~ FIRST MEETING WITH GRAND PRINCESS YI DE ~
Mu Yunyao nodded in return, “Eunuch Giu is too courteous. Are you in charge of receiving the guests here today?”
“Yes, Eunuch Li had already instructed me to pay more attention to Miss Mu. Today, there are so many people that it’s hard to avoid a collision. This servant will lead you to enter the Palace first.”
The Second Madam turned around to talk with other ladies. When she looked back, only to see a young eunuch standing next to Mu Yunyao. She was so surprised in her heart. “Yunyao, this is …”
“This is Eunuch who in charge of receiving guests.”
The Second Madam nodded: “Thank you, I’ll be troubling this Eunuch.”
“Greetings, Madam. Please come with me.” Xiao Gui lowered his head and led the way into the Palace.
The Second Madam looked at Mu Yunyao, feeling somewhat curious about her knowing the Palace’s attendant. Although she had talked with other ladies, she had split her attention to a point or two to observe the situation. After all, the surroundings filled with distinguished officials and nobles. She brought people out, so she can’t watch people accidentally happen, and she heard the words of the young eunuch just now.
Mu Yunyao slightly smiled but didn’t plan on explaining. They followed the young eunuch into the Palace.
Because of the return of the Grand Princess of Yide, the Mid Autumn Palace Banquet was set up in the main hall of Supreme Harmony Hall. There are open spaces in and in front of the hall, which can accommodate officials and family members who come to attend the Palace Banquet. There are two gardens at the back, which can be used for play and enjoy the scenery.
At this moment, there were already quite some people in the hall. Officials were arranged to be on one side, while the female relatives were settled on the other side according to their status.
After the Second Madam had taken her seat, the lady in the next her immediately turned her head and asked, “Lady Qi, why didn’t I see You’er?”
“Madame Zhao is very polite. You’er health is not good, and she fell ill a few days ago. That’s why I didn’t bring her here.”
Mu Yunyao sized up Madame Zhao. If she remembered correctly, the person in front of her was Zhang Wan’s stepmother, the Grand Scholar Zhang Zhong’s successor.
Madam Zhao looked at Su Yaxian and the others with a gentle smile on her face, “It’s surprisingly rare that Yaxian is so outstanding these days. “
Su Yaxian lowered her head in embarrassment: “Thank you for your praise, Madam.”
Madam Zhao praised Su Yajian and Su Yaling once again before shifting her gaze to Mu Yunyao. “I presume this is Miss Mu, whose name is renowned throughout the Capital.”
“Greetings, Madam Zhao.” Mu Yunyao slightly smiled as she greeted her.
“Miss Mu need not be so courteous. She is really stunning and difficult for an ordinary person to reach her.”
Mu Yunyao looked at Zhang Wan, who stood behind Madam Zhao, the corners of her lips curving into a smile. “Miss Zhang’s entire body of poetry and spirituality is the most desirable part. If I could even compare to Sister Zhang, then that would be great.”
Zhang Wan didn’t expect Mu Yunyao to talk to her, and after a moment, she finally reacted. “Little Sister Mu, what are you talked? According to father’s words, I’ve gone silly from reading.”
“Elder Sister Zhang is full of poetic and scholarly spirit. I’ve heard of your talent. If you were a man, you might be able to become a top scholar. In the future, I might have to ask for more advice from you.” Mu Yunyao’s gaze was pure, and her smile was sincere, unknowingly causing others to get closer to her.
Madam Zhao laughed. “I never thought that Wan’er would have such a good relationship with Miss Mu.”
“Elder Sister Zhang Wan has a gentle and quiet personality. When I saw her, I couldn’t help but get closer to her unconsciously, which makes Madam Zhao laugh.” Mu Yunyao sized up Madam Zhao, her thoughts turning slightly. After the death of Zhang Zhong’s wife, only Zhang Wan was left as the legitimate daughter. In order to prevent Zhang Wan from being mistreated by her stepmother, he married his wife’s cousin.
According to the rumors outside, this Madam Zhao treated Zhang Wan like her own daughter, just that the rules were quite strict. Later, Zhang Wan was forced to go back with Su Qingwu and commit suicide. Those strict rules of etiquette and rules often played a role in it.
The last time she saw this Zhang Wan, she had a pretty good impression of her. If she could raise a few points and save a life, it could be considered a good deed. Zhang Wan’s temperament was gentle. Hearing Mu Yunyao’s words, she was a little happy in her heart. “Miss Mu has just come to the Capital. We’ll have to keep in touch often from now on.” As the sound of her voice faded, she suddenly thought of Su Qingwu. A shyness flashed past her eyes, and her cheeks unconsciously flushed red. When she married into the Su family, they will see each other from time to time.
Mu Yunyao’s eyes couldn’t help but darken when she saw her expression. ‘Su Qingwu is a scholar known throughout the Capital. It was no wonder that she could be moved. It was just because of this feeling that she ended up losing her life. It’s not worth it.
Without saying a word, people have arrived gradually. There were a lot of people who came to the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet this time. Logically speaking, the main hall should have been a bit noisy, but in reality, it was the exact opposite. With so many people present, the place seemed especially quiet, and there were only occasional whispers rang out, especially near Su Yuyi. The quietness was a little over the top.
Mu Yunyao’s figure sat upright on the spot, her eyes unconsciously looking at Su Yuyi’s body. The Eldest Madam and Su Yuyi were arranged to be at the very front of the group. Su Yuyi was wearing a long dress with flowing flowers and dark clouds. Her dress was flowing with light and was as elegant as the moonlight. She was sitting at the back of the table with a candle flame shining on the side, which was made her face as beautiful as a fairy more and more crystal clear.
*There is a young lady in the north, beautiful and intelligent, unparalleled in the world. A glance at the entire city will be overwhelming, and another glance at the country will overturn it...
Mu Yunyao indifferently withdrew her gaze, the smile on her lips unconsciously deepening.
A voice rang out from outside. “The Emperor has arrived. Grand Princess Yi De has arrived!”
“Greetings, Your Majesty … Greetings, Grand Princess Yi De.”
Mu Yunyao followed everyone’s salutations. From the corner of her eyes, she only saw a corner of a palace dress slowly gliding past in front of them. The phoenix pattern embroidered on the corner of the dress was very lifelike. Just a single glance couldn’t help being amazing.
“All of you, rise.” Due to Grand Princess Yi De’s presence, the Emperor was clearly in an astonishingly good mood. As he spoke, he revealed a rare smile and said, “This day is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Grand Princess is returning to the Capital. I am so happy, so I hold a banquet with you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the day and night. You don’t have to be too polite. All of you merely take it as an ordinary feast.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
When the ceremony was over, Mu Yunyao raised her head and looked at Grand Princess Yi De, who sat next to the Emperor. She had heard of the legend of the Grand Princess countless times. In the entire Dali dynasty, no woman didn’t take the Grand Princess as a role model.
The Grand Princess Yi De has a dignified and elegant appearance with faint traces of old age. She was clad in the clothing of the Phoenix Pattern Palace. She also did not have many extravagant adornments on her body. She only used a few golden hairpins to tie up her hair meticulously. A pair of Phoenix eyes are soft and indifferent. It seems that she is absolutely calm after being washed away, but she can thoroughly understand people’s hearts.
Grand Princess Yi De looked down indifferently. Mu Yunyao seemed to be able to hear the gasps of the young ladies within the hall. They were doing their best to appear dignified and gentle. Even their smiles seemed to be calculated, not one bit less.
*Li Yannian’s “Song of a Beautiful Woman.”
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