Chapter 75 Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, the Queen Makes Things Difficult
The Queen Mother took Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan aside to talk, asking them about everything from their daily life to Gu Junze's physical condition.
It was not until the eunuch came to announce that the banquet was about to begin and the empress dowager stood up that Chu Ruohan pushed Gu Junze and slowly walked towards Huaqing Palace with the empress dowager.
Inside the Huaqing Hall, a huge wooden carving of a dragon and a phoenix sits on the roof, looking lifelike and as if about to take off.
All the ministers and their families had already gathered, and the emperor and empress sat on the throne.
After the Queen Mother took her seat, everyone bowed to her and said, "Greetings to the Queen Mother, may Her Majesty live a thousand years."
The Queen Mother smiled and raised her hand, "No need to be so polite. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, so there's no need to be restrained."
Everyone stood up to express their gratitude.
Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze were no exception. After paying their respects to the Queen Mother, they turned around and paid their respects to the Emperor and the Queen.
After everyone took their seats, the emperor's face was filled with joy, and his resounding voice echoed through the hall: "Our dynasty's prosperity is all due to the concerted efforts of all your beloved ministers. At this Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, I hope you will put aside the worries of court and enjoy the joy of family. There is no need to be bound by formalities."
"Your Majesty, I obey your command and thank you for your grace. Long live the emperor."
The eunuch announced loudly: "The banquet begins!"
Suddenly, the sound of stringed instruments and wind instruments rang out, melodious and graceful.
A group of dancers in colorful costumes entered one after another, their dance moves graceful and light, with ribbons flying, as if they were fairies descending to earth.
The table was filled with delicious food, and the golden cups and jade plates sparkled in the candlelight, emitting an alluring glow.
However, amidst the singing, dancing, and laughter, there was a pair of poisonous eyes staring intently at Chu Ruohan.
The queen sat on the throne, looking at Chu Ruohan with cold eyes, and was very dissatisfied with her.
My younger brother has always been a playboy and has finally calmed down and fallen in love with a woman.
But the Chu family was too ungrateful to marry their daughter to a lowly guard.
Isn't this a slap in the face of the Duke of Wei's Mansion?
When the singing and dancing stopped, the queen suddenly coughed lightly. Although the sound was not loud, it instantly attracted everyone's attention.
The queen raised her eyebrows slightly, a barely perceptible sinister look flashed in her eyes, and a faint arc hung at the corner of her mouth.
She slowly said, "Madam Gu, I recently heard that the Chu family is extremely wealthy and good at business. Their shops are spread all over the country and are well-known in the business world."
"It's the Mid-Autumn Festival now, and the Western Regions have sent in a batch of tribute fabrics. They're said to be very new and exotic, but I'm a little unsure about them."
"Mrs. Gu is so intelligent and clever. She must have been exposed to all kinds of silk fabrics since she was a child. She must be very familiar with the intricacies of this fabric. Why don't you explain it to me and let everyone here broaden their horizons?"
After saying this, the nanny beside the queen clapped her hands, and the palace maids came forward carrying several exquisite brocade boxes and unfolded the fabrics in the boxes one by one.
Everyone in the palace was smart, and they could see that the Queen was deliberately making things difficult for the wife of the Crown Prince of Anyang Marquis's Mansion.
For a moment, everyone's eyes were cast on Chu Ruohan. Some were watching the show, some were gloating, and some were secretly worried for her.
The Queen Mother sat in the upper seat, frowning slightly in displeasure. She was well aware of the Queen's actions, but as the Queen Mother, she had to consider the overall situation and couldn't get angry on the spot.
But the hint of coldness in her eyes already showed her dissatisfaction with the queen's behavior.
The fabrics were colorful and of varying textures, some as thin as a cicada's wing, others with intricate patterns. They shimmered with a strange luster under the candlelight, and it was obvious at first glance that they were extraordinary.
Chu Ruohan's heart tightened, knowing that the Queen was deliberately making things difficult for her, but she had been exposed to these things since she was a child, so she was not completely unfamiliar with them.
Gu Junze's eyes were full of worry. Although he tried his best to restrain himself, his tightly pursed lips still made people feel the turmoil in his heart.
He straightened his body slightly and was about to speak to Chu Ruohan's defense, but Chu Ruohan stopped him with a look.
Chu Ruohan gave him a soothing look, which was full of determination and tenderness, as if to say "Don't worry, I can handle it."
She knelt slightly in greeting, her expression calm and composed, and said softly, "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. I only know a little bit, but since you have asked me, I will do my best."
After saying that, Chu Ruohan walked forward and looked at the fabrics carefully.
She gently stroked one of them. The fabric was smooth to the touch, yet had a hint of toughness.
After a moment's thought, she spoke, "Your Majesty, this cloth may appear thin, but it is actually made from the finest silk mixed with ice hemp, a material unique to the Western Regions. Therefore, it possesses the softness and smoothness of silk, as well as the coolness and breathability of ice hemp. It will surely make one feel very comfortable in summer."
"Moreover, this weaving method uses Suzhou's unique double-sided embroidery method. Although the patterns on the front and back are slightly different, they are both exquisite and time-consuming, and are very valuable."
Then, she pointed to another one and said, "Look at this one. The color is bright and it won't fade for a long time. It must be made of a unique plant dye..."
The ladies listened to Chu Ruohan's explanation and couldn't help but praise her in secret. The Queen Mother also nodded slightly, with a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.
Upon seeing this, the Queen's face darkened slightly and she was secretly annoyed. She had thought that she could stump Chu Ruohan, but she had not expected that she could actually make sense.
"Hmph, Madam Gu is quite knowledgeable, but the value of this cloth lies not only in itself, but also in the style of clothing it creates. In your opinion, what style would be most suitable for these pieces of cloth?"
There was a hint of reluctance in the Queen's voice.
Chu Ruohan had expected this, but she still kept smiling, without any panic or flaws.
She lowered her eyes slightly, frowned slightly, and seemed to be pondering for a moment, but in fact she already had a plan in mind.
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, that piece of light cloth can be made into a long, flowing dress with wide sleeves. It will make a woman walk lightly and gracefully, and will definitely show off her feminine beauty."
"As for that thick, warm one, you could make it into a cloak, trim it with mink fur, and embroider it with auspicious cloud patterns. Your Majesty would look both noble and gorgeous in it."
After hearing this, the Queen couldn't find any flaws for a moment. Although she was reluctant, she could only suppress her anger and said coldly: "You still have some vision and ingenuity."
Seeing that the Queen was still refusing to give in, the Queen Mother's face suddenly darkened. She put down the teacup in her hand with a muffled sound.
The sound was particularly clear in the silent hall, and everyone's eyes were cast on the Queen Mother.
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