When I walked to the Sunrise Terrace where Princess Qingyang was hosting a banquet, it was already packed with people. The seat at the very top was concealed by a circle of bright yellow curtains, and I could vaguely see a figure sitting there. I knew that person was the current emperor, the father of Princess Qingyang, of the Great Yan Dynasty.

I know I have undoubtedly arrived late. If it were an ordinary family banquet, I could easily enter through the side door, seize the opportunity when others are not paying attention, find a seat, and pretend as if nothing happened. However, this approach clearly won't work today. Not to mention that this is the Princess's residence, I believe that as soon as I entered, the guard Xiao Si must have already relayed the message to the Emperor and the Princess.

As I was racking my brains for excuses for my lateness, a maid approached me. She first greeted me with a standard bow, then without waiting for me to speak, she asked, "May I ask if you are the young mistress of the Yu family?" I nodded, and she continued, "In that case, please come with me. The young master of your family just inquired about you."

I followed the palace maid into the Chaoyang Terrace. Even with my head lowered, I could feel many gazes falling on me. I didn't dare to lift my head and kept my eyes fixed on the maid's skirt as we walked towards the direction of the Emperor. As the maid stopped, I hurriedly bowed and respectfully greeted the people in front, saying cautiously, "This humble servant, Yu Ying, pays respects to Your Majesty and Princess, due to some circumstances I arrived late to the Princess's birthday banquet. I humbly ask for Your Majesty's and Princess's punishment."

Thinking about it, this is the first time I have been so close to the Emperor. Although I have accompanied my father to a few palace banquets in the past, because of the distinction between men and women, my father would always hand me over to the maidservants and let me sit with the women, while he hurried to the main hall. Although I have tried hard to appear calm, my slightly trembling shoulders still give me away.

I waited for a long time, but I didn't hear the Emperor or the Princess's voices. I was at a loss for what to do. Carefully, I turned my gaze towards Lady Wei and saw her talking to several other ladies nearby. It seemed that she didn't pay any attention to me. On the other hand, Yu Zhu, who was beside her, happened to look in my direction, and our eyes met.

I watched as Yu Zhu tugged at Lady Wei's sleeve under the table, then leaned over to whisper something in her ear. Lady Wei quickly stood up from her seat and pointed at me, saying, "Oh, Aying, I told you earlier that today is Princess Qingyang's birthday banquet. I asked you to prepare early, but just look at you, you're late. It's one thing for you to look down on me as your mother on ordinary days, but today... you didn't take my words to heart. Tell me..." As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief and pretended to wipe away a few tears, as if she were a high-ranking official's wife. Then, with a loud "thud," she knelt down on the ground and continued, "Your Majesty, today it's my fault for Aying being late. It's because I, as her mother, didn't discipline her properly. I hereby request that Your Majesty punish both me, as her mother, and Aying together."

"It is indeed necessary to deal with her, but it is only you, a wicked woman, who deserves to be dealt with." As Lady Wei's words fell, a clear voice rang out from the direction of the main seat, followed by a pair of red satin embroidered shoes stopping in front of me. Before I could even think, a delicate hand grasped mine, helping me to stand up.