Tang Nian was about to refuse, but then she remembered that her body was injured. If something really happened, it might be better to have Lou Mu's help.
During the night, apart from Tang Nian suddenly sitting up a few times and muttering to herself, which startled Lou Mu awake, nothing else happened.
The next day was the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
Lou Mutian left the manor before dawn, instructing Jingyao not to let Tang Nian be late.
Tang Nian, on the other hand, lazily turned over, looked at the sunlight outside the window, and wrapped the quilt around herself even more.
Jingyao urged the person inside the room to get up again and again, but the person inside showed no sign of getting up.
She dislikes sunlight, and the commotion she caused yesterday kept her from sleeping well. To make matters worse, it was the Empress Dowager's birthday, which meant she had to get up early, so it's no wonder she was so reluctant to get out of bed.
Lou Mu had returned from the palace, changed his clothes, and was standing in the courtyard waiting for Tang Nian to get up.
The servant was extremely anxious. He glanced at the scorching sun and bowed, saying, "Sir, if we don't set off soon, we might miss the banquet."
"The banquet is still an hour away, how can we be late?" Lou Mu was also a little anxious, but he still reprimanded them.
Tang Nian hasn't been feeling well these days and is in the recovery period, so it's normal for her to be a little sleepy.
About an incense stick's time later, Tang Nian reluctantly asked someone to help her wash up and get dressed.
Because today was a grand banquet in the palace, Tang Nian was dressed in layers upon layers of clothing, and the maid beside her said that the formal attire should naturally be more luxurious.
Upon arriving at the palace gate, an eunuch was there to greet them.
The newcomer bowed to Lou Mu, but his gaze fell on Tang Nian.
"Lord Lou, this servant is ordered by the Empress Dowager to take Miss Tang to the palace."
Tang Nian glanced at Lou Mu, and after receiving an affirmative answer, she lifted her foot to follow her father-in-law's steps.
Jing Yao followed behind.
The further Tang Nian walked into the palace, the heavier the black aura became, and she frowned uncomfortably.
I don't know how Lou Mu managed to endure running to the palace every day.
Before long, the old man who was leading the way stopped, bent down and pointed inside: "Miss Tang, we've arrived."
Tang Nian looked up at the plaque in front of the door, and without hesitation, stepped inside.
"Eh—"
Jingyao was stopped by her father-in-law.
"Wait a minute, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager said that only Miss Tang is allowed to go."
Although the eunuch lived deep within the palace, he recognized Jing Yao, a favorite of Lou Mu. He spoke with even greater respect: "I'll trouble Miss Jing to wait outside the hall."
"Then you can stay here." Tang Nian stopped and turned to look at Jing Yao.
Jing Yao was reluctant. The wound from the punishment she received a few days ago was still aching. If Tang Nian went alone and something happened, she wouldn't be able to explain it to Lou Mu.
She was about to speak again, but then she remembered that this was the palace, so she had to give up.
Tang Nian was led all the way to the Empress Dowager's bedroom.
"May Your Majesty the Empress Dowager be well."
The Empress Dowager sat high above, exuding an imposing aura without anger, and said in a deep voice, "Rise."
Tang Nian remained composed and met the Empress Dowager's scrutinizing gaze. Her already beautiful appearance was further enhanced by her luxurious attire.
This made even the Empress Dowager in front of him feel a little gloomy.
With just one glance, the Empress Dowager was stunned by the appearance of the person in front of her.
With such a beautiful face, it's no wonder she could captivate the prime minister, who was usually indifferent to women.
"I heard you're a Taoist master?"
Tang Nian was somewhat surprised. How could the Empress Dowager know that she had come to the capital in disguise?
Could it be Lou Mu?
Despite all the trouble that has happened in the capital, she has never heard of what the Empress Dowager has done inside.
Thinking this way, Tang Nian didn't hide it any longer: "I dare not call myself a Celestial Master, I just know some tricks."
That's what she said, but the Empress Dowager didn't believe that Lou Mu would like a woman who only had looks.
She has always believed in Taoism, and whether Tang Nian has any real ability can be determined by testing him.
The Empress Dowager smiled faintly and beckoned for someone to bring over several talismans: "Tell me, what do these talismans mean?"
For a Taoist priest, catching ghosts and drawing talismans are basic skills and the best way to test one's abilities.
The maid immediately presented the talisman to Tang Nian.
At a glance, Tang Nian recognized these items. Without hesitation, she replied, "Your Majesty, these are all amulets."
The Empress Dowager smiled, convinced that Tang Nian lacked ability, and felt somewhat disappointed: "You should still..."
“However…” Tang Nian interrupted, “The second talisman is somewhat unusual. At first glance, it looks like a protective talisman, but upon closer inspection, one can discover the secrets within it.”
Tang Nian reached out to take the talisman, but was scolded by the maid in front of her.
"How dare you! These are all protective talismans given to the Empress Dowager by the Celestial Master. How dare you touch them!"
The Empress Dowager had always been a believer in Taoism, but Emperor Chu drove away the Taoist priests and forbade the keeping of talismans in the palace. If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's prestige, Emperor Chu would probably have thrown these talismans away as well.
The Empress Dowager raised her hand to interrupt the maid, signaling her not to disturb Tang Nian.
Tang Nian took the second talisman, made a hand gesture, and the moment she touched the talisman, the characters on it changed, becoming a completely different talisman.
"It's an exorcism talisman."
It seems the Empress Dowager knew something; in order to avoid the Chu Emperor, she ordered someone to tamper with the talisman.
Seeing Tang Nian's abilities, the Empress Dowager was immediately pleased and couldn't help but clap her hands in approval.
"I never expected you to be just as Ah Jun said, possessing such abilities." The Empress Dowager couldn't hide her joy as she praised Tang Nian highly.
So it was the Third Prince.
Tang Nian put the gifts she had prepared aside and took out a stack of talismans from her sleeve: "Your Majesty, this is a congratulatory gift that I have prepared for you."
The Empress Dowager sent someone to take it and examine it carefully.
Having been a believer for many years, she recognized most of these talismans, most of which were for exorcising ghosts and warding off evil spirits.
They were even more satisfied with Tang Nian.
It seems this girl, like me, has also noticed that something is amiss in the palace.
Thinking this, the Empress Dowager was very pleased. She looked at Tang Nian with affection and even got down from her seat to stand beside Tang Nian.
She hadn't seen the Celestial Master for a long time because of the Chu Emperor's expulsion, and she was very pleased to see Tang Nian today.
Tang Nian felt a warmth in her hand and looked down to see that the Empress Dowager had taken her hand in hers.
"Tang Nian, is it? It's getting late. Come join me for the banquet."
"yes."
The two walked hand in hand to the banquet, attracting many glances along the way. Even Jing Yao was quite surprised, wondering what had been discovered inside the hall.
At the banquet, men and women sat separately, and Tang Nian followed the Empress Dowager to the women's seats.
The Empress Dowager doted on Tang Nian and had her seat moved to the side of her.
The guests below the hall were shocked, and their eyes fell on Tang Nian, wanting to see what this woman, who was so favored by Lou Mu and the Empress Dowager, looked like.
But apart from being stunned by Tang Nian's appearance, they gained nothing.
As the banquet began, the women presented their gifts to the Empress Dowager, and each woman couldn't help but glance at Tang Nian, who was standing beside her.
The gifts were nothing more than jewelry and ornaments, which the Empress Dowager found boring. She patted Tang Nian beside her and said softly, "The gift you gave me is still the one that pleases me the most."
Inside the hall, singing and dancing filled the air, and the Empress Dowager was delighted. She kept talking to Tang Nian and asked her many questions about Taoism. After dealing with all of this, Tang Nian felt completely exhausted.
She gave Jingyao a look, then asked the Empress Dowager for permission to leave the banquet.
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