"She must have been naughty and chased after something," said one. It wasn't the first time this had happened. And with them around, who would dare to kidnap someone right under their noses?
"Let's split up and look for her," suggested another.
"Okay. Be careful."
"You too."
Jiang Qiong had planned to teach Chen Leran, the Yao sisters a little lesson, like making them fall into the water or get into a fight. After all, with Chen Leran's temper, fighting was just a normal thing for her. She was like a tomboy and was not well - liked by the noble ladies.
But when she arrived at the plum - blossom grove, she saw Yao Kun following Shi Muwan.
What was going on? How did this fool Yao Kun get together with the Empress Dowager? She probably did something stupid to anger the Empress Dowager. Serves her right.
Jiang Qiong held Xie Lan's arm, with a smile on her lips, ready to watch the show.
Everyone was surprised that the Empress Dowager showed up so early. When they saw Yao Kun, who was a head taller than Shi Muwan, closely following behind her, their jaws dropped in shock.
How did these two get together?
Since it was a plum - viewing banquet, it was natural to invite all the imperial concubines.
Concubine Rui and Concubine Qi were standing at the front, listening to the flattery of the others. When they saw Shi Muwan appear, they were also quite surprised.
After all, this was not her usual style.
In the past, she would always show up in grand style just before the banquet started. Her sudden appearance without any warning was really strange.
Lady Yao was also extremely surprised. They all knew the Empress Dowager's temper. After all, they were of the same generation. She quickly stepped forward and said, "Greetings to the Empress Dowager."
"Everyone, rise. Since it's a banquet, just enjoy yourselves."
It took Shi Muwan a while to come up with such a polite remark. Everyone held their breath, afraid that she would lose her temper.
"Empress Dowager, has my daughter done something wrong? I will surely discipline her carefully and make sure she won't do it again. Please show mercy," Lady Yao pleaded.
Shi Muwan was speechless. Was she really that bad? It seemed so, as the previous owner of her body was really bad.
She coughed and said, "It's nothing serious. I quite like this girl. Well, she has good taste."
Only then did everyone notice that Shi Muwan was wearing an unusual color, not the flamboyant reds and purples, but a green - blue dress like Yao Kun's.
Everyone was confused. What was going on? They thought the Empress Dowager was going to lose her temper, but unexpectedly, she seemed to be in a good mood.
Jiang Qiong and her companion were also a bit stunned.
"I was just...," Shi Muwan thought for a moment. It seemed inappropriate to say that Yao Kun had barged into the Shoukang Palace, so she changed her words at the last moment. "I was taking a walk when I saw this little girl jump out from the side. As soon as we met, she praised my dress. Her sweet words were so likable."
Lady Yao let out a sigh of relief. Yao Kun was really lucky to have escaped this disaster. Yao Kun usually liked these colors, and the Empress Dowager's dress was so exquisite that it was natural for Yao Kun to like it.
But she didn't know that this dress was personally chosen by Yao Kun for the Empress Dowager. Otherwise, she would have been scared half to death.
And where was that Yao girl? How could she leave her sister alone! She would surely teach her a lesson when they got home.
Hearing Shi Muwan's words, Xiao Xiao behind her was stunned. How did she not know that the Empress Dowager had such a talent for telling lies? Who was the one who had been causing trouble with her just now?
Even Yao Kun tilted her head and looked at her, but since it was the beauty who said it, she didn't want to refute.
Yes, Yao Kun was actually a die - hard beauty admirer.
She had behaved like this towards Huo Qizhou before. She had followed him around for two years, but since Huo Qizhou didn't wear green clothes, she stopped following him.
At that time, she was still young, and Huo Qizhou didn't mind. But the noble circles were laughing their heads off, saying that the second daughter of the Yao family was really a fool. General Yao was both angry and heart - broken for his daughter, but Yao Kun acted as if nothing had happened and went out causing trouble with Yao Yao every day.
It had to be said that Yao Kun was really stubborn.
"Thank you for your praise, Empress Dowager. Kun'er, come back quickly," Lady Yao scolded.
Yao Kun tightened her grip on the corner of the dark - green skirt in her hand and took two steps back, clearly showing that she didn't want to.
She didn't want to leave the beauty.
Shi Muwan felt a bit embarrassed and then took Lady Yao's hand and pulled her over.
"I quite like this child. Let her stay a while longer. How about you accompany me to enjoy the plum blossoms, Lady Yao?"
Lady Yao stiffened for a moment. Could she refuse?
"I'm the daughter of a military general and not good at talking. I'm afraid I'll spoil your fun," she said, mainly afraid that the Empress Dowager would lose her temper.
"It's okay. Just take a casual walk." Shi Muwan pulled Lady Yao into the plum - blossom grove. The other ladies naturally followed.
Shi Muwan was in a tough spot. She still couldn't avoid this part.
When Chen Leran and Yao Yao heard the news and rushed to the plum - blossom grove, they saw Yao Kun obediently following the Empress Dowager, even more well - behaved than when she was practicing martial arts with her father. The two of them were completely shocked.
Yao Yao was even more afraid of her mother's fierce look. She felt that her hands were in danger. Her mother's punishment for her was unique: embroidery.
As the daughter of a military general, few were not naughty. Even if they were good at embroidery, it didn't mean they could sit still and embroider so many flowers at once.
At least her sister was okay. She might as well embroider her wedding dowry in the future.
Shi Muwan was quite nervous at first, but unexpectedly, Lady Yao's thinking was quite unconventional. She was not at all rigid about etiquette and was straightforward in answering questions, which hit it off with Shi Muwan. The two of them talked more and more happily and felt like old friends meeting for the first time.
Lady Yao even felt that she was wrong. She had never had a deep conversation with Shi Muwan before and had judged her based on rumors. She didn't expect that when talking to her, she was a straightforward person who suited her taste. Those things before were probably deliberately spread by someone.
As the two of them chatted happily, the ladies behind also saw the situation. There would surely be many who would try to curry favor with Lady Yao in the future.
...
The plum - viewing banquet was set up in the plum - blossom grove. Men and women were seated separately but not far apart. There was just a small pond in the middle, and people on both sides could talk to each other and clearly see the situation on the other side.
The national teacher didn't like such a bustling occasion, but now that he was teaching the young emperor every day, and today's plum - viewing banquet invited the families of the court officials, Ji Heng still had to come and take a look.
So many young women on the ladies' side blushed quietly and secretly peeked at the national teacher beside the young emperor.
Shi Muwan scoffed. It wasn't as if there was only Huo Qizhou. She looked at many young gentlemen sitting below and thought they were also good.
Especially the one in front of the national teacher.
He was wearing a neat military uniform with his sleeves tied up. He had thick eyebrows, sharp eyes, and a smile on his lips. His wheat - colored skin showed that he had a sunny and unruly personality. Maybe he was the young general of some family.
Shi Muwan called Xiao Xiao over to inquire and learned that he was actually Chen Lanyu, the young master of the grand marshal's family. No wonder he had an extraordinary temperament. It was all cultivated from a young age. She just liked such sunny and handsome boys, just like a head - teacher liked the naughty kids in the class.