When the engagement was completed, everyone did not disperse immediately because there was still a banquet.
During this period, nobles had very little fun, usually watching operas, holding banquets and dances.
The banquet had already been prepared by the relevant government departments, and the courtiers gradually moved to the nearby Granovitaia Palace.
It was a lot more casual here. Peter did not go with his aunt. He and Ekaterina talked with some distinguished guests. Ekaterina followed Peter and behaved perfectly.
She left more scenes to her husband and made a backdrop behind him.
But no one can ignore her glory.
Because, at this time, several regulations related to Catherine's status in the royal family had come into effect.
Catherine became "Her Royal Highness", Grand Duchess of Russia, and future heir to the throne.
When the conversation was over and Catherine took Peter's arm and walked towards the Granovitaia Palace, Johanna felt ashamed.
During the engagement, the daughter became the center of the world and suddenly received attention that she had never received before.
And these looks come from people with status and status.
At least courtiers of the fifth rank and above, important ministers of the Privy Council, earls, marquises, dukes and their families, as well as the patriarchs and archbishops of the Orthodox Church.
But the world should have a stage for her.
Isn’t the ultimate purpose of her coming to Russia to shoulder her mission to attract attention?
Therefore, the joy for her daughter was quickly replaced by jealousy.
Especially now, because Ekaterina's status has taken effect, she can only follow her daughter and cannot go one step ahead.
Although Ekaterina was aware of this new change in status and blushed with embarrassment whenever she walked in front of Johanna, Johanna was still a little unhappy.
And this unhappiness finally broke out during the banquet.
In a corner of the banquet, Johanna had an argument with a maid.
To be precise, he was scolding the maid.
The officiant of the wedding banquet arrived quickly, but he was at a loss.
Because according to her title, the bride's mother cannot dine at the same table with the royal family members, namely Queen Elizabeth, Grand Duke Peter, and Grand Duke Catherine, but Prince Christian, who has just arrived, enjoys this honor.
This made Johanna, who had always been weighing on the prince, jealous and intolerable.
The movement here quickly attracted people's attention.
The prince's face was ugly. He knew very well the reason why Johanna could not serve at the table, but he had no face to ask the queen for a favor.
Because what Johanna did was so disappointing.
While in Anhalt, Christian read the letters that prevented him from going and knew that the Empress was very fond of their family.
As a result, when Johanna came to Russia, she actually cheated and spied on Russia on behalf of Frederick. It would be strange that the Queen was not angry.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, please allow me to go and have a look."
Christian said humbly.
Catherine felt uneasy and ashamed, and Queen Elizabeth nodded.
But she will not change her decision because of this. At the wedding of Peter and Ekaterina, this is the lesson Johanna should learn!
Christian went there, but soon came back looking embarrassed and even more embarrassed.
Peter shook his head. It was so shameless for a prince to have such a family status.
But it makes sense to think about it. Johanna's background was originally higher than that of Prince Christian. After giving birth to a child, Johanna was unwilling to be lonely and frequently interacted with her former wealthy relatives. The prince could not participate in these matters at all.
As for Catherine's marriage, both her aunt and Frederick II unanimously excluded the Lutheran prince. Frederick also spoke out, and the prince's status declined again.
It is reasonable for Johanna to feel confident.
Peter asked the prince to sit down and said:
"I'll go take a look."
Queen Elizabeth glanced at Peter and said somewhat unhappily:
"Prepare a separate compartment for her and let her eat alone."
Elizabeth was very annoyed with Johanna's ignorance of current affairs and arrogance.
Peter smiled slightly, walked to his aunt and whispered a few words. Elizabeth's face gradually softened, and then she said:
"It's up to you."
"Aunt, Ekaterina, Your Excellency, please use it first."
After leaving a few words, Peter signaled to Ekaterina not to follow him, and walked towards Johanna himself.
Walking up to Johanna, Johanna looked at Peter with tears in her eyes and said with great grievance:
"Your Highness, you are here. Look, at this time, it is Catherine's engagement party, but I am sitting with these female courtiers. What is it like?"
The female courtiers stood up and saluted Peter.
Peter nodded to the degraded female courtiers, and then glanced at the master of ceremonies who had obviously received the order.
The master of ceremonies has already begun to lead the way.
Peter followed the master of ceremony's guidance and took Johanna to the place where she was dining. Johanna couldn't help but be stunned.
This is really a small booth, with a dining table that is neither big nor small, and you can see the hall through the window.
Naturally, no one would dare to disobey the Queen's words, so Johanna's cubicle was prepared.
When they got here, the master of ceremonies withdrew. Seeing Johanna's disbelief, Peter smiled and said:
"Dear Duchess, your weight in my heart is unparalleled. Please dissipate the anger in your heart. If you don't mind calming down first, I will dine with you soon. Are you willing?"
Johanna was still very concerned, but looking at the smiling Peter, she could only smile and said:
"Your Highness, I dare not disobey your orders. I will wait for you here."
"I will definitely arrive."
Peter left a promise and left Johanna in this compartment.
At this engagement banquet, he saw the Minister of General Affairs Vorontsov, a fat man who looked like a businessman and was very kind and polite to everyone he met. There was no trace of arrogance or domineering in his position as Minister of General Affairs.
Because of this, his place was very lively.
In contrast, Bestudev's place was much deserted. Peter saw that some officials were not unwilling to get close to the Deputy Minister of General Affairs, but they were hesitant or did not dare.
Obviously, Bestudev's style is different from Vorontsov's, making it difficult for people to get close to him.
Feeling Peter's gaze, Bestudev looked over, but his eyes wandered away without paying any greeting.
Peter didn't care either. Soon these ministers and ministers would come here to greet them.
In the scan just now, he also saw Duke Dalia and the young men of the four nobles of Bo, Bie, Luo and Ku.
Peter raised a toast, and these people quickly showed flattering smiles.
Then Peter sat down.
Soon, after three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere became lively. Elizabeth was originally a lively person and often held dance parties. The ministers were not too restrained and relaxed.
Peter stood up and left at this time, glanced at Mirkovsky, and Mirkovsky quickly followed.
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ps: The picture is of a palace dance from the 18th to 19th centuries. It comes from the Little Red Book. You can watch it in about a minute.