Chapter 53: The Palace Banquet

Note: Don't Forget to join my Patreon.com/flokixy to get access to +30 Advance Chapters I have to stop if there is no support The Crown Prince's wedding was a grand national event. Envoys from various countries had already arrived at the guesthouses, and the welcome banquet was in the evening. Just as Shen Shi [1] arrived, the courtyard became busy. "Miss, this servant will definitely make you look beautiful and outshine all those noble ladies." Zhishu rubbed her hands together, ready to show off her skills. Su Li said, "No need, just do a normal hairstyle." She wasn't the main character today, so she wouldn't steal the limelight. Mohua stepped forward and advised, "Miss, now that your scars are healed, you should dress up nicely and let those rumors disappear." "It's fine. Today, we'll keep it as low-key as possible." Tianqi [2] was not a weak country, but it was still somewhat inferior to the Northern Yan and Eastern Xu countries. Tianqi valued literature, and its military strength was slightly weaker. In her previous life, she had heard that at a palace banquet, a Northern Yan envoy had taken a fancy to a noble lady, and the Emperor's single sentence decided the lady's life. Although the several maids really wanted to dress up their young miss, their young miss insisted. After washing and changing, Su Li turned around. The several maids were stunned, their eyes filled with amazement. A light green long dress, with light blue peonies embroidered on the cuffs, silver thread outlining a few auspicious clouds, and a dense row of blue seawater cloud patterns on the hem. A wide piece of light yellow brocade wrapped around her chest. As her body gently turned, the long dress spread out, and her every move was as graceful as a willow swaying in the wind. Lightly drawn eyebrows and eyes full of spring, her skin was as smooth as warm jade, soft and lustrous. Her cherry-like mouth was naturally red, delicate and captivating. The most wonderful thing was her slightly round almond-shaped eyes, clear black and white, making her whole person appear pure and harmless. The simple hairstyle was now so flawlessly beautiful, so otherworldly. Seeing that the several maids didn't move, Su Li smiled and said, "What's wrong?" "Miss is so beautiful." "The madam and master are both so outstanding, so the young miss naturally isn't lacking." "This servant has never seen a woman more beautiful than the young miss. I originally thought that the Second Miss was already very beautiful, but compared to the young miss, the Second Miss is too ordinary." Su Li said, "Alright, Mohua, give me the veil." Mohua asked, "Miss, your face is healed, so why do you need a veil?" "Bring it to me." This face was too eye-catching. Even if she did nothing and said nothing, sitting in a corner, she would still attract attention. Su Li put on the veil and said, "Let's go, Mother must be getting impatient." When they arrived at the main courtyard, Su Mu saw that her daughter was still wearing a veil. "Why are you still wearing a veil? Isn't your face healed?" Su Li stepped forward to support Su Mu and said, "In this kind of situation, it's better for your daughter to be like this. It's getting late, Mother, let's go." Su Mu thought about it and understood her daughter's concerns, so she didn't say anything more. When the mother and daughter arrived at the mansion gate, they found Su Yue waiting in front of the carriage. Originally, as a concubine's daughter, she wasn't qualified to attend the palace banquet, but she had some talent. It was said that among the Northern Yan envoys who had come this time, there was the Seventh Princess of Northern Yan, Wanyan Xue, who was famous for her talent in Northern Yan. Just in case, and to not disgrace Tianqi's reputation as a land of etiquette and culture, noble ladies with talent were specially allowed to attend the palace banquet. "Mother, Elder Sister, I've been waiting for you for a long time." Seeing the seemingly simple but expensive hairpin on Su Li's head and the clothes she was wearing, a trace of jealousy flashed in her eyes, but she quickly hid it. Since the Western Courtyard had lost its privileges, her monthly allowance had also decreased a lot, and even the clothes and jewelry she received were much inferior to before. Su Li looked at Su Yue. She had to admit that this woman knew how to highlight her strengths, dressing herself up in a way that made people feel pity for her. But without the support of expensive jewelry, she looked a bit petty, lacking the air of a noble lady that she had in the past. Seeing that Su Li and her mother were ignoring her, she felt a little embarrassed. "Elder Sister, I thought that this time, this younger sister wouldn't have the chance to attend such a palace banquet, but I didn't expect to receive special permission. Elder Sister hasn't attended a palace banquet for many years. When the time comes, this younger sister will take good care of Elder Sister." There was a hidden boast in her tone, and the words "take care of" were emphasized. Su Li smiled and said, "Younger Sister is really amazing, to be able to get special permission. Unlike me, fortunately, I, your elder sister, can participate without special permission." After saying that, she helped Su Mu into the carriage. Su Yue gritted her teeth. Bitch! What's so great about her! When her aunt's plan succeeded, she would also have the status of a legitimate daughter! "Second Miss, please get in the carriage," Liu'er reminded carefully. Su Yue looked at the luxurious carriage that Su Li and her mother were sitting in, then looked at the ordinary carriage behind it, snorted coldly, and got into the latter one. Inside the spacious and comfortable carriage, Su Mu said coldly, "Unpresentable thing, who is she trying to seduce with that flirtatious look!" Su Li laughed. Su Yue was dressed as plainly as could be, almost like mourning clothes, but her mother still thought she was flirtatious. She couldn't blame Su Mu. When you disliked someone, everything they did was wrong. Besides, no matter how plainly Su Yue dressed, the essence in her bones couldn't be changed. "Mother, why be angry? It's not worth it. Come, have some soup. This is specially brought to you by Sister Miaoyan, afraid that you'll be hungry. It'll tide you over. The palace is not a place to eat." Su Mu took the soup and took a sip, her expression softening a little. When Su Li and the others arrived, many people had already arrived. The seats for men and women were separated on the left and right. The young ladies were all dignified and reserved, whispering to the young ladies they knew. The young masters also looked dashing and unrestrained, talking about poetry or current affairs with the young masters next to them. Only occasionally would they look across, their eyes wandering. As soon as Su Yue entered the hall, she sat down with the noble ladies she was familiar with and chatted and laughed. From afar, she saw Wei Yuanyao pulling Meng Zhirou over. "Aunt, Li'er, you're here?" Su Mu nodded with a faint smile. Su Li smiled and said, "Cousin, Miss Meng." Meng Zhirou said, "Don't call me Miss Meng. I'm older than you, you can call me Elder Sister." Su Li readily agreed, calling out crisply, "Elder Sister Meng." Meng Zhirou smiled, her eyes slightly curved, looking very happy. She also had concubine-born younger sisters, but they were at odds with each other. None of them were as cute as this soft and gentle younger sister in front of her. Su Li's clear black and white eyes carried a smile. She didn't know that the other party actually found her soft and cute. Wei Yuanyao said, "Aunt, my mother is over there, let's go over." Su Mu nodded and walked inside. When Wang Shi saw her coming, she quickly pulled her to sit down. "Younger Sister, you're here? Come sit next to me, you can't be careless now." Su Mu smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, it's not that exaggerated." Su Mu and Wang Shi sat together and whispered. Su Li sat next to Su Mu. Wei Yuanyao and Meng Zhirou sat next to her, also whispering about interesting things. Su Li looked around and asked, "Why don't I see Aunt Meng?" In such a situation, she didn't even come. Meng Zhirou said in a low voice, "My mother worships Buddha all day long and doesn't go out. She's been bedridden recently, and she hasn't gotten better after taking medicine." Su Li frowned. With the rumors of the Right Prime Minister favoring his concubine and neglecting his wife, Meng Mu's heart was probably riddled with holes. "When I have time, I'll go see Aunt," Su Li said. Wei Yuanyao's eyes lit up and she said happily, "That's right! Zhirou, my cousin's medical skills are very good. My grandmother's leg ailment was treated by my cousin, and it's almost completely healed. You let her see your mother, and she will definitely be cured!" Meng Zhirou said happily, "Really?" Wei Yuanyao said, "Would I lie to you?" Su Li also said, "I have some medical skills. If you don't mind, I can take a look at Aunt." Meng Zhirou quickly said, "I don't mind, I don't mind, Li'er, thank you!" As they were talking, a burst of laughter suddenly came. The several people looked over and saw Su Yue and Meng Zhijun, along with several other noble ladies, chatting and laughing. It seemed that they were talking about something happy, and they were covering their lips and giggling. Wei Yuanyao snorted coldly, "Birds of a feather flock together!" Su Li said, "Why bother with them." Over there, Su Yue quickly covered her lips and said, "Let's keep it down. My legitimate sister's gaze just now was so terrifying." Meng Zhijun said, "Why are you afraid of a good-for-nothing? You should learn from me." Su Yue looked at Meng Zhijun enviously and said, "I'm not as lucky as you. The Right Prime Minister dotes on you so much, unlike me..." Liu Jiao whispered, "Sister Yue, is your legitimate sister's face really ruined? And she doesn't have any talent at all?" Su Yue nodded and said, "Yes, isn't that something everyone in the capital knows? Why are you asking?" Her face was ruined, that was true. As for talent, thinking of Su Li's performance at the Hundred Flowers Festival that day, she felt a little guilty. Liu Jiao smiled sinisterly and said, "What do you say we make her embarrass herself in public? That's in front of the Emperor, Empress, and all the civil and military officials. Wouldn't your legitimate sister be ashamed to death? How could she still be arrogant in front of Sister Yue in the future?" Su Yue was happy in her heart, but she pretended to be hesitant, "This... isn't that good? If my father finds out, he won't let me off." Meng Zhijun tapped her head, exasperated, "You, you're just too timid. If you don't dare, I'll help you! Not only will I make her embarrass herself, but I will also expose her ugly face to everyone!" Su Yue lowered her head, pretending to be afraid, but her heart was already filled with excitement. Liu Jiao was a poisonous snake, full of bad ideas, and Meng Zhijun, pampered by her parents, was arrogant and domineering but brainless. Just let her charge ahead. When Su Li was embarrassed, she could also step in and show some sisterly affection.