Chapter 128 New Year's Eve Feast
Lan Wu didn't ask Chu Mingheng too many questions. She knew that knowing too much about court affairs wouldn't be good for her.
And so, with the court silent and the harem peaceful, New Year's Eve arrived.
Lan Wu's auspicious attire had been sent over earlier, but it looked too extravagant. The long skirt, made of brocade, was embroidered with peonies and lotuses, and peacock feathers were inlaid on the hem. The colors were bright and vibrant. Although the skirt was wide, it did not hinder movement. The belt was adorned with fine gold thread and inlaid with blue gemstones. The shawl was made of light gold gauze embroidered with cloud patterns, making it beautiful and eye-catching.
Lan Wu reached out and gently touched the embroidery on the auspicious robe, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity.
This dress is undoubtedly beautiful, gorgeous and gorgeous, and it makes people feel happy just by wearing it.
This was sent over by the Imperial Wardrobe at Chu Mingheng's request, which shows that he had prepared in advance.
In her previous life, she had also worn a festive dress once, at the New Year's Eve banquet. That dress was a light purple color, but this time...
Lan Wu touched her clothes, sighing inwardly—it was green again.
She secretly wondered if something bad was about to happen again today.
"Your Majesty, the time is almost here," Danshan reminded her as she entered the hall.
Lan Wu turned around, nodded and said okay, and told someone to come and change her clothes.
"Your Majesty, you'll definitely be the most beautiful woman in the entire palace in this dress." Lianxi was picking out jewelry for her when she looked at her reflection in the bronze mirror and was slightly taken aback. She quickly recovered and smiled.
Lianqiao was combing Lanwu's hair when she heard this and retorted unwillingly, "Even if Your Majesty didn't wear this dress, you would still be the most beautiful woman in the entire palace."
"Oh, you're absolutely right," Lianxi praised her, which made everyone laugh.
Danshan watched them with a gentle smile, but mainly focused on Lanwu.
She had previously served Empress Dowager Jingwen and witnessed her handling of palace affairs and management of the harem, naturally offering much assistance in the process. She also understood the significance of His Majesty summoning her to serve Lan Wu. When Lan Wu eventually became Empress, she would need her help in teaching her.
Lan Wu is still young. Although her background is a problem, there is nothing that His Majesty cannot do if he likes her.
The sun was shining brightly outside the palace. Lan Wu, wearing a thick outer robe, was helped onto the ceremonial regalia by palace servants and headed towards Taiqing Palace.
The New Year's Eve banquet begins at noon and lasts until about 5 PM. People stay up all night to welcome the new year. Although it is a joyous day for the whole palace, it is also quite tiring, since it takes several hours to get through the night. All the royal relatives are there, and everyone has to follow the rules.
When Lan Wu arrived, many people were already seated in the main hall of Taiqing Palace. Men and women were seated separately, while the concubines were seated according to their rank. Her seat was an exception.
The grand banquet has not yet begun. The main hall is spacious and lively. There are both underfloor heating and charcoal fires burning inside, so it doesn't feel cold. Although the doors on both sides are closed, small windows have been opened in the hall for ventilation. During the day, palace lanterns and candles are lit in the hall, and outside the hall, the warm sun shines, making it very bright.
"Greetings to Your Majesty." As soon as Lan Wu entered, Yue Zhaorong and Mu Xiurong came to pay their respects to her.
Looking at them, Lan Wu said in a good-natured manner, "The banquet hasn't started yet, I'll go and find my seat first."
"I just saw that Your Highness's seat is at the front," Yue Zhaorong said, pausing before continuing, "at the very front."
At the very front?
When Lan Wu went over, she saw an empty seat on the right, and then she saw the seat next to the next seat before she saw the seat for Consort Shu.
This isn't the first time such an exception has happened; last time at Kongshan Garden, she was sitting next to Chu Mingheng.
Lan Wu accepted the seat without hesitation, but before she could settle down, she looked at the empty seat next to her, raised an eyebrow, and then looked at Consort Shu, whose face was not very happy, and thought to herself—this seating arrangement should not have been decided by Consort Shu.
At least Consort Shu wouldn't have arranged for her to be so close to the front.
"This empty seat must be for Princess Yizhen," Lan Wu asked the palace servant behind her.
The palace maid quickly replied, "Yes."
Lan Wu nodded in satisfaction. Before the banquet started, she wanted to go outside for some fresh air. Although the place was spacious, it was still noisy with so many people.
She had just stood for a while in the corridor outside the hall when she saw someone coming up the steps.
The man looked noble, dressed in a black brocade robe, and walked hurriedly. However, even from a distance, Lan Wu could see his gloom and impatience.
This must be the King of Wei.
Behind King Wei was a woman dressed in a light blue auspicious robe. If King Wei hadn't turned around and seemed to have scolded her a few times, Lan Wu wouldn't have noticed her at all.
"Your Highness, those are Prince Wei and Princess Wei." Even though they were far apart, people could still be recognized, let alone a prince like Prince Wei who was idle and useless.
"Has Aunt met Prince Wei before?" Lan Wu didn't turn to look at Dan Shan, but instead looked thoughtfully at the scene in front of her where Prince Wei was scolding the Princess. Because they were in the palace, and in front of Taiqing Palace, Prince Wei quickly stopped after scolding a few times, grabbed Princess Lin's sleeve and pulled her forward. The two walked up the steps together, and then their figures disappeared.
Danshan nodded: "I have met several princes when I was in the palace, but they were all young then. Prince Wei grew up with Consort Hui, who doted on him."
Is that why you developed this personality? A bully at home?
Lan Wu wandered around outside and encountered some women, most of whom were wives of officials. They could recognize Lan Wu at a glance. At the same time, Dan Shan reminded her from behind who the newcomer was.
"Before we came, we had heard that Your Majesty was known for her gentleness and virtue. We never expected that you would be so beautiful in person. We are all ashamed of ourselves."
Danshan said that the one wearing purple is the heir apparent of Prince Rui's mansion, while the other two wearing yellow and blue are the heir apparent and the princess consort of Prince Yu's mansion.
Although I had seen them in my previous life, we were not seated together, and I could not recognize their identities from a distance.
Although they were also young, they were a few years older than Lan Wu and did not look as beautiful or dazzling as Lan Wu.
"Although I am in the inner palace, I have heard about the ten-mile-long red procession when the Prince Rui's son married his daughter-in-law. I saw several young and beautiful women there, so I think I am not mistaken."
Lan Wu praised three people in one sentence, and everyone smiled, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
"That's Princess Yizhen..."
"Princess Yizhen has arrived."
Whispers came from behind me.
When Lan Wu turned around, she saw Princess Yizhen about to step onto the stairs. She was wearing a light pink apricot-blossom-colored auspicious robe, with a light-colored outer robe and a gold hairpin in her hair. She looked noble and dignified, but her expression was gloomy, indicating that she was not in a good mood.
Seemingly sensing that someone was watching her, Princess Yizhen turned her head and looked over.
When she saw Lan Wu surrounded by several people, her eyes lit up, and she stopped and turned to come this way.
Lan Wu had a strange, ominous feeling.
But it was only a few steps before Princess Yizhen arrived.
The group greeted her one by one, and Lan Wu simply nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
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