But since Jin Jiali had invited Her Majesty the Empress, she wouldn't be so simple as to just invite her over for food and drinks.
She was seen with her cloud-like hair pinned high, a phoenix spreading its wings, a five-phoenix hairpin inserted precisely on her head. The phoenix's mouth held golden threads and tassels, shimmering and swaying, adding an immeasurable aura of nobility to her radiant face.
Dressed in a pink, misty vapor-like silk, she was gentle and lovely. Her eyes scanned across the daughters of renowned families, landing directly on Liu Liu, who was speaking softly with a maid.
“Oh, Your Majesty, this concubine deserves death for forgetting Her Majesty the Empress. How can Her Majesty the Empress sit in the lower seat, while we concubines sit beside Your Majesty?” Jin Jiali said, looking at the Emperor with feigned affection.
Her voice caused the formerly lively banquet to fall silent. The dancing girls also stopped their movements, and the air seemed to freeze in that instant.
Feng Xie’s gaze was fixed on Jin Jiali, making her scalp tingle. Jin Shaoyuan, sitting below, immediately cursed his sister under his breath.
Women are truly foolish. Since the Emperor had invited Her Majesty the Empress and paid her no mind, it was already giving her immense face. How dare she be greedy for more? The Emperor was an unfathomable person.
Liu Liu, sensing the gazes of everyone on her, slowly stood up. Feng Xie, however, spoke up at the opportune moment, "Empress, come sit here. Why are you hiding in the back?"
This statement surprised Liu Liu, and even Jin Jiali hadn’t expected it. Everyone else was even more surprised. Could the rumors be false? Did the Emperor not dislike Her Majesty the Empress that much?
Liu Liu had no intention of playing along with Feng Xie. The humiliation she suffered today was not inflicted by Jin Jiali, but by him, Feng Xie. If it weren't for his decree, could a mere Jin Jiali have summoned her?
Feng Xie saw Liu Liu glare at him coldly, knowing she wasn’t someone who would easily concede. But since he had spoken, he wouldn’t allow anyone to resist. He said with a harsh tone, "Xiao Wanzi, quickly lead Her Majesty the Empress over."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Xiao Wanzi, startled, scurried quickly to Liu Liu's side, extended a hand to help the Empress, and led her towards the main seating. Liu Liu shook off his hand and walked over herself.
On the high platform, only three seats were arranged: one for the Emperor, and two on either side for Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing. The banquet could have begun peacefully, but Jin Jiali's misplaced cleverness had angered the Emperor. He cast a cold glance at her and gestured to Xiao Wanzi.
"Prepare another seat for Consort Shu."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Xiao Wanzi replied, and another seat was prepared, placed beside the hand of Jin Shaoyuan, the Vice Minister of War. The siblings were to sit together.
Jin Jiali lowered her head, her eyes misting over. If she hadn't held back with all her might, she would have burst into tears. It turned out the Emperor didn't favor them excessively; she had been too conceited, thinking a little kindness meant the Emperor looked upon her with special favor.
Jin Shaoyuan, seeing his sister’s distress, felt a pang of sympathy. He leaned forward and earnestly advised, "Don't do such foolish things next time."
"Brother," Jin Jiali nodded, sitting before the low table, not daring to speak rashly again.
Liu Liu sat on the couch beside Feng Xie. Her eyes swept across the banquet, pretending not to see the man before her. Feng Xie half-turned, coldly reminding the ungrateful, ugly woman beside him, "Don't forget you owe me a favor."
Liu Liu glanced at him sideways, "Did I beg you?"
"What?" Feng Xie gasped in anger, his eyes flashing with coldness. Why was it that whenever he encountered this ugly woman, his usual calm and self-control broke down? He was always driven to the brink of madness.
"Perhaps if you remained silent, this Empress would have found a way to deal with that woman," Liu Liu said, her expression unchanged, as she looked down. Feng Xie gritted his teeth and waved his hand fiercely. Accompanied by the sounds of flutes and strings came his harsh words: "You win."
Liu Liu was truly bewildered. This man's ruthlessness was so inexplicable. Even if she owed him a favor, she doubted it would ever be used.
For he was an Emperor, what help could he possibly need from a humble woman like her? Liu Liu couldn't help but smile. Her smile was infused with sunlight, radiant and dazzling, causing Feng Xie to freeze. He hadn't expected this ugly woman's smile to be so extraordinary, so natural and unpretentious.
The banquet continued without being disturbed by this minor interruption. The daughters of noble families in the audience had hearts shaped like fireworks, falling upon the three men.
Feng Lie didn't look at those women; he watched Liu Liu from beginning to end. He hadn't expected his Imperial Brother to help her. Seeing them so close together, he felt a void in his heart, as if something was tearing at him, causing his heart immense pain.
His Imperial Brother's kindness towards Liu'er should make him happy as her friend. He lowered his head and began to drink.
As for Nangong Yue, he didn't even glance at these common, vulgar women. Looking at these pretentious women any longer would likely ruin his appetite.
This was Jin Shaoyuan's first time seeing Liu Liu, the woman who had been the subject of so much talk since the selection of concubines. He finally saw her.
Looking closely, she was a beautiful woman, but because of a birthmark on her face, she had been described so poorly. Rumors truly hurt people.
However, the actions of the Emperor were not entirely understood by the three men. Why would he help Empress Liu? Wasn't it said that he hated her and would get angry just seeing her? Did he want to vomit? Although he did get angry, he didn't vomit, and in fact, ate with relish. Was this their fastidious Emperor?
Let alone the three men below, even Feng Xie himself found it strange. By his usual standards, he should have been unable to eat. Yet, not only did he eat, but he didn't vomit.
It was the first time an ugly woman had come close to him, and he hadn't vomited on the spot. This was more astonishing to him than drought in one place and floods in another on the imperial court.
He hadn't healed completely, but the thought that this woman not only didn't appreciate his favor but even blamed him for meddling caused his expression to darken.
Seeing the Emperor angry, no one at the banquet dared to speak carelessly. A perfectly good birthday banquet had become exceptionally stifling.
Thinking of his sister's mistake, Jin Shaoyuan picked up a wine cup and stepped forward. He felt it was necessary to liven up the atmosphere.
"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace in hosting a birthday banquet for my sister. I offer this toast to Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress."
Upon hearing Jin Shaoyuan's words, Feng Xie snapped back to reality. Today was Consort Shu's birthday, how could he have forgotten? Moreover, he was supposed to bestow marriages upon these outstanding subjects.
His handsome brows relaxed, and his eyes sparkled with brilliance. He acted as if the ugly woman beside him didn't exist.
"Good, come. Today is my beloved consort's birthday. I and everyone here will drink together," Feng Xie raised his wine cup. Those below all stood up, accompanying the Emperor in drinking.
The banquet became lively once more. Liu Liu looked at everything before her, quietly eating her meal, paying no mind to anything around her.
After a long silence, she curiously looked up and saw everyone at the banquet staring at her. The Emperor had raised his wine cup but hadn't moved.
His handsome, alluring face was now etched with coldness, and an oppressive aura filled the air. Liu Liu, seeing him looking at her, asked in confusion.
"What's wrong?" She hadn't provoked anyone. Why was everyone staring at her? As she was thinking, she felt a warm breath near her ear, carrying a masculine scent. She clearly heard the sound of grinding teeth.
She suddenly looked up. A handsome face was almost pressed against hers, his features like a perfectly arranged painting. However, his beautiful eyes were now glowing with a green light.
"They were toasting both Your Majesty and me, yet you dare to play dumb?"