Before long, the New Year arrived, and the palace began to bustle with activity, decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, filled with a festive atmosphere.
Outside, heavy snow fell, transforming the earth into a silvery-white world. The red plum blossoms in the garden, as vibrant as blood, added a touch of color to this pristine landscape, creating a scene of poignant, serene beauty.
Everyone knows that Empress Bai still loves plum blossoms, and plum blossoms are planted everywhere in Fengyi Palace, making them particularly eye-catching in winter.
The New Year's banquet was personally overseen by Consort Zhao, with Wuyou assisting from the sidelines. This was a task he had requested from the Emperor. Since the Emperor favored him, he simply allowed him to do it.
Consort Zhao loved lively gatherings and luxurious ornaments. In winter, there was nothing else to decorate except for plum blossoms, so she simply sent palace maids to the plum garden to pick a few plum blossoms and put them in a vase for decoration.
"These plum blossoms are very fitting for the occasion. My dear consort, you must have worked hard." The Emperor was also very satisfied with the scene. His tone was approving, and his face was full of tenderness. He reached out and patted Consort Zhao's hand, making her blush. She was both proud and happy, and she threw a smug look at the other concubines.
Everyone was used to Consort Zhao's temperamental nature and couldn't deny it. The only person who could be provoked by Consort Zhao's gaze was probably Bai Yiran.
"Your Majesty, we can't let Consort Zhao's kindness go to waste. Let's start the banquet quickly." Bai Yiran stepped forward and took Emperor Liang Yuan's arm, smiling sweetly.
"Alright, let the banquet begin." Emperor Liang Yuan subtly withdrew his arm.
He wore a smile on his face, but inwardly he was disgusted. Over the past ten years, even the strongest feelings had been worn away, let alone for Emperor Liang Yuan, who had seen countless women, all of whom were obedient and subservient to him.
Bai Yiran used to cling to him, which was a little playful thing between husband and wife, a way of showing she cared about him. Now, however, she's just jealous and intolerant, showing none of the magnanimity and tolerance expected of a wife and empress.
Love makes one live, hate makes one die – this is the ultimate expression of Emperor Liang Yuan's character.
However, since she was once the woman he loved most, Emperor Liang Yuan still gave her some face, helping Bai Yiran back to her seat in the main seat and slightly raising his hand to begin the banquet.
Melodious and joyful music drifted up and resounded throughout the palace. Dancers dressed in red gauze moved gracefully and entered the main hall with orderly steps, their red gauze fluttering freely in the breeze.
Soft red sand danced like cotton wool, light and ethereal. The dancers' graceful and elegant movements, and their perfect smiles, all drew the attention of onlookers.
Emperor Liang Yuan was so captivated by the graceful dance and light music that a touch of pale blue suddenly appeared amidst the sea of red, like an oasis in the desert, instantly drawing everyone's attention and becoming the theme of the dance.
The woman's dance dress was far more exquisite than the maid's, adorned with bright pearls at the waist and cuffs. A shimmering hair ornament swayed gently on her head, instantly elevating her style. A veil of the same color covered most of her face, adding to her mystique.
The concubines unconsciously looked at Consort Zhao, the main person in charge of the New Year's banquet. He couldn't possibly be unaware of this program, but Consort Zhao's dark expression told them that he was clearly surprised, even angry.
"Sister..." Consort Duan looked down at Wuyou and lowered her voice. The two of them were sitting very close and talking in hushed tones, so no one noticed.
"Let's wait and see." Wuyou moved his lips slightly, his voice low and reaching Duanfei's ears, instantly touching his heart. The two sat steadily on the jade platform, enjoying the dance of the woman in blue.
It must be said that the woman in blue was indeed an amazing dancer. Her figure was as graceful as a willow, and her waist was as supple as a water snake. The light blue gauze in her hands fluttered nimbly, swirling around her like butterflies fluttering around flowers.
The music suddenly quickened its pace, and the woman in blue raised her chin slightly, her red lips curled up, and twirled around and around, her skirt fluttering, forming a slowly blooming rose.
As the music ended and the audience stopped, the woman gracefully bowed, her sleeves fluttering. She was covered in fragrant sweat, making it impossible for the audience to resist being captivated by the visual feast she had just witnessed.
"This concubine, Noble Lady Su Yun of Cai Li Pavilion, greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress..." The woman's soft voice rang out clearly, as if a feather had tickled Emperor Liang Yan's heart, as if a key had unlocked past memories.
"My beloved concubine, please rise quickly. I heard you were ill. Are you feeling better now?" Emperor Liang Yuan slowly stepped forward, helped the beauty up, and laughed heartily.
The concubines were green with envy at this sight, especially Bai Yiran and Consort Zhao. They knew perfectly well that this Noble Lady Liu was about to rise to prominence.
Chu Wan twisted the handkerchief in her hand, her eyes reddening. She felt reluctant, sad, and resentful. During this time, he had been the most favored, with more monks than meat, and Su Yun had essentially taken food from his mouth.
Having been favored for a long time, Chu Wan couldn't help but be captivated by the emperor's tenderness and developed a possessive streak.
As Chu Wan looked up, she met Wu You's gaze. The disapproval in his eyes and the slight furrow in his brows felt like a bucket of cold water being poured on her face, instantly sobering Chu Wan from her saccharine favor.
He was just an ordinary concubine; what right did he have to interfere in the Emperor's affairs? The Emperor was free to favor whomever he pleased, and he could only accept it. Just as Consort Xian said, greed for too much inevitably leads to being consumed by desire.
Lowering her eyes, Chu Wan tightened her grip on the handkerchief, no longer looking or uttering a word. Then she thought about it; the Empress and Consort Zhao had been targeting her lately because of the Emperor's favor. Now that the Emperor had shifted his attention, the two of them probably wouldn't do anything to her anymore.
"Your Majesty, I am much better now, thanks to the care of Consort Zhao. After recovering, I specially choreographed a dance to present to Your Majesty." Su Yun removed her veil, revealing her beautiful and charming face. Her familiar features pleased Emperor Liang Yuan greatly, as if he had returned to his youth, and his eyes softened considerably.
Bai Yiran tore at the handkerchief in her hand, her fists clenched tightly. This slut actually used her resemblance to seduce the Emperor. She really wanted to slash the other woman's face to pieces.
"My beloved concubine is so frail, Sixi, quickly bring me my cloak." Emperor Liang Yuan looked at Su Yun's delicate figure, dressed in a light gauze dress, and called out to her with tenderness.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Su Yun's smile grew even more alluring, her eyes hooking at Emperor Liang Yuan's soul. One look at Emperor Liang Yuan's expression told him that Su Yun would be the one to serve him tonight.
Sure enough, as soon as the banquet ended, the Emperor summoned Su Yun to his bedchamber. He treated Su Yun as if she were a younger version of Bai Yiran, and his tenderness overwhelmed him, allowing him to experience the feeling of youth.
Bai Yiran stormed back to Fengyi Palace, smashing the porcelain beside her to pieces, still not satisfied. She had thought that bitch Su Yun would never rise again. She never expected the other woman to pull such a stunt, even imitating her and performing a dance for the Emperor.
Everyone knows that he fell in love with the emperor after a dance, and entered the palace as empress with just one song and dance. This woman is so shameless, it really infuriates him.
"Your Majesty, Consort Xian requests an audience." The palace maid ignored the wreckage before her and spoke respectfully.
"Tell her to get out—" Bai Yiran roared, her anger blatantly directed at him.
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