Chapter 864 The Truth - Twenty Years Ago 25
The general's wife was originally Miss Ji's stepmother. Hearing her daughter say this, she quickly patted her daughter in comfort.
"It's alright, your mother will take care of it for you."
As the general's wife spoke, she raised her eyes and glared at Ji Xiangwan, her eyes filled with reproach and questioning, as if no one else was around.
"Come here and apologize to your sister." The general's wife spoke in a forceful tone.
Without asking any questions, he simply made Ji Xiangwan apologize on his own.
Seeing Ji Xiangwan puffing out her cheeks and forcing herself to stay upright, the old lady couldn't bear it any longer.
"It's those dogs barking. She's just a lowly hussy from a brothel, yet she dares to speak to the legitimate young lady like that. Looks like that bastard from the Ji family has spoiled her rotten. Doesn't she know where she is? Is this a place for someone like her to come here?"
The general's wife hated nothing more than people talking about her birth. Over the years, she had gone to great lengths to enter high society.
Everyone had almost forgotten about her background, but when the old lady mentioned it, everyone suddenly looked over.
"Madam, I don't think I've offended you at all?"
The general's wife felt the intense gazes of everyone around her, so she couldn't help but turn her attention to the old lady.
"You have not offended me, but as my stepmother, how can I stand by and watch you bully my future granddaughter-in-law like this?"
Although the old lady was quite old, she still spoke with great confidence.
He glanced at his daughter-in-law beside him and said, "Go back and select a few maids to send to Xiang Wan. I'd like to see who dares to make things difficult for my granddaughter-in-law before the wedding."
The old lady had spent decades in the backyard and knew very well what Ji Xiangwan, as a motherless child, would face upon returning.
However, since she had stood up for her, she naturally couldn't just watch Ji Xiangwan have a hard time at home, which is why she said that.
Lady Hou originally wanted to stand up for Ji Xiangwan, and upon hearing the old lady's words, she naturally agreed without hesitation.
Just then, the Empress arrived. She had heard what the old lady had said and, after contacting the palace maid, learned that the second young lady of the General's Mansion had said some truly offensive things to the eldest young lady.
"Today's banquet is to welcome the envoys from both countries. General's wife and second young lady, it's a good occasion, so you should go back first!"
The moment the Empress appeared, she uttered these words.
The general's wife was startled and immediately knelt down.
"Your Majesty, I was momentarily confused and spoke nonsense. Please forgive me this time."
Just kidding, attending a banquet at the palace on such an important occasion is a blessing that countless people would kill for. She had originally hoped that her daughter could make a name for herself at the banquet and thus secure a good marriage.
But now, the Empress is actually telling them to go back; how can they accept that?
Most importantly, if they leave today, once the news spreads, what official's family would dare to invite them in the future?
Miss Ji also thought of this, so she knelt down along with the general's wife.
He had hoped to beg for the Empress's forgiveness, but to his surprise, the Empress waved her hand and several eunuchs came forward.
"Please, both of you!"
The people inside were initially quite polite, but when they saw that the two wouldn't leave, they had no choice but to go forward and try to drag them away.
"No, I won't leave, Your Majesty, you can't let us go."
The general's wife had only been to the palace twice in total, and today was such a special occasion, so she stubbornly refused to leave.
But the inner palace was not a place where someone like her could call the shots. Several eunuchs dragged the mother and daughter out, while the Empress didn't even give them a glance.
"These days, there are all sorts of people. What kind of place is the imperial palace? How could she possibly come here?"
The Empress waited until everyone had gone far away before glancing at the old lady, which was considered a great honor for her.
The group sensed something amiss in the Queen's Flower, and immediately began to plot their next move.
It seems that the general's family and the others can no longer associate with each other after they return. Otherwise, if the Empress finds out, how will they maintain their standing in the capital?
Apart from the eldest daughter, everyone else in General Ji's mansion was kicked out. However, since the eldest daughter was used to being alone, it didn't have much of an impact.
"Thank you for your frankness, Your Majesty."
Since they had done her a favor, the old lady immediately led the Lady Hou and Ji Xiangwan to pay their respects.
"Please get up, Madam. I was just stating the facts."
The Empress smiled as she spoke, then her gaze swept across everyone's faces. "The banquet is ready. Ladies, please come with me!"
"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.
After entering the palace, the envoys did not go directly to the banquet, but first went to the emperor's study to pay their respects to the emperor.
"Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
Both Bai Xu and Xu Menglong bowed to the emperor, but did not kneel like the people of the Great Zhou did when they met the emperor.
The emperor already knew that both countries' representatives were crown princes, so naturally he wouldn't be dissatisfied over such a trivial matter.
"Your Highnesses have come from afar and must be tired from your journey. Today, I have prepared a banquet to welcome you and help you clear your way. I will take you there shortly."
The current emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty was very polite. Although his hair was already gray, he was in excellent spirits.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Emperor of Great Zhou. We are deeply grateful."
After both sides thanked the emperor, Crown Prince Bai Xu slowly stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, in addition to sending me to preside over the matters of good relations between the two countries, my father also sent my sister with him. This was already mentioned in the documents sent earlier. I wonder if Your Majesty has seen them?”
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were communicated through spies. Wei sent two documents in total. Others may not have seen them, but the emperor certainly knew about them.
Sure enough, the emperor nodded. "The marriage alliance was something that Emperor Wei and I had already discussed. However, I did not expect that your princess would be unwilling to travel thousands of miles to personally select the marriage partner."
"My father loves my sister dearly. For the sake of peace between our two countries, he had to give up his beloved. It is only natural that he would let her come and choose for herself."
Bai Xu's tone was humble but not subservient, which made the emperor nod in approval.
As expected of the Crown Prince of Wei, his every move, though understated, exuded nobility. He should keep a close eye on things from now on.
The emperor had a plan in mind, but he showed no sign of it on his face. "Your Highness the Crown Prince is right. The princess is of noble birth and should be carefully chosen."
"Your Majesty, the banquet is ready. Would Your Majesty like to proceed now?"
A servant entered from outside the door, interrupting their conversation at the opportune moment.
The other party had only been there for one day. After exchanging pleasantries, the emperor immediately led both groups of people to the main hall.
In the main hall, all the officials gathered, each standing far from their seats, waiting for the emperor's arrival.
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