Big Fat Orange said a few polite words, then sat down at the head of the table, drinking and watching the singing and dancing in the hall.
"It's all the same old thing, not as interesting as the dance Luo Buzang Danjin did just now."
The empress held prayer beads in her hand, and although she was dressed in court robes, she sat upright like a Bodhisattva.
Hearing what the chubby orange cat said, he didn't even bother to look at him and simply pretended it didn't exist.
He's obsessed with comparing himself to Emperor Taizong of Tang, even mistaking Lobsang Danjin for Khagan Jieli. If he's so capable, why doesn't he just conquer Mongolia directly, instead of letting the royal girls marry into that land and suffer in hardship?!
The chubby orange cat, having been rebuffed, thought about how the Empress was getting older and her temper was becoming increasingly eccentric. Oh well, they had been married for many years. As long as she behaved herself, he wasn't intolerant of her.
He turned his gaze to the other concubines: Consort Hua was beautiful, Noble Lady Shen was dignified, Consort Jing was gentle, and Wanwan... she was his darling.
Consort Cheng... The chubby orange cat looked away with some disdain; such a fine day shouldn't be ruined.
Consort Qi glanced at Hongshi, hoping he would take the initiative and offer the Emperor a toast. They say meeting in person creates some warmth; she wanted to at least remind him that he had such a son.
Hongshi was unwilling, but he turned his head away, pretending not to see. He didn't see his father often, but nine times out of ten he was severely reprimanded.
He was lucky to escape unnoticed, but now he's offering himself up to get yelled at. He's not that stupid!
Seeing that she couldn't do anything to her son, Consort Qi could only wave her fan vigorously and drink several cups of wine to calm herself down.
Even if you don't have the ability or the destiny to be the crown prince, it's still easier to get benefits from your own father than from your brothers, isn't it?
When they leave the palace and establish their own households, the expenses of the whole family will depend on the assets that the emperor has leaked out.
Otherwise, those assets allocated by the Imperial Household Department according to regulations will be left to starve!
When it was almost time, Consort Hua gave Consort Cao a look, and Consort Cao immediately filled her cup with wine, picked it up, and stood up.
"Your Majesty and Empress, we are so grateful for your kindness in allowing us sisters to spend this joyous evening together on such a special day. It is a blessing for all of us."
After saying this, Consort Cao took her wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. Big Fat Orange and the Empress also drank a cup to show their respect.
Consort Qi was still displeased after being humiliated by Hongshi, and said directly, "Noble Lady Cao is quite eloquent, but the singing and dancing in this performance were rather shallow."
"The Emperor and Empress have just seen the Mongolian Chopstick Dance; these are probably not worthy of their attention."
Although it was said that Consort Hua was in charge, with Consort Jing and Noble Lady Shen assisting, in reality, it was all handled by Consort Hua. Consort Jing and Noble Lady Shen didn't even get to run errands.
Whether it's done well or not, it all depends on Consort Hua's reputation. Others are afraid of offending Consort Hua, but Consort Qi is not.
Consort Cao said, "The banquet in the inner palace cannot be compared with the banquets of the imperial court. The Emperor and Empress have just finished their busy work, so it is quite enjoyable for them to have fun with us sisters and enjoy some light singing and dancing."
Hongshi shook his head at Consort Qi, telling her to stop talking and not to offend people needlessly, especially at a family banquet in front of her father and mother.
Consort Hua said with a smile, "Consort Qi, look at Hongshi, he's so young, yet he's more sensible than you."
"Didn't you want to see something new and exciting? Here comes something new and exciting."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked into the hall, where a cloud of dust swept in from the side and quickly filled the entire hall.
Everyone was naturally surprised at the sight. Su Peisheng's first reaction was that there was a fire, and he ordered his men to protect the emperor. But soon they smelled the scent of mugwort, and Consort Hua and Consort Cao seemed unfazed, quickly regaining their composure.
The chubby orange asked, "Consort Hua, is this what you mean by 'fresh'?"
Consort Hua stood up and replied with a smile, "Your Majesty will know once you see it. I put a lot of thought into it."
The chubby orange said, "In that case, I'll take a good look."
As the sound of string and bamboo instruments began, several graceful young women dressed in Han Chinese attire gradually appeared from the smoke.
The white dress is embroidered with gold and silver threads to depict auspicious cloud patterns, which seem to shimmer like starlight under the lights.
The hem of the garment, the cuffs, the hem of the skirt, and the shawl hanging on the shoulders were each stained with a different color.
Zhen Huan gently waved the fan in her hand and said to Shen Meizhuang, "Sister Mei, look, Consort Hua has found a fairy maiden."
Shen Meizhuang said, "I also like their looks and figures. It's rare that Consort Hua would be willing to let them dance in front of the Emperor."
Consort Qi saw that the chubby orange cat was staring intently at the beautiful woman dancing gracefully in the center of the hall, and her anger was even more intense.
Compared to the other concubines, she was older. But compared to the chubby orange, she was more than ten years younger.
Consort Qi thought aggrievedly, "Who doesn't like young people? I like them too, but I have no choice!"
Seeing that Consort Qi's expression was not good, Consort Xin, ever eager to stir up trouble, asked...
"Sister Qi Fei, this dance is so beautiful, why are you looking up at the sky instead of watching?"
Consort Qi replied, "I'm looking at the sun. Did it rise in the west? Consort Hua actually managed to gather seven fairies?"
"I wonder where Chang'e is. Since the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet is for moon gazing, how can it be without Chang'e?"
Consort Cao said, "Look, Chang'e has come out."
Seven dancers formed a circle, kneeling and bending backward, like a blooming lotus flower.
A woman holding a pipa slowly rose from the center of the flowers, her face veiled by a light gauze, revealing only a pair of charming, smiling eyes, like dewdrops on lotus leaves in the morning.
Slender fingers plucked the strings, and the lively and cheerful sound of the pipa echoed in the hall.
Big Fat Orange exclaimed, "It's so refreshing to see the springtime scenery! This performance of 'Yangchun Baixue' is quite good. Consort Hua, thank you for your hard work."
Consort Hua gazed affectionately at the large, chubby orange, her eyes seemingly filled with tears. "As long as Your Majesty is pleased, I will do anything."
Consort Qi, Consort Xin, and the others stared at Consort Hua in disbelief, as if they had seen a ghost. Even the usually composed Consort Jing was completely stunned. Even the Empress couldn't help but glance at her again.
Only Big Fat Orange noticed anything amiss and watched with great interest.
An Lingrong asked in a low voice, "Why are they all dressed like Han Chinese women, not like the fashionable styles outside? Instead, they look like the outfits from the Tang and Song dynasties in ancient paintings?"
Xin Changzai explained, "You don't know, the late emperor always promoted the unity of Manchus and Han people, so the concubines in the harem often dressed as Han women, except for celebrations."
"As long as the Emperor likes it, you may dress like this in your own palace on ordinary days."
The music ended, and the sound of the pipa seemed to still linger on the beams of the main hall, never ceasing.
Big Fat Orange led the way with a few claps, and the scene instantly became lively.
"Come forward and let me see if you are worthy of such beautiful pipa music."
Shen Meizhuang smiled and said, "It seems we're going to have another sister."
Sun Miaoqing felt that she was becoming less and less able to understand the world, and she almost dropped her chopsticks.
[Hua Pangpang actually acted as a pimp for Da Pangju! How could she and Consort Cao have such poor taste? Did I miss something?]
[Look at that lecherous, pig-like face of Fatty Orange, he looks like he hasn't seen a beautiful woman in ages, he's really never seen the world.]
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