Due to Prince Ning's influence, the palace ladies have been particularly affectionate towards the women of the Song family.
Even though Song Chaoyu was a concubine's daughter, she was surrounded by noble ladies.
However, her closest relationships were still with those from her past.
Especially Hu Xiaoye, who upon seeing Song Chaoyu, immediately took her hand and peppered her with questions, only letting go of Song Chaoyu's hand when most people had already taken their seats.
Today's palace banquet was grand in scale, and naturally, the rules were numerous and complex.
When Prince Ning entered with his new bride, Song Yanjiao, the surroundings were filled with congratulatory cheers. The Crown Prince was seated below the Emperor, so Prince Ning's seat was beside the Crown Prince.
Perhaps it was due to the wedding, but by rights, in the presence of the Crown Prince, Prince Ning should not have dressed more ostentatiously than the Crown Prince.
Yet today, the Crown Prince wore a dark red robe embroidered with golden dragons, while Prince Ning was in a silver-red robe adorned with coiling dragons emerging from clouds.
Although Prince Ning's attire was not as grand as the Crown Prince's, and the patterns used were only of coiled dragons, silver-red was much brighter than dark red, naturally making him appear more striking.
However, Song Chaoyu observed that the Crown Prince did not seem to mind his attire at all. Instead, he chatted and laughed with Prince Ning, showing no signs of pettiness, which was befitting of a Crown Prince.
Below Prince Ning would be Prince Chang.
Mu Changxi arrived very late. Song Chaoyu had been seated for some time before she saw someone pushing him slowly into the hall.
While also a prince, he was not as ostentatious as Prince Ning, Mu Hansu.
Although he also appeared to be in new attire, Mu Changxi wore a simple, dark purple brocade robe with subtle silver patterns, depicting thunderous roars of dragons.
Even Song Chaoyu found the robe to be very beautiful.
Despite sitting in a wheelchair, with an indifferent expression as if he cared about nothing, his appearance was already striking. Simply sitting there quietly was enough to make him seem like an immortal who had descended to the mortal realm, pausing only briefly.
But the Hanxi of the past… was he still different from this one?
Hanxi was a person born into the mortal world, a towering tree flourishing under the sun. He was the spring breeze that could melt ice and snow with a smile, warming the chill.
That kind of Hanxi, Song Chaoyu felt she would likely never see again.
Song Chaoyu lowered her head, forcing herself not to look in Mu Changxi's direction again.
Mu Changxi, however, looked towards Song Chaoyu from afar and felt his eyes light up.
He had known before that Song Chaoyu was a beautiful girl.
But it was only now that he realized Song Chaoyu's beauty was something that could not be ignored.
From the moment he entered the hall, his gaze had unconsciously fallen upon Song Chaoyu.
She was not particularly attention-grabbing, but simply following others quietly was enough to make one unable to look away.
Mu Changxi felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.
He was happy that the current Song Chaoyu could be so beautiful.
And he was also worried that the current Song Chaoyu was too beautiful.
At least since he entered the hall, he had seen many people's eyes fall upon Song Chaoyu.
He did not wish for this, but he was helpless.
"His Majesty arrives—Her Majesty the Empress arrives—"
As the eunuch's announcement rang out, the great hall fell silent.
Song Chaoyu lowered her head, standing behind Madam Da.
The Emperor and Empress entered the hall with imposing majesty.
As soon as the Emperor uttered the words "Rise," everyone stood up.
Then the eunuch continued to announce, "Princess Tiya arrives—The envoy from the Southern Kingdom arrives—"
They were to enter from the outer hall. Even with her usual grace, Song Chaoyu couldn't help but lift her head slightly, looking towards the outside.
Although the people of the Southern Kingdom were also foreigners, they were different from the Hu tribes or those from the northern deserts.
In terms of appearance, they were not much different from the people of Da Yue.
However, the Southern Kingdom was coastal, and their attire and customs differed greatly from those of Da Yue.
Song Chaoyu immediately spotted Princess Tiya, who was walking at the forefront. She had to admit that Princess Tiya was very beautiful.
Even among the noble ladies in the capital, Song Yanjiao was considered one of the best, but Princess Tiya's beauty surpassed Song Yanjiao's.
She wore the Southern Kingdom's unique short jacket and skirt, entering the grand hall of Da Yue with a smile.
As a princess of a nation, Princess Tiya carried a nobility and pride that many women might never possess in their lifetime.
But perhaps because she was also young, amidst her noble and proud gaze, there was also a touch of girlish joy and innocence.
If she were not Princess Tiya, Song Chaoyu might have felt that she would want to get to know this girl, perhaps even become friends with her.
Looking at the envoys accompanying Princess Tiya, they all appeared serious, looking like people not to be trifled with.
Besides, this had nothing to do with Song Chaoyu. The delicate relationship between the Southern Kingdom and Da Yue was not something for Song Chaoyu to consider.
"Princess Tiya of the Southern Kingdom pays her respects to the Emperor and Empress of Da Yue. May the Emperor and Empress live for ten thousand years!"
Princess Tiya's voice, like a silver bell, echoed throughout the hall, a beautiful maiden's voice that was pleasant to hear.
Her Da Yue dialect was very good. If Song Chaoyu hadn't seen that she was from the Southern Kingdom, she might have thought she was a native of Da Yue!
"Princess, please rise!"
The Emperor also smiled and waved to Princess Tiya: "I did not expect your Da Yue dialect to be so good, Your Highness. It seems you will be able to live very well in the Da Yue court in the future."
Not only was Tiya's Da Yue dialect excellent, but after performing the Southern Kingdom's etiquette to salute the Emperor, she also performed the standard Da Yue customs to salute the Emperor once more.
Only then did she proudly glance at Mu Changxi, who was seated nearby, and replied to the Emperor: "Replying to Your Majesty, Tiya's Da Yue dialect and most Da Yue customs were taught to Tiya by Prince Chang! Prince Chang taught her diligently, so Tiya naturally had to learn diligently."
At least in that moment, Song Chaoyu felt a sense of disorientation.
So, were all her experiences with Hanxi at the manor merely a dream?
Some in the hall marveled at the "friendship" between Tiya and Mu Changxi.
That friendship, which should not have existed, was recognized by everyone.
But what about Hanxi?
Did only Song Chaoyu remember that bright and flamboyant young Hanxi?
A tiny needle, like a cow's hair, seemed to prick her heart.
It didn't hurt much, but it pricked out tiny droplets of blood, making it impossible for her to ignore, yet leaving her helpless.
After the Emperor once again praised Princess Tiya and Mu Changxi, he nodded to everyone.
Tiya sat not far from Mu Changxi, gazing at him with eyes full of admiration.
The women of the Southern Kingdom were always more passionate than the women of Da Yue, so she did not hide her affection for Mu Changxi, which made Song Chaoyu feel a sense of envy she couldn't quite articulate.