Shadow (3)
Jiang Mingwei had severely angered the Emperor at the Lantern festival, even the Empress and Xie Xuanji were scolded. All this while, Jiang Mingwei had apologised to the Empress multiple times, and even Xie Xuanji had been acting with his tail between his legs.
As the banquet was arranged for envoys from the Beirong Dynasty, all the members of the royal family were required to attend the banquet. This time, Jiang Mingwei took advantage of the situation and finally stepped outside the Jin mansion after such a long time. No matter how dissatisfied the Empress was with Jiang Mingwei, Jiang Mingwei was Xie Xuanjiâs main wife, so the Empress had no choice but to let her attend the banquet.
Everyone knew about Prince Jin and Jiang Mingweiâs situation, but they pretended not to know that to leave some face to the Jiang family and Prince Jin.
But who was Mu Mingtang? She wasnât afraid of talking to Jiang Mingwei and didnât intend to stop just after one or two questions.
âIs it really convenient for me to go to Prince Jinâs mansion? I heard that the rules in Prince Jinâs mansion are strict, and those who are in charge of the Jin mansion are all the trusted female officials appointed by the Empress. If I came to the door rashly, wouldnât I offend the female officers?â
âSister-in-law, what are you talking about?â Jiang Mingweiâs face was heavily powdered today, looking pale and stiff. Hearing Mu Mingtangâs words, the corners of her mouth twitched.
âThe Empress mother likes the second sister-in-law a lot, and she always tells me to learn from you. If you come to the Jin Palace, the Empress mother would definitely be overjoyed. How can female officers be harsh towards the second sister-in-law?â
Mu Mingtang responded with a smile as the corner of her mouth tilted up, âIt turns out that the Empress had said her true feelings to my younger sister, which really makes me ashamed of my poor opinion.â
Mu Mingtang continued in a provocative tone, âSince my younger sister doesnât think Iâm making trouble, it will be disrespectful of me not to come.â
As Mu Mingtangâs words flew out, everyoneâs gazes circled between her and Jiang Mingwei. Both mansions were royal palaces, but why were the female officials appointed by Empress in charge of the Jin mansion, while allowing Mu Mingtang to do whatever she wanted in the Qiyang mansion?
It showed that the Empress was treating the two of them differently. Jiang Mingwei and Mu Mingtang were both the main wives of the two princes, but their status in the mansion and the degree of comfort in their lives were completely different.
When Mu Mingtang and Jiang Mingwei were talking, none of the other female guests who were sitting around them dared to interrupt. One was the wife of the future emperor, and the other was the wife of the overlord of the capital. So who would dare to provoke these two giants?
Although Jiang Mingwei seemed to have fallen out of favour, who could predict the future?
As for Mu Mingtang, it was needless to say. Prince Anâs current position was indeed not secure, but after he taught Song Wulang a lesson, no one in the capital would dare humiliate Mu Mingtang as long as Prince An was alive.
Everyone felt as if they were sitting on pins and needles when they saw that the two princesses didnât intend to back down and began to exchange sarcastic comments with one another.
Others who were present would eventually suffer if the two princesses caused trouble in the palace. However, one of the ladies quickly laughed and added, âThe news that Princess Jin has totally recovered from her illness makes us very happy. By the way, Princess An hasnât received birthday wishes from this officialâs wife. The courtiers congratulate Concubine An on her birthday and wish her luck, happiness, and health.â
After that, one after another, the banquet hall was filled with birthday wishes.
Surprised, Mu Mingtang thanked them. âHow do you know my birthday?â
The officialâs wife, who spoke first, smiled awkwardly, âThisâ¦itâs hard not to know.â
Not only noble families, but even ordinary people in the capital knew that Princess Anâs birthday was on the first day of April, and that she was fond of begonias. Therefore, even if there were no begonia plants in the capital, Prince An had made arrangements to bloom begonias on the main street overnight just to please his wife.