Two days later was the Empress Dowager's birthday.
Leng Ruoli and Jun Mohan woke up early, dressed and styled their hair.
Leng Ruoli wore an ice-blue, opulent palace gown, draped with a layer of golden sheer gauze. Her wide skirt was embroidered with purple patterns. Her three thousand strands of black silk were tied into a single chignon, with a small red gem hanging from her forehead, perfectly adorning her. She wore a hollowed-out phoenix gold hairpin, which tinkled with a ding-dong sound as she moved with light steps, accentuating her charming and beautiful demeanor.
Jun Mohan was also dressed formally. He wore a magnificent, wide-sleeved python robe of the same color as Leng Ruoli's. He sported a golden crown and a jade belt, his brocade robe trimmed with gorgeous gold edging. The intricate needlework on the robe depicted a lifelike four-clawed python. A white jade belt was fastened around his waist, from which hung a black jade, symbolizing the King of Leng's status and of excellent jade quality. This made him look even more handsome and elegant, yet wild and unrestrained...
"Your Highness, Consort, you both look so beautiful today."
Xing'er exclaimed in admiration, looking at the King and Consort of Leng.
"Indeed! Our King and Consort will surely be the most beautiful couple at the palace banquet today," Ling'er chimed in agreement.
"Alright, you two, stop flattering us. You've been talking non-stop all morning. You might not be tired of talking, but our ears are about to grow calluses," Leng Ruoli said helplessly to the two maids.
"Lier, I actually think they are quite right. A handsome man and a beautiful woman as well-matched as us can truly not be found anywhere else in the world," Jun Mohan stated.
Upon hearing this, Xing'er and Ling'er burst into laughter.
"Hahaha..."
Leng Ruoli rolled her eyes twice.
This man had watched too many dramas, and his skin had become thicker and thicker, even using phrases like "handsome man and beautiful woman" so smoothly.
"Alright, stop admiring yourself. We should be going to the palace," Leng Ruoli reminded Jun Mohan in a low voice.
Jun Mohan nodded in agreement, and he and Leng Ruoli walked out of the gates of the King of Leng's mansion. They immediately got into their carriage and headed towards the imperial palace.
Before their carriage reached the main entrance of the imperial palace, they saw many carriages parked outside the palace gates. The families of court officials were lining up to enter the palace.
However, Jun Mohan and Leng Ruoli did not have to queue. After getting out of their carriage, they entered the palace directly through another gate.
As they approached the palace gate, a weak voice suddenly called out to them.
"Second Brother, Second Brother... wait for us."
Hearing this, the King of Leng frowned slightly and slowly turned around to look at the person behind them.
Jun Mohan was stunned as he looked at the man in the wheelchair, thinking to himself, "Why is he back in the capital too?"
Leng Ruoli, on the other hand, sized up the man. His appearance was only average compared to Jun Mohan's. He had a pair of melancholic eyes, a fair complexion, and looked slightly pale. He was wearing a dark satin brocade robe and sitting in a wheelchair. He exuded an air of nobility, but it was hard to conceal his scholarly aura. Standing beside him were a noblewoman and a very cute little girl. She was absolutely certain that she had never seen this man in the original owner's memories.
"Second Brother, we haven't seen each other for a few years, and you don't remember your elder brother," the sickly man said, feigning a look of sorrow.
"Haha, how could I not remember? Eldest Brother, when did you return from Wancheng?" Jun Mohan asked with a smile.
"I just arrived last night. Is the woman beside you my Second Brother's consort?" the sickly man inquired.
"Yes, Eldest Brother!" Jun Mohan nodded with a smile. After responding, Jun Mohan put his arm around Leng Ruoli's slender waist and introduced her, "Lier, this is our Eldest Brother, Prince Shou. Beside him is our Eldest Sister-in-law, and this little girl is the daughter of our Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law, Princess Chang Le."
"Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, hello. I am Leng Ruoli," Leng Ruoli greeted the two politely.
"Hello, Second Sister-in-law! We heard a lot about you in Wancheng. It is said that since Second Brother married you as his consort, he has become more human and has started smiling more. Seeing you today, it is indeed as the rumors say, even more so," Princess Shou said with a smile.
Uh...
After hearing Princess Shou's words, Leng Ruoli's gaze flickered with slight embarrassment. The implication of Princess Shou's words made it sound as if she had led Jun Mohan astray.
"Yan'er, your words are too direct. Second Sister-in-law will feel awkward," Prince Shou said, playfully chiding Princess Shou.
"Haha, Second Sister-in-law, please don't mind. Eldest Sister-in-law has always been so forthright with her words," Princess Shou quickly added.
"It's alright, Eldest Sister-in-law. You can joke with me however you like," Leng Ruoli replied with a smile.
At this moment, Princess Chang Le, who was beside Prince Shou, bowed to the King and Consort of Leng.
"Chang Le greets Second Imperial Uncle and Second Imperial Aunt! Wishing Second Imperial Uncle and Second Imperial Aunt good health!" said the four-year-old Princess Chang Le sweetly.
"Alright, Little Chang Le, get up quickly. Second Imperial Uncle and Second Imperial Aunt thank you for your blessings," Leng Ruoli helped the little girl up and gently stroked her small head.
This little princess had features similar to Princess Shou, with delicate features and a very cute appearance. Leng Ruoli liked the little girl at first sight.
Then, Leng Ruoli took out a lollipop with a little panda pattern from her sleeve, gently unwrapped it, and handed it to Princess Chang Le.
"Little Chang Le, I didn't know you were coming to the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet today, so I didn't prepare a gift for you. I'll give you a little panda lollipop as a meeting gift. This candy is very sweet, you can put it in your mouth and taste it," Leng Ruoli said with a smile.
"Wow, what is this? It's so pretty! Why is it different from the candies I usually eat?" Princess Chang Le asked in surprise, seeing the pattern on the candy Leng Ruoli handed her.
"This pattern is of an animal called a little panda," Leng Ruoli explained simply.
"Sister-in-law, the candy you gave Chang Le is more beautiful than the small sugar figures sold on the street. Can I not eat it yet?" Chang Le was reluctant to eat the candy Leng Ruoli had unwrapped.
"You can eat it. Your sister-in-law has two more in her sleeve pocket," Leng Ruoli said with a hint of helplessness after hearing Little Chang Le's words. She then took out two more little panda candies for Princess Chang Le.
Seeing that she had two more identical candies in her hands, Princess Chang Le carefully put the candy, which Leng Ruoli had already unwrapped, into her mouth and licked it.
"Sister-in-law, you didn't lie to Chang Le. This candy is really sweet," Princess Chang Le said innocently.
The four of them burst into laughter upon hearing this.
Afterward, they all entered the imperial palace together.