Xiao Wangye's birth mother was a refined woman from Jiangnan. She possessed a quiet and gentle disposition, always wearing a warm smile. She treated her servants with exceptional kindness, never resorting to punishment. Yet, in stark contrast to her gentle nature, her hobbies were archery and horse riding. Even her family members would praise her, saying, "If our sister were a man, with such archery skills, she would undoubtedly be a divine archer in the army."
Alas, there were no "ifs," and she could not escape imperial decree.
"My mother, throughout her life, adored archery and horse riding. My two maternal uncles, out of affection for her, had seamstresses craft this outfit for her when she expressed her reluctance to wear those cumbersome and complex ceremonial gowns." Xiao Wangye, who should have been in court, rushed back specifically to see Ye Qingcheng in this attire for the first time.
Ye Qingcheng looked at the clothes in her hands. The fabric was undoubtedly the finest. The patterns subtly revealed modern roses, and the neckline and cuffs were edged with gold. The gown consisted of two matching pieces, an inner and outer layer. She had expected something as elaborate as the gowns seen in television dramas, but it was surprisingly simple and elegant. The outermost layer was a sheer black overcoat.
Ye Qingcheng was tall, and the clothes were a bit short on her, necessitating the pairing with long boots. Bi Xi specially selected a few inner shirts to match. The cuffs bore royal insignia, revealing an effortless nobility with every movement.
What pleased Ye Qingcheng the most was that it did not have the large sleeves of other formal gowns, making it very convenient.
The hairpin on her head was also left by her mother, part of a set with a pair of bracelets. "My uncle said this is passed down only to the wives in our family."
"Alright, I'll accept it for now. You can have it back if you wish." It wasn't the time to defy his wishes. Besides, she would be leaving eventually anyway, so she could just return it to him then.
"It's the perfect time, I'll accompany you." He extended his hand, taking Ye Qingcheng's, and they walked towards the banquet venue.
They passed through the central courtyard and arrived at the "Crescent Moon Lake" in the backyard. The area was already surrounded by flowers, and their fragrance could be detected from the entrance. The ladies were seated at several tea tables, with no strict seating arrangements.
When the Regent King and his Consort entered, the noblewomen of the capital were stunned. In the past, whether at official banquets or those hosted by wealthy families, men were never present in places where ladies gathered. For today's flower banquet, they had only expected to see the legendary Consort.
To their surprise, they could also see the Regent King in person. Excitedly, they quickly rose to greet him, "Your Highness, Consort, long live, long live, long, long live!"
Upon reaching the pavilion, Xiao Wangye spoke first, "Today's banquet is a surprise this King has prepared for his Consort, and an occasion to formally introduce her to all my sisters-in-law. Ye Qingcheng. Henceforth, all internal affairs of the manor, big or small, will be decided by the Consort. This King has matters of state to attend to, so I must take my leave. Ladies, please enjoy yourselves."
With that, he gestured for Ye Qingcheng to bow slightly and whispered in her ear, "I will return tonight, wait for me."
"Mm-hmm, I understand, go attend to your business." Ye Qingcheng began to play the role of a dutiful wife.
The ladies below saw how affectionate the Prince of Xiao and the Consort appeared as they whispered to each other, and they were all filled with envy. In their own households, weren't they all living amidst the strife of multiple wives and concubines? Yet, the Prince did not even have a secondary consort. He had also publicly announced the Consort's authority. Within three days, the name of Prince Xiao's "sole favoritism" would spread throughout the capital.
"By the way, starting tomorrow, you can begin your physical training." Ye Qingcheng conveyed this news to him.
"Mm, I know. Wait for me tonight." He gently stroked her face with reluctance.
After Prince Xiao departed, the ladies in the courtyard began to liven up. The one who took the lead was the daughter of General Xue, Xue Ling. "Greetings, Consort. This commoner is Xue Ling, daughter of General Xue. It's our first meeting, and I humbly request that Consort accept my small token of sincerity." As soon as she finished speaking, a maid beside her stepped forward with a tray. Xue Ling lifted the red cloth, revealing a rectangular wooden box. She picked up the box and opened it, and even Bi Xi, standing behind Ye Qingcheng, could see the treasure's radiance within.
Ye Qingcheng's eyes lit up. It was the first time in her two lives that she had seen a dagger inlaid with gems. It was crafted from a single piece, with a hilt adorned with colorful jewels, intricate but not chaotic. In the dim light, the gems emitted a glow.
Seeing the astonishment in Ye Qingcheng's eyes, Xue Ling knew her gift had made an impression. "This is a treasure my father found while pacifying rebellions in the south. I beg Consort not to find it lacking." She then bowed to Ye Qingcheng, showing utmost respect.
"Miss Xue is too kind. I am very pleased with this gift. It's also the first time I've received such a unique dagger." She took the dagger and examined it closely. Its surface was warm to the touch, a rare find. "Bi Xi, put it away carefully."
Led by Xue Ling, the daughters of other officials also became bolder, coming forward one by one to present their gifts. From small earrings to large screens, they were exquisite, luxurious, and varied. The manor's storerooms could no longer accommodate them.
After all the gifts were presented, it was time for the flower appreciation. Ye Qingcheng still couldn't understand why the flower appreciation was held at night. It was only when all the lights were illuminated that she understood.
To facilitate the ladies' enjoyment of the flowers, all the blooms were placed in pots or baskets, set on stands about waist-high, allowing for a clear view of the petal patterns without needing to stoop. Several types of flowers even emitted a faint glow under the light, much to everyone's amazement. Ye Qingcheng had not expected Xiao Wangye to go to such lengths. The banquet featured no less than a hundred varieties of flowers, including different colors of the same species. There were even pathways guided by flowers, leading the ladies to appreciate every detail. Every aspect reflected the host's wealth and thoughtfulness. The guests forgot the delicious floral biscuits on the tables.
It was the first time Ye Qingcheng had received so many flowers as gifts, and even someone who had lived two lives had to admit she was deeply moved.
"The male lead is truly thoughtful," San San remarked with emotion.
"It's indeed very romantic. In modern times, he would be considered a romantic at heart." Xiao Wangye's surprises for her were so numerous that she was almost getting used to them, accustomed to this being the normal way of interaction.
"Qingcheng, don't just stand there being moved. This is an excellent opportunity for networking. You can build good relationships with people now, whatever you wish to do," San San reminded Ye Qingcheng excitedly.
Her eyes lit up. She had indeed been so caught up in the emotion that she had forgotten such an important matter.
"Bi Xi, go to the kitchen and prepare enough wine glasses for all the guests. Do we have juice in the manor? Mix the juice with the wine I brought back from the military camp. Use beautiful wine glasses, and follow my lead. This lady is about to start socializing." With full confidence, she walked into the crowd.
"Ladies, have you perhaps seen any flowers that catch your eye? You may take them home when you depart." Her elegant and graceful demeanor was a pleasure to behold.