In the Empress's palace.
Jiang Wan was sitting on the soft couch, presenting a palace dress to the Empress.
The Empress took it, examined it carefully, and a look of satisfaction appeared in her eyes.
"This ceremonial robe was badly damaged, and only your skillful hands could repair it so perfectly in such a short time."
Jiang Wan shook her head: "My embroidery skills are mediocre. Compared to my grandmother's first-rank imperial robes, I could barely finish this."
"It's already very good," the Empress said with a smile. "I will wear it to the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet tonight."
She turned to look at Jiang Wan and frowned slightly.
"But you, why are you dressed so plainly on such a festive occasion?"
Jiang Wan wore a jade-colored brocade jasmine dress, with a light pink satin fur cape on her shoulders, looking extremely elegant.
If it weren't for the few pieces of jewelry around her temples and on her wrists, she would have looked too plain.
Jiang Wan smiled gently and said calmly.
"I am not good at dressing up, Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Just then, Pei Tang entered the room carrying a hand warmer.
Seeing Jiang Wan there, Huanhuan rushed over with a smile: "Sister Jiang."
Pei Tang hugged Jiang Wan from behind, rested his head on her shoulder, and looked at the Empress with a happy smile.
"Mother, I haven't seen Sister Jiang for a long time, and I have so much to say to her. May I have her sit with me at the banquet today?"
The Empress had always doted on her and also liked Jiang Wan. Upon hearing this, she nodded and said, "Alright, I also want to talk to A-Wan more."
Pei Tang's seat was located below hers, very close by.
Pei Tang was very happy and took Jiang Wan to eat roasted chestnuts.
"Sister Jiang, please don't blame me for taking it upon myself to do this."
She whispered.
"My junior brother asked me to take good care of you."
Jiang Wan was somewhat surprised: "Song Yu?"
"Yes."
Pei Tang nodded, then wrinkled her nose in confusion.
"Actually, I don't understand either. What danger could there be at a palace banquet? It's probably because of what happened to Lord Ji last time that he's still wary."
She patted her chest.
"But since I've promised, I'll keep my word. Anyway, I hate those people from the Song family. Why don't you come and enjoy the moon with me?"
Jiang Wan smiled and nodded, but her eyes flickered slightly.
Why would Song Yu say these things to Pei Tang in private?
Could it be that he also learned about the Illusion Moon Cult?
With a quick change of heart, she dismissed the guess.
If Song Yuruo had received the news, she would have told herself to take precautions in advance, instead of going through such a long and complicated process to ask Pei Tang for help.
Jiang Wan sat in the Empress's palace for a while, and people came one after another to pay their respects.
Before taking their seats, the ladies and women of each household had to come to the Empress's Palace first.
Jiang Wan sat to the side and saw some familiar faces.
For example, Lady Shang, after paying her respects to the Empress, came to talk to Jiang Wan with a smile.
Jiang Wan exchanged a few pleasantries with her and then asked, "Where is Sister Sun?"
“She’s quite far along in her pregnancy and her health is delicate, so it’s not convenient for her to go out,” said Madam Shang. “When you have some free time, we can go to her residence together to see her.”
Jiang Wan smiled and agreed.
Looking up, I saw Xu Shu again.
Xu Shu came to the banquet with the wife of the Imperial Censor, Madam Zhang. When she met Jiang Wan's gaze, she nodded slightly, her cheerful eyes revealing goodwill, and secretly winked at her.
It seems that Xu Shu is doing quite well after the marriage with Pei Xi was called off.
Jiang Wanxin found it amusing and nodded slightly to her.
Before long, Madam Yuan arrived with Gu Yurong and Aunt Ru.
Seeing Jiang Wan dressed simply, Madam Yuan frowned in surprise.
Just a few days ago she went on a grand shopping spree for clothes and jewelry, but in the end she dressed simply now.
Wasn't she supposed to be granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Concubine? What exactly is Jiang Wan up to?
Jiang Wan noticed the gaze of the matriarch, but she naturally had no intention of explaining to her. She looked at the group with a smile in her eyes.
When she saw Gu Yurong's luxurious and dazzling attire, she almost burst out laughing.
Gu Yurong's features are delicate and refined, not suited to such glamorous makeup.
In her past life, she was gentle and considerate, like a willow in early spring, graceful and charming.
Deliberately trying to outshine others only resulted in them falling behind.
Indeed, people only bluff when they lack confidence.
The women in the palace were all shrewd; which one of them couldn't see through Gu Yurong's intentions? On the surface, they smiled and laughed, but in their hearts, they couldn't help but feel contempt.
The Empress only glanced at her, gave a brief greeting to the Madam Yuan, and then turned her gaze to Aunt Ru.
"This must be Zhao'er. She looks so intelligent and will surely be exceptionally clever when she grows up."
She smiled and praised him, then had someone give him a reward.
Aunt Ru was flattered and grateful, and hugged Song Zhao to express her thanks.
Gu Yurong, standing to the side, gritted her teeth, so angry that she almost tore her handkerchief to pieces.
She couldn't stand staying there, so she went to Consort Yun's place with a dark expression.
The banquet was about to begin, and the ladies of the household rose together with the Empress.
Jiang Wan deliberately waited a few steps before Aunt Ru.
"There will be many people and eyes at the palace banquet today, so remember to keep a close eye on Zhao'er and never let her out of your sight," she said softly. "Even if something happens, don't panic. I have already told Yu'er to take care of you and your child."
Aunt Ru nodded repeatedly.
Being able to attend the palace banquet was a blessing she never dared to dream of, so naturally she had to be careful in everything she did.
"Relax, don't be nervous."
Jiang Wan said with a smile.
She remembered that in her previous life, the people of the Illusion Moon Sect came straight for Emperor Jingyuan, without harming any of the other women.
Therefore, she felt at ease letting Aunt Ru and Song Zhao come.
Jiang Wan looked around, then stuffed something into Aunt Ru's hand and whispered a few words in her ear.
Aunt Ru carefully noted it down and nodded to her.
This year's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet will be held in the Pixiang Hall.
The ministers and ladies-in-waiting took their seats in turn.
Emperor Jingyuan sat in the very center of the high platform, with Jiang Wan sitting below the Empress, followed by Pei Tang. All around them were imperial guards in golden armor, carrying swords.
Jiang Wan glanced around.
If trouble were to arise, the target of the Illusion Moon Cult would be Emperor Jingyuan. Her position was neither conspicuous nor intimidating, and she was well-guarded, making her very safe.
Below the stage, in the Song family's seating area, Gu Yurong was frowning as she looked at Biluo behind her.
What are you doing here?
Aunt Ru smiled and said, "This is my first time attending a palace banquet. Madam Jiang was worried that I might not know the etiquette, so she specially asked Miss Biluo to give me some pointers."
Gu Yurong disliked Biluo as soon as she saw her.
Moreover, Jiang Wan sent a personal maid here, which made her feel that she had ill intentions. She sneered, "With me here, you can ask me anything you don't understand. Let Biluo go back to serve her sister."
Seeing that another argument was about to break out, the matriarch glanced back.
She knew that Biluo, the maid, knew some martial arts.
It's better that she's not by Jiang Wan's side. If things get chaotic, Jiang Wan will be in more danger without anyone to protect her.
The matriarch said, "It's not worth wasting time talking about a mere maid. Let her stay."
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