After traveling through time, I became the aunt of the loyal dog emperor

The moment she turned around and saw Yan Ke, Wan Ning walked up to her, took her hand, and took out an orchid-shaped hairpin from the side and put it in her hair.

"Why are you the only one here today? Where are you meeting Prince Qi and Zi?"

Yan Ke fumbled with the hairpin on his head curiously, and muttered with a slightly complaining tone: "Father went to see the emperor first, and as for me, my brother was sent out by father to carry out a mission. If you ask me, it would be better if my eyes were not healed. At least he was right next to me and I could see him. It's not like now, where he doesn't even tell me where to go to carry out the mission."

She pulled Wan Ning's arm and pleaded coquettishly, "I have secretly inquired about it. The place we are going to this time is more remote and dangerous. Brother Zijian only listens to our father. When you see my father later, can you persuade him? Anyway, he has so many people under him, there is no need to send Brother Zijian out to do things all the time. If his eye disease recurs, where can I find him?"

Although Yan Ke changed her clothes, she was still the same. Once she talked about Zijian, she became a chatterbox with endless things to say. Because other guests appeared soon, she had to accept the invitation and let Zhu Ying take her around.

The second guest who came was a little timid. Although she looked cute and gentle, and her clothes were made of fine fabrics, the style was a little old and simple compared to the silks of others. Fortunately, with her hair tied up high, she looked well-educated. This was her first time attending a banquet in the palace in so many years, so she was inevitably a little nervous, fearing that she would not do well.

This person was none other than Wang Ji's wife, Liu Ci, whom Wan Ning had specially invited. Because the emperor intended to promote Wang Ji, Wan Ning also made a special trip to send an invitation to his wife.

When Mrs. Wang saw the princess, she quickened her pace and walked forward. When she was still a few steps away, she bowed and saluted. Perhaps it was because of the excitement after all the hard work, or perhaps it was because she had never participated in such an event before, she made the wrong move and lowered her head in shame.

Wan Ning immediately helped her up and comforted her, "Madam Wang, there's no need to be so polite. Wang Ji has been investigating cases and taking care of all the family matters. You've worked so hard. If you have any difficulties, please come to me as soon as possible."

Mrs. Wang fumbled with her clothes nervously. Her husband's career had not been smooth since they got married. In addition, the family had many people and Wang Ji's salary was limited. She had to work hard to manage the household and survive. Now that the clouds had cleared and the moon was shining, she didn't know how to express it.

Wan Ning smiled and gently held her hand, leading her to walk towards the courtyard: "Madam Wang's dress today is very beautiful. Such gorgeous and exquisite embroidery is rare nowadays."

"My dear princess, this dress was made by my grandmother, and the embroidery on it was also embroidered by her. My grandmother said that if there are banquets after marriage, I need to wear something better, so as not to embarrass my husband." She smiled bitterly and looked down at the embroidery on it. "My grandmother didn't know that this dress was only seen for the first time today."

Wan Ning patted the back of her hand gently as if to comfort her, and said softly, "Parents all over the world are so pitiful. This dress can now be publicly displayed and it is so beautiful. It has not let down the grandmother's deep love for her son."

As she was talking, Wan Ning had already led her to the reserved seat. After settling her down, she went to the door again to welcome the guests. On the way out, Shui Yue was puzzled by the princess's enthusiasm and asked in confusion, "Why is the princess so special to Madam Wang?"

Hearing this, Wan Ning smiled but did not answer. Wan Tao looked at Shuiyue's puzzled expression and reminded her, "The princess is not only good to Madam Liu, you will slowly figure it out." After saying that, she followed the princess's steps.

As the guests were seated one after another, the Queen Mother was escorted to the main seat. Although she was still wearing the simple clothes she wore when chanting the Buddha's name, she looked rosy-cheeked and in a good mood. Seeing that the time was up, Wan Ning walked slowly to the middle of the courtyard and stood still. While the audience was still confused, the palace maids who had been hiding in the dark began to release smoke according to the previously agreed signal.

The smoke was carried to the courtyard by the wind, and Wan Ning bowed in the smoke until her figure gradually became blurred and completely covered in it. In a trance, the Queen Mother, who was sitting high up and looking down at everything, suddenly recalled the scene when Pei Lan first came to the palace to see her after being taken back to Nanye.

That day, the late emperor sat in the high palace, and he kept talking about Prince Qi because he hadn't seen him for a long time. She and the retired emperor sat beside him and echoed him, but she was a little nervous and anxious to see her sister soon. Then, under the guidance of the palace nanny, Pei Lan came to the palace with her head down and bowed to the late emperor. But the late emperor was only talking to the prince and didn't notice her, so she kept bowing until she was trembling slightly.

Although the Queen Mother felt distressed, she could not say anything. Finally, the Prince Qi, who came late, called out "Father" to attract his attention. However, the late Emperor's eyes did not fall on Prince Qi, but on the youthful and dignified Lan'er. He smiled creepily and looked kind: "You, child, are you honest at such a young age? Are your legs sore? Get up quickly!"

Pei Lan got the permission and stood up without any hurry. She first secretly exchanged a glance with Prince Qi, and the two of them smiled knowingly. The Queen Mother saw all of this and could not help but feel uneasy. She was worried about her sister who was ignorant of the world, but she was helpless and could do nothing about it.

The Queen Mother's memories were interrupted by the sudden sound of music. The music was playful and lively, like an ignorant child playing the strings at random. Everyone looked at each other in confusion, not understanding why such childish music would appear at such a banquet. Some people were waiting to see the princess make a fool of herself. But when everyone glanced at the Queen Mother, they found that she was smiling and very happy. She tilted her head and said to the nanny beside her: "I taught Lan'er this song when I lived in Pei Mansion."

The nanny also smiled and agreed: "Princess Le Yan is thoughtful."

As the music played, the dancers who had been prepared for the performance entered the stage. They were lively and cute children with chubby faces. They performed the movements they had rehearsed privately, earning praise from the guests around them. Suddenly, all the little dancers squatted down together, and in the next movement, they stood up and turned into older girls. The guests around were amazed and some were whispering about how they did it.

Wan Ning was proud that watching the Spring Festival Gala for so many years was not in vain. She learned a lot about choreography and transitions. The sound of the piano gradually became mature, and the skills became more diverse. The Queen Mother also realized that this banquet was officially carried out according to Pei Lan's growth. Girlhood is a magical time. She has the innocence of a child, but she has to face the loneliness and loneliness of growing up alone. She keeps saying goodbye to the people around her, and even the music around her becomes bitter and boring.

This dance of girlhood was choreographed by Concubine Ru of Wuming Palace at the request of Wan Ning. Perhaps because the two had similar experiences, the choreography of this dance was particularly appropriate, full of the girl's confusion and struggle, the constant struggle of growing up in pain, and resolving the tricks of fate alone in loneliness.

Shuiyue, hiding behind the scenes, nervously observed the reactions of each guest. The ladies who were originally amused by the children in the previous show all changed their expressions, with solemn expressions and less communication with each other. Shuiyue gently tugged at the princess's clothes and whispered, "Princess, what's wrong with them? Don't they like this show?"

Wan Ning turned around and was almost amused by Shuiyue's worried expression. She gently patted her head and explained, "Look at how devoted they are. How could they not like it?"

"Everyone has times when they are forced to do things against their will. They should have thought of themselves." Wan Tao said on the side, "Empress Ru is really amazing. She can choreograph such a fascinating dance. It's a pity that she can't see the effect in person."

"Who said I can't see!" Ru Fei's voice came from behind: "I'm here!"