Chapter 317: Who Is That Person?

Because of the Qiao family matter, some gossip‑loving people actually started to quarrel, nearly resorting to violence in the tea house; it was truly speechless.

On the 28th, Yuan Jiaqi took annual leave, and when he returned he was holding a request notice.

Qiao Mai saw him frowning, his face full of difficulty, and asked.

"What's wrong?"

"In previous years the emperor never held a banquet in the palace; now that the state is just a bit better, he has started to trouble us."

He angrily threw the notice onto the table, and Qiao Mai raised an eyebrow.

"Then you should go. He's been suppressed for so many years, wronged for so many years; finally he can lift his head and breathe freely. Holding it now isn't a big deal."

"Hmph, extravagant waste; as a husband I don't like it."

"Then we won't go."

"Yes, Mother, shall we bring Yuehong and Yuexia?"

The couple looked at their son, handsome and elegant, refined and courteous, and at their daughter, charming and cute, full of spirit.

Qiao Mai looked at a man in the distance and said, "Husband, who is that person?"

Qiao Mai clicked her tongue twice, so shy.

The notice received on the 28th, and on the 29th Jin Mama gave Ling'er an intensive lesson on palace etiquette for a day.

Hall of Glory and Prosperity is arranged like a council hall, tier upon tier; the higher the official, the higher the seat.

Qiao Mai generously presented a pearl, the East Pearl, to a palace attendant, which made the attendant extremely happy; after receiving the East Pearl, they performed a bow before leaving.

A palace attendant led Yuan Jiaqi and Qiao Mai to a small table and said, "Sir, this is the table for you and your wife."

"Yes, this makes us look like a family."

Yuan Jiaqi had someone summon the two children to Yuexian Pavilion and told them about attending the palace banquet.

"Alright, we'll wear matching parent‑child outfits."

The carriage stopped at the palace gate; the family got out, the steward got out, led the horse, and found a spot not far from the gate to stop.

On both sides of her temples she wore a tiny purple‑diamond hair ornament, and her earrings were naturally also purple; they seemed modest, but the sparkling light immediately showed they were expensive.

During the day of the 30th, she repeatedly paired Ling'er's jewelry with that outfit and found that pink matched blue best.

She was uninterested in others' gazes, focusing entirely on Ling'er and Chuan'er.

At every banquet, there is always a schemer calculating others—the best opportunity.

At home, only the old master discovered it first; the old lady heard it from the old master; Yuan Jiaqi discovered it himself.

"Go."

"Since my wife wants to go, shall I, as your husband, accompany you?"

All the women of the household pursed their lips; no wonder she's a rich lady, even a tip for directions.

"When?"

The guard, upon seeing Yuan Jiaqi, didn't even check his notice and let him pass; inside, a palace maid received them and led them further into the palace.

Therefore she placed her own divine sense onto Ling'er and Chuan'er, so she could locate them instantly.

"Hmm, thank you for your effort,"

"Greetings, Uncle, Aunt,"

Although he rarely interacts privately with court officials, he knows all civil and military ministers well; he is now a Prince but still holds the position of Minister of Personnel, and is familiar with the families of high officials.

Ling'er was taken away; when Jia Mei left, she still glanced at Chuan'er, and when their eyes met, both blushed.

So she chose a set of pink‑diamond jewelry; though glittering, it wasn't glaring.

The emperor hosted a banquet; as the in‑law, she couldn't let him be embarrassed.

She looked up at the Dragon Throne; the emperor and empress hadn't arrived yet; it was said the Empress Dowager had long since left, and now the empress was the most powerful in the palace.

Having been in the capital for several years, it's time to meet these top‑level figures.

Jin Mama pulled Ling'er, Yuan Jiaqi pulled Qiao Mai, and Chuan'er followed behind them.

"No need, palace rules are too strict; they're used to freedom at our home."

"Tomorrow is the first day of the month; if nothing else, come to my house, I'll cook you something tasty."

"No wonder his gaze at Chuan'er is malicious, and at Jia Mei is obsessed— what about the other one?"

Upon entering, they immediately attracted the courtiers' attention, and everyone looked over at them.

"It's not that I want to go, but to give the princess and Chuan'er more time together; Ling'er is also of age now, so she can see ahead; you should pay more attention."

"Give the in‑law some face, go."

The whole family wore new‑year clothes, including Jin Mama; her outfit, also prepared by Qiao Mai, was blue.

Not fearing ten thousand, but fearing the unlikely; now River Child and Mountain Child are of marriageable age, who knows if a sudden Cheng Yaojin will appear midway.

Qiao Mai discreetly examined each of them; Yuan Jiaqi noticed her serious gaze and quietly introduced them.

Qiao Mai chose a set of purple diamonds for herself, tied a simple elegant hairstyle, and pinned a purple jade hairpin.

"The 30th evening"

The family, along with Jin Mama, rode together in a carriage without guards; the original six had already been returned to the Duke of Zhen Guo.

Qiao Mai looked around, thought a large round table would be great, but each family sat separately; the couple had a small table, the young masters, according to rank, shared a small table for two, there were no chairs, only a mat underneath— how uncomfortable.

Although she is a princess, she still bowed to Qiao Mai as a junior, and Qiao Mai held her hand.

Yuan Jiaqi followed her gaze and said, "He is the eldest son of the Great General of the South, and the emperor once intended to marry Jia Mei to him."

Both felt very satisfied, and Jin Mama was busy; upon hearing she would enter the palace, she became uneasy. She originally didn't want to go, but fearing something might happen to Ling'er in the palace, she agreed to go along.

Ling'er blinked her lively big eyes, looking around, and saw Princess Jiamei walking toward them.

"Alright, aunt, I'll introduce Ling'er to a few friends; they are of good character, please rest assured,"

The couple sat down, and someone placed tea snacks on the table.

All court officials whose official rank was below Yuan Jiaqi bowed and paid their respects to him; for those above Yuan Jiaqi, he also bowed his hand to those who had paid their respects.

Steward personally drove the carriage, East Date and his daughter‑in‑law pulled the carriage, believing that with the two of them there, nothing was scary.

"Does our whole family wear this color?"

Anyway, Yuan Jiaqi was very at ease; Chuan'er and Ling'er still knew nothing about mother's matter.

"Hmm, it's just right, we don't need to buy any other clothes; during the New Year each person makes several outfits, so just wear the new one."

Others only knew that Qiao Mai had abilities, but they didn't know what kind of abilities.

No one stepped forward to salute the court; their family members just watched Qiao Mai and Ling'er.

"Then what color should we wear?"

Moreover, the whole Jingcheng knows she is a wealthy woman; she must make that rumor a fact.

"Shall our whole family wear the same color?"

When Yuan Jiaqi heard that his wife wanted to go, his eyes lit up at once, and his complexion gradually improved.

She also wore a string of purple Diamond necklace, and a purple Diamond ring on her hand.

The banquet was set in Hall of Glory and Prosperity, a place specially for entertaining court officials and foreign envoys.

The Imperial Palace may appear luxurious, but in fact it is the dirtiest place; the women inside scheme against each other, and no one's hands are clean.

"Alright."

"Just wear that blue one, Chuan'er also wears that color."

"Ling'er, dress appropriately then, don't be too flashy; ask Jin Mama, and if she's willing to accompany you, go, if not, don't force it."

"Which one?"

"But the Emperor specifically instructed me to go with the whole family,"

"The man in dark red clothes, about seventeen or eighteen, whose eyes were fixed on my daughter‑in‑law?"

"That is Princess Rongyu, the legitimate daughter of Prince Bao, what's wrong with her?"

"She likes our Chuan'er, but Chuan'er doesn't give her a glance; a secret crush isn't good—if you can't get her, you try to obtain her by any means or destroy her, and that boy is the same, must be wary."

"Does your wife mean something will happen tonight?"

"Hmph, in unofficial histories every family's banquet is full of scheming; tonight, whoever dares to lay a hand on our child, I'll kill them."

Some readers asked me to update a few more chapters; honestly, I want to too, but I'm short on strength—post‑COVID aftereffects are severe, I nearly was hospitalized, the hospital had no room, so I'm recuperating at home taking medicine. I ask the readers for forgiveness; once I feel better, I'll post more!

(End of chapter)