Chapter 69: Palace Banquet
"What, Ning'er isn't coming?"
Queen Mother Xue looked incredulous.
Nanny Xia sighed, "Yes, the eldest lady just entered the palace and sent someone to tell her that the third young lady suddenly had a rash on her face and could not enter the palace."
Empress Dowager Xue frowned deeply, sighed deeply, and said angrily, "How could the people in the palace be so careless? They prepared for this day for so long, and now everything goes to waste!"
Today's palace banquet is attended by important officials and their families. It is the best opportunity to make a name for yourself.
If His Majesty proposes today, Ning'er will be the most popular one when she enters the palace.
Majesty is established invisibly.
How could this happen!
"Have you found anything strange?" Queen Mother Xue asked unwillingly.
Nanny Xia shook her head. "They said there was something wrong with the food. The maids who were in charge of serving her have been beaten to death. But the rash on the Third Miss's face is not going away for a while. I'm afraid she won't be able to come into the mansion for the near future."
Empress Dowager Xue closed her eyes, rubbed her forehead with a headache, and finally had no choice but to accept it.
"Forget it, there's no need to rush. Tell the people in the mansion to take good care of Ning'er."
Nanny Xia bowed in response.
**
The palace banquet was held in the imperial garden, and ministers and their families arrived and took their seats one after another.
On the left and right sides of the seats were the Song family on one side and the Xue family on the other. The other six surnames of the aristocratic families were arranged in order at the back. At the end were a few officials from outside the aristocratic families. Apart from them, the rest of the ministers could only sit outside the separate banquet and could not sit at the same table and drink with the emperor.
The emperor's seat was set on a high platform, with a wide golden dragon screen behind him. Twelve palace servants stood on both sides, holding canopies, colorful banners, peacock fans and other symbols of the emperor's status. The scene was solemn and magnificent.
Jiang Yingli got up very early and had been looking forward to today.
Because I can see my father, mother and younger brother.
Jiang Yingli curled the corners of her lips and checked the embroidered sachets one by one with a happy expression. They were all filled with amulets, which she had prepared long ago. In addition, there was also a box of gold and silver and a box of jewelry.
These are all gifts she wants to give to her family.
The Jiang family is a merchant family and is not qualified to be seated. They should still be waiting at the palace gate for someone to lead them into the palace.
You can see him after the palace banquet is over.
"Empress Chongyi, this servant is here to invite you to the banquet."
The person talking outside was Madam Du, the head of the six departments of the harem. She was assisting Concubine Song in managing all the affairs of the six palaces, including organizing today's palace banquet.
Nanny Du was different from ordinary slaves. She was a female official with a seal of honor and a fourth-rank rank. Although she still had to call herself a slave when meeting an eighth-rank court lady, all the palace ladies were very polite to her.
Jiang Yingli was a little surprised that Nanny Du came to invite her personally since she was so busy today. She quickly put down the sachet in her hand and went out to reply in person.
"Please trouble Madam Du to make the trip. I will be there right away."
Madam Du smiled gently and politely, "I will lead the way for you, Madam."
Nanny Du and a group of palace maids escorted Jiang Yingli to the table.
The palace concubine's table was separated from the ministers and their families by a screen. When Jiang Yingli reached the palace concubine's table, she was about to sit down, but was stopped by Madam Du.
"Empress Chongyi doesn't want to sit here." Aunt Du said with a smile, "Empress, please continue walking."
Jiang Yingli followed Nanny Du hesitantly, and was led all the way to the right side of the emperor's seat.
Jiang Yingli looked at the golden dragon behind him in surprise and doubt, "Madam Du, isn't Concubine Song accompanying the emperor?"
In such scenes, the empress usually accompanies the emperor. Now that there is no empress in the palace, it is natural that Concubine Song will accompany the emperor.
Madam Du bowed and replied, "Originally, it was, but His Majesty specifically ordered that two concubines accompany him today. According to rank, the Empress would be the one."
Jiang Yingli looked at the two seats to the left and right of the imperial seat and nodded, "I see."
Jiang Yingli sat down with peace of mind. She looked up and felt dizzy.
Her position was too high, and she could see all the seats below, whether they were those of ministers, family members, or concubines.
There are so many people.
Jiang Yingli sat in her seat, twisting her body uncomfortably and adjusting her sitting posture. This was her first time attending such a grand event.
She felt that there were already enough people in the harem, and she couldn't hear a word from everyone at the daily morning meeting, and there were even more people today.
There are a bunch of ministerial seats in the distance.
Does Your Majesty face so many people every day when you go to court?
You are worthy of being His Majesty.
If they start arguing during court, wouldn't His Majesty be driven to death?
While he was thinking about it, Song Wanyan came to the table with a group of people.
Today she was wearing a crimson palace dress embroidered with golden treasure patterns. The cuffs and collar were adorned with pearls, and her high bun was pinned with many gold ornaments, which was exquisite and intricate.
She has always been very stylish and eye-catching. From the moment she appeared, Jiang Yingli watched her all the way until she sat on the left side of the imperial carriage.
When Song Wanyan sat down, she stretched out her arms and spread her sleeves out in a large area. She sat down very neatly and looked very imposing.
Jiang Yingli, who had been sitting so politely just now, couldn't help but fan her arms quietly, imitating her movements.
The ministers, their families and concubines were basically all present. The imperial carriage had not yet arrived, and the people around him were sitting in their seats waiting quietly.
Su Qingrong was still late. When she sat down, she usually took the second seat on the left. The nanny standing beside her reminded her:
"My Lady Concubine, you are the first one to be seated today."
Su Jieyu glanced at the empty seat in front of her and asked with a mixture of joy and suspicion, "Is Empress Chongyi not coming, or is she late?"
The other concubines all looked at each other with their eyes and noses, and in tacit understanding, they picked up the teacup and took a sip.
The nanny pursed her lips and raised her head slightly to indicate, "My lady, Empress Chongyi is accompanying you on the imperial platform today."
Su Qingrong then looked up.
Jiang Yingli was wearing a blue and purple palace dress, with her hair in a stunning bun, and a ruby-inlaid gold tassel hairpin on each side of her head. She was sitting upright and quietly on the right side of the golden dragon carriage.
Su Qingrong's eyes almost popped out.
It’s fine for Song Wanyan to sit next to the imperial carriage, but why can Jiang Yingli sit on it too?
Even if she holds the second highest position, with so many dignitaries and nobles here, how can a concubine like her, who comes from a merchant family, be able to appear on the stage?
"Young lady, please take a seat." The nanny reminded again.
Su Qingrong gritted her teeth and said, "I'll sit here."
Mammy was suddenly embarrassed.
In such a solemn occasion, the seats were arranged. If Concubine Xin refused to sit in the front, the ladies behind her would have no place to sit, and she would not dare to let the ladies of lower status come forward and sit.
The nanny glanced at the back and saw that the person without a seat was Zheng Baolin.
Zheng Baolin looked at the nanny and shook his head silently, meaning to keep the peace.
The nanny had no choice but to give up. Zheng Baolin stood out from the crowd. She was so embarrassed that she didn't know what to do.
Fortunately, Liu Liangren, who lived near Zheng Baolin, noticed the situation and gave her the cushion on his seat.
Liu Liangren turned his head and whispered, "I'll have to trouble you to kneel down."
Zheng Baolin took the cushion gratefully, "Thank you, my dear."
She took the cushion and knelt at the end of the seats for concubines, finally not being so conspicuous and embarrassing.
"Your Majesty has arrived—"
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