My younger sister insisted on marrying me and made me the Marquis' wife.

Chapter 653 Kill or Not
"But what?" Granny Pan immediately followed up.

Everyone pricked up their ears to listen.

Qin Yuan smiled and said, "However, they will be holding a lecture at Ranxiang Residence to discuss their strategies."

Everyone was both overjoyed and surprised: "Are we really going to see Young Master Nantang? That's wonderful! But why are we talking about Cewen?"

Qin Yuan shook her head: "I don't know about that."

Everyone's interest was piqued, and they discussed it endlessly. Princess Fuyun, who was sitting far away, couldn't sit still any longer. Wearing a veil, she approached Qin Yuan and asked, "Lady of Dingbei Marquis, I just heard that Young Master Nantang is going to appear at the lantern festival at Ranxiang Residence tonight. Is this true?"

Qin Yuan quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Of course it's true."

Princess Fuyun smiled, her voice full of joy: "That would be wonderful! I must see Young Master Nantang's true face tonight. It would be even better if he could compose a poem on the spot."

Song Wenyu interjected, "However, I just heard that Young Master Nantang and Mr. Songshan have come to give a lecture on policy essays."

Princess Fuyun exclaimed in surprise, "How could this be?"

Before Qin Yuan could answer, the head palace maid said, "The hour is up. If you don't register now, you'll miss your chance. Is anyone else coming to register?"

After asking three times, the head palace maid said, "Please proceed to the banquet. Princess Fuyun, the Empress Dowager is concerned about your injuries, please follow me to Cining Palace."

Princess Fuyun sighed, glanced apologetically at Qin Yuan, and, supported by her maid, followed the head palace maid to Cining Palace.

Grandma Pan said to Qin Yuan, "We'll talk later."

Qin Yuan agreed and went to find Old Madam Gu to attend the banquet together. Cui Shi's seat was at the back, so she could not go with her.

The Marquis of Dingbei's residence was a noble family, located right next to the royal family. Not long after Qin Yuan and Madam Gu took their seats, the Crown Prince, Prince Jin, and others followed suit.

The crown prince looked sickly, and after only a few days, he had become even thinner and more listless.

Prince Jin's face was pale, and his eyes were dark, as if he was preoccupied with something. After taking his seat, he would glance at Qin Yuan from time to time, which displeased Old Madam Gu.

After a short while, King Qi and King Tushan walked in together.

Before taking his seat, King Qi looked around, his smiling eyes pleasing to all who saw him.

Tu Shan Wang remained indifferent, seemingly unconcerned about everything around him, as if he could ascend to immortality at any moment.

After three cracks of the whip, Empress Lin helped the Empress Dowager in, followed by the Emperor, concubines, and young princes and princesses.

After everyone rose from their seats and kowtowed, the Empress Dowager took her seat and said, "Everyone, please rise. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, which also happens to be my birthday. Please don't stand on ceremony; let's celebrate together."

The palace maids poured in like a flowing stream, setting out fruits, vegetables, and wine. After a while, they served dishes.

After several rounds of drinks, many officials and their families offered their congratulations to the Empress Dowager on her birthday, praising her virtues. Their speeches were elaborate and well-structured, creating a lively atmosphere.

These things meant nothing to Qin Yuan, but since Old Madam Gu didn't move, Qin Yuan naturally didn't move either.

After everyone had finally finished making a fuss, the Empress Dowager said, "It is truly rare for all of you ministers to gather together to celebrate my birthday. Drinking alone is not lively enough. Those with talents are welcome to perform. If there is anything outstanding, I will reward you handsomely."

Everyone naturally cheered in unison.

The head maidservant serving the Empress Dowager stepped forward and said, "Please invite the fifth young lady of the Duke of Anguo's mansion to perform a dance." The fifth young lady of the Duke of Anguo's mansion had just come of age and was not yet engaged. She immediately rose and performed a Chu dance, which had a unique flavor compared to the dances of the Central Plains.

After the dance, the head palace maid said, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager bestows two bolts of brocade upon us."

A thunderous applause erupted as the fifth young lady of the Duke of Anguo's mansion thanked the Duke for the reward and then withdrew.

Madam Gu smiled and said, "This child dances quite beautifully. I wonder who will be next."

Then the head palace maid said, "Please invite the seventh young lady of the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion to perform a sword dance."

Qin Yuan was taken aback and looked at Song Wenyu, who was sitting diagonally behind her. She saw that Song Wenyu also looked surprised.

The head palace maid then announced, "Please come forward, Seventh Miss of the Marquis of Dingbei's residence."

Everyone turned to look at her. The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Is this child shy? Why isn't he coming up?"

Madam You exclaimed in a shrill voice, "Hey, why isn't Miss Gu Qi on stage yet? So many people are waiting to see her! I've heard that Miss Gu Qi is highly skilled in martial arts, so her sword dance will surely be a sight to behold. Let us witness what it means to be a swan in a dance."

The Emperor and Empress Lin also looked over.

Prince Jin suddenly laughed and said, "I wonder who reported Gu Qi? Gu Qi didn't come at all. Could it be that the Lady of Dingbei Marquis was going to perform a sword dance and filled in the wrong information?"

The Crown Prince said, "How could this be..."

Just as Qin Yuan was about to speak up in defense, Old Madam Gu stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid the people below have made a mistake. Baozhu is not feeling well today and was unable to attend the banquet. My daughter-in-law also does not know how to perform sword dances."

Madam You sneered sharply, "That's strange. Gu Baozhu is highly skilled in martial arts. She beat His Highness the Crown Prince and my third son into the pool a couple of days ago, and they both fell seriously ill. Yet she's perfectly fine. How could someone as strong as an ox be unwell? Madam Gu, you should put some thought into finding an excuse."

The Empress Dowager's face suddenly darkened, and she said unhappily, "It's rare for me to celebrate my birthday, and the only unmarried daughter of the Marquis of Dingbei's family is Gu Baozhu. Does she have some dissatisfaction with me for not attending the banquet?"

Madam Gu sighed, "There are some things I don't know whether I should say or not, but if I don't say them now, it would be wrong of me as a subject."

The Emperor's expression changed slightly: "Madam Gu, please speak your mind."

Madam Gu said solemnly, "Your Majesty is wise. Baozhu originally wanted to come, but a while ago she was a guest at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and had a martial arts competition with the Third Young Master You. She accidentally bumped into His Highness the Crown Prince and he fell into the water. I was worried that the Empress Dowager would not be pleased."

"I have heard from the Empress Dowager and the Empress that Baozhu is a posthumous child, an inauspicious omen, and I fear she has offended His Highness the Crown Prince. I am truly terrified and have therefore forbade Baozhu from entering the palace, lest she further offend the Empress Dowager on her birthday."

As soon as these words came out, the whole place fell into silence.

The Emperor, his face contorted with rage, turned to look at the Empress Dowager, whose face was flushed red. He cursed the absurdity in his heart, then turned back and slammed his hand on the table, shouting, "Absurd! Absolutely absurd! Who is harboring malicious intentions and instigating Madam Gu?"

The Marquis of Dingbei's mansion has guarded the northern frontier for generations in Daxing, and its merits will last for a thousand years.

The Marquis of Dingbei made outstanding military achievements, and the old Marquis died on the battlefield for Daxing, his loyalty is evident.

Who dares to say that Gu Baozhu was an unborn child?

The person who instigated this is truly malicious. They are trying to incite me to create discord between the emperor and his ministers, and to discourage the ministers who have shed blood for the country.

From this day forward, if I ever hear anyone speak like this again, I will have them killed without hesitation.

The Empress Dowager forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. The old Marquis sacrificed himself for the country. Baozhu has never seen her father since she was a child, which is enough to make me feel sorry for her. The person who instigated this behind the scenes is really vicious. If they are caught, I will not let them off lightly."