Chapter 1023: Even the Noble Consort is Just a Concubine!

steamed buns, plus various stir-fried dishes. Even for one person, the cost could definitely be kept to around ten wen.Last but not least, there's dinner. While set meals are still provided, we've als..."No," Jia Yin suddenly thought of a possibility, frowning fiercely, "The post was for Baoyu, or the post was to let the Jia family take Baoyu into the palace."

"What would the imperial consort ask a young girl to do Or could it be that all the guests invited by the imperial consort brought their own housemaids"

The Third Princess also reacted, scolding, “She's cunning! What a summer banquet, she's using this to select a bride for the Second Prince, isn't she Even though hundreds of officials have recommended him as Crown Prince, she still finds it insufficient and wants to use marriage alliances to bolster his power She truly treats Heavenly Martial Kingdom as something within her grasp!”

Regardless of how the Consort seeks to scheme for the Second Prince, Jiayin will absolutely not allow Baozhu to be involved.

Even if she were to become a concubine for the second prince, she would still only be a concubine!

With the Jia family's status, Baozhu would absolutely never be able to become a wife!

Just thinking about naive and gluttonous Baozhu, perhaps she would be trapped in the palace for a lifetime, among the same group of women scheming and vying with each other, living and dying, and she couldn't help but feel agitated.

"Caiyun, would you please go and find out who will be visiting tomorrow And also, are they all bringing their daughters" Jia Yin instructed.

The third princess quickly chimed in, “That’s right, Caiyun, go find out as much as you can.”

Cai Yun didn't dare to delay, and immediately went out.

The emperor's favor and attention are the compass of the palace.

Previously, the Emperor daily sent tonic medicine to the Third Princess and even visited her late at night. Now, no one in the palace dares to neglect the Third Princess.

Caiyun was another maidservant of the Third Princess, and wherever she went, everyone treated her with respect and admiration.

Besides, Caiyun just wants to know who will be attending the summer solstice banquet tomorrow. It's not some top-secret information.

Therefore, everyone wants to make things clear proactively.

Several small pouches were sent out by the Caiyun Sect, and after a short while, they returned to Zhilan Palace to report.

"Princess, noblewomen, tomorrow's summer banquet will have over eighty families attending. Each family has brought their daughters. The majority of the daughters are around ten years old, with a good number being young ladies of thirteen or fourteen from prominent families."

What else is unclear!

The third princess immediately turned on the sarcasm, "The noble concubine is quite the schemer, isn't she The second prince's legal wife will probably be chosen from among these well-born young ladies who are several years older. As for the others around the same age, we'll see how they do first, and then slowly pick out some to be concubines later!"

Jia Yin wasn't happy either. She said, "No matter what she plans, Baozhu absolutely cannot be involved. Tomorrow we'll go see her and find an excuse to bring Baozhu to Zhi Lan Palace."

The third princess nodded and asked, "What do the Jia family think Don't they really want to send Baozhu in"

Jia Yin shook her head, "Madam Jia Er loves Baozhu the most. She wouldn't want Baozhu to enter the palace. The letter entrusted me with her care. As for the thoughts of the rest of the Jia family, they don't matter."

"In this world, besides parents, few people truly have the best interests of their children at heart!"

The third princess thought of her father and felt a pang of sadness in her heart.

The Emperor's health is clearly failing, and he can't hold on for much longer.

He not only had to maneuver among those in the court, but also had to scheme and arrange things for her.

This is fatherly love, silent but great!

Through the night, there was no sound. The next morning, early in the day, the maidservants inside the main hall and side halls of Zilan Palace were all bustling with activity.

The weather was too hot during the day, so Jiayin and the Third Princess dressed very casually, prioritizing comfort.

But today, since I have to attend a banquet, I have to dress up formally.

They represent the royal face whenever they appear before the public, for no other reason.

Jia Yin chose a light blue summer shirt with embroidered white orchids, paired with a plain skirt made of fine pleats. She wore pearl-embroidered shoes and a pink pearl headband, adding a touch of liveliness to her appearance.

The third princess was more flamboyant, wearing a bright red light gauze skirt embroidered with large peonies in gold thread. She wore a crimson nine-phoenix crown on her head, literally glittering from head to toe, exuding an air of nobility.

Jia Yin saw her and couldn't help but laugh, "You definitely did that on purpose!"

The Third Princess proudly adjusted her golden crown and replied, "Yes, I did it on purpose! Even if she's a noble consort, she's still just a concubine!"

This crown of nine phoenixes, only the Empress and I, as a legitimate princess, can wear it! Even if she is favored, she has to bow her head before me!

Jia Yin stepped forward, taking her arm, and said with a smile, "You know that you bullied me when we were little. Why am I still willing to play with you now"

The Third Princess blushed, awkwardly saying, "Oh my, why are we talking about this Back then, I was young and no one taught me, so I couldn't help but be willful and domineering. Seeing that Father favored you, I did some foolish things. How can you still hold a grudge It's been so many years, why bring it up!"

Jia Yin laughed out loud, replying, "Of course I know! Otherwise, I wouldn't have forgiven you! Although you can be stubborn and domineering, sometimes so foolish that I want to pry open your skull with a chisel to see if there's just pudding in there. "

But I have to say, you're a straightforward person, clear about your likes and dislikes! You repay kindness with kindness and revenge with revenge! That's much better than those hypocritical socialite who act one way in public and another behind closed doors!

"Well, of course, I'm the..." Princess Three was pleased to hear this and just about to boast a few words when she suddenly reacted, stomped her foot and cried out, "What are you saying Are you calling me stupid and full of mush"

Jia Yin quickly giggled and ran outside, causing the Third Princess to chase after her. "You little brat, you wait! Today, if you don't make me two bowls of ice cream, I won't let this go!"

Caixun, Shui Ling, and Shuiling gazed at each other, then smiled and followed...

At first, the Manchus' assault was fierce. The sudden relocation of the capital naturally meant there wasn't time to preemptively build a grand palace.

Therefore, the current palace is merely a refurbished former imperial villa.

In recent years, Tianwu has been recuperating and its treasury has accumulated some surplus.

The palace has been renovated in parts, but the foundation is still here. No matter how it's changed, it can't be called magnificent.

Luckily, the emperor had few concubines and even fewer children, so there was enough room for everyone.

For a summer solstice banquet like today, the only place that could provide both spaciousness and beautiful scenery would be the Imperial Garden.

There has never been a shortage of clever people in the world. The Second Prince is now very popular, and the Noble Consort is also extremely favored.

Today's banquet hosted by the Noble Consort Zhang was, of course, supported by enthusiastic eunuchs and maidservants throughout the palace.

The imperial garden, originally a riot of colorful flowers and plants, was now even more meticulously clean and tidy, without a single weed in sight.

Even the pavilions and platforms were veiled with fine gauze, providing a cool and breathable atmosphere.

Occasionally, a gentle breeze blows past, and the fine gauze flutters, adding even more grace to its beauty.

As there were so many visitors, to avoid congestion in front of the palace gate, many families of lower standing even left before dawn.

The Jia family is one of them.

Baozhu's father held a low official position, and her mother had no imperial decree. She was forced to come to the banquet with her aunt.

Madam Jia's personality was somewhat rigid and she adhered strictly to rules, unlike the more flexible and adaptable Second Madam Jia.

So, Baozhu was strictly required to sit upright along the way, she wasn't allowed to speak, eat or drink, and she wasn't even allowed to doze off.

She was going crazy!

At this moment, Madam Jia and several other noblewomen were gossiping in a corner of the banquet hall. Baozhu was hiding behind them, stifling yawns with her hand, her sleepy eyes almost brimming with tears.

The other girls huddled together, gossiping about clothes and jewelry. Occasionally, someone would glance at Baozhu and couldn't help but snicker.

Two updates today~~~woman's daughter."The old Taoist nodded, but said, “If madam wishes to inquire about the empress, then this old man cannot alleviate your worries.”"Heaven has its laws, even an old Daoist cannot light...