My best friends both transmigrated into a book and married powerful officials; she left me and I lef

Sang Luan instantly transformed her grief and indignation into appetite, gritting her teeth as she brought all the food in front of Feng Hengzhi to her own eyes.

The woman in red in the center of the room was still dancing gracefully.

She moved her hands lightly across her body, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Suddenly, the music stopped, and the woman in red slowed down as well, until she finally came to a leisurely stop.

The crowd couldn't help but clap and cheer.

"I think you look quite good," Emperor Zhaowu said calmly.

The Empress narrowed her eyes slightly and tactfully took over the conversation, "The triennial imperial concubine selection is about to begin. Why doesn't Your Majesty take her into the harem?"

Emperor Zhaowu waved his hand, his expression indifferent, "I have no such intention."

His gaze fell on the woman in red. "What's your name?"

The woman in red lowered her eyelids and parted her lips slightly, saying, "My name is Nan Yue."

Emperor Zhaowu: "Would you like to stay in Shengjing?"

Nan Yue kept her eyes lowered, "Nan Yue will leave the decision entirely to His Majesty."

Emperor Zhaowu laughed loudly a few times, "Good, what a fine saying, 'It's all up to me to decide'."

His laughter paused. "I saw that you danced quite well. I need to think carefully about what to reward you with."

Immediately, he spoke up, "How about this, you take a look at these two, whichever one you like, you can go back and serve them later."

Emperor Zhaowu pointed to Qi Ran and Feng Hengzhi.

Sang Luan and Meng Youning suddenly looked up at Nan Yue.

At that moment, Nan Yue was looking at Sang Luan. She pursed her lips slightly, glanced at her, and then looked away.

I heard that Sang Luan is obsessed with Feng Hengzhi to the point of madness. If she were to live under the same roof as Sang Luan, she would definitely have a miserable time.

The Crown Princess, on the other hand, looks gentle and delicate, and seems like someone easy to get along with.

Nan Yue smiled and was about to walk towards Meng Youning when she saw Meng Youning suddenly cough, her cheeks instantly turning red.

When their eyes met, Meng Youning gave her an apologetic smile.

She paused slightly, turned around and bowed deeply to Emperor Zhaowu, saying, "The person who brought me here said that I must serve Your Majesty with all my heart."

Emperor Zhaowu glanced casually at the crowd below, "In that case, Empress, you can make the arrangements."

Immediately afterwards, Emperor Zhaowu slowly stood up, and the people below followed suit.

He flicked his sleeve and waved his hand, "You're not having enough fun here either, so let's go."

After saying that, he quickly left the main hall.

The Empress slowly stood up. "I have prepared some refreshments in the Imperial Garden. Ladies, you may wish to take a break and enjoy them."

"Yes."

All the ladies in the room stood up, and Sang Luan and Meng Youning quickly followed suit.

After leaving the Linde Hall, Emperor Zhaowu went straight to the Imperial Study.

In the imperial study room.

"How much silver did you collect today?"

As soon as Emperor Zhaowu entered the imperial study, he couldn't wait to ask the person next to him.

The eunuchs replied respectfully, "The total amount of silver is thirty thousand taels, and with the addition of various jewelry and ornaments, it should amount to fifty thousand taels."

Emperor Zhaowu frowned slightly and muttered to himself, "Fifty thousand taels, that's still not enough..."

He slowly sat down, his eyes flashing slightly. "Exchange all these jewelry pieces for silver, and use the money first to benefit the people."

"Your Majesty, won't they have something to say about this?" The Empress had entered the Imperial Study at some point, a hint of worry in her eyes.

Emperor Zhaowu's expression suddenly turned cold, and he snorted, "These old foxes, if I didn't do this, how could I get silver from them?"

Royal Garden.

Before them stood noble ladies dressed in finery, with palace maids standing at intervals, each carrying a lantern, illuminating the road as bright as day.

For a moment, the atmosphere was incredibly lively.

When Sang Luan arrived, she saw the scene before her and felt her social anxiety was about to kick in, as she didn't recognize any of these people.

Amidst the lively atmosphere, a woman in green sat obediently in a corner. When someone invited her to have tea, she picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

He immediately put it down, his eyes filled with curiosity.

She seemed completely out of place in her surroundings.

Sang Luan raised an eyebrow slightly, wondering which family this woman belonged to, as she looked younger than her.

She had already eaten and drunk her fill at the banquet, and now all she wanted to do was lie in her soft bed and have a good sleep.

Suddenly, a pleasant smell rushed into my nostrils—it was rosin!

Sang Luan's eyes lit up immediately, and she turned around abruptly, and sure enough, she saw a familiar figure.

Sang Luan and Meng Youning exchanged a glance at each other simultaneously.

The next moment, Meng Youning suddenly started coughing violently, and her face instantly turned ugly.

Sang Luan's eyes flickered slightly, she snorted softly, leaned to the side, and said disdainfully, "These certain people, of all things to learn, they have to shamelessly try to imitate others and attend banquets. Now, they can't even sit still, can they?"

Meng Youning's eyes widened as she looked up at Sang Luan. Her lips parted slightly, as if she was about to retort, but the next moment she frowned, clutching a handkerchief in one hand and covering her chest with the other.

She took several deep breaths to catch her breath before she recovered.

Meng Youning pointed at Sang Luan and said, "My health is not good, but I would never be as vicious and unforgiving as you."

"Heh." Sang Luan sneered, "You're clearly just saying I'm unreasonable because I can't win an argument."

Meng Youning bowed to the Empress and said softly, "Your Majesty has made such ample preparations today, Youning should not refuse, but my health is really not good, so Youning cannot accompany the sisters."

The Empress didn't seem to care at all, and simply waved her hand, "It is indeed easier to catch a chill at night. In that case, you should go back to your residence as soon as possible."

Meng Youning lowered her eyes and said, "Yes."

She straightened up, turned around and walked out. When she passed Sang Luan, she paused slightly and said softly, "My eyes get tired easily when I see people I don't want to see. Sigh, I should go back soon."

Without pausing, he quickly left the place.

Sang Luan pointed at Meng Youning, but when she looked up, she could only see Meng Youning's departing figure.

"You just wait, you're not leaving until you explain yourself clearly today." Sang Luan chased after him without a second thought.

He had just lifted his foot when he stopped again, turned around and bowed to the Empress, a look of embarrassment crossing his face.

The Empress couldn't help but chuckle; these two were indeed young and impetuous.

She simply raised her hand and waved it, her tone casual, "Go ahead."

Sang Luan was delighted, gave the Empress a courtly salute, and then jogged away, lifting her robes.

In a corner not far from the Imperial Garden.

Meng Youning rubbed her hands together and stretched her neck forward. The next moment, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in her sight.

She waved to the person, and when he got closer, she couldn't help but speak, "Quick, quick, big news!"