Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

Seeing three or five noble ladies approaching, Liu Wenying moved aside to make room for them.

The noble ladies paid no attention to her, and continued talking to themselves, their voices as melodious as orioles singing.

"Do you know? Today's Lotus Breeze Banquet is much more than just a summer retreat."

"I've heard rumors that His Majesty might be using today's banquet as a pretext to secretly select candidates!"

His words were explosive; the eyes of the noble ladies around them lit up, their brows and eyes sparkling with spring, their hearts filled with excitement.

Someone pointed to the ornately decorated boats beside Taiye Pond.

"Look at that painted boat! I heard it's decorated with many gold and jade hairpins, all of which are imperial treasures."

Whoever wins His Majesty's favor today will receive a hairpin bestowed by His Majesty himself. Once selected, they will rise to the top like a phoenix!

Someone else sighed softly, their tone full of longing.

"Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has been diligent and wise in governing, and the harem has remained empty without a consort. If one could be selected today, it is not impossible that he would one day ascend to the position of Empress and rule the world!"

These words stirred the emotions of everyone present.

Some people began to fantasize about their lives after entering the palace, saying that His Majesty was young, handsome, wise and powerful, and that it would be a great blessing to win his favor.

Some speculate that His Majesty might already be on a pleasure boat, silently watching the beauties by the pond.

Liu Wenying listened quietly, finding it somewhat interesting.

Their thoughts are straightforward and passionate, like the summer sun, without any concealment.

Liu Wenying followed their gaze to the painted boat in the pond. It was exquisitely beautiful with its vermilion lacquer railings and lightly draped gauze curtains.

"His Majesty should not have arrived yet, nor is he on the pleasure boat."

Her casual remark caused all the noble ladies to turn their heads and look at the woman who had been sitting quietly in the corner.

Liu Wenying was dressed simply, but the green jade hair ornament she wore was quite eye-catching, and she was also quite beautiful.

She had an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, and eyes as clear and bright as ink jade soaked in spring water.

The noblewoman in the center, dressed in a crimson silk dress, did not believe it:

"How can you be so certain? Does His Majesty need to specifically inform you when he will arrive?"

Liu Wenying calmly explained, "The gauze curtains on the painted boat are all hanging down, and the eunuchs on duty by the boat are also relaxed, which is enough to show that His Majesty has not boarded the boat."

It is meticulous, logical, and well-founded; it is by no means just empty talk.

The noblewoman was rendered speechless by Liu Wenying's words.

She bit her lip, forcing herself to speak, "It's just speculation. Who knows if what you're saying is true or false?"

Liu Wenying didn't reply, but just smiled faintly.

She wasn't there to argue with anyone; if the other party didn't believe her, then so be it.

As the wind blew across the lotus pond, Liu Wenying turned her gaze back to the surface of the pond, watching the koi carp frolicking among the lotus leaves.

The noblewoman sitting closest to Liu Wenying scrutinized her closely.

The clothes have the unique silver sand thread pattern of the Western Regions, and only a few bolts are presented as tribute each year.

Looking at the ornaments in her hair, they were also made of the finest Qinglanggan jade.

Such attire is not something ordinary people can afford.

"May I ask your surname, madam?" she asked politely.

Liu Wenying turned her head: "My surname is Liu."

"Willow?" The noblewoman frowned in thought.

"In the capital... there don't seem to be many prominent families with the surname Liu. I wonder where your father works?"

Just as Liu Wenying was about to speak, the noblewoman who had been humiliated earlier sneered first.

"He must have been some extraordinary person, but it turns out he came from an ordinary family."

She looked Liu Wenying up and down, her eyes filled with sarcasm.

"Dressed like that, you're probably trying to attract His Majesty's attention on purpose, aren't you? Too bad, His Majesty has seen all kinds of beauties, why would he be interested in someone like you..."

Just then, a group of guards cleared the way, and a bright yellow ceremonial procession slowly approached.

When the emperor arrived, all the officials and their families by the pond rose, straightened their clothes, and bowed their heads in respect.

Xiao Yiheng was dressed in casual clothes today, a bright yellow round-necked brocade robe with embroidered dark gold dragon patterns, a jade crown on his head, and a gold belt around his waist.

He caught sight of the person in the pavilion, his eyes crinkled into a smile, and he stepped forward.

The noblewoman in the crimson dress straightened her back and flashed what she considered her most beautiful smile.

But then she saw Xiao Yiheng walk straight toward the corner. A shadow crossed her mind, and she pretended to be careless, knocking over the glass lamp next to her.

The bright red drink in the cup landed squarely on Liu Wenying's skirt.

A large patch of glaring red stained the hem of her moon-white skirt, and gasps of surprise rose from all around.

Disrespecting the emperor is a major taboo; it not only embarrasses oneself but may also implicate one's entire family.

Liu Wenying took out a handkerchief and squatted down to wipe it.

But the drink was dark in color and the fabric was delicate, so the more she rubbed it, the more the stain spread, making her dress look like a hideous red flower blooming on it.

Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed.

Liu Wenying looked up and met Xiao Yiheng's smiling eyes. Although he was smiling, the coldness in his eyes was very clear.

"His Majesty."

She called softly, trying to pull her hand away, but he held it even tighter.

Xiao Yiheng remained silent and looked at the noblewoman in the crimson dress beside him.

The noblewoman trembled under his gaze and quickly said, "Your Majesty, I, Chen Wanwan, pay my respects. I didn't mean to; my hand slipped when I rose to greet you..."

As she spoke, she stole a glance at Liu Wenying and said in a delicate and pitiful voice, "Lady Liu, I really didn't mean it. Your dress... I... I'll make it up to you."

"He rose to greet me, but couldn't even hold a cup properly. The Chen family's upbringing has truly opened my eyes."

The noblewoman's face turned deathly pale.

Her father, Minister Chen, also arrived at this time.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me! My daughter was ignorant; I will certainly discipline her strictly when I return!"

"Alright, then let's take her home as Minister Chen suggested and teach her proper manners. She doesn't need to attend today's banquet."

Minister Chen trembled and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy! Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy!"

The noblewoman burst into tears, filled with remorse, and was helped away unsteadily by two palace maids.

These few words extinguished all her hopes of currying favor with the emperor and completely eliminated any possibility of her entering the palace for selection in the future, even though it was never going to happen anyway.

Liu Wenying lowered her eyes and carefully wiped away the stains. The other party had deliberately provoked her and was reaping what they sowed. Why should she be soft-hearted and indulge them?

Wiping won't remove it. Xiao Yiheng grabbed her wrist. "Wenying, come with me."

Before anyone around him could react, he had already led Liu Wenying toward the magnificent painted boat on the lake.

The two boarded the boat and entered the cabin, where curtains were drawn, blocking all other views.

It wasn't until that distinguished figure completely disappeared into the crowd that the officials and ladies of noble families came to their senses.

The noblewoman who had just been standing next to Liu Wenying murmured, "Wenying... Liu Wenying? Could it be that Lady Bu Ning?"

Someone nearby whispered, "That's her, the head of the almshouse, the one whose name was personally inscribed by His Majesty: Compassion for All Under Heaven."

"My grandmother recently donated money to the almshouse, saying that Lady Liu is an extremely kind person, and that she also offered advice on His Majesty's benevolent policies..."

"Oh my god!" another person exclaimed, covering their mouth in shock, "We just talked to her like that..."

The noble ladies looked at each other, feeling a mix of fear and relief.

Fortunately, she didn't say anything more outrageous, otherwise, it wouldn't just be Consort Chen who would have been expelled from the palace today.