After the mind-reading and gossip-eating incident, officials in the imperial city were demoted one a

Ye Yaoyao was being led by the hand by Liu Yunshu when a magnificent carriage drove past them as they were about to go inside.

The curtains swayed, revealing only a single figure.

"Who is this important person?"

The palace gates were bustling with people, all craning their necks to look around. Many were curious because this carriage could enter the palace without announcing its owner.

Of course, members of the royal family can ride in carriages into the palace. Ye Yaoyao just saw the Second Prince's carriage, and the driver was only allowed to pass after introducing himself.

The guards at the gate saw the carriage from afar and respectfully made way for it, which explains why everyone was curious about who this important person was.

[System, is the person sitting inside Prince Jing?]

[Yes, host. 】

Having grown up in Yunmengze since childhood, Prince Jing now feels as comfortable entering the palace as if he were home. The power left to Prince Jing by the late emperor must be extraordinary.

In my opinion, if Prince Jing has the strength himself, and also the influence left by the late emperor, he might very well become the uncrowned king of Tianlin Kingdom.

Ye Yaoyao didn't know much about Prince Jing. He was the late emperor's youngest son and the youngest prince. His birth mother died in childbirth, and the late emperor raised him personally. Unfortunately, the late emperor only lived to be four years old before passing away.

Before his death, the late emperor left him the best fiefdom, Yunmengze, along with military power as a guarantee, and made the current emperor swear an oath not to harm him.

[Host, you're right. Before his serious illness, the late emperor considered moving the capital to Yunmengze for reasons of controlling the northern and southern regions.]

Wow! Although the capital wasn't moved later, and Prince Jing's fiefdom remained, the late emperor's intentions were too clear; he was the late emperor's chosen successor.

Ye Yaoyao couldn't help but feel sorry for Prince Jing.

Yes, he was too young then, otherwise Prince Jing would have ascended the throne long ago.

Ye Yaoyao didn't know what the emperor's attitude was towards Prince Jing, but at least on the surface, he was definitely being treated favorably.

If Prince Jing and the Emperor were to fight in the future, which side would the maternal family be on?

The emperor must be worried about Prince Jing becoming too powerful.

[Host, the system doesn't provide much information about Prince Jing here; you'll have to see him in person to understand.]

Those who heard Ye Yaoyao's inner thoughts were startled. The Prince of Jing was very powerful, and it was unknown whether he would rebel in the future. Fortunately, they heard his inner thoughts.

With Prince Jing's return to the palace, the ministers were all suspicious of the Emperor's attitude towards him. Today's banquet would allow them to see the situation more clearly.

"Keep an eye on Aunt Xin once you're inside. It's their first time in the palace, so we need to take good care of them," Liu Yunshu instructed her children.

"Yes, mother."

When Ye Yaoyao arrived at the Jiaotai Hall, it was already late afternoon. The sky was still early, and the area outside the hall was already bustling with activity.

The ministers, accompanied by their children, mingled among the crowd, chatting warmly with one another.

To Ye Yaoyao's left were two officials, both dressed in scarlet robes and beaming with smiles, leading their imposing sons. They addressed a man in a python robe in a loud voice:

"Lord Zhang, how have you been? My son has just started his official career this year, and I hope you will give him some guidance in the future."

Lord Zhang glanced at the young man and replied with a smile, "Lord Li, you are too kind. Your son is clearly a promising young talent with a bright future ahead of him."

To the right front is:

"Lord Wang, it's been a long time. I've heard that your daughter is exceptionally talented. It's a great honor to meet her today."

Lord Wang quickly returned the greeting, his eyes scanning the other man's son as he replied, "Lord Li, you flatter me. Your son is also a handsome and talented man, a true dragon among men."

[Banquets truly were the most important social platform in ancient times. Could this couple really be getting married like this?]

Ye Yaoyao noticed that everyone around her was chatting in groups of three or five, and her gaze wandered curiously through the crowd.

"Li An, Jing Yang, come with your father." Ye Mian called the two brothers away.

"Yes, father."

The two brothers looked calm and composed, clearly used to such situations, and followed behind Ye Mian.

Ye Mian made a fool of himself a few days ago, and now he's taking his two excellent sons to chat with other adults, trying to save face.

Especially Ye Li'an, who was highly regarded and had the talent to be the top scholar.

Officials have always regarded banquets as a place to find good marriages for their children or to make connections with powerful people, thereby adding glory to their families.

Everyone harbored ulterior motives, yet their faces were filled with cheerful praise.

“Xiyao, Yaoyao, let’s find a quiet place for you sisters.”

No sooner had Liu Yunshu finished speaking than Xin Chuli's voice rang out.

"Aunt Liu, Xiyao, and little sister Yaoyao."

"Uncle Xin, Aunt Xin, hello."

Madam Xin and Liu Yunshu hit it off immediately and had long considered each other as sisters.

"Yun Shu, you said you'd find a secluded place and take me with you."

Madam Xin smiled and reached out to take her hand.

"Okay." The two, who both disliked the occasion, immediately agreed.

As soon as the two families met, the well-to-do Mrs. Tang, accompanied by Tang Xue, came over to greet them:

"Madam Ye, it's been a long time. This is my daughter, Xue."

"Greetings, Madam Ye." Tang Xue greeted Liu Yunshu.

"The snow is getting more and more beautiful as it grows longer."

Seeing the shy girl, Liu Yunshu thought of Ye Yaoyao's unspoken feelings and felt dislike for the person in front of her, but still maintained a polite smile.

"The older a daughter gets, the harder it is to keep her," Mrs. Tang sighed with a smile, then continued:

"My daughter is not very talented, but she is somewhat skilled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. Relying on her talent, she has some ideas and enjoys associating with talented younger people."

"You might as well just say you're interested in my older brother." Ye Yaoyao pouted.

Madam Tang's words were so clear that everyone could guess that she had her eye on Ye Li'an.

"mother!"

Tang Xue's cheeks were flushed, her head was slightly lowered, and she was twisting her handkerchief in her hands, looking very embarrassed.

"Miss Tang is both beautiful and virtuous. I imagine there must be a constant stream of carriages and people in front of the Tang family mansion. Is Madam Tang afraid of being overwhelmed by all the sights?"

Liu Yunshu joked, a smile playing on her lips, but her eyes held a distant look.

"My daughter is not fortunate enough to have such an advantage."

Madam Tang's smile was somewhat stiff; she knew in her heart that Liu Yunshu had no interest in her daughter.

"In my opinion, it's Mrs. Ye who's overwhelmed by the choices."

These words, spoken in a sarcastic tone, came from Madam Lu of the Lu family, a political rival of Ye Mian.

"Looking across the entire Holy Capital, who doesn't know that Young Master Ye has the talent to be the top scholar? Madam Ye must have a suitable daughter-in-law in mind, right?"

Madam Lu and Madam Tang are cousins.

“Madam Lu, that is an outsider’s undeserved praise of my son. Our dynasty has three thousand talented students, how could the top scholar title fall so easily to my son?”

My son is currently under pressure from the imperial examinations. Before he passes the exams, my husband and I have agreed that the Ye family will not discuss any marriage proposals.

Liu Yunshu took this opportunity to dispel Ye Mian's idea of ​​arranging any marriage for Ye Li before the imperial examination.

Ye Yaoyao nodded, thinking to herself:

[Mother did a good job. Even if it weren't the Tang family, there would be other families. Now that you say that, even if it's my second brother and sister's marriage, it won't be used by that scumbag father to curry favor.]

"Yun Shu, this is excellent." Liu Lingchuan came over with his wife and daughter, his face full of praise.

"Uncle, Aunt," Ye Yaoyao and her sister greeted.

"Stay close to your mother."

Liu Lingchuan nodded, looking at his two nieces with a loving expression.

Madam Tang was annoyed; it seemed she had to nip her daughter's feelings for Ye Li'an in the bud.