Since Mu Chenshuang and Xue Jiajia were getting close, Feng Mozhan didn't accompany them anymore.
Only one prince, Feng Moran, attended the banquet today.
A loud voice rang out, "Empress, the Imperial Noble Consort has arrived."
Shen Biyun and Cang Xixue then appeared in everyone's sight. The Imperial Noble Consort now stood beside the Empress, her aura no less imposing, but with an added touch of elegance and composure. It was astonishing that even though the Imperial Noble Consort was over forty, she still possessed a stunningly beautiful face.
Everyone rose and knelt in obeisance, saying, "Greetings, Empress, Imperial Noble Consort."
The two walked slowly to the main seat.
The two took their seats at the same time.
The Empress looked at the crowd.
"Rise."
"Thank you, Empress Xie."
Everyone took their seats.
"Today is the Imperial Noble Consort's birthday, a joyous occasion. Everyone need not be too formal. What do you think, Imperial Noble Consort?" Shen Biyun said, looking at Cang Xixue.
Cang Xixue nodded slightly and smiled gently, "Your Majesty the Empress is right."
That's all.
Cang Xixue looked at everyone and said, "Everyone, please feel free to do as you please today and have fun."
Then everyone began to present the gifts they had prepared.
Rare treasures, famous paintings and calligraphy.
The seemingly simple gift-giving ceremony was actually full of hidden agendas. After all, there were young ladies from families who were of equal status to the Empress, so the gifts they gave could not be too eye-catching, lest the Empress remember them.
Therefore, by carefully examining the gifts presented at the scene, one can discern which young lady comes from a family with the power of the Empress.
It was the Mu family's turn.
Mu Chenshuang stepped forward, and Linglong, who was following her, was holding a scroll. Mu Chenshuang reached out and took it, opened the scroll, and found it to be an authentic work by a master calligrapher.
"I was fortunate enough to collect a genuine work of calligraphy by Master Yue. I heard that Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort greatly admires his calligraphy. Today, I present it to Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort, wishing you eternal companionship and that plum and peach blossoms will adorn your branches."
This calligraphy conveys blessings, and presenting it today is most fitting.
The eunuch handed the scroll in her hand to the Imperial Noble Consort.
The Imperial Noble Consort looked at the writing on the scroll, traced the characters with her hand, nodded in satisfaction, then looked up at Mu Chenshuang and said with a smile, "Princess Weiyang is very thoughtful."
Just as Mu Chenshuang was about to say something...
Feng Anxue suddenly spoke up: "This original work by Princess Weiyang is a masterpiece left by a master, priceless and extremely precious. Princess Weiyang must have gone to great lengths to find this original work. Your Highness, Princess Weiyang has truly put in a lot of effort, and should be rewarded handsomely."
Feng Anxue's words were undoubtedly intended to push Mu Chenshuang into the limelight. Her deliberate search for this made it seem as if she was trying to curry favor with the Imperial Noble Consort.
If Mu Chenshuang were to refute Feng Anxue's words at this moment and defend herself, it would be disrespectful to the Imperial Noble Consort. The more she explained, the more people would suspect her intentions. If she went along with her, it would surely arouse the Empress's suspicion.
Mu Chenshuang understood Feng Anxue's thoughts perfectly well.
"The calligraphy and paintings are precious, and finding them depends on fate. Today is the Imperial Noble Consort's birthday, and giving her this gift to bring her joy is the greatest reward the Imperial Noble Consort can give to me."
Mu Chenshuang responded to Feng Anxue's words calmly and deliberately, neither refuting nor agreeing, thus skillfully defusing the situation.
Feng Anxue's expression darkened.
Cang Xixue said gently, “I understand Princess Weiyang’s intentions.”
Mu Chenshuang gave a slight curtsy and turned to walk towards her seat.
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