After Becoming the Villain Mother-in-Law, I Launch My Redemption Arc Chapter 262: As His Majesty Said

The shopkeeper of the Hundred Embroidery House knew that ng Yao was selecting a few outfits for her palace visit to et important people, and there was a hint of respect in her diligent attentiveness.

Although she did not know why Madam Zhao was entering the palace, she understood that those who could enter the palace certainly had significant status.

The shopkeeper personally assisted ng Yao in choosing a few outfits.

She also took ng Yao’s asurents and called the best embroidery girl of the Hundred Embroidery House to make on-the-spot alterations.

ng Yao left her ho address and arranged with the shopkeeper to return on another day for a visit, insisting on paying the silver coin, and then left with Zhao Xiaohua and the others.

Led by Zhao Xiaohua, they went to Yunzhen Shengxiang.

"Shopkeeper, are you selling anything today?" Zhao Xiaohua asked the youngster at the counter.

"Didn’t you buy quite a few pieces of jewelry last ti? So? Tired of wearing them already?" The young man asked lazily.

"Those unique hairpins, I can’t bear to wear them often, how could I be tired of them? My mother has co to the Capital City, and she’s attending a banquet. I thought of bringing her here to see if there is any suitable jewelry." Zhao Xiaohua said with a smile.

"Alright, for the sake of the pleasant transaction last ti, co on in." The young man said.

"Thank you, shopkeeper." Zhao Xiaohua was very pleased.

After all, she had heard Aunt Du talking a lot about Yunzhen Shengxiang and knew that this shop had different rules compared to other places.

Zhao Xiaohua, along with Huang Ying and Ming Cui, looked left and right, earnestly picking jewelry suitable for ng Yao.

ng Yao, on the other hand, was secretly observing the young man at the counter.

"Madam, why aren’t you looking at the jewelry but keep looking at ? Do you find more attractive than the jewelry?" The young man said nonchalantly.

Being caught, ng Yao felt a little embarrassed.

However, she was never one with a thin skin.

"Attractive people and things always tend to catch others’ eyes; it’s pleasing to the eye after all." ng Yao said with a smile.

"Oh? Aren’t you afraid I’ll get annoyed and not sell to you?"

"You are the shopkeeper; to sell or not to sell is entirely up to you. Therefore, if you choose not to sell, we will simply leave and not argue." ng Yao replied.

The young man finally gave ng Yao a direct look, instead of his previous lazy deanor.

"Hey, madam, have we t sowhere before?"

"Are you trying to flirt? That’s quite cliché and doesn’t match your age at all. However, I can tell you for certain, my mory is quite good; if we’ve t, I wouldn’t have no impression at all." ng Yao said.

Which ans she hadn’t t him before.

The young man furrowed his brow, "My mory isn’t bad either, but I just feel like I’ve seen you sowhere before, madam."

"Perhaps I have a common face." ng Yao smiled, "However, I have a question for the shopkeeper: is this hairpin made by your shop’s craftsman? Can I et this craftsman?"

The ’Yao’ character engraved on the cloud-patterned hairpin given by Xiaohua seed very similar to the ’Yao’ character on a dallion, as if they were made by the sa artisan.

"This craftsman is quite old and has long since stopped making jewelry; I fear you will be disappointed, madam." The young man said.

"I see." ng Yao did not dwell on it too much, it was just a resemblance.

Zhao Xiaohua, Huang Ying, and Ming Cui had picked seven or eight pieces of jewelry; ng Yao selected four from them, all uniquely shaped, exquisite yet not overly ornate.

Eye-catching, yet not to be ignored.

Paying the silver coin, ng Yao left with Zhao Xiaohua.

What ng Yao didn’t know was that shortly after they left, the shopkeeper gave his forehead a heavy slap and quickly dashed out from the shop, looked around on the street for a long ti, then locked up and left in a hurry.

——

Consort An invited all the wives of fourth-rank officials with imperial decrees from the Capital City.

In the Capital City, there were many fourth-rank officials.

However, there were only about thirty wives with imperial decrees.

Of course, she also invited a few who didn’t have imperial decrees.

For example, the two madams of the Zhao Family.

After all, these two were the sisters-in-law of General Zhao.

In addition, there was also the Grand Princess who ca uninvited, and Consort An couldn’t very well drive her away.

Consort An placed considerable importance on ng Yao, specially assigning her most capable Chief Palace Maid to greet ng Yao at the palace gates.

Hence, when ng Yao made her entrance, the won present were all wondering who this mysterious person was that Consort An valued so highly.

"Madam Zhao, please sit here." Consort An warmly invited ng Yao.

The ’here’ she referred to was the foremost seat on her left side.

Indeed, it was a seat of honor.

In terms of hierarchy, left is considered more esteed.

The Grand Princess occupied the first seat on the right side.

ng Yao first paid her respects to Consort An before taking a seat.

This noble consort’s attitude was sowhat enigmatic.

Genuinely warm and free of malice.

"General Zhao is His Majesty’s right-hand man. I have long wanted to et Madam Zhao; and today, I finally have the honor." Consort An said gently.

"For a long ti?" Her relationship with Zhao Ting was sothing Emperor Jing only recently learned about, wasn’t it?

"eting Your Highness is truly an honor." ng Yao stood and replied.

"Please remain seated, Madam Zhao. Today, let’s not bother with all those formalities; everyone, please stay seated." Consort An said.

The banquet hall instantly filled with a chorus of thanks directed at the noble consort.

The Grand Princess openly looked at ng Yao and remarked, "Since when did Consort An disregard conventions entirely here?"

"All of you have diligently served the Court and His Majesty with dedication, and His Majesty acknowledges your contributions, specifically instructing to treat the wives well without observing formalities." Consort An replied calmly.

Everything being attributed to His Majesty ant that any discontent should be directed at him!

That was the subtext of Consort An’s words.

Again, the hall resonated with another round of thanks towards Emperor Jing.

"Ladies, I’m not sure what flavors you favor ordinarily, so I prepared so dishes akin to my tastes—all specialties from the Imperial Kitchen—please try them?" Consort An said, "Madam Zhao, is there anything in particular you wish to eat? Don’t be shy, just let know, and I’ll have it prepared."

ng Yao was taken aback; she had never attended a palace banquet before, but from what she’d seen in dramas, wasn’t it different?

Could it be the dramas depicted it inaccurately?

Or perhaps this Consort An was the one acting whimsically?

It left her quite uneasy indeed.

As for the Grand Princess across from her, her disdain seed almost tangible.

Consort An, on the contrary, expressed her affection unreservedly.

Was it rely because she was Zhao Ting’s wife?

Did Emperor Jing hold Zhao Ting in such high regard that she was favored by association?

It wasn’t apparent at all!

"Madam Zhao?"

ng Yao snapped back to reality, looking slightly embarrassed, "Your Highness, this is my first ti attending a palace banquet, and I’m feeling a little anxious. I was just lost in thought, I beg your pardon."

"Madam Zhao, please don’t be anxious. Just treat the palace like your own ho; behave here as you would at ho, no need to be confined by pomp and ceremony." Consort An advised.

Is that really permissible?

ng Yao blinked, her face reflecting her confusion.

"It’s His Majesty’s specific instruction that everyone shouldn’t be constrained by etiquette." Consort An earnestly reassured.