The Qionglin Banquet was held as usual, and it did not turn into a matchmaking meeting or a show for the granddaughter of the Han family. The emperor also took into account the face of the Queen Mother Han, and ordered Queen Mu to hold another banquet. The order sent to the officials' homes was that any young lady over the age of twelve must attend, and the new Jinshi would also be present, and the time was set for noon the next day.
"The emperor doesn't allow family members to accompany us. Who is he trying to match up, or does he have some other plan?" Old Marquis Xiao became agitated and walked around the room in circles with his hands behind his back.
"Grandfather, don't worry. As long as the emperor agrees to our conditions, your granddaughter will be fine." Xiao Yao smiled and took the old marquis' arm, and settled him back into the chair.
Having said that, Xiao Yao had a hunch that tomorrow's banquet would not be simple, and someone would definitely target her, whether it was the Queen Mother, the Han family, or other officials' families... It was all possible, because she had a face that was easy to offend people!
Even if she was worried again, Xiao Yao didn't dare to show it in front of her grandfather and parents. If she became restless now, wouldn't it make her family even more worried?
"Ping'an, remember, think twice before you act. Follow the rules. As long as you don't make mistakes in etiquette, others won't deliberately cause trouble for you in public." Tong Mingyu simply and clearly explained the things to pay attention to when entering the palace. She wished she could go with her daughter! Unfortunately, only Xiao Yao and Xiao Yuan were invited.
Xiao Yao muttered to herself: It's so easy to cause trouble when you're in a high position, isn't it? People don't need a reason at all. How many cases in history have there been of people calling a deer a horse? Saying too much might lead to more mistakes, but not saying anything might not necessarily help you escape a false accusation.
She hoped that Xiao Yuan could stay at home and go to the palace alone. If anything happened to her, at least there would be someone to accompany her grandfather. But she couldn't say this now, otherwise it would scare her family and have the opposite effect. It seemed that she had to separate from her sister after entering the palace and let her stay with the princess as much as possible. That way she would be safer.
Prince Jing's mansion was also discussing the matter of entering the palace. Prince Jing was not too worried about his daughter. Even a tiger would not eat its own cubs. The Queen Mother was Ruonan's grandmother. No matter how vicious she was, she would not harm her own granddaughter.
"Do you know why your grandmother ordered that all officials of the fifth rank and above who have daughters aged twelve or above must attend this banquet?" King Jing asked his son who was sitting quietly beside him.
"Because of Xiao Yao." Yun Yichen was no longer the boy who was isolated from the news and helpless when faced with difficulties. Four years was enough time for him to cultivate his own power and grow rapidly. Because he had people he wanted to protect and things that a child of the royal family had to do, he absolutely could not do it without his own manpower and information channels.
King Jing nodded approvingly after hearing his son's words. Chasing a wife is something you should do yourself. Your father cannot do it again and again. Besides, you don't have a clear attitude, and your father doesn't know what to do next!
"The Duke of Han's Mansion?" Yun Yichen showed a sarcastic smile. They were just another toad. The old man was right to reject them. Not to mention that the little girl was the one he liked, even for the sake of the old man's face, he could not let the boy from the Han family do whatever he wanted.
"Achen, you..." Son, if you don't express your opinion, it will be too late when the old marquis finds a suitable grandson-in-law and everything is settled.
"I will handle this matter myself. You don't have to worry about me from now on." Yun Yichen gave his father an ambiguous answer. He couldn't say sweet words, and making promises was not his style. He was more suited to talking less and doing more.
Alas! King Jing, who had long anticipated this outcome, inexplicably felt somewhat sorry for Old Marquis Xiao and Xiao Yao. His beloved darling would now have to face such an icy face every day. Had he harmed the little girl?
"You... I know what I should do and how to do it. You and Mother, please don't worry about me anymore." It was impossible for Yun Yichen to admit that he loved Xiao Yao in front of his father. Even if Xiao Yao stood across from him, he couldn't bring himself to say those words. He knew his personality was unpleasant. He couldn't be like Xiao Yao, who spouted sweet nothings as soon as she was happy.
But Yun Yichen cared for those he cared for in his own way, and once he'd chosen a path, he wouldn't easily change it. Just like this time, he knew his father had asked Empress Mu to look after the girls, but his father didn't know that he had already asked Princess Deqing to protect his younger sister and the Xiao sisters tomorrow. Of all the people in the imperial family, the Empress Dowager was most afraid of her.
"As long as you understand the importance of this matter, your father will not ask any more questions. You can handle it yourself!" King Jing patted his son's shoulder and left. This kid was too tight-lipped and he couldn't get a word out of him, so he decided not to waste his energy on him.
The next day, Xiao Yao wore a mint green lotus leaf dress, devoid of any elaborate patterns or accessories, save for three or five lotus buds embroidered on the hem. Her hair was styled in a simple style, interspersed with a few headbands and adorned with flower hairpins made of pearls and gemstones. The overall look exuded a sense of elegance and grace.
Xiao Yuan wore a yellow and blue dress and a jeweled flower crown on her head, making her look particularly cute and adorable. The jewelry the two sisters wore were all designs drawn by Xiao Yao herself, which were both novel and unique. Xiao Yao usually just wore her hair in a simple bun and a flower crown.
She didn't want to attract too much attention today, so she dressed conservatively. Unfortunately, she forgot that sometimes thoughts and reality are completely opposite.
"You two shouldn't always compromise. Some people should be avoided, some people should be ignored, and if some people dare to speak, you should not be polite." Old Marquis Xiao didn't go to exercise either. He led his granddaughter in each hand and sent them to the gate.
"Your granddaughter won't allow herself to be bullied, so don't worry! Just wait for us at home!" Xiao Yao used a coaxing tone to stop her grandfather who wanted to see her off a little longer.
"Don't get hurt. Follow the princess and don't walk around alone." The old marquis remembered a piece of advice and blamed himself in his heart. People are treacherous. Why didn't he teach his granddaughters some ways to identify conspiracies and tricks early on!
"Ping An will not let you down." Seeing the nervous expressions of the Xiao family members staring at the carriage that had already gone away, Nanny Ruan couldn't bear it and said something more.
The young disciple's cunning was every bit as good as an adult's. Last night, she had taken several detoxification pills, some cooling oil, and even a packet of leprosy from me. She had said that if she had no other choice, she would use leprosy on herself in public, and then see who would dare to target her. The young disciple also promised that she would never resort to this method unless it was absolutely necessary.
She and Xiao Yao held the same view on entering the palace this time. If the Queen Mother and the Empress did not deliberately make things difficult, then there was nothing to be afraid of. If these two took action, no matter how many people the Xiao family sent, it would be useless.
The carriage advanced slowly along the road to the palace. Xiao Yao mentally composed herself, trying to convince her sister to stay by the princess's side and remain silent no matter what happened. If today was a Hongmen Feast, she could face it alone; there was no need to involve anyone else.
Xiao Yao was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice that her carriage paused for a moment before moving forward again. Xiao Yuan was eating the melt-in-your-mouth cheese and looking at the small sketchbook, and didn't notice anything unusual.
The Jingwang Mansion convoy and the Xiao family convoy had just met at a fork in the road. Yun Yichen, for the first time, gave a fist pump to Xiao Lang, Xiao Yi, and the newly crowned runner-up Xiao Yang, waving his hand for everyone to join him. He then rode his horse to the Xiao sisters' carriage. He wanted to tell Xiao Yao that he would be fine when she entered the palace, but before he could open his mouth, he heard Xiao Yao's voice from inside the carriage.
"Ruyi, once you enter the palace, you must stay by the princess's side and don't leave her side at all. Remember?"
"And you!"
"I...I will also be with you. You have to promise me that if anyone targets me or deliberately makes things difficult for me, you will ignore them."
"How can that be? My brothers are not here, so it's my job to protect you. I'll be with you, sister. Is there anyone who wants to bully me? I won't let her succeed."
"What if that person is someone our Xiao family can't afford to offend? Can you still protect me? I'm afraid not! At that time, nothing will change except for you. That's why I want you to promise me that no matter what happens, don't say anything and just take care of yourself. Do you understand?"
"I...how can I ignore you! We share the good times and the bad times. At worst, we will be punished together!" Xiao Yuan thought that nothing serious would happen. How could someone die just by entering the palace and having a meal?
"Let me ask you, if the Queen Mother insisted on punishing me, what would you do? What could you do?"
"I……"
"How about you just promise me this once? I'll make you a new dress when we get home?"
"What happened? My sister's words made me panic. Tell me the reason!"
"It's nothing serious. The Han family came to our house a few days ago to propose marriage, but was rejected by my grandfather, parents, and grandparents. I was worried that the Queen Mother would be unhappy and make things difficult for me, so I said this."
"Will the Queen Mother make things difficult for you because of this matter?" Xiao Yuan put down his beloved sketchbook and cheese and asked.
"Maybe I'm overthinking it and nothing will happen! Just remember not to leave the princess."
"Oh!" Xiao Yuan was listless and responded casually. He could not help his sister in any way. She was always the first to rush to the front when something happened. Sisters in other families supported each other, but he was the only one who not only could not help but also asked his sister to protect him in return.
"If there is anything, we can ask our cousin the princess for help." Xiao Yuan thought of Yun Ruonan's identity and suggested excitedly.
"Princess... Princess' situation is not much better than mine!" Xiao Yao muttered to herself.
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