Jiang Mingwei looked up and her eyes met Wei Jing's.
Now, filled with joy and focused on riding horses, she failed to notice the fleeting look of amazement in Wei Jing's eyes and the slight blush on his earlobes.
"Sorry, second brother, I'm late. You didn't have to wait too long, did you?"
"No, but I just arrived. It's perfect timing that you're here, sister-in-law. Let's go then," Wei Jing coughed lightly and shook his head.
After Jiang Mingwei agreed, she urged the driver to hurry on his way.
The carriage was cramped and quiet, but Wei Jing couldn't help but keep looking at Jiang Mingwei. Today, she was wearing a navy blue horse-face skirt with a matching blue short-sleeved shirt.
She wore no jewelry, her long, dark hair tied behind her head, making her look dashing and highlighting her ethereal beauty.
Her beauty is not something built with gold and silver jewelry and expensive clothes; it is natural beauty that no one can match!
"Sister-in-law, your outfit is very suitable today."
He blurted it out almost subconsciously, and immediately regretted it afterward.
Jiang Mingwei was also taken aback, not expecting Wei Jing to praise her.
Oh no, will they misinterpret her actions today as seduction?
She could only laugh it off and offer a polite compliment: "Second brother has good taste! I spent a long time picking out this outfit! Second brother looks very dashing today. When we get there, you'll definitely charm a bunch of young ladies from official families! If you take a fancy to any of them, tell your sister-in-law, and she'll help you find a match!"
Knowing that Jiang Mingwei would occasionally blurt out some shocking remarks, Wei Jing was already used to it, but when she heard that she wanted to help him find a match...
For some reason, instead of feeling happy, he felt melancholy, which made him extremely uncomfortable. He simply nodded and did not respond.
Hua Cui looked back and forth between the two of them for a long time, and suddenly realized a somewhat terrifying truth.
But at this moment, she dared not say a word more...
Finally, we arrived at the Royal Gardens.
After getting off the carriage, there were already many carriages parked there. You could tell which family it belonged to just by looking at the family crests on them.
As expected, those invited today were all prominent families in Beijing.
Today's poetry and wine banquet is being held in a long corridor in the garden. As the two walked side by side toward that corridor, many people they encountered along the way greeted them with smiles.
Jiang Mingwei smiled back at them, thinking that she had benefited from Wei Jing's presence. However, Wei Jing turned his head, looked at her meaningfully, and said jokingly, "Today I can also say that I benefited from my sister-in-law's presence. Otherwise, why would they greet me so warmly?"
"Ah! Me?"
Jiang Mingwei pointed at herself, her face full of disbelief. What did this have to do with her?
Her husband was just a fifth-rank general. Although she was the legitimate daughter of the prime minister, her father had died and her brother did not acknowledge her. How could she be benefiting from her influence now?
Wei Jing nodded with a bright look in his eyes and said firmly, "Yes, that's right, it's all thanks to my sister-in-law."
Just as Jiang Mingwei was feeling confused, she finally understood why Wei Jing had said those words when she arrived at the corridor...
When the big girl saw her, she immediately waved to her enthusiastically.
"Mingwei, come here!"
Instantly, everyone's eyes were focused on her.
The seating arrangement today is quite particular. According to their influence in the capital from strongest to weakest, Wei Jing is placed in the left-center position of the first row, which can be considered a place he should sit in now that he enjoys the Emperor's favor.
However, according to this order, Jiang Mingwei's position should be more than ten miles away.
However, the spot that *** had prepared for her happened to be right next to her!
Seated at the same table as *** was Lady Zhang Yongzhi, wife of the Duke of Huaiguo.
At this moment, she also looked at Jiang Mingwei with a smile on her face.
The two were incredibly enthusiastic, making it hard to resist. Jiang Mingwei looked up at Wei Jing, but he remained calm and told her not to worry.
"The princess is calling you, sister-in-law, go ahead, don't worry about me, I'll take my seat myself."
After saying that, he turned around and went to find his seat.
Jiang Mingwei, feeling numb and stiff, could only walk step by step towards Da Niang and Zhang Yongzhi, and stand in front of them to bow.
Before she could even speak, the older woman grabbed her and shook her head with a faint smile.
"No need for such formalities. We're here to enjoy ourselves, so please feel free to sit down. This is a seat I specially reserved for you!"
The woman emphasized her words, and Jiang Mingwei, not understanding why, nodded and sat down, completely unaware of the murderous glares directed at her from the group of people beside her!
The big girl glanced at her sideways, her eyes full of disdain.
All seats have been assigned today, with nameplates on them, and everyone can sit as they wish.
At the central table of the large brothel, only she, Zhang Yongzhi, and Princess Anning were seated; there was still an empty seat.
As a result, many noble ladies and noblewomen wanted to sit here, hoping to exchange a few words with the Empress Dowager. If they could sit there and hold their seats, their reputation in the capital would naturally rise after the poetry and wine banquet.
No matter who came, before they could even sit down, the head maid would immediately shoo them away, saying that a distinguished guest was coming to that seat, showing them no respect whatsoever, and directly expelling them.
None of the princesses were able to sit in that position, and everyone was speculating about what kind of status was required to sit next to the Queen.
Unexpectedly, it was Jiang Mingwei!
Although her status as the legitimate daughter of the prime minister was prestigious enough, the prime minister was dead, she had married a lowly husband, and was now a widow. How could she possibly be worthy of a high-ranking official?
But she actually did it!
The fact that even the Grand Duchess and the Lady of Huaiguo treated her with such enthusiasm, treating her as an honored guest, is enough to prove that she is a capable person.
"You've finally arrived! This chair has been waiting for you for ages. If you hadn't come, someone else might have snatched it from you, and she would have been furious!"
Zhang Yongzhi spoke with a smile, while the older woman glared at her with feigned anger.
Jiang Mingwei smiled shyly and rubbed Princess Anning's head beside her.
The little girl raised her bright eyes and looked at Jiang Mingwei with anticipation, eagerly awaiting her story.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. I wonder how you've been these days?"
"All is well. Since using the medicine you gave me, all my ailments have vanished. I feel so light and comfortable now! I'm so glad I met you that day. I didn't rush to blame you, otherwise I don't know how much more suffering I would have endured. You are my lucky star!"
The big sister nodded with a smile, extremely satisfied.
Jiang Mingwei smiled with satisfaction and then turned her gaze to the Duchess of Huaiguo.
Now, she was a little uneasy.
"Then I wonder about your health, Madam..."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yongzhi smiled calmly, her expression gentle.
"I have recovered quite a bit, Madam Wei, you don't need to worry. I will never get this kind of illness again."
Jiang Mingwei hadn't yet understood what these words meant when she heard the eldest daughter-in-law casually ask, "The Duke of Huai's illness came on so suddenly, I wonder how many more days he can hold on?"
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