Chapter 27 The Full Moon Banquet
Fanghua then focused on her postpartum confinement. The Emperor would come to see the baby from time to time, and even the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager would come over from time to time.
If Fanghua hadn't been in postpartum confinement, her knees would have ached from all the bowing, which shows how frequently they came to visit.
Fortunately, the full moon celebration is just around the corner. After a month of recuperation, Fanghua looks radiant and doesn't look like a woman who has just given birth at all.
Before, she could only be described as pretty, but not stunning. But now, after giving birth, she seems to have undergone a second growth spurt, as if her whole body has been regrown.
It's not that it's incredibly beautiful, but it's certainly captivating.
After all, her current assets are far superior to those of a typical sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl.
"Your Majesty, today is your and Prince Chenghu's wedding day. This servant will do your makeup properly and amaze everyone." Qiaomeng, who was applying makeup to Fanghua, touched her mistress's skin and couldn't bear to take her hand away. Her skin was as smooth as ice and as white as jade.
"Qiaomeng, what are you saying? Our Empress is the most beautiful woman in the harem even without makeup." Qiaoling, who was helping out, covered her mouth and chuckled while glaring at Qiaomeng.
Fanghua was overjoyed by their flattery. "Alright, alright, hurry up and put on your makeup. The Emperor will be here soon."
Today is the full moon, and the Emperor has invited his ministers to celebrate together. The palace banquet today is being held in the Qianqing Palace.
Chenghu's third-day celebration and full-month celebration were both held at the Qianqing Palace, which probably made many people envious.
However, her success is well-deserved.
"yes."
Qiaomeng quickened her pace a bit and finally finished her makeup by the time the Emperor arrived.
"His Majesty has arrived."
Fanghua led everyone to greet them, and soon the emperor and empress met.
With just one glance, just that one glance, Kangxi's eyes were glued to him.
"Fang'er." He rushed to his empress in disbelief and helped her up with both hands. "Fang'er looks beautiful today."
This was the first time he had seen the Empress so closely since she gave birth. They had met before during her postpartum period, but they were separated by a screen. Now that he saw her, his Fang'er was indeed very beautiful.
"Your Majesty." Fanghua blushed slightly. After all, he was the man she had loved, and she couldn't help but feel shy after being praised by him like that. "Your Majesty's words are not so exaggerated."
"I didn't lie to Fang'er, Fang'er really looks beautiful today."
Seeing that his gaze was becoming increasingly impure, Fanghua didn't want him to ruin her son's third-day celebration. "No matter how beautiful he is, he is still the Emperor's. Your Majesty, it's getting late. We should take Chenghu there. We can't keep Grandmother and Mother waiting."
Men, ah, they can't resist a beautiful woman.
Emperor Kangxi did not consider himself a man who was fond of beautiful women, but today's Empress was different, and he could not take his eyes off her.
"Yes, it is my fault, or the Empress is very thoughtful. We must not keep our grandmother and mother waiting. We have plenty of time."
Finally, the sound approached her earlobe, and hot breath sprayed against her ear, burning her intensely.
"emperor."
Seeing the Empress's shyness, Kangxi stopped teasing her. After all, she was his Empress, and he would have plenty of time to experience her beauty in the future.
The two walked side by side to the Qianqing Palace. The Empress held the child in her arms, and the Emperor protected the Empress. They were truly a happy family of three.
The Qianqing Palace.
The eunuchs, who were serving food, loudly announced the arrival of the Emperor and Empress.
The officials rose and knelt to welcome her, creating a magnificent scene. Even Fanghua herself only had such a grand spectacle when she offered sacrifices to Heaven on the day she became Empress.
Today, her son, Chenghu, also received this honor, which made her very happy.
Her son deserves the best.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress! Long live the Empress!"
"Greetings to Prince Chenghu, may you be blessed with good fortune."
The crowd bowed and greeted the three distinguished individuals.
At the head of Chengqian Palace is the dragon throne, which Fanghua cannot sit on with the emperor. However, next to the dragon throne is her position as empress, which is in no way inferior to the dragon throne.
After taking his seat, Kangxi gently raised his hand and said to those below him, "My beloved ministers, rise."
At this moment, Fanghua wore a proper smile, holding Prince Chenghu, whom they had just paid homage to, in her arms. Her aura was in no way inferior to that of the emperor.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The ministers and noblewomen rose to their feet, and some of the bolder ones looked up at the Emperor and Empress above them, immediately captivated by the Empress's beauty.
It wasn't the first time they had seen the Empress, but today's Empress was exceptionally different.
Elegant and beautiful, the two combined are perfectly harmonious.
On the contrary, it made the Empress look extremely noble and imposing.
She sat regally on her phoenix throne, not because of the elaborate clothes and jewels, but because of the profound and unfathomable aura that emanated from her.
His gaze was calm, like a deep pool in an ancient well, without ripples, yet it seemed to reflect the subtle depths of people's hearts.
The slight upturn of the chin is a measure of nobility, and the neck is long and straight, like a pine tree on a mountaintop, unyielding to the wind.
That beauty is a scroll woven from the warp and weft of mountains and rivers, a jade statue enshrined in a temple, which one dares not desecrate and can only look up to.
The beauty of an empress lies in her understated majesty.
This immediately caused everyone who had been secretly watching the Emperor and Empress to turn their gaze away.
She took all the following subtle actions into account.
She was happy, after all, she was now the object of everyone's admiration.
Before everyone had a long time to wait, the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager arrived at the Qianqing Palace. As elders, they arrived later than the Emperor, but not for long.
The arrival of the Empress Dowager interrupted Fanghua's vanity.
But she wasn't angry, after all, the arrival of the two of them meant that her son's full moon ceremony had officially begun.
The Qing Dynasty had only recently taken control of the Central Plains, and all its rituals were a combination of Manchu and Han customs.
The solemnity of this occasion stems from the fact that the child is the legitimate son. If it were a son born out of wedlock, the concubines would simply set up a table in their own palace, with the emperor personally attending, thus fulfilling their blessings for the child.
(There are too many etiquette rules to list them all; I'll just briefly mention them.)
The most senior person here is the Empress Dowager, who is also her great-grandson. Naturally, she will lead the blessing ceremony for the legitimate son.
After the Grand Empress Dowager came the Empress Dowager, followed by the wives of princes and princesses of high rank among the imperial clan.
After they finished, the matchmaker and the baby held each other and completed the final step: shaving the baby's head.
Shaving one's head is a Manchu custom.
It has the meaning of purifying the body and bringing good fortune.
Children don't cry when their heads are shaved, since good fortune entering the body only brings comfort, not crying.
Most of the time, fearing it might be a bad omen for the child, we'll put them to sleep beforehand so as not to frighten them.
Chenghu is awake today, which worries both Fanghua and Kangxi.
But to everyone's surprise, even when Chenghu was awake, he didn't cry. Instead, he smiled at the Empress Dowager who was standing to the side, and he smiled so happily that if he weren't still a child, everyone would have suspected that the Empress had intentionally trained him.
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed and immediately ordered that the matchmaker be richly rewarded after she shaved her head.
The matchmaker's voice was louder than usual as she kowtowed in gratitude, showing how happy she was to receive the reward.
"Qiqige, come quickly and see my son Chenghu. He is truly blessed with good fortune."
The Empress Dowager took the child and immediately showed it off to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was also curious. She had no favor or children in her life, so she was naturally happy to have children.
"Empress Mother, may I hold you?" She loved children, and she wanted to hold the child in front of her.
The Empress Dowager did not immediately agree, but instead looked at the Empress sitting there.
The Empress stood up. "If Your Majesty wants to hold him, then hold him. Chenghu is very well-behaved; he won't move around."
Seeing that she said that, the Empress Dowager handed the child in her arms forward, saying, "Come, hold him."
The Empress Dowager removed the nail guards from her hands and handed them to the nanny beside her, then slowly reached out to hug Chenghu.
Children's bodies are very soft, and they have a lovely milky scent that makes them instantly likable.
"Grandma, please hug me." The Empress Dowager's voice was gentle, as if she were asking a question or informing someone.
Chenghu wasn't shy at all. He wasn't afraid when he was in another unfamiliar embrace. He waved his little hands vigorously and made soft, sweet babbling sounds that melted people's hearts.
Fanghua and Kangxi couldn't help but get up and come over when they heard the commotion.
When they saw Chenghu in the Empress Dowager's arms, their eyes were filled with love.
"It seems that Chenghu is very fond of his mother, the Empress Dowager." These were the words of Emperor Kangxi.
After he finished speaking, he looked at the Empress, but just as he was about to speak, the Empress Dowager interrupted him.
Because the emperor wanted to do something, but it was inappropriate.
"What the Emperor says is true. A grandson naturally likes his imperial nanny. Now that the ceremony is complete, the Emperor should not delay the banquet."
When Emperor Kangxi heard his grandmother say this, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
This puzzled Fanghua, but she knew that the Emperor had something to say to her.
Now that she's been interrupted by the Empress Dowager, it's likely that what she said wasn't a kind word.
Her initial joy was affected, and for a moment, Fanghua's smile became somewhat forced.
Fortunately, her mind was distracted by other things after the banquet started, otherwise she would have been extremely depressed.
"Your Majesty the Empress is truly blessed, and I am filled with envy. I wonder if I may have the honor of sharing in Prince Chenghu's good fortune?"
The one who spoke was the wife of Prince Yu. Although she married later than the Empress, she had been married for several years, but there was no sign of pregnancy, which made her very anxious.
Her husband doted on her, but she just couldn't conceive.
When Fanghua picked up the teacup with her fingertips, the curve was as elegant as plucking a flower; the faint smile on her lips was like the moonlight after the clouds and mist had cleared, warm but not scorching, enough to illuminate everything, yet also to keep people at a distance.
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. You are Chenghu's aunt, so what's wrong with holding him?" Although the child was not in her arms at the moment, she was very pleased that the Princess Consort of Prince Yu had asked her, his own mother, first.
In her previous life, she was childless, and in the end, all her family property benefited her relatives.
During the Kowloon period, Prince Yu did not take sides with anyone, and she showed no favoritism or protectiveness towards her son, Yinreng.
There are rumors that Prince Yu himself prefers Yinzhi. Whether it is true or not, her desire for a son might be of some use.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager beckoned to the wife of Prince Yu, saying, "You're being a bit too hasty, but it's good to share in the good fortune."
Although the Empress Dowager spoke Mongolian, there was a translator standing next to her, so the wife of Prince Yu was not embarrassed.
"Then thank you, Your Majesty."
She walked over, and the Princess Consort of Prince Yu had someone wash her hands before she went to hug the legitimate son of the Qing Dynasty.
Those who witnessed this scene were all lost in thought.
Although she didn't know what they were thinking, Fanghua understood that after today, her son would become a thorn in everyone's side.
So what?
She was not afraid.
After the palace banquet, there was an evening banquet, which was a private banquet for the women of the inner palace, and it was naturally held in Kunning Palace.
Fanghua didn't talk much with her mother during the palace banquet, but she did come down and share a drink with the Hesheli clan.
Naturally, the child was also brought over for them to meet.
Gabula and Soetu were very fond of Chenghu, and they took out the congratulatory gifts they had prepared in advance.
This is a separate gift; the ones that were given out earlier were already given out as part of the general trend, and this one is their personal gift.
Gabula's jade was a warm jade, a treasure he acquired at a great price.
Soetu's is a string of prayer beads, which is said to have been a companion item of a highly virtuous monk and is considered to possess great spiritual power.
It would be perfect as a talisman.
Fanghua accepted the two gifts on behalf of Chenghu, thanked him, and returned to the head of the table.
Being so close, everyone once again felt the beauty of the Empress.
Even the smallest hair ornament, with its delicate gold tassels, trembles only gently in the most steady rhythm, never deviating from the proper decorum.
That was the upbringing ingrained in her bones and the demeanor honed over many years of ruling the harem, which better highlighted her supreme status than any jewel.
The empress's beauty is the ultimate expression of palace rules and etiquette.
When she sat upright, her back was straight as a ruler, completely still, and even her breathing seemed to follow a solemn rhythm.
His phoenix eyes, as they moved, were steady and broad, carrying the composure to examine the landscape and the grace to embrace all things.
This beauty is the luster of ancient jade, refined and understated yet possessing boundless power, inspiring submission rather than mere agitation.
Everyone has seen the changes in the Empress and respects her outwardly.
After it was over, Fanghua took Chenghu back to Kunning Palace.
After all, there was a family dinner tonight, and she needed to have someone make the arrangements.
The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager did not come over in the evening, but they sent gifts to them.
Today, Chenghu's full-moon celebration gifts filled an entire storeroom, leaving Fanghua both amused and exasperated.
He was also happy, as he now had the dowry to pay for his future marriage.
The Empress has finished her postpartum confinement, so the Emperor naturally stayed overnight.
The layers of brocade curtains on the phoenix couch were not completely lowered; only the innermost layer, a thin, gossamer-like crimson-gold cloud-like gauze, hung down, casting a hazy, warm glow on the candlelight in the hall, like the melting gold of the setting sun, illuminating the small world within the tent.
Fanghua's postpartum plumpness is like a peony that has just bloomed after weathering the storm.
She wore an apricot-yellow silk nightgown specially made for this occasion, with delicate gold thread outlining graceful lotus blossoms at the neckline and sleeve edges, subtly revealing her rounded figure, and her milky fragrance was even more alluring.
Emperor Kangxi, dressed in his everyday bright yellow sleeping robe, did not make any immediate move after the palace servants quietly withdrew.
He sat on the edge of the couch, his gaze calmly sweeping over the beautiful, yet subtly confused face.
In that gaze, there was the scrutiny of a long-awaited reunion, and even more so, a complex mix of satisfaction and pity for her body.
His slender fingers did not touch her directly, but only inch away, lightly tracing the contours of her slightly fuller cheeks. His fingertips carried the warmth of the candlelight, as if he were tracing a priceless treasure that had been lost and then recovered.
"Fang'er, you've had a hard day." He spoke, his voice deep and mellow, with a hint of hoarseness that was particularly clear in the excessively quiet hall.
These five simple words express the emperor's compassion for his mother and the husband's comfort to his wife; they carry immense weight.
Fanghua's eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked up to meet the emperor's gaze.
Her gaze was tender, yet it held a gentler, more submissive quality than usual, a hint of restrained anticipation, and a deep-seated nervousness—after all, it was their first intimate encounter since giving birth.
She didn't say anything, but moved slightly closer, a very slight friction that blended the empress's reserve with the woman's shyness.
A thin blush quietly rose on her cheeks, like a newly opened crabapple blossom dipped in rouge, but softened by the candlelight and veiled in a hazy gauze.
Kangxi eventually extended his hand, but did not rush into anything.
His palm was broad and warm, gently resting on the back of her hand, which was placed on the brocade quilt.
The moment their skin touched, Fanghua's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, then slowly relaxed.
Those fingers, with their distinct knuckles and calluses from years of holding a pen and bearing the supreme power of an emperor, moved with unusual gentleness.
He gently stroked the slightly concave knuckles on the back of her hand with his thumb, as if ironing out wrinkles on a priceless piece of silk, a gesture full of reassurance and probing.
The atmosphere warmed up in the silent exchange, and the warm golden candlelight seemed to grow even thicker.
The air was filled with the fragrance of ambergris mixed with the faint aftertaste of postpartum herbs, creating an atmosphere that was both sacred and intimate.
The emperor leaned forward and gently pulled out the white jade hairpin that was holding his hair in place with his other hand.
Her dark hair cascaded down like a waterfall, brushing against the brocade pillow and the bright yellow nightgown, bringing with it a delicate fragrance of orchids and musk.
His movements were unhurried, carrying the inherent control of a monarch, yet at this moment, they shed the aloofness of the court, revealing a quiet possessiveness and cherishment.
He moved closer to her lips, their breaths mingling.
The air was warm, carrying the unique aroma of tea and ambergris, enveloping everything.
Fanghua slowly closed her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings.
This is not the passionate love of a young couple, but a profound attraction and tender affection that has been tempered by time and power.
His kiss finally landed, pressing against her smooth, full forehead, precious yet brief, more like a silent confirmation and seal.
Then, his fingertips reached for the ties of his nightgown, where the gold-threaded buttons rustled softly in the stillness, signaling the start of a fierce battle.
The crimson-gold cloud-like gauze hanging from the top of the tent finally swayed slightly when he reached out and gently pulled on the belt.
The swaying gauze cuts the hazy, warm golden light into flowing spots, projecting them onto the exquisitely carved phoenix and dragon motif on the canopy bed.
The emperor and empress's intertwined and increasingly close figures were also blended into the deep, intimate, and misty night.
Outside the hall, all was quiet except for the dripping of the water clock, which marked the passage of time and witnessed the two people's journey from awkwardness to deep affection and then to passionate love.
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