After leaving Qianqing Palace, Wen Wan did not immediately exit the Imperial City but went to Yikun Palace.

Empress Dong was still grooming herself, dressed in a luxurious gold and red palace attire embroidered with nine-tailed phoenixes, exuding an air of elegance and nobility. Due to her pregnancy, her once sharp chin had become more rounded.

Upon hearing that Wen Wan requested to see her, Empress Dong smiled and instructed Nian Chun to bring her in.

Nian Chun walked to Yikun Gate, noticing that Wen Wan’s clothes clashed in color with her mistress’s attire, and felt a bit uneasy.

The Empress is still at her prime, yet Wen Wan is already so eager to replace her?

Wen Wan chose to ignore Nian Chun’s unfriendly look. She had seen such looks too often recently and had become numb to them, from the blindly following populace to the civilian and military officials, and even to a close friend she had shared life-and-death moments with. Their reactions when they saw her were almost identical, labeling her as a seductive enchantress.

Since Zhao Xi did not bother to quell the rumors, she was too lazy to explain to each person individually.

Bypassing Nian Chun, Wen Wan went directly to Empress Dong’s living quarters.

Empress Dong sat at the dressing table, seeing her through the bronze mirror, smiled, and said, "Why has the Commandery Princess entered the palace so early?"

Wen Wan replied, "I came to request leave from Your Majesty." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Empress Dong was taken aback for a moment, "Leave? Is the Commandery Princess unwell again?"

"There are some personal matters to handle," Wen Wan said, glancing at Empress Dong, "By the way, I wanted to ask you something, Your Majesty."

"What is it?"

"For today’s Thousand Autumn Banquet, has the Song family been given a seat?"

The Song Family?

Empress Dong thought for a moment and quickly realized she was referring to Song Wei, who had come to the capital to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday. She shook her head, "No, Mr. Qi of the Su family sent a message to the palace yesterday, saying he recently caught a cold and the child is also unwell, so they might not be able to attend the Emperor’s Thousand Autumn Banquet."

"I see, thank you for informing me, Your Majesty." It seemed that Lin Xiaoyue had indeed listened to her words, Wen Wan sighed in relief, and her mood visibly improved on her way out of the palace.

Today is the Thousand Autumn Banquet, a grand event for the Emperor. All civil and military officials, as well as noblewomen, would attend, Zhao Xunyin included. Wen Wan thought about how the residence was empty and decided to return to her room to take a nap, while also having someone monitor the surroundings of the Su family.

Unexpectedly, just as she stepped into Liufang Courtyard, Yun Cai approached her, saying that the Su family matron had brought Miss Su over.

Raising an eyebrow, Wen Wan had intended to request leave to personally keep an eye on the Su family to prevent the Imperial Concubine from succeeding in her plans, but Lin Xiaoyue had proactively sent Ah Nuan to the Changning Marquis Mansion.

Just as well, it saved her a day of endless worry.

"I understand." Wen Wan nodded and proceeded to the Warm Pavilion.

She stood outside for a long time, covered in the chill air from outside. As soon as she lifted the curtain to enter, a wave of warmth greeted her, making her cheeks flush.

Lin Xiaoyue, seated on the circle chair, had already heard the conversation outside. She glanced at the partition door and shortly after saw Wen Wan bypass the folding screen and come in.

Since the fallout over Song Wei being dispatched to the Western Border, this was probably the first time they met calmly.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Lin Xiaoyue stood up, her eyelashes lowered, "I’m here to apologize to you."

Wen Wan walked to the warm couch, hung her cloak on the standing coat rack beside it, and only then looked at Lin Xiaoyue, "Apologize? For what?"

"On the day I arrived in the capital, I shouldn’t have blindly blamed you," Lin Xiaoyue said, full of regret, "It was my emotional outburst, and my lack of thoughtfulness, failing to consider your feelings as well."

"Sit down," Wen Wan gestured, "I haven’t taken those matters to heart."

Lin Xiaoyue was a bit surprised, "You truly don’t hold a grudge against me?"

"If it were anyone else who blamed me like that, I would not only hold a grudge but hold it for a lifetime. But since that person was you, I won’t," Wen Wan said. "Even between spouses, there can be friction, let alone friends. We have a friendship forged through life-and-death struggles; minor disagreements and quarrels are normal. What’s important is that after the arguments, I’m still willing to regard you as a friend, not like a disposable item to be discarded after a quarrel."

Hearing this, Lin Xiaoyue was overwhelmed with guilt, "This time coming to the capital, I mainly came because of you, but the people’s rumors... I blame myself for not being calm or rational enough, allowing others’ opinions to sway my thoughts. Wen Wan, I’m sorry. I won’t doubt you casually again in the future. As for your divorce, since you’ve mentioned you have your reasons, I won’t ask further. However, with all the unpleasant rumors outside, you should take good care of yourself!"

"I know," Wen Wan nodded, "I’ve actually gotten used to it over the past days."

Lin Xiaoyue thought that since she entered, the mansion seemed to be cold and quiet, "Where is Jinbao? Why haven’t I seen anyone?"

Wen Wan replied, "The children were all taken back to Ningzhou by the Third Son. I’m the only one left in the Capital now. The Song Mansion might still have some servants watching the house, but I haven’t been back for a long time, so I’m not sure about the situation there."

Lin Xiaoyue sighed, "I used to visit your mansion often. The Old Mrs. Song seemed healthy and nothing seemed wrong. How could it be... It truly confirms that old saying, ’life is full of surprises.’"

"Perhaps this is fate!" Wen Wan curved her lips into a self-deprecating smile.

It was fate, the fate of the Third Son, and the fate of the Song Family.

This mother-in-law, straightforward and upright in character, not skilled in flowery language, but I have no complaints about her. I always thought that with my in-laws’ physique from frequent exercises, they should live for decades more. Who could have expected...

"Let’s not talk about this anymore," Wen Wan changed the subject and looked at Ah Nuan.

The little girl had been sitting quietly since she came in, not saying a word.

Wen Wan called her over to sit beside her, reached out to touch her head, and asked, "Was the Western Border fun?"

Ah Nuan was a bit absent-minded, nodded dully, and said it was fun.

Wen Wan then said, "Since you’re here, stay at the Marquis Mansion for dinner today, do not go out temporarily. I will have someone keep an eye on the situation at the Su Family. By the way, is Mr. Qi still at the mansion?"

Lin Xiaoyue nodded, "He personally took me to the Marquis Mansion earlier, but considering there’s no male master at your home, he went back first."

Wen Wan understood and raised her hand to let Linglong go to the kitchen to request a meal.

...

Despite the unpleasantness, Fu Zichuan still attended Emperor Xuanjing’s Thousand Autumn Banquet as instructed by the Imperial Concubine.

Snow was falling outside, and the banquet was set in Bailu Palace. This place was near the Qianqing Palace, and due to the cold weather, ground heating was used, and fire walls were added on all sides, so once inside Bailu Palace, one felt like crossing from cold winter into warm spring and summer. Many people did not wish to step out again into the cold wind.

Zhao Xunyin arrived with her mother-in-law, Old Mrs. Lu. At present, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were standing with several noblewomen talking about something. Seeing the palace maid leading four delicate beauties in palace dresses inside, Zhao Xunyin immediately recognized them as the four Jiuli beauties brought by Su Qing, and she mentioned to the other noblewomen, who then stepped forward to pay their respects.

The Jiuli Clan used to be under a slave system, with distinct divisions from the king to slaves, where crossing a social tier was like crossing mighty mountains.

These four beauties had low status in the West Yue at that time and rarely had the chance to be revered. Now seeing so many noblewomen paying respects to them made the four beauties very pleased. Although their Han speech wasn’t perfect, they still cheerfully told the noblewomen to waive the formalities.

Afterwards, they followed a palace maid to their designated seats.

Fu Zichuan sat with the other emissaries from Bei Yan, occasionally glancing at the noblewomen’s table as if waiting for something yet never witnessing it, causing him some disappointment, as his handsome face grew dark and tense.

Over the past days of running errands for the Imperial Concubine, he heard some rumors related to Princess Yong’an and Emperor Zhao Xi of Chu Country.

Despite their identities being sensitive and special, the rumors were spoken discreetly among the folk. Fu Zichuan still roughly understood them, that Princess Yong’an was originally the wife of Imperial Tutor Song Wei but secretly communicated with Emperor Xuanjing. A few months ago, the Old Mrs. Song passed away, and Song Wei intended to resign and return home for mourning. Princess Yong’an seized the opportunity to propose a separation at the memorial hall and was later appointed as a female official by Emperor Xuanjing to enter the palace daily.

Upon hearing this news, Fu Zichuan felt like he had been struck by a thunderbolt, leaving him disoriented.

The Empress Teacher communicates secretly with the Emperor, then openly becomes a female official following separation.

What kind of legendary love story is this?

The people of Chu Country indeed are... peculiar!

At this moment, Eunuch Sanbao’s loud announcement resonated from outside Bailu Palace, "The Emperor arrives—The Empress arrives—"

Hearing this, everyone in the palace quickly lined up and kneeled to pay their respects.

Fu Zichuan and the emissaries stood up, performing a bow towards Emperor Xuanjing.

Zhao Xi walked to the top, golden dragon throne, and sat down, waving his hand, allowing everyone to rise.

After everyone returned to their seats, Eunuch Sanbao spoke, delivering a lengthy opening address on behalf of Emperor Xuanjing, then announced the start of the Thousand Autumn Banquet.