Chapter 84 The Emperor Attends and Makes Things Difficult
The Empress, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe, sat at the head of the table. Even though the palace was full of the Emperor's concubines, she could not hide the joy on her face. "Today I am hosting a family banquet. Everyone is eating and drinking to their heart's content. It has been a long time since the family has been reunited like this. I am truly happy."
She was happy that her son cared for her and that he was concerned about her, so she wanted everyone to know.
"Shang'er, Ruan Ruan, you two should eat more. All the dishes on the table are your favorites," the Empress said.
Xie Shang was slightly embarrassed. "Thank you, Mother." It turned out that all his mother wanted was a word of concern from him, which he had never done in all these years, and had only complained about. He said gently, "Mother, please eat more."
Xie Shang selected the best dishes, placed them on a plate, and had a palace maid deliver them to the Empress. The Empress was stunned for a moment, her eyes slightly misty, but she happily ate the dishes. When he called her "Mother," she instantly burst into tears.
This meal gave everyone a heart attack, but the Queen alone enjoyed it.
"His Majesty has arrived!" came the high-pitched voice of a eunuch from outside.
Everyone stood up to pay their respects, when the emperor, dressed in a dragon robe, arrived under the moonlight. His eyes were piercing, and his every move exuded a natural imperial aura that inspired awe.
The emperor said, "Since this is a family banquet, everyone please sit down."
He walked majestically to the high seat and sat down calmly. When the Empress saw him arrive suddenly, she lost her appetite and gave a dignified bow before sitting opposite the Emperor.
When the emperor arrived, everyone became even more reserved. However, the emperor didn't care who was not reserved or which concubine he had been favoring recently. His eyes were only on the empress's beaming face.
He gets annoyed whenever she smiles and wants to cause her trouble.
The Empress was annoyed by his gaze. If it weren't for her son, who would want to be his Empress? The atmosphere of the family banquet was ruined as soon as the Emperor arrived.
In reality, everyone in the palace was secretly complaining about this crazy emperor and empress. After all, the emperor and empress had been bickering for decades, and those who could get used to it had already gotten used to it.
Steward Cao served the emperor food with utmost care, personally tasting each dish to ensure it was free of poison before daring to place a new one in the emperor's bowl.
The emperor ate a few bites casually, but found it tasteless. He was in a bad mood, and nothing tasted good to him.
He casually glanced around the hall, and everyone immediately lowered their heads, feeling that the emperor's gaze was almost a death stare.
“Cao De,” the emperor suddenly said.
Steward Cao stepped forward to listen to His Majesty's instructions.
The emperor said, "It's so lifeless. Let some music be played."
Eunuch Cao hurriedly sent someone to invite dancers and singers. A moment later, the sound of string and wind instruments filled the palace, and the dancers' performance was even more unbearable to watch.
Halfway through the dancer's performance, the emperor abruptly put down his wine cup. Chief Eunuch Cao, adept at reading people's expressions, knew the emperor was displeased and quickly dismissed the dancer, replacing her with another.
Because the emperor was not satisfied with the previous dance, the dancers were trembling with fear, their steps stiff, for fear of displeasing the emperor and causing unexpected disaster.
At that moment, Consort Wang volunteered, "Your Majesty, I would like to play a tune to entertain you."
The emperor then remembered Consort Wang's good qualities and smiled, "It has been a long time since I've heard my beloved consort play the zither. I grant your permission."
The melodious sound of the zither echoed in the hall. Wang Meiren's fingers danced lightly on the strings, and the music was melodious, clear and pleasant to the ear, captivating the heart. Wang Meiren's posture was graceful and her expression was serene, like a beautiful painting.
When the music ended, the emperor suddenly burst into laughter, "How about I reward my beloved concubine with a golden hairpin and beautiful jewelry!"
Consort Wang quickly expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty. It is my honor to entertain Your Majesty. I do not wish for any reward."
"Then I will bestow upon my beloved concubine the title of Zhaoyi, and grant her a thousand taels of gold and silver, as well as gold hairpins and jewelry for her to choose from." The emperor was full of generosity.
This overwhelming wealth left Consort Wang completely bewildered and at a loss for words. It was only after her maidservant stepped forward to remind her that she repeatedly expressed her gratitude.
The emperor's words were law, and Consort Wang was instantly promoted two ranks, much to the envy of the other ladies and concubines.
Instantly, people volunteered, and the entire palace became lively.
Consort Ya also performed a dance from the Kingdom of Chaoxi in front of everyone to add to the festivities, with all eyes falling on her barely visible navel.
Jiang Fenghua sat obediently in her seat. The Emperor's eyes never left the Empress. What did he mean by this? Did the Emperor also want the Empress to dance for him?
She quickly denied it, saying that the Empress was already over forty years old. But the next moment, the Emperor suddenly spoke up, "I remember that the Empress's musical skills are superb. Why don't you play a piece for me as well?"
The Queen was drinking and was feeling a bit tipsy. Upon hearing this, the burning sensation in her throat made her see stars and cough incessantly.
Granny Xi quickly stepped forward to pat her back.
Seeing his father humiliating his mother like this, Xie Shang suddenly clenched his fists, his brows furrowed, and veins bulged as he tried to stand up and vent his anger for his mother.
Seeing this, Jiang Fenghua quickly took his hand and gently comforted him, "Your Highness, please calm down. I have also heard that Her Majesty the Empress was proficient in all the arts when she was young. If she were to take the stage, she might not lose to these younger generations."
Xie Shang's eyes darkened slightly. He remembered that his mother's zither skills were indeed unmatched. When he was a child, his mother often played the zither for him. Later, as he grew up, he rarely went to her palace and naturally heard her play less often.
Even people like Xie Yu secretly mocked the Empress for being old and faded, saying that if she went on stage, she would frighten the Emperor into having nightmares and would be disliked by him.
Upon hearing this, Xie Shang shot a cold look at Xie Yu. His father had humiliated his mother in public, and he showed no regard for their marital bond. He was truly heartless and ungrateful.
At the same time, the empress's whole body stiffened. She had only given birth to one child in her life. Although her figure had not changed and she had taken good care of herself over the years, she was no longer a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl.
The Emperor's actions were clearly intended to humiliate her in public, to make her look foolish in front of his many women, and to shame her.
She couldn't compare to the delicate beauty Wang Meiren, nor to the charming and alluring Ya Fei, and even Su Qingqing, who was banished to the Cold Palace, had overshadowed her for more than a decade.
The Empress had long since stopped trying to please the Emperor; her heart was dead, and she felt that nothing was interesting anymore.
The entire palace was as still as a frozen pool; everyone wanted to see how the Queen would respond and how she would embarrass herself.
"Your daughter-in-law also wishes to hear the Empress's melodious zither music," Jiang Fenghua suddenly spoke up, seeing that the Empress was in a difficult position.
The Empress had endured decades of resentment, being neglected by the Emperor her entire life, living a lonely life, and having survived all the torment. She had spent decades alone in her empty room, being ridiculed by others. Now, was she afraid of being ridiculed by others?
Over the past decade, in order to improve her musical and dance skills, Jiang Fenghua visited many accomplished masters. She had heard people say that Empress Cheng's musical skills were truly exceptional.
However, once an empress marries into the royal family and becomes an empress, she must abide by royal rules and possess the dignity and composure of an empress.
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention to Jiang Fenghua.
Jiang Fenghua stood up respectfully and performed a proper bow to the Empress and the Emperor.
Her voice was sweet and playful, "If my daughter-in-law is fortunate enough to hear my mother's masterpiece, that would be wonderful. Today is a family banquet, so please don't keep it a secret. Let us all broaden our horizons."
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