Chapter 360

Chapter 360: Banquet

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Lady Rong was puzzled. “When did Noble Consort Shu treat you so well?”

In her impression, Noble Consort Shu had always been very arrogant. Other than the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, no other woman in the harem was worthy of her attention.

Now that Noble Consort Shu was suddenly so enthusiastic about Princess Tao Ran, she was definitely up to no good.

Lady Rong felt a little uneasy.

Princess Tao Ran did not care. “Why do you care so much about her? Anyway, she can’t harm me.”

Liu Zhi returned to the Startling Palace and conveyed Princess Tao Ran’s words to Noble Consort Shu.

Noble Consort Shu pursed her lips and smiled.

“Princess Tao Ran is really smart. If she hadn’t mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten. We should indeed invite the Princess Consort of Lang County into the palace.”

Liu Zhi said, “I heard that Duke Lang dotes on the Princess Consort very much.

Noble Consort Shu’s smile widened. “In that case, even if Duke Lang has wings, he won’t be able to escape.”

As soon as Yu Niaoniao and Xiao Juan entered the house, they received an oral order from the emperor.

Princess Tao Ran was going to the Chen Nation for the marriage. The emperor asked Duke Lang to lead the escort.

Yu Niaoniao was dumbfounded.

“There are so many generals in the court. Why did the emperor choose you?” Granny Xiu Yan also felt that there was something amiss with this matter.

“It’s not like the emperor doesn’t know how Princess Tao Ran feels about you. He even asked you to escort her. Isn’t that equivalent to sending a sheep to the tiger’s den?”

Xiao Juan’s reaction was very calm.

“Don’t worry, Princess Tao Ran is just a woman. She can’t do anything to me.”

Granny Xiu Yan was worried. “As the saying goes, it’s easy to dodge an open spear, but difficult to guard against a hidden arrow. What if she plays tricks on you?”

Xiao Juan comforted her. “It’s fine. Ever since I took over the Justice

Department, I’ve seen all kinds of methods. With Princess Tao Ran’s ability, she can’t do anything to me. You just have to stay at home and wait for me to come back.”

Granny Xiu Yan was still worried.

However, she knew that it was difficult to disobey the emperor’s order. There was no room for negotiation.

Now, the only way to deal with it was to face it squarely.

Granny Xiu Yan said, “I’ll pack your luggage.”

Yu Niaoniao also said, “I’ll make more convenient food for you to bring to the road.”

With that, she quickly ran to the kitchen to work.

She could not help anything else but make more delicious food in case Xiao Juan was did not like the food outside and starved.

At this moment, Yan Nanguan walked in and whispered.

“Your Highness, the Sixth Prince and the Ninth Prince of the Chen Nation are secretly colluding. If you lead a team to send the bride off, you have to walk with the Chen Nation’s diplomatic mission. Will they take this opportunity to harm you?”

Xiao Juan’s eyes darkened. “I’m not afraid of them making a move, but I’m afraid they won’t.”

As long as they dared to attack, the Eagle Guards would have a chance to catch them red-handed. At that time, none of them would be able to escape!

Three days later, Princess Tao Ran got married in Yihe Hall.

Xiao Juan had to go out early in the morning. He had to wait outside the palace gate in advance.

Yu Niaoniao especially woke up early today.

She stuffed a large bag of food into his arms and instructed, “These are dry food I specially prepared for you. Take them and eat them on the way. I keep feeling that Princess Tao Ran and the Ninth Prince of the Chen Nation have ill intentions. You have to be careful along the way. Don’t eat what they give you. Keep a distance from them and protect yourself.”

Xiao Juan stroked her head. “Yes, I’ll remember.”

He carried the bag on his back and mounted his horse. Before he left, he did not forget to look back at Yu Niaoniao.

Yu Niaoniao looked at him eagerly.

“Have a safe trip. Come back early!”

Xiao Juan said, “When I’m not at home, try not to go out as much as possible. If you really have to go out, remember to bring Little Meng along.”

Yu Niaoniao knew that he was afraid that she would not be safe, so she replied obediently, “Okay!”

Xiao Juan waved his whip and rode away.

Yu Niaoniao lifted her skirt and ran down the steps. As she watched him leave, she felt lonely.

Ever since she married into the Langjun Imperial Palace, she had always been with Xiao Juan and was rarely separated.

Now that he had to escort Princess Tao Ran to the Chen Nation, this trip would take at least half a year. Whenever she thought about not seeing him for half a year, she felt empty.

At this moment, in the palace, the emperor and empress sent Princess Tao Ran away with a group of concubines.

Everyone was smiling, except Lady Rong.

But she didn’t dare cry out loud, afraid of making the emperor unhappy. She could only cover her mouth with a silk handkerchief.

Princess Tao Ran was wearing a bright red wedding dress and a gilded phoenix crown. She held a red veil and a golden phoenix fan.

She bowed gracefully to the emperor and empress.

“Father, Mother, I’m getting married today, so I can’t be filial to you in the future. I feel guilty. I hope you can take good care of yourselves in the future and live a long life.”

The old emperor instructed, “After you marry into the Chen Nation, don’t be as willful as before. You have to take good care of your husband and children and abide by the principles of a woman. If anyone bullies you, you don’t have to swallow your anger. You can order someone to send a letter back. I’ll stand up for you.”

These words were pleasant to hear, but Princess Tao Ran knew the truth very well.

The Chen Nation was far from Mount Yujing. It would take at least half a year to go back and forth.

If she really encountered any danger, she would probably be dead by the time her father sent someone to save her.

Her father was just comforting her. She could not take it seriously.

Princess Tao Ran looked grateful. “Father loves me so much. I definitely won’t let you down.”

When it was almost time, Princess Tao Ran sat in the carriage with the help of the palace maid.

The bridal escort team slowly walked along the street. There were Eagle Guards protecting them from the front and back, and the Chen Nation’s diplomatic mission followed behind. In addition to the rich dowry, the entire convoy looked especially spectacular. It was not an exaggeration to say that it was ten miles long.

The streets were crowded with onlookers. They had never seen such a grand wedding and were all excited.

Yu Niaoniao was also mixed in the crowd.

She looked at Xiao Juan, who was riding a tall horse, and prayed silently.

“You have to come back safely!”

The bridal escort left the city and followed the official road east.

The citizens in the city dispersed.

Yu Niaoniao sighed and prepared to go home.

Seeing her forlorn expression, Meng Xizhou suggested. “Since you’re out, do you want to walk around? Treat it as a walk.”

Yu Niaoniao shook her head. “No need. Let’s go back.”

As soon as the two of them returned to the Langjun Imperial Palace, the people from the palace arrived.

The person who came was a young eunuch. He said respectfully, “The peony flowers in the Dalace are blooming extremelv well todav. Noble Consort Shu has invited the princess consorts of the capital to the palace to admire the flowers and drink tea. This is an invitation. Please come on time tomorrow morning. ”

With that, he placed an exquisite invitation in front of Yu Niaoniao.

Yu Niaoniao frowned.. Didn’t Noble Consort Shu hate her very much? Why did she want to treat her to tea? Could this be a banquet?