At night.
Yongning Palace.
All the officials in the court have taken their seats.
The Empress Dowager sat on the phoenix couch, with the Emperor on her left. Ning Que, as a prince, sat below the couch. The other officials, according to their rank, sat on the left and right.
Because it was the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, many imperial consorts were also fortunate enough to attend. For example, Madam Jiang Quan, the Gu family's mistress, Madam Sima... Though lightly made up, they still exuded a noble air. Entering the palace to attend the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was a supreme honor, and only imperial consorts of the third rank and above were eligible to attend.
The chimes rang.
Cao Du directed the maids to dance gracefully.
Ning Que ate while watching.
The dishes at the birthday banquet were pretty good.
The most eye-catching dessert is the longevity peach.
Made with yam, green plum and red dates.
The main thing is that it has an exquisite shape and can be called a work of art.
There's also the Wanshou Soup, also known as the Turtle and Crane Longevity Soup. This soup, made with turtle and chicken, is highly nutritious. Its auspicious name makes it suitable for celebrations and birthdays.
The other dishes are similar.
They all mean to wish a happy birthday.
The maids danced gracefully to the music, performing a clog dance. They wore wooden clogs and small bells tied to their skirts. The clogs echoed against the wooden planks as they danced, and the crisp, cheerful tinkling of the bells on their skirts added a unique and charming touch.
This is naturally specially arranged.
The Queen Mother's favorite thing to watch was the clog dance.
When she was still a noble concubine, the late emperor loved to watch her perform the clog dance. It was thanks to this clog dance that she gained the late emperor's favor and gave birth to Emperor Feng.
The Queen Mother, wearing a phoenix crown, sat upright, watching the maids dancing with loving eyes, and occasionally leaning over to whisper to the Emperor, her face full of satisfaction.
After the clog dance ended, Cao Du bowed and saluted. Lang Lang said, "Happy birthday, Empress Dowager. The concubines toast!"
Leading the charge was Consort Shu, the beloved daughter of the King of Chu and considered the most likely candidate to become empress. The King of Chu, based in the south, controlled three counties. Over the years, he had kept to himself, maintaining a distance from other kings of different surnames.
Therefore, Emperor Feng always wanted to win over the King of Chu. Not only could this stabilize southern Xinjiang and gain control of Lingnan, but it could also divide the kings of different surnames and thus limit the increasingly aggressive King of Qi.
The Emperor Feng still had no children, which was the Empress Dowager's biggest worry. Seeing Concubine Shu coming forward to toast, the Empress Dowager summoned her to the front and said with a chuckle, "Shu'er, you must serve the Emperor well in the future."
"promise."
Concubine Shu's cheeks flushed as she bowed timidly. She stole a glance at the Emperor, and when their eyes met, she shyly lowered her head. Since entering the palace as a concubine, she had only met the Emperor once, and that night she hadn't conceived a heir.
There was nothing they could do. The Emperor was a workaholic. He was obsessed with government affairs and wouldn't rest until they were done. It was just hard for the concubines, who had to wait in agony every day.
Emperor Feng just nodded at her.
The concubines followed suit and gave their own toasts.
The main thing was to say a few auspicious words and give a birthday gift. The one who prepared the most thoughtfully was Consort Shu Guifei, who catered to her preferences and gave her a copy of the Diamond Sutra, which she had copied herself. As for the other concubines' birthday gifts, they were nothing special, just gold and jade jewelry, which the Empress Dowager didn't even look at.
"Officials congratulate you on your birthday!"
Cao Du walked forward, holding the jade sceptre in his hand.
Everyone's eyes turned to Ning Que.
Ning Que is a prince and a member of the royal family.
According to the rules, he would naturally be the first to give a gift.
Ning Que didn't even stand up. He smiled and raised his hand, saying, "Your Majesty, my birthday gift has not yet been prepared. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to present the gift last."
"allow!"
The Queen Mother chuckled and nodded.
She treated Ning Que as her own flesh and blood.
This request is nothing.
Besides, Ning Que's birthday gifts in previous years were always unique. Now that he had just inherited the title of king, his gifts would surely be even more interesting.
Sima Changqing walked over slowly, raised his hand and said, "I wish the Queen Mother good fortune as vast as the East Sea and a long life as long as the Southern Mountains; may the sun and moon shine brightly and the pine and crane live forever."
"You are too polite, Prime Minister."
"The Empress Dowager is devoted to the worship of Buddha and enjoys collecting scrolls. I offer this painting of the Fertility-Giving Guanyin, painted by the painting master Chen Daozi himself. I hope the Empress Dowager will accept it. I also wish the royal family many sons and grandsons, and may their descendants flourish."
Sima Changqing finished speaking.
The maid behind him unfolded the scroll.
The Empress Dowager was immediately struck by surprise as she gazed upon the painting of the Child-Giving Guanyin, radiating Buddha's light. The painting was exquisite, depicting a gracious Guanyin, the child in her arms adorable. The underlying meaning of the painting deeply fascinated the Empress Dowager.
Over the years, the Empress Dowager was most worried about Emperor Feng, hoping that he would give birth to a child soon to expand the royal family. This painting of Guanyin, the Goddess of Childbirth, made the Empress Dowager very satisfied.
"The Prime Minister is thoughtful."
"Thank you, Queen."
Sima Changqing raised his head.
Then he saw Emperor Feng looking at him.
Nodding quietly at him.
Everything is implied.
Sima Changqing breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, fortunately...
As long as the emperor is satisfied.
Even if it costs a little money it's worth it.
The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet was a means for the royal family to make money.
Since the death of Prince Ning in battle in recent years, the Queen Mother has been keeping things simple and has stopped hosting banquets to invite officials. This year's exception is made out of respect for Ning Que. Also... Dafeng is really short of money!
After Sima Changqing finished presenting his gifts, the others came forward to offer their gifts. When it was Gu Yuan's turn, he breathed a sigh of relief and bowed, saying, "I know the Empress Dowager enjoys worshipping Buddha. This time, I have specially obtained this ancient Buddhist scripture from India. May the Buddha's light shine upon you and protect the Empress Dowager!"
"Yes." The Queen Mother simply nodded and said approvingly, "General Gu is thoughtful."
"It is my duty as a minister to attend the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet." Gu Yuan raised his hand and bowed, saying seriously, "I made a mistake before, and I have acknowledged it. I have also been worshipping Buddha at home recently. As the Buddha says, admitting one's mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue. Now, I only hope that Your Majesty will give me a chance to make amends."
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