She originally had plenty of time to tell the emperor about this matter these past two days, but every time she went to Jinghe Palace, Eunuch Liu said that there were ministers discussing matters inside, and the emperor was too busy with state affairs to meet her.
If it weren't for this, she would have told the emperor the news long ago, instead of waiting until today when she was in such a panic to say it.
The emperor paused, and calmly asked, "Last time you said to be careful of the Eldest Princess, how come it's Consort Lan now?"
Gu Jiangli was taken aback. It seemed that the emperor hadn't ignored her words; he remembered them all.
She was secretly delighted, but seeing more and more concubines crowding around to greet her, she could only hurriedly say:
"Whether it's the Eldest Princess or Consort Lan, don't eat anything they send you, understand?"
The emperor gazed at her, his eyes deep and sorrowful, carrying emotions that Gu Jiangli could not understand.
Before she could get a reply from the emperor, the concubines who had surrounded her began to greet her.
The emperor remained indifferent as always. He merely nodded in response to the greetings from the concubines before walking into the palace.
More and more people gathered at the banquet, and the hall became increasingly lively.
People kept trying to talk to Gu Jiangli, but Gu Jiangli kept looking absentmindedly in the direction of the emperor.
For some reason, she felt that the emperor was different today.
Although he still maintained a distant demeanor, he seemed particularly somber today, especially after hearing her reminder.
Seeing that she didn't like to talk to her, the other concubines stopped trying to embarrass her.
Not long after, the Empress Dowager and the Eldest Princess arrived late.
Gu Jiangli also rose to pay homage along with the other concubines.
The Empress Dowager walked directly to the Emperor's right side, and after taking her seat, she leisurely said, "Rise."
The eldest princess sat to the right of the Empress Dowager. After taking her seat, she first glanced at the Emperor, then at Gu Jiangli, a faint smile always playing on her lips, as if she had already made up her mind.
The Empress Dowager raised her hand and said, "Today is the Double Ninth Festival family banquet. All concubines and consorts need not be reserved. Let the banquet begin."
As soon as she finished speaking, two groups of palace maids walked in from outside the hall, carrying plates in an orderly fashion, and began to serve the dishes.
This family banquet was not only for the concubines of the harem to dine together, but also a good opportunity for them to appear in front of the emperor.
Gu Jiangli ate a couple of bites casually, and then someone suggested that he dance for the emperor.
The emperor did not refuse, and so singing and dancing began in the palace.
After the two dances, the Empress Dowager seemed to suddenly remember something and asked, "Where is Consort Lan? Is she ill?"
The concubines looked at each other, none of them knowing.
The eldest princess spoke up from the crowd: "Empress Dowager, my maid said she saw Consort Lan. She seemed to be in the Imperial Kitchen. She just entered the palace this year and has already caused trouble that displeased the Emperor and Empress Dowager. Perhaps she wants to take this opportunity to apologize to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager showed a hint of doubt. "She will apologize?"
Lan Zhaoyi never felt she had done anything wrong, yet she took the initiative to apologize, which was truly baffling.
The eldest princess continued, "How could that not be? Consort Lan is still young, and this is her first time entering the palace. She is a bit straightforward and doesn't know how to conduct herself. After a few days of reflection, she will be able to understand her mistakes."
The Empress Dowager looked even more surprised. She lowered her head and whispered to the Princess, "Didn't you dislike her? Why are you speaking up for her today?"
The princess choked, her eyes darting around in a flustered manner, before explaining with a touch of coquettish reproach:
"Mother, I'm not speaking up for her, but on an occasion like today, with so many concubines present, and Consort Lan being related to us in some way, if she arrives late or is absent without reason, it will make people think we're not being polite enough, and it will cause gossip."
She explained the past smoothly, and the Empress Dowager believed her. "Tan'er is right. You have always valued etiquette. You can visit the inner palace more often in the future. There are quite a few people in the palace who do not know etiquette. If you are there, you can teach them more."
The eldest princess smiled, concealing the sharpness in her eyes, "Since Mother has said so, I will come more often in the future."
As they were talking, Consort Lan appeared outside the palace.
She wore a light green floor-length dress with a trailing hem, and a translucent green jade pendant hair ornament. Her makeup was simple yet exquisite, clearly showing that she had put a lot of effort into her appearance. Her originally plain looks were transformed by this styling, revealing a different kind of beauty.
"Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, please forgive my lateness."
The Empress Dowager glanced at her and saw the dozen or so palace servants from the Imperial Kitchen following behind her.
"Why are you so late?" the Empress Dowager asked.
Lan Huier looked apologetic. "Your Majesty, I was thinking that my mistake a few days ago had troubled Your Majesty and His Majesty. So today I went to the Imperial Kitchen and personally made a dish. I hope that Your Majesty and Your Majesty can forgive my mistake in light of my good intentions."
Her submissive demeanor was indeed a stark contrast to her previous appearance.
Lan Huier turned around and waved to the palace servants behind her. The servants then carried plates to the respective concubines and served them a bowl of soup.
"There are many sisters and cousins here today, and I hope you can all be understanding towards me."
She didn't really listen to Lan Huier's words; they were just empty words.
She could only stare intently at Lan Huier, waiting for her next move.
Lan Huier seemed to notice her gaze as well, casting a provocative look at her before taking the wooden tray from the palace maid in the imperial kitchen and walking toward the emperor and empress dowager seated on the throne.
She personally delivered the emperor's and empress dowager's soup.
Lan Huier took two bowls of soup from the wooden tray and placed them in front of the Emperor and Empress Dowager respectively, then said shyly:
"Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager are not good at cooking. This yam and lotus seed soup is the only thing I can make. I hope Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager will not find my cooking skills unworthy."
She very sensibly took several steps back, but her eyes remained fixed on the bowl of soup in front of the emperor.
Gu Jiangli, just like her, stared intently at the emperor's movements, and every now and then, she would glance around the hall, searching for that familiar figure.
Her gaze swept across the entrance to the main hall, and then fell upon the lotus flowers standing in the most inconspicuous corner outside the hall.
She exchanged a glance with the lotus flower, and the lotus flower nodded gently to her.
Gu Jiangli noticed this subtle movement, and she felt relieved.
When she turned her gaze back to the emperor, she felt less nervous.
She had already reminded the emperor that he probably wouldn't drink it.
But the thought had barely crossed her mind when she saw the Emperor and Empress Dowager already holding the soup that Lan Hui'er had served.
Gu Jiangli frowned, her skirt wrinkled from pinching it.
The emperor picked up the soup and looked in her direction.
Gu Jiangli stared into his eyes, her heart pounding like a drum, and involuntarily shook her head at him, "No..."
She murmured softly, and the next second, the Empress Dowager picked up the soup spoon and took a small sip, while the Emperor tilted his head back and drank the whole bowl of soup in one gulp.
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