Transmigrating with a Five Million Dollar Retirement Life

Chapter 228 Entering the Palace

New Year's Eve has arrived, and this is Song Jiaojiao's third New Year's Eve here.

"Time flies so fast. It's been three years since I came here," Song Jiaojiao said softly, looking at the snowflakes falling from the sky.

The capital city is located closer to the Central Plains, so it rarely snows. Today's snowfall is quite heavy; in just one hour, the houses along the road were covered in a blanket of white.

"Young mistress, it's time to wash up and get dressed," Yinxing said from behind Song Jiaojiao.

Song Jiaojiao glanced at the sky, "Let's go!"

Attending a palace banquet was truly troublesome. One had to get ready and dress up just after noon, and enter the palace in the late afternoon. The women had to pay their respects to the Empress first before they could attend the banquet.

Of course, not just anyone could see the Empress. Only women of the third rank or above, or those with official titles and ranks, were qualified to see her. Otherwise, if everyone went, the Empress would be exhausted.

Palace rules dictate that each person can only bring one attendant. Song Jiaojiao didn't bring Shang Xiaoxiao with her, but instead had her accompany Mu Xue. Otherwise, Mu Xue would be quite bored alone in the backyard. However, given Mu Xue's young age and the fact that it was Song Jiaojiao's first time there, Song Jiaojiao had a premonition that something might happen at this palace banquet.

Song Jiaojiao arrived at the entrance of the General's Mansion, just as Madam Chengen came out.

"Jiaojiao, are you ready?" Lady Chengen, dressed in the official robes of a first-rank lady, suddenly became solemn with her originally kind face.

Since Song Jiaojiao had no official rank, she naturally did not have official robes. However, the clothes that Madam Chengen prepared for her were quite elegant, with orchids embroidered on a deep purple brocade, which was both dignified and playful, perfectly showcasing Song Jiaojiao's beauty.

Mu Qing was dressed in a pale yellow double-breasted skirt, paired with a matching cloak. The white rabbit fur on the collar made her fair skin look even more beautiful than usual.

"Alright," Song Jiaojiao nodded.

"Then let's set off. Once we enter the palace, you can just follow behind me," said Madam Cheng'en. She could bring Song Jiaojiao with her on the way to the palace, but not at the banquet. Everyone's seats were assigned according to rank, but she and Mu Qing could stay together.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, one is greeted by palace maids who are there to receive distinguished guests.

Song Jiaojiao followed Madam Chengen with her head down, not daring to look around.

"Long live the Empress!" Song Jiaojiao bowed her head in greeting. In an era where imperial power reigned supreme, she was not foolish enough to act independently. If she did not follow local customs, her head would be chopped off in no time.

"Lady Cheng'en, please rise quickly. Someone, please offer her a seat." A gentle voice came from behind; it was the Empress's voice, and she sounded quite young.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." After thanking her, Lady Cheng'en stood up, and Song Jiaojiao quickly helped her up.

After Lady Cheng'en took her seat, Song Jiaojiao dared to raise her head and secretly glance at the Empress.

The woman in the main seat had a smile on her face. It was said that the queen was about the same age as her, but she looked older.

"Madam Cheng'en, how have you been these past few days?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine these days," Lady Cheng'en replied earnestly.

"That's good. The weather has changed drastically this month, and I haven't dared to go out for fear of catching a cold," the Empress said with a smile. "The woman behind you, Madam, looks unfamiliar. Is this your first time visiting the palace?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, this is my wife who just found her eldest son. She has the honor of attending the palace banquet this year," Lady Cheng'en said with a smile.

"Oh? She's the wife of the ever-victorious general. Then I must give her a proper welcome. It is because of people like the ever-victorious general that our Great Jin Kingdom enjoys peace. Come forward, let me take a good look at you." The Empress extended her hand, and Song Jiaojiao quickly stepped forward and supported her with both hands.

The ladies present were all secretly laughing. They had heard that the Ever-Victorious General's wife was a village woman, and it seemed that this was indeed true.

The Empress was taken aback by Song Jiaojiao's reaction and placed her other hand on her, gently holding it.

"Raise your head so I can see you."

The moment Song Jiaojiao raised her head, she felt the pressure on her hand suddenly increase.

It was her!!!

Song Jiaojiao frowned slightly at the force of the touch. The Empress, regaining her senses, smiled and said, "I never expected that the wife of the ever-victorious general would be such a wonderful person. This magnolia-shaped jade bracelet is a gift for Madam Wang, as a present for our first meeting."

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your generous gift." Song Jiaojiao quickly knelt down to express her gratitude.

"Get up, it's getting late, the banquet is about to begin." Seeing that it was getting late, the Empress began to see the guests off.

"This humble woman takes her leave." The women and young ladies inside the room all took their leave.

"Madam Chengen, this is your eldest daughter-in-law. I never expected her to be such a perceptive person." The wife of the Minister, Madam Shangguan, walked up to Madam Chengen with a smile and said.

"My daughter-in-law is naturally good. Is Madam Shangguan going alone today?" Madam Chengen said, seeing that Madam Shangguan was alone.

"Hehe, let's go! It's getting late, don't be late." Madam Shangguan's expression changed drastically, and she quickly changed the subject and left.

"Hmph, what a gossipy old woman. Jiaojiao, ignore that person, let's go."

The Minister's family is large, and Shangguan Xuan is a lecherous rogue. He has one concubine after another. With so many concubines, there are naturally a lot of illegitimate children. Shangguan's wife only gave birth to one son, and it is precisely because he is a son that Shangguan Xuan has not divorced her. She has not even figured out her own family affairs, yet she likes to talk nonsense.

The palace banquet was held in the plum garden, and to be honest, appreciating plum blossoms in the snow was really a narrow experience.

Amidst the delicate fragrance of plum blossoms, Song Jiaojiao followed the palace maids to her seat. Song Jiaojiao's seat was quite far back, so she could barely see the Emperor's face. Meanwhile, Lady Cheng'en, being a first-rank lady, sat below the Princess Consort, a considerable distance away from Song Jiaojiao.

Despite its undesirable location, it was a favorite of Song Jiaojiao. Being far from the Emperor, she could savor the palace's delicacies. Although palace banquets were boring, the Imperial Kitchen was renowned throughout the country.

She's incredibly lucky to be able to eat this; everyone would envy her.

"Your Majesty and Empress, Consort Li has arrived!" The eunuch's shrill voice rang out, and everyone knelt down to pay their respects.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! Long live Consort Li!"

After the Emperor took his seat, he said, "My beloved ministers, rise. Today is a family banquet, so there is no need for formalities."

The Emperor's cheerful voice drifted over, but by the time it reached Song Jiaojiao, there was practically no sound. She only stood up after seeing the person in front of her get up, and she didn't care what the Emperor had said.

Song Jiaojiao just wanted time to pass quickly. Her stomach was already rumbling with hunger; she'd already eaten two pieces of pastry, and she dared not drink too much tea—just in case something unexpected happened.

We should avoid holding banquets if possible.

After the Emperor's passionate speech, the food was finally served. Before Song Jiaojiao could even pick up a dish, the people in front of her stood up with their wine glasses in hand, and Song Jiaojiao quickly followed suit.