They are all concubines, so of course they choose the future emperor.

Chapter 118 Reminder

After the Little New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Eve will soon be here.

In previous years, the emperor would hold a palace banquet on New Year’s Eve and invite several royal palaces to celebrate together, and this year is no exception.

Lu Qingshuang was still ill, so the task of accompanying the prince to the banquet naturally fell on Jiang Wanyue.

Therefore, the best things in the Eastern Palace were all sent to the Yichun Palace.

The chief servant and chief treasurer under Si Xun tried their best to please him.

In just a few days, the embroiderers made an extremely exquisite and gorgeous palace dress, and the craftsmen also made extremely luxurious jewelry.

On the twenty-eighth day, two groups of people came with clothes and jewelry.

They all thought they could get Jiang Liangdi's praise.

But what they never expected was that after Jiang Wanyue saw it, her face changed and she scolded them harshly.

Whether it is clothes or jewelry, there are some places that exceed the rules.

Originally, this was not a big problem. The status of the women in the Eastern Palace was higher than that of other royal palaces. So what if there was one more phoenix hairpin? The Eastern Palace was in its heyday, so who would care about this?

Seeing that the two men still had expressions of disapproval on their faces, Jiang Wanyue became even angrier. She slammed the table, removed the two men from their official positions, and expelled them from the Eastern Palace.

Then, she quickly gave orders, asking the chef and gardener to temporarily take over the positions of these two people.

Then, she transferred Madam Zhou, the former cook of Prince Jing's mansion, to the Eastern Palace and appointed her as the head of food; and promoted Chunying to the position of head of the garden.

Madam Zhou was originally the cook in her previous small kitchen. Her cooking skills were impeccable. In addition, she was Jiang Wanyue's person, so after she moved to the kitchen, no one dared to go against her, and she took over particularly smoothly.

As for Chunying, there was no problem at all. She had always been close to the head of the garden.

When Si Xun received the news, it was too late. The two female officials had already taken office. Even if she wanted to object, it was too late.

In this way, Jiang Wanyue directly took control of the two departments.

Most of the three divisions were in her hands.

Naturally, someone was indignant about this and tried to complain to the prince, but the prince beat the complainant half to death without saying a word.

He had originally thought of hanging the person who made the complaint at the gate of the East Palace as a warning to all!

Eunuch Wang tried his best to stop and persuade him.

The New Year is coming soon, it’s unlucky to do this!

After listening to it, Li Ce gave up and ordered his men to throw the person who made the complaint into the woodshed to let him fend for himself.

On the night of New Year's Eve, Jiang Wanyue wore a modified palace dress, had her hair done in a high bun, and followed Li Ce to the palace for a banquet.

The banquet was extremely lively with loud singing and dancing. Jiang Wanyue sat behind Li Ce, with sisters Li Chengyu and Li Chengyin beside her. She kept a low profile throughout the entire banquet and didn't say much. She handled the toasts and tests from others with ease.

Below Li Ce was Prince Ding.

Behind Prince Ding should have been Princess Ding, but she was not good at drinking and was helped down by her maid after only two drinks. So, now only Qixia was sitting there.

The men clinked their glasses and became more and more noisy, while Qixia sat alone, looking lonely.

Jiang Wanyue picked up the golden cup, glanced towards Qixia, her eyes moving slightly.

When the banquet ended, it was almost midnight, and the emperor asked several sons to stay and keep watch with him.

When Jiang Wanyue saw that Yin'er could hardly open her eyes, she asked for permission to take the children back to rest.

The emperor waved his hand and ignored it.

Jiang Wanyue stood up and smiled at Qixia.

"Princess Qixia will come with us too?"

Qixia was stunned for a moment, nodded subconsciously, then stood up and walked out of the hall.

Li Chengyu glanced at Qixia, her little face fell, she snorted, and strode to the front with the palace maids.

The steps in front of the hall were very long, and Li Chengyu disappeared after a while.

Jiang Wanyue walked slowly and chatted casually with Princess Qixia.

"Just now during the banquet, I saw that the princess looked worried. What happened?"

A trace of tension and vigilance appeared on Qixia's face.

"Nothing, I just don't like drinking."

Jiang Wanyue didn't expose her and continued.

"The princess lives in Prince Ding's mansion. Prince Ding and the princess treat the princess like their own child. I don't think the princess will be wronged."

After saying that, she suddenly sighed.

"New Year's Eve is supposed to be a time for families to reunite. It's normal for the princess to feel sad when her family suddenly encounters a big change. Princess Ding is kind. If the princess asks her to let her family see her, maybe she will agree."

Qixia suddenly looked up and stared at her, surprised and confused.

"What do you want to say?!"

Jiang Wanyue raised her hand and stroked her hair, looking calm.

"I don't mean anything else. I'm just giving you some kind advice. Princess, just ignore what I said and forget it!"

After saying these words, she walked down the last step, stood still, raised her head, looked at the sky without a trace of moonlight, waved to everyone, and went towards the direction of the East Palace.

Qixia stood there in a daze, not moving for a long time.

It wasn't until the maid beside her reminded her that she came back to her senses.

Qixia looked at the direction where Jiang Wanyue and her group left, biting her lower lip, feeling hesitant.

Although Jiang Liangdi said that in the end, the words had already entered her ears, so how could she forget them?

She was indeed thinking about her parents just now.

Daddy was in jail and no one was allowed to visit him. She once tried to secretly send some things in, but failed twice and was discovered by Second Aunt.

Second Aunt warned her seriously that she could no longer have any relationship with Daddy, otherwise the Emperor would be furious, and even Second Uncle and Second Aunt might not be able to protect her.

It won't work with Dad, but maybe Mom, Second Aunt, will agree...

After all, Qixia was only twelve or thirteen years old.

No matter how good Princess Ding is to her, she is not her biological mother!

Her eyes turned red, she sniffed, and turned to the side hall where Princess Ding was resting.

The emperor favored Prince Ding, and Prince Ding was not very mentally advanced, so he was still allowed to live in the palace, and the couple would often stay overnight in the palace.

The same is true tonight.

Princess Ding came here after getting drunk, drank some sobering tea, and took a nap. Now she feels more energetic.

Upon hearing that Qixia was coming, Princess Ding went out to greet her with a smile on her face.

Seeing that she didn't even take the hand warmer, he couldn't help feeling distressed and pulled Qixia's hand over and held it in his own.

"Why are your hands so cold? Did you catch a cold walking all the way? How did you guys serve her? If the princess was sick, could you bear the consequences?"

Princess Ding's tone was very bad.

The two maids knelt down hurriedly to plead guilty.

Qixia hurriedly grabbed Princess Ding's hand and said, "Aunt, don't blame them. It's my fault. I forgot the hand warmer in the palace."

Princess Ding clapped her hands in reproach.

"How could you be so careless? If it's fallen, just ask the maids to go back and get it. Why expose yourself to the cold? You are a kind-hearted child. Come and warm yourself by the fire."

Princess Ding took her into the inner room, and soon someone brought her a hand warmer at just the right temperature.

Qixia held the hand warmer and suddenly fell to her knees.

"Second Aunt, I know it's inappropriate to say this now, but, but... I want to go see my mother."

Princess Ding was startled and looked at her with complicated eyes.

After a long time, she let out a long sigh.

"If you want to see her, go ahead! She is your mother after all. But don't let anyone find out."

Qixia was moved and leaned on Princess Ding's knees.

"Thank you Auntie."

At the same time, Jiang Wanyue stepped into Yichun Palace.

She changed her clothes, took off her heavy jewelry, washed off the makeup on her face, and waited until everyone else had left. Then Jiang Wanyue let out a long breath and lay down on the couch.

"This half night has been enough of a torture."

It was said that she was attending a banquet, but except for changing clothes she could not move around freely, so she could only sit the whole time. At first she was interested in watching the singing and dancing, but later she got bored of it, and in the end she just wanted to go back and lie down.

"I don't know why the emperor has such a keen interest in this. Why can't he get tired of watching those songs and dances?"

Jiang Wanyue couldn't help but complain to Xiuchun.

Xiuchun smiled with her lips pursed: "Men like beautiful women to play the piano, write poetry, sing and dance. Isn't this normal? Master, you find it boring, probably because they are all women."

Jiang Wanyue thought about it and clapped her hands.

"You make a lot of sense! If a group of handsome young men were to sing and dance to liven up the atmosphere, perhaps all the princesses and princesses present would be fascinated by the performance. When we have the chance in the future, we can also organize a banquet like this to open everyone's eyes."

Xiu Chunyi thought she was joking and didn't take it seriously.

"Okay! You have to wait until later to discuss what you want to do. Now drink this soup to warm yourself up. This is specially prepared for you by Madam Zhou. It can help you get rid of alcohol, but it's not as unpalatable as those hangover soups."

Jiang Wanyue took the bowl and drank the soup in small sips.

"Has Madam Zhou adapted?"

"Using Madam Zhou's own words, she is not a softie, so how can she not deal with those people? Besides, she is yours, who dares to mess with her?"

Jiang Wanyue laughed.

"That's good. Anyway, there's nothing going on in the palace. After Guan Rou's death, the palace has no proper master. It's better to let her enter the palace."

Speaking of Guan Rou, Xiuchun glanced outside and lowered her voice a lot.

"Aren't you going to tell His Highness about Aunt Guan?"

Guan Rou’s death is closely related to He Yu.

Jiang Wanyue shook her head with a indifferent expression.

"No need, let's put this matter aside for now. Zhu Liangdi and I have a good relationship now, why should I tell His Highness?"

She didn't finish the second half of the sentence.

If Zhu Yan develops other thoughts one day, don't blame her.

Xiuchun silently poured her a cup of tea.

"I am just worried that Zhu Liangdi will be instigated by others. Many of the maids in Yiqiu Palace are very restless."

Jiang Wanyue raised her eyebrows.

"Since you are restless, I will send you away."

Now that she is firmly established in the Eastern Palace and has power in her hands, she doesn't even need to give orders for many things. Naturally, there are people who can understand her intentions and do them.

"That chef is quite capable. I think she has some tricks up her sleeve. You can ask her to do anything you want. She plays the villain and you play the hero."

Xiuchun burst out laughing.

"You are being biased!"

Jiang Wanyue snorted.

"What's wrong with being partial? How can they compare to you? When His Highness ascends the throne and my position is secure, I will let you out of the palace. You can do whatever you want without having to look at other people's faces. It's a pity that female officials are only in the inner court, not outside the palace, otherwise I could get you a title or official position."

Jiang Wanyue felt very sorry.

Xiuchun was touched, but still shook her head.

"I don't want to leave the palace. I want to stay with you forever."

"Life in the palace is not easy! Even as a female official, you can't come and go freely. If you can leave the palace, then leave!"

Jiang Wanyue sighed.

It is impossible for her to leave the palace in this life, but Xiuchun still has a chance.

The night was long, and the master and servant talked and kept watch together until dawn.

On the first day of the new year, Li Ce, as the crown prince, was still busy. He had to participate in the sacrifices to heaven and earth and distribute rewards to each household. The emperor was lazy and left all the tasks to him, while he went to favor the new concubine.

That night, an inconspicuous little carriage quietly drove out from the back door of Prince Ding's mansion.

Li Ce ordered his men to drive all the women and children of the Wei family out of the capital, but the Wei family did not actually go far and lived in a farm outside the city.

This year, the Wei family lived an especially lonely and miserable life.

Qixia came over quietly, and as soon as she got off the carriage, the gatekeeper recognized her and was very excited.

"Princess! Princess, you are here!"

Qixia made a gesture to her to keep quiet.

"I came quietly, don't make a sound. There are some things in the carriage, which I gave to my grandmother and aunt. Please ask someone to move them to my grandmother's place! I want to go see my mother first. Where does my mother live? Find someone to lead the way for me."

The old woman guarding the gate was smiling happily at first, but her expression changed after hearing the last few words.

She hesitated a little, as if she wanted to say something but was too embarrassed to say it out loud. In the end, she just stamped her feet.

"I will lead the way for you, my lady! My lady... she has been feeling unwell recently, and the old lady asked her to move to the secluded west courtyard to recuperate."

Qixia frowned, but said nothing and followed the old woman into the courtyard.

Although the emperor killed the adult males of the Wei family and confiscated their property, he was lenient towards the female members of the family and did not confiscate their dowries, so in fact, the Wei family did not have a hard time.

But life can never be compared to the past.

Qixia followed the old woman and walked along the deserted courtyard without any green plants. She passed through the mottled and paint-chipped corridor, and walked along the overgrown stone road. Finally, she came to the west courtyard where Wei Fuxue currently lived.

She looked around and found that the west courtyard was quite spacious, which made her feel a little relieved.

The old woman stepped forward and reported.

The people inside heard the noise and quickly ran out to open the door.

She is a woman with an unfamiliar face.

Qixia didn't care. She asked the maid to wait outside and went into the house alone.

"mother!"

She trotted into the inner room and saw her mother.

Wei Fuxue was lying on the bed, his face pale, his expression distracted, his body emaciated, and he looked like he would soon die, which frightened Qixia.

She was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into tears and rushed over.

"Mother! How did you become like this? Mother, look at me! My daughter is here."

Wei Fuxue blinked, slowly turned her head, and saw a familiar person. Her pupils suddenly widened.

She stretched out her hand and touched Qixia's face little by little.

"It's not a dream..."

She blinked again, tears welled up in her eyes, and she hugged Qixia and cried bitterly.

The mother and daughter cried so sadly.

In the end, Qixia came to her senses first.

She wiped the tears from Wei Fuxue's face with a handkerchief, with hatred on her face.

"Are you treated badly by your aunt? Do they want to kill you? I'm going to settle accounts with them right now! If you hadn't married dad, how could the Wei family have lived a prosperous life for more than a decade?"

Qixia was very angry.

"I shouldn't have brought those things here! What a bunch of ungrateful wolves!"

As she said this, she was about to run out.

Wei Fuxue hurriedly stopped her.

"It's not your aunt, it's not... Ping'er, stop!"

She anxiously propped up half of her body and tried to pull her.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she stretched out her hand, her face suddenly changed, and then she covered her mouth and lay on the head of the bed, retching.