Chapter 464 Lantern Festival Banquet 2
When Madam Li saw her beautiful face, she was slightly stunned. Her husband often compared her to Madam Jiang and even called her a foolish woman, which made her somewhat angry.
Furthermore, the fact that the Jiang family stole her daughter-in-law has made it impossible for her son to find a wife now, which is why she couldn't help but sarcastically criticize the Jiang family out of anger.
Madam Li has now brought shame upon herself.
For a time, people who liked Feng Jingyuan asked her about the style and embroidery of her clothes, and even said that they would go to her second daughter's embroidery shop to buy clothes after leaving the palace.
At the same time, Madam Tang's face fell. Her clothes today were also custom-made, and the fabric was a gift from the Empress Dowager. Needless to say, they were incredibly luxurious and extravagant. She didn't want to embarrass her daughter.
Unexpectedly, when Madam Jiang arrived, no matter how much she wanted to show off, or even to emphasize that the clothes were a gift from the Empress Dowager, she felt powerless.
Madam Tang's expression was also not good.
Just then, Tang Qianran appeared in an exquisite gown. She had a smile on her face, but it was a little stiff, she must have been exhausted. However, she still greeted everyone, "Please don't stand on ceremony, everyone, please sit down."
At this moment, she didn't want to speak, but she still had to deal with everyone, which made her feel mentally exhausted.
She only remembered that at previous banquets, the Empress always managed to chat casually with the officials' wives with ease, and she could talk about anything, making everyone like her.
Seeing her daughter so majestic, Madam Tang was naturally delighted and respectfully bowed, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Highness, the Noble Consort."
Tang Qianran helped her mother up, saying, "Mother, you don't need to bow to your daughter. We are mother and daughter."
The mother and daughter also whispered to each other, with Madam Tang praising her daughter for being so capable and impressive that she had stolen the spotlight from the Empress.
All the guests are now seated; they are all family members of officials of the third rank or above, as well as relatives of the emperor.
Just then, a eunuch announced loudly, "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."
Everyone turned their attention to Jiang Fenghua and stood up to greet her.
Jiang Fenghua was dressed in an exquisite phoenix robe, the long gown reaching the ground, exuding magnificence and nobility. The peony pattern embroidered with gold thread on the robe shone with dazzling light, and her appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Tang Qianran's petite and delicate figure simply couldn't compare to the Empress's dignified and noble bearing.
Although Jiang Fenghua was pregnant and her belly was quite big, her beauty was not affected by pregnancy at all. For a moment, even Tang Qianran was stunned and speechless.
What's most infuriating is that Song Qing and Gao Qingtong attended the event with the Empress, surrounding her on both sides and looking completely at ease.
Once the Empress was seated gracefully, everyone bowed and greeted her, saying, "Your Majesty, may you be blessed with good health and happiness. We wish you joy and well-being on the Lantern Festival."
Jiang Fenghua smiled dignifiedly and politely. "No need for formalities. I share the joy of the Lantern Festival with you all, so please don't stand on ceremony." Her mother was also in the crowd.
Everyone sat back down in their seats. Jiang Fenghua knew that the Emperor and his ministers were currently entertaining the envoys, and that the Emperor and his ministers would arrive at the banquet hall later when the banquet officially began.
The main hall was indeed luxuriously decorated, reflecting Tang Qianran's consistently generous spending, which was in line with her style of doing things.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager also arrived, and everyone stood up to pay their respects.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Today I will share the joy with the people. Please be seated!"
The Empress Dowager's dress was also very exquisite and elaborate, with delicate patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs, and the whole dress was predominantly red, showcasing the majesty of the royal family.
Seeing the festive atmosphere of the banquet, the Empress Dowager praised, "Consort Tang has put a lot of effort into organizing this banquet."
Tang Qianran quickly bowed and said, "It is what I should do, and it is also something that Your Majesty the Empress Dowager trusts me to do."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "I heard that Consort Tang has come up with many ideas for everyone's entertainment today. What are the entertainment programs?"
Tang Qianran said, "Admiring the lanterns is always a major event every year. This year, I've added some fun, and there are some beautiful lanterns. When the lanterns are lit at night, our Shengjing City turns into a night sky. The lanterns are like stars in the night sky, so beautiful. There are also lantern riddle games."
She then addressed the group of women, saying, "I have also prepared glutinous rice balls for everyone today."
The Empress Dowager said happily, "It sounds so interesting. It's a pity that the Emperor and his ministers are not finished yet. I came early to chat with everyone. The Lantern Festival is a joyous festival, a time for family reunion and harmony."
Jiang Fenghua sat quietly, waiting for the Empress Dowager and Tang Qianran to make their move. She wanted to watch the show.
"His Majesty has arrived..." With a loud shout, the emperor walked in steadily with his envoys.
Jiang Jinyan, Imperial Censor Zhu, Minister Li, and others were also in the group, along with envoys from various countries, including the envoy from Chaoxi Kingdom.
Jiang Fenghua greeted the envoys alongside the Empress Dowager. She glanced at the procession and noticed that apart from the female officials from Chaoxi Kingdom, there were no other women among the envoys. She had also asked Jiang Jinyan to investigate the guesthouses where the envoys were staying. Although the envoys from various countries all brought women with them, even the envoys from the Hu tribe had women serving them personally, Su Qingqing was nowhere to be seen. Where was she hiding?
At the same time, Xie Shangchao said to the envoys, "Esteemed envoys, please take the seat of honor. Prince Huyan, please take the seat of honor."
The envoys bowed again, saying, "Your Majesty, please."
Seeing Jiang Fenghua standing to one side, Xie Shang raised an eyebrow at her and winked. Jiang Fenghua smiled and quickly followed him to sit on his right. The Empress Dowager sat on the Emperor's left. Consort Tang and Consort Song, among other concubines, also had their own seats, but they were all seated in the lower positions.
The entire venue was arranged by the Imperial Household Department. Envoys occupied one side, officials occupied another side, the families of court officials occupied yet another side, and imperial relatives also had their own exclusive seats.
The emperor said in a deep voice, "It is once again the Lantern Festival. I will celebrate the Lantern Festival with you all and drink this cup together. Please."
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, and Empress wish Your Majesty a joyous Lantern Festival."
Jiang Fenghua also symbolically raised her cup. After drinking a cup of wine, the master of ceremonies said again, "Play the music."
Soon, dancers stepped forward to perform. As soon as the song ended, applause rang out in the hall. An official said, "The Lantern Festival feast of the Great Zhou Dynasty is indeed exceptionally lively."
At this moment, the envoy from the Kingdom of Wu suddenly stepped forward and said, "This humble official requests permission to present a piece of music from the Kingdom of Wu to His Majesty of the Great Dynasty. The Kingdom of Wu does not have such a grand festival as your country. Seeing it today has truly broadened this humble official's horizons."
Xie Shang said, "Please, sir."
Soon, the Ukrainian envoy stood in the center with his musical instruments. The instruments in his hands were quite peculiar, seemingly made from animal skulls. The drumheads were made of some kind of leather, which appeared smooth and shiny, and even had intricate patterns painted on them.
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