"Young Madam, why did you take off the hair ornament?"
Cai Qing took the hair ornament and placed it on Feng Jin's head. "Young Madam, don't take it off again. If your hairstyle comes undone, you'll have to re-do it."
Feng Jin was speechless. This girl, had she put all the hairpins and earrings on her head?
The palace banquet was held in a waterside pavilion. As soon as the carriage arrived at the imperial palace gate, someone guided them over.
Upon arrival, Feng Jin realized that her own bejeweled hair was nothing compared to others.
Everyone was dressed so flamboyantly; this wasn't a palace banquet, it was clearly a beauty contest.
"It's over, Young Madam. I told you to wear the gold-threaded filigree peony crown, but you insisted on wearing this one. Now we're completely outshone!"
Cai Qing whispered into Feng Jin's ear. Such palace banquets were always elaborately decorated, and now they looked rather plain in comparison.
"Then listen carefully."
That crown was even heavier than this one. Wearing it for an entire evening would truly break her neck.
As soon as Feng Jin was seated, Feng Ruoyan, twisting her slender waist, sidled over. "Sister, Brother Mo Han."
Her gaze openly appraised Ling Mo Han, as if afraid others didn't know her deep affection.
Feng Ruoyan's eyes refused to leave Ling Mo Han for even a second. Compared to him, the Third Prince was significantly inferior. Only the status of the Emperor's legitimate son was worth mentioning.
As for the rest... it was truly hard to describe.
After comparison, Feng Ruoyan's gaze towards Ling Mo Han became even more infatuated.
"Sister, is it really appropriate to stare at your brother-in-law like this?" Feng Jin's sarcastic voice drew Feng Ruoyan's attention back. "Sister, the Third Prince will be back soon, you should save your affectionate gaze for him."
Her true feelings exposed, Feng Ruoyan looked embarrassed. She glared at Feng Jin and gritted her teeth, "Sister, you don't need to worry about these matters."
You little bitch, once she ascended to the throne of Empress, Feng Jin would be the first one she killed to vent her anger.
Upon seeing Feng Jin, Madam Sun's heart skipped a beat. Why wasn't she dead? She was alive and well, appearing right here.
"Feng Jin, my dear child, have you been well these past two days?" Madam Sun asked hypocritically, her gaze scanning Feng Jin as if trying to find a clue on her face.
"Thank you for your concern, I am living very well."
A trace of hatred flashed across Madam Sun's face, her eyes filled with venom, as if wishing to burn a hole through Feng Jin. "It's good that you're well, it's good that you're well."
What went wrong? Madam Sun was preoccupied, her gaze fixed on the jade bracelet in Cai Qing's hand. She was clearly wearing it, so why wasn't it effective?
Could it be that the interval was too long and the่่ซ (gu worm) had failed?
After much thought, Madam Sun couldn't figure out where the problem lay.
"The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
"The Emperor has arrived, the Empress, and the Noble Consort have arrived!"
The eunuch's sharp voice rang out, and everyone present straightened up and knelt.
"All ministers, please rise. Today is the Mid-Autumn Feast, please be at ease."
Emperor Xuanwen was forty years old, well-maintained, appearing only in his early thirties. The small mustache at the corner of his mouth added a touch of maturity.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" everyone said in unison, then rose and took their seats.
Feng Jin, weighed down by her bejeweled hair, steadied her hairpiece with her hand as she stood up, managing to do so with difficulty.
As they took their seats, Ling Mo Han, worried about further trouble, helped her arrange her skirt.
The Mid-Autumn Feast was no different from usual, just enjoying songs and dances.
Feng Jin had not eaten dinner to be able to wear this dress, and was now starving. Seizing the moment when no one was paying attention, she quickly picked up a pastry and stuffed it into her mouth.
Madam Sun tugged at Feng Ruoyan's sleeve, signaling her to stand up.
Just as Feng Ruoyan stood up and was about to speak, a kind voice sounded from the stage.
"Where is young girl Feng Jin?"
Feng Jin, who was secretly eating, heard herself being summoned. She quickly swallowed the pastry she hadn't finished and hastily stood up, looking towards the stage.
"Who is the Empress Dowager?" a deep male voice came from beside her.
Feng Jin breathed a sigh of relief and gracefully rose to walk to the center to pay respects. "Your subject, Feng Jin, greets Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, and wishes Her Majesty the Empress Dowager good health and peace."
"Good... good, come forward and sit by my side, so I can have a good look at you."
The Empress Dowager beckoned Feng Jin, signaling her to come up and sit.
Feng Jin was slightly taken aback. Doing so would be a great disrespect. She could not possibly agree. "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is the mother of the nation. Feng Jin dares not sit with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager."
"You are indeed well-mannered. Since Mother Empress has asked you to sit, then go. I shall pardon you."
"Girl, come quickly."
"Your subject thanks Your Majesty, thanks Her Majesty the Empress Dowager!"
After bowing, Feng Jin, under the gaze of countless eyes, nervously walked forward.
"Come, sit beside me." The Empress Dowager lovingly pulled Feng Jin to sit beside her.
"A few days ago, Yue E mentioned that you went to Marquis Pingyang's residence to celebrate his birthday, and said that you and Bi Rou looked very alike. Seeing you now, I feel as if I'm seeing Bi Rou."
The Empress Dowager held Feng Jin's hand, her thoughts filled with emotion, and a wave of sorrow washed over her, causing her to shed tears.
"Let's not speak of these past events. Seeing you well, your mother and grandmother will be at peace in the afterlife."
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, it is truly my great fortune to be cared for by you."
"Good child!"
The Empress Dowager affectionately stroked Feng Jin's cheek. Then, she took a golden phoenix hairpin from her own hair and placed it on Feng Jin's head. "I have worn this golden peony phoenix hairpin for many years. Consider it a congratulation for your new marriage. I have already prepared a dowry for you and will have it sent to your manor tomorrow."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"From now on, with me backing you, no one can bully you." These words from the Empress Dowager directly gave Feng Jin a shield of protection.
"Prime Minister Feng, I recall that when Miao Qing married into your family, she brought a dowry of a million taels. Now that Feng Jin is married, Miao Qing's dowry should also go with Feng Jin. Tomorrow, you shall organize the dowry and send it all to the Ling Manor."
"This subject obeys the imperial edict." Feng Yuanping hastily agreed, not daring to show any suspicion.
"I still have a copy of this dowry list. If you dare to deceive me, then do not blame me for accusing you of deceiving the emperor."
Back then, when the former Emperor passed away, Emperor Xuanwen was only eight years old. It was the current Empress Dowager who acted as regent and managed court affairs for nearly ten years, only retiring to the inner palace after Emperor Xuanwen's wedding and assumption of power.
Although she had not managed state affairs for many years, her authority remained. Thus, she directly intimidated Feng Yuanping.
"This subject would not dare to deceive Her Majesty. Miao Qing's dowry has always been stored in the treasury, waiting to be delivered with Feng Jin's marriage. This subject has been busy with official duties these past few days and was negligent. Tomorrow, the dowry will be properly itemized and delivered."