PNB Chapter 227 Palace Banquet
Chapter 227 Palace Banquet
After spending three days at the General's Mansion, Song Jiaojiao realized that things couldn't continue like this. She went to see Madam Cheng'en these past two days, only to find that Madam Cheng'en had gone to the royal temple to pray for blessings. She said she was going to choose an auspicious day for Mu Qing and Mu Xue to be recognized as ancestors.
Song Jiaojiao knew in her heart that this was entirely someone avoiding her.
Fine, the condition of not staying at the General's Mansion will have to be voided.
"Ginkgo, let's go out for a stroll. We've been in the capital for so long and haven't had a chance to explore yet," Song Jiaojiao said. Just as she was about to leave, the gatekeeper ran over.
"Young Madam, there are two men at the door who claim to be your servants," the servant said. He hadn't originally intended to come. Over the years, many people had impersonated the general's relatives and come to the door. At first, he believed them, but they weren't. If these two hadn't explained things in detail and hadn't been looking for Song Jiaojiao and the others, he wouldn't have made this trip.
Song Jiaojiao suddenly realized that she hadn't heard from Shang Xiaoxiao and the others for so long, and wondered if it was the two of them.
"Ginkgo, go and bring the person in," Song Jiaojiao said excitedly.
Seeing Song Jiaojiao's expression, Yinxing understood that the person who came was very important to Song Jiaojiao.
“Madam, we have fulfilled our mission.” Shang Xiaoxiao stepped forward and said respectfully.
"Thank goodness you're all alright. Why did it take you so long to get here?" Song Jiaojiao asked, puzzled.
“Madam, after we left in the carriage, people came to chase us. When they were about to catch up, we abandoned the carriage and fled on horseback. We thought they would give up the chase, but they intended to leave no one alive. In the end, we had no choice but to jump into the river to escape.”
Shang Xiaoxiao recounted the thrilling journey, glancing at Zhang Li every now and then.
Song Jiaojiao was completely preoccupied with whether they had been injured on the way, and hadn't noticed anything amiss. If that's the case, then the other guards wouldn't...
"Are you alright?"
"I got a minor injury, which is why I was a little delayed." As she said this, Shang Xiaoxiao blushed and lowered her head, while Zhang Li's earlobes also turned red.
"You've worked hard, Ginkgo. Take them down to rest first. Go and invite the young master here." Song Jiaojiao thought she still needed to tell Wang Chi about this matter. Although they had arrived in the capital, they still didn't know who the enemy was.
……
Wang Chi, who had just returned from the training ground, was emitting white smoke. It was already deep winter, and Wang Chi was still wearing only a single layer of clothing. I wonder if he was cold.
"Jiaojiao, you were looking for me?" Wang Chi took the tea offered by the servant and drank it all in one gulp.
"Yes, have your guards returned?" Song Jiaojiao asked, looking at him.
Wang Chi recalled what the servant had just told him; it seemed that someone from Song Jiaojiao's side had arrived.
"Jiaojiao, don't worry, they've all returned and are now in the military camp outside the city!" Wang Chi said, sitting in his armchair.
"It's good that they're back. We can't let them lose their lives because of my idea!" Song Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to relax.
"Xiaoxiao said they were being chased. They thought those people would stop once they saw we weren't around. Did your people encounter any?" Song Jiaojiao asked, puzzled, wanting to see if Wang Chi knew the reason.
Wang Chi naturally understood that his guards had not been pursued. The people who came saw that the carriage was empty, so they left. Shang Xiaoxiao and the others were being pursued, most likely because of Song Jiaojiao. Of course, he would not say this.
"Some were chased, but thankfully they escaped unharmed." Wang Chi lowered his head, so his expression was not visible.
"Oh, right, Jiaojiao, there are only three days left until New Year's Eve. There will be a banquet in the palace, and as my wife, you are on the guest list."
Wang Chi suddenly thought of this matter, wondering if it would anger Song Jiaojiao.
"Ah, we're from the countryside and don't know the rules and etiquette of the palace. Can't we not go?" Song Jiaojiao didn't want to go to the palace at all. Having read so many novels and watched so many TV dramas in her previous life, she knew that something usually happened at these palace banquets.
"I'm afraid that won't work. You know I was only appointed this year, so I can't really refuse. As my wife, you can't escape either," Wang Chi said guiltily. Originally, if he hadn't said anything, no one would have known that his wife had also come to the capital. But thinking about how Song Jiaojiao had always kept her distance from him and treated him with utmost respect, he wanted to use this banquet to inform everyone and tie Song Jiaojiao to him as soon as possible.
"What about Mu Qing and the others?" Song Jiaojiao thought that it seemed that people usually brought their children to palace banquets.
"Let's take He Fan and Mu Qing. It'll be good for them to see the world, so they won't be confused later. Mu Xue is too young, so we won't go," Wang Chi said after thinking for a moment.
"But at this time, there probably won't be enough time to prepare clothes." Since she couldn't escape it anyway, she might as well do her best and not let others find fault with her.
"Don't worry, Mother has thought of this long ago and made all the necessary preparations." Wang Chi said calmly. As early as when he was brought back to the General's Mansion, his mother sent people to inquire about Song Jiaojiao and the others, and prepared everything that needed to be prepared.
"In that case, find a nanny to teach Muqing and me about the rules and etiquette of the palace, so that we don't do anything wrong and offend the nobles," Song Jiaojiao said.
"Alright, it just so happens that Rong Mama, who serves Mother, came from the palace and is most familiar with the palace rules. I'll tell Mother about it later." Wang Chi said happily. Fortunately, Song Jiaojiao did not refuse him, which meant that Jiaojiao still cared about him.
Song Jiaojiao has a bad feeling about Rong Momo as soon as she hears the name, as anyone who has watched the TV series knows.
But didn't Lady Chengen go to the temple?
"Didn't your mother go to the temple to choose an auspicious date?" Song Jiaojiao asked in confusion.
"Ha, well, she went to check the auspicious dates, but she came back yesterday. Isn't she about to enter the palace? Mother still has a lot of things to do, so she came back early. She's really hoping someone can take over the affairs of the household."
Wang Chi touched his head guiltily. The date had already been chosen: the fourth day of the first lunar month. There were no other relatives in the General's Mansion; he only planned to invite some close friends to witness the occasion.
"Oh, I see. Okay then! Remember to tell your mother." Song Jiaojiao didn't dwell on the matter. Right now, she was troubled by the palace banquet.
Wang Chi breathed a sigh of relief after escaping this ordeal and hurried to his mother's courtyard to tell her the news.
"Really? Is Jiaojiao really willing to go?" Madam Cheng'en originally thought that if Song Jiaojiao didn't go to the palace banquet, she wouldn't go this year either. It's the same every year, and she's already tired of it.
"Yes, Mother, I'll have to trouble you to send Rong Momo over to teach them palace etiquette," Wang Chi replied with a simple smile.
"Of course, of course. Muzhi, go to the eldest young mistress's place and tell her about the things happening in the palace," Madam Chengen instructed with a smile.
Rong Muzhi was also met at a palace banquet. At that time, she was almost sentenced to death, but Lady Chengen pleaded for her. When she was allowed to leave the palace, she came to the General's Mansion and became Lady Chengen's personal maid.
"Yes, this servant will go right away." Rong Mama bowed and left.