, he got drunk alone in the snow. If the servants hadn't noticed something was wrong, she would probably have been widowed right after marrying him.
However, her current life is no different from that of a widow.
Even though she was desperate to see Tang Ning, she refused to go back with him on the third day after her wedding. Later, she overheard his conversation with the Princess Consort of Jian and learned that he was afraid that if he saw Tang Ning, he would do something that would damage her reputation. Since Tang Ning was doing well now, he would just watch from afar.
Oh.
If she hadn't cried and made a scene, he probably wouldn't have accompanied her back to this gate. Even after they got back, he was completely captivated when he unexpectedly saw half of Tang Ning's face peeking out from the carriage.
In the end, he actually left her alone in the general's mansion and left on his own.
It can be said that all the humiliation Qin Qianqian has suffered in her life was brought to her by Wei Jing and Tang Ning.
She holds grudges the most.
Wei Jing was her husband; if he were to fall, they would both fall, and she had no choice.
Is there really no way to deal with Tang Ning?
You have to understand that she risked half her life to get into the palace today. After all, as a concubine, it wasn't easy for her to have the chance to meet Tang Ning, who was already married. So today's Spring Festival banquet was especially important.
Most importantly, she really didn't want to see Tang Ning continue to be so smug.
She didn't want to hear any more about Helan Ruo spending lavishly for his beloved wife, practically emptying half of Jinyuxuan.
If the information she gathered was correct, there was a place in the palace that the former palace servants seemed to be particularly secretive about, fearful and wary of. No matter how much money she spent, they were unwilling to utter a single word.
Pixiang Hall.
Such a mysterious and wonderful place, perfect for burying Tang Ning...!
Yes, she wants her dead!
She couldn't wait any longer and wanted Tang Ning to die right in front of her!
Arriving at the so-called Spring Festival banquet, Qin Qianqian, facing the mocking gazes of almost everyone present, thought to herself.
Because the eldest princess was in a hurry to find out how the banquet was arranged, and Madam Qin was standing in another courtyard, Tang Ning was left alone.
Before anyone else could even approach Tang Ning to chat, Qin Qianqian immediately stood in front of her.
"elder sister."
Upon seeing her, Tang Ning frowned slightly, but before she could speak...
Qin Qianqian, tears streaming down her face, grabbed her sleeve. "I know I did wrong before, but haven't I already been punished enough? Not only have I been... I've become a concubine who can't be brought to the table, and I'm ridiculed by everyone. Now even you, sister, don't want to talk to me anymore? I know it was all my fault before. I apologize to you. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I spoke without thinking before. Can you please not be angry with me anymore?"
Hearing Qin Qianqian's words, Tang Ning let out a deep breath, "You..."
Before she could even finish speaking, Qin Qianqian's tears had already started falling.
Seeing her like this, Tang Ning struggled for a moment, but her attitude softened in the end.
It must be admitted that Qin Qianqian is quite capable of pleasing someone if she wants to. Sure enough, in no time, Tang Ning was chatting with her, who had stopped crying and started laughing.
After chatting for only a short while, she looked troubled and said that the way people were looking at her was making her very uncomfortable. She asked if they could find a quieter place to chat.
Should we go somewhere else?
Tang Ning watched in surprise as the other person led her through a maze of turns, getting deeper and deeper into the palace. Finally, she stopped. "Qianqian, this is the palace, not outside. We shouldn't be wandering around like this. What if we're discovered..."
"You're right, we shouldn't wander off."
Qin Qianqian smiled and looked at Tang Ning standing behind her. "We've arrived."
"What's here?"
"that is……"
Qin Qianqian took two steps forward, then suddenly reached out and shoved Tang Ning into the room behind her. No matter how much Tang Ning banged on the door or shouted, she simply blocked the door with a wooden bolt, then curled the corner of her lips and ran away without looking back.
Meanwhile, before the Spring Festival banquet began, they had already seen the appearance of almost all the female guests clearly. They even sent out all the secret guards to search house to house for the appearance of the female guests who had not come.
After spending a full hour without success, Situ Yin was almost unable to suppress his unbearable headache due to the excessive noise.
To prevent the festive spring banquet from turning into a bloodbath, Situ Yin turned around and quickly headed straight for his Pixiang Palace.
Inside were incense prepared by his imperial physicians to suppress his headaches, perhaps...
Situ Yin strode to the front of the Pixiang Hall, saw the wooden bolt blocking the door, kicked it aside, and pushed the door open forcefully.
Standing in the hall, Tang Ning was startled by the sound and turned her head sharply...
Author's Note: Ding! Hello, dear customer Situ Yin!
Your Empress has been delivered to Pixiang Palace by courier Qianqian250. Please check your mail promptly!
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