Chapter 77 The Banquet At Jinxiu Pce
"Your Highness, what color of clothes would you like to wear today?" As soon as Qian Yin entered the
room, she saw Qin Yi styling Yun Shang''s hair. She asked about the clothes with a smile.
Yun Shang thought about it and said, "Today''s banquet celebrates the pregnancy of the Empress.
Since it is a happy asion, we should dress ordingly. Shangyi Bureau sent some clothes earlier
and I saw a dress in Indian red. I''ll wear that one."
Qin Yi smiled and pulled Yun Shang''s hair up, "It''s drizzling today. I''ll fetch a cape. The other day,
Prince Jing found a white fox while hunting and he gave the fox fur to His Majesty. His Majesty said that
of all the royals in the imperial household, the color suits Your Highness the best, so he rewarded it to
you. You were reading a book that day and weren''t paying attention, so I put it away for you. I think the
color matches your Indian red dress. Qian Yin, fetch it for Her Highness."
"Prince Jing? White fox?" Yun Shang was surprised and asked, "Is Prince Jing alsoing today?"
Qin Yi smiled and looked in the mirror. She giggled at Yun Shang''s expression. "Your Highness seems
to be very interested in Prince Jing. Yes, he ising. I heard that he is needed at the northwest
frontier to settle the recent chaos there. He will be leaving with his troops in two days. His Majesty
invited him to the banquet tofort and encourage him."
"I see." Yun Shang nodded. In her pervious life, this was also the time when war broke out in the
northwest. The country of Yng hadunched an attack. They gathered all the strong men in their
country and formed an army of nearly 2, 00, 000 warriors. In her previous life, the war hadsted for
several years. Hua Jing''s royal husband had died in that war.
In this life, Yun Shang had already cut off the soldiers'' supply of food, and tricked the Emperor''s Son-in-
supposed to go to the frontier three years from now, was being sent there earlier.
The men from the country of Yng practiced Kung Fu from an early age. They were all tall and good
at fighting. An army of 2, 00, 000 strong warriors shouldn''t be underestimated. Even though Prince Jing
is the God of War in the State of Ning, it would not be easy for him to win the war.
"By the way, the master asked me to tell you that both Hua Jing and her Mother-in-Law have gone to
the frontier in the northwest. Hua Jing only took four guards and two maids with her. The master said
this would be a great chance." Qin Yi added.
Yun Shang turned around at Qin Yi''s words, "Hua Jing? Is she out of her mind?"
Qin Yi smiled, "I also think it''s unbelievable. But ording to the master, it was the Empress who sent
her there..."
Yun Shang shook her head, "Not likely. The Empress has always been careful and meticulous. It''s not
possible that she sent her daughter to die. However... After what had happened to the Emperor''s Son-
in-Law, Lady Zhao must have done everything she could to go to the frontier, which is not good for Hua
Jing. In that case, it''s understandable that the Empress sent Hua Jing there too. In doing so, Hua Jing
would not have to suffer from constant rumors. But if the Empress really did that, she would have
prepared for it and wouldn''t let Hua Jing go alone."
"Is it possible that this is just a lie where the Empress sends Hua Jing to the frontier with few servants
on purpose but secretly sent guards to protect her?" Qian Yin asked as she entered the room. She
carried Yun Shang''s selected attire in her hands. She spread out the dress for Yun Shang to see as
she waited for the Princess to reply.
"Your Highness, see? This is the one right? Indian red with a cape. This cape is stunning. I''ve never
seen such pure white fox fur." Qian Yin spread out the cape and ran her hands over the snowy white
cape with a white coat around its neck. It looked very warm.
Yun Shang nodded, "It is beautiful indeed. I''ll wear this one."
Qian Yin put the clothes away and stood aside as Qin Yin finished making Yun Shang''s hair. "Protected
or not, it would not be difficult to kill Hua Jing when she is in a ce like the battlefield. Your Highness,
why not let me notify Ning Qian and send her there to take a chance?"
Yun Shang smiled, "It is a good chance, indeed. How can I miss such a good one? However, I must
take Hua Jing''s life myself. Since she''s already at the front, tell Ning Qian that I need her to keep Hua
Jing there as long as possible. I''ll find an opportunity to go there after I finish dealing with the affairs
here."
"The affairs here?" Qian Yin thought for a while and couldn''t figure out what Yun Shang meant. So she
asked, "Your Highness, is there anything else you need to deal with here? Are you nning to wait for
Lady Jin to deliver her baby safely?"
Yun Shang shook her head. "No. I''m confident that she will have a smooth delivery, and I won''t wait for
that long. My top priority now is to deal with the Empress''s pregnancy... I''m not happy about that."
Suddenly a strange noise was heard by the three women. It sounded as if someone had tripped over a
chair. Yun Shang squinted at the direction where the sound came from. Qian Yin disappeared into the
inner hall. A momentter, Qian Yin dragged a maid into the bedchamber. She had covered the maid''s
mouth to stop her from screaming. "Your Highness, it is maid Ya Zhi. She is in charge of cleaning the
outer space of our Pce."
"Cleaning the outer space of our Pce? Then why is she here in the inner Pce?" Through the
bronze mirror, Yun Shang saw that the girl was ordinary-looking. Fear was written all over her face.
Although held and steadied by Qian Yin, the maid kept shaking her head, but could only make a
muffled cry.
"Let her speak." Yun Shang turned around and said to Qian Yin.
Qian Yin let go of her hand and the maid hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I didn''t do anything. Earlier
there was a maid who asked me to serve you tea. She told me to bring the teapot to you. Your
Highness, I didn''t hear anything."
Yun Shang smiled a little, "Shut her mouth." Qian Yin hurriedly covered the maid''s mouth again. Then
Yun Shang continued, "Get rid of her. Tell the others that she got caught stealing my jewelry and to
avoid consequences, she killed herself by banging her head on the wall."
Qian Yin nodded and left with the iling maid in her hands. Yun Shang smiled coldly, "What a scene! It
really makes me curious about tonight''s banquet. We''ve just started, but someone else has already
made their move. I wonder how exciting tonight will be."
Qin Yi helped Yun Shang put on two simple but elegant jade orchid hair sticks into her bun before
helping her dress. Qin Yi said, "Qin Meng is almost ready. I went to see her practicing yesterday, and
she took it really seriously."
"Given that she wanted to be at the top, there''s no reason that she won''t take it seriously."
It was getting dark. Yun Shang took Qin Yi and Qian Yin to Jinxiu Pce with her. When they arrived at
the door, Yun Shang noticed that this was the closest Pce to Qinzheng Hall, even though it had
been empty for many years. Of course Yun Shang knew Jinxiu Pce is where Lady Jin used to live,
so she sighed in her heart. Just when she was about to step in, a figure in purple robes walked towards
her.
Yun Shang waited for the figure to walk nearer to her. Then she called gently, "Uncle."
Prince Jing nodded as his eyes rested on Yun Shang for a while. Then heplimented, "It looks good
on you." Then he stepped inside Jinxiu Pce without saying another word.
Yun Shang was surprised. She thought for a moment and figured out what he meant. It must be the
cape. ording to Qin Yi, Prince Jing was the one who gave this fox fur to the Emperor.
Yun Shang felt a slight burn on her face. She lowered her head and walked into the Pce. As soon as
she entered, she heard many concubines chatting around her. "This Jinxiu Pce is splendid. Even the
Empress''s Pce is not better whenpared to this."
"I agree. Besides, the Pce is close to His Majesty''s Qinzheng Hall. I wonder how popr the
concubine was to deserve a Pce like this."
Yun Shang stood there and listened for a long time before she felt someone walk up to her. Turning her
head, she saw the quiet and gentle face of Lady Jin. Thetter seemed to be thinking. Yun Shang
called in a low voice, "Mother", then felt others gazing at them.
"Today''s banquet seems to be livelier than usual." Lady Jin lowered her head and kept her voice so low
that only Yun Shang who was standing beside her could hear. Saying only that sentence, she raised
her head and walked into the Hall with Madam Zheng.
"Your Majesties, thank you all foring. Don''t just stand outside waiting. It''s getting cold, please,
All the people standing outside went into the main Hall, which was lined with tables on both sides. From
the jade iid in the pirs and the ground, the guests could tell that this Pce was luxurious in the
past.
Yun Shang chose the second seat on the left and sat down. As soon as she looked up, she saw Prince
Jing sitting opposite her.
As soon as everyone had taken their seats, the Empress entered. She was wearing a big red Phoenix
robe and carried a hairpin shaped as a Phoenix on her head. She smiled elegantly.
Yun Shang looked at her outfit and smiled. It was an ordinary family dinner, but the Empress was
dressing rather too loudly, presumably because it was a banquet held by Lady Shu. She must have
deliberately selected her dress to rattle Lady Shu.
Generally speaking, in the imperial household, only the Empress had the right to host banquets. But
this time, the right was given to Lady Shu by the Emperor. Consequently, she must have been ttered
by many. Here, the Empress was sending a subtle message that she, Li Yiran, was still the lead in the
imperial household.
"Hail Your Majesty..." The Empress came to her seat at the center and turned. The guests fell to their
knees to show their respect.
The Empress looked around the Pce and smiled, "Get up, everyone. It''s just a family dinner. Don''t
be strained by rules too much."
The guests stood at the Empress'' words. Lady Shu was sitting on the first seat on the left side. She
looked up and noticed the Empress'' outfit, then smiled and said, "Your Majesty looks great today. I
thought you only wear something like this on important asions. I didn''t know that you would put on
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the Phoenix robe at today''s banquet for me. What an honor to be treated like this. I''m ttered."
Yun Shang heard her and slightly raised her eyebrow. She glimpsed at Prince Jing. He was looking
down at his cup nonchntly. Working for Prince Jing must have taught Lady Shu a lot. Under her
indifferent disguise, she had a quick response to a sudden attack. It was apparent to everyone that the
Empress was trying to difit Lady Shu. But the Lady had smiled and thanked the Empress, as if the
Empress was dressing up because she valued this banquet.
The Empress forced a smile and looked at Lady Shu, "Don''t be so polite. We''re all concubines in this
imperial household, and we both serve His Majesty. You have helped me a lot before my pregnancy.
Now that I am carrying his child, His Majesty wouldn''t allow me to work hard. I''m afraid your help is still
needed in the following months."
Lady Shu eyes lightly swept across the Empress''s belly. She smiled, "Your Majesty is being polite.
Helping you is part of my duties."
The Empress smiled too. She turned her eyes to Lady Jin and said with concern, "Lady Jin is pregnant
as well. You should pay more attention to your food at the banquet." Then she changed the topic. "The
moment I stepped in, this ce brought back many memories. In the old times, Jinxiu Pce was Lady
Jin''s Pce. Now, even by looking at it, I can feel its beauty. Lady Jin, in your opinion, is it still the
same as it was ten years ago?"
Everyone''s attention fell on Lady Jin. She smiled peacefully, "It''s been so long that I forget what it was
like in the past. Being here again, I do think it''s a nice Pce. Even after all these years of abandon, its
inferior decoration is still elegant and breathtaking. Just now when I was standing at the door, I noticed
that His Majesty''s Qinzheng Hall can be seen here from just across the garden."
The Empress smiled warmly but coldness reflected in her eyes, "Yes, but too bad you don''t live here
anymore."
As soon as she finished speaking, a majestic voice came from the door, "If Shu Jin still likes this
Pce, tomorrow I''ll send someone to clean it up. You can move in whenever you want."
The guests stood quickly and bowed. "Long live Your Majesty."
Emperor Ning walked to another seat at the center and sat down, "Get up, everyone."
After they got up and took their seats, Emperor Ning added, "When I arrived, I stood at the door for a
long time and felt as if you still live here. I thought about why I didn''t let anyone move in here all these
years, and realized that it was because I thought you were the only one who deserves to live here.
Without you, I don''t even want toe to Jinxiu Pce."
The Empress''s face darkened at his words. Yun Shang looked at Lady Jin, and saw her lower her head
with a thoughtful look.
After a good while, Lady Jin said softly, "When I was young, I enjoyed a luxurious life. But now, as time
has passed, I prefer a quiet lifestyle. Jinxiu Pce is too much for me."
The Empress was not happy to see the Emperor spoiling Lady Jin. Now that Lady Jin had turned down
the Emperor''s offer in front of all the guests, the Empress got even more upset. It felt like a fishbone
had gotten stuck in her throat. But she still put on a smile and said, "It''s not bad for Lady Jin to live in
Qiwu Pce for now. After her delivery, it''s up to her to choose her favorite Pce. Since Your Majesty
likes her so much, you can amodate her request."
Emperor Ning turned to the Empress and smiled brilliantly, "That''s for sure."
The Empress was shocked. After a while, she finally realized that her Qiwu Pce might also be an
option for Lady Jin. And what the Emperor meant was that even if Lady Jin asks for Qiwu Pce, he''ll
give it to her.
The Empress panicked. She felt a chill spreading down her back, and that feeling was eating her alive
piece by piece, cruelly.
Seeing this, Lady Shu stood up with a smile. "Your Majesty, we have singing and dancing
performances at every banquet. Today, I''d like to do something different."
Emperor Ning raised his eyebrow on her words, "Something different? Enlighten me."
"What I''m thinking is a game where everyone passes round a silk ball in drumbeats. I''ve prepared a
ball. The drummers turn their back on us and start beating their drums at will. When the drum stops,
the one who has the silk ball gives us a show of talent. What do you think, Your Majesty?" Lady Shu
suggested in a soft voice.
Emperor Ning nodded and smiled, "Lady Shu''s idea is a good one. It''s interesting."
"Then I''ll get started. We''re not sitting in a circle now. I suggest that Your Majesties join us in the game.
It will add to the fun." Lady Shu added as the maids took the cue to begin moving the tables so that the
royals were ced in a circle.
Emperor Ning nodded, "All right, we''ll join you."
"The silk ball is in my hand now, so let''s start with me. Everyone, please get ready." Lady Shu raised
and pped her hands and the drummers began to beat their drums. Lady Shu quickly passed the ball
to Yun Shang, who paused for a second before passing it to the person sit next to her.
The silk ball was passed around quickly by everyone. When the drumbeats stopped, it was being held
by a concubine dressed in cyan. Lady Shu smiled, "Lady Lan, you''re the first one. What are you going
to perform?"
Thedy in cyan was not shy. She smiled and said, "I have no special talent. I can only y a few
pieces of music and I''m not very good at it. But since I''m the first one to perform, I''ll show you as much
as I can. Please don''tugh at me."
As soon as she finished her sentence, a maid quickly brought a desk and put a Qin on it. Lady Lan
yed a piece of music, and just as she had said, it was nothing special.
After her performance, the game started again with drumbeats. This time, Qin Meng held the ball.
Yun Shang smiled and looked at Qin Meng with interest in her eyes. Qin Meng seemed nervous. She
knocked over a cup as she stood up.
Lady Shu covered her mouth so the others wouldn''t see her smiling. "Looks like Lady Meng is nervous.
I wonder what kind of a talent she''ll show us."
Qin Meng lowered her head and thought for a while, then she said, "I''ll just perform a dance."
Lady Shu nodded, "Okay. We happen to have a free space in the middle. You can dance there. But it is
a pity that you will be dancing without music. I''ve heard that Prince Jing is good at ying the flute.
Prince Jing, why not perform for us too?"