Ning Wan Wan was hesitant to attend the palace banquet, but Si Zhan reassured her she could skip it if she wanted. However, since marrying Si Zhan and his rise in the court, if she didn’t accompany him, she would likely face gossip. Thus, she allowed Fu Yi and Zhan Xiang to dress her and attended in full attire.
Fortunately, her pregnancy remained a secret, as her thick dress concealed her belly. Without close observation, one would not realize she was over four months pregnant.
As Si Zhan held her hand and entered the main hall, many officials approached them. Aware that Ning Wan Wan could not stand long, Si Zhan responded casually and took her directly to their seats.
When the feast began, she noticed that both Si Suo and Ling Zi Ru were present. They were elegantly dressed, but Si Yi looked pale, unable to hide his sickly appearance. Ling Zi Ru’s makeup was as exquisite as always, yet Ning Wan Wan observed that she appeared to have aged significantly, with prominent red blood vessels in her eyes.
On the surface, they still appeared to be a loving mother and son.
Halfway through dinner, Ling Zi Ru felt unwell and left, supported by palace maids. The officials and noble women quietly ate until Si Suo announced, “everyone may proceed freely,” after which they began to chat and drink.
Ning Wan Wan, unable to tolerate greasy food, ate a few light dishes before putting down her chopsticks and standing up to get some air. She nodded to the noble women as an apology, and Fu Yi quickly supported her as they left the main hall.
As they stepped out, Yuan Zhu appeared on Ning Wan Wan’s other side, startling Fu Yi. The three of them walked through the back garden and encountered a group of palace maids escorting the pearl-adorned Crown Princess Shao Yin.
“Royal Sister-in-law, do you think my hidden weapons are more impressive, or are some people’s glib tongues more impressive?” Yuan Zhu asked, looking at Ning Wanwan innocently.
Ning Wanwan laughed, “Naturally, your hidden weapons are more impressive.”
