Zhu Xiaoyan was the same. She had no idea who these people were, nor did she understand what they wanted. However, she didn't get angry.
Now, the truly angry ones were the wives and daughters of the second-rank officials.
At this very moment, they were cursing these people in their hearts.
The daughter of a mere third-rank official and her companions dared to enter their circle, and even dared to interrupt their conversation. They were simply tired of living.
This was a banquet in the Imperial Palace. While a third-rank official wasn't particularly high or low in rank, how could their daughter be so reckless?
We were in the middle of a good conversation, what are you here for? Even if you want to climb the dragon and cling to the phoenix, you shouldn't do it like this. You're eating our food and breaking our pots!
Under the warning gazes of the wives and daughters of many second-rank officials, Zhang Lihua remained completely unfazed.
Was she afraid? What was there to be afraid of?
If she were truly afraid, she wouldn't have done this.
Moreover, if everything went smoothly, who would be in charge from now on remained to be seen.
She performed a standard court bow to Zhu Xiaoyan, then said again, "Greetings, little county princess Zhu Xiaoyan. I have always wanted to meet you, but I never had the chance. I am very happy to see you today!"
"Zhang Lihua???"
Hearing this, Zhu Xiaoyan became even more confused.
At this moment, Liu Meili, who was sitting next to Zhu Xiaoyan, quickly whispered an explanation to her: "The Tongxing Division manages the national postal service, and the Director is the highest official of the Tongxing Division..."
"The daughter of the Director of the Tongxing Division, but what does that have to do with me?"
After thinking for a long time and still unable to figure it out, Zhu Xiaoyan bit her finger.
...
After listening to Liu Meili's explanation, Zhu Xiaoyan gave Zhang Lihua a perfunctory smile and asked, "Hello, Miss Zhang Lihua, what can I do for you?"
As soon as she said this, Zhang Lihua and the others' expressions became somewhat tense.
Because, they suddenly felt a few cold stares cast upon them from a certain spot.
Were they the personal guards of the little county princess? Or were they the legendary fierce and brutal Imperial Guards?
At this moment, these women couldn't help but swallow their saliva and found it difficult to maintain a smile on their faces.
Zhang Lihua swallowed and said, "We have obtained some treasures and wish to offer them to the little county princess."
As soon as she finished speaking, many wives and daughters of the second-rank officials rolled their eyes.
So it was a treasure offering, such a trivial matter, and they thought it was something significant, causing such a big fuss.
Why choose this moment for such a small matter? These people were truly annoying and ignorant.
"I... I..."
Zhang Lihua's forehead was covered in a fine sweat. She took a deep breath, calming her somewhat chaotic emotions. Under the watchful eyes of many ladies of higher status than her,
Zhang Lihua, with a smile on her face, looked at Zhu Xiaoyan and said:
"Little county princess Zhu Xiaoyan, this is the first time we've met. You are so beautiful. I have a specially made sachet that I want to give to you?"
Hearing Zhang Lihua's words, the ladies and wives sitting on the rosewood chairs all frowned.
This method of giving gifts was too low-level, probably only effective on little girls.
However, they completely forgot that the little county princess Zhu Xiaoyan before them was precisely a pampered girl who had grown up in a greenhouse and was inexperienced.
Zhu Xiaoyan nodded, her eyes sparkling with joy, and then wore the sachet.
Zhu Xiaoyan's action made Zhang Lihua overjoyed.
Zhu Biao had kept their youngest daughter too hidden and protected her too well, which led to Zhu Xiaoyan's intelligence and emotional quotient being slightly lower than her peers.
As long as everything went according to her plan, once her brother and the Crown Prince's consort had a relationship, and their family and the Crown Prince's mansion formed a marriage alliance, the Zhang family would become extremely powerful.
Her own father hesitated to pursue such a mutually beneficial arrangement. She now understood why he had remained at the third-rank official position for so many years without promotion.
To gain great benefits, one had to take great risks. If her father dared not even take this little risk, how could he possibly succeed?
Wealth is sought in danger; all things are like this.
...
Since things were going so smoothly, why not press the advantage?
Zhang Lihua's mind raced. The opportunity was rare, and she decided to press her luck and conquer the other party in one fell swoop.
"Little county princess Zhu Xiaoyan, after the banquet, can I invite you to my home to play?"
As soon as she said this, Zhu Xiaoyan, like a little rabbit, waved her jade-like hands repeatedly: "No! I can't. My father and mother won't let me go out!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the ladies and wives sitting on the rosewood chairs were almost sick of hearing it.
With their skills in inner court struggles almost fully developed, they were inwardly complaining about Zhang Lihua's methods, thinking how foolish they were.
However, out of long-ingrained habit, they did not interrupt.
Of course, on the other hand, they believed that no matter how naive Zhu Xiaoyan was, she wouldn't agree.
And even if Zhu Xiaoyan eventually agreed, she wouldn't be able to pass the barrier of Zhu Biao and his wife.
Just then, Empress Ma, upon hearing that Zhu Xiaoyan had come to the South Hall, walked over from the North Hall out of concern.
As soon as Empress Ma appeared, the entire hall knelt down.
All the wives and daughters looked at Empress Ma fearfully, afraid of disturbing this noble Empress.
To their surprise, Zhu Xiaoyan came hopping and skipping, shouting, "Grandmother, Grandmother..."
Liu Meili: "..."
Zhang Lihua: "..."
All the wives and daughters: "..."
Under everyone's stunned gaze, Zhu Xiaoyan darted to Empress Ma's side and handed the sachet she had just received to Empress Ma.
"This is truly a beautiful sachet, Yan'er. Where did you get it? The scent of this sachet is also very unique; I've never smelled anything like it before."
Taking the sachet, Empress Ma sniffed it, smiled, and tossed it around a few times, saying with satisfaction.
The wives and daughters in the South Hall, whether willingly or unwillingly, all smiled and clapped their hands.
However, at this very moment.
No one noticed that Zhang Lihua and her companions, although they were smiling, their smiles were very strange, as if they were forced smiles.
"Little county princess Zhu Xiaoyan, I apologize for the interruption. We have something urgent and need to leave now?"
Zhang Lihua and the others apologized to the obedient girl and Empress Ma, then quickly walked towards the exit of the banquet hall, their steps hurried as if being chased by fierce tigers.
At this moment, infinite fear surged into their hearts.
At this moment, these women with malicious intentions were utterly terrified.
Because, the contents of the sachet, if worn for too long, would have aphrodisiac and hypnotic effects.
Before the South banquet.
The imperial guards on duty suddenly changed their expressions, becoming extremely serious. This was because they saw several banquet guests heading towards the main entrance.
What was going on? The banquet in the South Hall wasn't over yet, so why were guests leaving early?
A commander of the imperial guards responsible for security immediately stepped forward.
"Ladies and young ladies, greetings! May I ask if you are preparing to leave the banquet hall and the Imperial Palace?"
Zhang Lihua and the others, leading the group, forced themselves to remain calm, nodded, and managed a smile before replying, "Yes, sir. We have urgent matters and need to go out for a while!"
Hearing this, the imperial guard commander's face showed a half-smile.
These ladies and young ladies were truly audacious. Who did they think they were? The banquet hall of the Imperial Palace was not a place they could enter and leave as they pleased.
"Wait, we cannot allow these ladies and young ladies to leave before the banquet is over. This is the rule!"
"Now, please return to the South Hall banquet hall and continue your entertainment, otherwise, hehe..."
The imperial guard commander drew his sword and spoke in a half-threatening, half-warning tone.
Zhang Lihua and the others quickly nodded, and in their haste, lifted their skirts and prepared to return the way they came.
Seeing this, the imperial guard commander immediately turned around and waved his hand to his subordinates. Then, no one stopped them.
Just as Zhang Lihua and the other ladies and young ladies were nervously returning the way they came.
Suddenly!
A loud shout rang out, it was the imperial guard commander's voice stopping them.
"Wait, don't go yet!"
These ladies and young ladies, who had experienced many things, were greatly alarmed, almost frightened to flee, but they still maintained a calm demeanor, not revealing much.
They knew they couldn't force their way through. There were a hundred thousand imperial guards in the entire Imperial Palace. Even if Wu Tao, You Mingkuang, and Du Kong, the three grandmasters, wanted to break out, it would be difficult, let alone them.
Zhang Lihua and the other ladies and young ladies slowly turned around, forcing smiles as they looked at the imperial guard commander.
"Sir, is there anything else? We are no longer planning to leave. Isn't it acceptable to simply return the way we came?"
At this moment, the imperial guard commander and his dozens of subordinates had drawn their swords. The cold gleam of their blades emanated a bone-chilling aura.
These pampered ladies and young ladies had never experienced such a scene before, and they almost collapsed to the ground.
The primary reason the imperial guard commander suddenly changed his mind was because, just a moment ago...
Among these ladies and young ladies, he clearly heard someone whisper, "Damn these imperial guards, what should we do now?"
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