The shopkeeper of the Hundred Embroidery House knew that Meng Yao was selecting a few outfits for her palace visit to meet 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 Meng Yao in choosing a few outfits. She also took Meng Yao’s measurements and called the best embroidery girl of the Hundred Embroidery House to make on-the-spot alterations. Meng Yao left her home 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 time? 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 come 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 time, come 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. Orıginal content can be found at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝙣𝙚𝙩 Zhao Xiaohua, along with Huang Ying and Ming Cui, looked left and right, earnestly picking jewelry suitable for Meng Yao. Meng 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 me? Do you find me more attractive than the jewelry?" The young man said nonchalantly. Being caught, Meng 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." Meng 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." Meng Yao replied. The young man finally gave Meng Yao a direct look, instead of his previous lazy demeanor. "Hey, madam, have we met somewhere 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 memory is quite good; if we’ve met, I wouldn’t have no impression at all." Meng Yao said. Which means she hadn’t met him before. The young man furrowed his brow, "My memory isn’t bad either, but I just feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before, madam." "Perhaps I have a common face." Meng Yao smiled, "However, I have a question for the shopkeeper: is this hairpin made by your shop’s craftsman? Can I meet this craftsman?" The ’Yao’ character engraved on the cloud-patterned hairpin given by Xiaohua seemed very similar to the ’Yao’ character on a medallion, as if they were made by the same 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." Meng 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; Meng Yao selected four from them, all uniquely shaped, exquisite yet not overly ornate. Eye-catching, yet not to be ignored. Paying the silver coin, Meng Yao left with Zhao Xiaohua. What Meng 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 time, 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 came uninvited, and Consort An couldn’t very well drive her away. Consort An placed considerable importance on Meng Yao, specially assigning her most capable Chief Palace Maid to greet Meng Yao at the palace gates. Hence, when Meng Yao made her entrance, the women present were all wondering who this mysterious person was that Consort An valued so highly. "Madam Zhao, please sit here." Consort An warmly invited Meng 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 esteemed. The Grand Princess occupied the first seat on the right side. Meng Yao first paid her respects to Consort An before taking a seat. This noble consort’s attitude was somewhat enigmatic. Genuinely warm and free of malice. "General Zhao is His Majesty’s right-hand man. I have long wanted to meet Madam Zhao; and today, I finally have the honor." Consort An said gently. "For a long time?" Her relationship with Zhao Ting was something Emperor Jing only recently learned about, wasn’t it? "Meeting Your Highness is truly an honor." Meng 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 Meng 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 me to treat the wives well without observing formalities." Consort An replied calmly. Everything being attributed to His Majesty meant 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 some 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 me know, and I’ll have it prepared." Meng 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 seemed almost tangible. Consort An, on the contrary, expressed her affection unreservedly. Was it merely 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! Meng Yao snapped back to reality, looking slightly embarrassed, "Your Highness, this is my first time 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 home; behave here as you would at home, no need to be confined by pomp and ceremony." Consort An advised. Is that really permissible? Meng 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.