vstars Chapter 360: Chuxia Banquet
Chapter 360: Chuxia Banquet
At the Chuxia Banquet—Lan Shuren's boiling blood hadn't yet cooled. He said excitedly, "You don't understand how difficult it has been to get to this point today, and how much effort the Empress has put in! Those methods of collecting cases from the public are..."
Lan Shuren suddenly fell silent. He had nearly blurted out a secret, not to mention his deepest feelings for that person. Although he and his wife had a relatively good relationship, it was still a short time since they had met, and they were just as respectful to each other as guests. Lan Shuren coughed lightly as if to cover up. "This is all my business. You must find it boring. Did you make some soup again?"
Mrs. Lan seemed to realize something, but she smiled faintly and pretended not to know: "I made some chicken soup, my husband, please have some!"
Emperor Shenwu held a summer banquet in the open air pavilion of the Lotus Pavilion. All the concubines in the six palaces, the royal relatives, and all the civil and military officials were invited.
The Chuxia Banquet was a grand and lively affair, held in two separate rooms. The concubines, the royal wives, and the families of the officials sat at one table, while the other, the other high-ranking officials and their male counterparts, sat at the other. Throughout the banquet, everyone toasted each other, clinking glasses, chatting incessantly. Dancers from the palace danced gracefully in the hall, and musicians played melodious music.
At this moment, a eunuch shouted, "Your Majesty has arrived! The Empress has arrived!"
Everyone below the pavilion quickly stood up and waited until the Emperor and Empress walked up to the platform hand in hand. After they sat down one by one, the concubines in the six palaces, the civil and military officials, and the royal family all bowed to the ground and said, "Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Empress!"
Emperor Shenwu waved his sleeves and said, "Get up!"
After everyone had taken their seats, Emperor Shenwu continued, "A few days ago, the Empress was in good health. Today, I have specially organized a Chuxia Banquet to celebrate the Empress's health and the peace and prosperity of the country of Dasheng! I have bestowed upon you the state banquet wine, and you may drink with me!"
Rows of palace maids had already filed into the pavilion and sat down to eat, placing the wine in their hands on the table for everyone.
An official immediately stood up and said in a loud voice: "Thank you, Lord! I also respectfully wish Your Majesty long-lasting happiness and good health! The Empress is healthy and happy! May our Great Sheng flourish forever!"
Lan Shuren looked up and saw that he was the most promising disciple of his master, who was also in the cabinet.
Emperor Shenwu said, "Alright! I will drink with you all!"
As is obvious from the description, the state banquet wine is one of the most famous fine wines of the Dasheng Dynasty. Concubine Jiang took two sips of the wine in the glass. She looked at the emperor and empress on the high platform and thought to herself that it was amazing that the empress remembered to let her out for this occasion.
Several older princes are now at the men's table. If the second prince's mother does not attend the emperor and the empress's Chuxia banquet, who knows what rumors will be spread in the court and the harem.
Several members of the imperial family were whispering, "The Empress looks even more beautiful. The Sixth Prince is getting married soon, right? Why is the Empress looking even more radiant, charming, and noble?"
Another person said, "Otherwise, how could the Empress continue to enjoy such undiminished favor? Look, His Majesty only has the Empress in his eyes!"
"Look at the peach blossom purple jade phoenix necklace the Empress is wearing! It's so beautiful! What are those colorful, sparkling things? Those snow-white beads are beautiful too!"
There were bursts of low exclamations from the royal family and officials' wives. Concubine Wan and Concubine Yang looked up involuntarily when they heard the sound, and saw that the Empress and Emperor Shenwu were both dressed in dark red robes, with dragons and phoenixes flying and dancing, and the sky embracing the moon, like a perfect couple.
When Concubine Jiang heard this, she gave a bitter smile, but Concubine Bai squinted her eyes slightly, and the resentment in her heart became even stronger.
The singing and dancing intensified during the banquet. Lotus flowers not far away continuously exuded their delicate fragrance. Ice basins were scattered throughout the banquet, bringing a touch of coolness. The swaying lotus flowers added a touch of color to this grand feast and the midsummer gift.
At this time, Concubine Liang smiled and said, "The eldest prince's wife has already received good news, and she is just waiting for the wedding of the second and third princes. Concubine Jiang must be waiting very anxiously!"
Imperial Concubine Jiang said calmly, "This requires fate. I believe that everything should just be left to nature!"
Prince Ding's seats were adjacent to those of Prince An and Prince Kang. Prince Ding looked forward and saw Prince An's dull face. Looking back, he saw Prince Kang's smug and arrogant face. Prince Ding felt a lump in his throat and thought, if Empress Dowager Li saw my eldest brother like this, she would probably be both distressed and cause trouble!