The following morning, an invitation arrived from the palace. Consort Yue was hosting a banquet, inviting the families of officials of the fifth rank and above to attend.
Lu's mother didn't want to go. She was a woman from the countryside who had never even been to the capital, let alone attended any palace banquet. So she pretended to be sick and said she was not used to the environment, so she didn't go to the palace banquet.
Gu Nanjiao didn't want to go either. She had a lot of things to do. The banquet at Qixiang Palace was clearly a trap, and she didn't want to go at all.
The messenger said that Madam Lu, being a sixth-rank lady, should cultivate relationships with the noble ladies of the capital. The Imperial Concubine has invited her to a banquet, which even first-rank ladies are expected to attend.
This made it clear that she had no choice but to go; Gu Nanjiao knew that she had to attend this trap.
Lu's mother was a little uneasy and nervously gripped Gu Nanjiao's hand: "Jiaojiao, I'm scared, can I not go?"
That's the imperial palace, a place she could never reach in her dreams. She was just a country bumpkin who had never been taught court etiquette; going there would only make her look foolish.
Gu Nanjiao patted Lu's mother's hand reassuringly: "Mother, if you don't want to go, you don't have to. Just say you're sick."
Lu's mother is getting old, and it would be difficult for her to integrate into the circle of wealthy ladies in the capital. She herself feels very uncomfortable.
She claimed to be ill and didn't go, so no one would say anything. Besides, Lu's mother had just arrived in the capital and hadn't gone out to explore yet. She always felt fear when she was in an unfamiliar place.
But Gu Nanjiao had to attend this palace banquet. She knew in her heart that there would be many more banquets like this in the future, and she could avoid them for a while, but not forever.
Fortunately, when attending the Emperor's birthday celebration, I asked the etiquette matron for some guidance, so I didn't panic when I entered the palace again.
When Gu Nanjiao arrived, Qixiang Palace was filled with laughter and joy.
In the garden and under the long corridor, some people gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing, while others exchanged polite greetings. Gu Nanjiao didn't know anyone, so she was led by the nanny to her assigned seat.
Today she wore a light pink gown covered with a white veil, the hem of which was embroidered with red plum blossoms. A white brocade belt cinched her slender waist, and her black hair was styled into a ruyi bun with a jade plum blossom hairpin in the middle. She looked somewhat casual but elegant. Combined with the plain veil on her face, she gave off a fairy-like and hazy feeling.
Before long, Gu Nanjiao attracted the attention of everyone present:
"Is she the peasant woman who presented the pictures of muskets and farm tools? You know what, you really can't tell she's a peasant woman from her attire."
"If you hadn't told me, I would have thought you were some rich young lady."
"It's a pity. I heard she's ugly and always covers her face with a veil when she goes out, otherwise she wouldn't dare to see people."
Some of the ladies sighed, while others showed disdain. They couldn't be bothered with a country bumpkin; it would only lower their status.
Gu Nanjiao was isolated, a situation she had anticipated on her way here.
So there's nothing to be upset about. Gu Nanjiao vaguely guessed that Consort Yue's purpose in hosting this banquet was not pure.
At this moment, a palace maid came to her and curtsied: "Madam Lu, Her Majesty requests your presence."
Gu Nanjiao nodded: "Lead the way!"
After she left, the ladies and young women erupted in uproar again:
"Why did Your Majesty invite her in alone? We've been standing here for ages, and Your Majesty hasn't summoned her."
Soon, Gu Nanjiao followed her maid to the main hall of Qixiang Palace. Inside, many noble ladies of high rank and royal wives were gathered.
The woman seated at the head of the table wore a deep purple palace dress, with large peonies embroidered on the hem, and pearl hairpins adorning her temples. She exuded elegance and nobility, with an extraordinary air about her.
This is Consort Yue.
"Greetings to the Imperial Concubine." Gu Nanjiao bowed gracefully.
This was the third time she had seen Consort Yue, the original owner's birth mother.
When we first met, she wore no makeup, no jewelry, and dressed simply, yet she looked remarkably similar to me.
Now, Gu Nanjiao can't see a single familiar trace of Consort Yue.
Consort Yue narrowed her phoenix eyes and sized up Gu Nanjiao, but did not call out to her. Instead, she chatted with the noble lady next to her.
Seeing this, everyone gloated. A country peasant woman, who had just been granted the title of a sixth-rank Confucian scholar by the emperor, had undoubtedly made many people envious.
Granny Zhou watched anxiously, and she secretly tugged at Consort Yue, indicating her purpose for today.
"Oh dear, I forgot that Madam Lu is still kneeling. Please get up."
With Consort Yue's signal, at the palace banquet, Nan Jiao was ostracized by countless ladies and young misses, and she was tired of hearing their sarcastic remarks.
Fortunately, she has a strong mental fortitude; if it were any other lady or young woman, she would probably be in tears.
Gu Nanjiao was getting annoyed by the noise. After waiting for so long, she didn't believe that Consort Yue's purpose was just to have the ladies give her a hard time.
Just as he was about to go somewhere else, he was unexpectedly splashed with tea by a palace maid when he got up.
As if she knew beforehand, Granny Zhou quickly approached the palace maid and said, "Clumsy and clumsy, get down and be punished."
The palace maid timidly took off her clothes, and Granny Zhou said apologetically, "Madam Lu, the palace maid clumsily wet your clothes. Why don't you come with me to the warm pavilion to change? Otherwise, you might lose your manners when you see the Imperial Concubine."
Gu Nanjiao touched the hairpin and hair bun in her hair and smiled, "Okay!"
Throughout the journey, Gu Nanjiao remained calm and composed, showing no signs of panic.
Qixiang Palace forbade her from bringing any palace maids in, so Cui'er stayed outside the palace. Gu Nanjiao gave her a blueprint and told her to wait at the place where Lu Yanzhao had finished his court session. If she did not leave with the other ladies and young women, Lu Yanzhao was to take the blueprint to see the emperor.
The blueprints were a wonderful design of hers, but unfortunately, there was only half of them. If the emperor had seen them, he would probably have been captivated by them.
If something were to happen to her, the emperor would not let the imperial concubine off the hook because of what was on the blueprints.
Besides, the hairpins and the things hidden in her hair pouch were all carefully made by her. If the same thing happened again, she wouldn't be lenient.
When changing clothes, Granny Zhou insisted on serving her personally, which surprised Gu Nanjiao.
Before she could react, the veil on her face was ripped off.
The moment the veil was lifted, Granny Zhou was stunned.
What a face it is! It's pitted and scarred, with pus and blood oozing from some places.
"Granny, what are you doing? Do you have to show my face to be happy?" Gu Nanjiao covered her face and cried. Granny Zhou's intention was probably that Consort Yue was worried and sent her to test her.
Gu Nanjiao cried bitterly, but Granny Zhou breathed a sigh of relief. She apologized repeatedly, "Madam Lu, I'm so sorry. It's my fault for being so clumsy. I'll find a clever maid to serve you right away."
"No!"
Gu Nanjiao believed that she was still too weak to fight back, so in order to avoid being hunted down by the Imperial Concubine again, she simply put the discarded pigskin back on her face.
Watching Granny Zhou's hurried departure, Gu Nanjiao narrowed her eyes. She sensed the murderous aura around her. If she revealed her true face, Consort Yue would probably not let her go.
Fortunately, she had made thorough preparations.
I wonder what Consort Yue will do next?
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