Chapter 911: Chapter 906: Wedding Banquet

The poisoning of Nanny Zhou did not cause a big stir.

She did not make things difficult for the palace maid who poisoned her, just asking her to take the food back the way she brought it.

Nanny Zhou did not dare to challenge the Empress Dowager.

She had been by the Empress’s side for more than twenty years and knew the methods of the Empress Dowager. If the Empress Dowager didn’t even care about the Empress, why would she trouble herself over a nanny?

She only hoped that by being cautious and maintaining a low profile, the Empress Dowager would spare her.

However, from then on, Nanny Zhou became more vigilant.

Anything that entered her mouth, she would first test with a silver needle or only eat what the Empress had tasted.

No matter how disappointed the Empress Dowager was with the Empress, she wouldn’t go as far as to harm her life.

…

In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.

…

On this day, Su Jin was on her way back from paying respects to the Princess Consort at the Peony Garden.

As she stepped onto the stairs, a young maid hurried over from behind.

The young maid held a large red gilded invitation and handed it over, saying, “Princess Consort, a wedding invitation has arrived for you from the Jibei Marquis Mansion.”

Xingxing accepted the invitation, opened it, and showed it to Su Jin.

The invitation was for the wedding of the Second Young Master of the Jibei Marquis Mansion and the Commandery Princess Yining of the Prince Yu Mansion.

The wedding date was set for six days later, and Su Jin was invited to attend the celebration.

Gazing at the wedding date, Su Jin remarked with a smile, “Seems like it’s a great day.”

On that day, not only would Second Young Master Shen be marrying the Commandery Princess Yining,

but it was also the day the Wei Yuan Marquis Mansion would present a betrothal gift to Third Young Lady Xie Jinhuan.

However, this didn’t affect Su Jin.

Su Jin was certainly going to attend the banquet at the Jibei Marquis Mansion.

Although she had been recognized and ennobled as a princess, she still called the Marquis Jibei ’Grandfather’ and the Old Madam of the Jibei Marquis Mansion ’Grandmother.’

Second Young Master Shen was her cousin.

Su Jin had visited the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion often enough, but her trips to the Jibei Marquis Mansion were few and far between.

This time, attending the wedding banquet at the Jibei Marquis Mansion, besides preparing a thoughtful gift, she also brought some health preservation pills for the Old Madam, considering her age.

Su Jin wasn’t very familiar with Commandery Princess Yining, not as much as with Qin Hanhan and the others, but she had met her several times and was about to become her sister-in-law.

Su Jin treated them all equally, preparing the same trousseau, but did not send it specifically to the Prince Yu Mansion.

The Jibei Marquis Mansion only sent Su Jin an invitation; the Princess Consort, being heavily pregnant, certainly couldn’t attend the wedding feast.

The comings and goings were managed by the Princess Consort. Su Jin prepared a gift, and the Princess Consort also had Mrs. Wang prepare one.

When Mrs. Wang brought the gift list, Su Jin looked it over and said, “I have already prepared a gift for the Jibei Marquis Mansion.”

Mrs. Wang chuckled, “The Princess Consort expected that you would, but she said the one you prepared counts as yours, and this one is from the Prince Mansion.”

“Since the Jibei Marquis Mansion is hosting a wedding, and the Princess Consort is too far along to attend, she asks you to convey her congratulations tomorrow, and she will visit the Old Madam of the Jibei Marquis Mansion later.”

Su Jin felt it wasn’t necessary to send two gifts, but since the Princess Consort had prepared one, she didn’t decline.

The next day, after breakfast, Su Jin went to pay respects to the Princess Consort, and then headed directly to the Jibei Marquis Mansion.

Going at this time was considered early.

The earlier she arrived, the more it showed her regard for the Jibei Marquis Mansion.

Seeing Su Jin alight from the carriage, the Jibei Marquis Mansion’s servant was all politeness and attentiveness.

The maid led Su Jin into the mansion; it was still early, not yet time to welcome guests at the entrance.

Su Jin crossed the threshold into the Jibei Marquis Mansion; in the distance, Young Master Su spotted her and ran over, exclaiming, “Sister, you’re here so early?”

Seeing Young Master Su and the group of other young princes running over, Su Jin laughed and asked, “When did you all arrive?”

“We came yesterday,” replied Young Master Su.

“…”

Miss Shen came forward to pay her respects to Su Jin, sweetly calling her ’Sister.’

Her adorable manner melted one’s heart like cotton candy.

Su Jin touched Miss Shen’s face, finding it a bit cold, and asked, “Are you cold?”

“Not at all,” Miss Shen shook her head vigorously like a rattle.

“Not cold at all.”

With her little mouth slightly open, warm breaths came out in puffs of mist.

Miss Shen wore gloves, but her cheeks were flushed red from the cold.

She was too small to run fast.

Young Master Su and the others, in their wild play, weren’t keen on taking her along.

Yet she insisted on chasing after them.

Even at her young age, she knew that if she admitted being cold, her mother would have her wet nurse keep her indoors, not allowing her to go anywhere.

She wanted to play with her older brothers.

Su Jin felt her face, cold indeed from the wind.

Worried she’d catch a chill, Su Jin said, “It’s cold outside, come and play inside with Sister, okay?”

Miss Shen looked longingly at Young Master Su and the others.

She said nothing, but it was clear she still wanted to play with them.

Su Jin didn’t press her, instead ruffled her bangs, and turned to Young Master Su, “She’s small, can’t handle the cold wind. Play for a bit, then bring her inside to warm by the fire.”

Young Master Su nodded, “Sister, I understand.”

Su Jin shook her head with a smile and stepped into the inner courtyard.

After walking a few dozen steps, she turned back and saw Young Master Su and the others running off, with Miss Shen chasing them, “Wait for me, wait for me.”

Thud.

Miss Shen tripped and fell forward.

Su Jin’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurried over.

But after a few steps, she stopped.

Because Miss Shen got up and continued running forward.

Wearing thick cotton-padded clothes, her little legs pumping, she looked adorable, like a clumsy little penguin.

Su Jin couldn’t help but chuckle.

The maid led Su Jin to the Old Madam of the Jibei Marquis Mansion’s garden.

When Su Jin entered, Madam Shen was just stepping out. Seeing Su Jin, she quickly curtsied to her.

Su Jin promptly helped her up, saying, “Aunt, there’s no need for such formalities with me.”

Madam Shen wanted to say that there’s a difference between prince and subject, but she couldn’t bring herself to; it did feel too formal, so she laughed and said, “Then come in and have a cup of hot tea first. Your mother is inside.”

Madam Shen had business to attend to and couldn’t accompany Su Jin.

Upon entering, Third Madam Shen stood up to salute her. Mrs. Tang said the same thing with a smile, “In the Jibei Marquis Mansion, Jinjim is just a junior. Where’s the sense in elders saluting juniors?”

“Please sit down.”

Third Madam Shen had no choice but to sit.

Su Jin stepped forward to pay her respects to the Old Madam of the Jibei Marquis Mansion.

The Old Madam greeted her with a benevolent smile and invited Su Jin to sit beside her for a chat.

Holding Su Jin’s hand, the Old Madam asked, “Why are your hands so cold?”

Su Jin felt her hands were warm enough, thinking it was the Old Madam’s hands that were too warm, making her hands seem cooler.

The Old Madam held Su Jin’s hands to warm them, while instructing the maid to bring a warmer.

Su Jin gazed at the Old Madam and said, “I haven’t come to pay my respects to you in a long time. You look a few years younger since last time, positively radiant.”

The Old Madam beamed, “Your cousin getting married makes your grandmother happy.”

Third Madam Shen added, “That’s only part of it. Before, when the Old Marquis went to war, the Old Madam was too worried to eat or sleep well. Now that the Marquis is at the border, she’s not worried at all and is relaxed, naturally leading to a more spirited self.”

With the Marquis Dongxiang around, the Old Madam Jibei truly wasn’t worried.

However, not being worried didn’t mean she had no complaints, “Busy with warfare, but not so busy he couldn’t have any time to write a family letter,” she remarked.

Then she added, “Though I’m not fond of receiving the Old Marquis’s letters; they make me angry.”

Whose family letter only contains the four words “All well, do not worry?”

Even pigeon posts have more words in them!

Sending a letter so eagerly, yet hardly writing a few words.

The Old Madam didn’t mention it, and Su Jin hadn’t considered it either. Xie Jingchen had been at the border for so long, and he too hadn’t written her a family letter.

At that moment, a maid rushed in and announced, “Princess Consort NanAn has arrived.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep