Chapter 214: No Good Banquet
At the hour of Mao, Xue Sui was gently awakened by Jinshu.
The moon-white bed curtains were drawn back by a jade hook, and the lingering warmth of the brazier, carrying a scent of mint, wafted towards her.
“Young Lady, it’s time to get up.”
Xue Sui lifted the silk quilt and watched the morning light filter through the window lattice, a languid expression gracing her eyes.
“The palace banquet is still early; wouldn’t it be nice to let me doze for another cup of tea’s worth…”
Jinshu lowered her head and tucked her sleeves, her eyes curving into a smile. “Young Lady, this is your first palace banquet since being conferred the title of Consort. We mustn’t lose face…”
Xue Sui half-opened her sleepy eyes and mumbled, wanting to fall back asleep.
Jinshu quickly helped her up and signaled to Ru Yi to bring the clothes.
“Young Lady, shall you wear that peacock blue brocade jacket and skirt today?”
The skirt Ru Yi held in her hands had half-bloomed magnolia flowers embroidered on the cuffs and collar, with an exquisite and elegant pattern.
“The Princess Consort specifically instructed that you must be dignified at the palace banquet…”
Xue Sui leaned against a cyan satin bolster, rubbing her temples, her voice hoarse from just waking up.
“It’s quite fitting; I’ll wear this one.”
As soon as she finished speaking, her eyes half-closed, and she rolled over, falling back asleep. She was like a lazy cat, burrowing into the quilt and sticking to it. No matter how much Jinshu urged her, she wouldn’t come out.
Ru Yi chuckled behind her sleeve, while Xiao Zhao stood expressionlessly by the bedside.
Jinshu, helpless, gently lowered the bed curtains and signaled for everyone to withdraw.
The lamp in the Young Lady’s room had been extinguished only at the third watch last night, clearly indicating she hadn’t slept well.
It was all the Crown Prince’s fault.
At this critical juncture, he had to send those suggestive letters, disturbing the Young Lady’s peace of mind.
–
Xue Sui woke up again in the afternoon.
She sat before the bronze mirror, absentmindedly stroking her jade hairpin, letting the maidservants attend to her grooming.
Jinshu stood beside her, helping her tie her hair. “This was found at the bottom of Old Madam’s dowry chest. Wearing it will surely give you presence and be very fitting…”
It was an ancient and elegant hairpin shaped like a ruyi, inlaid with a piece of oval mutton-fat jade in the center, which was very warm and gentle…
Xue Sui raised an eyebrow, recalling that day when she returned to the Xue Mansion, Old Madam Cui had taken her hand and pressed this hairpin into her palm.
“Sixth Girl, don’t try to stand out at the palace banquet. The Empress Dowager is still thinking about Prince Wei’s injury and will likely want to speak with you.”
Old ginger is spicier.
Old Madam Cui had some foresight and strategy.
If she had been willing to protect her a little ten years ago, she wouldn’t have suffered so much torment in the Xue Mansion.
Before leaving the mansion, Xue Sui tied the qilin coin purse that Li Huan had given her around her waist.
In the bronze mirror, her hair was styled in a high bun, her forehead adorned with a floral appliqué, her cheeks flushed with a light rouge, and her slender moth eyebrows meticulously shaped with a slight upward curve at the tips, exuding both heroism and charm…
“Young Lady looks exceptionally noble today.”
“Of course, no other young lady can compare…”
Ru Yi and Xiao Zhao giggled softly beside her, praising her in unison.
Xue Sui pursed her lips slightly at the mirror, her fingertips brushing against the hem of her sleeves.
Before returning to the capital, she didn’t pay much attention to her appearance or attire. She didn’t even have many extra clothes, let alone rouge and jewelry.
Now, the jade crown and magnificent robes felt heavy on her, as if all the trampled dignity had been transformed into armor on her body, piece by piece.
–
At the end of Shen hour, Prince Duan’s Mansion’s vermilion carriage stopped before the palace gate.
Xue Sui alighted, supported by Xiao Zhao’s hand, and happened to see Old Prime Minister Lu and his wife arriving, leading several servants dressed in brand-new brocade robes, with the timid Lu Twin Children following behind.
The two children’s dark, lustrous eyes lit up instantly upon seeing her, but Madam Lu gently pulled them back.
“Duke Lu, Old Madam Lu…”
Xue Sui smiled gracefully, her gaze sweeping over the Old Madam’s tense lips.
“What a coincidence to meet here today.”
Old Prime Minister Lu stroked his beard and sighed. “Empress Dowager is concerned about these two children and specially ordered this old man to bring them to meet her.”
There was helplessness hidden in his words, but Xue Sui understood that this was the Empress Dowager’s way of warning the Lu family.
The group proceeded along the coiled dragon imperial path, crossing the jade bridge, and directly encountered the Crown Prince’s procession.
Li Zhao’s dark Xuan-colored python robe reflected the morning sun, and the waistband with ornaments at his waist gleamed coldly. The morning sun fell on his shoulders, accentuating his stern features.
Upon seeing Xue Sui, a barely perceptible ripple flashed in his eyes. However, after glancing at the qilin coin purse on her waist, he paused slightly, his fingertips unconsciously tightening.
Everyone bowed in unison.
Xue Sui followed suit, bending her knees in a bow.
“This humble wife greets Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Rise.” Li Zhao raised his hand as if to help her up, his voice calm.
His gaze lingered for a moment on the faint blush of rouge on her cheeks.
“Consort, you look well today.”
His voice carried a hint of teasing, but from an angle no one else could see, he quickly glanced at her, then signaled Lai Fu to present a brocade box.
The vermilion box was half-open, revealing two wild ginseng roots wrapped in gold foil inside. Their rootlets were coiled like dragons, indicating their preciousness at first glance.
“I was fortunate to receive medicine from Consort at Prince Duan’s Mansion that day. This box of old ginseng is a return gift.”
In front of everyone, the Crown Prince’s expression was solemn and forthright…
The officials and their wives nearby saw this and didn’t find anything improper.
After all, showing favor to Prince Duan’s Consort was equivalent to showing favor to Prince Duan. Even if it wasn’t a genuine reconciliation between the Crown Prince and Prince Duan, it was the Crown Prince feigning magnanimity to show brotherly affection.
“This concubine is humbled.”
Xue Sui lowered her gaze.
Recalling those passionate letters, she took half a step back.
“It was a small matter; it doesn’t deserve Your Highness’s generous gift.”
Li Zhao’s expression darkened slightly, and he narrowed his eyes coldly.
“I dislike owing favors.”
With that, he instructed Lai Fu to hand over the box and then strode away directly.
Lai Fu smiled wryly and lowered his voice. “Consort… please accept it.”
Others might not know, but he did. Because Consort Xue enjoyed tinkering with medicinal materials, the Crown Prince had turned the inner treasury upside down behind everyone’s back, spending an hour picking and choosing before finding this box of old ginseng. If the Consort didn’t accept it, the Prince would likely spend another sleepless night lost in thought in his study…
Xue Sui saw the helplessness in Lai Fu’s eyes and bowed again to accept it.
“Thank you, Eunuch. Please convey to His Highness that I have accepted the old ginseng, but the gift is too precious; I have no way to repay it…”
“Consort is too kind.” Lai Fu quickly bowed and followed Li Zhao with small, quick steps.
The small interlude did not attract much attention from others.
Only Li Huan, who had come upon hearing the commotion, witnessed the entire scene…
A shadow of gloom settled in his heart, making him inexplicably irritable…
Why did seeing her interact with Li Zhao make him feel so uncomfortable?
This Xue Liu was not to his liking. Even if she had many dealings with Li Zhao, he felt no romantic affection. She was merely a chess piece on the board; her greatest value was in being able to hinder the Crown Prince’s actions.
Yet, a baseless fire of resentment churned within him, causing him to pause for a moment…
Only when Xue Yuechen, supporting her waist, came to inquire did he finally compose himself and regain his solemn demeanor.
“You take Ping An and go in quickly. Don’t keep the Empress Dowager and Her Ladyship waiting.”
Xue Yuechen bowed in acknowledgment. “Your Highness, please pace yourself with the wine and don’t drink too much, lest you get a headache tonight…”
His wife’s gentle admonishments, tender and earnest.
Li Huan, for once, softened his expression. “I know. Go on.”
A grand banquet was held in the palace tonight, and officials of the fifth rank and above from the capital were to attend with their families…
However, male and female guests were seated separately, each occupying the east and west halls, separated by beaded curtains. During the feast, singing girls and dancers would perform, continuing until Hai hour, after which they would gather by the Taiye Lake to admire the moon, release lotus lanterns to pray for blessings, and eat “palace cakes” for good cheer…
The entire celebration began at You hour and would not end until Zi hour.
The Emperor, his consorts, and the officials and their wives would enjoy music and drink while admiring the moon, dispersing only late into the night…
Just as Xue Yuechen, supported by her maidservant, was about to leave, she saw Li Yan slowly strolling over.
The bruises on his face had faded considerably, but his gait was still somewhat awkward, indicating that Li Zhao had hit him hard that day and his injuries had not yet healed…
Li Yan glanced at Xue Sui’s elegant figure, a mocking curve on his lips.
“Such a beauty. If Second Imperial Brother doesn’t fancy her, he shouldn’t let others take advantage…”
His words were loaded with meaning and were quite unpleasant.
Li Huan’s expression darkened. “It’s broad daylight. Has Third Imperial Brother drunk again?”
Xue Yuechen gently stroked her pregnant belly and stepped forward. “Prince Wei, you should enter the banquet quickly and not be late.”
Li Yan cast a sideways glance, cupped his hands, and sneered as he left…
–
The palace banquet was held in Qing Hui Hall by the Taiye Lake.
The grand hall was built by the water. The tables, chairs, screens, and utensils inside were all made of high-quality nanmu, inlaid with Hetian jade, making it very luxurious. The autumn wind outside was refreshing, while the hall was warm and cozy. Gilded lotus lanterns hung in the center of the hall, making the pearls and jade ornaments shine.
As night fell, looking outside, the swaying lotus lanterns on the lake reflected the shimmering water, and the moon hung high in the sky, like a dreamscape on earth.
This was a good place to admire the moon.
As soon as Xue Sui sat down beside Xue Yuechen, she saw the Empress Dowager enter, supported by palace maids. The Empress Dowager’s gaze swept over her, and her expression darkened slightly.
“Consort of Prince Duan, come here.” The Empress Dowager’s voice carried a hint of authority, and she spun her prayer beads rapidly.
Xue Sui adjusted her robes and stepped forward. “This concubine is here.”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing’s voice suddenly became stern. “I heard that you caused Prince Wei some grievance at your wedding banquet?”
She couldn’t wait to reprimand her as soon as she arrived?
The Empress Dowager doted on her grandson and would naturally use this as an excuse. Xue Sui hadn’t expected it to be so soon.
Xue Sui lowered her head and bowed to the extreme. “This humble wife dares not.”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing trembled as she stroked her prayer beads, a thin mist seeming to gather in her eyes. “Third Imperial Prince was ill for three full days, with a high fever that wouldn’t subside, and wouldn’t eat or drink. He became so thin that he lost his human form. I wonder who the heartless person was who inflicted such harm…”
Everyone in the hall held their breath.
Who in Shangjing City would dare to harm an Imperial Prince so severely?
Everyone knew the unspoken truth and remained silent.
Xue Sui’s eyelids twitched slightly, a perfectly feigned look of fear on her lips. “Replying to the Empress Dowager, that day Prince Wei drank a few too many cups. This concubine saw him leave with unsteady steps and failed to send someone to help and care for him in time. It is truly a crime deserving death…”
“Oh?” The Empress Dowager’s fingertips suddenly tightened on her prayer beads. “This Empress Dowager heard that someone beat Prince Wei like a target outside the corridor of Xie Fang Garden that day, even kicking him into Moonlit Lake to freeze. Is this true?”
Xue Sui inwardly tensed, but her expression remained unchanged. She glanced at the Empress Dowager’s taut profile and lowered her gaze, concealing the coldness in her eyes.
This Empress Dowager, while appearing benevolent on the surface, was extremely protective of her own.
Only the Imperial Princes born from her niece were her darlings.
“Replying to the Empress Dowager—” she bowed gracefully. “This concubine lives in the inner chambers and is dull-witted. I only heard that on that day, Prince Wei was intoxicated from watching the fish in the lake and accidentally fell in…”
She raised her eyes and smiled faintly. “Prince Wei has always been magnanimous; I believe he wouldn’t blame us for this.”
The sound of prayer beads abruptly stopped.
The Empress Dowager’s expression softened slightly, her phoenix eyes narrowing as she gazed at Xue Sui meaningfully.
“You are indeed eloquent. No wonder Prince Duan values you so highly.”
Xue Sui lowered her head, feigning fear.
The Empress Dowager gently rubbed the beads on her lap.
Originally, she had intended to reprimand this newly appointed Consort today.
However, Wen Jia had entered the palace yesterday to plead, kneeling to beg for leniency and presenting the scented sachet Xue Sui had given her as a token of sincerity. It was not appropriate for her to be too harsh in such a setting.
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing pondered for a moment, then cast a glance sideways.
Her head female official smilingly presented a red lacquered wooden box.
The Empress Dowager said, “This is my reward to you. In the future, at the mansion, persuade Prince Duan more, and don’t let brothers lose harmony, lest such ‘accidents’ happen again.”
“Thank you, Your Ladyship the Empress Dowager, for your favor.”
Xue Sui lowered her head to express her gratitude, bowed, and slowly returned to her seat. As she casually glanced up, she saw Empress Xie enter through the hall doors, dressed in Zhai Wen court robe, her demeanor graceful.
Lu Xi followed closely by her side, her makeup exquisite, wearing a yellow brocade skirt, the silver threads on her sleeves particularly dazzling in the candlelight.
On her wrist, she wore the agarwood bracelet that Princess Ping Le had bestowed.
As Empress Xie entered, a chorus of greetings arose in the hall.
Xue Sui rose with Xue Yuechen and bowed respectfully.
Lu Xi glanced at her, then helped Empress Xie to sit down, and solicitously offered a cup.
“Empress, please have some ginseng tea.”
Lu Xi’s voice carried a deliberate gentleness.
Empress Xie smiled warmly, took the cup, took a slight sip, and then gently placed it on the table.
Lu Xi’s pale face showed a fleeting hint of nervousness.
Xue Sui’s gaze turned cold, and her fingertips lightly traced the rim of the teacup, causing the warm tea to ripple.
Everyone chatted and laughed.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, dancers entered in procession.
The sound of silk and bamboo music began, playing a clear melody. The palace banquet commenced, and the musicians and dancers from the Imperial Music Bureau swung their water sleeves and danced gracefully to the drumbeats.
Lu Xi moved among the guests, chatting with noble ladies and mingling with their wives, accepting all sorts of flattery with an air of a future Crown Princess…
Just as the atmosphere in the hall became lively and the music reached its peak, Empress Xie suddenly clutched her chest and coughed twice, emitting a suppressed groan from her throat.
“Your Ladyship—”
Lu Xi hurriedly supported the Empress’s trembling arm, kneeling on the ground, her own body trembling uncontrollably.
“Your Ladyship, what’s wrong?”
She was very scared.
After several deep breaths, she shouted with a trembling voice.
“Isn’t Consort Xue skilled in medicine? Why aren’t you quickly coming forward to examine her?”
Sisters, happy May Day holiday! Have fun!
