Chapter 299 Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet
Since the start of the war, the atmosphere in the harem has also subtly changed.
Everyone could see that His Majesty was completely focused on the war, and rarely even stepped into the inner palace once every two weeks.
Therefore, the usual competition and jealousy have decreased significantly. However, without the emperor's favor, the laughter and joy in the palaces have also diminished.
However, the Mid-Autumn Festival on the fifteenth of August is ultimately a day for family reunion, and according to custom, a grand banquet should be held to invite members of the imperial family and officials.
However, due to the tense war situation this year, Li Yuanzhao specifically ordered that everything be simplified.
Therefore, Pei Huaijin only held a moon-viewing banquet in the Imperial Garden. It was a small event, attended only by the Emperor and the women of the harem.
In the past two years, as the power of the Great Qi has grown stronger, various powerful families and clans have sent more than a dozen handsome young men to curry favor with the imperial power, and neighboring vassal states have sent them to show their submission.
Among them were the majestic and imposing sons of northern military generals, the dashing and spirited descendants of princes and noble families, the refined and elegant scholars of the south, and the charming and lovely sons of minor officials in the south...
All sorts of people, of all types, filled the vast harem with ever-increasing liveliness.
With more people, there will naturally be more disputes.
In the imperial harem, they outwardly addressed each other as brothers, displaying an air of brotherly affection and intimacy, but inwardly, rivalry and jealousy never ceased.
Today, the snacks of the Zhang family's young master were switched; tomorrow, the clothes of the Li family's young master were cut; and the day after tomorrow, a newly promoted beauty was ostracized by others because she received a word of praise from His Majesty.
But Pei Huaijin handled most of these trivial disputes quietly.
He knew that His Majesty was currently preoccupied with the war and did not wish to be disturbed by the trivial matters of the inner palace.
Therefore, unless it's a major incident like the one at Ningxiang Palace last time, which became widely known and involved foreign affairs, the news will never be allowed to reach the Emperor.
Moreover, the women in the harem had also figured out Li Yuanzhao's style of doing things.
As long as it doesn't escalate to her level, it doesn't matter how much we argue or fight in private.
But once she finds out, no matter whose fault it is, everyone will be punished equally, either by demotion or confinement and salary reduction, and no one will be tolerated.
After all, Chen Meiren is a prime example.
Over time, everyone learned their lesson.
Even though they each had their own agendas, they maintained a facade of harmony on the surface.
When they met, they greeted each other politely and their words were courteous, even the hostility in their eyes was well hidden.
When news of this reached outside the palace, the common people praised His Majesty for the harmony within his harem, saying it was truly a blessing for the world.
The emperor also praised the empress for her unity of purpose with the emperor and her effective management of the harem.
On the fifteenth of August, chrysanthemums and osmanthus bloomed together in the Imperial Garden, their golden petals unfurling, and the fragrance of osmanthus lingering in the air.
The banquet was held at Chenghui Terrace, which overlooks the water in the Imperial Garden.
Although the decree was followed to keep things simple, palace lanterns depicting the Jade Rabbit pounding medicine and Chang'e flying to the moon were still hung around Chengrui Pavilion.
The table was decorated with a variety of fresh seasonal fruits and delicate pastries, creating an elegant atmosphere.
Everyone knew that this was a rare opportunity to gather before the king since the start of the war.
Therefore, everyone in the palace became eager to show their faces in front of His Majesty and gain some attention.
The emperor and empress sat side by side at the head of the table.
Pei Huaijin remained as dignified and virtuous as ever, thoughtfully maintaining the harmonious atmosphere and occasionally raising her glass to invite His Majesty to drink together.
Although Li Yuanzhao accepted his congratulations and drank several cups of fruit wine, it was clear that he was not in high spirits.
Midway through the banquet, as was customary, the women of the harem began to perform their talents to entertain the emperor.
Young Master Xue of Yunxia Palace was the first to stand up.
He was clearly dressed up carefully today, wearing a long robe of snail-green brocade, with sparse bamboo shadows embroidered in silver thread at the hem, which shimmered with light as he moved.
Her eyebrows were newly drawn, light and delicate, making her face look even more refined.
He walked into the hall and bowed deeply towards the throne.
Her wide sleeves swept the ground, her posture graceful.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the moonlight is as clear as water, and this auspicious occasion is truly precious. I recently had a sudden inspiration and composed a little tune entitled 'Autumn Thoughts Under the Osmanthus Shadow.' I humbly offer it to Your Majesty and Your Highness to accompany our wine, and to pray for peace and prosperity for the nation and for Your Majesty's good health."
Li Yuanzhao's gaze fell on him, he nodded slightly, and said nothing more.
Palace servants had already set out a zither made of paulownia wood.
Young Master Xue sat upright, his fingertips gently brushing across the strings of the zither, playing and singing softly to the rhythm.
His voice was gentle and melodious, and with the moonlight tonight, it was quite alluring.
When the music ended, Li Yuanzhao simply said, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
Young Master Xue's smile froze for a moment, but he still respectfully retreated.
Immediately afterwards, Young Master He of Qiwu Garden stood up.
He came from a family of military generals and was tall and valiant.
Today he wore a royal blue narrow-sleeved riding and archery uniform, with a jade belt around his waist, which made his posture as upright as a pine tree.
He clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have no particular skills or talents, but I wish to perform a sword dance to entertain you and bring a smile to your face."
Having said that, he took the long sword handed to him by the eunuch, and with a flick of his wrist, the sword light spread out like splashed ink.
The swordplay was fierce and the moves were swift, drawing silent applause from the crowd in the hall.
Following this, the young men went to great lengths, either subtly reciting poems that matched the season or cleverly arranging for fruits and snacks presented from their hometowns, hoping to catch the emperor's eye.
However, Li Yuanzhao occasionally responded, but his responses were rather lukewarm.
Even Juela Yundan, who had just been released from confinement, specially wore a traditional Tibetan brocade robe and a crown inlaid with agate, exuding a strong and eye-catching exotic charm.
He presented a gilded lacquer box with both hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I have personally made some Tibetan cheese cakes. Please have a taste."
In the past six months, he could clearly sense that Li Yuanzhao seemed to have become somewhat cold towards him.
But he simply assumed that there were too many beautiful women in the harem, which made her dizzy.
He did not think that it was his excessive arrogance that made Li Yuanzhao dislike him.
After all, Li Yuanzhao had gone to great lengths to fight against Yangjin for his sake.
Such love is something that no one else can compare to.
In order to regain his former favor, he had no choice but to join the ranks of those who once despised vying for the emperor's affections.
The lacquered box was opened, revealing several golden, crisp pastries adorned with dried fruit, exuding a rich aroma of milk and caramel.
Li Yuanzhao glanced at it, then swept his gaze over its overly ornate robes, his face expressionless, and simply said, "Leave it there."
Jue La Yun Dan's expectant look vanished instantly, and she sullenly sat back down in her original seat.
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