Chapter 70 At the Deer Cry Banquet, when will His Highness come to check my homework...?
In the second year of Xingfeng, on the day of Yiwei in the fourth month, a three-zhang-deep hole suddenly appeared in the southwest corner of the imperial mausoleum in the suburbs of the capital, with a sound like thunder. The roof tiles of the city shook. However, the cause of the collapse was unknown, which led to a lot of rumors among the people. It was said that "the dragon usurped the throne, and heaven and earth were reversed." This was a warning from the ancestral temple. Because the order of rank had been lost, this disaster was sent to warn future generations.
Whenever natural disasters or man-made calamities occurred, in accordance with the ancestral system of the Great Qi Dynasty, the emperor would lead the Xiao clan members to the ancestral temple to hold sacrifices and pray for peace and prosperity for the country.
Incense tables were set up in the main hall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, with wisps of smoke rising and bells and chimes ringing. The imperial relatives, dressed in ceremonial robes and adorned with jade pendants, performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows.
The young emperor, suffering from tuberculosis, was unable to attend in person. Prince Anxian, as the most senior member of the royal family, stood on the white marble altar, holding the sacrificial vessels, and performed the ritual on behalf of the young emperor.
"In the second year of Xingfeng, your unworthy nephew Xiao Feng'an hereby proclaims to our ancestors that the unusual activity at the imperial tombs is truly due to my lack of virtue. I now lead my clan in prostrating ourselves to beg for forgiveness, hoping that our ancestors will protect the Great Qi..."
When the phrase "Protect the Emperor, give birth to Zhongshanfu, promote the virtuous and dismiss the wicked!" was recited, King Anxian's face was flushed, his voice was like a booming bell, and he raised the sacrificial vessel high above his head. His excited appearance was more like a new emperor announcing his arrival at the temple than a blessing.
After the sacrificial ceremony, Chu Yueyuan was preparing to board the jade carriage to return to the palace when Princess Anxian stepped forward, smiled, and bowed to her in a warm tone:
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager has been attending to His Majesty's illness for days, and today you personally presided over the sacrificial ceremony. Such a long and arduous journey... is truly exhausting. There is a 'Ningxin Nunnery' near the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The vegetarian food there is quite palatable. If Your Majesty does not mind, would you be willing to accompany me there for a visit, just to relax and clear your mind?"
Although Princess An-hyun is over forty years old, she has been pampered and well-maintained, with a smooth face and no fine lines around her eyes. At first glance, she looks more like a woman in her thirties.
With the Regent absent from this grand ancestral temple ceremony, Prince Anxian enjoyed immense prestige among the royal family. Seeing Prince Anxian's fervent efforts, Chu Yueyuan couldn't very well offend Princess Anxian.
She replied with a smile, "I happen to be a little hungry, so I'll go with the Princess."
After enjoying the vegetarian meal at Ningxin Nunnery, Princess Anxian took Chu Yueyuan for a walk along the bamboo path behind the nunnery to aid digestion.
It had just rained last night, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and bamboo leaves. The bamboo forest, washed by the rain, was lush and green, with glistening water droplets still rolling on the leaves, sparkling in the sunlight.
Princess Anxian warmly linked arms with Chu Yue. If it weren't for the fact that the two were more than twenty years apart in age, they would really look like a pair of harmonious sisters-in-law from a distance.
Princess Anxian gracefully fanned herself with a round fan and said with a smile, "It's quite interesting. A few days ago, the Wu family held a birthday banquet for the Dowager Madam, inviting many dignitaries from the capital. Even the reclusive Princess Nianyi graced us with her presence. The Wu family hired the most famous lion dance troupe in Yuzhou. As the lions leaped and tumbled, they spat out two longevity couplets from their mouths, which made the Dowager Madam laugh so hard she couldn't stop!"
Chu Yueyuan smiled slightly: "It sounds so lively. I also received an invitation from the Wu family, but I have to take care of the Emperor and can't get away for the time being. So I ordered someone to send over the red coral bonsai from the South China Sea to add some joy to the old lady."
"Oh my, speaking of that red coral, it's really beautiful! Its color is as bright as the morning glow, and its texture is as smooth as jade. Lord Wu specially ordered it to be placed in the most conspicuous position in the birthday hall, and told everyone that it was a gift from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Princess Anxian abruptly changed the subject, smiling as she continued, "I even saw Lord Chu at the birthday banquet... Lady Chu's departure was so sudden, and Lord Chu looked so haggard, he didn't even bother to straighten the wrinkles in his robes, sitting alone in a corner drinking and thinking of her. Alas... truly..."
She sighed, fanning herself, seemingly feeling deep pity for Chu Shuheng, who was grieving the loss of his wife.
Chu Yueyuan's smile faded slightly. She didn't reply, but calmly began to admire the scenery in the bamboo forest.
Her father was most adept at putting on a dignified and gentlemanly appearance in front of others. When he married Du Chuirong, he rose rapidly through the ranks thanks to this marriage. Later, when Hu traveled thousands of miles to the capital to find her husband, he showed no disdain whatsoever. Even under pressure from the Du family, he insisted on making Hu and Du Chuirong equals.
How could a merchant's daughter with no connections and no social standing be on equal footing with a noblewoman from an official family? It was all just for show.
Her father, wanting both a clean reputation and real wealth, had honed this hypocritical skill to perfection.
It was precisely his indifferent attitude that allowed the unruly servants in the mansion to treat Madam Hu with impunity, and even summoning a doctor required him to be mindful of the servants' attitude.
The first wife of a noble family, married by law, lived with less dignity than a gatekeeper servant.
Chu Yueyuan despised Chu Shuheng's hypocrisy and regretted that it took her so many years to see through his hypocrisy, leaving her mother to suffer alone in those dark and hopeless years.
Princess Anxian looked at the young Empress Dowager's face through the silk embroidered butterfly fan, and saw that the woman's expression remained calm and expressionless.
"It's no wonder Lord Chu is so heartbroken. Lady Du's passing was so sudden. She was taking such good care of the Emperor; how could she have contracted such a serious illness and died so suddenly? Many people at the banquet are whispering among themselves, saying that this matter is strange, and some even say..."
She lowered the fan and her voice, saying, "The Empress Dowager had a rather unpleasant falling out with Lady Du over the matter of raising the Emperor, and she felt that Lady Du's death was related to His Highness..."
Princess Anxian stopped speaking abruptly, then smiled and said, "I won't utter such nonsense to offend Your Highness's ears."
Chu Yueyuan stopped in front of the bamboo grove. She looked up and surveyed the grove, then pointed to a tall, straight bamboo stalk and gave an order to Captain Jing, who was following behind her:
“This bamboo is growing very well and is quite resilient. Let’s cut it down and take it back to the palace to make a paper kite for the Emperor.”
Commandant Jing bowed and clasped his hands in salute: "Your subordinate obeys the decree."
He strode forward, swiftly drawing his sword from his waist. With a swift stroke, the bamboo stalk snapped in two, crashing to the ground and startling birds into flight, causing bamboo leaves to fall in a flurry.
Princess Anxian had not expected that the guards around the young Empress Dowager would act so recklessly, drawing their swords and cutting bamboo before the noble lady could leave. Startled, Princess Anxian's expression changed slightly, and she quickly raised her fan to shield herself from the falling leaves.
Chu Yueyuan smiled, her crimson lips curved in a smile, and said in a flat tone, "Since it's all nonsense, then I won't listen to it."
Princess Anxian immediately put on a smile and quickly agreed, "The Empress Dowager is the mother of the nation, so naturally I don't believe it either, but..." She paused, her tone somewhat meaningful:
"While those gossipy women were talking, Princess Nianyi just sat there silently, not offering the slightest defense of His Highness. Alas... all the effort His Highness put into protecting her at the flower arrangement banquet was in vain. I even mistakenly thought that His Highness and Princess Nianyi had a deep affection for each other!"
Chu Yueyuan's bright eyes curved slightly as she looked gratefully at Princess Anxian and said softly, "So, Princess Anxian must have spoken up for me that day?"
Princess Anxian paused in her fanning, a hint of embarrassment appearing on her face. "This..." she managed a weak smile. "Of course..."
The two walked along the path for a while, and then Princess Anxian steered the conversation to Prince Chun.
"After the results were announced, the Prince's mansion was bustling with carriages and horses, even more so than the Princess's mansion at its peak. Noble families brought lavish gifts, trying every means to find out why their sons or nephews had failed. Alas... Prince Chun has only been back in the capital from Jingzhou for three months, yet he has already taken charge of the Ministry of Personnel. Now, countless noble families in the capital want to curry favor with him, secretly sending matchmakers to visit him..."
Finally, Princess Anxian seemed to have a feeling and said, "It is clear that it is not important for a woman to lose her husband, but what is important is to have a father or brother who can uphold the family's reputation. What does Your Highness think?"
Chu Yueyuan smiled and subtly changed the subject: "The fragrance Your Highness is using today is quite unique. I have never smelled such an elegant scent before."
Noble ladies in the capital city valued using fragrance to cultivate their character and preserve their youth. The more elaborate and rare the ingredients in the incense pills, the more it highlighted their status. Over time, these small incense pills became a tacitly understood means of competition among the noble families.
High-ranking families and noble ladies have always disdained common, vulgar incense. They insist on having incense masters create unique incense balls that are unconventional, in order to demonstrate their refined taste.
A smug smile appeared on Princess Anxian's face, and she even fanned herself with unusual lightness. Without thinking, she said:
“Your Highness has excellent taste. The loquat flower used in this incense is a rare find from the snowy mountains of the Northwest. My son-in-law is a filial son-in-law who sends fresh flowers to the capital by express courier every now and then. If Your Highness likes the scent, I will have someone send the newly blended incense to the palace tomorrow.”
Chu Yueyuan's eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled, "Is the Princess's son-in-law the second young master of the Duke of Fengguo's mansion? I remember that he is currently serving as the garrison commander in Liangzhou. No wonder he was able to find such rare flowers and herbs in the northern border."
Princess Anxian's expression suddenly changed. She released her arm from the Empress Dowager's, raised her hand to gently tidy the pearls and jade at her temples, and covered her mouth with her fan, laughing, "Your Highness is joking. My good-for-nothing son-in-law has no such ability. He is just taking advantage of the courier's travels to bring some things home."
She added, "By the way, Your Highness has not summoned us ladies-in-waiting for a long time. I suppose you haven't heard about the eldest son of the Marquis of Ningxin's family wanting to divorce his wife..."
Chu Yueyuan's eyes revealed a curious look, as if she was very interested in the gossip that Princess Anxian had mentioned. The two walked and chatted, and the matter of the incense pills was forgotten and no one mentioned it again.
After a stick of incense had burned, Princess Anxian, with a beaming smile, saw the young Empress Dowager off as she boarded the jade carriage.
As the carriage drove further and further away on the official road, Princess Anxian's smile vanished abruptly, and she coldly watched the yellow dust swirling up on the road.
"Hmph, if you're a smart person, you should understand my good intentions."
She suddenly chuckled softly: "A phoenix with no branch to perch on, forcing itself to fly to other forests, is probably not even as good as a pheasant..."
Inside the carriage, Chu Yueyuan rubbed her face, which was almost frozen from smiling.
Having grown accustomed to unrestrained behavior in front of Pei Muwei, she hadn't been able to put on such a pretentious act for a long time, and it felt somewhat unfamiliar.
According to Lin Mu's investigation, only one spice shop in the capital's ghost market had ever been involved in the sale of Hero Flower. Although the shop was registered under the name of an ordinary merchant, the proceeds ultimately flowed into the private accounts of the Duke of Fengguo's mansion.
The families of Duke Fengguo and Prince Anxian are related by marriage, and now they are even more closely united, naturally working towards the same goal both openly and secretly...
Chu Yueyuan was not worried about the changes in the previous dynasty. Even if the sky of the Great Qi collapsed, the Regent Prince would be there to hold it up.
What worried her even more were the ambiguous words Du had said before she died.
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Time flies, and the day of the Deer Cry Banquet has arrived in the blink of an eye.
During the daytime, the newly appointed scholars, who were invited to the Deer Cry Banquet, wore dark blue scholar robes and black gauze hats. They discussed poetry and literature, and played archery and pitch-pot in the royal garden.
These imperial protégés displayed their talents, both to showcase their elegance and to leave a good impression on high-ranking officials, thus gaining an advantage in their future careers.
As night fell, the Ministry of Rites arranged a banquet in the garden. Black lacquered square tables inlaid with mother-of-pearl were arranged in a goose-like formation. At the front sat the three highest officials and nine ministers, in the middle were the relatives of the officials, and at the back were the newly appointed scholars who had been invited to the imperial examinations.
On the table sits a three-legged Boshan censer with lotus petal patterns, from which wisps of blue smoke rise. Inside a red lacquered and gold-painted nine-palace food box are small snacks such as dragon beard cake, jade dew dumplings, and plain wine ice.
The unmarried young women sat together, holding round fans to partially cover their faces. Their bright, clear eyes secretly glanced at the regent in his python robe and jade belt at the head of the table while they sipped their tea and snacks.
The man had his hair tied up with a golden crown, his phoenix eyes slightly lowered, and his jade-like profile was illuminated by the candlelight, giving him a refined and elegant air. His relaxed and composed demeanor even outshone the top scholar who had passed the imperial examination. The girls blushed and hurriedly lowered their eyes, but still couldn't help stealing a few more glances.
Although the married women were not as excited as the young girls, they rarely gathered together, so they couldn't help but chat about the exciting things happening in the capital recently.
"Have you all heard the rumors that the heir of the Marquis of Ningxin's mansion has divorced his wife?"
"This matter has caused quite a stir in the city, and I'm afraid even the nuns who are practicing seclusion at Ciyun Nunnery know about it."
"It's strange, the young master and Miss Yun have been married for less than a year. They should be newlyweds, deeply in love. What happened that suddenly led to this situation where he wants to divorce her?"
"What else could it be? It's that the young master's beloved, the one who is as bright as the moon in the clouds, has returned."
The ladies, who were talking animatedly, suddenly fell silent, and their eyes turned to the seats in front of them.
Princess Nianyi sat alone in a corner. Her moon-white dress seemed simple, but upon closer inspection, it revealed a hidden mystery. The dark patterns embroidered with silver thread moved with her tea-pouring movements, revealing a faint pearly luster, like the bright moon reflected in a clear spring, making all the brocade in the room seem vulgar.
"Alas... the daughter of the Yun family, such a noble family, has been outshone by a widow who brings bad luck to her husbands. Truly, the world is going to the dogs..."
"Sister, you are mistaken. How can an ordinary widow compare to two widows who were once the most beautiful women in the capital?"
The man deliberately emphasized the word "two," which caused the women around him to cover their faces with their fans and laugh knowingly.
Yes, that stunningly beautiful young royal widow in the palace is even more capable!
As the music ceased, a long, drawn-out announcement came from outside the imperial garden: "His Majesty has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
During the banquet, everyone rose, straightened their sleeves, and bowed in greeting: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress Dowager!"
Some people couldn't help but raise their heads before the ceremony was even over.
Facing the large and imposing group of guests, the young emperor stood upright, his tender face showing no fear, and strode steadily across the cobblestone ground.
Just a step away from the young emperor, the Empress Dowager walked gracefully in a bright red phoenix-embroidered morning gown. The woman's skin was like jade, her black hair like clouds, and her hair was styled in a low bun adorned with a gold phoenix hairpin inlaid with jewels. The pearl hanging from the phoenix's beak swayed gently with her lotus-like steps, and her pair of clear, watery eyes, set against the fiery red dress, resembled peonies glistening with dew, making her even more charming and alluring.
The young emperor had a rosy complexion and looked radiant, while the young empress dowager was also glowing and beautiful. However, some of the ministers did not look so good.
Once the young emperor made his appearance, the rumors were immediately dispelled.
Those who like to stir up trouble from the shadows are naturally disappointed.
Xiao Yun sat upright on the gilded dragon throne, his youthful voice revealing a touch of majesty: "Rise, my lords. The Book of Songs says: 'The deer cry out, eating the wild apples. I have guests, playing the zither and blowing the flute.' Today I have set up this Deer Cry Banquet, firstly to celebrate the court's acquisition of such outstanding talents, and secondly to wish you all to enjoy the company of our guests."
"Your Majesty, we thank you. We wish the Great Qi Dynasty good weather and abundant harvests, and a prosperous nation. We also wish Your Majesty good health."
After everyone was seated, palace servants carried in various delicacies cooked with venison in a single file. Twelve musicians played string and wind instruments behind a brocade curtain decorated with cloud, fish, and algae patterns. To the melodious music, dancers from the Imperial Music Bureau swung their water sleeves and danced gracefully.
Pei Muwei raised his cup to the Empress Dowager beside him, his voice clear and crisp: "Your Highness has not attended court for many days."
The man's phoenix eyes curved slightly, the dark color at the corners of his eyes resembling ink spreading naturally on rice paper.
Chu Yueyuan raised her wine cup to clink with the Regent. With officials watching from below, she put on a graceful smile and said, "With Minister Pei in charge of the court, I can rest easy. I might as well stay in the Phoenix Palace and check on the Emperor's progress in his studies."
Xiao Yun, who was standing to the side, stopped chewing and quietly pricked up her ears.
Pei Muwei placed a piece of cherry meat on the Empress Dowager's plate, then pulled his long arm closer to the emperor. He stared at the woman's lips, which were even redder than cherry meat, and asked in a low, husky voice, "When will Your Highness come to check on my studies... and see if I have made any progress?"
Chu Yueyuan's ears were tinged with a blush, which was made even more striking by the pearl earrings.
What serious lessons could the Regent possibly have that required her personal inspection? Nothing more than those despicable acts of insubordination and harassment of his widowed sister-in-law!
Ever since the last time the two of them were indulging in passion in the study when the imperial tomb collapsed, Chu Yueyuan always felt that this was a warning from heaven, and she worried that if she crossed the line again, she would be struck dead by a bolt of lightning.
Before she could refuse, Xiao Yun, who was sitting above the two of them, spoke first:
"Yes, yes! Mother, you can't just focus on my studies, you should also check on the Regent... to see if he's doing well."
Chu Yueyuan was both angry and amused. She raised her hand to wipe the grease from Xiao Yun's mouth with a silk handkerchief and deliberately put on a stern face to scare him: "Since the Regent and His Majesty's studies both need to be checked by me personally, why don't you two combine your palaces and live together in the future, so that I don't have to travel back and forth between the two places?"
Xiao Yun shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum: "I will never sleep with the Regent!"
Among the guests, Xie Nianzhi was seated right next to her brother. She could see the three square tables next to each other at the head of the table by raising her eyes slightly.
The man gazed intently at the young empress dowager beside him, occasionally serving her dishes, while the empress dowager fed the young emperor shrimp that he had peeled himself.
The three got along well; one carefully served the food, one fed the children freely, and the other laughed and entertained them. Their harmony was even more perfect than the family scene embroidered on the screen.
Xie Nianzhi looked at it for a while, then felt a stinging pain in her eyes.
Hearing the whispers of the women around her about the Regent and the young Empress Dowager, she calmly took a sip of wine, carefully feeling the fiery liquor stimulating her throat and stomach, and finally burning fiercely in her abdomen.
Reaching out to press her flat stomach, Xie Nianzhi lowered her thick eyelashes, concealing the ripples in her eyes.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively. Taking advantage of the wine, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel suggested that the scholars present compose poems on historical themes.
The scholars who came to the Deer Cry Banquet all wanted to make a good impression on the noblemen and beauties, so they were all eager to show off their talents.
For a moment, everyone's thoughts flowed like a spring, and the beautiful lines that came out drew applause and praise from all the guests. If there was any controversy, these literati who liked to argue would start quoting ancient classics and debate until they were red in the face, determined to find out who was better.
Chu Yueyuan wasn't very interested in composing poems. While serving Xiao Yun food, she looked thoughtfully at the side hall not far away.
"May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings, and may the Empress Dowager be well."
The woman's voice was like the clinking of jade stones, clear and melodious.
Chu Yueyuan looked up and saw Princess Nianyi gracefully curtsying behind the desk. The woman's head was slightly lowered, and the moonlight shone on her beautiful face, reflecting her gentle eyebrows and eyes like a spring river.
She smiled slightly: "Princess, you may rise."
Xie Nianzhi rose gracefully, nodded slightly to Pei Muwei, and said gently, "Cousin Weijin, my brother asked me to call you over. He said that two of his students wrote poems about the scenery of Beiting, and the line 'After the battle of three million Jade Dragons, the broken scales and snow-white armor fly all over the sky' has caused a controversy. He asks you to come and make a judgment."
Pei Muwei put down his silver chopsticks and smiled, "Your brother doesn't want to offend anyone, so he wants me to be the villain."
He turned to look at the young Empress Dowager, his voice gentle: "Your Highness, would you be interested in accompanying me?"
Chu Yueyuan shook her head: "I am not suitable to be the villain. Pei Qing is more suitable."
Pei Muwei chuckled lightly, "Then this humble subject will be right back."
Seeing the Regent Prince leave with Princess Nianyi, Chu Yueyuan gently stroked the back of Xiao Yun's head and softly instructed, "His Majesty's illness has just healed, so remember not to be greedy. After you finish the first seven dishes, don't eat any more."
Xiao Yun nodded understandingly: "Your subject understands. Where is Mother going?"
"Mother is going to change her clothes and will be back shortly."
Chu Yueyuan lifted her skirt and walked gracefully towards the side hall. As she crossed the white marble arch bridge, the sleeping koi carp beneath the bridge stirred up ripples in the pond. She reached the entrance of the side hall but did not go in. Instead, she continued along the winding corridor until the distant, leisurely music gradually faded away.
Finally, she stopped in front of the artificial hill covered with vines.
Jin Tong, carrying a hexagonal palace lantern, glanced around at the dark woods and whispered a reminder, "Your Highness, you've left the banquet so abruptly without informing the Regent. If the Prince finds out, I'm afraid..."
Chu Yueyuan took the palace lantern from Jin Tong's hands. The flickering candlelight illuminated the woman's bright and beautiful face. She frowned slightly and said, "Why should I report everything I want to do to him? He... is no one to me!"
Just now, during the banquet, the Regent disregarded etiquette and served her food in front of everyone. This unbridled behavior drew the attention of all the guests. Chu Yueyuan was furious just thinking about it, and even the golden phoenix hairpin in her hair trembled.
Pei the traitor is now acting more and more brazenly, almost to the point of hanging a golden plaque that reads "Deceiving the Emperor" on the beams of the Phoenix Perch Palace.
She said softly, "I know what I'm doing. Since I've agreed to Lady Chen's request, I can't go back on my word."
As the master and servant were talking, they suddenly heard rustling footsteps coming from behind the artificial hill. The sound grew louder as it approached, and at the same time, several clusters of candlelight shone through the cracks in the rocks.
Jin Tong said, "This servant will go and guard the side gate." Then she quickly walked into the connecting corridor.
Chu Yueyuan turned around and saw the man walking out from behind the artificial hill, holding a lantern with cloud and crane patterns. His shadow was stretched long by the candlelight. He stopped just a step away from her skirt, as if even this illusory shadow respected the etiquette between a ruler and his subject.
"Your subject, Shen Zizhan, pays respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
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