Chapter 86 Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet

After enduring the hottest summer, in August, after an autumn rain, the temperature in the capital dropped sharply, and thin clothes had to be worn day and night.

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the palace is decorated with lights and colorful lanterns inside and out. The six bureaus are busy preparing the internal affairs needed for the palace banquet that will be held soon.

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the palace holds a grand banquet, and all officials above the sixth rank in the capital area must attend the banquet.

To this end, the imperial concubines in the palaces had made thorough preparations. The embroiderers in the Clothing Department had been working tirelessly for two months, working tirelessly to create garments for the various imperial concubines. The dancers and musicians in the Music Department were also rehearsing grand songs and dances...

The Incense Bureau where Yun Wan works is also very busy. Not only do they need to prepare a large amount of specified spices for the dinner, they also have to check the incense burners in each palace to ensure that everything is in order.

In the midst of busyness, the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet is here.

After noon, Yun Wan was called to Changchun Palace, and when night fell, she attended the banquet with Concubine Shu.

At that time, Changchun Palace was extremely lively, with unique lanterns everywhere, and the mooncakes sent from the imperial kitchen were exquisite and diverse.

As soon as Yun Wan stepped into the main hall, Concubine Shu, dressed in splendid clothes and with pearls and jade adorning her head, smiled and took her hand and led her to the inner hall. She said warmly, "Are you tired? Come and sit down and rest for a while."

Accustomed to her hot and cold attitude, Concubine Shu did not feel embarrassed, and Yun Wan naturally pretended to be dull.

Taking the hot tea she handed over, Yun Wan took a sip and asked, "What is it that your Majesty is anxiously looking for me to do?"

Ever since she rejected Concubine Shu last time, her attitude has become cold. Yun Wan hasn't set foot in Changchun Palace for half a month, until a few days ago when Concubine Shu asked her to stay in the palace, saying that she was attending today's dinner.

There were still several hours before the dinner, and Yun Wan was not sure what Concubine Shu was up to by calling her here so early.

Hearing this, Concubine Shu glared at her and scolded her: "Look at what you said, if there is nothing wrong, can't I call you over?"

Yun Wan put down the teacup and smiled softly: "Your Majesty, you have misunderstood. This is certainly not what I meant."

Concubine Shu stared at her face, her smile deepening. "Thank you for your hard work in the palace these past few months. I've heard that His Majesty and everyone in the Bureau of Incense are full of praise for you. This shows that it was the right decision for me to summon you."

Feeling that her words were more than just a hint of truth, Yun Wan replied cautiously, "Your Majesty, I am simply fulfilling my duty."

Concubine Shu suddenly sighed and held her hand, her affectionate expression revealing reluctance to let her go. "I originally promised you that you would only stay for three months, but now I can't bear to let you go. I wish I could keep you for a few more days."

As she spoke, her expression froze, and she stared at her intently, saying, "How about I go and ask His Majesty to keep you here?"

Yun Wan didn't show it on her face, but her heart skipped a beat.

Meeting Concubine Shu's smiling gaze, she was stunned for a moment, thinking she was joking, and laughed, "I understand your majesty's good intentions, but I know my status is different, so it's not convenient for me to stay in the palace for long."

"I also dare to tell you my truth. Although the palace is good, I still prefer the outside world. I don't have any big ambitions. I just want to raise Ah Sui, see him get married and start a family, and live a stable life. That's enough."

When she talked about Asui, her expression was gentle and there was deep love between her brows.

Seeing this, Concubine Shu smiled, but no one knew what she was thinking, and she didn't continue the topic.

She waved her hand and led Yun Wan to where the clothes were kept. "Let's not talk about this anymore. A few days ago, I ordered the clothing bureau to make a new palace skirt, but those servants made a mistake in their haste and got the size wrong."

"Since this happened for a reason, I'm too lazy to argue with those dogs. I came here today because I wanted you to try this dress and see if it fits you."

"If it fits, you can wear it to the palace banquet tonight, otherwise it would be a waste to keep it here."

Yun Wan's eyes fell on the light blue palace dress on the display stand, and hesitation flashed in her eyes, "Your Majesty, this dress is too luxurious, I'm afraid it's not suitable..."

Before she could finish, Concubine Shu interrupted, "What's inappropriate about it? Festivals should be lively. You have fair skin, and this dress suits you very well."

"Chuntang, take your sister-in-law to change."

She called the palace maids and spoke in a tone that brooked no room for argument.

Yun Wan had no choice but to follow Chun Tang to change into new clothes.

Unexpectedly, this palace skirt fit Yun Wan exceptionally well. The length and waist size were just right, as if it was tailor-made for her.

The clear and tranquil color of lake water makes her skin look even whiter. The silver cloud patterns on the body and cuffs emit a faint luster. As she moves, her lotus steps move lightly, and her skirt is folded, just like the flowing lake water, gentle and fresh, elegant and luxurious.

Seeing this scene, Concubine Shu's eyes flickered. Ignoring the hint of jealousy in her heart, she exclaimed, "Isn't what I said right? This dress really suits you."

After being praised, Yun Wan lowered her head shyly, hiding the thoughts in her eyes.

At one o'clock in the morning, the golden bell in the bell tower rang, and carriages stopped at the palace gate one after another. Ministers dressed in court robes and with goldfish belts around their waists entered the palace with their families and headed to the Hall of Supreme Harmony for a banquet.

As the sun sets and the lights come on, the Forbidden City is brightly lit. The glazed tiles on the vermilion palace walls sparkle, reflecting the magnificent buildings and palaces.

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a quarter of an hour before the palace banquet, the hall was already full. Officials and their families, dressed in court robes, took their seats, raised their glasses to greet each other, and clinked glasses.

There was a dazzling array of delicacies on the golden nanmu banquet table, all served in carved gold and jade vessels. As the wind and string music played, the atmosphere was grand and lively.

The Lu family seat was headed by Lu Yuanduo, with Lu Changning and Asui as the others, and no one else.

The old lady was not feeling well, Aunt Zhong was still under house arrest, and Lu Changze had an appointment with a friend, so none of them attended the banquet.

Asui and Lu Changning shared a table, which was behind Lu Yuanduo.

He turned around and gently instructed his daughter, "Changning, take good care of Asui."

Lu Changning stuffed a mooncake into Asui's hand and nodded, "Don't worry, father. I will take care of Asui."

Ever since Lu Changning took the initiative to speak frankly with her father about her marriage, the relationship between father and daughter has become much more harmonious than before, and she has also become much more lively in front of Lu Yuanduo.

She is the eldest sister, and since Third Aunt is not around, she will naturally take good care of little Asui.

Asui took a bite of the meat-filled mooncake, stood up, looked around and looked back with disappointment.

He looked up and asked Lu Yuanduo: "Uncle, where is my mother? Why can't I see her?"

In the past, he always spent the Mid-Autumn Festival with his mother. His uncle said that his mother would spend it in the palace, so he came along.

Lu Yuanduo patted his head and said kindly, "Your mother is with your aunt Shufei. Please wait a moment."

"Okay."

Just as Asui sat down, a sharp cry rang out from outside the hall:

"His Majesty has arrived—"

"The Imperial Concubine/The Imperial Concubine has arrived——"

“.........”