The appearances of the two were not hidden from others; everyone present saw it.

Those who had good relations with the Gu Family or Song Family stepped forward to offer a few words of consolation. However, both Gu Changqing and Song Hong seemed to harbor resentment, and given that they were in the palace today, it wasn’t appropriate for others to say much, so they let it be.

Those who had grievances with the Song Family and Gu Family naturally enjoyed the prospect of seeing the two families clash. Seeing the two appear somewhat agitated, they were secretly pleased, and some even came over to offer advice that seemed like mediation but was actually inflammatory.

Eventually, Gu Changqing couldn’t bear the crowd surrounding them, so he made an excuse to leave for a moment of privacy.

Meanwhile, after the ladies had eaten, they felt warm and rested for a while. Some of the bolder young girls, having rarely had the chance to enter the palace,

wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to stroll around the small garden next to Baohe Hall and experience the grandeur of the inner palace.

After all, with so many people crowded in the rear hall, while the older madams could sit still, these young girls, being young, were brought into the palace today with various unspoken family intentions in mind.

They could not sit still and agreed to go for a walk.

In the past, this wouldn’t have been considered out of the ordinary, since there was still time before the noon birthday banquet. Keeping these young girls confined would only cause restlessness.

Allowing them to walk nearby, as long as they didn’t wander too far, with so many people around and palace maids and guards watching, there was unlikely to be any incidents.

So, when a few of the young girls vaguely suggested it, most of the ladies didn’t think much of it, just advising them to be careful, not to wander, and not to catch cold.

These young girls, harboring dreams of possibly encountering one or two Princes or young noblemen from other families during their outing, carefully adjusted their appearances before heading to the door. They called over a palace maid, saying they wished to stroll around the small garden and would like someone to lead the way.

Upon hearing this, the palace maid’s expression changed subtly, though she spoke kindly, asking the young ladies to wait a moment while she reported to the Steward Aunt.

In no time, the Steward Aunt arrived, smiling warmly and speaking gently, but her meaning was clear: they could not go! She explained that important matters were afoot today, with many people outside, and it wouldn’t be good if the young ladies were jostled.

Some impatient ones invoked the status of their own parents, but were firmly refused.

Some of the more scheming ones spoke softly, asking the Steward Aunt for a favor, even slipping a pouch into her hands, only to have it returned directly.

The Steward Aunt was impervious to all attempts, acting as if saying, argue all you want, but it would be over her dead body before they went out.

The group of delicate young ladies looked at each other in dismay, unable to do anything.

They might be able to act spoiled and make demands before their own parents, but here in the palace, who cared about them?

Each of them met with rejection and had no choice but to dejectedly go back inside.

This beautiful group of young girls, dressed to the nines, chirping like birds when they left, couldn’t have gone unnoticed. All present knew what they were up to.

Now seeing them return sulkily, it was a surprise.

Those who knew them approached and asked, "Why are you back already?"

This question opened the floodgates, prompting some young girls to wipe away tears, cry grievances into relatives’ arms, or pull their own elders aside to complain of the palace steward aunt’s arrogance.

The hubbub began immediately.

These head madams weren’t like the young girls who had no clue.

Hearing their words, their hearts began to beat true. In the past, these girls were never forbidden from taking a stroll.

Some of the wiser, more perceptive ones sensed something was wrong, quickly pulling their daughters aside to calm them.

Only a few clueless ones went to the door to argue with the Steward Aunt, seeking an explanation.

Could the Steward Aunt be cowed by this? Sticking to palace protocol, she got rid of them.

Due to this incident, the atmosphere in the dressing area wasn’t as lively as before. Everyone’s mind was elsewhere, continually checking the time and the sundial, all hoping for the noon banquet to arrive quickly.

Otherwise, being confined to the dressing area was causing some fear.

Finally, the Steward Aunt entered with the others, announcing that the banquet was nearly ready and inviting everyone to take their seats.

The female attendees sighed with relief, straightened their clothes, gave their younger relatives a few more words of advice, and then left in order, according to their ranks.

Upon exiting, they noticed something different outside.

Previously, while there were guards outside, it wasn’t as intense as the current three-step stationing and five-step patrolling.

Not to mention, it was the first day of the New Year, yet these guards were fully armored, looking stern and intimidating.

Some timid women were already so weak-kneed they couldn’t move, having to be helped inside by palace maids.

The women noticed something seemed wrong; the officials were even more sensitive to these changes. Seeing this scene, they exchanged worried glances with each other.

A few older ministers observed for a moment before gesturing for a nearby chamberlain to ask a few questions. The chamberlain vaguely stated that it was a significant day and that they should quickly take their seats, without offering any more information.

His evasive manner, and the guards’ actions—glancing over with sharp, cold eyes when they noticed the commotion—were telling.

Moreover, the small leader directly asked, "Is there anyone who cannot walk? Should we brothers lend a hand?" Smiling as he said this, the guards behind him smoothly drew their long swords.

The message was quite clear.

Immediately, the atmosphere froze.

Entering the palace for the banquet, they all wore formal attire. Even the Military Generals, upon entering the court or palace, had to remove their swords and other weapons.

Let alone the Civil Officials, everyone was dressed in ceremonial robes, unarmed. Against the gleaming steel, what could be said? They bowed their heads and followed the chamberlain into Baohe Hall.

Inside, the braziers were burning brightly. As men and women entered, faces were filled with worry. Even their smiles, strained as they were forced, seemed perilous. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Especially upon seeing their own family members or their wives and daughters, if not for the chamberlain and watchful guards nearby, they would have rushed over in an instant.

Now, all they could do was be silently led to their seats, sitting down with trepidation.

The Civil and Military Officials took their seats first, after which the guards withdrew.

The officials and their families busily seized the chance to inquire about the others’ situations, filling the hall with a buzzing of conversation.

Everyone understood today’s banquet was unlikely to be a happy one, yet given the situation, there was no leaving and they could only sit quietly and wait.

Soon, the concubines from the harem also began to arrive.

First came those who were not favored and held low rank. They too seemed to sense something amiss, wearing expressions of unease, seated silently without daring to speak.

Other Princes and Princesses arrived consecutively.

Once nearly everyone had arrived, only the Emperor, Empress, Consort Xian, and Consort Shu were yet to make an entrance.

A commotion stirred outside the hall, drawing everyone’s gaze towards the entrance as the chamberlain’s distinctive voice announced: "Her Majesty the Empress arrives—"