C59

Following the eunuch's loud chant, all the madams and misses present turned their gazes towards the same direction. Imperial Consort Yi also stopped in her tracks, and her gaze landed on the elegant Queen who was walking over.

The empress was surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs. They were dressed in gorgeous phoenix robes and wore jade pincers with a pearl crown on their heads. There was no expression on their dignified faces, only a slight curve on their lips.

She slowly walked over and leisurely sat on her seat. Her gaze swept over the somewhat reserved Madam and then gently smiled. "Today is a Spring Festival. It's just a celebration, so there's no need to be reserved."

The ladies replied in unison. Then, they began to chat with their friends again. However, the chatter and laughter they had been chatting with each other was much quieter than before.

The Imperial Consort Yi sat at the bottom of the empress. She gave a humble bow to the empress, and with a smile that was full of flattery, she started a conversation with the empress.

An Lingge watched the entire scene. In her heart, she was filled with disdain towards the high and mighty Imperial Consort Yi, but she did not reveal it on the surface.

The Madam Li pulled An Lingyi to sit at the side. Although there was also a smile on her face, her eyes wandered around the crowd, appearing somewhat absent-minded. It was likely that she was looking for the figure of the Imperial Noble Consort Li.

The madame was much calmer. She had participated in many of the Imperial Palace's Spring Feasts. She had only chatted with her good friends for many years after returning to the capital. Naturally, they would talk about the future of their children.

"Ever since the old prince passed away, you brought the people from the second and third branch to the ancestral residence." Ever since the old prince passed away, you brought the people from the second and third branch to the ancestral residence.

A woman around the same age as the Old Mistress laughed as she spoke, her eyes looking at Old Madem Xiang with nostalgia and joy.

When meeting old friends, the madame was naturally happy, her expression was also excited, but there was a hint of pride on her aged face, "Isn't that so? My eldest son has inherited the throne, but there is still Old Second and Old Third who have nothing to do, so they can only rush them back to the ancestral home and take care of business. If it wasn't for my grandson taking the Spring Examinations, he would have had to come to the capital, and we wouldn't even know when we would meet."

The old woman understood the many twists and turns within this large clan.

Their eldest son had inherited the throne, while their second and third sons didn't even have official positions. Naturally, they felt uncomfortable in their hearts.

In order to prevent her brothers and sisters from getting into trouble, the old mistress would bring the second and third branch to the ancestral residence. She had not stepped into the capital for more than ten years.

The one who was talking to the madame was the State Duke Palace's Madam. The two of them had known each other for dozens of years, it could be said to be the same thing.

The old mistress only had this close friend, so she spoke with more sincerity.

"I heard that your grandson got the first place in the country test?"

"It's just a small place's ranking. It's not worth mentioning." The madame waved her hand. "But your boy actually became the emperor's imperial bodyguard at such a young age. He's really incredible. Truly incredible."

The two of them flattered each other, and Madame State Duke's gaze suddenly landed on An Lingge and the rest.

"I heard that some time ago, the Emperor bestowed marriage to Prince An's Palace and the Emperor. I wonder which lady it was?"

The old lady pointed in An Lingge's direction, her eyes carrying a look of gratification: "It's that little girl, our house's young miss."

She thought back to the day when she had just returned to her house, the day when the Madam Li took control of her house, and unintentionally or unintentionally looked down on her. The grandson's daughter that she had not seen for over ten years had prepared a present for her.

The State Duke's wife saw the look in the old lady's eyes and was curious, "Looking at you, are you satisfied with this grandson's daughter?"

She had known the madame for many years, so how could she not know that the madame was picky? Most people wanted to please the madame, but it was not that simple. They wondered what was so special about the young lady.

"She is my grandson, what is there to be unsatisfied about?" She looked at State Duke and said, "She is a very filial person, but her mother died young. She does not have a reliable person to teach her, but she was not taken care of by her aunt.

The State Duke's wife raised his eyebrows. He clearly did not expect the madame to give An Lingge such a high evaluation.

Glimmers danced in her eyes as she looked at a young girl who was coincidentally laughing not far away. An unfathomable emotion flashed in her eyes.

The two of them chatted happily while the Imperial Consort Yi and Empress talked happily. At least on the surface, they seemed to be having fun.

An Lingge would occasionally look at the male customers, but the Ninth Prince did not notice. On the other hand, An Lingjun suddenly raised her head, and looked over.

Upon seeing An Lingge, a flash of pleasant surprise appeared on An Lingjun's stubborn face.

An Lingge also laughed, and while no one was looking, she mouthed some words to An Lingjun — — Big sister will definitely save you from death.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she heard the eunuch sing another long song.

"The emperor has arrived!"

The group of officials and women saluted one after another. The Emperor laughed and waved his hand. "Rise. There aren't many rules in today's Spring Festival."

An Lingge raised her head, and quietly sized up this person who held the power to kill and to live above all these people.

He was in his fifties, his temples were slightly white, and his square face was filled with dignity. Even when he was chuckling, his eyes still carried a sharp glint.

He sat in the seat of honor, his sharp eyes sweeping across the few other princes s, and slowly forming a fist by his side.

This was an ambitious overlord, and an extremely suspicious one at that.

An Lingge thought of the rumors she had heard in her previous life and came to a conclusion.

On the other hand, the Imperial Noble Consort Li had been missing for a long time, and even when the emperor had arrived, she was nowhere to be seen at the banquet.

Madam Li looked up at the seat of honor and saw that the emperor's empress was seated at the head and right hand side was the Imperial Consort Yi, but there was no one at the emperor's left hand side.

Could there have been an accident?

Just as Madam Li was thinking this, she heard a delicate female voice.

"Chenqie has come late because of something. I hope the empress can forgive me."

Imperial Noble Consort Li landed beside the emperor like a cool breeze, smiling from the corner of hhereyes. Although she was saying words of apology, his face was full of indifference, obviously not caring if she was late or not.

The empress's face immediately darkened. Although the Spring Festival Gala had no rules, the palace always emphasized on who was on stage. The higher the status, the later it was,.