CHAPTER 648: CHAPTER 648: PRINCESS CONSORT YAN

However, the Empress has always been strong-willed and would not listen to anyone’s advice!

「Inside Qingya Residence」

Zi Yue laid out a row of autumn attire on the clothing rack and said, "My lady, you have a good eye. Come and choose!"

Xia Ruqing looked over the selections back and forth and finally chose a set of palace attire in a lilac-purple color.

"Today, I can’t be too conspicuous, but I also can’t be dressed too shabbily!" she said. "The purple is just right—dignified yet lively, not too old-fashioned! As for the headwear, let’s stick to my rank. Today, all attendees are from the Royal Clan and hold Enjoinments. We must follow the rules strictly and not stand out."

Zi Yue smiled and said, "That’s what I was thinking too!"

As she spoke, she opened the Cosmetic Case, selected a headpiece that was ordinary in style yet neat, and adorned her master with it.

Xia Ruqing was dressed in lilac-purple palace attire. On her head was a set of Bu Yao and hairpins made from Purple Jade, disassembled from a complete headpiece. The Purple Jade was of fine quality. Its design was simple yet elegant; wearing it didn’t make her look cheap, nor did it appear plain. The earrings were a pair of lively and festive little birds carved from amethyst crystal, no bigger than a little finger. On her wrists, she wore nothing else but two pairs of enameled silver bracelets.

This outfit wasn’t unpleasant to look at, nor did it draw undue attention. She aimed for the image of an obedient daughter and a good daughter-in-law, as perceived by the elders. It was dignified and tasteful, perfectly fitting her status.

"Very good!" Xia Ruqing said, very satisfied as she looked at herself in the mirror.

After Zi Yue checked that everything was in order, she called Zi Su and the others to prepare what her master needed for going out.

Zi Su said with a smile, "No need for you to say, Sister. We’ve already prepared everything! Today, it’s better to leave early than late. My lady, you should set out sooner rather than later!"

Xia Ruqing thought it made sense. The titled ladies from outside the palace lived far away and might arrive early. She couldn’t have elders waiting for a junior like her.

So, she set off for the Imperial Garden with Zi Yue and Zi Su before mid-afternoon.

Xia Ruqing couldn’t help but find it amusing. It’s still the afternoon, and we’re going to a dinner banquet? Tsk tsk!

However, when she arrived, she no longer thought so. Not only had the Honored Ladies arrived, but even Shih Jieyu, Consort Zheng Pin, Consort Yun Pin, and Consort Hui Pin were all present. Even Consort Cheng Pin was standing not far away, instructing her Wetnurse Nanny about something.

In other words, among those of Pin rank, she was the only one yet to arrive!

She broke into a cold sweat!

Luckily, she had arrived a little early. Otherwise, if Consort Ning had arrived before her, there was no telling what she might say.

Relieved, she took her seat in her designated spot. Zi Yue promptly poured her some tea to moisten her throat.

Before long, Consort Ning also arrived. After the exchange of greetings, Consort Ning took her seat next to Xia Ruqing.

Seeing Xia Ruqing dressed gracefully and sitting tranquilly drinking tea, Consort Ning felt quite displeased.

"Consort Xian Pin, your outfit today is quite nice, isn’t it?" Consort Ning said sarcastically.

Xia Ruqing really didn’t want to deal with her, but she had no choice; after all, a higher rank held considerable power.

So, she managed a smile that didn’t reach her eyes and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. This humble servant is truly flattered!"

Consort Ning snorted softly, uttering a sarcastic remark under her breath, "You, flattered? What a joke!"

Xia Ruqing didn’t respond further.

Seeing her apparent ’defeat,’ Consort Ning felt a surge of triumph and also picked up her tea to sip leisurely.

Xia Ruqing’s eyes were downcast, the corners of her lips curling into a mocking smile.

「Half a Shi Chen later」

Everyone had finally arrived.

Aside from Princess Consort Yan, several other elder Princess Consorts from collateral branches of the Royal Clan were also invited to attend.

In the past, when Princess Consort Yan was not present, these other consorts wouldn’t be invited; a simple family banquet in the Harem was considered sufficient for the festival. This year, with Princess Consort Yan present, it wouldn’t have been right to invite only her, so all were invited. This was also the Emperor’s intention.

Therefore, there were many more people this year than in previous years.

Male and female guests were also separated. In the front, the Emperor celebrated with the Princes and Ministers. In the Harem, the Empress and the Empress Dowager led the Concubines and titled ladies in celebration.

With the Capital City’s best opera troupe having entered the palace to perform, the Concubines were all quite excited. Chattering away, everyone was in high spirits. All this excitement made this Mid-Autumn Festival even livelier than the New Year’s festivities.

The Empress Dowager was in a great mood.

"Today’s weather is good, and it’s rare for us all to be together like this. We should have a good drink to celebrate!" the Empress Dowager declared. "I still have a jar of excellent Hundred Flowers Honey in my palace. Qingyun, hurry and have someone bring it here!"

Sister Qing tried to dissuade her, but the Empress Dowager was in high spirits and couldn’t be persuaded. Sister Qing could only shake her head and leave.

Hundred Flowers Honey was the name of a wine. Despite its name, it had little to do with flowers and was brewed from various fruits. The alcohol content wasn’t very strong. It had a slightly tart taste, but the aftertaste was subtly sweet, making it a wine popular among women.

The Hundred Flowers Honey was brought, and everyone poured themselves a cup. The Empress Dowager raised her cup, and everyone followed suit. Amidst laughter and chatter, the atmosphere grew even more lively after three rounds of drinks.

As the opera troupe began to sing, everyone watched the performance, feeling more relaxed.

The Empress Dowager chuckled as she spoke with several Old Princess Consorts. To one, she asked, "How’s your grandson? What? He’s taking the imperial examinations this year?" To another, "How’s your son? When will he be promoted?"

Those Old Princess Consorts, flattered by her attention, hurriedly responded one by one, only speaking of pleasant matters.

The Empress Dowager, amused, then turned to look at Princess Consort Yan, who had been sitting quietly to one side without saying much.

She asked with a smile, "Why aren’t you saying a word? We’re close sisters-in-law; you must at least have a drink with me!" With that, she raised her cup.

Princess Consort Yan had kept her head lowered, her expression unreadable. Only after being reminded by a Sister beside her did she quickly lift her head, a fleetingly complex look in her eyes. She forced a smile and raised her cup as well. "This servant thanks the Empress Dowager!"

Having said that, without waiting for the Empress Dowager to speak further, she slowly raised her cup and drank the wine, sip by sip, until it was empty.

The Empress Dowager observed this rather dismissive behavior, and her interest waned. "Never mind! This Dowager will drink by herself!"

Princess Consort Yan, however, was not swayed. She performed the proper curtsy and sat down. A hint of displeasure flickered in the Empress Dowager’s eyes.

The Empress, seeing this, quickly tried to smooth things over. "Imperial Mother, you haven’t had a drink with me yet; I’ve been waiting for a long time!"

The Empress Dowager looked at the Empress, and her mood lifted. She said to the Empress with a smile, "Enough, enough. Don’t you have it in your palace too? Isn’t it ready for you anytime you want it?"

The Empress hurriedly flattered her, "How could that be the same? The wine in Your Imperial Mother’s palace is the best!"

Consort Ning also chimed in enthusiastically, "Yes, Empress Dowager! We all have wine in our palaces, but none is as good as yours!"

These words amused the Empress Dowager, who chuckled heartily. "Alright, alright. Later, This Dowager will send each of you a jar and will have people watch you finish it!"

The Empress quickly responded, "If that truly happens, it would be a great blessing!"

The Empress Dowager laughed again, and the atmosphere became harmonious.

No one noticed that the Noble Consort, who had been silent on the side, had an ashen face, her fists clenched tightly.

Are the Empress Dowager and the Empress... deliberately doing this for me to see? That shameless wench of an Empress, so thick-skinned! And even the Empress Dowager... Hmph!