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This day in the Capital City was bustling with excitement.
Another piece of good news arrived.
They had won.
Meng Young General led the army, invincible.
The common people were also delighted.
Victory meant a greater chance that their own children might return alive.
Since they had won, they could return home sooner, couldn't they?
Life still held hope.
It was said that when The Emperor heard this news, his illness improved significantly, and he got up immediately, deciding to hold a banquet on New Year's Day.
The Emperor's family banquet was the most prestigious event in the nation.
This time, to celebrate the victory and the New Year, they wanted to dispel the ill fortune of losing two Imperial Princes in quick succession and start anew.
However, the weather on New Year's Day was not clear.
It was overcast and unusually cold.
Jiang Wan felt strange.
In her previous life, she had received news of Meng Young General's death.
This time, the news spreading outside was of a great victory.
She was flustered.
She couldn't help but confirm several times with Chu Xi.
Unexpectedly, the Seventh Prince summoned her personally.
In fact, she lived in the Seventh Prince's Mansion and rarely saw the Seventh Prince.
First, to avoid suspicion, and second, the Seventh Prince seemed very busy.
She didn't expect that after mentioning her prediction of Meng Young General's misfortune, the Seventh Prince's attitude became even more cordial.
Jiang Wan knew there must be some intrigue behind this.
She didn't overestimate herself, not really thinking she could change the dynasty as a mere woman.
Even though she knew a lot in advance, she couldn't figure out the underlying issues.
In her dreams, her life was also confined to the inner chambers, and she didn't understand why the Seventh Prince eventually became The Emperor.
This day, Jiang Wan was invited to the royal family banquet.
Jiang Wan was a bit excited.
Returning to the palace, a place she deeply longed for.
She felt the Seventh Prince's approval of her.
She attended as Chu Xi's fiancée.
Because even Miss Dong from the Dong Family was invited.
This family banquet truly included all the royal family members.
The Jiang Family.
New Year's Eve was naturally a time for the family to be together.
But suddenly, they were informed to enter the palace.
To attend the palace banquet.
Qin Luoxia had to wear her noblewoman's attire, which was quite complicated.
Princess Caiyi also had to enter the palace, even bringing her two children.
And various Imperial Princes.
Even the seriously ill Tenth Prince had to enter the palace, no sick leave allowed.
And they all brought their families.
Even the little toddlers were brought in.
This was a true large family.
There were probably several hundred people.
Perhaps one reason The Emperor worked so hard was that the family was too large, with too many people to support.
The Jiang Changtian family dressed up neatly.
For some reason, even though they were going to a banquet, Mianmian suddenly recalled a night when the family fled to the mountains.
Her mother wore her noblewoman's attire, not carrying a basket, and Mianmian wasn't in it.
But the noblewoman's attire seemed like a basket.
Her mother wore a more convenient outfit underneath.
Her father today wore very luxurious clothes.
New Year, new atmosphere.
But due to the recent deaths of Imperial Princes, the most popular clothes were white, with subtle colorful borders at the cuffs and collar.
Subtle colors, a bit lively, yet overall white.
A style that had become popular because of Princess Caiyi.
Princess Huiyun thought it was a normal palace banquet, but unexpectedly, her sword was taken away today.
She had always been free to enter and leave the palace.
This was the first time.
Even Mianmian's small sword was taken away.
This time, the palace was very strict.
Fortunately, small trees were not considered contraband and could still be brought in.
Qin Luoxia had also been reminded by Princess Huiyun before entering the palace and didn't carry any strange items.
Before entering the palace, palace maids would check everyone.
Her hairpin wasn't taken away.
The soft whip belt around her waist was also there.
Jiang Changtian was also searched.
It wasn't targeting him.
Several Imperial Princes and their descendants were also searched.
The most rigorous security check.
Mianmian also witnessed the majestic side of the palace.
This security check slowed everyone's entry into the palace.
She finally felt that her grandmother, the princess, really had a lot of face. Previously, when she entered the palace with her grandmother, she wasn't checked much.
Some ladies, for the sake of beauty, wore little, and while queuing for security checks, they shivered from the cold.
Mianmian felt cold just watching them.
The pursuit of beauty exists in every era.
The poor can't afford clothes, while the rich don't want to wear them.
Jiang Yu today had to enter the palace and bring two children.
Originally, she wanted to pretend the children were sick.
But even the Tenth Prince, who was said to be sickly, wasn't allowed to take sick leave and had to be carried in.
So she didn't resort to such tricks.
Just be more careful.
Aunt Yin's right eyelid kept twitching today.
Whenever there's a big banquet, something happens, as if it's a repayment for the organizer's efforts.
It's the New Year.
Aunt Yin reminded Jiang Yu to be low-key in the palace, to retreat as much as possible.
Jiang Yu nodded.
Aunt Yin didn't remind her about eating.
If Jiang Yu was poisoned, they probably wouldn't survive.
Deadly poison.
Even reminders wouldn't help.
While queuing, Jiang Yu met the Fifth Prince's Consort.
The Fifth Prince was gone, but as a female relative, she still had to attend the family banquet.
But her mood was understandable.
However, the Fifth Prince's Consort seemed quite calm.
It was said that the Fifth Prince's Consort was a vegetarian who often prayed.
The Sixth Prince's Consort didn't come.
The Sixth Prince's Consort and the Sixth Prince were childhood sweethearts. Although they didn't have the story of the Seventh Prince's virtuous couple, their feelings were really good. Upon hearing of her husband's suicide, she also took her own life.
That's how the royal family is.
People die, songs continue, dances go on.
The Fifth Prince's Consort looked quite beautiful, especially thin. She greeted Princess Caiyi with a slight nod and didn't keep her distance.
Mainly, the children of the Fifth Prince's Consort competed to greet Princess Caiyi, looking very familiar.
Many ladies were quite curious about Princess Caiyi.
When they saw her in person, they were a bit surprised, as she wasn't as beautiful as rumored.
But seeing the Fifth Prince's children's familiarity with Princess Caiyi, they felt Princess Caiyi was a very deep person. It was said that she had previously accompanied Consort Zhang in the palace, and the childless Consort Zhang was actually comforted by her and became motivated again.
Some people's charm isn't just a face. The ladies didn't dare to be careless.
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