Entered the imperial palace and changed carriages in front of Anqing Gate.

  All the way, Cui Ying carefully followed the old lady's instructions, hiding among her sisters-in-law, neither speaking out nor looking around randomly.

  Not feeling sorry at all.

  She had strolled through the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in her past life, and many famous scenic spots had also been visited.

  For a time-traveling woman who has experienced modern civilization, the so-called imperial palace is just "wow" and feels majestic and grand.

  She didn't envy and wasn't even curious.

  Instead, the imperial palace that had been through five dynasties was gloomy and oppressive, and the piercing cold wind of December occasionally blew in from the gap between the window curtains, making her whole body covered with goosebumps.

  I feel a bit uncomfortable.

  Fortunately, this long and winding palace corridor has finally come to an end.

  After changing carriages, in a swaying motion of one step and one pause, the ladies of the General's mansion arrived at Empress Jiang's Kun Ning Palace.

  Choi Yeong had already forgotten how she greeted the noblewomen who arrived before her.

  In short, she strictly followed Su Zi's words and hid behind her sisters-in-law to paint calabazas.

  If someone asks her alone, she just smiles.

  Harmless smile of humans and animals.

  Anyway, there will always be sisters-in-law who can take over for her.

  Thus, they waited smoothly for Empress Jiang's arrival.

  Jiang Huanghou was about thirty years old, and could not be considered beautiful. Compared to the noblewomen in the palace who were pampered and indulged, she was even less elegant and refined, looking somewhat gaunt and aged.

  But she exuded an aura of unyielding severity from head to toe that was impossible to ignore.

  There was a clear smile on his face, but in the hall, it was as quiet as a cicada in winter, and no one dared to laugh or make noise.

  Empress Jiang seemed to be pleased with this authority, she slightly raised her chin, "Today is my birthday, the Crown Prince said he wanted to invite a banquet, I originally disliked such extravagance, but thinking that it was also an opportunity to gather with all of you, so I had no choice but to agree."

  She acts quickly and decisively, without beating around the bush.

  After finishing the opening remarks, he directly cut to the topic, "I suppose you all have also heard that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, due to her concern for the country's prosperity and consideration for the soldiers who fought in the northwest, has been slightly unwell these days."

  Empress Jiang paused for a moment, her sharp eyes scanning the entire scene.

  She deliberately paused for a while before continuing, "The old lady should have been at peace and enjoying her twilight years, but she's still worried about national affairs. How can I just sit back and do nothing? All of you are noblewomen who have received imperial edicts, and I suppose you all love your country and family as much as I do. You must feel the same way as me. So..."

  Someone immediately picked up the conversation. "The soldiers are defending their homes in the northwest. The ladies-in-waiting can't do anything else, they can only follow the empress's lead and listen to your orders."

  The one speaking was Jiang Huang's maternal family's elder sister-in-law, now known as Madame Cheng'en.

  Everyone had already understood the meaning of Empress Jiang's words, and now that the wife of Duke Cheng'en has spoken so clearly, who would still dare to pretend to be stupid?

  Almost without pause, the noble ladies chimed in.

  The Empress Jiang was extremely pleased, and the smile on her face became even more joyful.

  She said, "Since that's the case, I'll take the lead and donate 1,000 sets of high-quality cotton jackets and pants, 1,000 lightweight warm fur coats, and 1,000 fur hats. The rest is up to you all to figure out!"

  Northwest 100,000 soldiers, Empress Jiang only issued 1,000 sets, the remaining 99,000 sets must be supplemented by the people below.

  Choi Yong's eyes widened in shock.

  She thought: This guy is too ruthless!

  She didn't know much about the prices outside either, but a set of high-quality cotton clothes, fur coats and hats would cost quite a bit of silver.

  Even if there were many noble ladies in the palace, even if they were evenly distributed, each family would still have to shed a lot of blood.

  Their husbands' annual salary is only so much, can they afford such extravagance?

  Not every household is like the Yuan family of General Town, who can make some extra money by taking advantage of the war, in addition to their salary and rewards.

  For example, her natal family, the Anning Bo Fu, had a rather tight life.

  Not to mention those nobles who have long since fallen from power, although they still hold noble titles, they have long since lost any real authority.

  Empress Jiang is like this, won't it be too difficult for others?

  Who would have thought that these noble ladies did not show a hint of difficulty.

  They seemed to have expected it and were already used to it, they accepted this task very calmly and even happily.

  Thus, the fundraising event came to a smooth and successful end.

  At lunchtime, Empress Jiang asked Old Lady to sit below her and raised some detailed questions.

  Throughout the whole process, she didn't even glance at Cui Ying once.

  Cui Ling let out a sigh of relief.

  However, she still didn't dare to relax and hid among her sisters-in-law. When something was handed over to her, she would lightly take a bite; when there was nothing, she hung her head down and sat quietly.

  The royal banquet, the dishes are complex and luxurious, but the taste is not particularly good.

  Cui Ling couldn't help but think of a rumor she had heard in her past life.

  Things that are said to be offered to the emperor usually don't take the best, whether it's tea or local specialties, they all take second-rate tributes.

  The main problem is that many things can't guarantee quality, good years mean good things, but if you encounter a bad year, even second-rate things might be hard to find.

  The courtiers who presented tributes below were afraid that the emperor would blame them for not being diligent enough, so they simply did not present the best things.

  Cui Ying didn't know if this matter was true or false, but after eating this imperial banquet, she seemed to have a little faith.

  In her opinion, Master Liu's craftsmanship is far better than this dish.

  But Master Liu said that when he was in the Imperial Kitchen, he was excluded because there was no place for him to use his skills, and that's why he was rewarded and sent out of the palace.

  It can be seen that the cooks in the imperial kitchen are also afraid that if their masters eat something delicious, they will become spoiled.

  It's better to present some exquisite and elegant food, lest one day if the flavor can't be made, the master will be held accountable.

  In an ordinary family, if a cook doesn't make delicious food, they will just be fired and replaced.

  If a dish in the imperial kitchen doesn't suit the emperor's taste, being kicked out of the palace is considered lenient.

  It's so bad that I'd even have to give up my head.

  Chui Ling stared blankly at the dishes on the table, when suddenly she heard Empress Jiang mention her name.

  She was startled and hastily raised her head to look towards the central throne.

  Only saw Empress Jiang's pair of eyes as sharp as cold ice, casting a seemingly unintentional glance at her, with icy coldness and a hint of hatred.

  She didn't know what to do for the better.

  The Empress Jiang smiled and said, "You all have always been decisive in handling matters. I suppose this time will be no exception, and you will soon gather the clothes."

  She let out a soft sigh, "The severe winter of Shengjing has set in deeply, and it's still unknown how cold the northwest will become. I only hope that everyone can be more careful, so that our brave warriors won't have to freeze for too long."

  Nature is also echoing in harmony.

  Empress Jiang turned to face Old Lady and said, "Shi Xiao Si of the Murong Duke's estate has been clamoring for many days to go to the northwest battlefield. This time I plan to have this little brat take charge of escorting him. What do you think, Old Lady?"

  The mother of Empress Jiang and Shi Xiu's late mother were distant relatives.

  It's been a long time since we last contacted each other.

  But since Empress Jiang married the Emperor that year, she reconnected with these relatives.

  Later, Empress Jiang treated the mother of Shi Xiu as her elder sister and referred to Shi Xiaosi as her own nephew.

  Shek Sau and Ngau Wong were close friends.

  He also has a good relationship with Taizi.

  So, when the Yuan family army went to the northwest to fight at first, he had asked Empress Jiang several times and also wanted to go to the battlefield.

  The old lady did not understand Empress Jiang's intention for a moment.

  The Mu Yang Bo Fu is now the head of the second house, and Shi Xiuren was already very powerful.

  If Shi Xiu Jian left Shengjing City, he still didn't know what to do.

  But there are also benefits.

  Shi Xiu Jian was serving the imperial court, as long as he could smoothly deliver the goods to the northwest generals, it would be a great achievement.

  In the future, when Northwest wins a war and returns triumphantly, there will also be his share of rewards.

  This is also considered as Empress Jiang helping Shi Zhenjian to prop up his back.

  The old lady was somewhat hesitant in her heart, but on her face she smiled very humbly.

  She nodded and said, "Shi Jia Xiao Si is not bad, the Empress said he can be used, naturally he is usable."

  The Empress Jiang's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness.

  She looked at Cui Ying, who was eating with her head down in silence, and smiled, "Actually, I still have another choice."

  After a pause, Empress Jiang shifted her gaze back to Old Lady's face, "Wu Lang went on a distant expedition for the country right after his wedding, leaving his new wife alone at home. To be honest, both the Emperor and I feel somewhat guilty about it."

  She slightly narrowed her eyes, "Why don't we have the wife of Wu Lang go to the northwest together this time? With Shi Xiao Si escorting, it's also reliable!"

  The old lady was stunned.

  In the past when she was young, if her husband went out on a distant expedition, it was no big deal for his daughter-in-law to follow him.

  At that time, the requirements for women in the community were not so strict.

  She was able to lead troops in battle at that time, but going on a trip to the northwest is nothing.

  But for some reason, public opinion towards women has suddenly become stricter in recent years.

  Not to mention letting Xiao Wu's wife follow Shi Xiaosi alone to escort the collected winter clothes to the northwest, thousands of miles away, in a place where war and chaos are inevitable, it is unavoidable to provoke idle talk.

  Even if a woman doesn't go out with her elders, she will still be talked about by others.

  At this moment, Empress Jiang raised this matter in front of everyone at the Kun Ning Palace, and the old lady really didn't know how to respond.

  To be frank, being able to give Xiaowu and his wife a chance to meet and reunite, as a grandmother, she would naturally be delighted.

  It's conceivable that if someone were to gossip about her, she would feel somewhat reluctant.

  Empress Jiang didn't wait for Old Lady to respond, and instead smiled and said, "Your family's Xiao Wu's wife, as a representative of the prominent ladies of our Shengjing City, if she personally delivers these cotton-padded clothes and fur coats to the northwest, the soldiers will definitely be even more grateful."

  She gave a stern glance and swept her gaze across the hall, where the noble ladies were discussing in hushed tones. Her voice was solemn as she asked, "What do you think, my lords?"

  Since things have been said to this extent, it's already strange in one's heart, but who dares to have a different opinion?

  This matter was inexplicably settled by Empress Jiang's arbitrary decision.