Wanwan brought the tea, stood respectfully to the side, raised her face, light and watery, and spoke softly.
“Your Highness, it’s lively over there. Why don’t we go and join the fun? Your Highness is the Empress.”
Yun Xiao heard this and thought, this is also true. She was the Empress. Since she was unhappy, did she have a reason to let those people be happy?
Moreover, if she wanted to leave the palace, she needed to find a suitable reason to leave, and couldn't always be confined within the deep palace.
“Well, when the people over there have almost arrived, we’ll go join the fun too.”
“Alright.”
Wanwan nodded happily. Xiuxiu, standing beside her, felt a prickle of fear.
Although she had brought up the topic earlier, she only intended for the Empress to offer birthday greetings to the Empress Dowager. She never expected the Empress to be so kind at some point.
Besides, she was a fool. Going there would only cause trouble. Moreover, with Prince Yun and Young Master Yun fighting on the front lines, the Empress must hate the Empress Dowager and the Emperor in her heart, so how could she sincerely offer greetings to the Empress Dowager?
That night, the Hall of Thousand Autumns was newly decorated.
Crimson and violet gauze curtains hung gracefully. A peony-scented brazier was lit in the central incense burner. On the eight white marble pillars in the center of the hall, twelve glazed lamps were embedded, emitting a soft, jade-like glow. Clusters of fresh flowers were placed in celadon vases, creating a scene of opulent beauty and radiance.
Nectar and ambrosia, fine wines and spirits, were served like a flowing stream.
The air was mixed with the fragrance of flowers, wine, and delicious food.
The Lantern Festival was originally a joyous festival for the common people, so the Hall of Thousand Autumns was decorated with various festive lanterns.
Strange and peculiar riddles were written on them. The Emperor decreed that tonight, besides celebrating the Empress Dowager’s birthday, there would be a riddle guessing game after the banquet, with prizes for those who guessed correctly.
Upon the issuance of the imperial decree, the consorts from all palaces were overjoyed, dressing up in their finest attire and attending the banquet early.
Several incidents had occurred in the palace recently, and everyone felt suppressed. It was rare that today, on the Lantern Festival, they could celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday and enjoy guessing riddles.
Furthermore, it was heard that the Crown Prince and Princess of the Northern Dynasty would also be entering the palace to attend the banquet for the Empress Dowager.
It was rumored that the Crown Prince of the Northern Dynasty, Yan Yu, was devilishly handsome and charismatic.
Since the Crown Prince and Princess of the Northern Dynasty were coming to the Eastern Qin to celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday, tonight would undoubtedly be exceptionally lively. The Emperor would surely have Prince Lin and Yan Jing’s most distinguished gentleman, Ye Wuyun, accompany them.
Considering this, even if the consorts in the palace couldn't do as they pleased, they could at least feast their eyes. Thus, this banquet was three parts more lively than usual palace banquets.
As dusk fell.
High-ranking officials from the court, along with their families, attended, and the Hall of Thousand Autumns quickly became bustling.
The palace lanterns flickered. Groups of three or five gathered together, studying the riddles on the lanterns, occasionally exchanging whispers and giggles.
In the flickering light and shadow, many young ladies, adorned in their finest attire, would shyly raise their heads to scan the noble gentlemen at the banquet.
Among them, Prince Shangguan Lin was the most eye-catching, not only due to his distinguished status.
He was also exceptionally talented and virtuous. Dressed in a dark blue robe, with a golden money-disc silk belt around his waist and seven-colored palace ribbons hanging down, he exuded a graceful demeanor, causing many young ladies from respectable families to blush.
However, this Prince Lin, who caused such a stir, maintained an air of indifference, making people keep their distance. He only exchanged pleasantries with Ye Wuyun, Yan Jing’s most distinguished gentleman, and they walked to a secluded spot to discuss something.
Another notable figure at the banquet was Yan Jing’s most distinguished gentleman, Ye Wuyun. He was the Emperor’s cousin, the Empress Dowager’s nephew, and the full brother of Consort De, Ye Suxue.
Young Master Ye always acted with discretion and rarely attended these palace banquets. The reason for his attendance tonight was likely due to the Emperor’s imperial decree.
Tonight, Shangguan Yao had issued an imperial decree for all officials to attend with their families, but he actually had another purpose.
Although Eastern Qin and Northern Yan were on friendly terms, this friendship was only superficial. This superficial appearance could be easily shattered. With the Crown Prince and Princess of Northern Yan coming for the Empress Dowager’s birthday, they likely had their own ulterior motives, just like him.
A marriage alliance was the best and most direct method currently. However, the current dynasty had no princesses, so they could only set their sights on the Northern Yan Princess.
Therefore, he had issued an imperial decree for Shangguan Lin and Ye Wuyun to attend this palace banquet.
As long as the princess fancied either of them, she would marry into Eastern Qin. Then, Eastern Qin and Northern Yan would be peaceful for at least thirty years…
The night grew deeper. The glazed palace lanterns illuminated the Hall of Thousand Autumns as if it were daylight, and the air was filled with rich fragrances.
In the center of the hall, a bright red felt carpet with phoenixes and peonies was spread out. On both sides, rows of rosewood tables and chairs were placed, with embroidered cushions and backrests on the chairs. Low tables were set with transparent glazed bowls, holding purple-red carved lacquer boxes filled with various imperial banquet pastries.
Officials and their family members who arrived early had already taken their seats, conversing about novel topics with those seated nearby, filling the hall with laughter.
Suddenly, a eunuch’s clear announcement echoed from the entrance of the hall.
“His Majesty arrives, Her Highness the Empress Dowager arrives, Consort Xian arrives, Consort Shu arrives.”
Leading the procession was the Emperor himself, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, exuding an air of noble dignity. His black hair was tied up with a purple-gold crown, his face was like jade, and he stood tall and graceful as he strolled in.
Beside him, following closely, was the Empress Dowager, captivating and opulent, dressed in joyous attire. Her crimson gauze dress made her skin appear even more delicate.
Beside her, flanking her, were two consorts: the elegant Consort Xian and the steady and restrained Consort Shu, supporting the Empress Dowager as they entered. A host of consorts followed behind.
The officials present and their families rose in unison, bowing respectfully and proclaiming in clear voices, “Greetings to His Majesty, Her Highness the Empress Dowager.”
The Empress Dowager’s pleasant voice rang out, “All honored ministers, please rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, Her Highness the Empress Dowager.”
The crowd responded in unison but remained standing respectfully until the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had taken their seats, and the consorts from various palaces had also sat down. Only then did everyone calmly return to their seats.
With the appearance of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, the Ye family members’ faces lost some of their composure. Their eyes were deep, and they harbored resentment.
The Empress Dowager had demoted her own niece to a second-rank Consort Shu. Anyone would find it difficult to maintain a pleasant expression.
Minister of War, Lord Ye Siyuan, sat with his head bowed in silence. The officials beside him dared not say much.
At this moment, the eunuch’s voice sounded again, “Crown Prince Yan Yu of Northern Dynasty, Princess Yan Ling arrive.”
As the announcement faded, all eyes in the hall snapped towards the entrance. The man at the forefront had a tall and slender build, dressed in a sylvan-colored brocade robe, with sculpted features and deep eyes, as if holding a pool of lake water, unfathomably profound.
His dark eyebrows slanted towards his temples, and his long, fine eyelashes shimmered with a devilishly unrestrained radiance. A curl of his lips revealed a captivating smile.
Beside him, two expressionless escorts followed closely, along with a beautiful and ethereal maiden.
This was Princess Yan Ling of the Northern Dynasty. Princess Yan Ling of the Northern Dynasty was also tall and slender, voluptuous and alluring, with beautiful features. Her large eyes held pride.
She cast a bold and impudent gaze around the hall, finally resting her eyes on the young Emperor, Shangguan Yao, on the high seat. With a beaming smile, she bowed gracefully alongside her brother.
“Yan Yu (Yan Ling) pays respects to Emperor Yao, Her Highness the Empress Dowager, and congratulates Her Highness the Empress Dowager on her longevity and prosperity.”