The imperial family was hosting a banquet, which palace consorts and ministers attended with their families.
Ning Wanwan was the Imperial Noble Consort, a rank of incomparable honor. And because Pei Jinxu had not appointed an empress, she naturally sat beside him.
The Ning Family were influential ministers at court. Its head, Ning Yuanchen—the original owner of this body’s father—was the current Left Prime Minister. He held a high position and immense power. With his legitimate daughter serving as the Imperial Noble Consort in the palace, the family’s influence was naturally sky-high.
Not only that, but Ning Wanwan also had an elder brother, Ning Yuanzhou, who had guarded the northwest for many years, repelling countless enemies at the border and accumulating illustrious military achievements.
Her younger half-sister, Ning Luoshi, was a marquess’s wife. The entire family was exceedingly noble.
However, the more power one held over the court, the more uneasy one felt.
The woman in the mirror was only about nineteen years old, with delicate, fair skin, red lips, and white teeth. She had a high-bridged nose and wore a phoenix crown that displayed the utmost nobility and luxury. The crimson phoenix robe she wore was a garment that only an empress was permitted to wear.
Pei Jinxu and the original owner of her body were childhood sweethearts, which was precisely why the Ning Family had helped him ascend to the throne.
However, the position of empress that had been promised to Ning Wanwan had remained vacant. Ning Wanwan was merely an Imperial Noble Consort who enjoyed the ceremonial honors of an empress.
A weight settled on her shoulder. A man’s long, slender hand rested on Ning Wanwan’s shoulder as he gently watched her put on her makeup.
“Wanwan is truly beautiful, worthy of being the number one beauty in the capital,” Pei Jinxu said, a smile gracing his lips as he tenderly wrapped his arms around Ning Wanwan.
Ning Wanwan couldn’t help but hold her breath. Being gently held by a peerlessly handsome man—who wouldn’t feel nervous? What’s more, this was her husband in name, an emperor.
The two of them were more like an ordinary married couple. In front of others, they were emperor and consort, but in private, they were exceptionally loving. He would pluck the stars and the moon from the sky for her if she asked.
“Reporting to Your Majesty and Your Ladyship, the Guifei, all the guests have arrived,” a eunuch beside Pei Jinxu said with his head bowed.
Pei Jinxu took her hand, and they went together.
“His Majesty has arrived—!”
“The Imperial Noble Consort has arrived—!”
Following the eunuch’s loud announcement, a vast crowd of people knelt on the ground.
“Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Ladyship the Guifei…”
Ning Wanwan was also startled by this display, unable to help but marvel at the power of authority. Even in novels, she had never read about someone transmigrating to a position second only to one and above all others. Even if there were such cases, they were usually disfavored tools of a political marriage. This was a first for her, and she felt a little at a loss.
As if sensing Ning Wanwan’s nervousness, Pei Jinxu squeezed her hand and looked at her gently from the side, seemingly giving her strength without a word.
After everyone was seated, Ning Wanwan looked at all the delicious delicacies and couldn’t stop her mouth from watering.
The aroma, it was so fragrant!
She didn’t hear a word of whatever pleasantries Pei Jinxu was exchanging with others. She just picked up her chopsticks and started eating.
As she ate, she suddenly felt that something was not quite right. She could feel strange gazes coming from all directions.
Feeling a little guilty, Ning Wanwan looked up. Many people were watching her.
Realizing her actions were not very elegant, Ning Wanwan coughed lightly and quickly corrected her posture.
Indeed, the higher one stood, the more one attracted attention. Every word and action was constantly being watched.
Pei Jinxu raised his cup to toast a minister, and as the person beside him, Ning Wanwan naturally had to join in. But she couldn’t drink alcohol and could only raise her cup with an awkward smile.
Pei Jinxu seemed to notice something. He patted her hand dotingly and said, “The Guifei should not consume alcohol. Replace her wine with tea.”
Ning Wanwan stared at him blankly, a trace of an emotion she herself couldn’t detect appearing in her eyes.
Everyone wore looks of envy and jealousy. Below, the members of the Ning Family saw how extravagantly Ning Wanwan was favored and nodded in satisfaction.
Ning Yuanchen was nearly fifty, yet he was still dressed magnificently and possessed an extraordinary air. At this moment, his eyes were full of gratification as he looked at Ning Wanwan. With him was the noblewoman by his side, Madam Ning, an Imperial Ordered Wife personally ennobled by the former empress.
Ning Luoshi and her husband sat not far from Ning Yuanchen. With golden hairpins and dangling ornaments in her hair, her beautiful face was cool and detached. If Ning Wanwan was a bewitching type of beauty, then Ning Luoshi was the cold and aloof type, untouched by worldly matters. The Ning sisters were all devastatingly beautiful. Even the nine-year-old Ning Wanxin was like a budding lotus flower, exquisitely carved and possessing bright eyes and pearly teeth.
Ning Wanxin was currently blinking her big eyes, staring blankly at the noble and gorgeous Ning Wanwan above. Ning Wanwan smiled at her in response.
Ning Wanwan felt herself getting a little carried away. With such a family background and the exclusive favor of the emperor by her side, it was hard not to feel like she was walking on air.
Ning Luoshi, however, seemed somewhat disdainful. Ning Wanwan had heard that Ning Luoshi had been at odds with her since childhood because Ning Wanwan, relying on the family’s doting, was arrogant, domineering, and acted outrageously. But Ning Luoshi was also rebellious, and the two of them had fought quite a bit.
Just as Ning Wanwan retracted her gaze, an even more scorching stare came from another direction.
Ning Wanwan turned to look. Well, if it isn’t Chan Meiren, who was grounded a few days ago?
Seeing the jealousy and ferocity on Chan Meiren’s pretty face, Ning Wanwan was in a rather good mood. She secretly made a funny face at her and even mouthed something the other woman wouldn’t understand:
Oi! Kiddo, you’re a little fiery!
Chan Meiren nearly fainted from anger. She couldn’t help but want to kill Ning Wanwan, especially after hearing that the child in her womb would be handed over to Ning Wanwan to raise in the future, making all her efforts a stepping stone for Ning Wanwan.