Chapter 32 Performing Arts at the Palace Banquet, Someone Gets Jealous

Under Qiao's astonished gaze, Ji Qingwu gritted her teeth and sat down.

"Brother, thank you very much."

Ji Changlin thought that his fifth sister's strong reaction was because she felt sorry for him, and his heart was warmed.

He thought to himself that this little punishment was nothing; he could take twenty more lashes.

"Don't be so polite with your elder brother." Ji Changlin's mood brightened, and he went back to his own courtyard to "recover from his injuries."

The day after the emperor went to worship his ancestors, he would hold a grand palace banquet to entertain his relatives and officials; this was a tradition that had been passed down through generations.

During the day, Madam Qiao mentioned to her that she should go to the palace banquet together, and that the person who had been matched with her would also go with Old Master Qiao.

Ji Qingwu shook his head like a rattle drum.

But now, she was really worried about Yuan Heng and couldn't put her mind at ease. She wanted to see him even from afar.

With the time to depart for the palace fast approaching, Madam Qiao said to her, "Little Fifth, you just accompany your mother for a while. You don't need to do anything else. The banquet at the palace is the most luxurious in Lin'an City..."

Before she could finish her persuasive speech...

"Mother, I'll go."

*

The palace banquet was held in the Jiying Hall.

Ji Qingwu's head was adorned with pearls and jade by Qiao Shi, and a pink lotus flower was specially painted on her forehead. She was also dressed in a precious floral silk skirt, which shone brightly in the light, like the moonlight on a snowy moonlit night.

Madam Qiao looked at her "masterpiece" with satisfaction and said to her, "The banquet in the palace is divided into three seats: east, south, and north. The east is the seat of honor, which is where the emperor and empress dowager sit. The ladies of the palace and the imperial family sit in the north seat, while officials of the fourth rank and above and their families sit in the south seat."

Old Mrs. Ji has not been feeling well these past few days, so only the eldest and second sons of the Ji family attended the banquet.

Upon entering the towering Jiying Hall, Ji Qingwu was astonished by the magnificent treasures that filled the hall. Just take the large bow hanging on the wall, for example; it should be the Xuanyuan Bow, which is hailed as a divine bow.

Mrs. Qiao led her to sit down at a long table in the south wing.

The emperor and empress dowager had not yet arrived, but the room was already filled with dignitaries and their families from all over the city.

The women were exchanging quiet greetings and pleasantries. Ji Qingyuan was surrounded by many young ladies from prominent families, and she gave Ji Qingwu a smug look.

"This is my fifth younger sister. You've all heard of her, right?"

"Qingyuan, she really did marry someone before..."

The group of people were whispering behind Ji Qingwu's back, but she pretended not to hear them and looked at the door with a faint smile.

After a while, Qiao Menghan brought in a man. After the man entered, the noise in the hall became noticeably quieter.

Ji Qingwu raised an eyebrow, her eyes widening slightly. She had never seen anyone wear a white robe so convincingly...

Tempting men.

Perhaps some people look elegant and otherworldly in white, but this person has a captivating charm, mainly because of their strikingly beautiful face, which exudes an androgynous quality.

When Qiao saw that Xiao Wu was staring at her intently, Xiao Wu's reaction was exactly as she expected.

She said with a smile, "Xiao Wu, this is the one your grandfather and I chose for you. Are you satisfied?"

Ji Qingwu looked at Qiao Shi in surprise and asked, "Is he the top scholar?"

Talented and stunningly handsome, he has it all. No wonder Mrs. Qiao said before that this man was too sought after and that she should urge her to meet him soon.

"This young master is Li Chengxun. His hometown is Xianyang, and he comes from a scholarly family. The palace examination will be held in a month. Your maternal grandfather said that he is exceptionally talented and will definitely be selected. At that time, his chances will rise accordingly. Xiao Wu, you need to hurry up."

Qiao had already made it clear. Ji Qingwu glanced at him several times. Normally she wouldn't be so bold, but among all the women in the room, almost everyone was staring at him.

Women are not immune to the attraction to male beauty.

Ji Qingwu pouted, and suddenly her gaze met his.

Li Chengxun recognized Qiao Shi. The girl sitting next to her should be the fifth young lady of the Ji family, and also the girl who was running around in the corridor the day before yesterday.

He watched as her smile widened, her face as radiant as the moonlight, her smile dazzling. The floral adornment on her forehead made her look like a lotus fairy descended to earth.

Li Chengxun's expression froze slightly.

Emperor Wusu entered the palace at this time.

Suddenly, a bright yellow light appeared before Ji Qingwu's eyes, and she didn't even have time to wipe the smile from her lips.

And just like that, they unexpectedly met eyes again with Emperor Wusu.

As if caught red-handed, Ji Qingwu's heart skipped a beat.

The man in her eyes was no less handsome than Li Chengxun, especially with the anger in his eyes and the sharp look of his long eyebrows slightly furrowed.

He wanted someone to lay their heart to him and let him trample on it.

A terrible thought suddenly surged in Ji Qingwu's mind: he really wanted to see him so angry that he couldn't control himself.

But she immediately realized that this man was the emperor, someone who could kill her at any moment.

Getting angry at him might feel good for a moment, but he'll lose his head in the blink of an eye.

Their eyes met for only a moment before Ji Qingwu lowered his head guiltily.

After Emperor Wusu took his seat in the main seat at the East Seat, those around him dared not utter a sound.

Li Yuzong was sweating profusely. His Majesty had been perfectly fine in the Hall of Diligent Governance earlier, and had even taken a very interested look at the guest list presented by the Ministry of Rites. After reading it, there was even a faint smile in his eyes.

Why did you get so upset as soon as you came to the Hall of Heroes?

Consort Wei, who sat to the right, didn't say much, but simply picked up the wine pot and poured wine into the emperor's cup.

The Empress Dowager, sitting to the left of the Emperor, also sensed the oppressive aura emanating from him, assuming he was still angry about the dispute between the Ji family and the censor in court yesterday.

She was surprised and grateful for Emperor Wusu's protection of the Ji family, but this also made her impression of Ji Qingwu worse; he was such a troublemaker who only caused chaos in the family.

It's definitely better to have Qingyuan, who was raised by my side since childhood.

The Empress Dowager said, "His Majesty has been very busy with state affairs lately, and I have noticed that he has lost some weight. At today's banquet, why not invite some talented young ladies to perform and liven up the atmosphere?"

Emperor Wusu did not object.

The Empress Dowager gave Ji Qingyuan a look.

Ji Qingyuan stood up. She was wearing a bright red phoenix-tail skirt embroidered with golden begonias, and she looked as radiant as a red peony in a garden, no less beautiful than the stunning Consort Wei.

"This humble woman is willing to offer a dance."

Ji Qingyuan had practiced this Qingping Dance for over half a year. She gracefully waved her feather fan, moving lightly and leaping to the rhythm of the musicians...

Ji Qingwu tapped the table lightly with her finger. Qiao Shi's tutoring had not been in vain; she could tell the quality of the dance. Although the dance was beautiful, it lacked artistic conception, meaning the dancer's state of mind was not "peaceful" enough, so naturally she could not dance out the feeling of a magnificent era.

With Ji Qingyuan leading the way, the noble ladies from prominent families who followed her out all presented their talents, some painting and reciting poetry, others playing the zither and flute.

Even Consort Wei joined the fray. She gripped the snow sword in one hand, her jade-like hand nimbly rotating, the sword flashing, matching the drumbeats, just like twinkling stars.

Ji Qingwu nodded in rapt attention and said softly, "Top-grade."

No wonder Consort Wei was the emperor's favorite concubine; not only was she stunningly beautiful, but her sword dance skills were also far superior to her fourth sister's.

However, as the women performed, Emperor Wusu's expression did not soften; instead, it grew even darker.

After so long, Chief Steward Li finally figured out the problem.

His Majesty's gaze would inadvertently fall upon a certain spot in the southern section—the audience member at the palace banquet who looked the most relaxed and content, already immersed in the performance.