Chapter 18 At the Flower Festival Palace Banquet, the Empress Dowager hesitated to touch her chopsticks, but the dishes…
The Ministry of Rites attached great importance to the first palace banquet after the 100-day national mourning period, and specially set the venue in Yaohua Hall.
The palace is magnificent and grand, with its eaves gently rising upwards, like a phoenix about to take flight, exuding an aura of solemnity and inviolability. The pavilions, corridors, waterside pavilions and bridges leading to the main hall adopt the style of Jiangnan, and are full of poetic and picturesque charm.
As night falls, the glazed lanterns on the covered bridges and corridors are lit one by one. The lights are scattered in the night, like twinkling stars. A gentle breeze blows, the lights sway gently, and the candlelight is projected onto the palace walls, creating a series of light and shadow paintings.
The moonlight is full, the spring sunshine is brilliant, and all kinds of flowers are vying for beauty.
Inside the brightly lit main hall, princes, nobles, civil and military officials, and their families were seated in order of rank.
The noble ladies who were usually on good terms sat together and chatted enthusiastically, accompanied by the sound of the chime bells played by the music ceremonial staff.
"Why is Lord Shen nowhere to be seen at the Flower Festival banquet tonight?"
"Yes, I heard from my brother that Lord Shen finished his salt inspection duties in Yangzhou and returned to the capital half a month ago. I thought he would come tonight..."
The noblewoman, still resentful, glanced at the officials in red robes at the banquet and sighed in disappointment, "I suppose it's to avoid suspicion."
"What talk of avoiding suspicion? Lord Shen broke off his engagement with that woman long ago. Now she's a high-ranking phoenix in the harem. Two months ago, when Madam Du went to the palace to visit the Emperor, that woman insisted on throwing away all the pastries Madam Du brought, claiming that things outside the palace were unclean. Not only that, she also forbade Madam Du from ever visiting the Emperor again..."
"Good heavens! That's a truly ungrateful wretch! Back then, Madam Du and Consort Chun treated her so well, always bringing her along to banquets. Now that she's climbed the social ladder, she's complaining that things outside the palace are dirty..."
"That's right. If it weren't for Consort Chun's request for permission, how could she have such immense wealth and status today?"
As the crowd whispered among themselves, someone murmured, "If it weren't for Consort Chun's request, she would probably be with Lord Shen by now..."
The young women's chatter abruptly stopped.
One is the matriarch of the Shen family, whose influence has lasted for centuries; her husband is handsome and talented, refined and devoted, with a promising future.
One is a royal widow in name only; with the empire crumbling, she may not even be able to keep her body intact.
The noblewoman who had been refuted looked displeased, angrily twisting the handkerchief in her hand, and said in a resentful tone: "So, it's still her fault for being short-sighted, trying to climb high without any direction, and ending up on a hollow branch. Not only can she not stand firm, but she will also fall down sooner or later!"
At this moment, three bells rang out from outside the hall. The powerful sound of the bells echoed outwards in circles, and the atmosphere inside the hall instantly became solemn. Kings, generals, ministers, and their wives all stopped talking and put on serious expressions.
A moment later, the eunuchs standing on either side of the hall announced loudly: "The Emperor has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived! The Regent has arrived!"
Everyone in the hall rose, straightened their clothes, and knelt down to pay their respects, saying with utmost deference, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Regent."
The words are arranged in a hierarchical order, but the true sense of hierarchy in one's heart is up to each individual.
A pair of black-soled, gold-trimmed high-heeled shoes came into view as the regent walked steadily. The black and silver cloud patterns on the hem of his robe resembled rolling black waves, exuding an invisible sense of oppression.
Then came a pair of phoenix-head shoes adorned with pearls from Hepu on the toes. The young empress dowager walked gracefully, her intricately embroidered, flowing skirt slowly gliding across the gilded bricks, leaving a lingering fragrance with every step.
The new emperor was still unable to walk, and was held in the arms of the young empress dowager to receive the kowtows of the officials.
Xiao Yun wrapped his arms tightly around Chu Yueyuan's neck, his big, dark eyes looking curiously at the large group of people kneeling in the hall.
Chu Yueyuan walked up the high steps, placed Xiao Yun on the dragon throne, and leaned down to whisper in his ear.
A child's innocent voice rang out in the hall, sounding quite professional: "All of you, rise."
"Your Majesty and Your Highness the Empress Dowager thank you."
After a series of rustling sounds of fabric, everyone stood up and sat down again. Some guests hadn't even settled in yet, but their eyes were already eagerly looking up.
The exquisitely carved young emperor sat upright on a spacious, gilded dragon-carved chair, with two jade tables placed side by side below him.
The regent and the empress dowager sat on either side of the jade table, a seating arrangement that did not disrupt the proper hierarchy.
Several members of the Xiao clan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Tonight is the first palace banquet held after the new emperor's ascension to the throne. If the limelight is stolen by treacherous officials, where will the face of the royal family members be?
But the man's blatant sharpness could not be extinguished simply by being relegated to a lower position.
Under the bright lights, the gold embroidery on the Regent's dark robes shimmered in the candlelight, highlighting the man's refined and handsome appearance.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze in the man's imposing and dignified eyes, and the guests wished they could hold their breath.
Chu Yueyuan turned her head, winked at the young emperor on the dragon throne, and whispered a reminder: "Your Majesty, the congratulatory speech..."
Xiao Yun nervously rubbed his chubby little hands, trying hard to recall the blessing he and Chu Yueyuan had practiced all night. His voice was still childish, but he spoke with perfect intonation:
"I sincerely admire the Regent's tireless efforts in leading troops to repel the barbarians, bringing peace to the Great Qi. Tonight is my first family banquet since my ascension to the throne. My beloved ministers, please do not be reserved; enjoy yourselves and celebrate this festive occasion together..."
Xiao Yun usually has trouble speaking, and although this blessing was short, it was still difficult for him to understand.
Fortunately, Chu Yueyuan turned slightly to the side, covering her face with her sleeve, and gently opened her lips to accompany Xiao Yun in reciting the blessing word by word.
Pei Muwei was less than two arm's lengths away from the young empress dowager, watching the two of them play out their "one singing, the other harmonizing" act. His sharp, angular eyebrows softened a bit.
He bowed to the young emperor on the dragon throne and said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject thanks you."
After speaking, he turned to the Empress Dowager, raised his cup, smiled with his phoenix eyes, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I also thank you."
The man had deep-set brow bones and distinct facial features. When he was serious, his dark eyes were like a cold, desolate pool. But when he smiled, his phoenix eyes would slightly lift, as if the ice and snow were melting away, leaving the pool's reflection empty and heartbroken.
Chu Yueyuan also raised the agate cup with entwined flowers in her hand and smiled gracefully: "Minister Pei, there is no need for such formality with me."
The sight of the two puppet rulers and their treacherous ministers getting along so well left the officials below dumbfounded.
After a short while, the guests finally came to their senses and shouted in unison:
"May His Majesty and Empress Dowager live long and prosper, and may the Great Qi be blessed with good fortune and peace!"
The palace banquet officially began, with palace maids dressed in flowing fairy skirts carrying trays filled with delicacies from land and sea, fresh fruits and fine wines.
Guests raised their glasses, clinked glasses, and chatted happily, creating a lively atmosphere.
As for those young ladies who had just mocked Chu Yueyuan, they saw the woman sitting gracefully on a red-gold carved sandalwood seat with nine phoenixes, her hair piled high, her makeup as white as snow, and her dazzling pearl earrings making her skin look like solidified cream, radiant and glowing.
The woman's charming and alluring appearance was like that of a stunning peony nourished by rain, showing no trace of a widow living a life of hardship.
Tonight's palace banquet may seem calm on the surface, but undercurrents are surging beneath.
The newly rich and powerful officials, having no time to enjoy the delicious food, rushed up the side steps with wine cups in hand, vying to clink glasses with the regent and offer their unwavering loyalty in toasts.
Those old officials who couldn't stand the regent's absolute power could only use the young empress dowager's status to suppress the arrogance of the treacherous ministers.
Soon, the jade tables of the two emperors and their ministers were surrounded by princes, dukes, ministers, and officials, each serving their own masters.
After drinking several toasts, Chu Yueyuan felt a bit warm and casually untied the Shu brocade tassel shoulder cape.
The once bustling and noisy hall suddenly became quiet.
General Kan, who was chatting with the Regent about the front-line battle, suddenly fell silent. He leaned forward, stretched his neck out, and almost turned his head to his shoulder.
Following General Kan's gaze, Pei Muwei glanced sideways at the young Empress Dowager who was holding a palace fan, a glint of light flashing across his deep eyes.
The Empress Dowager usually wore clothes in dignified vermilion or calm lake blue.
A young girl in the prime of her life, confined to dull colors inappropriate for her age, is like a bright pearl covered with a thin layer of dust. When the dust is gently brushed away by a breeze, her original lustrous luster is revealed, and she is then presented in an exquisite brocade box.
It is radiant with light.
The delicate pink floral dress accentuated the Empress Dowager's snow-white skin, making it appear flawless. The woman sat upright, the silky brocade wrapping around her slender waist, full hips, and long, delicate legs, all of which outlined her exquisite and graceful curves.
If there is anything lacking, it is that the fabric of the upper garment is a bit tight, or perhaps the young empress dowager is too proud, making the peony embroidery on the bodice three-dimensional and full, with the snowy peaks and cleavage faintly visible.
General Kan's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, completely unaware that the wine cup in his hand was tilted and the wine inside had long since spilled.
A crisp "ding-a-ling" sound pulled General Kan's soul back from the brink of being stolen away.
General Kan quickly lowered his head to look at the Regent, who was clinking glasses with him. He gave an awkward smile, raised his cup to drink, then looked dazed, scratching the back of his head and muttering to himself:
"Hey...where are the drinks?"
Could it be that he had already toasted the Regent?
That shouldn't be the case. Why would the regent, who is usually averse to socializing, take the initiative to clink glasses with him?
The bright moon hung high in the night sky, and the melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments and drums echoed in the brightly lit Yaohua Palace.
On the Jade Pool Terrace, dancers in colorful costumes danced gracefully, their reflections shimmering on the fans and their fragrance wafting in the breeze.
Ministers flocked around Chu Yueyuan, offering toasts in an endless stream, and she quickly filled her stomach with wine.
The more alcohol you drink, the hungrier you feel.
Chu Yueyuan stared at the table full of delicacies, but dared not touch her chopsticks.
Granny Xu spent the whole night altering the Hundred Flowers Fairy Dress, but unfortunately her bust was much fuller than her sister's, and it took her a lot of effort to put it on. With each breath, her chest felt a dull ache from the tightness.
As he stared blankly at the crystal pork knuckle on the table, a deep male voice came from beside him:
"The Empress Dowager has not touched her chopsticks yet; is the food not to her liking?"
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