frightfiction Chapter 241 New Year's Eve Palace Banquet (1)
Chapter 241 New Year's Eve Palace Banquet (1)
Wanyan Junhao was a complete idiot who never learned his lesson. Taking advantage of the moment when everyone was heading back, he smugly went to Jingxue's side and said, "Princess Consort Zhan, what do you think? Was I right? Our Cangbei's equestrian skills are very good. If the equestrian skills had been put first on the day of the competition, we might not have lost three rounds in a row."
Jingxue glanced at him sideways and said, "Have you smug enough?"
Wanyan Junhao was taken aback. "Huh? This prince is telling the truth, really!"
"Hmph! Then do you dare to have a horsemanship contest with me?" Jingxue said with a smile.
"Ah?" Wanyan Junhao recalled the feeling of a steel knife against his neck that day. This Princess Zhan was skilled in martial arts, and her horsemanship was probably even more impressive. He quickly shook his head and said, "No need!" He then walked away awkwardly.
Lunch was served at Mingyue Tower. Qin Jing didn't go to watch the game; it turned out he came early to arrange the meal.
It was rare to find that both the master and mistress of Wulin Kingdom really enjoyed the dishes at Mingyue Tower, especially the dumplings; Wulin Tuya herself ate two plates.
Jingxue quite liked Wulintuya's unpretentious personality.
After dinner, everyone went shopping in the North City. It was Jingxue's first time entering a shop there.
At the jewelry shop, Jingxue bought many small hair ornaments, both gold and silver, intending to give them as gifts during the Chinese New Year.
When we arrived at "Li's Fruit and Vegetable Shop", since we had already seen the vegetable greenhouses in the village, this place was not surprising, and besides, there wasn't much stock in the shop.
Jingxue inquired about the sales situation at Manager Wang's shop. Manager Wang said that there had been too many orders lately, and the goods were basically taken away as soon as they arrived. Even the items on the counter were sold out quickly. However, there was nothing that could be done because the quantity was limited, so there was basically nothing to sell in the shop in the afternoon.
Before leaving, Jingxue told Manager Wang that the backyard storeroom was now full of vegetables and fruits.
When passing by the Prince of Zhan's mansion, Jingxue discovered that Uncle Lian and the others were still making tofu and spiced dried tofu. She felt that she hadn't paid them enough for an extra month's wages. Oh well, she'd make it up to them later!
On New Year's Eve, Jingxue did not participate in the prayer activities because the Cangbei Division did not participate. She did not arrive at the Mingyang Palace, where the banquet was held, until late afternoon.
Red lanterns hung high in Mingyang Palace, filling the air with a festive atmosphere, and a band was playing cheerful music.
Jingxue was dressed quite festively today, in a maroon gown with a gold-embroidered jacket over a stand-up collar. She wore five gold plum blossom hairpins on her head and a gold hair ornament inlaid with pearls on each side, the tassels of which were glittering gold.
This is the most jewelry Jingxue has ever worn, after all, it's Chinese New Year!
Even Runyue, who was beside her, had two silver butterflies fluttering in her hair today. They trembled slightly with her movements, as if they were about to take flight.
Of course, Yingying also got one during the leap month; Jingxue sent someone to deliver it to her yesterday.
Today, Mingyang Palace is crowded with people. All the officials have brought their families to attend the palace banquet, including Li Huan's entire family.
Li Jun searched the capital city for several days in a row, but still couldn't find a single clue about the two children. He had no choice but to wait until after the New Year to continue the search. However, he heard from his family that the Empress Dowager was going to arrange a marriage for Qianqian. If the wedding was scheduled for within the next two months, he probably still wouldn't be able to leave the capital and Qingzhou.
Many officials' families were seeing Jingxue for the first time. At previous palace banquets, not all officials of the sixth rank or above attended, and those who did not come with their entire families, but only their legitimate children or underage children. Only this time, the Emperor specifically stated that all family members would attend.
Nobody wants to miss an opportunity like this, so why be shy? Come on!
Everyone, whether they had seen her or not, was captivated by Jingxue's beauty. Princess Zhan's skin was like solidified cream, her eyebrows like distant mountains, and her eyes were like two clear springs, bright and clear. Her delicate nose was straight and graceful, adding to her noble and playful appearance.
"This is the Princess Consort of War? She's so beautiful!"
"Yes! The Princess Consort is absolutely stunning today."
"Indeed, at this palace banquet filled with beauties, the unparalleled grace emanating from the Princess Consort of War was like an ever-shining light, captivating all who beheld her."
If Jingxue heard these compliments, she would probably burst out laughing. The original owner was indeed very beautiful, but our modern makeup techniques are no joke either. Just as Runyue said, "It turns out that good-looking people are all made up!"
Jingxue was still sitting with Ye Muchen, with Prince Rui Ye Muchi on her left and Prince Duan Dajiazi on her right.
This Prince Duan may not be good at anything else, but he's first-rate when it comes to marrying wives and having children. He has one principal wife, two secondary wives, and two concubines.
The two concubines who came today are both heavily pregnant, and they also brought three children: two sons and a daughter.
Jingxue rarely saw the Consort Xian. This old lady had done many bad things when she was young, and now she rarely comes out except to pray to gods and Buddhas.
When the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager arrived, they were accompanied by two princesses and a small number of concubines. Seeing the two princesses, Jingxue thought of Jingze, An'an, and Yingying.
"Why did this damn Cangbei delegation have to come at this time of year?" Jingxue muttered to herself.
The three people seated at the head of the table were all dressed in their finest attire, which shows that people attach great importance to the Lunar New Year's Eve festival.
The Emperor looked much better. Jingxue leaned closer to Ye Muchen and whispered, "Your brother's probably going to pull some tough lines today!"
Ye Muchen was taken aback at first, but then he understood what Jingxue meant. He didn't stop her as usual, but turned to look at her affectionately, and then nodded with a smile.
Just as Jingxue had predicted, the Emperor began, “My lords, members of the royal family, envoys from Cangbei, and members of the imperial harem, the auspicious dragon brings good fortune to the new year, and blessings fill the universe. On this auspicious eve of the Lunar New Year, I am gathered here with you to celebrate this festive occasion. It is truly a time of joy for all people and for the nation to rejoice together!”
"Before the banquet begins, I have been entrusted by the Empress Dowager to bestow marriages upon the two couples. Fuhai, please proclaim the decree!"
After the Emperor finished speaking, Eunuch Fu took a scroll of imperial edict from the tray held by the eunuch, opened it, and read it aloud.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, by the grace of Heaven, rule over the nine provinces, and I only wish for peace and prosperity throughout the land, happiness for the people, a gathering of virtuous and capable officials in the court, and tranquility and peace in the harem. Now there is Prince Rui, Ye Musi, my brother, who is loyal to the emperor and loves his country. He is exceptionally talented and has an upright character, is kind and humble, which greatly pleases me. I wish to ensure his marriage to him, so as to consolidate the foundation of the imperial family."
I have also heard that Gao Yunxi, the second daughter of Gao Pengju, the Minister of War, is gentle and virtuous, exceptionally talented, and stunningly beautiful. She has been raised with proper etiquette and is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is of pure character, dignified and composed, and excels in virtue, speech, appearance, and skills. She is renowned among the nobles of the capital and can be considered a model of a distinguished lady.
These two, one a royal prodigy and the other a jewel of a distinguished family, were truly a match made in heaven.
I hereby bestow upon Gao Yunxi the title of Princess Consort of Prince Rui. The wedding will take place on the second day of the second month. I hope that you two will be loving and respectful to each other, walk hand in hand, bring honor to the imperial family, and serve as a model for all people.
Prince Rui should prioritize the nation and its people, live up to my expectations, and protect his beloved wife; Gao Yunxi should diligently follow the virtues of womanhood, assist her husband in managing the household, and ensure the continuation of their lineage.
From this day forth, preparations for the wedding shall be handled jointly by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department. All ceremonial procedures shall adhere to imperial regulations, striving for a grand and solemn occasion to demonstrate the imperial power and prestige, and to showcase the style and grandeur of our dynasty. So be it!