The Empress Dowager liked peace and quiet, so her palace was built on the outskirts of Beijing. It took nearly two hours to get there from the city.
When their group arrived, many carriages had gathered outside the palace, and many dignitaries, lords and ladies had already arrived.
When getting off the carriage, if they happened to bump into someone above them, they would nod and say hello while quietly looking at each other, especially the ladies, who secretly began to compare their beauty.
Ruan Tang's clothes were not outstanding, and even though she had a stunning appearance, no one paid attention to her.
This is what she wants.
Ruan Tang followed Mrs. Ruan and Ruan Changhuan into the palace together.
It has to be said that although it is the palace where the Empress Dowager lives alone, the place is surprisingly large.
It is dotted with courtyards and lofts, surrounded by clear water, and surrounded by mountains and mountains. It is really a good place to spend your days surrounded by mountains and rivers.
The place had also been secured in advance, and soon after they entered, they saw several groups of guards patrolling.
When we arrived at the main venue of the palace banquet, many people had already gathered there.
It is said that all those invited to the banquet this time are the children of officials of fourth rank or above or children of aristocratic families.
And everyone was dressed up carefully, especially the girls, who were all dressed up and wanted to stand out at the banquet and show off their style.
Who wouldn't want to be favored by the Empress Dowager and take the position of Princess Ning?
Mrs. Ruan took Ruan Tang and Ruan Changhuan into the main hall and found a seat to sit down.
Only then did Ruan Tang realize that there was a name plate on every table, and everyone sat according to this name plate.
And from the position closest to the seat to the end, they are arranged according to official rank.
The Marquis of Jing'an is of the second rank, and his sitting position is considered to be in the middle.
After all the seats were filled, a sharp sound came soon.
"The Empress Dowager has arrived."
When everyone heard this, they all hurriedly stood up, then knelt down and worshiped.
"See the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother be blessed and safe."
Accompanied by the sound of everyone kneeling in obeisance, the Queen Mother walked out of the inner hall, sat down directly on the throne, and then said: "Everyone doesn't need to be polite, just keep your body straight."
"Thank you, Queen Mother."
After Ruan Tang stood up, he couldn't help but look up.
When I first heard the voice, I thought the Queen Mother's voice was pleasant.
Now that she saw it, she was even more amazed.
When she watched TV series before, all the empress dowagers in them were old women. This was the first time she saw such a young empress dowager.
It is said that wealth brings good looks, and indeed, this Empress Dowager looks like she is only in her thirties.
With dark eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a beautiful nose and jade lips, she is a perfect beauty. How can she be of the same seniority as the Empress Dowager?
If she hadn't been wearing a large yellow shirt that symbolized her status, a phoenix crown on her head, and a majestic appearance, Ruan Tang would have thought that she was also participating in the selection of the concubine.
If this is true, the women on the field will probably not have a chance.
She couldn't find anyone who could compare with him.
No wonder Chu Mu is so good-looking, has such a beautiful mother, and has such strong genes, how can he not be handsome?
Men like to look at beautiful women, and women also like to look at beautiful women.
Ruan Tang had completely fallen under her beauty, and he had forgotten that it was a grave sin to stare at the Empress Dowager like this.
Mrs. Ruan on the side noticed her disgrace, hurriedly pulled her sleeves, and then scolded her with her eyes.
Ruan Tang then lowered his head in silence, looking at his nose and heart.
The Queen Mother, who was sitting at the top, looked around and then nodded with satisfaction.
All the famous ladies in the capital were here. She didn't believe that her son still couldn't choose one he was satisfied with?
She originally wanted to bring him and Jing Ning together, but some time ago he made it clear in front of her that he didn't like Jing Ning and only regarded her as his sister.
She is someone who has been through this before, and she also knows that forcefulness is not sweet. He has no interest in Jingning, and it is useless no matter how hard she tries.
Not to mention her stubborn son.
Now her request is very simple, as long as he likes her, she will be brought into the house, no matter what the status.
He is already in his mid-twenties, has no one in the back house, and makes others laugh for nothing.
What's more, he is also the regent of a country, and this reputation needs to be maintained.
Some time ago, there were rumors that he had brought a maid back to his home. She also deliberately mentioned it in front of Jing Ning, thinking that Jing Ning would go and find out the truth.
Although Jingning did come back angrily, he also said that there was a woman living in his room.
But after waiting for a long time, he didn't see him bringing anyone to see her, nor did he give her a name. It must be that he deliberately released the news to dissuade her from taking a concubine for him.
But as a mother, how could she not worry about her son's marriage?
She is someone who has experienced it and knows that as long as a man eats meat, he will know the taste. Therefore, no matter what today, she will choose a candidate and send him to his back house.
She smiled and turned to ask the maid next to her, "Where is His Highness Prince Ning? Why haven't you seen him coming now?"
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, I have sent someone to urge you. Your Highness must be on the way here." The maid replied respectfully.
The Queen Mother couldn't help but sigh, her son was good at everything, but this was what made her worried.
Whenever I mention the concubine, I give her a slap in the face.
He must have guessed the purpose of her birthday party today and deliberately delayed the time.
But now that everyone has arrived, she has no choice but to say to everyone: "Today is the Ai family's birthday banquet. Let's eat and drink well. Don't be restrained. Just treat it like a family banquet."
Everyone has heard that the Queen Mother is approachable and approachable. Today, many of them are meeting her for the first time, and they can't help but praise her in their hearts.
Those noble girls were even more delighted.
If she can win the favor of Prince Ning, it will not be difficult for her to get along with this mother-in-law in the future.
Compared to everyone's joy, Princess Jingning, who was sitting closest to the Queen Mother, had a droopy face.
She was even more angry when she saw that all the ladies who came were dressed up.
Originally, her aunt had promised her to bring her and Brother Mu together, but somehow she regretted it and advised her not to focus on Brother Mu anymore.
How can this be? She has liked Brother Mu for so long, how could she give up?
That's why she came here specifically today to see who was shameless enough to seduce her brother Mu.
Soon, the palace officials began to serve the dishes, and the banquet officially began.
During the banquet, the Empress Dowager named several officials. When she saw that the girls they brought over, all of them were beautiful and charming, she smiled from ear to ear.
Soon, the Empress Dowager's eyes also fell on the table in Jing'an Marquis Mansion.
Mrs. Ruan hurriedly got up with Ruan Changhuan and Ruan Tang, and went to the Empress Dowager to wish her good health.
The Queen Mother's eyes also fell on the two girls beside her.
Mrs. Ruan hurriedly introduced: "This is my concubine's eldest granddaughter Ruan Tang, and this is my second granddaughter Ruan Changhuan."
As Mrs. Ruan introduced her, she quietly pushed Ruan Changhuan and asked her to come forward so that the Empress Dowager could see her face clearly.
