Chapter 34 034 Open, Straightforward, and Unreserved...

At this moment, all the women at the banquet were focused on Lin Wan. Princess Li, who was standing not far away, clenched her fists in anger and stared intently at the beautiful figure that was being noticed.

It was also the first time Lin Wan had seen the Empress. She was overwhelmed by her graceful demeanor and the subtle majesty of a superior. She was momentarily at a loss for words. Fortunately, the Empress only mentioned it once and did not say anything more.

At this moment, a female official came to inform the Emperor of his decree outside the Imperial Garden that the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was about to begin.

The women in the garden followed the palace maids as they slowly entered the seats prepared in the Imperial Garden. The married women sat on one side, while the young, unmarried women sat on the other side.

There were many people attending the banquet. Su Furong and Lin Wan sat at a low table next to each other, neither too far nor too close to the main seat.

After the Empress took her seat, the atmosphere became much quieter. The previous chatter and playful noises disappeared. She sat quietly in the seat of honor, exuding an undeniable and awe-inspiring majesty. Her gentle gaze fell upon Princess Zhaoyi, who slowly walked over and sat beside her.

Lin Wan's tense heart finally calmed down a little after the Empress left and she sat back in the main seat. She glanced at the Empress.

It's no exaggeration to say that almost all the women present were secretly observing Princess Zhaoyi, whom they hadn't seen for a long time. If Lin Wan was flamboyant and beautiful, then Princess Zhaoyi was a gentle and elegant beauty, with a calm temperament and a delicate figure like a willow swaying in the breeze.

However, as Princess Zhaoyi slowly walked over and passed by Lin Wan's seat, she suddenly stopped.

Princess Zhaoyi asked, "I have never seen this young lady before. May I ask which official in the capital she is from?"

Lin Wan rose and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Highness, Lord Su Shaohua is my uncle."

Princess Zhaoyi smiled slightly, her face showing amazement, and said, "So you are from Lord Su's residence. I didn't expect there to be such a beautiful woman in the capital. She is really beautiful."

As soon as she said this, the eyes of those around her fell on her again, but this time there was a hint of displeasure in their gazes.

Just as Lin Wan was about to reply, Princess Li suddenly appeared and interrupted her.

Princess Li first bowed respectfully to Princess Zhaoyi, and then said slowly, "Your Highness, you have been away from the capital for a long time and do not know what has happened in the capital recently. At all banquets in the capital, whenever Miss Lin appears, none of the other sisters can compare to her."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoyi looked at Lin Wan with a complex expression and smiled, "She is indeed exceptionally beautiful."

Princess Li saw it clearly. Not only herself, but many people in the capital disliked Lin Wan. Her tone was slightly tinged with disappointment and self-deprecation as she said, "Not to mention Your Highness, even the Prince was amazed by Miss Lin's beauty. If I had such outstanding looks as Miss Lin, I would definitely be the same. Last time I saw the Prince at the banquet in my mansion, he kindly had someone hand a handkerchief to Miss Lin, but she refused it, which offended the Prince and made him leave in a huff."

Princess Li's voice was not small, and she did not try to hide it. The women in the nearby seats all heard her, many of whom were witnesses to the incident that day, and their expressions remained unchanged.

Princess Zhaoyi, who knew Xie Huaiyuan well, knew his temperament. No matter what his status, if someone didn't truly catch his eye, they wouldn't get along with him, let alone go against his wishes in front of everyone.

Recalling the first time she met Xie Huaiyuan, she was amazed by his talent and wanted to get to know him. She took the initiative to greet him and talk to him, but was always met with indifference. However, this person dared to throw a tantrum at her like this. If the two of them were not close, he would not be so frank and straightforward.

The princess scrutinized the man. She knew that if he had truly treated the prince this way, he would not be here unharmed. Could it be that the two had a close relationship?

Just as I expected.

Princess Zhaoyi lowered her eyelashes and caught a glimpse of the resentment and displeasure on the faces of the women. She took in each one of them, and when she raised her eyes again, the hint of disgust that had flashed in her lowered eyes had disappeared. Her gaze toward Lin Wan was clear and gentle, and she smiled and said, "Everyone loves beautiful things, and people are no exception. It seems that I and Miss Lin hit it off immediately."

Princess Zhaoyi gestured to the lady-in-waiting beside her, holding a wine pot, and said, "This is a fruit wine that I specially found in the Western Regions. It is not intoxicating, but it leaves a pleasant aftertaste. It tastes very good. I will now give it to you, Miss Lin, so that you may try it."

The female official stepped forward as instructed and slowly poured the fruit wine from the wine pot into the small wine bowl in front of Lin Wan. The moment the wine was poured out, it was indeed fragrant with a refreshing fruity aroma. Then she gently placed the wine pot on the table where Lin Wan was seated.

Although Lin Wan rarely drank alcohol, she dared not refuse the wine offered by the princess and respectfully thanked her, saying, "Thank you for the fine wine, Your Highness."

The little incident here finally came to an end. After Princess Zhaoyi took her seat, the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet finally began. When the Empress raised her glass to invite everyone, Lin Wan had no choice but to take a few sips of the wine that Princess Zhaoyi had just given her.

This scene not only caught the eye of the high-ranking Princess Zhaoyi, but also Princess Li, who was seated in a different seat.

Princess Li downed her wine in one gulp, her gaze towards Lin Wan blazing with fury, which only intensified the anger in Lin Wan's heart.

After drinking the wine that the Zhaoyi Princess's female official had poured for her, she vaguely felt that there seemed to be another flavor in the wine. However, when she picked up the wine pot left on the table and looked at it, the wine in the pot had a pure aroma and there was nothing unusual about it.

Upon seeing this, Su Furong asked, "What's wrong? Is there something strange about this wine pot?"

But she poured wine into her own bowl just like a lady-in-waiting, took a small sip, and said, "The wine is indeed quite good."

"..."

Lin Wan was incredulous, her eyes darting around the wine pot, but she didn't tell Su Furong about her doubts. However, she didn't touch her wine bowl again until the banquet ended.

As the banquet drew to a close, the women at the table became less reserved and more lively. Some chatted with their close friends nearby, while others stepped forward to respectfully toast the Empress and Princess Zhaoyi, making the scene increasingly lively.

At this moment, a eunuch quietly approached from outside the Imperial Garden and announced to the Empress and Princess Zhaoyi, "The heir of the Prince of Xiangyang has arrived—"

A slight commotion came from not far away. Looking in the direction of the sound, Xie Huaiyuan, dressed in a pure white brocade robe, walked over with a graceful and elegant demeanor.

Among the young people in the capital, Xie Huaiyuan was the only one who possessed both talent and good looks. He came from a prominent family, had a promising future, and was the dream man of many.

Princess Zhaoyi's gaze was fixed on him, her open and straightforward infatuation clearly displayed without any concealment.

The Empress glanced at Princess Zhaoyi, who was almost rising from her seat, and smiled, asking, "Why are you so late today? Have you ever attended a banquet like His Majesty's?"

The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was divided into separate seating areas for men and women. The Imperial Garden was for women, while the Changyin Hall, separated by a lake, was for male officials.

"I have just come from Changyin Palace. His Majesty ordered me to deliver this brocade box to Her Majesty the Empress."

Xie Huaiyuan stood before the Empress's seat, holding a brocade box with intricately carved patterns in both hands.

The Empress smiled but remained silent, looking at the brocade box in his hand. She ordered someone to take it from him. If the Emperor wanted to give her something, why would he need Xie Huaiyuan? Was there no one else in the palace to serve? It was just an excuse for Xie Huaiyuan to come to the Imperial Garden openly.

"Thank you for making this trip in person," the Empress said, and immediately ordered someone to add a seat next to her. "Since you're here, why don't you keep me company and have a chat? It's such a special day. You're usually so busy with official duties, I don't know how long it's been since I've had a proper conversation with you."

The Empress looked at him with increasing satisfaction, each glance bringing a greater sense of satisfaction.

Xie Huaiyuan also stayed as the Empress wished, sometimes responding gently, sometimes listening to the Empress and Princess Zhaoyi talking with a smile in his eyes, as if he didn't know the other women at the banquet at all.

Midway through, Princess Zhaoyi even got up and danced. Her waist was slender, and her dance was graceful, like a swan. Everyone present understood that this was probably arranged in advance. The Empress was very satisfied with Xie Huaiyuan and intended for Princess Zhaoyi to dance after his arrival.

Lin Wan had never imagined she would witness such a harmonious scene between the ruler and his subjects. Now, sitting here, she could only watch silently, while openly using the pretext of watching the dance to observe Xie Huaiyuan, trying to find joy on his face.

After the dance ended, everyone praised it highly, and even Princess Li dared not show any other unusual expression.

The Empress nodded approvingly and said, "I am very pleased to see that Consort Zhao has made such progress. What do you think of it?"

After Princess Zhaoyi finished her dance, she stood still in the same spot, close to Xie Huaiyuan. The more the Empress looked at them, the more she felt they were a perfect match. Moreover, she already knew that the princess was fond of him, and if she could get such a husband, it would be quite wonderful.

Xie Huaiyuan said, "The princess has always been intelligent and virtuous, and is a model for women in the capital."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoyi lowered her head shyly, a blush rising on her cheeks.

Lin Wan sat in her seat, coldly watching Xie Huaiyuan approach the princess. She looked displeased and unconsciously clenched her sleeve.

Suddenly, the Empress sighed and said, "I raised her by my side since she was a child, and I know her temperament best. It's just that I haven't been by her side for the past few years. If it weren't for the fact that she needed to take care of her health, she would probably have been married off long ago. His Majesty even said that he wanted to marry her off as soon as possible. If she really had to marry, as her mother, I would be very reluctant to let her go. I'm afraid this is a common thought among mothers all over the world."

Initially, Lin Wan didn't pay attention to what the Empress said; she just listened quietly, her gaze fixed solely on Xie Huaiyuan.

But.

The Empress continued teasingly, "Speaking of which, you're not young anymore. People your age in the capital are all married. Look, almost all the young ladies from prominent families in the capital are here. I wonder which one you fancy?"