Qingjiang Junzhu was worried about her younger half-brother's lifelong matter on the high platform, while Song Yi laughed under the flowers and guessed her thoughts: "I've only seen this Junzhu for the second time today, and I didn't offend her before, but what did she mean by her behavior just now?"

  She didn't need to understand Qingjiang Junzhu to know that a noble lady like Qingjiang Junzhu, who was used to socializing, couldn't possibly be so fond of embroidery that she would deliberately throw her two cousins aside.

  "Did the Queen of Mount Heng say something to her?" She pondered, "But in any case, it would make the Lu sisters resent me. Why didn't the queen just entrust her own granddaughter directly? Why did she have to let the Princess of Qingjiang know about it? Even if the princess agreed not to spread the word, it's still not a pleasant thing."

  "Just like Lu Qian'er and her sister thought, 'Or perhaps these two sisters offended the Lord of Qingjiang, and the Lord of Qingjiang intentionally used me to deal with them? If so, I'm being wronged!' "

  But the disparity in status was too great, and Song Yi Xiao, despite being filled with indignation, could do nothing about it. Her mind was a jumbled mess when she suddenly heard someone calling out to her from behind: "Yi Xiao?"

  "Jiang sister?" Song Yi smiled and turned her head to take a look, then hurriedly welcomed with a smile, "What a coincidence!"

  "What's going on?" Jiang Muxiu walked over and took her arm, saying lightly, "I heard you came this way, specifically to find you."

  Song Yi Xiao was very surprised when she heard this, because although they knew each other, they couldn't be considered close friends, just acquaintances.

  Especially Jiang Muxun is the niece of Jiang Xianfei's mother's family, although Xianfei gave birth to a Princess Yushan, after all, she is a high-ranking concubine who is on an equal footing with Cui Guifei, and also raised the Wei Wang Lu Heyou, who was born by a palace maid, not to be underestimated.

  The Jiang family wasn't brought to prominence by Xianfei either. In both the previous and current dynasties, there were young masters who took on important responsibilities. The threshold of their household isn't much lower than that of the Jian family. As a result, the people Jiang Muyun normally associates with are all noblewomen of similar status. If it weren't for Yuan Xueying playing matchmaker, someone like Song Yixiao wouldn't even be able to become acquaintances with her.

  Now Jiang Muxun personally said that he came to find her on purpose, she couldn't help but be surprised: "Sister finds me, I don't know what instructions?"

  "Get further away, I have a few private words to say to Yixiao." Jiang Mochen first dismissed those around him before frowning and scolding, "You said you wouldn't listen to advice? Snow Ou has already written a letter telling you not to go out during this time, but you still came! Don't you see what kind of banquet this is today? If Snow Ou hadn't sent someone to rush to the entrance of Zhanchun Hall to deliver a message and I hadn't come to protect you, you would have definitely gotten into trouble!"

  Song Yi laughed in surprise: "Yuan sister wrote a letter to me? I didn't receive it at all!"

  "Did something go wrong in the middle?" Jiang Muxun hesitated for a moment, and then suspected Wei Mengying - thinking that since this Wei Wangfei was a remarried woman who had abandoned her husband, it wouldn't be strange for her to sit back and watch her daughter take risks just to have a noble son-in-law?

  Although she somewhat looked down on Song Yishao, her upbringing was there, and she didn't want to say that someone's mother wasn't right in front of them, so she glossed over it and said, "Today's banquet is for the sake of letting a few noble people take a look at each other. Those with good fortune may not necessarily be inferior to your family in the future, do you understand?"

  Wei Mengying is a princess consort, doesn't that mean that among those who have been granted an audience, there are even imperial princes who have been enfeoffed as kings?!

  Song Yixiao was worried about leaving the house, but she also knew that even if she thought she had talent and looks that were not inferior to others, without her father's or brother's support, it would be suicidal for her to compete for such wealth and status without any unexpected events.

  She wasn't a gambler, willing to stake her future and even her life on that faint glimmer of hope. Upon hearing this, she almost choked: "I said it! The reason why the Qingjiang County Master has been acting so strangely is because she must have heard that I went to Boling Hou's residence for a short stay and suspected me of having an affair with Yuan Xuepei and Jian Xu Bai!

  Otherwise, why would a noble and innocent county lord take out his anger on a small adopted daughter?

  It's fatal that she can't explain this matter! After all, the young lady of Qingjiang didn't say it clearly, and she couldn't rush over to tell the young lady that she was innocent with Yuan Xuepei and Jian Xu Bai.

  Jiang Muxun saw her looking unwell and thought she was afraid, so he slowed down his tone: "You don't have to worry too much, there are many people here today, as long as you don't try to show off, most of these people will just be going through the motions. After all, there are only a few nobles, how can everyone have a share?"

  "Thank you, Sister Jiang!" Song Yi smiled gratefully and said, "Otherwise, I would have thought it was an ordinary banquet and been completely unprepared!" As she spoke her words of gratitude to Jiang Muqin, she couldn't help but think that this matter was getting more and more confusing...

  If what Jiang Muxun said is true, today's banquet was set up for the kings to take a look at their queens, then why did the Empress Dowager of Mount Heng still let her come?

  Even if she herself didn't believe she would be chosen, and the imperial concubine had clearly instructed Lu Ke'er's sisters, but who can predict what will happen in life? The imperial concubine shouldn't be afraid of a one-in-ten-thousand chance, should she?

  "If the princess wanted me to come, it's no wonder I didn't receive a reminder letter from Yuan sister!" The disappearance of the letter did not make Song Yi suspect Wei Mengying, because if Wei Mengying had done this, she would have reminded her several times before coming, so as not to let a good daughter like a flower jade be ruined.

  But before she left, Wei Mengying only treated her as a normal guest and reminded her to behave well and try to leave a good impression on the young master of Qingjiang - apparently, even Wei Mengying didn't know the real purpose of today's banquet!

  "The princess is now a princess, and even if the noblewomen of equal status don't think much of her remarriage, her position is still there. Even Jiang Muxiu, a younger generation, knows this, but she doesn't know anything about it!" Song Yishang thought more and more that all of this was done by the imperial concubine, "Who else could do this except for the imperial concubine?"

  It's really terrifying when you think about it carefully!

  Song Yixiao let out a sigh of relief and thought: "What if Jiang Muxiu deceived me?"

  But this expectation was shattered after a while - Qingjiang County Master sent someone to inform them: "The guests are ready, and the county master invites the two of you to go to Yifangtai, preparing to climb the mountain for dinner."

  Upon arriving at Yifangtai, just as Jiang Muxun said, everywhere was filled with beautiful women, flowers in full bloom. Among the many guests, not only were there no women, but even those who were plain and unattractive were nowhere to be seen! As I looked around, each woman had her own unique charm, whether plump or slender, and they all added to the beauty of spring.

  This is still not a friendly gathering, and there won't be any friendly gatherings in this world anymore!

  "Let's climb the mountain later." Jiang Muxun had an attitude that was somewhat arrogant, but very responsible. He led Song Yixiao to Mount Yi Fangtai to pay respects to the Qingjiang County Master. After saying a few words, he quietly reminded her, "We shouldn't squeeze in next to the county master, that's where people who want to show off gather; nor can we be too far away, or else who knows what kind of unpleasant things might happen?"

  Song Yi Xiao also thought so and readily agreed.

  Before long, the mistress of Qingjiang ordered to set off: "Since everyone is here, let's go? If there are any roads that can't be walked, tell the servants and prepare the sedan chairs."

  It's easy to say, but even the weakest girl wouldn't suggest taking a sedan chair - not to mention that the theme of the spring outing is actually hiking, and the scenery in Chunjuan is so good that walking slowly among the mountains, forests, and flowers is simply enjoyable. Even if you climb some mountains and wade through some water, it's impossible to get too tired; let alone now that everyone basically knows the real purpose of the banquet, who would dare to appear weak?

  Your body is not well, yet you still want to marry a noble?!!

  So after Qingjiang County Master took the lead and walked, everyone responded one after another.

  At the foot of the mountain, because it is still flat ground, there's nothing much to see. But as we start climbing and the terrain gradually slopes upwards, even if you're a bit far away, people with good eyesight can still clearly see the front of the group.

  After seeing this, someone dissatisfied with a low cry: "Who is the family's daughter-in-law who wears the sky blue shirt? Look at her openly walking alongside the Qingjiang County Master, not to mention that she has walked in front of the county master several times when she was interested. Even if she is lively and cheerful, she is too ignorant of etiquette! Haven't you seen that all the imperial family members deliberately fall half a step behind the Qingjiang County Master to show respect?

  "Shut up!" Song Yixiao heard the words and just raised her head to take a look, but the person who spoke had already been rebuked by their companion. "That is Di Guo's eldest princess, Nan Zhen County's lady Ji Zi Xiang - she is the legitimate cousin of Qing Jiang County's lady, and being younger sister, being lively in front of her older sister, what's wrong with that? Qing Jiang County's lady didn't say anything, but you can't stop talking!"

  Is it the eldest princess of the state?

  Not just the one with a quick mouth, but also the people around him fell silent for a moment.

  The two princesses were the ones who could not be provoked, this was an unspoken understanding among the imperial relatives of Xianjia.

  "Ji Zi Xiang? Hmph!" Song Yi Xiao didn't take this little interlude to heart, but after walking for a while, she heard Jiang Mu Qian whispering beside her, "Rude and impolite, isn't that just someone who doesn't know etiquette?"

  Does this person have a grudge against the Marquis of Nanzheng?

  Song Yi smiled and pretended not to hear, but in her heart she quietly took note of this matter.

  This mountain in front of Quanchuange is not short for a delicate and weak woman who has been pampered since childhood.

  But the host of Qingjiang County didn't intend to make it too difficult for people, so he set up the banquet on the mountain waist, not at the top. The road to climb the mountain was made of neat bluestone slabs, and there were no steep places before reaching the mountain waist. Moreover, the scenery in the mountains was lovely, and as they walked and chatted, they unknowingly arrived at the square on the mountain waist.

  This square is only one side against the mountain path, and the other three sides are all facing cliffs, surrounded by white marble railings. The center of the square is recessed several feet, with some armchairs placed in the corners, and a mat spread out in the middle, apparently for dancing and music.

  At this moment, the square had already set up a table of seats, golden plates and jade bowls, ivory chopsticks and silver cups were also set up, and some screens and brocade curtains were erected in the middle, which not only showed luxury but also prevented the mountain wind from blowing cold dishes.

  The hostess of Qingjiang County saw this and ordered everyone to take their seats. After sitting down, the servants brought hot water and towels for washing, followed by melons and fruits as refreshments, and various sweet drinks.

  The melons had just been put down, and a group of musicians came forward. They indeed entered that sunken land, sat down, tuned the strings slightly, and played the tune for entertaining guests.

  "This is indeed a great place!" Nan Ziang County Master raised her cup and smiled, "I thought my sister was being stingy by setting up the banquet on the mountain, but now looking at the misty haze outside the railing, gazing out at the outline of the imperial capital in the distance, I realize that having a banquet here is even more delightful than having one under flowers or by the water!"

  The mistress of Qingjiang Manor was quite calm: "You think it's novel when you come occasionally, but if I really asked you to stay, you wouldn't be willing."

  "Eldest sister, spare me, you know I love bustle and prosperity, this place is beautiful but after all there are few people, I really can't stay." The Princess of Nanzheng immediately rejected her with a single word.

  Their sisters' conversation skills were perhaps due to the fact that they had music to cover them up, and the square also became lively.

  Jiang Muxun's father was a third-grade official, her aunt was the virtuous imperial concubine, and her cousin was a princess. As one of the capital city's beauties, she naturally had extensive social connections, so most of the guests who came and went were familiar with her, and they all greeted her enthusiastically.

  It was inevitable to ask Song Yixiao: "This young lady looks unfamiliar, is she a relative of your family?"

  Waiting to hear that it was just the adopted daughter of the Hengshan Wangfu, who was entrusted by the eldest sister of the Boling Houfu, and only helped to take care of some things. Suddenly lost interest in Song Yixiao, and teased Jiang Muxiu: "I said why are you so enthusiastic? It turns out that it was the Yuan family who spoke up. However, you are too cautious, can't the virtuous empress count your affairs? Moreover, you and Prince Wei are childhood sweethearts..."

  "What's wrong with that!" Jiang Muxun's cheeks flushed red, and she scolded, "You laugh at me for being younger than you, and not going out often. What's wrong with me taking her along?"

  Song Yi smiled faintly and didn't speak, but in her heart she was extremely shocked: "From what these people are saying, it seems that Jiang Muxi is the predetermined Wei Wangfei?"

  She is said to be Jiang Xianfei's niece, and although Wei Wang was not born to Jiang Xianfei, he was raised by her since childhood, making him and Jiang Muxiang siblings-in-law. With the advantage of being close to power, the Jiang family can indeed produce a queen, which is highly likely.

  The question is...

  "The Wei King's Consort in her past life is the Princess of Nanzheng!" Song Yi smiled as she saw Jiang Muxue still bickering with her female companion, too busy to notice herself. She couldn't help but take a glance at the Princess of Nanzheng on the main seat. "The other consorts are nothing special, but this Wei King's Consort had once rewarded Liu Shi with a set of headdresses. Wu Mama boasted about it and specifically mentioned that the Wei King's Consort was from the household of the Eldest Princess... I will never remember wrongly!"

  Thinking of this, I couldn't help but wrinkle my brow, and wanted to cover my face and sigh, "Jiang Muxian, Sister Jiang, Miss Jiang! Do you still want to protect me? You're in a precarious situation yourself!"