Chapter 80 This Friendship is Worth It

Chapter 80: This Friendship Is So Worth It

At this moment, the Empress stood up, her gentle and tender gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"In previous years, the palace banquet has always featured repetitive song and dance performances. I'm sure all of you have grown tired of them. This time, let's do something different—how about a game of 'pass the flower while drumming'?"

"When the drumming stops, whoever the flower lands in front of must perform a talent act. The top three performers will receive additional rewards from me."

As these words fell, the young ladies and gentlemen present all smiled and expressed their gratitude.

"Thank you, Empress. We will follow your arrangements."

They understood that the Empress was giving them an opportunity to showcase themselves.

With princes and princesses in attendance, anyone who performed well might catch their eye and be chosen as a prince consort or concubine, while the men could marry a princess and become a royal consort.

For them, this was a golden chance to rise in status.

Ji Yuntang understood that since this was a matchmaking event, talent performances were inevitable, but she had no interest in them.

She was already married and didn't think these activities had anything to do with her.

Ji Yuntang had no intention of participating and was about to step aside to make room for others when Consort Li quickly stopped her.

With a soft and gentle smile, Consort Li said, "Since Princess Ye is here, why not sit down and join them? Although you are already married to He Er, this is still a good chance to build closer ties with the other young ladies."

"Getting out more and making a few friends will benefit both you and the Prince Ye's estate."

As she spoke, many of the young ladies present had disdainful looks on their faces.

Ji Yuntang, a country-raised illegitimate daughter, how could she be worthy of being their friend? She probably couldn't even recognize many characters.

Luo Qianxue looked smug, but a sly glint flickered in her eyes.

She knew well that her mother's arrangement wasn't really about helping Ji Yuntang make friends—it was about making her embarrass herself publicly in front of the Emperor, Empress, and everyone else.

Both of them were confident that Ji Yuntang couldn't read and had never learned any talents.

If she made a fool of herself in such a setting, she would never be able to hold her head high again.

Ji Qingqing, upon hearing this, curled her lips into a slight smile.

It seemed that this time, she didn't need to lift a finger—someone else would deal with Ji Yuntang for her.

It was all Ji Yuntang's own fault for being so stupid: marrying Prince Ye, yet instead of trying to curry favor with Consort Li and the Tenth Princess, she went against them.

Ji Qingqing's eyes grew dark. These two clearly wanted Ji Yuntang to embarrass herself even more than she did.

All she had to do was sit back and watch the show.

But what they hadn't expected was that Luo Qingge would suddenly step forward to stand up for Ji Yuntang.

"Make friends? Consort Li, you worry too much. My third sister-in-law has me, this princess, as her friend—that's enough. Why would she need to befriend these airheaded, big-chested women?"

"Besides, friends are valued for quality, not quantity. Real friends are the ones who have your back when it counts. I've long heard that my third sister-in-law was kicked out of the Marquis Yongning's mansion, and her whole family forced her to take Second Miss Ji's place in marriage. If even family ties can be fake, how real can friendships be?"

"This banquet is way too boring. If my third sister-in-law doesn't want to participate, she doesn't have to! My mother and I are already happy that she came."

These were very bold words. If anyone else had said them, it would have been treasonous, but coming from Luo Qingge's mouth, it all sounded reasonable.

Throughout the entire Dongchen Kingdom, the Ninth Princess, Luo Qingge, was famous for her boldness, with a sharp tongue that could outtalk even many civil officials.

As a result, many people avoided her, scared of getting lectured by this little troublemaker.

Seeing Emperor Jingyang's face turn dark, the Empress's mind raced, and she immediately put on a stern face. "Ge'er, this is no place to be rude. Sit down at once."

"Your third sister-in-law is a guest, specially invited by Consort Li to attend this palace banquet. With so many people here, how can you be the only one to get special treatment? If you cause any more trouble, go back to your room and be grounded until you realize your mistake."

Luo Qingge's words had ticked off a lot of people, mocking both Consort Li and the Marquis Yongning's mansion.

The Empress then turned to Ji Yuntang and Ji Huaiche, looking apologetic.

"Princess Ye, Heir Ji, Ge'er is a handful and speaks without thinking. It's all my fault for spoiling her rotten. I'll give her a proper talking-to when we get back. Please don't hold it against her."

Ji Yuntang picked up on the hidden meaning in the Empress's words.

It wasn't that they were unwilling to help her—the palace banquet was open to everyone, and if she alone refused to participate, it would stir up resentment and make her an easy target.

Luo Qingge might have wanted to speak up for Ji Yuntang, giving her more leeway at the banquet, but some people wanted her to join.

If she didn't participate, it would come off as arrogant and rude.

"Your Majesty, you're too kind. I naturally intend to join today's palace banquet. The Ninth Princess is lively and sincere, and we clicked right away. It is my blessing that she wishes to be my friend. I'd like to ask for leniency for the Ninth Princess—please, Your Majesty and Empress, don't punish her because of me."

Ji Yuntang spoke respectfully and humbly, her words perfect.

She had saved face for Luo Qingge while also providing a graceful way out for the Emperor and Empress. For a moment, the Empress was even more impressed by her calm and generous attitude.

What a shame Ji Yuntang was already married to Prince Ye; otherwise, she would have wanted to marry her off to the Crown Prince as her daughter-in-law.

"Since Princess Ye has spoken, His Majesty and I won't oppose your wishes. Ge'er, for your sake, I'll let her off this time. Princess Ye, please take your seat."

Luo Qingge's eyes lit up when she heard Ji Yuntang speak up for her, sparkling as she looked at her.

She had already resigned herself to being grounded for a month this time, but thanks to Ji Yuntang's few words, her mother had decided not to punish her!

This friendship with Ji Yuntang was totally worth it!

Ji Yuntang sat down, and Luo Qingge took the seat beside her, leaning in to whisper gratefully, "Third sister-in-law, thank you for speaking up for me just now. Otherwise, I would have been punished when I got home today."

"Don't mention it. Didn't you also speak up for me?"

Ji Yuntang smiled and then turned her gaze to the scene.

The so-called "pass the flower while drumming" involved everyone sitting around a large hollow round table. One person would beat a drum in the center while the others passed a flower.

When the drumming stopped, whoever the flower landed in front of would stand up and perform a talent. Anyone who couldn't perform would have to down three cups of wine as a penalty.

------------