Not here?
Or will she come later?
At this moment, everyone looked at Nan Shiying with a hint of calculation.
In the middle of winter, Wei Yuan's folding fan was replaced with a feather fan. He waved it in his hand, saw the overt and covert glances from those around him, and glanced meaningfully at Nan Shiying.
Where was Ji Jinmo?
Was he really letting his wife come alone?
Isn't this a lamb entering a tiger's mouth... Hmm, thinking of Nan Shiying's great achievements, Wei Yuan suppressed the thoughts in his heart. Perhaps it wasn't a lamb entering a tiger's mouth, but a tiger entering a flock of sheep.
He glanced at the people around him again.
These fools probably didn't know what kind of dangerous person they were about to face!
In the center of the main hall was a square dining table made of golden-thread nanmu. Behind the table, there was a dragon chair carved with dragon patterns and a slightly smaller golden-thread nanmu chair. The seat of the Regent's estate was positioned to the right of the dragon chair, only a few meters away from Ji Hong.
The Prince Gong's estate's seats were right next to the Regent's estate. Nan Shiying naturally walked over with Madam Mu and Mu Xiaoxiao. The surrounding gazes followed them like shadows. It wasn't just Mu Xiaoxiao, even Madam Mu, who had seen a lot of the world, felt a slight discomfort.
As for Nan Shiying, she was as calm and composed as if she hadn't noticed these gazes at all.
As they walked to their seats and sat down, palace maids quickly brought up fruits, vegetables, and pastries. The atmosphere of the palace banquet today was much better than the previous one. Except for the slightly somber atmosphere on the side of the Dali envoy, everyone else, especially the young men who had been terrified before, were all smiling and chatting with each other.
"Princess..."
Prime Minister Qin glanced at the head of the table, his eyes quickly skimming over Nan Shiying, then he leaned closer to the princess and called out vaguely.
The princess of Dali was drinking tea and glanced at him with a condescending air.
As of now, he still wanted to find trouble with the Regent's estate? Did he think that with the Regent absent, the Princess Consort alone would be easy to bully?
Indeed, the Emperor of Linyuan and the Regent Ji Jinmo had been at odds for a long time. They had not found an excuse before, and now that they had finally waited for such a rare opportunity, why wouldn't they do something? If Dali took the opportunity to attack the Princess Consort, it was likely that the Emperor of Linyuan would not only not blame them but would even be pleased.
The princess of Dali blew on the tea floating on the water. The ripples on the surface of the water overturned the reflection in the water. "Prime Minister Qin, do whatever you want. If you dare to drag my name into it..." The princess of Dali paused, then the hot tea flowed into her mouth, coursing down her throat. The tea fragrance she spat out seemed to roll up layers of sharp blades, cold and fierce, "Then don't blame me for being unfeeling."
Prime Minister Qin's face changed drastically. His voice rolled in his throat several times, but in the end, he said nothing and retreated timidly to his seat.
"The Emperor has arrived, and the Noble Consort has arrived."
The noisy hall suddenly quieted down with the eunuch's announcement. Ji Hong, wearing a golden dragon robe, entered the hall hand in hand with the Noble Consort.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, greetings, Noble Consort."
Everyone scrambled to their knees.
"All officials, rise."
After Ji Hong told everyone to get up, he slightly lowered his gaze, swept over everyone present, and paused on Nan Shiying for a few seconds. He suddenly said, "At today's palace banquet, only the Princess Consort has come alone?"
Nan Shiying bowed to Ji Hong and replied respectfully, "Replying to Your Majesty, the Prince contracted a cold a few days ago. It was originally thought to be a minor illness, and due to carelessness, the condition has worsened. His Highness is not intentionally absent today; it is simply that he is unwell and cannot come. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Nan Shiying's words were pleasant, but could Ji Jinmo really be sick and unable to attend the banquet? Hmph, who would believe that.
Even the excuse for the Emperor was so perfunctory.
Ji Hong's pupils trembled slightly, but his expression was unreadable. Upon hearing that Ji Jinmo was ill, he even showed a look of concern and asked with some nervousness, "Is my Imperial Uncle ill? Is his condition serious? Does Your Majesty need me to order the imperial physicians to go to the estate to treat my Imperial Uncle?"
His appearance made it seem as if one didn't know the truth that the relationship between the uncle and nephew was very good.
Nan Shiying said gratefully, "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. The doctors in the estate have already treated the Prince and said there is no major problem. However, illness comes like a mountain, and recovery is like untangling silk. Although the condition is gradually improving, he still cannot be exposed to the wind... Before I entered the palace, the Prince had also instructed me to beg for Your Majesty's forgiveness..."
"Princess, what are you saying? I will naturally not blame my Imperial Uncle for such a small matter."
The two exchanged words a few times. They appeared friendly on the surface, but one could not imagine what they were thinking in their hearts.