Both worlds are like dreams

Du Mengyao hadn't recovered yet. After being helped off the stage by Kang Minmin, she sat there with a pale face and said nothing. However, many daughters of noble families felt happy watching this scene. Du Mengyao usually relied on being the daughter of a minister, a member of the Third Prince's faction, and having an engagement with the Shen family to be arrogant and domineering.

Seeing her being taught a lesson today, they were so happy. Who told her to be so arrogant that she actually provoked this princess who held a golden medal of immunity from death and was favored by the emperor? She really didn't know her identity.

Concubine Rong has lived in the palace for a long time, so naturally she has never seen someone as flamboyant as Xue Huang. She faced the slander of others head-on without fear. No wonder His Majesty praised her highly, but if you think about it carefully, such a seemingly weak and simple girl can capture the enemy general alive in front of a hundred thousand troops, has outstanding merits, holds a gold medal of immunity from death, and has the identity of a princess of another country. Would she be afraid of a little daughter of a minister? While she was surprised, she also admired her character.

She quickly regained her composure and said, "It is indeed a peerless swordsmanship. Princess Changle lives up to her reputation."

"Thank you for the compliment, Madam."

"My Lady Imperial Concubine," Mo Xingyue came over with a smile, "You only praise Sister Changle, what about me?"

"I have heard this piece of yours before, and it is certainly worthy of its reputation."

"Is there any reward?"

Concubine Rong smiled gently, "There are countless treasures in your bedroom, how can I compare with them here? But I like today's dance music very much, so I will give you a small gift." After saying that, she had someone present two exquisite sachets.

"So beautiful!" Mo Xingyue exclaimed in admiration.

"I made this myself when I had nothing to do. I hope you don't mind."

Xue Huang took the exquisite sachet. The craftsmanship here was even better than that of the best embroidery workshop in Shangyang City. "Thank you, Madam."

Rong Fei smiled and said, "It's getting late. Please all take your seats and prepare for the feast!"

Xue Huang and Mo Xingyue returned to their seats. Zhao Manqing looked at Xue Huang with admiration, "Princess, you were so majestic just now."

"Ms. Zhao, thank you for the compliment." Xuehuang's eyes swept across Du Mengyao lightly, scaring Du Mengyao so much that she quickly avoided her gaze and dared not look directly at her. She was really scared this time.

Xue Huang withdrew her gaze and ignored the looks of fear or admiration from others.

After waiting for the meal to start, she started eating without hesitation. Since she was attending a banquet, she had to eat seriously.

The imperial chefs in the palace are all experts, and the delicacies they make are naturally exquisite. Fighting is fighting, but the food cannot be wasted. However, this kind of banquet in the harem is just a show. Although the dishes are exquisite, they are pitifully few. The princesses and daughters are also pretentious and take a few bites just to pretend. It is estimated that Xuehuang is the only one who comes to eat seriously in the whole banquet.

Moreover, the party in the harem ended very quickly. When the imperial concubine put down her chopsticks, everyone else put down theirs too. Obviously, this meant the banquet was over.

But Xue Huang still felt that she was not full, but Mo Xingyue kept pulling her back and not letting her eat.

After Concubine Rong said some polite words, she said she was tired and told them to do as they pleased, but everyone tactfully left.

Xue Huang and Mo Xingyue were about to leave, but Concubine Rong called her back, "Princess Changle."

"What are your orders, Madam?"

Concubine Rong smiled gently, "Three years ago, you saved Yu'er, and I have yet to thank you."

"You are too polite, my lady. It is just a small favor."

"I have lived in the deep palace for a long time, and I only have one son, Yu'er. I feel quite close to you. Can you come to the palace more often to talk to me in the future?"

Mo Xingyue smiled and said, "My queen, my second brother will be married to Princess Ye Xun soon. With her here, your Yuxiu Palace will surely be very lively in the future."

Concubine Rong's eyes flickered and she smiled gently, "Yes, but I would be very happy if you could come more often."

"Okay then," Mo Xingyue smiled innocently, "When the Second Princess gets married, we can come here together to play mahjong with the Empress."

Concubine Rong nodded, "You guys go."

Xue Huang followed Mo Xingyue in paying her respects and left Yuxiu Palace.

As soon as they returned to Mo Xingyue's bedroom, Xue Huang said, "Hurry, what's there to eat? I'm not full yet."

Mo Xingyue's maid had already prepared snacks, fruits and tea, and the two of them sat down again and started eating.

"Actually, I'm not full either," Mo Xingyue smiled helplessly, "but this kind of palace banquet is just for show. Every time I come back, I have to eat something more."

"The palace is so troublesome. There are rules everywhere." Xue Huang sighed.

"Now you understand how I feel, right? I've been growing up with all these rules and regulations, and I'm sick of it."

"I'll take you out to play in the future." Xue Huang fed her a grape, "Just ask the imperial chef to make me some more delicious food."

Mo Xingyue nodded immediately, saying she was more than happy to do so. "You are not allowed to leave today. You must stay here and tell me where you have been in the past three years and what interesting things you have experienced. In the evening, I will ask the imperial kitchen to make you salt and pepper shrimp, jade soup, milk cake, and sweet and sour fish."

"Sure!" Xue Huang agreed immediately, "As long as there's something delicious, anything is fine."

Mo Xingyue raised an eyebrow, "Anything is fine?"

"Yeah." Xue Huang smiled.

"Then can I exchange Brother Lan with you for some delicious food?"

"Of course not." Xue Huang replied without thinking.

Mo Xingyue teased her, "Oh, now you know it's no good. At the beginning, I didn't know who it was, and I looked indifferent."

"So you really let him go?" Xue Huang asked.

"Of course," Mo Xingyue said earnestly, "I don't have any feelings for Brother Lan... no, Master Gu. In my heart, he has long been my brother. Moreover, I stand firmly on your side and his side. If any woman wants to snatch him from you, I will be the first to say no."

"So righteous!" Xue Huang gave a thumbs up.

"But I heard from my brother that you and your uncle-in-law were childhood sweethearts, and your grandfather even arranged a marriage for you..."

Xue Huang almost spit a mouthful of tea on Mo Xingyue's face, "That's a rumor. I have already made it clear to uncle, and he only treats me as a family member. This time when he returns to Guigu, he will explain this matter to grandfather."

"What's the point of you explaining to me?" Mo Xingyue wiped her face, "You have to explain to your brother Qinglan. He knew your grandfather had this plan, and you and your uncle have been traveling outside for three years. He has been feeling bad."

Xue Huang put down the cup and looked at her seriously, "Really?"

"Nonsense." Mo Xingyue looked at her with a look of dismay, "If Brother Lan had a childhood sweetheart, wouldn't you mind?"

Xue Huang thought about it seriously. If Gu Qinglan really had a childhood sweetheart, she would definitely not be so calm. "I just feel that Brother Qinglan and I have experienced a lot of things together, and some things have even surpassed life and death. There are some things that we can understand each other without saying anything." She didn't explain to him three years ago because she was leaving, and it seemed meaningless to explain or not. They met again three years later. They had experienced life and death together. Although she had never said that she loved him, she was sure that the feelings between them were already extraordinary.