After Xiao Yanzi finished tidying up, she went out to find Ziwei and saw Ziwei sitting in the spot where she used to sit, drinking tea. Xiao Yanzi didn't feel anything was wrong; after all, the position of princess originally belonged to Ziwei. Now, it was simply a matter of returning to one's rightful place.
"Ziwei, when I came back just now, I heard from the eunuch that Father Emperor... His Majesty wants you to attend the banquet tonight, is that right?" Xiaoyanzi had been in the palace for so long that she had long been used to calling the Emperor "Father Emperor," and she was still having trouble changing her ways.
When Ziwei saw Xiaoyanzi dressed as a palace maid, she didn't feel anything was wrong. After all, Xiaoyanzi had taken her place; it was just a matter of switching roles. However, the sisterly bond they had formed outside the palace still made Ziwei leave immediately.
Now that Xiao Yanzi had bathed, the pungent, sour smell was gone, and Ziwei could approach her again. Ziwei's eyes were filled with tears, and she held Xiao Yanzi's hands tightly, choking out, "Xiao Yanzi, you've suffered so much."
Xiao Yanzi didn't know about the Cold Palace, but Ziwei had already heard about it. She was stunned when she first saw Xiao Yanzi; she hadn't expected Xiao Yanzi to have such a miserable life there.
"It's alright, Ziwei. As long as I can get back the princess position and your father, I'll do anything." Xiaoyanzi remained calm in the face of her good friend, and was even genuinely happy for Ziwei, who was doing better than she had ever been.
Ziwei felt that Xiaoyanzi was so frank, while she herself harbored dark and secretive thoughts. She felt somewhat despicable under Xiaoyanzi's direct gaze.
"Yes, Father Emperor wants me to attend the banquet tonight. Little Swallow, will you come with me?" Overwhelmed with guilt, Ziwei tightly grasped Little Swallow's hand, wanting to take her with her.
Xiao Yanzi pointed to herself uncertainly, "Me...me?" Yes, the days she spent in the Cold Palace had tempered Xiao Yanzi's personality, making her less carefree and instead revealing a cautiousness in every aspect.
Ziwei felt a pang of sympathy, but then she realized that Xiaoyanzi was suffering for her sake. If she had climbed that mountain back then, Xiaoyanzi wouldn't have been shot by an arrow while delivering the message, and she wouldn't have become Princess Huanzhu by mistake. Now that their positions had been reversed, Xiaoyanzi was still suffering in the Cold Palace on her behalf. The more Ziwei thought about it, the more guilty she felt.
“Yes, Little Swallow, don’t be afraid. Now that you’ve recovered, Father Emperor’s word is law. He’s told you to come back to Shufangzhai to serve me. So you should go with me wherever I go. We can still share joys and sorrows, just like we did in the tenement.” Ziwei held Little Swallow’s hand, speaking with heartfelt sincerity and unwavering conviction.
But Ziwei forgot that this wasn't outside the palace, nor was it the crowded courtyard they were talking about; it was the imperial palace, a place filled with rules and decorum. Without rules, there can be no order. If Xiaoyanzi didn't cause trouble, that was fine, but if she did, Ziwei would bear the primary responsibility.
"Good, Ziwei, I knew I hadn't made a mistake in swearing brotherhood back then. How could a brotherhood be fake?" Xiaoyanzi felt that her trip to the Cold Palace wasn't a complete waste, at least she knew that Ziwei's feelings for her remained unchanged.
The two held hands and poured out their hearts to each other. Xiao Yanzi told Ziwei about what had happened to her in the Cold Palace, and Ziwei told Xiao Yanzi about what had happened in the palace during that time.
When she learned that the Mongolian prince was not going to take them away, Xiao Yanzi breathed a huge sigh of relief, but she couldn't remember who had passed on this message to them.
She then learned that Ertai had become a general, while Erkang had become a lowly cook in the imperial kitchen. Xiaoyanzi felt indignant, believing that Ertai had betrayed them and the Shufangzhai. Besides, Erkang was her brother; if he wanted to, he could certainly get Erkang back to his original position as an imperial guard, making it easier for Erkang and Ziwei to meet.
Thinking this, Xiao Yanzi's expression became even more distorted. Then she heard that the Fifth Prince was also training in the military camp, and Xiao Yanzi felt that the Fifth Prince and Ertai had already joined forces. As for Benjamin, he was still confined to the Ruyi Pavilion, and Xiao Yanzi couldn't think of him for the time being.
"Ziwei, it's alright. It won't be long before the Emperor discovers Erkang's talent. He'll definitely return to his position as a royal guard, and then you two can still be together. What's that saying again... something about heaven and earth?" Even after being sent to the Cold Palace, she still hadn't learned her lesson. Xiaoyanzi scratched her head, looking somewhat dazed.
Ziwei was amused by Xiaoyanzi. Heaven knows how much she had been suffering lately, with no one to confide in or complain to. Now, seeing Xiaoyanzi speaking up for her with righteous indignation, Ziwei felt a warm glow in her heart.
"They're a match made in heaven," Ziwei quietly added to Xiaoyanzi's unfinished sentence.
"Ah, yes, yes, that's the idiom!" Little Swallow clapped her hands and said in agreement.
The two women then began to confide in each other inside the Shufangzhai. Outside the door, Jin Suo was indignant, feeling that her mistress was still too soft-hearted. She thought that without Ziwei, Xiao Yanzi would never have entered the palace.
But she forgot that if Xiao Yanzi hadn't risked her life to deliver the message, whether they would have even seen the Emperor was another matter entirely. After all, that Lord Liang wasn't exactly reliable, was he?
The palace maids and eunuchs of Shufangzhai sat in a group, chattering away. As for what they were discussing, it was undoubtedly a topic revolving around Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei.
*
Cining Palace
"Princess, how about wearing this tonight's banquet?" Xingxing held up a light purple Shu brocade embroidered with begonia flowers.
Anke still remembers this Shu brocade; two bolts of Shu brocade were presented to the palace back then. One was given to the current Consort Ling, and the other was given to Anke.
Anke likes to embroider flowers on her clothes, but she doesn't like to embroider birds, beasts, insects, or fish, so her clothes for all four seasons are covered with various kinds of flowers.
"Okay, let's go with this one." Anke nodded in agreement, after all, she hadn't worn this dress more than a few times since it was made. Before, it was inconvenient to wear such nice clothes when going out, firstly because she was afraid others would covet them, and secondly because she was afraid of attracting unnecessary trouble.
For a banquet like this, it's natural to wear something nice. After all, women dress to please themselves, and An Ke believes she's quite good-looking, so naturally she needs nice clothes to match. After all, clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse.
"Xingxing will style the princess's hair into a beautiful updo later, she'll definitely shine tonight." Xingxing has been by Anke's side since she was little, so she's learned these modern words perfectly.
"Okay, then thank you for your hard work, Xingxing." Anke smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons.
After Anke finished washing and dressing, she walked along the corridor towards Qing'er's room. By then, Qing'er had also finished dressing, and the two smiled at each other upon meeting.
The two of them, as if by prior arrangement, both wore light purple palace dresses, showing remarkable tacit understanding.
The two walked hand in hand, chatting and laughing, to the main hall. Just then, the Empress Dowager was also helped out by Granny Gui.
"Two girls, hmm, not bad." The Empress Dowager called out first when she saw Qing'er and An Ke. After leading the two girls closer, she carefully looked at their attire, examining them from head to toe.
"The Empress Dowager's banquet is about to begin, let's go together." An Ke took the lead in supporting the Empress Dowager's right arm and obediently rested her head on the Empress Dowager's shoulder.
“Alright, let’s go together.” The old lady was always very lenient with her favorite granddaughter.
Qing'er stepped forward, and Granny Gui automatically stepped back. Qing'er smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager is dressed very solemnly today." She then took the Empress Dowager's left arm.
The Empress Dowager looked at the two maids supporting her on either side and thought that this was the greatest joy of family life. She smiled knowingly, put their hands together, and patted their clasped hands with her own.
"I am very happy to have you two girls with me." Qing'er leaned on the Empress Dowager's shoulder, and the Empress Dowager reached out and affectionately touched the two girls' smooth cheeks.
*
The banquet to entertain the Hui people would naturally not be held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony or the Palace of Heavenly Purity. After all, the Hui were just a very small tribe. What were they up to? The Emperor saw through it at a glance. They simply wanted to rely on him and wanted the Qing Dynasty to help the Hui quell their internal strife.
The banquet was already full of people. To show the Emperor's benevolence, he also released Consort Ling, who was confined to Yanxi Palace, and Ziwei, who was confined to Shufangzhai. The room was packed with people.
Of course, behind the emperor are his relatives, and on either side of the emperor are his right and left hands, his key ministers.
Fu Erkang, like a voyeur, quietly mingled in the crowd. He knew that Ziwei would also be allowed to attend the banquet. Ever since Ziwei was confined to Shufangzhai, the Emperor had assigned many guards to watch over it.
He was truly at his wit's end, unable to see Ziwei and driven mad with longing. His only hope was to sneak over at tonight's banquet, hoping to catch even a glimpse of her.
Just then, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor and his entourage walked towards them. Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, the Emperor hurriedly bowed and greeted her. Seeing that the Emperor was such a filial son and respected his mother so much, Ali and Zhuo, who were standing nearby, followed the Emperor and performed the Hui people's greeting to the Empress Dowager, which is the most honored guest.
Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, the servants on the side of the road called out loudly, "The Emperor has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived! Princess Yong'an has arrived! Princess Qing has arrived!" (ps: I really don't know how to announce this to Ali Khoja)
The concubines and ministers inside all knelt down in a rush. Upon seeing this, the emperor waved his hand and told them to rise.
Fortunately, although the seats in the back were crowded, the seats for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager were always very spacious on either side.
The Emperor helped the Empress Dowager to her seat before taking his own. Anke and Qing'er sat on either side of the Empress Dowager. Anke saw her father to her right and waved slightly.
Prince Rui felt that his heart was filled with his beloved daughter. Others said that sons were good, but what was the use of having many sons? One troublesome son could ruin the whole family. Daughters were better, because daughters were considerate.
Just as he was about to boast to others about how considerate his daughter was, he saw his precious daughter beckoning to that wretched Fu Ertai to the left rear of his elder brother. Prince Rui's good mood vanished instantly.
The minister seated next to Prince Rui felt the prince's indiscriminate pressure and coldness. He silently prayed that the banquet would end peacefully and quickly; otherwise, his heart would pound so hard it would kill him.
As usual, the emperor inquired about Ali Khoja's well-being, and Ali could only answer cautiously below, afraid of not answering the Qing emperor's questions well.
To think that a king would stoop so low. However, considering the people who needed his protection, Ali Khoja could only grit his teeth and endure it.
At the beginning, the Qing Dynasty's singers and dancers performed, and Ali Khoja praised them indiscriminately, almost making the emperor feel elated.
After the singers and dancers finished their performance, Ali Khoja began to plot his own scheme. "Your Majesty, I have a favor to ask. Our Hui people have prepared a dance to present to you."
Regardless, there are always proper ways to treat guests, and the Emperor couldn't bear to embarrass him in front of so many people. He could only politely say, "Very well, I'm sure Ali Khoja's carefully choreographed dance must be extraordinary."
Ali and Zhuo clapped their hands, and then smoke billowed from the stage. Next, women dressed in their Hui ethnic costumes quickly walked onto the stage. They danced in perfect unison, when suddenly a beautiful young woman descended from the sky.
She strode forward and led the women behind her in a dance she had meticulously rehearsed. Hanxiang felt as if her heart was being torn apart. This dance was originally intended for Meng Dan, but now it was being performed for the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. She felt she had betrayed their sacred and great love.
Unfortunately, this dance is the most demanding in terms of facial expressions, so Hanxiang couldn't show even a hint of bitterness on her face; she could only endure it. She had to swallow her pride and bear it, especially since her father was watching her from below the stage.
Looking at her father reminded her of the Hui people who had been displaced and lost their homes due to war. Hanxiang closed her eyes, feeling that as a princess, she had an inescapable responsibility to protect the Hui people. Then, she jumped up, fulfilling her duty, though her face remained expressionless.
The women in the imperial harem were so sensitive to other women, especially such beautiful ones.
The first to speak was Consort Lan from the Emperor's harem, her tone sour, "What does it mean that the Hui people sent their princess to perform a dance? Are they trying to offer their princess to us?"
An Ke glanced at Consort Lan, raised an eyebrow, and thought to herself, "I didn't expect you to see through that."
Anke: The prophet has struck!
"Haha, Consort Lan, you're joking. This princess could be the emperor's daughter. Besides, the princess's expression is so cold; she must be quite unwilling." A brightly dressed woman laughed heartily. "However, Consort Lan doesn't receive the emperor's favor very often throughout the year, so it would be better to let the newly arrived sisters have it."
Anke could smell gunpowder!
Consort Lan was truly enraged and wanted to tear her sharp tongue apart. Her long, slender fingernails pointed directly at the brightly dressed woman, "You..."
"Quiet down, all of you. If you don't want to watch, go back to the palace and stop embarrassing yourselves here." The Empress Dowager was getting a headache from the noise. Where there are many women, there is bound to be trouble.
But there's nothing that can be done about it; there's only one emperor. So what else can you do but fight tooth and nail for his favor? Enter the palace if you don't fight for his favor? Just to live out your days in peace?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com