Chapter 184: The Person At The Palace Gate
On the eighteenth of the second month, as soon as the sky brightened, Marquis Yichun changed into new clothes, with maidservants surrounding him carefully arranging his hems and hair.
Chai Yuan examined him from the side and nodded in satisfaction: “The new clothes made for Father by the Empress’s weaving bureau truly make you look even more spirited when worn.”
Marquis Yichun waved his hand to dismiss the maidservants: “Have you checked all the details of the banquet?”
Even for a royal banquet, concerning food and travel, Marquis Yichun was very cautious.
Chai Yuan nodded: “We’ve arranged trusted people in the imperial kitchen side; Father’s meals are all specific ones. However, I couldn’t find out about the birthday gift His Majesty arranged for you. He kept it even from the Empress, saying it’s a surprise, and it’s packed in a large cabinet.”
At this point, he lowered his voice.
“Should we find a way to open it and see?”
Marquis Yichun smiled and waved his hand: “No need. It’s a day of great celebration; let His Majesty be happy.” Then he asked again, “What about Duke Ding’an’s side…”
Chai Yuan said: “He sent word back, saying he has convinced that cheap maidservant to attend the banquet. As for the other matters, he said he knows, and everything is up to our arrangement.” At this point, he snorted coldly, “If you ask me, there’s no need to tell him at all. For things we say, he wouldn’t dare not listen.”
“It’s something good for everyone.” Marquis Yichun said, “Telling him is also sharing the joy.”
After speaking, he put on his coronet and examined himself in the bronze mirror on the side for a moment.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Chai Yuan hurriedly stepped forward to open the door. Outside the door, Old Madam of Marquis Yichun and a crowd of sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and so on were lined up waiting. Seeing Marquis Yichun come out, they all congratulated him in unison.
“May Marquis be as blessed as the East Sea and live as long as the Southern Mountains.”
Marquis Yichun smilingly received their respects.
Outside the door, three more eunuchs came with smiles, bowed to pay respects and congratulate, then respectfully invited again.
“Please board the carriage, Marquis. His Majesty and Your Ladyship are waiting in the palace.”
Marquis Yichun nodded and boarded the splendid imperial carriage outside the Marquis’s Mansion together with Old Madam of Marquis Yichun. Imperial Guards cleared the way, eunuchs escorted, family followed, and the grand procession headed toward the Imperial City amid the watching civilians on the street.
Carriages and horses surged in front of the Imperial City Gate.
Although the Emperor held a birthday banquet for Marquis Yichun under the name of a family banquet, opposed and resisted by censors and other officials, besides the imperial relatives, quite a few officials still brought their children and family members to attend the banquet.
After all, more than half of the civil officials and military generals had gone to war together with Marquis Yichun, including companions, old friends, marriage allies, those who had received favors from Marquis Yichun, and those wanting to attach themselves.
Zhu Yunxiao probably belonged to another situation, having had conflicts before, but this time coming meant they were resolved, so everyone seeing him wasn’t surprised.
“That’s right.” Some familiar officials even said earnestly, “Don’t let those minor matters truly cause a rift. Duke Yongwu’s Mansion will rely on you in the future.”
After all, the next Son of Heaven was the Chai Clan’s maternal grandson.
Zhu Yunxiao smiled as he listened to them speak, then suddenly saw a group of young ladies getting out of their carriages.
The Princess’s companion reader ladies were also invited; he knew about this but didn’t care. Miss Yang, whom he cared about, was no longer a companion reader. As for Jiang Rui recuperating at home and not going out, the thought flashed by. He was about to withdraw his gaze when he suddenly saw a familiar figure among that group of companion reader ladies.
How was this possible?
Surprise appeared on Zhu Yunxiao’s usually calm face.
……
……
“A Rui!”
Hearing the call, Jiang Rui turned her head and saw Zhu Yunxiao striding over.
The companion reader ladies around all smilingly made way.
Jiang Rui smiled at Zhu Yunxiao: “Yunxiao, you’ve come.”
He of course had to come, but why was she here? Moreover, he surprisingly didn’t know.
Zhu Yunxiao frowned at her: “Why did you come? Aren’t you ill? Didn’t I say not to go out?”
Jiang Rui was about to say something when a female voice came from behind.
“Miss Jiang is much better. We specially found a doctor to check, who said she can go out and that going out more would be even better for recovery.”
Zhu Yunxiao looked past Jiang Rui and saw the young girl standing behind her, somewhat unfamiliar…
“This is Liu Chan.” Jiang Rui said to Zhu Yunxiao, then looked at Zhu Yunxiao again, “Don’t worry, I’ve asked the doctor.”
This wasn’t about asking the doctor or not; it was that she surprisingly didn’t listen to him…
Zhu Yunxiao looked at Jiang Rui: “A Rui, this kind of occasion…”
Jiang Rui took his arm and softly interrupted: “The Princess invited me; I can’t refuse because of my own matters. Since I passed the companion reader examination, I must live up to the duty of ‘companion’.”
The words Zhu Yunxiao wanted to say were swallowed back. At this moment, since she was already here, it was impossible to persuade her to go back.
“Then take care of yourself.” he said softly, “If you feel unwell, don’t push yourself; have someone come call me immediately.”
Jiang Rui nodded: “I know.”
Liu Chan spoke again from behind: “Miss Jiang, let’s hurry over.”
The companion reader ladies did not come with their families; eunuchs arranged by Princess Pingcheng led and looked after them separately.
Zhu Yunxiao saw the eunuchs already coming over, and the companion reader ladies all heading that way, so he smiled at Jiang Rui: “Go on.”
He stood in place watching Jiang Rui go, his gaze turning deep.
How had Jiang Rui actually escaped his arrangement?
Was it really her own idea to come?
Jiang Rui turned back to look, searching for Zhu Yunxiao’s figure, but before she could see clearly, she was pulled back by the voice of the person beside her.
“How was it? Did Young Lord Zhu blame you for saying what I taught you, or insist on sending you back?”
Jiang Rui withdrew her gaze and looked at the young girl beside her, Liu Chan.
“Right? If you said you were worried about Young Lord Zhu conflicting with Marquis Yichun at the banquet and being troubled by rumors, so you came, then Young Lord Zhu would definitely be both worried and guilty, and even if he himself didn’t attend the banquet, he would send you back.” Liu Chan continued, “But if you said it was because of your own unavoidable matters, he couldn’t say much.”
After speaking, she smiled.
“After all, Young Lord Zhu is so good to you and doesn’t want you to be in a difficult position in front of the Princess.”
Yes, Yunxiao truly was like that, considering everything for her and most afraid of her worrying about him. Jiang Rui nodded: “Thank you for reminding me; otherwise, I’d still be bored at home, unable to do anything.”
Now that she was out, when someone criticized Yunxiao, she could explain for him.
Liu Chan was right; besides not letting Yunxiao worry, she should also proactively relieve his worries.
She looked at the young girl beside her, gratitude appearing on her usually icy and indifferent face.
Liu Chan giggled, with some nervousness: “Miss A Rui, don’t stand on ceremony. I have selfish motives too. This is my first time entering the Imperial City. Now Miss Yang and her maidservant aren’t with us, and I’m very afraid alone. With you here, I can feel more at ease.”
After speaking, she took Jiang Rui’s arm.
“Miss A Rui, I must stick with you tonight.”
Although the real Liu Chan was also from an out-of-town small family, her temperament was much better than that of the maidservant A Sheng and the somewhat unfathomable Miss Yang.
Jiang Rui smiled and nodded, gripping Liu Chan’s hand tightly: “Don’t worry, just follow me.”
The two chatted and laughed as they caught up with the other companion reader ladies. Just as they were about to pass through the palace gate, noisy sounds came from behind, as if countless horses and men were rushing over.
Had Marquis Yichun arrived?
Everyone turned to look and saw a team of Embroidered Uniform Guards coming darkly pressed, driving away the chaotic carriages and horses in front of the palace gate.
It was the Embroidered Uniform.
Had Wei Jiao come too?
The Embroidered Uniform Guards parted in front of the palace gate, revealing the carriage behind them.
At the same time, the eunuchs in front of the palace gate all surged toward the carriage and horses.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a maidservant got off first, followed closely by helping a splendidly dressed young girl down.
The surroundings fell quiet, then low noisy murmurs arose.
The companion reader ladies had complex expressions, somewhat amused.
They were not unfamiliar with this scene; back then, Miss Yang coming from the temporary palace was just like this… exaggerated.
Although no longer staying at the temporary palace and without the royal carriage, she had actually used the Embroidered Uniform this time.
“She really dares.” A companion reader lady said lowly.
But then low voices came to their ears again.
“…His Majesty really allowed it.”
His Majesty allowed? The companion reader ladies instinctively looked to the side. The speaker was not unfamiliar; it was Qin Ying, who had taken the companion reader lady examination together with them.
Qin Ying was now staring at the approaching Miss Yang with shining eyes.
“Without His Majesty’s permission, how could she be like this…” she murmured, “And even have Wei Jiao as guard…”
Wei Jiao. The companion reader ladies looked over there again and saw another person getting out of the carriage, tall and thin in black embroidered uniform, face fair as jade, shining brightly.
It was precisely the long-unseen Wei Jiao.
In front of the palace gate, Miss Yang slowly walked with her maidservant, eunuchs leading the way on both sides, Wei Jiao following behind…
“Like a princess.” Qin Ying’s murmuring voice.
These words reached everyone’s ears, and everyone was stunned again.
It really was like.
And not just any princess, because Wei Jiao ignored all other princesses except Princess Pingcheng.
Marquis Yichun’s carriage and horses stopped not far away, watching this scene in front of the palace gate.
He lightly snorted coldly and lowered the carriage curtain.
