The Royal banquet was underway, attended by palace consorts and high-ranking officials accompanied by their families.
As Imperial Noble Consort, Ning Wanwan held a position of incomparable prestige. Since Pei Jinxiu had yet to appoint an Empress, she naturally sat beside him. The Ning Family was a powerhouse at court; the family head, Ning Yuanchen—the original body’s father—served as the Left Chancellor. With his immense authority and his own legitimate daughter acting as Imperial Noble Consort, the family’s influence was absolute. Furthermore, Ning Wanwan’s eldest brother, Ning Yuanzhou, had spent years commanding the Northwest, repelling countless border enemies and earning glorious military achievements. Her younger half-sister, Ning Luoshi, was the wife of a Marquis. The entire family was of the highest nobility.
Yet, the more power they wielded at court, the more uneasy they felt.
The woman in the mirror was barely nineteen. Her skin was delicate and fair, her lips red, her teeth white, and her nose bridge high and elegant. She wore a phoenix crown that exuded luxury and prestige, dressed in a crimson phoenix robe reserved only for an Empress.
Pei Jinxiu and the original Ning Wanwan were childhood sweethearts; it was precisely because of this that the Ning Family had helped him ascend the throne. However, the position of Empress, which had been promised to Ning Wanwan, remained vacant. She was merely an Imperial Noble Consort who enjoyed the ceremonial honors of an Empress.
A weight settled on her shoulder as the man’s long, slender hand rested there. He watched her finish her grooming with a tender gaze.
"Wanwan, you are truly beautiful. You are worthy of being called the greatest beauty in the Capital City." A smile played on Pei Jinxiu’s lips as he pulled her into his arms with affection.
Ning Wanwan couldn't help but hold her breath. Who wouldn't feel nervous being held gently by such an incredibly handsome man? Not to mention that he was her husband in name, and an Emperor at that. The two seemed more like an ordinary couple; while they acted as Emperor and Consort in front of others, they were exceptionally loving in private, with him ready to pluck the stars and moon from the sky if she asked.
"Reporting to Your Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort, the guests have all arrived outside," said the eunuch beside Pei Jinxiu, bowing his head.
Pei Jinxiu took her hand and they went out together.
"His Majesty has arrived—!"
"The Imperial Noble Consort has arrived—!"
Following the eunuch’s loud proclamation, the crowd below fell to their knees. "Greetings, Your Majesty, greetings, Imperial Noble Consort..."
Ning Wanwan was startled by the display, marveling at the sheer power of authority. Even in novels, she had never read of someone crossing over to a position of being under one person but above all others. Even if such characters existed, they were usually unloved political pawns. Being treated like this was a first for her, and she felt somewhat at a loss.
Seeming to sense her nervousness, Pei Jinxiu squeezed her hand tighter, glancing at her with a gentle look, as if silently giving her strength.
Once everyone was seated, Ning Wanwan stared at the delicacies and couldn't help but salivate. It smelled divine—truly divine! She didn't catch a word of the pleasantries Pei Jinxiu was exchanging with the others; she simply picked up her chopsticks and began to eat.
As she ate, she suddenly felt that something was off. She sensed strange gazes cast at her from every direction. Feeling slightly guilty, Ning Wanwan looked up and saw that quite a few people were staring at her. Realizing her manners weren't very elegant, she gave a light cough and straightened her posture. Indeed, the higher one stood, the more conspicuous they became; every word and action was under constant scrutiny.
Pei Jinxiu raised his cup to drink with the ministers. As the person beside him, Ning Wanwan was expected to follow suit, but she couldn't drink alcohol. She could only offer an awkward, forced smile while holding up her cup.
Pei Jinxiu seemed to notice the issue. He patted her hand indulgently and said, "The Imperial Noble Consort should not drink alcohol. Replace her wine with tea."
Ning Wanwan looked at him blankly, a flicker of emotion she hadn't yet realized appearing in her eyes.
The crowd looked on with envy and jealousy, while the Ning family members below nodded with satisfaction at the sight of her immense favor. Ning Yuanchen, nearing fifty, remained elegantly dressed with an extraordinary air; his eyes were full of gratification as he looked at her. Beside him was his wife, Madam Ning, a Noble Lady appointed by the late Empress.
Ning Luoshi sat not far from her father, adorned with gold hairpins, her expression cold and stunning. If Ning Wanwan was a seductive beauty, Ning Luoshi was the epitome of cold, worldly detachment. Every sister in the Ning family was a national treasure; even nine-year-old Ning Wanxin looked like a budding lotus, with her porcelain skin and bright, clear eyes.
Ning Wanxin was blinking her large eyes, staring blankly at the beautiful and noble Ning Wanwan above. Ning Wanwan offered a gentle smile in response.
Ning Wanwan felt as if she were floating. With a family background like this, family members like these, and the exclusive devotion of the Emperor by her side, it was hard not to feel as if her feet were off the ground.
Ning Luoshi, however, looked rather disdainful. Ning Wanwan had heard that they hadn't gotten along since childhood; Ning Wanwan had once been arrogant and willful, relying on her family’s doting, and Ning Luoshi had been rebellious, leading to many a clash between them.
Just as Ning Wanwan looked away, a more intense gaze fell upon her from the other side. She turned to look. *Oh? Isn’t that Beauty Chan, who was confined to her quarters just a few days ago?*
Seeing the jealous, distorted expression on Beauty Chan’s pretty face, Ning Wanwan felt quite good and secretly made a face at her, even mouthing something the other couldn't understand: *Oi! Little ghost, you're looking a bit hot under the collar!*
Beauty Chan was nearly fuming with rage. Knowing that the child currently in her womb would eventually be given to Ning Wanwan to raise—essentially serving as a stepping stone for her rival—made her want to kill Ning Wanwan on the spot.