Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 285 A Banquet, A Mindset

Rong Meiren's seat was right next to Hua Yan's. After she sat down, she began to quietly observe Chun Fei and the other concubines.

Judging from the seating arrangement, Consort Chun was clearly the most favored by the Emperor, and the gauze dress she wore caught Rong Meiren's eye. When her gaze swept over a splash of red, Rong Meiren lightly raised a jade-handled, embroidered lotus and mandarin duck fan to conceal the disdain that lingered on her lips.

She's just the daughter of a disgraced official, and she looks sickly and unlucky. Why is it that Qing Zhifei entered the palace as a concubine with a title?

Hua Yan had been paying attention to the newly promoted palace concubines. She noticed that the concubine Rong, who was closest to her, slightly raised her fan. With just a slight turn of her head, she caught a glimpse of Rong's expression out of the corner of her eye.

The palace maids served fresh fruits and snacks one by one. When Consort Rong bowed slightly and looked up, she saw a stunningly beautiful face.

Hua Yan smiled slightly and nodded to Rong Meiren. Rong Meiren pursed her lips and for some reason felt a little shy: "I knew before entering the palace that Meng Meiren was as beautiful as a fairy. After seeing her today, I realize that the people outside have underestimated her beauty. Sister, your beauty is truly stunning."

Hua Yan's expression remained unchanged as she smiled faintly and said, "I've heard that Consort Rong is an outstanding dancer. When Consort Chun and I saw the roster, we couldn't wait to see her in person."

"I must thank Consort Chun and Lady Rong for what happened yesterday. I will personally visit your palace tomorrow to express my gratitude," Lady Rong said solemnly. She then rose from her seat and knelt heavily before the imperial steps.

Consort Rong spoke earnestly: "Your Majesty, the collateral branch of our family committed a grave mistake in the past, and I feel deeply ashamed. Today, on behalf of the Li family of Zhao County, I apologize to Your Majesty."

As soon as Consort Rong spoke, Consort Song and the other concubines all showed surprise. Hua Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, thinking to herself that Consort Rong was using a feigned retreat to advance, and should not be underestimated.

The Empress and Consort Mei exchanged glances across the distance, both looking meaningfully at Consort Rong kneeling on the ground.

The Emperor's expression was calm as he slightly raised his hand: "Since it was not your fault, there is no need to blame yourself. I have already ordered the Dali Temple to handle this matter. Get up."

Consort Rong looked distressed, but she knew this was not the time to plead for mercy. She respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace," before rising to her seat.

Xie Jieyu seemed lost in thought, a hint of anxiety showing on her beautiful face.

Yun Baolin wore a light blue diamond-patterned silk robe. Her face was different from Consort Chun's gentle and dignified appearance; she was more charming and lovely. Unfortunately, she paired it with an ochre-colored floral gauze skirt, which was quite inappropriate.

As a seventh-rank imperial concubine, she sat in the middle to the back of the table, and at this moment she was observing Consort Chun from afar with an envious look on her face.

Before entering the palace, although she knew that her cousin was favored and helped manage the six palaces, she did not know that she had such a high status, second only to the Empress.

Although Consort Chun and Consort Yun were cousins, they had never met. Consort Yun had lived in Chuzhou for a long time and had only visited the capital once. Seeing her cousin wearing a gauze dress that looked like a dream, she assumed it was the renowned Floating Light Brocade.

Since passing the palace selection, Yun Baolin had imagined countless times what it would be like to meet her cousin. Now, separated by such a great distance, she felt both excited and a little melancholy.

Hua Yan shifted her scrutinizing gaze from in front of Yun Baolin to Yang Yunu, who was ranked last, and couldn't help but frown slightly.

Yang Yunu's appearance was merely considered pretty; how could she stand out among hundreds of candidates? Could it be that the Emperor truly treated everyone equally, thus retaining the daughter of a seventh-rank official?

Hua Yan turned slightly and glanced at the bright yellow figure at the head of the room; she simply couldn't believe it.

The Emperor was idly dealing with the Empress when he caught a glimpse of Hua Yan's gaze, and a slight smile appeared on his lips—this was the first time Consort Meng had looked up at him during the banquet that evening.

The Emperor recalled that when they dined at Huining Palace, Hua Yan seemed to really like the vegetarian stew of three delicacies in front of him. So he raised his hand slightly to Jingming, who once again obediently picked up the white jade dragon-patterned bowl and walked straight down the imperial steps.

As Xia'er saw Jing Neiguan walk step by step to his master, she quickly reached out to take the item and respectfully placed it on the table.

Hua Yan was lost in her own thoughts when she saw the Emperor's actions and had no choice but to rise and express her gratitude.

Fortunately, the Emperor bestowed dishes upon Consort Chun and Consort Mei, otherwise it would have been too conspicuous. Even so, the newly promoted concubine still looked at Hua Yan with particular favor; for a beauty of such rank to receive such imperial favor speaks volumes about her level of affection.

Only Donggua, who was not in the main hall, knew that this vegetarian stew was a special addition to Huayan's menu by Consort Chun. (Chapter 280)

A banquet, a thousand thoughts swirling within.

Newcomers and old friends alike chatted and laughed, none of them tasting the food. It was a real pity that Donggua and the entire Shangshiju team had put so much effort into preparing such a delicious meal.

Yang Huixin had never witnessed such a scene before. Her father was merely a minor official, serving as the Registrar of Shu Prefecture. Not to mention the furnishings of Linde Hall and the clothes and belongings of the concubines, even the jewelry worn by the palace maids who accompanied them surpassed that of herself.

She had almost never seen the food on the table before; perhaps she was the only one who was interested in the food served in the palace.

After the young ladies' talent show, meat and vegetarian dishes were served in turn by the head of the Imperial Kitchen under the direction of the palace servants.

Yang Huixin silently recited the dining rules and procedures that the teaching nanny had previously explained. This first banquet happened to be in May, so they had to drink calamus wine to ward off evil spirits first, then enjoy iced dishes to whet their appetites, followed by appetizers, stir-fried dishes, soups, sweet dishes and desserts, and finally finish with delicate snacks. After the meal, two cups of tea were served, one cup of Mengding tea to aid digestion and the other of jasmine tea to cleanse the palate.

Yang Huixin secretly reminded herself not to drink the second cup of tea as if it were just regular tea.

Palace servants presented calamus wine. The emperor, seated high on his throne, raised his cup and said in a deep voice, "The Dragon Boat Festival is just around the corner. All of you, drink this calamus wine with me."

Yang Huixin carefully picked up the glass wine cup, took a small sip, and tried hard to suppress the spicy taste, almost losing her composure.

Upon seeing this, the other ladies-in-waiting all revealed a hint of contempt.

Only Qu Qingge (Qu Baolin's cousin, who is now also a Baolin) saw it from afar, and a trace of pity flashed in her eyes. When Yang Huixin looked at her, she pointed to a plate of candied fruit on the table.

Yang Huixin smiled gratefully, picked up a dried peach from the plate, and used it to mask the taste of the wine.

River delicacies are in season, and among the meat dishes, the first to be served is shad sliced ​​with jade, which is served as the first course. Along with crucian carp tongue braised with bear paw and dragon brain crystal shrimp, these are the three main courses. Other dishes include Mandarin Duck Five Treasures Slices, clear stewed crab meat lion's head, and jade lotus leaf duck... Yang Huixin looked at the dishes being placed one after another on the table, her mouth watering, but everyone else remained unmoved, so she did not dare to pick up her chopsticks easily.

This is really making me so anxious!

Halfway through the banquet, Consort Chun instructed Mengzhu to inform Consort Rong, who then left her seat for a side hall. Consort Wu had also left the main hall a quarter of an hour earlier with the Empress's approval.

The First Audience Banquet is the first time that newly selected concubines have to meet the Emperor after entering the palace. On this occasion, the newly entered concubines can perform their arts or present gifts they have carefully prepared.

For example, Consort Xie and Consort Rong each presented a song and a dance, while the others presented gifts such as embroidered items.

Under Consort Chun's arrangement, Ruizhu carried a Jiaowei Qin (a type of zither) into the palace.

The Empress smiled and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Wu heard that Consort Xie had presented a piece of music. However, she felt that it would be too monotonous to only hear the zither music. Therefore, she discussed with me the possibility of dancing as a accompaniment for Consort Xie!"

The Emperor raised his hand and said, "Granted."