The Xuanwu Emperor led Jiang Xinyue by the hand to the main seat before speaking: "You may dispense with formalities. Rise."
Jiang Xinyan stood beside Jiang Xinyue, her eyes immediately searching for her cousins Yuncai and Yunxia from the elder uncle's family.
Though their elder uncle held a modest official position and their aunt's seating wasn't particularly prominent, the two cousins had come with their mother, so it was easy to spot them in the forward seats of the lower section.
There weren't any extra seats beside Jiang Xinyue, and keeping her sister by her side would not only create an awkward atmosphere but also draw too much attention.
She looked toward the sisters Jiang Yunxia and Jiang Yuncai, who both courteously bowed to her in respect.
"Sister, go sit with our two cousins!"
The elder uncle's two daughters were eighteen and nineteen years old, but the Great Yan Dynasty's customs regarding women's marriage age differed from all other dynasties in history.
There was no strict requirement for women to marry at fifteen, but if they remained unmarried by twenty, the government would intervene and arrange marriages for them.
Jiang Yunxia was nineteen this year.
The elder uncle probably knew he still had chances for promotion, so he hadn't rushed to arrange engagements for his daughters, hoping to find better matches once his rank was higher.
Parents' love for their children makes them plan far ahead.
Her nominal father had some affection for her, but this affection was mixed with many other considerations.
If she hadn't gained favor and the Emperor's love to benefit the entire family, Jiang Xinyan would likely have been the next one sent to the palace.
Only now did Jiang Xinyue gradually understand her predecessor's situation.
At home, she had to constantly be on guard against Madam Zhou harming her, her siblings, and her mother.
She had to be fierce and thorny toward those who meant her harm, while playing weak and innocent before her father to get him to speak up for her occasionally.
She was always tense, so after entering the palace, she wanted to start a new life. Getting the Emperor's favor would allow her siblings and mother to live better lives.
However, after entering the palace, her outstanding beauty made her an outcast among the palace ladies. Lady Ye, who was later drowned in a cesspool for treason, was wary of her beauty from the start and deliberately befriended her, intending to use her as a stepping stone.
Although her predecessor hadn't lost herself then and remained wary of everyone, once in the palace, they were all the Emperor's women. Among these ladies, her beauty was unmatched, and she couldn't help but develop some delusions.
Especially after the Xuanwu Emperor visited her chambers several times and bombarded her with sweet words, her long-taut nerves relaxed, and she was deceived by the Emperor's warmth, truly believing she had him wrapped around her finger.
She wasn't necessarily foolish, but she desperately wanted someone to rely on, someone who would let her stop constantly scheming.
Lady Ye, jealous of her genuine favor with the Emperor, arranged for Shuang Jiang to spy on her, planning to secretly gather information and gain favor through similar means.
If Lady Ye gained favor by imitating her, then the original Jiang Xinyue would become unnecessary.
After all, a dead love interest has the strongest impact.
In the Imperial Garden, Lady Ye deliberately placed begonia flowers in the original Jiang Xinyue's hair, intending to use Concubine Li to destroy her.
Just ruining her face would make the Emperor abandon her.
Unexpectedly, that day brought the twenty-first century Jiang Xinyue through time.
The original Jiang Xinyue... must have been very unwilling to die like that!
However, it was precisely because of the future Jiang Xinyue's arrival that the original's destined tragic ending was changed.
Now the Jiang family's situation was excellent, her mother was about to become the official wife, and her siblings had her protection, ensuring they wouldn't suffer in the future.
"Jiang Xinyue, may you be reborn into a happy and complete family in your next life, where you won't need schemes and tactics to receive your parents' full love."
A strange black smoke seemed to suddenly envelope her body before vanishing with a "whoosh."
The Xuanwu Emperor rubbed his eyes, his constant gaze on Jiang Xinyue finally catching her attention.
The beauty, bathed in sacred light and increasingly striking in the flickering lamplight, blinked and asked, "Why does Your Majesty keep staring at your subject?"
It must be fatigue from recent travels causing him to see things!
The Emperor smiled: "We're admiring how Our Xinyue seems especially beautiful today."
He wasn't just trying to please Jiang Xinyue; he truly felt that in that instant, her beauty had somehow increased.
Jiang Xinyue touched her fair cheek: "Perhaps Your Majesty is so fond of your subject that everything about me appears beautiful!"
Though just now, she had indeed felt a release throughout her body, as if some negative obsession had vanished, giving her a sense of liberation.
She wasn't sure if it was because the Emperor had arranged the banquet according to her preferences, making her genuinely happy, or something else.
Who cares?
White mist drifted through the garden as groups of beautiful dancing girls displayed their beauty and charm to the audience.
The Office of Music and Dance not only collected talented performers from throughout the realm but also included the daughters of condemned officials.
However, people of later generations misunderstood the Office of Music and Dance, thinking it was full of official courtesans. In reality, these women only sang, danced, and played instruments at banquets for the nobility's entertainment; they weren't available for just anyone's pleasure.
Of course, if any performer wished to attach herself to someone and leave the Office, that was another matter entirely.
The beauties wore light clothing as they danced among the mist, lanterns, and flowers, accompanied by pleasant songs and music. No wonder everyone wanted to be emperor.
This supreme visual feast could indeed easily captivate anyone.
"Your Majesty, on behalf of the people of the Great Yan Dynasty, I toast to you. Because we have such a diligent and benevolent ruler, our Great Yan Dynasty grows increasingly prosperous. Your Majesty's achievements will be remembered for thousands of years, and we subjects deeply admire you!"
Once the first person started flattering, a string of others followed.
But since the first was Jiang Xinyue's nominal father, she felt more at ease.
The young eunuch beside the Emperor quickly filled his cup and retreated to his position.
Wang Dequan came forward to test for poison with a silver needle, then tasted a drop on his finger. After a moment, sensing no abnormality, the Xuanwu Emperor finally raised his cup and smiled at Jiang Yankun from afar: "We are also gratified that you lords have joined Us in leading the Great Yan Dynasty to its peak. Now We also toast to you all, hoping that you will always remember to be considerate of the common people from your high positions, avoid corruption, and join Us in appreciating this magnificent realm."
One day, he would conquer the foreign barbarians, unify all under heaven, end all warfare, and bring perfect peace to the world.
When Jiang Xinyue covered her lips with her sleeve, she poured all the wine onto the ground.
