Chapter 128: New Year’s Eve Banquet
Lan Wu did not press Chu Mingheng for too many details. She understood that knowing too much about court affairs would do her no good.
Thus, amid the silence in the court and the tranquility in the rear palace, New Year’s Eve arrived.
Lan Wu’s ceremonial robe had been delivered earlier. However, the robe looked excessively luxurious. The long skirt alone, woven from cloud-patterned brocade, was embroidered with peonies and lotuses. Peacock feathers adorned the hem, vibrant and dazzling in color. Though the skirt was wide, it did not hinder movement. The waistband was embellished with gold threads and inlaid with blue gemstones, while the silk shawl, made of gold-threaded gauze, was embroidered with cloud patterns—stunningly beautiful.
Lan Wu gently ran her hand over the embroidery on the ceremonial robe, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity.
The garment was undoubtedly beautiful, elegant and opulent, making one feel joyful just by wearing it.
This robe had been sent by Chu Mingheng through the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau, clearly prepared well in advance.
In her previous life, she had worn a ceremonial robe once, precisely at the New Year’s Eve banquet. That robe had been lotus-colored, but this time…
Lan Wu touched the garment, sighing inwardly—green again.
She secretly wondered if something would go wrong today.
“Your Majesty, it is almost time,” Dan Shan entered the hall to remind her.
Lan Wu turned around, nodded in acknowledgment, and called for attendants to help her change.
“Your Majesty will undoubtedly be the most beautiful in the entire palace wearing this robe,” Lian Xi said as she selected jewelry for Lan Wu. Gazing at the reflection in the bronze mirror, she momentarily lost herself before quickly snapping back to reality and smiling.
Lian Qiao, who was styling Lan Wu’s hair, retorted unwillingly, “Even without this robe, Your Majesty would still be the most beautiful in the entire palace.”
“Oh, you are absolutely right,” Lian Xi praised her, eliciting laughter from everyone.
Dan Shan stood nearby, watching them with a gentle smile, her focus primarily on Lan Wu.
Having previously served Empress Dowager Jingwen and assisted her in managing palace affairs and the rear palace, Dan Shan understood the significance of His Majesty assigning her to serve Lan Wu. In the future, when Lan Wu assumed the position of the Central Palace, she would need Dan Shan’s guidance and support.
Lan Wu was still young. Although her background posed a challenge, what His Majesty desired, nothing was impossible.
Outside the hall, the warm sunlight shone brightly. Lan Wu draped a thick outer robe over herself and was assisted by palace attendants onto the procession, heading toward Taiqing Palace.
The New Year’s Eve banquet began at noon and lasted until dusk. Afterward, the night was spent staying up late to welcome the new year. Although it was a joyous occasion for the entire palace, it was also exhausting, as everyone had to endure for hours. With the imperial relatives present, everyone had to adhere to etiquette.
By the time Lan Wu arrived, many people were already seated in the main hall of Taiqing Palace. Men and women were seated separately, while the imperial concubines were arranged according to their ranks. Her seat, however, was an exception.
At the moment, the grand banquet had not yet begun. The hall was vast and lively, warmed by the underfloor heating system and charcoal braziers, ensuring no one felt cold. Although the side doors were closed, small windows were opened for ventilation. Palace lanterns and candles were lit during the day, and the warm sunlight outside made the hall exceptionally bright.
“Greetings to Your Majesty,” Yue Zhaorong and Mu Xiurong approached to pay their respects as soon as Lan Wu entered.
Seeing them, Lan Wu responded kindly, “The banquet hasn’t started yet. I’ll go find my seat first.”
“I saw it earlier, Your Majesty. Your seat is at the front,” Yue Zhaorong said, pausing briefly before adding, “The very front.”
The very front?
When Lan Wu arrived, she saw an empty seat on the right, and only after that did she spot Consort Shu’s position further down.
This wasn’t the first time such an exception had occurred—last time at Kongshan Garden, she had even been seated beside Chu Mingheng.
Lan Wu accepted this seat with a clear conscience, but before she could settle in comfortably, she glanced at the empty seat beside her, raised an eyebrow, and then looked at Consort Shu, whose face was visibly displeased. She thought to herself—this seating arrangement probably wasn’t decided by Consort Shu.
At the very least, Consort Shu wouldn’t have placed her so prominently.
“This empty seat must be for Princess Yizhen,” Lan Wu asked the palace attendant behind her.
The attendant hurriedly confirmed it was so.
Satisfied, Lan Wu nodded. Taking advantage of the banquet not yet starting, she decided to step outside for some fresh air. Although the hall was spacious, it grew noisy with so many people gathered.
She stood for a while under the corridor outside the hall when she noticed someone approaching up the steps.
The person appeared noble, dressed in a black brocade robe and walking briskly. Even from a distance, Lan Wu could sense his gloom and impatience.
This must be Prince Wei.
Behind Prince Wei followed a woman in a light blue ceremonial robe. If Prince Wei hadn’t turned around and seemingly scolded her a few times, Lan Wu might not have noticed her at all.
“Your Highness, that is Prince Wei and Princess Consort Wei.” Though they were far away, their identities were unmistakable, especially for a prince as idle and incompetent as Prince Wei.
“Have you seen Prince Wei before, Aunt?” Lan Wu didn’t turn to look at Dan Shan but instead watched thoughtfully as Prince Wei berated his consort ahead. Since they were in the palace, and right in front of Taiqing Palace, Prince Wei quickly restrained himself after a few harsh words, grabbed the sleeve of his consort, Lady Lin, and pulled her forward. The two then ascended the steps together and disappeared from view.
Dan Shan nodded. “This servant has seen several princes during my time in the palace, though they were all young then. Prince Wei was raised by Consort Hui, who doted on him excessively.”
So that was how he developed such a temperament? A bully at home but meek outside?
Lan Wu wandered outside a bit longer and encountered some noblewomen. Most were wives of court officials, and they immediately recognized Lan Wu’s identity upon seeing her. Meanwhile, Dan Shan quietly reminded her of who each person was.
“We heard before coming that Your Highness is known for her gentle and virtuous nature. Now that we see you in person, we realize you are as beautiful as a celestial being, putting the rest of us to shame.”
Dan Shan explained that the woman in purple was the Consort of the Heir of Prince Rui, while the other two in yellow and blue were the Consort of the Heir of Prince Yu and the Consort of the Commandery Prince.
Although Lan Wu had seen them in her previous life, they hadn’t been seated together, and she hadn’t recognized them from a distance.
Though they were also young, they were a few years older than Lan Wu and not as strikingly beautiful.
“Although I reside in the inner palace, I have heard of the grand wedding procession when the Heir of Prince Rui married his consort. Seeing how young and lovely you all are, I suppose I guessed correctly.”
With one sentence, Lan Wu complimented all three women, and each of them smiled cheerfully, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
“That’s Princess Yizhen…”
“Princess Yizhen has arrived.”
Soft murmurs arose from behind.
When Lan Wu turned around, she saw Princess Yizhen just about to step onto the stairs. She wore a ceremonial robe in apricot pink, with a light-colored outer robe and golden hairpins adorning her bun, looking noble and dignified. However, her expression was somber, suggesting she was in a rather poor mood.
Seeming to sense someone’s gaze upon her, Princess Yizhen tilted her head and looked over.
When she saw Lan Wu at the forefront of the small group, her eyes brightened. She halted her steps and changed direction to approach.
Lan Wu felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
But within a few paces, Princess Yizhen was already before them.
The others each paid their respects in turn, while Lan Wu merely gave a slight nod in greeting.