The Fourth Lady novel Chapter 123

At the end of the month, the Dragon Gate Banquet arrived at last. Hongjia Emperor once said: "This Dragon Gate Banquet was specially arranged for Su Yun. All the important officials understood in their hearts, as far as the eye can see, the only one that could enjoy such treatment was probably just Su Yun alone.

The Su family bloodline have been Generals since the founding of the Donghe, inheriting first class merits. The previous Emperor had once bestowed the title of 'Heaven Appointed Top General'. Afterwards, Su Yun inherited the old Su General's Duke title and accomplishments. But all the officials also knew that Su Yun right now was more than worthy of being the 'Heaven Appointed Top General'.

Su Yun guarded the intersecting borders of the four countries in Qin province year round. That place was full of unrest, and the commoners were homeless and miserable. Yet, under Su Yun's governance, it has greatly improved. The commoners there furthermore praise Su Yun endlessly.

Qin province has already gradually settled on the right track under Su Yun's governance, and all of this was something Hongjia Emperor was most delighted to see.

Early morning of the Dragon Gate Banquet, Qingyan had already got dressed early, and was sitting in the main reception hall, waiting for Su Yun and Luo Bing's arrival. Su Qingxue and Su Qingcong were also quietly sitting to the side.

Luo Bing originally thought that when she saw Qingyan, she would be wearing those brightly colored clothes. But seeing her now, she was instead wearing a black and gold colored silk embroidered robe with a white colored mink fur coat draped over her shoulders. The accessories in Qingyan's hair were simple, only wearing a type of hairpin that's never been seen before. However, the patterns on this hairpin were exactly the same kind of flower as the ones embroidered on her clothes.

"Good, good, good!" Su Yun looked to Qingyan's outfit and very simply spit out those three words. "Our Yan'er has become a slender and elegant lady." Su Yun walked up next to Qingyan and stroked her head.

Seeing Qingyan's outfit, Luo Bing let out a breath in relief. She finally understood now why her daughter had the qualifications to become a Junzhu.

She still remembered in the past, Qingyan would always like to wear brightly colored gaudy clothes. She also once tried talking to her a few time, but to no avail, Qingyan simply didn't listen to her words and just dressed according to her usual style. But looking at it now, even a black and gold colored dress like this on her....

Seems to have a kind of majestic feeling?

When Luo Bing looked over a second time, she found that Qingyan had a faint smile on her lips. That majestic feeling seemed as if it was just a misperception.

"Mother, what are you looking at?" Qingyan walked over next to Luo Bing and wrapped around her arm, "Could it be that mother doesn't like Qingyan's outfit?"

This black and gold color, for someone her age, certainly does appear a bit heavy, but she was unexpectedly able to press down this black and gold color. When Liu Yi saw Qingyan put on this outfit, her eyes inevitably expressed a bit of astonishment.

"My Yan'er was always born this pretty." Luo Bing said as she grasped Qingyan's hand, "Today, just let those people see that I can also give birth to such a dignified daughter."

Listening to Luo Bing's words, Qingyan couldn't help but break into laughter. Luo Bing must have suffered a lot in past Dragon Gate Banquets. But to no avail, Qingyan was her biological daughter, so those words, she'd never said to Qingyan before.

The past Su Qingyan perhaps simply didn't have the slightest awareness.

"Xue'er and Cong'er's outfit is also very fitting." Su Yun looked to the two small figures standing before him, smiling as he patted their heads.

(*T/N: Big brother Qingyu gets forgotten a lot I feel so bad about him, he gets so little screen time.)

After everything was prepared, they all got on the horse carriage together. But what they didn't know was what kind of crisis was waiting for them outside the palace gates.

"Don't be nervous second sister. When the time comes, just closely follow behind me." Qingyan patted Su Qingxue on the head.

"Big sister, I..." Su Qingxue could feel the sweat seeping from her palms. As a illegitimate daughter, she has never attended this kind of setting before. She really was very afraid, scared that she will make Su Yun and Luo Bing lose face.

"Qingxue don't worry, nothing will happen." Qingyan tightly grasped Qingxue's hand, "I'll handle everything."

Su Qingxue looked to Qingyan's smiling face, and her heart gradually calmed down. Yet, it was still unable to change her inherent nature. From beginning to end, she worried that one day she'll become other's laughing stock, and become a burden.

Su Yun and Luo Bing went on ahead. They could directly enter the palace, but the rest of the family members could only enter through the main gate and needed to wait in line for inspection.

Most importantly, in the end, they all could only enter the great hall by walking.

Arriving at the palace gates, Su Qingyan and the others got down under the help of the carriage driver. And accordingly, Su Qingxue and Su Qingcong followed by Su Qingyan's side closely.

"My, I was wondering who this was? Turns out it's the Su manor's fourth miss!" Du Yulin looked to Su Qingyan and spoke in a weird tone. And she just happened to also see at a glance, standing behind Su Qingyan, Su Qingxue and Su Qingcong. "Who knew that a illegitimate daughter could also attend the Dragon Gate Banquet. This really is an eye opener."

Su Qingxue listened to Du Yulin's words and tightly grasped Qingyan's sleeves, yet she didn't know how to retort back. Just then another voice sounded, "I was wondering who it was? Looks like it's Miss Du! I remember you were also born an illegitimate miss. Oh, right, your mother killed the main wife, thus you had the chance to become the legitimate daughter."

When Qingyan heard this voice, she turned her head to see Mu Zhimin and Xuanyuan Yuning coming over shoulder to shoulder. They walked up next to Qingyan with a smile, "Yan'er, long time no see."

"Seventh Princess, Junzhu." Qingyan looked to them slightly smiling. When she turned to Du Yulin, she perked up the corner of her mouth, "Sorry, I'm the first miss of the General manor. As for the Su manor you speak of, that is unrelated to me."

"Hmph, ungrateful thing."

Hearing this voice, Qingyan raised her head to see Chai Yiyun's figure. And next to her just happens to be Su Qingwen.

"So it's the Su manor's third madam. I wonder how my General manor has wronged you, for you to say I'm ungrateful." Qingyan lifted her head to meet with Chai Yiyun's gaze.

Ning Siyao also appeared, bringing along Su Qingyuan. Although Su Qingyuan appeared to be unable to move conveniently, it still wasn't able to conceal her good complexion. However, tonight, she won't be able to walk out of this palace hall, it's a pity just thinking about it.

"This palace gate really is quite lively." An unruly frivolous voice sounded, and when Qingyan looked over, she saw Murong Jingxuan in black walking over.

The black seem to set off Murong Jingxuan's complexion, making him appear more pale. Just then, another voice sounded, "Big brother Jingxuan you came! I really missed you."

"Isn't this Ninth Princess?" Murong Jingxuan said with a smile as he dodged Xuanyuan Yuxiu's incoming figure. Xuanyuan Yuxiu evidently didn't foresee that Murong Jingxuan would avoid her hug, and she could only offhandedly cast an unsightly movement.

When Qingyan saw this scene, she raised her eyebrow at Murong Jingxuan. Murong Jingxuan walked over next to her and whispered, "You have to know, in that old man's eyes, I'm a useless person."

(T/N: I'm unsure of the logical flow between these two lines and the following line...just translating as it is.)

Hearing Murong Jingxuan's words, Qingyan immediately understood. Looks like that Hongjia Emperor isn't someone easy to get along with either. Although he dotes on Qilian Yuran, he was able to be unexpectedly ruthless towards his own eldest legitimate son.

But regardless of such, she'll be meeting this so called Emperor tonight, along with the Empress and the various imperial consorts.

Just what kind of secrets is hiding under this gold and jade dazzling royal palace of Hongjia Emperor?