Palace Banquet
Three days later, the carriage of Prince Jing's mansion slowly drove towards the imperial city under the gaze of the Crown Prince's guards, who were still cold but no longer dared to stop it.
Inside the car, the atmosphere was stagnant.
Xie Wuqi closed his eyes, resting. His dark, official princely attire made his face appear even paler, yet the imposing aura of long-held superiority emanated from him, like a sword unsheathed, its edge unfurling. Xu Xianyue sat across from him, clad in the crimson palace attire that befitted a prince's consort. The complexity and heaviness of her attire subdued her naturally cool demeanor, imbuing it with a solemnity and elegance. Her hair was bare of pearls and jade, a single silver hairpin slanting diagonally. Its simplicity was incongruous with her ornate attire, yet strangely harmonious.
She held the brocade box containing the black bamboo velvet flower in her hand, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the patterns on the box surface, her eyes fixed on the swaying curtain of the carriage, her expression calm, without any trace of nervousness of facing the dangers of danger.
The carriage stopped in front of the palace gate, changed into a palace sedan, and drove all the way to Kangning Palace where the Queen Mother lived.
Today's Kangning Palace banquet, though titled a flower viewing banquet, lacked much of a festive atmosphere. The hall was elegantly furnished, the air thick with incense. The ladies of the imperial family and the wives of nobles, all dressed in fine attire, chatted in low voices, their eyes occasionally glancing toward the main seat with cautious, perceptive eyes. The conflict between the Crown Prince and the Third Prince had already spilled over into the imperial court and harem, and today's occasion was filled with even more undercurrents.
When the eunuch announced loudly, "Prince Jing and Princess Jing are here—", the hall instantly became quiet, and all eyes were cast towards the hall door.
Xie Wuqi was the first to enter the hall. His steps were steady. Though his expression was grim, his back was straight. His gaze swept across the room like lightning. The chilling aura of a battlefield killer made many of the women hold their breath. As he leaned slightly to the side and extended his hand, making a gesture that looked like support but was actually an invitation to no refusal, everyone's attention was focused on the woman slowly entering behind him.
Was this the rumored Consort Jing, neglected by Prince Jing but who displayed extraordinary skill during the palace crisis? The obscure concubine of the Xu family?
She was slender and graceful, her steps calm. Facing the scrutinizing gazes of the entire palace, her face showed no sign of timidity or flattery, only a calmness bordering on indifference. Her appearance wasn't stunning, but it was pure and refined, especially her eyes, which were clear and bright, as if they could reflect a person's most secret thoughts. Her overly luxurious palace attire, far from suppressing her aura, made her look like a fairy who had strayed into the mortal world, out of place, yet impossible to ignore.
Xu Xianyue could sense the inquiry, curiosity, jealousy, and even a subtle hint of hostility in those gazes. She seemed oblivious, simply following protocol as she and Xie Wuqi saluted the empress dowager, who sat at the head of the table.
"Your son pays homage to the Queen Mother. May your Majesty live a thousand years and live in peace."
The Empress Dowager was about fifty years old, well-maintained, with a look of dignity and a hint of weariness that came from long years in the palace. She looked at the two people standing side by side below, her gaze lingering on Xie Wuqi's pale face for a moment, a complex expression passing through her, before settling on Xu Xianyue with a scrutinizing look.
"Stand up," the Queen Mother said calmly. "Is Wuqi feeling better? Is this Xu? Raise your head so I can see you."
Xu Xianyue looked up as instructed and looked at the empress dowager calmly.
The Queen Mother looked at her for a moment and nodded slightly: "She is a well-behaved child. Stand up and talk."
The palace maids led them to their seats, which were quite near the front, showing that the Queen Mother valued Xie Wuqi, her adopted son, at least on the surface.
The banquet proceeded smoothly, with melodious music, graceful singing and dancing, and the ladies of the court offering insincere pleasantries. The atmosphere seemed harmonious, but in reality, it was filled with subtle wit. From time to time, someone would bring up the recent court turmoil, either overtly or covertly trying to ascertain the attitude of Prince Jing's residence, but Xie Wuqi would swiftly rebuff them. Though frail, his words were sharp, and no one could gain an advantage.
Xu Xianyue sat quietly beside him the whole time, keeping her eyes down and silent most of the time, and only gave brief responses when necessary. Her words were appropriate, and her attitude was neither humble nor arrogant. Her detached demeanor made it difficult for some people who wanted to laugh at her or take the opportunity to make things difficult for her to do so.
Occasionally, her gaze would flicker to an elderly woman seated not far below the Empress Dowager. She wore a simple, dark palace dress, her hair neatly tied in a bun. Her face still evoked the youthful spirit of her youth, but now her brows were furrowed, her eyes vacant as she gazed at the singing and dancing in the hall. Her fingers unconsciously twirled a string of faded Buddhist beads on her wrist, and an air of unwavering melancholy enveloped her.
It was Princess Rong'an.
Xu Xianyue could vaguely sense the distracted, apprehensive aura emanating from the Grand Princess. It seemed Xie Wuqi's intelligence was correct.
The time is almost right.
During a break in the song and dance, when the hall was slightly quiet, Xu Xianyue slowly stood up, holding the brocade box, walked into the hall, and saluted the empress dowager again.
"Empress Dowager," she said in a clear, gentle voice, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly. "I have heard that the Grand Princess has been feeling unwell lately, suffering from occasional heart palpitations. I am not very talented, but I enjoy studying handicrafts in my spare time. I recently came across something that may help the Grand Princess find peace of mind. I offer it to you as a token of my appreciation. I hope the Empress Dowager and the Grand Princess will not disregard it."
Everyone's eyes instantly focused on the brocade box in her hands. A gift? At this time? And a gift of her own handicraft? What was this Princess Jing up to?
The Queen Mother also showed a hint of surprise, then smiled and said, "Oh? You are thoughtful. What is it? Show it to me."
The eunuch took the brocade box and respectfully presented it to the Queen Mother and the Grand Princess.
When the brocade box was opened, the black bamboo velvet flower, which was completely black in color, with a solitary and elegant shape and a faint flowing clear luster, appeared before everyone.
There are no gemstones, no gold embellishments, only the purest inky silk and silver threads, yet they weave together an indescribable elegance and spirit. A faint, refreshing sandalwood scent, mixed with a strange, soothing aroma, quietly permeates the air.
A subtle commotion and whispers echoed within the hall. This velvet flower...seemed quite different from what one usually sees.
Princess Rong'an's previously empty gaze shifted slightly when it caught sight of the inky bamboo. Its solitary, upright form, its tranquil inky color, inexplicably stirred something dormant deep within her heart.
The Queen Mother picked up the velvet flower. It felt cool and delicate to the touch, and the strange sense of peace became even clearer. A flicker of surprise flashed across her eyes as she looked at Xu Xianyue. "This thing... is quite unique. Did you make it yourself?"
"Your Majesty, this was made during my free time," Xu Xianyue replied respectfully. "It's woven from a special material and has a calming effect. Placing it by your pillow or wearing it on your body may help alleviate anxiety."
The Queen Mother handed the velvet flower to the eldest Princess Rong'an beside her and said, "My Royal Sister, take a look! This is a token of my love from Wuqi's wife."
Princess Rong'an hesitated for a moment, then reached out to take it. The moment her fingertips touched the black bamboo petals, her body trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly!
A gentle yet resolute breath, like a clear mountain spring, flowed quietly through her fingertips into her restless mind. The nightmare-like fear and grief that had lingered in her heart for years seemed to be gently soothed by an invisible hand. Though faint, it was real.
For the first time, her empty eyes regained focus. She looked down in disbelief at the seemingly ordinary black bamboo velvet flower in her hand, then suddenly looked up at the woman standing quietly in the hall with a cold temperament.
Everyone in the hall held their breath and watched the Grand Princess's reaction.
The eldest princess clutched the velvet flower tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white, her chest heaving a few times, and a faint glint of light flickered in her eyes, which had been silent for years. She opened her mouth, her voice raspy and excited, a voice that hadn't spoken for a long time: "...this thing...this thing..."
She said "this thing" several times, then choked up and couldn't continue. But her expression and reaction were enough to explain everything!
This seemingly inconspicuous velvet flower is actually effective in curing the Grand Princess's heart disease, which even the imperial physicians are helpless to cure!
The whole hall was in uproar!
The empress dowager also showed shock on her face, and the way she looked at Xu Xianyue changed completely, with unprecedented scrutiny and attention.
Xie Wuqi stood up at the right moment, walked to Xu Xianyue's side, and bowed to the empress dowager, saying, "Your Majesty, please allow me to report that Xianyue does have a unique talent for things like these that calm the mind and soothe the soul. This son of mine was seriously injured and poisoned, and his mind was restless. It was only thanks to the velvet flower she made that I was able to stabilize my condition. I believe this thing must have suited the Grand Princess's taste and state of mind, which is why it has such a slight effect."
His words not only praised Xu Xianyue, explained the "rationality" of her ability, but also attributed the credit to "good chemistry", making it seem less shocking. At the same time, he also pointed out the fact that he was still seriously injured and needed to rely on others.
The empress dowager was incredibly astute and immediately understood Xie Wuqi's intention. She looked at the two people standing side by side below, then at the excited Grand Princess Rong'an, and countless thoughts flashed through her mind.
Finally, a relieved smile appeared on her face: "Great, great! I didn't expect Wuqi's wife to be so ingenious and filial! This gift is exactly what I and the imperial sister like! Reward!"
She immediately ordered a generous reward for Xu Xianyue.
Then, the Queen Mother turned her gaze to Xie Wuqi, her tone filled with concern: "Wuqi, your injuries and poison... are they really so serious? Even the imperial physician..."
Xie Wuqi's face showed just the right amount of heaviness and a hint of forbearance: "To reply to the Queen Mother, the 'Burning Heart' poison is treacherous, and I... was indeed in danger at one point. Fortunately, the Imperial Physician Lin Qingyan from the Imperial Hospital, who had previously risked his life to study this poison, offered a solution to alleviate the problem, so that I could hold on until the next month to create this tranquilizer. But..." He paused at the right time, looking embarrassed.
The Empress Dowager naturally knew about Lin Qingyan's imprisonment, but had previously dismissed him as a pawn in the Crown Prince's game with Prince Jing's residence. But upon hearing that he had actually helped Xie Wuqi recover from his injuries, and that he was clearly connected to the magical velvet flower and the Princess of Jing, who could appease the Emperor's sister, Rong'an, her thoughts immediately perked up.
A doctor who could save Prince Jing and whose "results" could also appease the Grand Princess had a completely different value. The Crown Prince... seemed to have gone a bit too far.
The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly, her voice filled with unquestionable authority: "Imperial Physician Lin... I remember you as someone who was willing to delve into research. Since you have been instrumental to Wuqi, and perhaps also helpful to my sister's condition, it would be inappropriate to keep you locked up forever. I will speak to the Emperor about this."
In one sentence, Lin Qingyan's fate was determined.
Xie Wuqi and Xu Xianyue bowed at the same time: "Thank you, Queen Mother, for your grace!"
A palace banquet, with ever-changing circumstances.
With a black bamboo velvet flower, Xu Xianyue not only won the appreciation of the empress dowager and appeased Princess Rong'an, but also became the key fulcrum to pry Lin Qingyan out of prison and even influence the court situation.
Everyone looked anew at the Princess of Jing, who stood beside Prince Jing, always aloof and composed, and remained unmoved by either praise or criticism.
She was no longer that insignificant, neglected decoration.
Instead, he possesses extraordinary skills, can influence court nobles, and can even indirectly interfere in government affairs. He is an existence that cannot be underestimated.
The atmosphere in the carriage back home was still silent.
Xie Wuqi looked at Xu Xianyue who was resting with her eyes closed across from him and suddenly said, "Well done."
Xu Xianyue opened her eyes and looked at him calmly: "It's just a transaction. As long as Your Highness is satisfied, that's all that matters."
She once again brought their relationship back to a cold, transactional level.
Xie Wuqi's eyes darkened and he stared at her for a long time. Finally, he said nothing and closed his eyes again.
The carriage rumbled as it drove towards Prince Jing's Mansion, which was surrounded by high walls.
The curtain of the palace banquet fell, but the real competition seemed to have just begun.
But this time, Xu Xianyue already had a lot more chips in her hands, enough for her to make her move without regrets in this chess game.
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