Chapter 314 Mid-Autumn Festival Beauty Contest
Empress Cheng was neglected by the emperor. Last year, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, she played a piece of music that reminded the emperor of her youth. As a result, the emperor's relationship with her improved considerably, and they even spent some time together like an old married couple.
Will she go on stage again this year to compete for the emperor's favor? She is the empress; how could she possibly perform on stage with other women? Wouldn't that make her a laughingstock?
Last year, Jiang Fenghua was also her backup dancer. Thinking of this, she felt a little embarrassed when she saw Jiang Fenghua.
The young ladies of the Eastern Palace had all been arranged to serve the Crown Prince in succession, so she had no reason to say anything. As for why the young ladies' bellies hadn't shown any signs of pregnancy, she couldn't blame the Crown Princess.
The Empress said calmly, "This year, let Ruan Ruan go on stage and play a piece for the Empress Dowager to entertain everyone."
Jiang Fenghua said, "With such a gem before me, I dare not embarrass myself on stage." In saying this, she was essentially refusing Empress Cheng.
She came to meet Consort Yan, wondering if Consort Yan had found her a new daughter-in-law yet. Consort Yan was extremely dissatisfied with Luo Ziqiong, but now, out of consideration for the royal family's reputation, she couldn't possibly divorce her.
If Luo Ziqiong wanted a divorce, it would be a disgrace to Xie Yu, and Consort Yan naturally wouldn't agree to it either.
When Jiang Fenghua said this, everyone in the hall was taken aback. Who was Zhuyu? Was she referring to Empress Cheng?
Consort Yan suddenly began to flatter Consort Zhao, "Sister Zhao's pipa playing is indeed unmatched. I've heard that every woman in the Zhao family seems to have inherited the true skills and has achieved great mastery in the instrument. During the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Sister Zhao should bring all her nieces into the palace to form a pipa ensemble and play together. That would be truly magnificent."
Consort Yan rarely flattered anyone, and Consort Zhao naturally enjoyed being praised. She believed that over the years, only she, Zhao Xiangyu, could play the pipa with such exquisite skill in the palace. However, since the Crown Prince had not chosen a daughter from the Zhao family for his consort selection, she naturally wanted to bring her nieces into the palace to make them familiar to His Highness the Crown Prince.
At this moment, Jiang Fenghua finally understood that Consort Yan had set her sights on Consort Zhao's niece.
That's right. Minister Zhao is the head of the Ministry of Revenue, which is a lucrative department. If Consort Yan wants to curry favor with the Zhao family, it would be an excellent marriage if the emperor allowed it.
The group chatted happily, praising Consort Zhao to the skies. Empress Cheng hated Consort Su the most in her life, and she felt she could turn a blind eye to Consort Zhao, Consort Yan, and others. So she was not unhappy that Consort Zhao was being flattered.
Now that Empress Cheng's son has ascended to the position of Crown Prince, the difference in status is immediately apparent.
Why was Jiang Fenghua acting so submissive? Didn't she love dancing? What was wrong with dancing on stage? Empress Cheng belatedly realized that Jiang Fenghua's words just now were a rejection of her.
Empress Cheng secretly complained: The entire Eastern Palace was lifeless under her leadership, while the other six palaces were bustling with activity.
The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, a festival for showcasing talents, only comes once a year, and today it is even more lively, especially after the crown prince was appointed, with young ladies from various noble families emerging one after another.
Everyone couldn't help but envy the women who had entered the palace first, and hoped that they would be selected in future selections.
Therefore, the ladies who entered the Eastern Palace first felt they had a greater chance and worked even harder to practice their talents.
Before they knew it, the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived. Jiang Fenghua appeared before the ladies dressed in an elegant and proper palace gown.
She said in a deep voice, "Now that everyone has left the East Palace and arrived at the banquet, you must all abide by the rules and observe etiquette. Ministers of the court will also be attending with their families, and your parents, brothers, and sisters may also be there. I understand that you will all be excited to see your relatives, but you must remember that you are the mistress of the East Palace. Remember to be careful with your words and actions. I only have one request for you today: do not bring shame to the East Palace or cause any trouble. Everyone should behave yourselves."
"Yes, Your Highness." The concubines were also dressed very elegantly, each having prepared a performance to show off to His Highness the Crown Prince.
They knew that the competition was fierce today, and even the noble ladies of Shengjing would gather together for this banquet. After today, the Eastern Palace would add many new concubines. They hadn't even become familiar with the Crown Prince yet, and now another batch of new concubines were coming. Their chances of serving the Crown Prince in the future would be even fewer.
Every concubine in the Eastern Palace is like a fish out of water, yearning for imperial favor.
After Jiang Fenghua finished her reprimand, Xie Shang also came to Chenxi Palace. He looked straight ahead, his eyes not on the beautifully dressed young ladies at all. He walked straight up to Jiang Fenghua and gave her a doting look. "Even I can't match the Crown Princess's grandeur."
Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "Your Highness is making fun of me. Today's scene is grand and magnificent. My words and actions, as well as those of the ladies of the Eastern Palace, are all under the watchful eyes of everyone. We must remember not to make the slightest mistake, which is why I have given them such careful instructions."
Xie Shang also knew that this year's Mid-Autumn Festival was indeed different from previous years. The martial arts examination had ended and the champion had been selected. To his surprise, Jiang Zhiqin had come in third place. He also invited the champion, Ran Jin, the second-place winner, Yun Ji, and the third-place winner, Jiang Zhiqin, to participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Xie Shang's eyes were deep and cold as he said, "Did you all hear what the Crown Princess said?"
The three young masters replied, "Yes."
The atmosphere, created by the couple, resembled a military battle, making everyone afraid to even breathe. The palace maids and eunuchs served the young ladies with even greater care. With so many people and such a chaotic scene, they couldn't afford to make the slightest mistake, or they would be in deep trouble.
Just as Xie Shang was about to leave Chenxi Palace with Jiang Fenghua in his hand, the three young ladies of the East Palace also prepared to follow slowly.
Just then, Song Qing's foot was suddenly tripped by someone, and she suddenly lunged forward with a scream, landing right on Xie Shang.
Xie Shang took her hand, gave her a deep look, and said coldly, "What's going on?"
Song Qing's face turned pale with fright. "I accidentally stepped on my skirt, I..."
Xie Shang glanced at her, his eyes flashing with an ambiguous coldness.
Jiang Fenghua quickly said, "My ladies all love to look pretty, and their skirts were a bit too big. They just tripped and fell because they stepped on their skirts. Just be careful." She gave them a deep look; they all seemed restless!
Behind them were all palace maids and eunuchs, and everyone was so panicked that their eyes were only on their own masters, and they didn't pay attention to anyone else.
Xie Shang said coldly, "This is a one-time exception."
After saying that, Xie Shang took Jiang Fenghua's hand and left, leaving the three young ladies behind, neither here nor there.
Tang Qianran scolded, "You don't have to be in such a hurry!"
Song Qing didn't know what was going on. Who stepped on her skirt? She chose to keep quiet because today was a special day. If she were punished by the Crown Prince and forced to stay in the palace, wouldn't that be a huge loss? So she endured it. But when she saw this, she was shocked: Zhu Zhenzhen wanted to harm her so that she would be punished by the Crown Prince.
Song Qing pretended not to know and smiled at Zhu Zhenzhen, saying, "Sister Zhen, let's go. Let's ignore her. She's like a mad dog, biting anyone she can get her hands on. It must be Tang Qianran trying to harm me again. Unfortunately, I won't fall for her tricks this time."
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