When Chu Lian helped Matriarch He out of the side hall of Ninghe Palace, a maidservant quietly left from the shadows.

After Matriarch He returned to her seat with her two granddaughters-in-law, she was spotted by Madam Pan, who was looking in her direction. Madam Pan smiled amiably and walked to Matriarch He, bowing as a junior should. The old matriarch was about to rise to return the greeting when she stopped her.

"Matriarch is getting on in years, there's no need to be so courteous with me. Why isn't Countess here today? Is she still not fully recovered?"

Matriarch He's expression didn't change, as though the earlier incident of Tuan Jiao going missing had never happened. Her expression was calm as she said amiably, "This old one thanks Madam Pan for her concern on behalf of this daughter-in-law. This daughter-in-law's health isn't good, so a few days ago, I sent a sign to the palace stating that I can't attend today's banquet."

Madam Pan glanced carelessly at Zou madam and Chu Lian before her gaze landed on Chu Lian's soft face. Her smile grew warmer. "I presume that the one beside Matriarch is your new granddaughter-in-law?"

"That's right. Although San Lang's wife is young, she's very sensible."

As Matriarch He spoke, Chu Lian bowed to Madam Pan.

The smile on Madam Pan's lips never faded. "Matriarch is truly fortunate. Granddaughter-in-law is sensible and a young lady from the Duke of England. I believe that it won't be long before Matriarch can hold a great-grandson."

Madam Pan's sudden words caused the expressions of the three madams of Count Jing 'an's estate to change slightly.

Mentioning that the young ladies of the Ying household were good at giving birth was actually belittling Chu Lian. Mentioning a great-grandson was actually to provoke Zou madam, who had yet to give birth to a legitimate great-grandson. Saying that before long was a slap in the face to Chu Lian and Matriarch He.

Among the upper-class and noblewomen of Shengjing, who didn't know that Count Jing 'an's son, He Sanlang, had left home after three days of marriage to join the army? What was the big deal about a wife suddenly getting pregnant when her husband wasn't home?

Madam Pan, whose expression was flawless, was truly an expert at sowing discord.

Matriarch He was an experienced person. After a moment of anger flashed in her eyes, she regained her composure. "Madam Pan, you stay in the back residence all day. You probably don't know that my unfilial grandson went to the north to join the army."

Madam Pan's face was filled with shock. She hurriedly apologized, "Matriarch, I have truly spoken out of turn. Please forgive me. I didn't expect Sanlang He to be so resolute.

Don't tell me … "She glanced at Chu Lian with malicious intent, her meaning self-evident.

After talking for so long, the furens by her side had already begun to discreetly make inquiries. Although none of them had any expressions on their faces, in reality, they had already perked up their ears to listen in on Old Matriarch He and Madam Pan's movements. Everyone's eyes were filled with gossip.

Madam Pan was silently accusing He Changdi of leaving in a fit of anger because he was dissatisfied with his new wife.

Although she didn't finish her sentence, the meaning behind it was self-evident. Anyone with some intelligence would be able to discern it.

Madam Zou lowered her head slightly. Although Madam Pan was currently targeting Count Jing 'an's estate, Madam Zou wasn't angry at all. In fact, she even felt a hint of satisfaction!

Madam Pan's gaze met Chu Lian's, who was standing next to Matriarch He. She suddenly froze. Chu Lian's clear eyes were staring at her, but there wasn't a hint of anger in them.

It was as if she didn't care about what she said at all.

What she was doing in front of Chu Lian right now was like pouring a bucket of ice water onto a bamboo basket. Not only did the cold water not leave behind a single drop, but it all seeped through the gaps in the basket. It was incredibly frustrating.

The scheming Madam Pan hadn't managed to anger Chu Lian. Instead, she had angered herself. She stared at Chu Lian and continued, "Enlisting in the northern border army doesn't give you any military merits, but you have to stay for five years. Jinyi Village Lord is in the prime of his life."

Chu Lian was amused. What was going on? Why was everyone staring at her? This was the first time she had met Madam Pan. The Pan residence was a prestigious family, and it was even more impossible for Chu Lian, who had yet to marry, to come into contact with her. Why did Madam Pan find her an eyesore?

Was it because her biological father, Chu Qizheng, had gone to the Pan Estate?

When she thought of this, Chu Lian's expression darkened.

She didn't want her biological father to dote on her, but he shouldn't trick her either!

"Many thanks for Madam Pan's concern. My husband's fortune is as great as the heavens, so he will naturally have his own path of good fortune."

Chu Lian retorted indifferently. She couldn't be bothered to play Tai Chi with this Madam Pan, and even more so, she couldn't be bothered to deal with her. She was already bullying her, so why couldn't she rebuke her?

Chu Lian wasn't someone who held grudges. Because of that, she would take revenge on those who offended her on the spot.

Madam Pan choked, and the warm smile on her face, which hadn't changed for tens of thousands of years, disappeared. She coldly threw a sentence at Chu Lian. "I didn't think that my lord would be so open-minded!"

Chu Lian tilted her head and smiled brightly at Madam Pan.

Madam Pan's heart was in turmoil from Chu Lian's words. She suddenly smiled mysteriously. "Matriarch, I haven't seen your estate offer dumplings. What's wrong?

Are you trying to deceive the Empress Dowager? "

Matriarch He glanced at Chu Lian. Chu Lian raised an intricately made food container and waved it in front of Madam Pan. "Thank you, Madam. You're still thinking about our estate's dumplings. I'll be going now. Excuse me."

As soon as Chu Lian finished speaking, she carried the dumplings with her maidservants to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

For a moment, Madam Pan stared at Chu Lian's back in disbelief. By the time she came to her senses, Chu Lian had already disappeared into the crowd. Her good mood for the day had been completely shattered by this short conversation.

Madam Pan was furious. Before she left, she threw a disdainful look at Madam Zou, not forgetting to stab her in the back.

When the surrounding madams saw that the person offering dumplings wasn't the eldest grandmother of Count Jing 'an Estate, they all had different looks in their eyes. For a moment, Madam Zou wanted nothing more than to curl up and find a hole to hide in.

After Chu Lian obediently offered dumplings and returned to Matriarch He's side, Royal Princess Ruanjia squeezed over and secretly asked her if she needed help.

Chu Lian smiled and shook her head, saying that she was fine.

Royal Princess Ruanjia's expression relaxed. She nodded at her before leaving.

After the banquet began, there was still the tasting of dumplings at the end. Royal Princess Ruanjia was the princess of Prince Wei's Estate, so the members of the imperial family didn't sit together with Chu Lian and the others.

The banquet only officially began after all the noblewomen of the imperial family and the noblewomen of various ranks had taken their seats.

Royal Princess Ruanjia followed Princess Wei and sat closer to the front. Above them were the Empress Dowager and the Empress, and below the Empress was Noble Consort Wei. Behind the Empress Dowager sat a few old consorts who had been resting in the palace.

Princess Wei was seated below all the consorts in the palace and sat at the same table as the other princesses. Royal Princess Duanjia sat at the next table. Her table was occupied by the princesses, and Princess Leyao sat diagonally across from Royal Princess Duanjia.

Chu Lian sat next to Matriarch He and was probably above average among the noblewomen. Originally, there was a seat at their table reserved for the Old Madam of the Duke of Ying's Estate. However, the Old Madam didn't come today, seemingly due to her poor health.

Apart from the Old Madam, the other madams in the Duke of Ying's Estate weren't of high enough rank. Thus, Chu Lian didn't see anyone else from the Duke of Ying's Estate in Ninghe Palace.

Chu Lian turned to look at Empress Shen, who was seated at the head of the table, and felt an angry gaze fall on her. It was as if a fire was burning her. She looked over and met Princess Leyao's eyes.

Princess Leyao clenched her fists in anger. She had never been humiliated like this before!

With her noble status, she couldn't teach anyone a lesson in the past. Even if she killed someone, no one would be able to do anything to her. Now, she just wanted her annoying wife, He Gege, to suffer a bit, but she failed again and again.

She could let it go when they were in Marquis Dingyuan's Estate since it wasn't her territory. However, now that they were in the palace, it was the same. How could she not be angry?

If she could, Princess Leyao wanted to kill Chu Lian right now to vent her anger.

Chu Lian glanced at Princess Leyao and quickly looked away. It was as if she didn't notice the hatred in Princess Leyao's eyes.

For the rest of the banquet, Chu Lian behaved herself and did everything appropriately. She didn't attract attention and didn't break the rules. She only hoped that the banquet would end soon so that she could return to her Songtao Court, soak in a hot bath, and have a good night's sleep.

During the second half of the banquet, it was time to evaluate the dumpling cakes from each manor. At that time, the dumpling cakes from each manor would be placed on the same silver plate and given to ten highly respected madams and members of the royal family to taste. Together, these people would select the best of the year.

From her previous conversation with Royal Princess Duanjia, Chu Lian knew that the dumplings selection was not as fair as others thought. Although the dumplings she presented were a little different, she wasn't worried that she would be chosen as the best dumplings. Thus, she sat down and enjoyed the show with peace of mind.

Although the banquet in the palace wasn't delicious, the fruits after the meal were good. They were dragon fruit and mangosteen from the West Region. These two fruits weren't usually available in Count Jing 'an's residence. She didn't expect the Empress Dowager to serve them to the noble ladies at the banquet.

Just as the dumplings selection was in full swing, the eunuch guarding Ninghe Palace suddenly sang, "The Emperor has arrived!"

Normally, the Emperor wouldn't come to Ninghe Palace. In the past, such banquets were hosted by the Empress Dowager or the Empress, and the guests were the womenfolk from each manor.

Two years ago, Emperor Chengping didn't even look at them. However, since he was here, everyone was naturally happy. After all, there weren't many opportunities to see the Emperor.

Emperor Chengping was simply bored of staying in the imperial study and wanted to join in the fun. He hadn't arranged for this to happen before.

Coincidentally, the dumplings were being evaluated and he was in a good mood to join in.

The banquet became even more lively because of Emperor Chengping's arrival. Not long after, the evaluation session ended and the decree with the results written on it was handed to a female official in the Empress Dowager's palace.

Emperor Chengping sat beside the Empress Dowager and chatted with her in a low voice while listening to the female official announce the ranking of the dumplings offered by each manor.

The female official who announced the decree had a clear voice and immediately spread throughout the hall where the womenfolk were entertained.

The madams at the same table as Lady Pan didn't even wait for the female official to announce the name of the winner before they all smiled and congratulated her in a low voice. Lady Pan's face was filled with a warm smile and her chest felt extremely comfortable.

The female official's voice rang out. "After everyone's evaluation, the dumplings offered by Count Jing 'an's residence won the first place …"