Chapter 122: Offering Longevity

Chapter 122: Offering Longevity

A few suppressed laughs echoed around the room, leaving Duan Cairen red-faced with embarrassment as she retreated.

Tang Xuanzhi, sitting nearby, covered her mouth with a handkerchief to hide her uncontrollable laughter, then turned to Wang Meiren and said, “Look at her. After gaining some favor, she’s become too bold, trying to show off in front of Noble Consort Jiang!”

Wang Meiren, not much of a talker, simply nodded in agreement with Tang Xuanzhi, then lowered her head as if preoccupied with her thoughts.

Tang Xuanzhi, unable to contain her chatter, continued, “I never expected Noble Consort Jiang, usually so reserved, to be so blunt…”

Not far from them, Lu Cairen appeared as if she hadn’t heard a thing, maintaining her gentle demeanor as she slowly sipped tea from a cup on a small table.

Lu Cairen’s face had finally healed, and with her beauty surpassing Duan Cairen’s and her distinguished family background, she naturally aroused Duan Cairen’s wariness. With similar ranks and sitting close to each other, even if the Emperor noticed her, he might be drawn away by the newly recovered Lu Cairen.

Sandwiched between Noble Consort Jiang, Lu Cairen, and the attractive Wan Cairen, Duan Cairen had acted impulsively. Now, having been publicly snubbed by Noble Consort Jiang, she dared not retort and sulkily returned to her seat, taking a while to regain her composure, pretending as if nothing had happened.

As the palace lanterns were lit one by one, the Emperor and Empress finally arrived at Wuyou Palace. Everyone inside prepared to greet them, but it was the royal children playing outside who first paid their respects.

Princess Huaiqing approached the Emperor, holding his hand and playfully complained, “Father, you’re late again!”

The Emperor, smiling, said, “Father apologizes to Wanyi. What would you like?”

Princess Huaiqing glanced at the Empress beside the Emperor and softly said, “Next time, just come earlier with Mother.”

The Emperor ruffled her hair without responding directly. Scanning the other children following Princess Huaiqing and not seeing Nian'er and Huayang, he frowned and asked, “Where are Liang brother and Third sister?”

“Third sister is asleep, and Liang brother is with Noble Consort Jiang,” Princess Huaiqing whispered. “Noble Consort Jiang said Liang brother has just recovered and shouldn’t be out in the heat.”

The Emperor nodded, “Noble Consort Jiang is right,” and led the way inside, coincidentally meeting the consorts coming out to greet him.

The Emperor helped Jiang Hui to her feet, holding Princess Huaiqing with his left hand and Nian'er, who had just come out, with his right. They entered the flower hall and took their seats. The Empress’s senior maid in charge of Princess Huaiqing then asked, “Your Majesty, the Empress has invited a civilian theater troupe. Would you like the banquet in the flower hall or outside?”

"Let's have it here," the Emperor said, not particularly concerned.

As it was a banquet celebrating Princess Huaiqing's housewarming, besides the Emperor and Empress seated at the main table, Princess Huaiqing naturally sat there too, along with Jiang Hui, Nian'er, Consort De, Consort He, and the Second Princess. Huayang, the Second and Third Princes, still very young, were each held by their nannies at a nearby table.

Palace servants gradually served the dishes, and after the food taster eunuch had sampled them, the feast was officially announced to begin.

On the small stage inside, performers from the Music Bureau danced and played music. Although not as refined as the music at formal court banquets, it added a lively atmosphere similar to a civilian feast.

After the food taster eunuch had tasted, if there were to be any poisoning, it could only be on the rim of the cups or through the use of conflicting medicines...

The Emperor himself dined with golden goblets and jade chopsticks, different from others...

Jiang Hui’s thoughts quickly turned as she picked up her bamboo chopsticks and lightly sampled a few dishes arranged for her by Wansong.

Consort De, seizing the opportunity, stood up and said sweetly, "Your Majesty, please allow me to serve your dishes." She approached the Emperor, picked up the chopsticks, and began to serve him earnestly.

This move disregarded the Empress and Jiang Hui at the same table. Jiang Hui lowered her eyelids, remaining silent, while the Empress seemed indifferent, maintaining her usual dignified smile.

The Emperor, seemingly in a good mood, ate a few bites of the dishes served by Consort De, complimented her, and then gestured for her to return to her seat. With just a few words of praise from the Emperor, Consort De was overjoyed, returning to her seat with a triumphant look towards Jiang Hui and Consort He.

After the Music Bureau's performers finished their dance and the music paused, a second group of dancers took the stage.

Seeing Consort De’s actions, other consorts at different tables harbored thoughts of catching the Emperor's attention. But as the banquet neared its end and the palace servants served tea and refreshments, none dared to approach the Emperor's table.

Jiang Hui, eyeing the freshly served perilla drink in front of her, subtly patted Nian'er on the back under the table. Feeling his mother's gesture, Nian'er put down his porcelain cup and sat still in his seat.

At this moment, Princess Huaiqing put down her chopsticks and whispered something to the Emperor. Seeing him nod with a smile, she happily stood up, first holding the Second Princess's hand, then whispered a few words to Nian'er and left the hall hand-in-hand with the Second Princess.

Consort De, curious, fixed her gaze on Nian'er and asked, "Crown Prince, what did Princess Huaiqing say to you?"

Nian'er glanced at Jiang Hui before turning back to Consort De and replied, "Consort De, Sister said that tomorrow is Father's birthday, and later we will all present our birthday wishes together."

Consort De seemed a bit regretful, wishing the still young Third Prince could magically age a year to join his siblings in wishing the Emperor.

Jiang Hui softly asked, "Nian'er, do you know how to offer birthday wishes?"

Nian'er whispered to his mother, "Sister said, later we just need to present Father with fine wine and food."

Jiang Hui's expression remained unchanged as she smiled and gently patted Nian'er's head, not saying anything further.

Knowing that the banquet of these distinguished guests was coming to an end, the leader of the performing troupe entered with a few members to express their gratitude. Although the performances were not closely watched during the meal, various royal family members had selected some plays and generously rewarded them with silver coins and gold leaves.

Shortly after, Princess Huaiqing and the Second Princess returned, holding a tray with a pot of fruit wine and a dish of oddly-shaped cloud cakes.

Princess Huaiqing first gestured for Nian'er to pour the fruit wine into cups, then led the group to the Emperor, smiling and saying, "Wanyi and my second sister learned to make cloud cakes with Mother, and Liang brother has personally poured the wine for you..."

Together, the children exclaimed, “We wish Father a long and prosperous life!”

The Emperor was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Good!"

He then turned to the Empress and said, “The Empress has raised the children well.” He signaled Sheng An to take the tray.

However, even though the offerings were from the princes and princesses, the food taster eunuch still sampled a bit of each item before respectfully stepping back.

The Empress, her face lit with the joy of watching her children grow, said with a smile, "I dare not take credit; it's all thanks to His Majesty and the scholars from the Imperial Academy."

After a few more exchanges, Princess Huaiqing eagerly asked, "Father, please try it. Is it good?!"