Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“I know you have a point too.”

Shen Mei Zhuang gave a bitter smile. “It must be that I overthought it and couldn’t help suspecting the Empress.”

“The Empress doesn’t look like a ruthless person.”

Zhen Huan shook her head gently. “And it’s not like you don’t know what Consort Hua is like. She is arrogant and domineering in the rear palace and doesn’t even take the Empress seriously. She loves throwing her weight around and tormenting low-ranked consorts like us.

Sister Mei, did you forget how she tortured you when we first entered the palace, nearly ruining your hand?”

“I know very well Consort Hua is no good.”

Shen Mei Zhuang smiled. “Forget it. Let’s treat it as past. The day after tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and everyone must attend the palace banquet.

Huan’er, you should dress up properly…” The two sisters chatted as they walked, heading toward Sui Yu Pavilion. New Year’s Eve arrived. The entire rear palace grew even busier. Titled ladies of the third rank and above had to enter the palace to pay their respects.

Kang Shou Palace and Jing Ren Palace were lively and crowded. Even Yi Kun Palace, Consort Hua’s residence, had many noble ladies coming and going. At Yan Xi Palace, a family member finally arrived. It was Madam Fu Cha, the mother of Noble Lady Tian, and a woman with an official patent.

Today, she had entered the palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress. More than anything, she wanted to see her precious daughter. Mother and daughter met, and naturally they had endless things to talk about. Li Si Qi and Xia Dong Chun were both heavily pregnant and could not conveniently go over.

Their status was neither high nor low, and Madam Fu Cha could not very well come to pay her respects in person. Even so, Madam Fu Cha still sent people to deliver generous gifts to the two young ladies. In fact, many titled ladies sent gifts to the consorts in the rear palace. With Li Si Qi and Xia Dong Chun’s status, other titled ladies did not need to pay attention to them at all.

But there were always those with clever intentions who sent people to put gifts in front of them. Especially after hearing that Li Si Qi was carrying dragon-and-phoenix twins, the gifts she received were even heavier than Xia Dong Chun’s.

“Young Lady, I didn’t expect them to be so generous.”

He Xiang could hardly believe it. “Today we’ve already received gifts several times.”

“If there are gifts, take them.”

Li Si Qi waved it off, unconcerned. “If there aren’t, don’t expect anything. In other people’s eyes, these things are just that.”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

He Xiang answered, then said, “Young Lady, Madam Nian also sent a very generous gift, even more valuable than Madam Fu Cha’s. And Madam Nian only sent gifts to Young Lady.”

“It’s fine. Put it away.”

Li Si Qi instructed, “Register everything and store it in the storeroom. Do whatever should be done.”

“Yes!”

“Lu He, prepare two sets of clothes. One for the banquet, and bring another set along in case something unexpected happens.”

“Yes, this maid will go prepare them at once.”

… The two personal maids stayed busy. Aunt Ruo Lan looked worried. “Young Lady, banquets often have bad things happen. I wonder if something sudden will happen today too.

If only Young Lady could ask for leave.”

“It’s fine.”

Li Si Qi leaned against a cushion, looking unconcerned. “The Empress won’t approve my leave. With my condition, attending the banquet is nothing. You all just need to protect me carefully.”

Tonight’s banquet might have a good show. She did not want to miss the chance to watch the drama up close.

“Yes!”

Aunt Ruo Lan understood how important the palace banquet was and could only accept the helpless fact that her mistress had to go. After thinking, she said, “Young Lady, this servant will go to the kitchen and prepare food and pastries for you. The things at the banquet can’t be eaten at all – plate after plate of cold dishes, only for looking, not for eating.”

“Alright. Go on, then.”

… Every palace was the same. All of them were busy for their own mistress. When it was nearly time, Li Si Qi finished getting ready. Supported by Aunt Ruo Lan and Lu He, she came to the entrance of the main hall.

Xia Dong Chun soon appeared, grumbling, “It’s freezing. I really don’t want to go.”

“Even if you don’t want to, you still have to go.”

Li Si Qi rolled her eyes at her. “It’s the New Year’s Eve banquet. Even the Empress Dowager will go, let alone us.”

“Anyway, I really don’t want to go.”

“Even if you don’t want to, you still have to go.”

Noble Lady Fu Cha, who had just come out, immediately echoed it. “We’re only going to join in the bustle. We can’t not go. Let’s go.”

After speaking, she nodded to Li Si Qi and took the lead. Li Si Qi followed at once. Xia Dong Chun trailed behind. The three mistresses of Yan Xi Palace set out together.

Eunuchs and palace maids cleared the way in front. Eunuchs and palace maids also guarded them from behind. The group made its grand way toward Tai He Hall. The consorts of the other palaces also set out at the same time.

When they reached Tai He Hall, everyone found their own seats. It was the first palace banquet for the new consorts, and to avoid any breach of etiquette, everyone sat quietly. More and more members of the imperial clan and court ministers arrived, along with their female relatives, and Tai He Hall grew livelier and livelier. Then Consort Hua arrived.

At last, the main figures had come.

“His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, Her Majesty the Empress – they arrive!”

At the sound, everyone rose at once. They bowed to the three who strode in. “We greet Your Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, Her Majesty the Empress!” The three walked through the great hall.

Everyone shifted with them, keeping their bodies turned toward the Emperor the whole time. When they each took their seats, the Emperor looked at those still bowing and instructed, “My lords, rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

After returning the salute, everyone sat back down. Next came the Emperor’s time to speak. Everyone listened obediently. When the Emperor declared the evening banquet officially begun, it finally reached the lively part.

All sorts of people came forward to toast the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress. No matter what else happened, Li Si Qi stayed seated and did not move. Or rather, none of the pregnant consorts made any rash moves. Those who should toast had already toasted.

The Empress spoke with a smiling face, “New Year’s Eve is a joyful day. This concubine has arranged some songs and dances for everyone to enjoy.”

“The Empress is thoughtful.”

The Emperor was still willing to give her face. He then instructed, “In that case, begin.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Jiang Fu Hai answered and immediately went out to arrange it.

The first opening dance began. Everyone’s attention was drawn at once. When the opening dance ended, a woman wearing a veil appeared. As she danced, she sang Kun Qu.

The moment that beautiful voice rang out, the men present all went wide-eyed. There was no denying that Yu Ying Er’s Kun Qu really was sweet and moving. The title Lady of Wondrous Voice had not been bestowed wrongly. After the song ended, Yu Ying Er stepped forward.

“This servant Yu Ying Er pays respects to Your Majesty the Emperor, pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress.” The moment that name came out, Consort Hua’s face changed sharply. The look she gave Yu Ying Er was as if she wanted to swallow her alive.

“Not bad.”

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction. His gaze, however, roamed over Yu Ying Er without restraint. The Empress’s smile faded a little, yet her tone remained gentle. “Your Majesty, Yu Ying Er’s voice is acceptable.

In the future, let her sing little tunes for Your Majesty to relieve boredom.”

“The Empress is thoughtful.”

The Emperor did not refuse. In front of everyone, he accepted Yu Ying Er. Consort Hua’s face turned green with anger. Yet she could not say a word.

Su Pei Sheng personally led Yu Ying Er away. From this moment on, she served at the Emperor’s side. While no one was paying attention, Li Si Qi saw Zhen Huan quietly slip away. [Was the fated meeting about to play out?]

She swept her gaze across the imperial clan’s side, and sure enough, she did not see Guo Zi Li.

“Little Teapot, is Guo Zi Li outside?”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Interesting. Looks like some plots can’t be turned aside.”

“Mistress, do you want to make trouble for Zhen Huan?”