Chapter 133 The Divorced Heiress of a Noble Family—Attending a Palace Banquet
The tenth day of the fifth lunar month is the Empress Dowager's fiftieth birthday.
In early April, the Emperor instructed the Imperial Household Department to begin preparing for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet this year.
Although the Empress Dowager was not the Emperor's biological mother, the Emperor's filial piety was known to all the people.
Because it was a birthday celebration, this year's banquet was even grander than in previous years. The Emperor decreed that officials of the fourth rank and above in the capital should bring their families to the palace to attend the banquet on the day of their birthday.
Su Heng heard the news during the court assembly, and after returning home, he discussed it with his wife. They agreed that the couple should attend the birthday banquet together.
This birthday banquet is the first large-scale banquet since the daughter's accident, and princes, nobles, officials and their families will all attend.
There must have been many acquaintances, not to mention Zhao Fengyin, the empress's niece and nephew-in-law.
Su Yaoyao learned about the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet from Guiyun. At present, the most popular topic in the capital is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
After more than two months of conditioning, Yaoyao felt that her body had reached its best condition. She was called a vixen for a reason; Yaoyao had several secret recipes for maintaining her health. During this period, she took care of her body with her mother every day.
Now, Su Yaoyao's skin is so fair and flawless, her bright and delicate features are even more beautiful than those of a celestial being, her long, black hair is casually tied up with a jade hairpin, and a few strands fall loosely at her temples, making her even more charming. Her perfectly voluptuous figure is also captivating.
Guiyun had been by her young mistress's side for over a decade and had grown accustomed to her beauty.
However, in the last two months, she has often been captivated by the young lady's beauty, and sometimes, the young lady's unintentional smile would make her blush.
At that moment, her heart was screaming: "Miss is so beautiful!"
“Mother, I want to attend the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. I know you are worried about me facing the malice of others and that I am still dwelling on the past. On the day Zhao Fengyin got married, I made up my mind to let go of everything in the past. Two months is enough time for me to forget everything before.”
Seeing that Su's mother remained silent, Yaoyao continued, "I can't stay home forever. As long as I get through this most difficult birthday banquet, whatever people or things I encounter in the future will be minor issues, and you won't have to worry about me anymore."
Su's mother was somewhat tempted: "But..."
"Mother, please promise me! If you don't let me go, I won't give you your favorite peach blossom cream!"
Su's mother: "..."
And you know what? Ever since she started using the peach blossom cream her daughter gave her, she's noticed that her skin has become much softer. Even her husband, who's always focused on his work, has noticed. It's really effective!
In the end, Su's mother agreed, and the task of persuading Su's father was left to her.
*
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it was the Empress Dowager's birthday.
Starting at 1:00 PM, officials began to set off with their families, with those from farther away departing earlier.
For families like the Su family, which have a superior geographical location close to the palace, the departure time is a little later, but they still have to arrive before the formal banquet. No one dares to arrive later than the host.
The weather after the start of summer is very hot and humid, and attending a palace banquet during this time is a great test for a woman's makeup.
Carriages were not allowed to enter the palace, and the Xiangyun Hall, where the birthday banquet was held, was a 35-minute walk from the palace entrance.
Summer clothes from the Su family were delivered to each courtyard early on, with the most styles available for Yaoyao's side, each one carefully selected by Su's mother.
Looking at the blazing sun outside, Yaoyao decisively chose to travel light. The prerequisite for achieving her goal was to enter the banquet gracefully and calmly, otherwise, what if she fainted from the heat!
Yaoyao was wearing a violet-colored, fitted, pleated long dress with silver threads embroidered along the hem, which swayed like rippling water as she walked.
The hibiscus flowers, embroidered stitch by stitch, come to life on the skirt. The slender waist, paired with a water lily-colored belt, further accentuates her graceful figure.
Her long, black hair was simply styled into a single bun with a hand-carved wooden hairpin, and a pair of gold butterfly pendants hung on her small, cute ears. Her delicate, jade-like face was only lightly dusted with powder.
Yao Yao used ink to outline a perfect eyebrow shape, and lightly touched her delicate lips with vermilion. Her beautiful and alluring expression was captivating.
The imperial palace is a symbol of power, and each magnificent palace exudes an atmosphere of solemnity and majesty.
She placed her slender, fair hand on her maid's hand and gracefully stepped down from the carriage. Looking up at the unfamiliar red-tiled, yellow-walled buildings, a surge of emotions welled up within her.
This is a world she has never experienced before.
At this moment, his bright, emerald-like eyes were filled with laughter, and the corners of his lips were slightly upturned, a gesture of certainty.
She, Su Yaoyao, has always been someone to be looked up to.
*
The journey from the palace gate to the Xiangyun Hall was very quiet, with each official's family led by a eunuch.
The majesty of the palace intimidated everyone, and the sunlight made them too weak to speak; all they wanted was to reach their destination as quickly as possible.
"My lord, this is where you and your family will be seated. The birthday banquet will officially begin at 5:00 PM." The young eunuch led the Su family to their designated seats and said respectfully.
Because regulations stipulated that officials attending palace banquets could only bring one maidservant with them, Su Heng gestured to Gui Yun with his eyes and then said, "Thank you for leading the way, Eunuch."
Guiyun was very clever. When no one was paying attention, she secretly slipped some silver into the hand of the eunuch who was leading the way.
This was prepared in advance by Su Heng when they were in the manor. Having been in officialdom for many years, he knew that no one in the palace should be underestimated.
Eunuch Chen Li was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. He was just a lowly eunuch who cleaned the Imperial Garden. He had been temporarily transferred here because there was a shortage of people at the front today. He never expected to receive a reward!
Judging by the amount, it's about a month's worth of his allowance!
"Your Excellency is too kind. It is my duty."
The Xiangyun Hall is very large. The empty seat in the middle of the high platform must be the host of today's palace banquet. The passageway directly opposite the high platform is the performance stage, with the seats for princes, nobles and officials arranged on both sides of the stage.
In front of each seat was a table about three meters long, and the people sat in order of their proximity to the royal bloodline and their rank and official position.
The Su family's location was quite good; they were seated in the middle of the first row. Yao Yao glanced at the platform; there was no obstruction between them.
At this time, most of the officials and their families had arrived at the banquet, as had some princes and nobles. Yao Yao did not see the original owner's ex-husband and his new wife.
As expected of a general who has made great achievements, he has a lot of face.
Because of sun protection, many ladies wore veils, so many people did not notice Yaoyao at first.
And when everyone took their seats, they began to remove their veils.
As always, Yaoyao sat down gracefully and calmly, casually lifting her veil. Her beautiful eyes lifted slightly, and she noticed the surprised expressions of the people opposite her.
The capital city is never short of novel things, and some novel things are repeatedly brought up in specific situations. The Su family is such a case today.
Everyone was speculating about who from the Su family would be attending the banquet today, whether Su Yaoyao would come, and if she did, what kind of resentful woman she would be.
Before the veil was removed, many people still didn't believe that the person could be Su Yaoyao. How could she dare?
When the veil was removed, everyone seemed to hold their breath for a moment. Was that Su Yaoyao?
It should be so. Her facial features haven't changed, but her whole person seems to have undergone a baptism, washing away the original gloom and dust, and now she shines like a bright pearl, making people unable to look away.
Those present were deeply moved, experiencing a mix of emotions: praise, envy, bewilderment, and appreciation...
All eyes turned to her, but Yao Yao remained calm and enjoyed the moment when she was the center of attention.
Of course, it would be even better if it were on a high platform.
Suddenly, Yao Yao's hand was grasped by someone—it was Su's mother. Yao Yao knew that her parents were worried about her.
She turned her head slightly, met her parents' worried eyes, gave them a reassuring smile, and said in a gentle yet firm tone, "Don't worry, your daughter is fine."
Seeing their daughter's calm face, without a trace of feigned strength, Mr. and Mrs. Su finally felt relieved.
No one disturbed the warm atmosphere in the Su family home. Everyone looked away and chatted to pass the time.
Everyone present was shrewd; no one would choose to cause trouble for the Su family at this time, since the other side of this grand drama had not yet made its appearance!
I heard that the wife of the Marquis of Weiwu, also known as Princess Baoyun, is pregnant, and Her Majesty the Empress has sent her many precious tonics!
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