The young lady is delicate and soft, yet she criticizes the powerful minister for bowing and scrapin

Autumn is in full swing in Beijing.

The Xie family mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful ribbons, and joyful sounds echoed through the streets and alleys.

Today is the wedding day of Xie Dongpo and Wei Ruowei.

The woman was a princess, and the man was a friend of the new emperor and an important official in the court. Families from all over the capital came to offer their congratulations.

Everyone said that the newly arrived princess was very simple. Instead of having a separate princess residence, she married directly into the Xie family and became an ordinary wife of a noble family.

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor personally left the palace to visit the Xie residence and offer their congratulations.

All the officials of the court came to offer their congratulations, and the guests exchanged pleasantries.

"The Empress Dowager and His Majesty have arrived!"

As the announcement was made, the guests all turned to the side.

The Emperor was dressed in casual clothes today, embroidered with dragon patterns, yet he still exuded extraordinary presence.

The Empress Dowager, with her kind and gentle face, slowly entered the Xie residence, supported by palace maids.

"His Majesty's presence truly brings honor to the Xie family!"

Xie Dongpo was dressed in a bright red wedding robe today, but he showed no signs of his usual carefree attitude; instead, he appeared quite composed.

Dressed in a phoenix-embroidered robe and embroidered gown, Wei Ruowei exuded a gentle grace as she bowed and greeted the Empress Dowager and the other woman.

"Grandmother, Imperial Brother."

Qi Yunli was deeply moved when she saw Wei Ruowei looking exceptionally beautiful among the guests.

She hid in a corner, applying different colors of rouge to cover her original facial features.

She repeatedly told herself not to join in the fun, because if she were recognized, she would only be ridiculed for no reason.

In the end, I couldn't resist.

The wedding ceremony officially began with the master of ceremonies announcing the vows.

Xie Dongpo took Wei Ruowei's hand and walked step by step into the inner courtyard, where he knelt before the two elders of both sides, bowed, and offered wine.

Seeing this, Qi Yunli quietly took a few steps back, preparing to leave while the crowd was making noise.

She couldn't be recognized; every second she lingered increased the risk of being recognized.

She has already seen her best friend get married and is completely satisfied.

But just as she turned around, a questioning voice asked, "Whose daughter is this? She looks unfamiliar. Is she a maid?"

Qi Yunli froze, instinctively lowering her head, wanting to leave as quickly as possible.

She could feel countless eyes on her, some curiously scrutinizing her.

This feeling was so familiar that it sent a slight shiver down her spine.

She only wanted to leave as quickly as possible and dared not look back.

"Ah Li!"

Wei Ruowei called out to her from across the crowd of guests.

"You are my best friend, how can you leave alone? Why don't you wait until after my wedding banquet?"

After saying that, Wei Ruowei explained to the guests who looked puzzled:

"My friend is introverted and dislikes noise, which is why she is hiding in the corner. She is not a maid or palace maid."

The guests didn't think much of it. Since it was in a corner, and the conversation was about close friends, it might actually just be about giving her some face.

Some people were curious and wanted to say hello, but Qi Yunli remained indifferent throughout and did not reveal her true identity. The bride on the stage also stopped looking at Qi Yunli.

The guests then gave up and did not investigate further.

The banquet began one after another, with maids carrying trays moving among the guests.

As the dishes were placed on the table, their aromas filled the air, and the little incident from earlier slowly faded away amidst the joy and the lively atmosphere.

Although the wedding banquet was not extravagant, it was meticulously planned in every aspect.

The dishes combine elements of imperial court style with folk flavors, exhibiting both grandeur and charm.

The appetizers included crystal lamb slices, thinly sliced ​​and translucent, and amber peach kernels, golden and crispy, coated with honey. Finally, there was a cold okra salad, drizzled with garlic and sesame oil, incredibly crisp, sweet, and refreshing.

Needless to say, staple foods include shrimp, scallops, and diced ham, which are not commonly found in the seaside or as tribute items.

It is evident that the royal family secretly assisted in this wedding banquet.

The snacks and desserts are exquisite. In addition to osmanthus cake and plum blossom pastry, there are also hibiscus cake and pea flour cake.

Qi Yunli looked at them and thought they were exquisitely made, so she took a bite. However, there was only a faint fragrance, and the texture was mostly that of flour. It tasted rather bland.

She remembered what Wei Jun had said in the courtyard that day, and it was indeed true; the palace pastries had lost their texture.

Halfway through the banquet, most of the dishes on the table were cleared away.

Several plates of dessert were also placed in the center.

Just as Qi Yunli was lost in thought, a mocking voice rang out from behind her.

"Young lady, you've tried one of each of these pastries and quite liked them. Why don't you pack some to take home?"

The voice was full of contempt and mockery; the speaker was a woman wearing a peach-colored brocade dress.

However, Qi Yunli recognized him by his facial features.

She is the wife of the heir of the Duke of Qi's mansion.

In just one year, the Crown Prince's wife has changed from the gentle and refined woman I initially knew to someone who now speaks sarcastically.

It is evident that the inner quarters devour not only people but also their hearts, gradually turning a gentle, kind, and reserved woman into a sharp-tongued and mean-spirited person like other women.

Qi Yunli didn't want to pay attention; she didn't want to be the center of attention at the wedding banquet.

To everyone's surprise, another person joined in and echoed this sentiment.

"Yes. Since these pastries are so rare and not often seen, why not take advantage of this joyous occasion and share in the princess's happiness by bringing them back home for your family to try?"

Qi Yunli silently looked back with her eyes.

The other woman had no grudge against her, so it was clear she was just mocking her poverty, as the clothes she wore on such an occasion were not fine silk or satin.

Before they knew it, Fu Chong had walked up to them.

"Today is the princess's wedding day, and guests have gathered. We should be enjoying a harmonious atmosphere. Why did you speak like that, Madam, spoiling everyone's mood?"

"I think this young lady simply wants to try a piece of every pastry; it won't interfere with everyone's normal meal. Why is she being so aggressive?"

The wife of the Duke of Qi's heir naturally didn't buy into this:

"I was just trying to be helpful; whether she packs it up or not is her business. How can you call that being aggressive?"

"Perhaps I, a man, have misheard. To my ears, the Crown Prince's wife seemed ready to devour the other party. If I have misunderstood, please forgive me."

The Empress Dowager, seated at the head of the table, glanced at the small commotion and gave a few instructions to the nanny beside her.

The old woman came out from the front hall, walked up to them, and said:

"The Empress Dowager said that the wife of the Duke of Qi's heir is deliberately causing trouble, is not welcoming guests, and is acting like the hostess. Please leave the table."

The Crown Prince's wife looked puzzled: "I..."

"This is the Empress Dowager's decree. Please leave your seat, Madam," the nanny said again.

Without the old woman saying anything more, two palace maids, each as strong as an ox, dragged the young master's wife out.

Fu Chong raised an eyebrow, looking at that familiar face:

"The young lady is much quieter today, quite different from what I remember."

The guests were surprised that the two knew each other, as Fu Chong had rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor.

"As time goes by, one's personality and mindset will naturally change as well."

"Yes, everything has changed, but some people's feelings remain stubbornly unchanged."