109: Chapter 77 Banquet Invitation 109: Chapter 77 Banquet Invitation Not long after the validation in Mingyi Hall, the Jiang Family also quickly received an invitation card for the imperial banquet from the palace.
Emperor Hongxiao had always preferred simplicity since childhood and did not fancy luxury, yet the current Empress Dowager loved lively occasions.
Although Emperor Hongxiao was not her biological son, they got along harmoniously.
Emperor Hongxiao’s birth mother, Noble Consort Xia, died early, and the Empress Dowager had no children of her own.
The late Emperor had let Emperor Hongxiao be raised by the Empress Dowager, and after so many years, their affection for each other remained strong, showing a kind of maternal love and filial piety.
This time, aside from inviting the court officials, everyone knew that Emperor Hongxiao would also bestow honors upon the chief graduate at the banquet.
This was a great honor for both the scholar himself and his family.
Therefore, even though Madam Jiang the Elder was not particularly fond of Jiang Li, she instructed her attendants to make every effort to prepare the necessary clothing and jewelry for the banquet without any mistakes.
Jiang Li’s life was somewhat better than before, at least after the examination, the servants in the Jiang Residence did not discuss her as openly and boldly as before.
They talked behind her back.
Although it was a bit sad, it was an undeniable fact that Jiang Li’s status had risen slightly.
At the imperial banquet, many officials from Yanjing City of the Yan Dynasty would attend.
However, Chengxuan Envoy Meng Youde could not go this time.
In the Meng Family’s home, which was usually bustling, the recent days had been depressingly quiet.
It seemed as though no one tended to the flowers and plants in the garden, allowing many to wither.
Dry yellow leaves fell outside the flower beds, and even the scorching summer days felt oppressively solemn.
At night, the light in the house was dim, and in a room further inside, the sound of voices could barely be heard.
It seemed to be the sound of an argument, and after a while, with a “smack,” something was smashed, and someone stormed out, slamming the door.
It was Meng Youde.
In just a few days, Meng Youde had become gaunt and weathered, no longer bearing the triumphant demeanor of the past.
Someone chased after him; it was his wife, Madam Meng.
“Master, Master—” Madam Meng ran after him, pleading.
“There’s no need to talk anymore.
Send her back to the village tomorrow to recover.
If she continues like this, it will only lead to disaster!” Meng Youde didn’t turn his head as he spoke.
“But she’s your daughter, how can you be so heartless!” Madam Meng shrieked.
“I’m heartless?” Meng Youde stopped in his tracks, turned around abruptly, and pointed towards the tightly shut door, “Look at her now; do you think staying in the Meng residence will make her better?
Now that I’ve offended Princess Yongning, the Right Chancellor won’t even bother with me anymore.
My career is over!
All this is the trouble your precious daughter has brought upon us!
If she hadn’t been so ignorant and made that bet with Jiang Li, if she hadn’t shot and injured Princess Yongning with that arrow at the field, would I, Meng Youde, be in this situation?”
“But…” Madam Meng seemed to want to say more.
“She’s gone mad now!
Do I not care about her?
But she’s mad!
Staying in the Meng residence may not be the best thing.
If others find out she’s lost her wits and it spreads, who would dare marry her in the future?
If she stays in the village for a while and gets better before returning, no one will know about her madness, wouldn’t that be better?”
At these words, Madam Meng gradually calmed down.
She looked at Meng Youde with sadness and asked, “What exactly happened to Hongjin at Princess Yongning’s place?
Do we really have no way of getting revenge for her?”
“Revenge?” Meng Youde let out a cold laugh, his anger seemingly directed either at Princess Yongning or at himself.
He said, “Behind Princess Yongning is Prince Cheng, whose power is now so great that even His Majesty must be wary.
In the future…” He sighed, “The common people cannot contend with officials, nor can officials contend with the sovereign!”
The helplessness and fury in his tone silenced Madam Meng in an instant.
In the room, at a corner of the bed, Meng Hongjin clutched the blanket tightly and huddled in the corner, her eyes being wary of the people approaching.
She said, “Go away…
Go away!”
On the floor were the shattered pieces of a medicine bowl, with medicine spilled everywhere.
One maid was bending over to clean up the mess, while another maid tried to comfort Meng Hongjin in a soft voice, “Miss, it’s alright, your servant won’t harm you.”
“Go away!” Meng Hongjin screamed, saying, “It wasn’t me, I didn’t do it!”
Ever since Meng Hongjin had been returned by Princess Yongning’s people three days ago, this had been her state upon waking up.
Out of fear that Princess Yongning had tortured Meng Hongjin, Meng Youde and Madam Meng’s first action was to have her examined for any injuries.
They found none, but since awakening, Meng Hongjin had become like this; she hid from people as if she had been greatly frightened, not recognizing those around her, as if she had even forgotten herself.