As the Nian family left Changchun Immortal Pavilion, the maidservant, head bowed, carefully led Nian, helping to lift her dress with one hand, and whispered, "The Lotus Banquet hasn't started yet. His Majesty should be at Jiuzhou Qingyan now. Should Your Highness go directly to the banquet or to Jiuzhou Qingyan?"
Lady Nian said coldly, "Of course I will attend the banquet with the Emperor. How can I let that wretched woman steal the spotlight? Let's go to the Jiuzhou Qingyan..."
The maid nodded slightly and led Madam Nian toward the location of Jiuzhou Qingyan.
Just as they reached the door, Lanqin, who had also finished dressing up and changed into the formal attire prepared in advance by the Fourth Master, slowly walked over, supported by Baoqin and Yuxiao. The two groups bumped into each other.
Lanqin looked up and saw that Madam Nian's face was extremely ugly, as if she wanted to devour Lanqin whole. This was because Madam Nian discovered that Lanqin was wearing the same wide-sleeved cheongsam that had been presented as tribute. Madam Nian had fully expected that the Fourth Prince would find a suitable opportunity to give it to her, but now it was being worn by Lanqin.
The garment was a wide-sleeved, hibiscus-colored bodice made of intricately patterned silk brocade, embroidered with five phoenixes soaring among clouds. The patterns on the gauze were woven with dark gold thread, and each phoenix feather was adorned with tiny, round rose quartz and tiger's eye stones. The scattered pearl tassels shimmered like starlight, their brilliance like flowing clouds, exuding an opulent royal nobility. A long, flowing, smoky purple silk sash, about ten feet long, was tied around her arm, securely fastened with gold-inlaid jade pendants. A golden, floor-length skirt, dyed with rose gold and fragrant herbs, was pure and bright, its texture soft and light, its color as vibrant as flowers, and it exuded a fragrant floral scent. The skirt was embroidered with clusters of thousand-petaled crabapple blossoms and perched orioles on branches using gold and silver threads as fine as baby hair, and the embroidery was studded with thousands of pearls, which shone brightly against the gold and silver threads, making it incomparably precious.
The more Nian looked, the angrier she became. Her face flushed slightly as she glared at Lanqin without saying a word.
Lanqin had not expected to meet Lady Nian here. After a pause, she still politely bowed to Lady Nian and said with a kind smile, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Lady Nian rolled her eyes and said coldly, "Consort Xi, it's been a long time! You haven't changed a bit..."
After saying that, she gave Lanqin a meaningful look. Lanqin knew that Nian was implying that her qipao was better than hers, but she didn't want to say anything more and turned her head away from Nian.
Madam Nian turned and took Hongfu from the maid's hands. Her expression changed drastically, and she stepped inside with a smile, ahead of Lanqin. Lanqin followed behind, took a deep breath, and walked in solemnly.
The Fourth Prince had already changed into his dragon robe, but when he turned around, he saw Lady Nian and Lanqin walking in one after the other. Lanqin winked at the Fourth Prince with a worried look in her eyes. The Fourth Prince was slightly taken aback, but immediately asked first, "Are you two both ready?"
Lady Nian put down Hongfu from her arms and patted him gently, saying, "Go quickly and call Father Emperor..."
Hongfu, obedient as ever, smiled and stretched out his hand, calling out to the Fourth Prince in a childish voice, "Father Emperor, your son misses you so much..."
Fourth Master happily picked up Hongfu and kissed him a few times. His attitude towards Lady Nian also became much more amiable. Although he was somewhat displeased by Lady Nian's sudden visit, he didn't say much for Hongfu's sake. Instead, he chatted and laughed with Lady Nian again.
Lady Nian glanced smugly at Lanqin, who, standing to the side, didn't feel neglected. She smiled slightly and looked away, not wanting to interact with Lady Nian any further. After a while, Fourth Master appeased Hongfu and led everyone out of Jiuzhou Qingyan, heading towards Fuhai.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
