Chapter 213: A Small Palace Banquet
This day, Princess Consort Zhao paid a visit to the palace to pay respects.
Upon meeting, she was surprised by the Empress’s transformation: “Your Ladyship’s complexion is truly excellent, you look much younger than I.”
“Speaking of which, it’s also your merit. The incense you sent is very good; I’ve been sleeping soundly these days, and my appetite has also improved,” the Empress said with a smile. “How is your foot? Is it completely healed? You must take care. At your age, any ailments can be treated and cured. If you neglect it, leaving behind future trouble would be bad.”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Ladyship. My foot is fine now,” Princess Consort Zhao said quickly. “Speaking of which, the incense is not my merit; it’s all thanks to Mingqian’s skill. Today, I specifically brought the face cream she made for Your Ladyship. One is unscented, and the other has a green tangerine scent.”
“Oh? She can also create a green tangerine scent? I must smell it,” the Empress couldn’t help but be curious.
Princess Consort Zhao then personally opened a box and offered it to the Empress with both hands.
The Empress took a whiff from her hand and said, “It’s quite interesting.”
Chun Ying then picked up a bit and gently applied it to the back of the Empress’s hand. The elegant tangerine scent, like a refreshing breeze, wafted past everyone’s noses.
“How natural this scent is! It’s as if it were just plucked from the tree!”
The Empress couldn’t help but gently close her eyes, immersed in her favorite fragrance.
“Thinking back, the Emperor and I met during the season of orange and green,” the Empress recalled distant memories. “I was riding a horse in the tangerine orchard that day, and the horse was startled. Fortunately, His Majesty intervened to save me…”
“The Empress and His Majesty have a deep marital bond; they are truly a model for couples everywhere,” Princess Consort Zhao said enviously. “Such a heroic rescue of a damsel in distress should be a fine story recorded in history books.”
“What fine story or not? Even as Emperor and Empress, in the end, we are just husband and wife. I only hope that I can grow old with him,” the Empress’s tone held a hint of melancholy, but everyone pretended not to notice.
At this moment, more palace maids brought out newly made dim sum from the palace. Because the Empress’s appetite had improved recently, the Imperial Kitchen also seemed exceptionally busy.
“Try their newly made dim sum; it’s quite interesting,” the Empress glanced at the dim sum on the table and suddenly smiled. “You seem to value that Wen Mingqian quite highly.”
Princess Consort Zhao did not evade the question and said, “It’s not just me who values her; everyone who has interacted with her values her.
That day, Song’er suddenly fell ill. If it weren’t for her, the situation would have been truly critical. Not only does she understand incense blending, but she also possesses excellent culinary skills.
Putting those aside, she is a person who respects herself and maintains her dignity, which is even rarer than any other ability.”
“Indeed, even the Grand Princess recognizes her as an adopted daughter, which shows she must have some beneficial qualities that alert people. The Empress’s fingertips tapped lightly on the table, and after a moment, she said, “Since that’s the case, I will host a banquet in the palace on this date. I will invite the Grand Princess and you. Please bring that Wen Mingqian to the palace as well! I want to see her myself.”
“It would be good for Your Ladyship to meet her. If nothing else, the fact that the incense she makes can help Your Ladyship sleep soundly is already remarkable,” Princess Consort Zhao was also very pleased.
After returning from the palace, she summoned Wen Mingqian and explained the situation.
“Her Ladyship wishes to see you; this is a great opportunity for you. But there’s no need to be overly nervous. You are already someone who understands rules and knows your boundaries, so I don’t need to tell you too much.”
Wen Mingqian listened and appeared hesitant: “I am truly afraid of making a mistake in front of the Empress. Perhaps it would be better if I didn’t go?”
“You! You’re being too cautious. What mistakes could you possibly make? You have rendered great merit. Not to mention not making mistakes, even making a few minor ones wouldn’t matter,” Princess Consort Zhao comforted her. “Besides, both the Grand Princess and I will be there. If you are too nervous and fear any impolite behavior, we will help cover for you.”
Wen Mingqian’s expression relaxed slightly, but she still carried a hint of apprehension.
Three days later, Princess Consort Zhao, along with the Grand Princess, brought Wen Mingqian to the palace.
The Empress was dressed slightly more formally than usual today. She said to the Grand Princess with a smile, “I haven’t seen Your Highness since January. I was just telling my younger sister! I must send an invitation.”
The Grand Princess also responded with a smile, “The Empress knows I am the laziest person. I would rather lie down than sit. If you hadn’t invited me, I would never have come down from the mountain.”
After speaking with the Grand Princess, the Empress finally turned her gaze to Wen Mingqian, appraising her calmly.
Wen Mingqian had knelt down properly as soon as she saw the Empress and remained kneeling on the ground, her hands clasped in front of her, her head bowed.
“This is Madam Wen?” the Empress said, looking at her. “Don’t be afraid; lift your head!”
Wen Mingqian thanked the Empress for her grace. She straightened up slightly, but her eyes remained downcast, not meeting the Empress’s gaze.
The Empress nodded and said, “What a well-composed individual, and very knowledgeable of the rules. Please rise and be seated! There’s no need for formality.”
Princess Consort Zhao also whispered to her, “Hurry and get up! Her Ladyship the Empress is very considerate.”
Only then did Wen Mingqian slowly rise.
Although there weren’t many people at the banquet, a sense of restraint permeated everything.
Wen Mingqian ate very little throughout the meal; everyone knew this was not primarily for eating.
Afterward, the Empress took them to stroll in the Imperial Garden. Wen Mingqian simply followed behind obediently. Only when the Empress asked her a question would she answer briefly, never speaking more than necessary.
As dusk approached, Wen Mingqian finally left the palace with Princess Consort Zhao and the Grand Princess.
In the horse carriage, Princess Consort Zhao said to her, “After you return, pack your belongings! It seems the Empress has taken a liking to you and will summon you to the palace soon.”
Wen Mingqian showed surprise and said, “How is that possible? If Her Ladyship the Empress needs my services, she only needs to send someone out of the palace to issue an imperial decree. Why must I go to the palace? If that’s the case, how can I continue to serve you, Your Highness?”
“That’s not how it works. They say people strive for higher positions. You have a rare affinity with Her Ladyship the Empress. She is both the Empress and my elder sister. She has been unstable in spirit for so many years, and I have worried about it.
Now that you have good methods, shouldn’t you go and serve her? Both by sentiment and reason, you shouldn’t continue to stay among the common people,” Princess Consort Zhao patiently explained to Wen Mingqian. “Moreover, if you enter the palace, perhaps you can also help me look after Tong’er more!
He is still young, after all, and prone to mischief. Her Ladyship the Empress has many affairs in the Imperial Harem and may not be able to care for him at all times. You know me; I can only enter the palace at most twice a month, and each visit lasts less than an hour.”
There were some things Princess Consort Zhao did not say aloud: the Empress was not only busy but also somewhat impatient in temper.
Ying Tong was not her biological son, after all. No matter what, their relationship could not be like that of a mother and son.
Wen Mingqian was considered one of their own to some extent, and entrusting certain matters to her might lead to more dedicated service.
