After Situ Chuanqiong sent Situ Zixian to replace him at the empress Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang)'s place last time, Situ Chuanqiong had always felt guilty towards the empress. Therefore, he became even more doting towards her in outward appearance.
"Your Ladyship, His Majesty sent someone to deliver gifts to you again today," the young maid Chu Li said with a beaming smile as she entered. "I heard that this batch of lychees are unique products from the southern country of Xiaoyue. The envoy from that place rushed here with ice to preserve them, so not many were kept fresh!"
Situ Chuanqiong gifted her a basket of lychees, estimated to contain about forty to fifty fruits. Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) picked one up, peeled it, and popped it into her mouth. It was still very sweet. So she beckoned to Chu Li, "Xiao Li, come and eat some too!"
"Your Ladyship, I dare not eat this. I heard that very few were preserved well, and His Majesty has bestowed about half of the total amount to Your Ladyship!" Chu Li repeatedly waved her hands in refusal. She was genuinely happy for her mistress from the bottom of her heart. "Judging by this, His Majesty still treats you the best in this harem!"
Xiao Wenqiang would not be swayed by a few small lychees. However, since Situ Chuanqiong wished to portray an image of him deeply loving the empress, she would help him out.
"Xiao Li, prepare yourself. In an hour's time, I will host a Lychee Tasting Banquet in the Imperial Garden. Since these lychees are so delicious, I shall share them with the sisters in the harem."
Chu Li, thinking that her mistress wanted to show off the Emperor's favor to the concubines in other palaces, busied herself with the preparations.
Within Jinle Palace.
"Consort Xian, someone from the Empress's palace has come to inform you that in an hour, a Lychee Tasting Banquet will be held in the Imperial Garden, inviting all consorts of rank three and above to attend," a young palace maid announced from outside the door.
Leng Yuanxiang was also eating lychees. Upon hearing this, she was silent for a few seconds before replying, "Alright, please relay to Her Majesty the Empress that I will certainly attend."
After the messenger maid left, Chun Yue could not help but say, "Your Ladyship, His Majesty also bestowed many lychees upon you. Why do you still have to attend that Lychee Tasting Banquet?"
"This is the first banquet Her Majesty has hosted since I arrived. Not attending would seem too unsociable," Leng Yuanxiang explained to Chun Yue. In reality, her heart was set on seeing just how many beautiful women were in Situ Chuanqiong's harem.
Qin Mingyue also received the notification. She had not received any lychees from the Emperor, and she was already unhappy. Now, she was so angry that she smashed several vases. However, she ultimately attended, dressing herself up magnificently, intending to crush all other concubines with her beauty.
In the end, a total of six consorts attended this impromptu Lychee Tasting Banquet. Each of them was dressed in flamboyant attire, vying for attention. An onlooker might have thought they were attending a fashion and jewelry show!
As per Xiao Wenqiang's instructions, the palace servants had already set up the seats. Each small table at the seats was placed with three lychees, some small pastries, and tea. Although the number of lychees was small, very few women in the harem had ever tasted such fruit.
After everyone was seated, Chu Yulan (Xiao Wenqiang) said, "Today His Majesty bestowed some lychees upon us, which are these five fruits on everyone's tables. I thought it better to share the joy with others rather than enjoy it alone, thus I have organized this Lychee Tasting Banquet. Sharing delicious food with all of you sisters is also a delightful occasion!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress. I truly have never tasted lychees before!" Shen Zhaoyi spoke first.
"Yes, yes! Her Majesty the Empress is truly benevolent and virtuous. No wonder His Majesty favors Your Ladyship the most!" Zhu Xiurong, who was adept at flattery, exclaimed.
The remaining two consorts echoed Zhu Xiurong's words, nearly showering Xiao Wenqiang with effusive praise.
At this moment, only Qin Mingyue and Leng Yuanxiang were not joining in the flattery.
Qin Mingyue was somewhat annoyed. She had dressed up elaborately today, yet not a single observant concubine complimented her! Moreover, she did not want to bow to the Empress. After all, she had slapped her in the cold palace not long ago. Who would have thought that this Empress Chu would ever emerge from the cold palace?
Therefore, although she really wanted to eat lychees, she kept her lips tightly pursed and remained silent.
Leng Yuanxiang, however, had a different sentiment. When she was brought into the palace by Situ Chuanqiong before, she had caught a glimpse of the Empress through the red veil. At that time, she felt the other woman was just an ordinary woman confined by feudal etiquette, having to arrange her husband's wedding to another woman even if she was unhappy, and unable to show jealousy.
Furthermore, since she had told Situ Chuanqiong before entering the palace that she would not rise early every day to pay respects to the Empress, the Emperor had already issued an order to cancel the ritual of all concubines paying morning respects to the Empress. Thus, it was her first time seeing the Empress in person so clearly after being in the palace for nearly a year.
Upon seeing her, Leng Yuanxiang became flustered. Previously, she believed her beauty was unparalleled, coupled with her modern woman's free and noble soul. Therefore, even in the harem, a place filled with countless beauties, she remained very confident.
But devilishly, why was this woman, ravaged by feudal doctrines, so beautiful? How could a woman embody such disparate qualities as dignity and grace, gentleness and cuteness, and stunning allure all at once?
Most strangely, this exceptionally beautiful Empress, who deeply loved the Emperor, was not favored by him, Situ Chuanqiong. Could it really be that her excellent modern soul was what attracted him?
Having transmigrated to this era, Leng Yuanxiang, who had always been confident, began to feel her composure crumble.
"Oh, Your Majesty the Empress, why are these lychees so hard and bitter!" Shen Zhaoyi, having never eaten such fruit before, bit directly into the shell.
"You need to peel it first. The flesh inside is very sweet," Leng Yuanxiang could not help but explain.
"Oh, judging by Consort Xian's demeanor, you have tasted these lychees before!" Qin Mingyue astutely noticed.
"When I was at home before, I had the good fortune to taste them once, so I know a little about them," Leng Yuanxiang dared not say that Situ Chuanqiong had also sent some to her. He had told her to remain low-key for now, otherwise, it would incur the envy of other consorts and bring her trouble.
"I heard that these lychees are unique to the southern country of Xiaoyue, and this Xiaoyue country was only pacified by us at the end of last year, and trade relations began. I wonder where Consort Leng tasted lychees before?" This question from Qin Mingyue was difficult to answer, as it implicitly suggested that the Right Chancellor, Leng Guang, might be secretly communicating with other countries.
Leng Yuanxiang recognized the trap in her words but could not think of a suitable answer for the moment.
At this point, Chun Yue, who had been following behind her, suddenly spoke, "Your Ladyship, you are mistaken. The lychees I tasted at home before were not these. These lychees were just gifted to you by His Majesty. Have you forgotten?"