This luminous pearl from the East Sea was a treasure that the King of Beili had obtained with great difficulty. It was only after Yaolan begged for a long time that her brother reluctantly parted with it and allowed her to bring it to the Great Chu.
Consort Jiang is the Regent's mother, so I should take good care of her.
She had heard that Xiao Yanchu listened to his mother very much. If he could win over Consort Jiang, wouldn't it be easier for him to marry into the Regent's Palace?
"Aya, this banquet is the best opportunity you can have. You have to seize it. Whether you can see your brother or not depends on this."
"Please rest assured, Your Highness, Aya will do her utmost," Aya said respectfully.
*
Five days later, the Regent's Palace was bustling with activity, with carriages from various noble families lining the entire street to attend the banquet.
This was the first banquet held by the Regent's Palace. All the invited officials in the capital attended with their wives and children, and some officials of lower rank also sent congratulatory gifts.
Li Yuansheng and Shuangxi also presented congratulatory gifts to Consort Jiang on behalf of the Emperor and Empress Dowager.
Steward Zhang had been busy arranging everything since early morning. With the Prince's mansion hosting such a grand banquet, he had to make proper arrangements for everything, from the kitchen's food preparation to the opera troupe and the singing and dancing during the banquet.
At this moment, Steward Zhang hoped that Su Ruojin, the future princess, could enter the mansion as soon as possible, so that many matters could be decided by the princess.
Although Steward Zhang also approved of Su Ruojin as the princess consort and secretly prepared betrothal gifts with Hu Qing, it was not appropriate to bother her now since the princess consort had not yet officially married into the royal family.
The Dowager Consort had just recovered from her illness, so it was impossible for her to be disturbed. The Prince simply dismissed her with a "You decide what to do."
Butler Zhang had no choice but to take on all the responsibilities himself, running back and forth between the front and back yards, constantly busy.
"Old Song, have all the groceries been delivered?"
"Butler Zhang, everything has been delivered and placed in the yard."
"Aunt Li, where's the fish? Has it been delivered yet?"
"They've all been delivered and are being processed."
"Ade, go check if the opera troupe has arrived yet. Keep an eye on them."
"Alright, keep a close eye on things and make sure nothing goes wrong. If you do a good job, the Prince will reward you," Steward Zhang said to the servants.
"Yes, Steward Zhang."
Inside Yilan Courtyard.
Aunt Sulan was fixing the Dowager's makeup when she said with a smile, "The Prince really cares about the Dowager. All the important people in the capital have come today. I heard from the maid in the front courtyard that the gifts sent are almost overflowing. He even invited your favorite opera troupe."
Consort Jiang also smiled broadly: "Chu'er has always been filial. Has Princess Yaolan arrived yet?"
Aunt Sulan nodded: "We've arrived, everyone's here."
Aunt Sulan helped the Dowager Consort change into a royal blue silk dress. After tidying her up, she said, "Dowager Consort, it's almost time. Let me help you out."
Consort Jiang nodded.
As soon as Consort Jiang arrived at the main hall, someone announced, "The Consort has arrived."
The guests stopped their conversation and bowed to the Dowager Consort, saying, "We wish the Dowager Consort good health."
Xiao Yanchu stepped forward, bowed to the Dowager Consort, and sat down to the side.
"Thank you all for coming. Please have a seat," said Consort Jiang, and everyone rose and took their seats.
Su Ruojin's current status is just an ordinary doctor in the manor, so it's impossible for her to sit with these noble ladies.
Xiao Yanchu, under the pretext of taking care of the young master, asked Su Ruojin to sit to the side with the young master.
Princess Yaolan, being a princess of Beili, held a different status and sat below the Dowager Consort, where she naturally saw Su Ruojin, who was taking care of the Crown Prince.
A hint of resentment flashed in his eyes.
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