Tangli Fried Snow

The preparations for the Third Prince's birthday celebration took more than half a month, and the daughters and sons of various noble families were all eager to participate and prepared for half a month as well.

Lin Pianyue had also prepared an outfit worth a fortune. Her long jacket was draped with pleats resembling a lovebird, and the deer and bluebird pattern on her chest alone was quite valuable. In addition, she wore a golden crown shaped like a ruyi cloud, adorned with silver and gold hairpins, and her wide sleeves were decorated with blooming crabapple and plum blossoms, as delicate and lively as flowing spring water.

She is full of ingenious little details.

Her mother, Song Weilan, was also dressed in her finest attire, wearing a gardenia-yellow jacket embroidered with hibiscus flowers, a white butterfly skirt with exquisite gold thread, showcasing her unparalleled elegance.

The carriage slowly drove through the magnificent gate, proceeding from the west gate straight to the parking lot outside the main hall. Many exquisite carriages were already parked in the square. On either side of the gate were military barracks, with two battalions of soldiers stationed there for security. After a routine inspection and questioning by the Imperial Guard Commander, they were then led by a special officer to the main hall.

Groups of two or three ladies from wealthy and noble families slowly made their way into the inner palace.

The buildings in the northern capitals were mostly magnificent and imposing, exuding a strong sense of ruggedness. The layout remained the "outer court and inner palace" arrangement. The outer court was where the emperor and his ministers handled state affairs, while the inner court housed the emperor, empress, crown prince, princes, princesses, concubines, and empress dowager. The entire layout was arranged like stars surrounding the moon.

Walking a hundred meters further, the main halls of the front court finally came into view, arranged in a triangular shape, magnificent and grand. A straight avenue ran between the front and rear palace gates, with council halls and various government offices on both sides. The rear court was mainly occupied by the emperor and empress's three palaces, with the six courtyards on the east and west sides on the left and right, where the crown prince, empress dowager, concubines and other princes and princesses lived.

The entire palace complex is grand, with halls, pavilions, gardens and terraces arranged in a neat row. Its exquisite and graceful architecture exudes a sense of solemnity. Once inside, one can truly appreciate its magnificence, which is incomparable to ordinary buildings.

The inner palace buildings are diverse, each forming a courtyard surrounded by walls. In different areas, there are also tall palace walls that block the way. Walking inside, you can only see the surrounding high walls. Without a guide, you can easily get lost. If you accidentally wander into a cold palace or a deserted side hall, fall into a well and die, you might not be discovered for years or even decades.

The banquet for the Third Prince's birthday was held in the largest and most magnificent building, the "Hongxiao Palace." This was a grand structure, a three-story pavilion with carved beams and painted rafters, brightly lit and resplendent in gold. Long staircases stretched as far as the eye could see, the corridors paved with swastika-patterned or square bricks, and the halls and staircases were paved with smooth, long strips of bluestone. The entire building was tall and luxurious, inspiring awe.

In the square, the Empress specially sent people to pick up Song Weilan and her daughter. Lin Pianyue thought about how she and Jin Cheng would get married in the near future, and the Empress would be her aunt. She sighed in her heart, wishing that Yunxi's sister was the Empress. She couldn't help but feel listless and didn't even want to go in.

Song Weilan noticed her daughter's lack of interest and quickly pulled her arm, saying, "Pianyue, you have to be alert today. This kind of occasion is a test, so you can't make any mistakes, understand?"

Lin Pianyue's heart tightened, but she forced herself to stay alert and repeatedly agreed.

As soon as they stepped into the palace, a sweet laugh reached their ears. It turned out to be Ding Lan, the eldest daughter of the Vice Minister of War. She greeted the mother and daughter who had just arrived with a smile, her voice clear and her smile charming, "Aunt Song, Pianyue, my mother and I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Song Weilan smiled and greeted the two of them.

Ding Lan was seventeen or eighteen years old. She was lively and lovely, with a graceful figure and a flawless, delicate face. She was exceptionally beautiful.

While she was charmingly entertaining Song Weilan, she was also stealing glances at Lin Pianyue, the Lin family's younger sister who was discussing marriage with Brother Jin Cheng. Good heavens, she was stunningly beautiful from afar, and even more beautiful up close than flowers. Her graceful and dignified appearance, and her undeniable charm, made her a true "lotus emerging from clear water."

The more Ding Lan looked at her, the more bittersweet she felt. Thinking that Jin Cheng would be marrying her after the New Year, she couldn't help but move closer, take her hand to show intimacy, and said with a slight smile, "Pian Yue, it's been a long time. Come in and let's sit together."

Lin Pianyue and Ding Lan had only met a few times and were not very familiar with each other. She felt a little awkward being held by Ding Lan's hand. After exchanging pleasantries with her two mothers, the four of them entered the main hall together.

Besides the six seats at the head of the table, there were more than a dozen seats for guests on each side of the main hall, with two palace maids standing at each seat. The hall was crowded with people. Lin Pianyue exclaimed that this was bad. There were so many people, and she had to entertain them constantly. Tonight was going to be a big battle.

Madam Ding was very approachable. She took Song Weilan's arm and led her to the right seat at the head of the table. She whispered to Song Weilan, "I was just worried about having no one to keep me company, and now my sister has arrived. Empress Jin specifically instructed me to visit my sister more often. Your Lord Lin is in charge of the Ministry of War's vehicles, horses, and provisions, and he is the closest person to my husband, Old Ding. We ladies should also visit each other more often."

Song Weilan smiled slightly and said, "It's all thanks to Her Majesty the Empress's help."

The three of them exchanged pleasantries with the ladies and young women they knew along the way. When they arrived at the table, Madam Ding said in a low voice, "I have already heard from Old Ding that the provisions and carriages for the southern and northern armies have all been handed over to Lord Lin."

Song Weilan thought to herself that Madam Ding's methods of winning people over were truly impressive. She had hit the nail on the head right away. The matter that her husband had been running around trying to resolve was revealed by Madam Ding in just one sentence. She quickly pretended to be grateful and said, "Thank you for your trust, Lord Ding. I'll invite you to play dominoes with me in a few days."

Madam Ding glanced at her sideways and said with a smile, "Alright, I love playing dominoes the most. I'll wait for your news at home."

Ding Lan also pulled Lin Pianyue aside to whisper some intimate words between young women, and the scene was very harmonious.

As everyone was socializing, the atmosphere was lively and relaxed, when suddenly a eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out: "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived! The Third Prince has arrived!"

Two groups of palace maids slowly entered, carrying exquisite palace lanterns. They entered the hall with bated breath and stood on both sides. It turned out that the Empress and her son were in the next palace, waiting for all the guests to arrive before she came out to preside over the banquet.

Everyone rose and lined up on both sides to welcome the most distinguished woman in the capital.

Footsteps sounded, and a beautiful woman with a graceful figure approached slowly, leading a boy of about eight or nine years old. She wore an exquisite palace dress with wide sleeves and gold embroidery, dazzling and sparkling. A gold pendant carved with two phoenixes facing a lotus flower adorned her, and jeweled ornaments swayed gently. Her every step was graceful and charming. This further accentuated her slender figure. Her unique features, coupled with her magnificent headdress, made her even more eye-catching, captivating anyone who looked at her.

The third prince beside her was only eight years old, with phoenix eyes and a tender face. He was gentle and refined, and he would definitely grow up to be a handsome young man just like his uncle.

A gentle and pleasant voice rang out: "All of you, rise."

Everyone shouted in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Queen Kim and her son took their seats, and everyone else rose and sat down as well.

Lin Pianyue looked up to examine the Empress, but unexpectedly, her gaze met the Empress's directly, startling the young girl.

Empress Jin smiled slightly at her, and Lin Pianyue was relieved, returning the smile to the Empress.