The princess regretted it.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the imperial palace was ablaze with lights and vibrant festoons, a scene of extraordinary activity. A grand banquet was about to begin, the palace ablaze with lights, making it seem as if it were daytime, while melodious music drifted through the air.

In front of the vermilion palace gate, carriages from various mansions formed a long line. They were all the civil and military officials and their families who had come to attend the palace banquet tonight. Each one was dressed in gorgeous attire and waited to enter the palace one by one. Those who knew each other at the gate exchanged greetings and exchanged family names.

Before the vermilion palace gates, carriages from various government offices lined up in a long, winding procession, like a long, winding dragon. These were the civil and military officials and their families who had come to attend the palace banquet tonight. Each was adorned in splendid attire. The men wore either formal official uniforms or exquisite robes, bearing a majestic bearing. The women, adorned in vibrant dresses, adorned with pearls and jade, and with elaborate makeup, displayed a variety of graceful demeanors. They waited quietly before the palace gates, each one entering in turn. At the gates, acquaintances exchanged greetings, chatting casually, and laughter filled the air.

The Prime Minister's carriage, following the procession at a leisurely pace, finally arrived at the palace gates. After his grandfather, Prime Minister Mu, disembarked, Mu Zixuan eagerly lifted the curtain, his movements quick and decisive, radiating the youthful vigor and energy of youth. He wore a moon-white robe, a blue belt cinched at the waist, and a shimmering jade pendant dangling from it, appearing handsome and elegant. With a single, graceful leap, he disembarked from the carriage, his movements agile and graceful. This action sent the hearts of many of the women present into a frenzy.

After landing firmly on his feet, he turned and walked to a carriage behind him, a lovely smile on his face. He stretched out his hands and carefully helped his grandmother, the Prime Minister's wife, Mrs. Xue, out of the carriage. Mrs. Xue was dressed in a gorgeous dark purple dress with exquisite embroidery and gold silk thread inlaid on the collar and cuffs, highlighting her noble status. Her hair was neatly combed, not a single strand out of place, and tied into an elegant round bun, dignified and elegant. She wore a set of gold-threaded crabapple headpieces, the shining gold threads and the delicate crabapple flowers added a touch of elegance and luxury to her. Mrs. Xue had a kind face, and although the years had left marks on her face, it only highlighted the endless wisdom accumulated over the years. Her eyes were deep and peaceful, as if she could see through all the vicissitudes of life. With a decent smile on her face, she got off the carriage gracefully and dignifiedly with the support of Mu Zixuan.

Her appearance instantly captured everyone's attention, causing them to exchange glances and whisper. Madam Xue had barely entered the palace since the Empress's death. She rarely went out to attend banquets, as if deliberately maintaining a distance from the bustling world. Her sudden appearance now inevitably raised suspicions.

At this moment, Madam Xue looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar palace gate, the vermilion gate, the towering palace, and memories of the past flooded back to her mind like a tide. A complex emotion welled up in her heart: sadness, nostalgia, a touch of melancholy, and a longing for the past.

Following her out of the carriage was Zhong Wenqing, wife of General Mu En, son of Prime Minister Mu. Unlike her usual simple attire, she had dressed up. She wore a crimson brocade dress, a rich crimson hue like a burning flame, intense and dazzling. The hem of her dress was embroidered with delicate golden silk patterns, which shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight like leaping flames.

She wore a black silk ribbon tied around her waist. The silk ribbon's smooth texture added a touch of calmness to the fiery crimson color. The silk ribbon was adorned with several black gemstones, emitting a mysterious luster.

Her hair was specially styled into an elegant bun today, naturally aiming for the most eye-catching feature: the ruby headpiece. The vibrant rubies shimmered captivatingly under the light. The headpiece was exquisite and ornate, perfectly complementing her crimson dress. The rubies, set in a golden setting and surrounded by delicate pearls, exuded both nobility and elegance.

Marquis Jinwu Wu Anshuo, accompanied by Lady Fan and Wu Changfeng, also stepped forward to greet them. Marquis Jinwu bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Greetings, Your Excellency, and Madam Prime Minister." Lady Fan and Wu Changfeng also saluted. Prime Minister Mu looked at the family, a subtle glint in his eyes, but a gentle smile remained on his face. He replied, "Marquis Jinwu, thank you for your courtesy!"

At this moment, someone in the crowd suddenly said, "Hey, that looks like the carriage of the Duke of Protectorate?" Everyone's attention was drawn to it, and they saw two richly decorated carriages slowly approaching, with exquisite patterns carved on the bodies of the carriages, shining brightly in the setting sun.