Soon, the voice of a eunuch announcing the arrival of the Empress Dowager and Princess Huayang echoed through the hall.

Everyone bowed, and the Empress Dowager and Princess Huayang took their seats at the head table, marking the true beginning of the banquet.

Dancers and musicians performed, and the hall was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

Huo whispered to Yu Ning, “Ning’er, after the banquet, we need to go to the Empress Dowager’s palace. You’ve only been back a short time and haven’t properly met her. This summons is important.”

“What’s the Empress Dowager like?”

“The Empress Dowager is kind and tolerant towards her family. She’s your aunt and was very fond of you as a child. Ning’er, don’t be nervous. Just treat her like any other elder.”

As mother and daughter were talking, another eunuch announced,

“His Majesty has arrived.”

Everyone bowed in unison.

Huo had taught Yu Ning palace etiquette beforehand, and Yu Ning performed flawlessly.

“You learned so quickly, perfectly,” Huo praised her daughter, pulling her up to sit down.

“It’s all thanks to Mother’s teaching!”

Yu Ning was very pleased with herself. She was now a lady!

If her former bandit brothers were to see her, they probably wouldn’t recognize her. Five years had changed everything.

Above, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor exchanged polite pleasantries.

Yu Ning picked up a pastry and ate it, vaguely hearing their conversation.  She slowly looked up, thinking, “That voice…sounds familiar.”

“Ning’er? Ning’er!”  Seeing her daughter staring at the head table with a shocked expression, Huo called out to her, concerned. “Ning’er, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, no…” Yu Ning quickly averted her gaze, staring at the dishes on the table, trying to compose herself.

But it was no use. Her heart pounded, and her fingers trembled uncontrollably.

She took a deep breath, picked up her chopsticks, and ate, but the food tasted like wax.

This frightened Huo. Seeing Yu Ning choke, she quickly offered her a cup of wine. “Why are you so distracted? Drink slowly, don’t choke again.”

“Mother, I had a little wine, and I feel a little dizzy. I want to go outside for some fresh air. Can I leave now?”

“Yes, go quietly. Take a walk in the pavilion by the artificial hill at the back.  I’ll find you when the banquet is almost over.” Huo assigned a trusted maid to accompany Yu Ning. As Yu Ning was about to leave, Huo whispered, “Ning’er, don’t wander too far.  Later, Mother will take you to see the tan hua lang a third ranked scholar.”

Yu Ning didn’t hear what Huo said clearly, just nodded vaguely and quickly left.

The summer heat was intense, even the breeze was stifling. Yu Ning sat by the lake, staring blankly at the water, silent for a long time.

The maid following her was confused, unsure what was wrong with Third Miss, and could only watch cautiously, not daring to disturb her.

“It’s him, it really is him…” Yu Ning murmured, muttering to herself.

The maid couldn’t hear what Third Miss was saying and asked softly. Yu Ning waved her off, saying she didn’t need to worry about her mumbling.

Yu Ning was shocked and couldn’t calm down. She had clearly seen the Emperor of Daye’s face on the head table.

He looked…exactly like Jing Tuo, even their temperament was similar.

Yu Ning had been captivated by that incredibly handsome face and remembered it vividly.  She couldn’t forget Jing Tuo’s appearance after sharing a bed with him.

Considering the events of five years ago, Yu Ning broke out in a cold sweat.  She had no illusions left and was convinced that the Emperor she had just seen was her former husband, the one she had forced into marriage and intimacy.

At that time, there was war on the border, and the Daye Emperor had personally led the troops, and Yu Ning had met Jing Tuo just before the war started, when the Emperor arrived at the border, the timing matched perfectly.

Furthermore, the Emperor’s name was known to everyone.  The Daye imperial family’s surname was Shen, and the Emperor’s era name was Jinghe, and his given name was Tuo.

Shen Tuo, Jing Tuo…

The coincidences were too numerous to ignore. Yu Ning couldn’t deceive herself. It was him. If she had known he was the Emperor back then, she wouldn’t have done those things even if she had a hundred lives…

Yu Ning despaired, covering her face and banging her head against the pavilion railing, frightening the maid behind her, who quickly rushed to stop her.

“Third Miss, what’s wrong? Are you unwell? Please tell me if you’re feeling uncomfortable!”

Yu Ning shook her head, tears welling up. “I’m fine, I’m fine…”

Fine as in dying.

She recalled what Shen Tuo had said to her: he would grind her bones to dust.  Yu Ning had mocked him for being presumptuous back then, but now she understood. She was the one rushing towards the gates of hell!

What to do, what to do!

Was she doomed, about to be torn to pieces?

Had she implicated Xiaobao and the hundreds of people in the Yongning Marquis Manor?

Yu Ning sat by the lake for half an hour, finally calming down somewhat.

Perhaps things weren’t as bad as she thought. There were so many people at the banquet, Shen Tuo probably hadn’t seen her. After leaving the palace, she would find an excuse to leave the capital with Xiaobao, never seeing Shen Tuo again, thus escaping this calamity.

“Ning’er, I’ve been waiting for a long time. Mother is late.” Huo arrived with several maids, taking Yu Ning’s hand and leading her out of the pavilion.

“Mother has made arrangements. The tan hua lang a third-ranked scholar is named Ning Yunzhang, a student of Grand Tutor Zhou. Mother has discussed it with Mrs. Zhou. We’ll take a quick look at him outside Feiyan Hall. If you like each other, you can get to know each other better later.”