Eavesdropping on Fu Bao's inner thoughts, emptying the stored grain and fleeing the famine

The year was drawing to a close, and this was Li Yuanqi's first New Year since returning to Dasheng. The old emperor naturally attached great importance to it.

According to past practice, high-ranking officials of the third rank or above in the imperial court were allowed to bring their families to the palace banquet on New Year's Eve.

This year, the old emperor was in a good mood. In addition to the high-ranking officials in the court, he also gave Lian Rongrong a special favor, allowing her to bring the female teachers from Mingyue Hall to the palace to attend the banquet.

For many members of the Mingyue Hall, such an honor was like a dream come true.

On the eve of the New Year, Lian Rongrong informed the female teachers in the hall of the arrangements.

To showcase Mingyuetang's talents, Lian Rongrong specially prepared a program for everyone.

Lian Rongrong combines the strengths of everyone, and in addition to the usual programs such as dance and music, there are also novelties such as fashion shows and cooking demonstrations.

Everyone at Mingyue Hall took this palace banquet very seriously, and apart from their regular classes, they devoted all their time to rehearsing.

However, one person still seemed to be in a dilemma.

"What's wrong? Something on your mind?" Lian Rongrong walked up to Yan Mingyue, who didn't even notice her arrival.

Yan Mingyue was instinctively startled, but when she saw Lian Rongrong sit down beside her, her expression softened somewhat.

"I'm thinking I'd better not go to the palace banquet!"

"Why?" Lian Rongrong's question was somewhat of a rhetorical one.

"How could someone as smart as you not guess?" Yan Mingyue smiled helplessly.

Over time, she and Lian Rongrong have become close friends, so she speaks much more freely now.

"I have no idea! All I know is that Mr. Yan is the living advertisement of our Mingyue Hall."

"His Majesty invited me, but the Chief Lady is not here. I've lost face!"

"Rongrong, I'm afraid of embarrassing you!"

"Disgraceful? Whose face are you disgraced? What's so shameful about you? And what face do I have that you should be disgraced by?"

I thought you had moved on, but now you seem so timid and hesitant.

"Mingyue, you need to know that you're not the one who made the mistake! That bastard Li Yuanyi is still swaggering around, what do you have to be afraid of!"

Yan Mingyue sighed, "I can't argue with you!"

"That's because you're not in the right! I know that you haven't completely let go of what happened in the past."

But that's okay, some things just need time to heal.

However, since you've decided to let go, you should be brave and fearless, don't you think?

"You're right, I'll go!"

"That's more like it! We need to show that bastard Li Yuanyi what treasure he's missed out on."

We also want those who once looked down on us to understand a certain principle.

"What's the point?"

"I'm not someone to mess with!"

Yan Mingyue was taken aback, then burst into laughter. The two, who had once been at loggerheads, were now miraculously sitting together, chatting and laughing heartily!

However, such harmony is very uncomfortable for some people.

In the corner, Xiao Tao looked at her young mistress's cold face and couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

As time went by, Hua Ling's temper seemed to become more and more irritable.

For so long, she not only failed to gain Li Yuanqi's favor, but also saw the two of them being affectionate every day.

Not only Li Yuanqi, but it seems that everyone around Rongrong likes and trusts her.

Even the once arrogant Yan Mingyue has now become Lian Rongrong's confidante and best friend.

“Miss, in my opinion, it would be perfect if Yan Mingyue could attend the palace banquet. You know, her reputation has been ruined for a long time.”

No matter how much Princess Qi tries to flatter her, many things remain unchanged. Yan Mingyue is the chief disciple of Mingyue Hall.

If she makes a fool of herself, then it will be Princess Qi who makes a fool of herself. It would be difficult to deal with Princess Qi directly, but dealing with Yan Mingyue would be a piece of cake.

The coldness on Hua Ling's face seemed to dissipate somewhat after hearing Xiao Tao's words.

"What you say seems to make sense. Yan Mingyue's image in the hearts of the people of the Holy Capital has indeed changed."

However, for those noble ladies in the palace, her offense constitutes one of the seven grounds for divorce. If anyone publicly harasses her, Yan Mingyue will likely face a difficult situation.

Then we'll see whether Lian Rong helps or not! If she helps, it will be a slap in the face to the important people; if she doesn't help, she and Yan Mingyue will definitely have a falling out.

No matter the outcome, as long as it's unfavorable to Lian Rong, I'll be happy! Let's go see Princess Ling!

The day of the New Year's Eve banquet arrived quickly. On this day, Lian Rongrong brought all the female teachers from Mingyue Hall to the General's Mansion early in the morning.

The maids in the mansion all pitched in, dressing up the female teachers as if they were celestial beings.

"That's why I have such good taste! Look at the ladies of my Mingyue Hall, they are not only incredibly talented, but also exceptionally beautiful."

"The princess is trying to coax us again!"

"Who can argue with that? The princess is always making fun of us. If we're talking about beauty, even if we were all put together, we wouldn't be a fraction as beautiful as the princess."

"Look at you, look at you! You think I'm just trying to fool you? You're the ones with the sharp tongues!"

Laughter could be heard from time to time in the general's mansion, and Fu Bao and Ru'er were happily moving between the rooms.

The brothers Lian Yijun and Lian Yicheng stood side by side in the corridor, and their faces softened as they listened to their sister's laughter.

"I really hope my little sister can always be this happy!" Lian Yijun suddenly exclaimed.

"With our little sister's personality, it's hard for her not to be happy. Big brother, don't worry!"

"I'm really worried. I'm afraid the palace banquet tonight won't be peaceful."

"Big brother, I'm not trying to be mean, but after all you've been through, don't you know our little sister?"

Don't let her seemingly silly smile fool you; she's got it all figured out. Don't worry!

Lian Yicheng patted his older brother on the shoulder, then ran towards Fu Bao and Ru'er.

The New Year's Eve banquet began in the evening, but everyone had to prepare to enter the palace in the afternoon.

Since it involved the safety of the royal family, the checks were naturally more complicated. However, the ladies of Mingyue Hall didn't find it complicated at all, thinking that they would be able to meet His Majesty the Emperor.

After the routine checks, everyone finally entered the palace. This year's banquet was a bit special; both men's and women's seats were set up in the main hall of Yong'an Palace, and unlike in previous years, they were not separated by screens.

The attendees had differing opinions on this arrangement, with some feeling that such behavior was improper.

However, the members of Mingyue Hall, led by Lian Rongrong, as well as some open-minded nobles, felt that this arrangement was fair.

In the past, although women in the court were also ordered to enter the palace to attend night banquets, they mostly just listened to the commotion from behind a screen.

Previously, the song and dance performances were something we could only guess at, but today is different; they can participate in the grand event just like the men.

How can this not be considered respect?

Although men and women sat together, everyone's seats were arranged according to their rank. Therefore, as a princess, Lian Rongrong had to separate from the people of Mingyue Hall after entering Yong'an Palace.

In the center of Yong'an Palace sat the old emperor, the empress dowager, and Consort Yao. Below them sat Li Yuanqi and his wife, and Li Yuanyi.

From the moment Lian Rongrong entered the main hall, Li Yuanyi's gaze followed her constantly. Although he sensed it, Lian Rongrong didn't bother to give him a single glance!

As everyone took their seats, Yuan Shu announced, "The banquet begins," and the most special New Year's Eve banquet in Dasheng finally slowly began...