Reborn As Divine Doctor to Rule the World
Chapter 413 - 415: Attending the Palace Banquet

Chapter 413: Chapter 415: Attending the Palace Banquet

On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, Pei Huaian deliberately waited at the entrance, his smile deepening slowly as he saw the elaborately dressed attendees.

Standing together, they were not only a match in attire but also as a couple, a truly handsome man and a beautiful woman, as if heaven and earth had predestined them to be together.

Inside the carriage, Pei Huaian held Shao He’s hand, earnestly instructing her, "If anyone dares to trouble you, push back or retaliate. With this Prince backing you, you must absolutely not suffer any grievances."

Shao He pressed her lips into a smile, jokingly asking, "What if, by accident, I kill someone?"

"I can still support you as long as you are unharmed. Remember, I will always be your strongest support; I will never let anyone bully you," Pei Huaian said with genuine sincerity in his eyes.

Shao He slightly lowered her eyes, her heartbeat suddenly picking up pace for a few beats before she looked up, back to normal.

"Alright, I’ll remember that."

When the two arrived at the imperial palace, Pei Huaian had to pay his respects to The Emperor, and Shao He had to join the ladies to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, so they had to go their separate ways. Pei Huaian looked at her reluctantly.

Shao He pushed him gently, urging, "Go on, don’t keep The Emperor waiting."

"Okay, take good care of yourself," Pei Huaian instructed, still concerned.

Shao He nodded in agreement, watching him leave before turning to walk in another direction.

All the ladies had already arrived, and it was Shao He’s first encounter with the other future Princes’ Consorts.

Just as Jiang Zhou stepped forward, she suddenly stopped, her gaze falling on a certain place, her expression instantly darkening as she twisted the handkerchief in her slender fingers tightly.

How could she be here?

Feeling an intense gaze, Shao He turned her head and saw Jiang Zhou, her brows knitting together.

Today, she was dressed in a pink pleated skirt embroidered with orchids, covered by a thin shawl of pale yellow brocade. Her black hair was styled into a loose cloud bun, adorned with a green jade phoenix hairpin.

With delicately applied makeup accentuating her features and her fair skin seemingly delicate enough to break upon touch, her lips were painted red, giving her a fresh and youthful appearance.

Shao He also sensed Jiang Zhou’s guilt and deliberately avoided her gaze, their behavior contrasting starkly with their past encounters, yet they still pretended not to know each other.

The other Princes’ Consorts, upon seeing Shao He, flocked around her, making small talk.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Eldest Princess Huimin led the ladies to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

"You may all rise," the voice of the Empress Dowager sounded much gentler than usual, but everyone knew that the more kindly she appeared, the harsher her tactics could be.

After respectfully expressing their thanks, everyone took their seats.

"Today is the Mid-Autumn family banquet; you need not be too formal," she stated.

"Yes," everyone bowed slightly in response.

The Empress Dowager glanced at the Princes’ Consorts sitting in the front, issuing a reminder, "Second Prince’s Consort, you have been married to the Second Prince for some time. I see that there seems to be no movement in your belly yet?"

"Imperial Grandmother teaches rightly. I have been preoccupied with affairs at home and have neglected the matter of bearing a child. From tomorrow, I shall summon the royal physician to check for good tidings," Jiang Zhou said, embarrassed.

"Hmm, make use of the free time you have, for royal heirs are precious," the Empress Dowager stated with profound significance.

"I shall heed the Imperial Grandmother’s decree."

The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction, then instructed, "Eldest Prince’s Consort, fourth prince’s consort, third prince’s consort, Fifth Prince’s Consort, I hope that you will marry soon and bear offspring to continue the royal lineage."

"Yes," they responded, heads bowed.

Covering her mouth with a handkerchief and giving a light cough, the Empress Dowager, looking tired, waved her hand, "Enough, you may all withdraw for now and later join the palace banquet."

"Yes," the ladies promptly bowed and took their leave.

No sooner had they stepped out of the Empress Dowager’s palace gates than Shao He was stopped by Jiang Zhou, "Fifth Prince’s Consort, please hold."

Shao He, not expecting Jiang Zhou to call out to her, still stopped in her tracks and, smiling, asked, "What advice does Second Prince’s Consort have for me?"

After all, the other woman was now married and, in terms of status, somewhat above her.

"It seems we have met before, haven’t we?"

"Indeed we have." The smile at the corner of Shao He’s mouth grew wider.

This reply, however, startled and panicked Jiang Zhou, as if she dreaded that all would be revealed, which could not only jeopardize her position as a Prince’s Consort but might also bring trouble to the Jiang Family, with the consequences from her father being all too clear.

"Naturally, we met at the wedding. The Second Prince’s Consort might not have remembered me," Shao He said.

This made Jiang Zhou relax, and she warmly took Shao He’s hand, wanting to foster a closer relationship.

They chatted all the way to the Imperial Garden, and although Eldest Princess Huimin still disliked Shao He, she did not trouble her this time.

Not even a single word was spoken to her, which made Shao He somewhat anxious, unsure of what the princess might be plotting.

At that moment, Liang Weishuang suddenly appeared in front of them, cautiously asking, "Doctor Shao, may I have a word with you in private?"

Seeing someone so love-struck, Shao He flatly refused in person. "I don’t think there’s anything to discuss between us, whatever you have to say, say it here."

Liang Weishuang didn’t expect to be rejected so publicly, her face immediately showing embarrassment.

At the same time, she felt overwhelming jealousy. She couldn’t fathom how a tarnished woman could marry a Prince, and as his Principal Wife at that, which made Liang Weishuang feel somewhat discontented.