Reborn, I am doing involution on Jinshan

Oriental Pearl said coquettishly, "Sister, tonight's dinner party is going to be very lively. There will be many young talents there. I thought we should go together so we can have some company on the way."

Cui also echoed: "Yes, Miss, Mingzhu also has good intentions. You two sisters haven't attended such an event together for a long time."

Xiao Ruiyue sneered inwardly. She naturally understood what the mother and daughter were thinking. They simply wanted to embarrass her at the dinner party. But she didn't want to refuse easily, lest they become suspicious.

"Since my sister is so enthusiastic, let's go together." Xiao Ruiyue raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a meaningful smile.

Dongfang Mingzhu saw Xiao Ruiyue agree, and a hint of pride flashed in her eyes. She deliberately fiddled with the flowers by the window and said casually, "Sister, you have to dress up well this time. There will be many distinguished guests at the dinner party, and we can't lose face for our Prince Gong Mansion."

He glanced at Ruiyue's gorgeous yellow brocade dress, which looked like a Vermillion Bird flying in the sky with great momentum. In just three months, she had already grown taller than him, and a hint of hatred flashed in his eyes.

Yellow, white, navy blue, bird embroidery, and animal pattern embroidery are the symbols of legitimate sons and daughters in the royal family, while she, her mother, and her brothers can only wear humble red, pink, green, and gray. The patterns on their clothes are always chrysanthemums, peach blossoms, peonies, various grasses, and various tree embroidery patterns. They are not allowed to wear those three colors, and embroidery patterns of flying birds and ferocious beasts are not allowed.

Once, she found an excuse to borrow clothes from Xiao Ruiyue and wore a long white gauze dress to attend a poetry gathering. When she returned, her father Dongfang Huang saw her and criticized her displeasedly: "Zhu'er, as a concubine's daughter, how dare you presumptuously wear such white clothes? Don't do it again!"

Thinking of this, Dongfang Mingzhu's jealousy intensified. She still smiled on the surface, "Sister, your dress is luxurious, but the style is a bit old. Why don't I have someone make you a new one made of pink satin? It will definitely make you look cute and charming."

Xiao Ruiyue chuckled, "I appreciate your kindness, sister. This yellow brocade dress was given by the emperor. I particularly like the embroidered pattern of a flying Vermilion Bird. I will wear it to the dinner party as a sign of respect for the emperor and to highlight the glory of our palace."

Dongfang Mingzhu's face changed slightly, secretly resenting Xiao Ruiyue for using the emperor to pressure her. Seeing this, Cui Lizi hurried to smooth things over, "We're all family. What we wear is not important. The important thing is that the two sisters attend the dinner in harmony."

Oriental Pearl forced a smile, "Yes, my sister is right. Let's get ready quickly and don't miss the dinner." Little Ruiyue raised the corners of her mouth, her eyes full of confidence. She wanted to see what other tricks Oriental Pearl and her daughter could use at the dinner.

Xiao Ruiyue looked at her pretentious appearance and felt annoyed, but still responded politely: "Don't worry, I will pay attention."

Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the door. Butler Zhao Ran brought in Caihong, Ruiyue's personal maid. Seeing the East Wing's hall filled with people, Butler Zhao was also startled. After sending the people over and completing their mission, he made an excuse to leave.

The maid Caihong bowed and said, "My lady, the prince has instructed that you must wear the Vermillion Bird Crown bestowed upon you by the emperor to attend the banquet tonight."

Xiao Ruiyue's heart moved. This phoenix crown is extremely gorgeous. Wearing it at the dinner party will definitely attract more attention. Dongfang Mingzhu's face instantly became very ugly. This phoenix crown was something she had coveted for a long time, and now Xiao Ruiyue was wearing it.

She suppressed her anger and forced a smile, saying, "When my sister wears the phoenix crown, she will surely outshine all the other beauties."

Cui also agreed with a fake smile. Xiao Ruiyue stood up gracefully, "Thank you, butler and Caihong, for letting me know. I will go and prepare it right away."

After saying this, she returned to her room with her personal maid amidst the mixed looks of the crowd. Dongfang Mingzhu watched her departing figure with a sinister look in her eyes, and whispered to Cui, "Mother, we can't let her be so proud. I'm going to make her look bad at the banquet."

Cui patted her hands and said, "Don't worry, let's think of a solution. Let's go back and prepare first."

She deliberately raised her voice again: "Mingzhu, dress up nicely so that cousin Dongfanghao will take notice of you."

Xiao Ruiyue returned to the room with a barely perceptible sneer on her lips. She had already prepared herself for anything.

About three quarters of an hour later, the servant came to announce that two sedan chairs had arrived.

Little Ruiyue, still dressed in the imperially bestowed yellow brocade gown and a phoenix crown, emerged from her room with a dignified air. Dongfang Mingzhu and Cui had also finished their attire. Dongfang Mingzhu had changed into a long, light red satin dress embroidered with pink peonies, and a phoenix crown. Her makeup was exquisite, but she paled in comparison to Little Ruiyue's brilliance.

Cui's mother and daughter sat in the front sedan to lead the way. There was a master and two servants on this side. Butler Zhao helped to move the gifts onto the sedan and put them inside. Then the three of them got on the carriage at the back and headed for the dinner.

Along the way, Dongfang Mingzhu and Cui Shi whispered quietly, seemingly plotting something. Little Ruiyue, on the other hand, closed her eyes and rested, already having a plan in mind.

Arriving at the banquet, everyone's attention was instantly drawn to Xiao Ruiyue. Ignoring the voices of gossip, she walked gracefully into the hall, each step radiating confidence and nobility. She found her seat and had just sat down when a eunuch called out, "The Queen Mother has arrived, and the banquet is about to begin."

The hall was already filled with the royal family and the wives of ministers. When the empress dowager saw her, she smiled and waved at her, "Yue'er, come here."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ruiyue saw that the Emperor and Empress were also seated nearby. She immediately stood up and walked towards the Empress Dowager with light and graceful steps. She bowed slightly and said in a clear and pleasant voice, "Good luck to the Empress Dowager. It's been a long time since we last met. You look even more energetic."

"Congratulations to the Queen Mother on the birth of her grandson and her longevity. May the Queen Mother be blessed with good fortune."

The Queen Mother lovingly took her hand and patted it gently: "My Yue'er has become more and more beautiful. Come, sit beside me."

"Congratulations, uncle and aunt. May the addition of a son bring more blessings to uncle. May uncle be blessed with good fortune!" She also bowed to the emperor and empress, who smiled and nodded.

The Empress Dowager took little Ruiyue's hand and said to everyone, "This is the eldest daughter of Prince Gong's mansion, Ruiyue. She is a smart and clever girl. The Emperor even specially gave her a gorgeous dress. With this hairstyle and phoenix crown, she looks really beautiful."

"She's so beautiful."

"Those eyes are so beautiful, just like her mother's."

Everyone cast envious glances at them. Dongfang Mingzhu and Cui sat to the side, their faces looking very grim.

The dinner began with singing and dancing.

Exquisite dishes were served one after another. Amidst the melodious sounds of stringed instruments, everyone began to enjoy the food. While savoring the delicacies, the Queen Mother softly chatted with little Ruiyue: "Yue'er, are you having a good time in the Taoist temple? Have you suffered any injustice? Are you getting used to living here?"

Xiao Ruiyue smiled and replied, "Don't worry, Queen Mother. Master and my fellow apprentices are all very kind to me. Xiaoyue is practicing diligently in the temple and is living a fulfilling and happy life. I've gotten used to the living and eating conditions there."

The Queen Mother nodded with satisfaction: "That's good, but now that you have grown up, you should come back to the palace more often. This palace is also your home."

At this time, a minister's family member sitting not far away said with a smile: "Empress Dowager, the princess has grown up to be so graceful and decent. I wonder which young man will be so lucky to marry her in the future."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone echoed them, and for a moment, the hall was filled with all kinds of jokes and laughter.

Little Ruiyue's cheeks flushed slightly as she said softly, "My dear ladies, thank you for your compliments. Yue'er is now fully devoted to the Dao and has not considered these things yet."

The Queen Mother was afraid that she could not bear the gossip of the female relatives, so she said softly, "Xiao Yue'er is just growing taller. She won't reach marriage age in a few years. I just want to pamper her every day and keep her with me for a few more years."

However, just as everyone was chatting and laughing, Xiao Ruiyue caught a glimpse of a figure in the corner with a strange expression. The woman was secretly looking at her, and her eyes seemed to hide some ulterior motive.

Xiao Ruiyue's heart trembled, but she still maintained a decent smile on the surface. She secretly became alert and wondered who this person was and why he was paying so much attention to her...

There was a commotion at the door; it turned out that the other princes had returned from martial arts practice.