Jian Zhaoxing

Chapter 465 Palace Banquet
Even the most worthless things can become fragrant after passing through the palace.

Moreover, the quality of fruit wine is already very high.

However… Lin Zhiqing hesitated again.

The Lin family is currently enjoying great power, but their relationship with Daliang is not good.

If you show off too much, you are likely to attract the attention of others.

Moreover, there are many people and many eyes at the palace banquet. If someone were to tamper with the wine and it affected the diplomatic relations between the two countries, that would be a real problem.

The Emperor's attitude toward the Lin family is still unclear, and the Liang Dynasty certainly doesn't like the Lin family.

With so many things happening, the Liang envoy will certainly not welcome the Lin family. If the Lin family makes a mistake, then things will be terrible.

Even if nothing goes wrong, the Liang family might still cause trouble for the Lin family.

Lin Zhiqing had previously considered feigning illness to decline the palace banquet, but upon further reflection, she felt that it would be pointless.

If you don't attend the palace banquet, you won't be able to get information, and you'll be in a very passive position if something goes wrong.

I definitely have to go.

Thinking about all this, Lin Zhiqing's enthusiasm cooled down a bit.

She had never met anyone in the palace, but she knew that the person sitting on the dragon throne was no ordinary person.

Never mind, it's better to avoid trouble.

The Lin family is currently relatively stable, but if they become too greedy and reckless, they are more likely to run into problems.

Moreover, the fruit wine business is a collaboration with the Hua family, who are under the protection of the Grand Secretary's mansion. If Lin Zhiqing wants to take over the palace banquet, that old scholar, the Grand Secretary, will not agree.

Forget it, if the palace banquet route won't work, then we'll take a detour.

Lin Zhiqing can take advantage of this palace banquet to interact with other people.

If I have the opportunity to interact with the wives and daughters of high-ranking officials, it would be great to promote the fruit wine at a banquet in Beijing.

Having come up with the idea, Lin Zhiqing began preparations.

Palace banquets are not ordinary banquets; they have requirements regarding attire, etiquette, and so on.

She brought the best embroiderers from the capital to the Lin family and made new clothes for everyone in the family.

In addition, she also picked out different perfumes for everyone that were shipped from Yunnan.

This is such a great opportunity to advertise, and it's with our own people, so why not take advantage of it?

Amidst Lin Zhiqing's intensive preparations, the Liang envoys entered the city in a grand manner and stayed at the Sifangguan.

The person in charge of receiving the envoys was the Minister of Rites.

It was precisely because of this that Lin Zhiqing managed to find out some information.

After the envoys had a formal audience, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices quickly began preparing for a palace banquet.

According to the Minister of Rites, Lu Huai, Lin Shi'an, and others, Lin Zhiqing had gained some basic understanding of the envoy from Daliang.

However, we'll only know for sure once we meet the person in person.

At least when the envoy came to pay his respects, he did not show any obvious hostility towards the Marquis of Changning's residence.

Lin Zhiqing felt a vague unease, which lasted until the day of the palace banquet.

At 3:45 PM, the carriage of the Marquis of Zhenyuan's residence stopped outside the palace gate.

The vermilion palace gates were not yet fully open, and the golden-armored guards on both sides held long spears, looking very solemn.

Before getting off the carriage, Lin Zhiqing gave one last piece of advice:
"Cousin, let's not separate later. Let's do everything together. Do you remember what Grandfather told us earlier?"

Lin Yangyang nodded: "I'll remember, Qing-meimei, don't worry, I won't let you down."

Lin Zhiqing nodded.

At palace banquets, male and female guests entered through separate doors.

The only members of the Lin family who attended the palace banquet were Lin Qingshan, Lin Shi'an, Lin Zhiqing, and Lin Yangyang.

Lin Congli and others were not of high enough rank to enter the palace.

Lin Zhiqing was the daughter of Marquis Wangshu, Lin Congrong, and Lin Yangyang was the elder sister of Lin Shi'an, so they were also among those attending the palace banquet. After getting off the carriage, Lin Zhiqing saw many familiar faces.

The birds were singing and chattering, creating a lively scene.

When the wives and daughters of the officials saw Lin Zhiqing arrive, they all turned their gazes toward her.

Beside the Duchess of Pei was a very plump middle-aged woman. When she saw Lin Zhiqing arrive, she quickly walked towards her.

Lin Zhiqing narrowed his eyes.

Before she arrived, she had learned about the various officials and the complex relationships between them.

The person walking towards her was none other than Lady Qu, the younger sister of the Duke of Pei and wife of Hanlin Academician Qu.

Previously, the Duke of Pei's mansion intended to form a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Changning's mansion, and sent a matchmaker to propose marriage to Lin Zhiqing, who was the son of this Lady Qu.

However, Lin Qingshan rejected the marriage proposal.

Madam Qu wore a smile on her face, but when she looked at Lin Zhiqing, she narrowed her eyes slightly, lowered the corners of her eyes, and gave a forced smile.

The visitor is not good.

Lin Zhiqing smiled and bowed politely, saying, "Greetings, Madam Qu."

Madam Qu helped Lin Zhiqing up:
"Qing'er is here? Look at your bearing, as expected of someone from the Marquis of Changning's mansion. Dressed like this, you are much more dignified than the average woman."

Lin Zhiqing kept his distance from her without making a sound.

As expected, Madam Qu held a grudge against her for refusing the marriage proposal, and her words were full of attempts to undermine her.

All the women here today are daughters of officials; there are no ordinary women here.

Madam Qu's words clearly implied that the other young ladies were not as good as Lin Zhiqing, thus stirring up hatred towards Lin Zhiqing.

As expected, Lin Zhiqing soon felt many unfriendly gazes falling on her. She smiled slightly:
"Madam Qu, you flatter me. Today's palace banquet is certainly something to be taken seriously."

"I think the two younger sisters in the Madam's residence are as beautiful as angels; they must have put a lot of effort into dressing up."

Divert trouble to the east!

Many eyes were drawn to Madam Qu's two daughters, who were dressed very brightly. In comparison, Lin Zhiqing's attire was not as eye-catching.

It's obvious who wants to show off.

Madam Qu could easily understand the deeper meaning in Lin Zhiqing's words. Just as she was about to speak, a woman's voice rang out.

"Xiao Qing'er, Yang Yang, you're here!" Lu Nanyue walked quickly towards Lin Zhiqing.

Then, she feigned surprise and bowed, as if she had just noticed Madam Qu: "Madam Qu, are you well?"

After she finished speaking, she pulled Lin Zhiqing and Lin Yangyang forward, saying, "Xiao Qing'er, let's go to the front."

This is completely ignoring Mrs. Qu.

Madam Qu was furious, but Lu Nanyue was an unpredictable girl, and her methods were completely ineffective.

So, she just stared at Lin Zhiqing's back, gritted her teeth, and then resumed her dignified demeanor.

Lin Zhiqing stopped paying attention to Madam Qu and only spoke quietly with Lu Nanyue.

"That Madam Qu is really annoying. She used to dislike you quite a bit, but now she's changed her tune." Lu Nanyue secretly rolled her eyes.

Lin Yangyang clapped her hands and said, "That's right."

Lin Zhiqing smiled slightly.

She could feel many people's eyes on her.

Among them, there were more unfriendly glances.

She turned slightly to the side and saw Princess Pingning.

The disgust in Princess Pingning's eyes was very obvious.

Lin Zhiqing pretended not to see it.

"Changning Marquis's Residence, Lin Zhiqing, Lin Yangyang—" The young eunuch leading the way called out Lin Zhiqing and the others' names.

Lin Zhiqing and Lin Yangyang exchanged a glance and followed the little eunuch.