Chapter 61: Love Silk Lure
The Imperial Garden was divided into the East Garden and the West Garden, and each was further divided into inner and outer sections, containing countless palaces and residences. Walking through the entire garden was like entering a vast, boundless painting, with no end in sight.
Chang Chun Pavilion was located by the lake in the West Inner Garden. It stood three stories high, built with graceful beauty, its pavilions and towers possessing the charm of Jiangnan gardens.
The banquet dishes were laid out amidst a scene of blooming flowers. The ground was covered with thick brocade carpets, and besides exotic flowers and plants, there were various exquisitely shaped bonsai. The sight exuded royal grandeur.
In palace banquets, people were divided into ranks, and seating arrangements also reflected hierarchy and status, with strict distinctions in rank.
The female official guiding them did not recognize Xue Sui. Seeing that her attire did not resemble that of a maid, and unable to discern which young lady she was, she appeared somewhat troubled.
“Princess Consort Duan, how should this young lady be seated?”
Xue Yuechen replied, “She is a Ru Ren from the Xue Mansion; she will sit with me. There is no need to trouble you, Aunt.”
The guiding female official paused slightly, then smiled and bowed.
“Then, Princess Consort and Ru Ren, please be seated quickly.”
Sisters marrying into the same family held a status far above ordinary concubines. A Ru Ren with formal standing could even accompany the Mistress to banquets and social events. However, Xue Sui had not yet married, so Xue Yuechen’s statement was actually improper.
Xue Yuechen, not hearing Xue Sui’s words, turned back and smiled slightly.
“Do you mind, younger sister?”
She could have originally said that Xue Sui was her own sister.
But in Xue Yuechen’s heart, all sisters from the Xue Mansion were beneath her.
Xue Sui smiled faintly, “Of course not.”
Xue Yuechen patted her hand, “Come with me.”
The banquet was divided into separate tables, with an orderly layout.
Empress Xie hosted the inner and outer noble ladies at this end, while the Emperor hosted officials and young masters at Ling Yan Terrace, opposite Chang Chun Pavilion.
Separated only by a body of water, both were outdoors, allowing for distant viewing.
Xue Sui took her seat and observed quietly.
At the center of the banquet, a magnificent golden nanmu wood banquet table was placed.
Empress Xie sat at the head, her face adorned with a smile.
The seat to her right was prepared for Consort Xiao, but the seat was empty; Consort Xiao had not appeared.
The table to the left was occupied by Princess Ping Le.
Her pampered oval face was as exquisite as a painting, with a delicate, straight nose and eyebrows like distant mountains. Her lips seemed to curve upwards slightly, her expression neither happy nor displeased, so proud as if she held no one in her eyes.
It had to be said that Ping Le possessed a beautiful face. If not for her eyes being too cold, calling her a peerless beauty would not be an exaggeration. No wonder Emperor Chong Zhao doted on her so much, far more than his other imperial princes.
Below them were other imperial relatives and nobles, as well as some high-ranking inner and outer noble ladies.
Xue Sui noticed Lu Xi’s position.
She sat not far to the Empress’s right, clearly indicating that due to her grandfather’s influence, she was Empress Xie’s most favored candidate for Crown Princess.
Empress Xie glanced at the empty seat and asked Ping Le gently.
“Is the Imperial Consort unwell? She is usually the most enthusiastic for the flower competition.”
Ping Le smiled sheepishly, her face respectful, but her words were not entirely pleasant.
“Your Ladyship, please forgive me. Last night, Imperial Father was in high spirits with chess and kept Imperial Mother playing until late. Perhaps she is tired this morning and has overslept…”
Empress Xie sighed with a smile, “She should still take care of her health. She is no longer a young girl of sixteen or eighteen; she shouldn’t indulge her whims.”
Ping Le said, “Your Ladyship is absolutely right. If my Imperial Mother could be as leisurely as Your Ladyship, she could also recuperate and wouldn’t have to constantly worry about Imperial Father’s happiness.”
Empress Xie continued to smile, “The Imperial Consort has worked hard.”
The two exchanged pleasantries as if in conversation, while everyone else listened quietly, smiling, and watching the drama with trepidation. Everyone present understood the affairs of the palace clearly. The imperial relatives and nobles would not interfere, and other noble ladies dared not gossip.
Whoever the Emperor favored could win people’s hearts. Currently, not only was Prince Duan in power, but Consort Xiao’s maternal family also held great authority and was highly regarded by the Emperor.
With such a prominent family, who would dare offend them?
The Empress, in this situation, was merely the legal wife.
Perhaps sensing Xue Sui’s gaze, Ping Le suddenly looked over.
She scrutinized and examined, but quickly looked away, asking a maid something.
Then, as if confirming Xue Sui’s identity, she looked again, but her gaze did not linger for long.
Xue Liu was not a match for Ping Le in her heart.
She wasn’t even worthy of being considered a rival.
A small shrimp she had played with in her youth, what was she?
Xue Sui smiled faintly, her gaze unconsciously drifting into the distance.
Li Zhao walked over alone from the bridge over the lake, paid his respects to the Empress, and they spoke quietly for a moment. It was clear Empress Xie intended for him to look at the young ladies, but Li Zhao seemed unenthusiastic, turning away towards Ling Yan Terrace without a second glance at the female guests.
It was Empress Xie who caught Xue Sui’s eye, their gazes meeting in mid-air. She paused for a moment, then smiled slightly.
It was a very gentle smile.
This was also the first time Xue Sui had seen Empress Xie so closely.
She stood gracefully like a phoenix, elegant and dignified.
Legend had it that she was timid, which was why Consort Xiao rode roughshod over her, suppressing her as Empress, and even the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace was implicated.
But in this Imperial City, could anyone truly timid and incompetent survive?
Xue Sui withdrew her gaze and sat beside Xue Yuechen, lowering her head in silence. However, she felt a cold gaze fall upon her from above.
It was Li Zhao.
Li Zhao harbored great malice towards her.
He glared at her as he left. Was he thinking of how to kill her?
“Everyone…”
Empress Xie, seeing that the time had come and no longer waiting for Consort Xiao, raised her cup with a smile to begin.
“The realm is newly pacified, and the four seas are at peace, which is truly a blessing for our Daliang. In this spring season, all things revive, and this garden full of spring scenery is like the prosperity of our dynasty. I have invited you all here today to accompany this Palace in appreciating the beauty, celebrating the fine occasion, and wishing our Daliang favorable weather and peace for the people.”
All the noble ladies raised their cups in unison.
“Wishing our Daliang favorable weather and peace for the people.”
Empress Xie looked at them gently, pressed her palms together, and signaled for everyone to sit and talk.
“I have summoned you all to gather and chat, and to admire the flowers. There is no need for formality; feel free to drink heartily and celebrate the joy of the spring banquet.”
“Thank you, Your Ladyship.” Another chorus of responses and bows.
Once they were seated again, the atmosphere relaxed, and attendants came forward to serve dishes.
Midway through the banquet, someone brought up the theme of the day – the flower competition.
Each family had brought flowers today, placed beside the banquet tables for appreciation and commentary.
It was a competition of flowers, but also of literary talent and elegance, seeing who could speak as beautifully as the “flowers.”
Eating and admiring flowers was a pleasant affair, but the added element of scheming made it troublesome.
The fine wine and delicacies on the table, though, had a slightly bitter taste as they went down. Xue Sui frowned, her hand resting on the table, feeling the voices in the hall become strangely distant, and her throat felt a little hot.
“What’s wrong?” Xue Yuechen glanced at her and asked in a low voice.
Xue Sui smiled with her head lowered, “Nothing.”
Xue Yuechen looked her over with concern for a moment, “You seem a bit distracted, younger sister? Your complexion is also poor.”
Xue Sui placed her palm on her lower abdomen, frowned, and gave a wry smile.
“Perhaps my country bumpkin stomach cannot handle the imperial delicacies. I have a stomachache and need to use the restroom…”
Xue Yuechen nodded, “Go ahead.”
Everyone at the banquet was admiring flowers and drinking wine; no one paid them special attention.
Xue Sui, leading Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi, headed towards the small pavilion prepared for guests.
Although it was early spring, with a warm sun hanging in the sky, the weather was not hot, yet after only a few steps, she felt fine sweat breaking out on her back and her forehead inexplicably damp.
She knew what was happening and asked Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi.
“Are you hot?”
Ru Yi shook her head.
Xiao Zhao looked at her complexion and suddenly realized.
“Could it be that there was something in the food?”
The person who dared to tamper with the food at such a banquet had quite a lot of nerve.
Xue Sui smiled faintly, “It’s Love Silk Lure…”
“How despicable!”
Xiao Zhao gritted her teeth and cursed in a low voice. Seeing Xue Sui’s calm expression, she felt slightly relieved.
“No wonder the young lady sought out Fifth Miss and Eldest Young Master beforehand.”
Xue Sui did not look at her, nor did she reply, walking faster and faster.
Xiao Zhao, worried about her, said, “Young lady, watch your step, walk slower…”
Xue Sui said, “If I go any slower, Ping Le will get her way.”
Before her voice faded, she saw a familiar figure in the middle of the flower path by the waterside pavilion. His tall frame towered over the flower trellises as he quickly moved through rows of neatly arranged fresh flowers, appearing steady yet exuding urgency.
“Crown Prince?” Xiao Zhao exclaimed in surprise.
“He seems… not quite right?” Ru Yi also said.
Xue Sui saw it too.
As he passed a white jade lion statue on the bridge railing, Li Zhao even reached out and pressed the jade lion’s head. When he exerted force, a slight tremor could be seen in his elbow.
“No wonder!”
No wonder Ping Le told Lu Xi that after today, her grandfather would no longer force her to marry into the Eastern Palace…
Clearly, Ping Le had prepared a grand gift for Li Zhao…
To find any common girl and have her go to bed with Li Zhao, then use the grand occasion of the spring flower banquet to draw everyone’s attention, causing Empress Xie and the Crown Prince to lose face. After such humiliation, Lu Kefu, who valued his reputation greatly, would naturally not force his granddaughter to marry into the Eastern Palace…
But she hadn’t expected that in the end, the one watching the show…
She was the “common girl” Ping Le had prepared as a grand gift for Li Zhao.
A brilliant move to kill two birds with one stone.
Xue Sui watched Li Zhao struggle to leave the banquet and head towards the small pavilion in the West Garden. For some reason, he had no attendants by his side. She had a premonition that this man was about to fall into Ping Le’s trap.
It was a trap either way.
Why not let him fall into her own?
Xue Sui’s brow relaxed slightly, a smile appearing on her lips.
“You two wait for me here.”
Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi were startled, “Young lady?”
Xue Sui said sternly, giving Xiao Zhao a look, “Obey my orders.”
“…Yes.”
Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi waited in place. Xue Sui went alone, pushing open the small pavilion in the Imperial Garden for guests to rest and change…
She feigned discomfort, slowly clutching her chest, her steps faltering slightly.
As she lifted the curtain, a figure flashed before her eyes…
Someone was scheming!
She did not resist, allowing the person to cover her mouth and nose with a handkerchief.
“It’s too easy.”
Two old women cackled sinisterly, full of smugness.
“We were wondering how to deal with you, but here you are, walking right into our hands…”
Xue Sui went limp and fainted, allowing them to lift her up as if she were dead…
Xue Sui: On the food chain of mantis, cicada, and oriole…
Li Zhao: Or perhaps the relationship between a chirping cat and a toad…
ps: Does anyone know what animals the latter two are?
