"Let's hurry into the palace. If we're late, someone will surely cause us trouble. I don't want any hassle on this beautiful Mid-Autumn Festival," said Mu Fengqie. Such a wonderful day should be spent in harmony.
"Okay, let's go." Jing Xunchi took Mu Fengqie's hand and led her into the carriage. Inside, he retrieved a veil from a hidden compartment and placed it on Mu Fengqie's face.
Jing Xunchi was satisfied with his handiwork. "Yes! This is much better. You won't attract so much attention."
Mu Fengqie let Jing Xunchi fuss over her face helplessly. In fact, she wanted to say that wearing the veil was pointless. She would have to remove it during the meal, and people would still see her face. It would be better to appear before everyone boldly from the start.
When they arrived, there were few people outside. Clearly, they were late.
"Don't worry. No one will dare to say anything," Jing Xunchi reassured her. Who would have the audacity?
Mu Fengqie gave Jing Xunchi a sidelong glance. If he hadn't asked the carriage to go slower, they wouldn't have been so late. She wondered what was going on in Jing Xunchi's mind all day.
"Qie'er, come down slowly," Jing Xunchi said as he got out of the carriage and extended his hand to Mu Fengqie, helping her down gently.
The onlookers, those who hadn't entered the palace yet, reacted differently. The women envied Mu Fengqie, while the men felt a twinge of heartache. Another henpecked man had emerged in the capital. Although the two weren't officially together, the situation seemed to indicate that their happy union was just around the corner.
The men around them were pounding their chests in frustration, wishing they could give Jing Xunchi a piece of their mind. A man had to assert his authority in the family; otherwise, how could he hold his head up at home?
Jing Xunchi paid no heed to the onlookers and happily led Mu Fengqie into the palace.
"Aren't you afraid they'll gossip about you?" Mu Fengqie asked curiously.
"What's there to be afraid of? Let them talk," Jing Xunchi replied nonchalantly. So what if he was henpecked? Those dullards would never understand the pleasure of it.
Mu Fengqie's mouth twitched, but she was secretly delighted. This must be what people called a wife - slave. She never thought she, Mu Fengqie, would find such a man. How wonderful!
Jing Xunchi led Mu Fengqie to their seats. After the previous palace banquet, he had learned his lesson. He had sent someone to inform the emperor in advance, and their seats were arranged side by side.
"The seats weren't like this at the last palace banquet. Why the change?" Mu Fengqie looked at Jing Xunchi in confusion. Her intuition told her that Jing Xunchi must have been behind this.
"I asked the emperor to arrange it this way. Isn't it great?" This way, he could take good care of Qie'er and fend off other suitors.
He was a married man, and no one could have any designs on him or Qie'er.
Mu Fengqie rolled her eyes, instantly understanding Jing Xunchi's intention. However, she had to admit that his method would save her a lot of trouble.
Since Yuan Yuchuan had just ascended the throne, the court was in turmoil. Many officials from the previous dynasty associated with Lou Mingkou had been purged, and there were many new officials in the court and new nobles in the capital.
Therefore, this palace banquet was not only an ordinary Mid - Autumn Festival banquet but also an opportunity for everyone to get acquainted. Mu Fengqie thought it was a good idea. It was better to gather everyone together to get to know each other. Otherwise, they might end up like the Feng Prime Minister's family, failing to recognize important people even when they were right in front of them. Wasn't that just courting disaster?
"Qie'er, have some snacks first. The food will take a while," Jing Xunchi said, worried that Mu Fengqie might be hungry. He picked up a snack and was about to feed her. This was one of his favorite things to do.
He felt extremely satisfied when Mu Fengqie ate the food he gave her. He couldn't explain why, but fortunately, Mu Fengqie indulged his little quirk.
Just as Jing Xunchi was happily feeding Mu Fengqie, a young eunuch approached. "Lord Zhongning, His Majesty requests your presence."
Jing Xunchi frowned. What a nuisance! Couldn't the emperor solve things on his own? There were so many other ministers, yet he had to call on him. It was so annoying. He couldn't even feed Qie'er properly.
"I understand," Jing Xunchi said, wiping his hands. He said goodbye to Mu Fengqie and left reluctantly.
As soon as Jing Xunchi left, Mu Fengqie felt everyone's eyes on her. She didn't care and continued to eat and drink as if nothing had happened.
In fact, people had noticed her as soon as she entered. After all, she was the only one wearing a veil at the banquet. She was so distinctive that no one could miss her.
Some of the senior court officials said nothing when they saw her, but the newly - appointed ministers had never seen Mu Fengqie before. They knew about Lord Zhongning from their daily court attendance.
In their impression, Lord Zhongning was an unyielding man, but today they witnessed this scene. Smart people knew that Mu Fengqie was Jing Xunchi's woman and didn't dare to provoke her.
However, there were always some stupid people who were eager to court death. The incident of the Feng Prime Minister's family had been widely spread, yet there were still those who didn't learn their lesson. There was nothing anyone could do about them.
"Sister, who is that person? Why is she the only one wearing a veil?" a young noblewoman asked, looking at Mu Fengqie.
The woman beside her frowned. "Sister, don't be rude. Her business has nothing to do with us. Don't use your beauty to put others down."
Her meaning was clear. The woman was wearing a veil because her face was probably disfigured. She shouldn't be so cruel.
The young noblewoman didn't stop. Instead, she raised her voice. "So she's disfigured. If she's too ugly to show her face, she shouldn't go out. What if she scares someone?" The noblewoman looked at Mu Fengqie disdainfully.
Mu Fengqie glanced at them casually but said nothing. It wasn't worth getting angry over such people. They would be humiliated when the banquet started. Why should she get involved?
"You ugly thing, what are you looking at?" The young lady who had been glanced at by Mu Fengqie flew into a rage and glared at her. If the woman beside her hadn't held her back, she would have rushed towards Mu Fengqie.
"You're insulting me, and I'm not even allowed to look at you? Who made that rule?" Mu Fengqie retorted, looking at the woman.