Li Qingchen was somewhat relieved by her reaction; at least the young lady hadn't forgotten her kindness.
"Alright, it's getting late. Consort Wen has prepared a luncheon at Yu Cui Palace to entertain noblewomen and ladies of high rank. It wouldn't be appropriate if you didn't show up." With that, Li Qingchen stood up.
Wei Shuwan had already put on her shoes and socks and stood up, nodding: "Then, I'll go over there..."
Seeing her strange expression and her lingering as if she was reluctant to leave, Li Qingchen knew that it was just because she disliked the social engagements with Consort Wen, but he chose to interpret her expression as the young lady's reluctance to part, and said presumptuously, "Don't miss me too much, we will meet at the banquet tonight."
Annoyed by these words, Wei Shuwan walked away briskly, no longer resisting Yu Cui Palace. Li Qingchen stood in the pavilion watching her walk away before turning and leaving as well.
As Wei Shuwan stepped out of the secluded spot, she saw two rows of palace maids standing on the outer perimeter. At first, she was a little puzzled, but then she noticed the inexplicable envy on their faces when they saw her come out. She finally understood that the reason the place was secluded was because Li Qingchen had instructed them in advance.
What did Li Qingchen say? And what did they think?
Thinking about all this, Wei Shuwan blushed and quickened her pace to leave.
Inside the Jade Essence Palace, Consort Wen's banquet had already begun, and Wei Shuwan was the last to arrive. However, today was the Celebration of the Autumn Festival, and the main event was the banquet at the Hall of Heroes. The luncheon was merely an opportunity for the officials of the previous dynasty to sit and discuss matters, while the concubines and ladies-in-waiting would have a quick bite to eat. Therefore, no one thought that Wei Shuwan's late arrival was impolite, as the others were also coming and going, passing the time by chatting or enjoying the scenery.
Today's banquet is different from the last plum blossom viewing banquet. The last one was for choosing consorts for the Crown Prince and the Prince of Xiaoqiaochuan, and all the guests were young ladies from noble families. Today, however, most of those who can attend are wives of officials and noblewomen. Wei Shuwan, who is betrothed but not yet married, is a unique case.
However, apart from Wei Shuwan, there was one exception: Pan Wenjun, who was neither married nor engaged.
Pan Wenjun was stationed at the border with her father year-round, and it was rare for her to come to Shengjing. Inviting her to the palace to attend the grand banquet could be considered a favor from Emperor Pingjia to Pan Jieshi.
Pan Wenjun wasn't familiar with these noble ladies in Shengjing; they were only acquaintances who exchanged greetings. When she saw Wei Shuwan arrive, her tense nerves finally relaxed. She went to the window to greet her and affectionately took Wei Shuwan's hand, saying, "Shuwan, you've finally come! I've been so bored here all by myself!"
Wei Shuwan smiled knowingly: "Who isn't?"
"By the way, Shuwan, you weren't here just now, so you might not know something."
"What?" Wei Shuwan raised an eyebrow.
Pan Wenjun sighed before saying, "I just heard them say that this morning a minister met with the Emperor and said that since all the prisons are full, it would be better to take this opportunity to grant a general amnesty, pardoning all except the ten most heinous crimes! If that happens, your wicked sister will be released again before she has even been judged."
Pan Wenjun spoke with a hint of resentment, which made Wei Shuwan, the person involved, even more indignant. This meant that not only would Caidie be released, but Wei Chengxu, who had harmed Axiu to this extent, would also be released.
Her delicate brows furrowed, yet she was helpless. "It really is too easy on them."
Pan Wenjun could only comfort her, saying, "However, I heard that although imprisonment can be pardoned, they will have to suffer some whipping as compensation for the victims. It can be considered a lesson for them. Shuwan, you should think it through and not take it too seriously. After all, this is the Emperor's decree, and you must not disobey it."
Wei Shuwan smiled helplessly: "Everyone in this world has their own destiny. There are many things we can only do our best in. Since Heaven intends to spare them, I can only accept my fate."
Hearing her say that, Pan Wenjun breathed a sigh of relief. The two spent the rest of the afternoon eating, drinking, and strolling around. At the beginning of the 5-7 PM, a palace servant came to remind them that it was time to go to Jiying Hall.
Therefore, Wei Shuwan and Pan Wenjun followed the crowd and left Yucui Palace to attend the grand banquet.
One of them had been stationed on the frontier for a long time, while the other had only been in Shengjing for two years. Neither of them had ever attended such a grand banquet before, so they were filled with both trepidation and anticipation along the way. When they were still dozens of steps away from the Jiying Hall, they could hear waves of music wafting from inside, interspersed with the hearty laughter of adults exchanging greetings.
Those who could attend such a grand palace banquet were all prominent officials, nobles, and powerful families, and even envoys from various countries who came to congratulate the Emperor of Daye on his birthday. Apart from the Jade Terrace where the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince were seated, everyone else was seated on both sides, leaving the central hall as a dance floor.
Now that the position of Empress is vacant, Consort Wen is temporarily acting as the head of the six palaces, and thus she is able to sit in the position that originally belonged to the Empress, only the phoenix chair has been downgraded and replaced with a rose chair.
The arrangement on both sides of the main hall was not based on gender today, but on civil and military officials. Civil officials sat on the left, and military officers on the right, with their families naturally seated alongside their respective heads of household, making it a two-person table.
After Wei Shuwan and Pan Wenjun followed the crowd into the hall, they quietly asked the official in charge of seating them from the Ministry of Rites to arrange for them to sit together, preferably at the end of the table where they wouldn't attract attention.
Unexpectedly, the official bowed and smiled at Wei Shuwan, apologizing, "Madam Wei, please forgive me for being unable to comply. You should sit with Prince Xiaoqiaochuan tonight."
Wei Shuwan was taken aback. She knew that she was able to attend such an occasion tonight because of Li Qingchen, but she didn't know that she would have to go out and come in with him.
Although Pan Wenjun felt a little regretful, she still advised him in the spirit of helping others, "Yes, Shuwan, you should go to the young prince's place. I'll go keep my father company too."
Seeing Pan Wenjun say this, Wei Shuwan gave up the idea of struggling any further and could only nod and follow the Ministry of Rites official to the front of the line.
Li Qingchen was the heir apparent of the Prince of Qiaochuan and the adopted son of Emperor Pingjia. He was seated with the other princes. When Wei Shuwan walked over, she exchanged a glance with Li Qingchen from a distance, and then noticed that countless eyes were on her from all around.
Those who could sit in the front row were either princes or princesses, or members of the royal family. Even though Wei Shuwan was not usually a stage fright, she found it difficult to remain completely calm in such an occasion.
Therefore, she lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding eye contact with everyone. When she sat down, she didn't even dare to glance at Li Qingchen next to her, and just sat down based on her intuition.
Before her bottom even touched the embroidered cushion, she heard a rapid "cough" beside her. It was clear that Li Qingchen wanted to remind her of something, and Wei Shuwan hurriedly raised her eyelids.
Li Qingchen's location was much closer than she had predicted; the two were practically touching.
This startled Wei Shuwan, and she quickly realized what was happening, immediately trying to stop herself from sitting down. However, it was too late; she couldn't stop herself at this point…
Then, she just watched as Li Qingchen plopped down on his lap.
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