Chapter 70: New Year’s Eve Banquet

Chapter 70: New Year's Eve Banquet

Putting on a Show for Her to See

Qiu Xin also clearly heard the lingering song drifting over.

However, Zhuixia Palace was somewhat remote, and aside from a few passing palace servants, it was rare to see anyone coming here to stroll in the middle of winter.

In the icy and snowy landscape, it was even more unlikely for someone to dare sing here.

Where would an ordinary palace maid get such courage? Could it be that some concubine had come here specifically to sing?

She frowned slightly, put down the needle and thread she had just picked up, and said in a low voice, "This humble servant will go and take a look, this palace."

Having her peace disturbed, Min Jieyu frowned in displeasure and said, "Hurry up, don't let her disturb this palace's tranquility."

Hearing the words "this palace," Qiu Xin paused for a moment. She had wanted to remind her mistress that she was now a Jieyu and no longer the mistress of a palace, so referring to herself as "this palace" was against the rules.

But after hesitating for a while, she ultimately swallowed her words, turned around, and hurriedly pushed the door open, heading around to the back of Zhuixia Palace.

The song was faintly audible, seemingly coming from the direction of Mirror Shadow Lake. Qiu Xin followed the sound and, after walking a few steps, saw Consort Zhen.

Consort Zhen, surrounded by palace servants, was wearing a pale pink palace dress, her bright eyes and white teeth glowing, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she sang the tune they had just heard.

When she saw Qiu Xin approaching, the smile on Consort Zhen's face faded slightly, and her expression turned cold.

Qiu Xin was surprised to see Consort Zhen and her heart skipped a beat. She immediately curtsied to Su Jiaojiao and said, "This humble servant greets Consort Zhen."

After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "May I ask if it was you who was singing around Mirror Shadow Lake?"

Su Jiaojiao looked down at her and replied indifferently, "Whether it was me or not, is there a rule that prohibits singing around Mirror Shadow Lake?"

She and Min Jieyu had always been at odds, and now she wore an expression of displeasure, not intending to waste words with Qiu Xin. She brushed past her and headed towards the pavilion near the maple grove.

That pavilion was even closer to Zhuixia Palace. Qiu Xin knew that her mistress and Consort Zhen were not on good terms, and Consort Zhen was currently favored, making the situation even more difficult.

After some thought, Qiu Xin politely said, "There is naturally no such rule around Mirror Shadow Lake, but Min Jieyu prefers tranquility and is currently doing embroidery in the palace. Your singing nearby could disturb her. Since it's cold and quiet everywhere, perhaps Consort Zhen could choose another place, and we can avoid any conflict."

Hearing Qiu Xin's words, Su Jiaojiao glanced at her indifferently and remained silent.

Yu Ye, however, spoke up crisply, frowning and saying, "What are you implying? Are the palace grounds and rules dictated by Min Jieyu alone? My mistress simply strolled around Mirror Shadow Lake and said a few words. Does that really interfere with Min Jieyu's affairs?"

"Do you think my mistress randomly chose Mirror Shadow Lake? If she hadn't chosen this quiet place, knowing it was deserted, why would she have come here? If you think this isn't good enough, why don't you choose a better place!"

Su Jiaojiao, seeing that the conversation had gone on long enough, finally spoke up, "Yu Ye, that's enough."

She looked at Qiu Xin indifferently, "Instead of advising me, perhaps Min Jieyu should learn to calm herself."

As soon as she finished speaking, someone walked out from behind Qiu Xin, her face filled with anger, "No wonder it took you so long to return. So you encountered a difficult situation."

Su Jiaojiao didn't move, nor did she show any intention of bowing. She simply greeted her, "Min Jieyu."

She raised her hand to touch the red plum hairpin in her hair, her eyes held a hint of mockery, "I heard that Min Jieyu was doing embroidery earlier. Presumably, it was in preparation for the New Year's Eve banquet. Given Min Jieyu's excellent embroidery skills, you are sure to gain His Majesty's favor."

Min Jieyu sneered, "Why bother feigning sympathy here! I've only seen you act meek and pitiful in front of others before. Why aren't you putting on an act today? Showing disrespect in front of me, be careful, or I'll report you to the Empress for your insolence!"

"Me?" Su Jiaojiao covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, "If I remember correctly, Jieyu is not the mistress of a palace. It's been several months now. Has Min Jieyu not yet gotten over the grief of being demoted?"

Min Jieyu's face immediately darkened.

She was well aware that her current rank was no longer that of a palace mistress, but in the past few years, she had been a Chong Rong, a mistress, and had long been accustomed to referring to herself as such.

Min Jieyu knew she had been framed and refused to accept her demotion.

Regular palace servants avoided upsetting her, and no one dared bring it up, so she continued to deceive herself with comforting thoughts.

The Emperor would one day clear her name and restore her position, and then it would be rightful, and who would dare say anything more!

Consort Zhen had always been a thorn in her side, and now she couldn't help but feel the urge to slap her twice upon seeing her!

Min Jieyu was about to say something when she caught sight of the scented pouch hanging from Su Jiaojiao's waist, identical to the one she had seen last time at Fengyi Palace.

She had thought it looked familiar then, and now upon closer inspection, it was clearly the pattern from the nightgown she had embroidered for the Emperor!

Min Jieyu was furious, rushing forward in a flash to snatch the scented pouch, clutching it in her hand as she demanded, "Wretch, where did you get this?!"

Su Jiaojiao frowned and coldly replied, "Where it came from, Min Jieyu, you should know better than I! The nightgown you gave to the Emperor, he gave to me, and naturally, it is mine to dispose of."

So the Emperor had given it to her after all...

Min Jieyu's hand loosened, her eyes involuntarily widening as she took a couple of steps back.

She had never imagined that the Emperor would so disregard her heartfelt efforts.

The nightgown she had embroidered stitch by stitch for so long had been handed over to Su Jiaojiao, with the golden dragon and auspicious clouds cut out and sewn onto the scented pouch she carried with her.

If her embroidery was of no consequence in the Emperor's eyes, then what was the point of her toiling away at her needlework in Zhui Xia Palace!

Her embroidery skills had been her greatest asset for the upcoming New Year's Eve palace banquet, but now, on the eve of the event, she realized it was all a joke.

Feeling utterly defeated, Min Jieyu threw the scented pouch at Su Jiaojiao's feet, lifting her chin, unwilling to show weakness in front of her, and said coldly, "It's just a worthless trinket, so what if the Emperor gave it to you!"

"Qiu Xin, let's leave!"

Su Jiaojiao remained calm, picking up the scented pouch from the ground, lowering her voice so Min Jieyu wouldn't hear: "Let's go, it's not often we get such nice weather. I must continue practicing my singing, I have no mood for further words."

Min Jieyu, who had not walked far ahead, couldn't help but pause at these words.

Practicing her singing? Consort Zhen had always been the Emperor's favorite, and for this New Year's Eve palace banquet, she wouldn't miss such a great chance to impress the Emperor.

She had never heard before that Consort Zhen was skilled in singing, so why would she go so far out of her way to practice?

Could it be that—

Consort Zhen had received some news, knowing that the Emperor loved to listen to songs, and thus came here secretly to study away from the palace servants?

Min Jieyu's eyes lit up slightly as she asked Qiu Xin beside her, "What song was Consort Zhen practicing just now?"

Qiu Xin was momentarily stunned, lowering her head to whisper, "When we were at Zhui Xia Palace, it was too far, I couldn't hear clearly, and by the time I came out, Consort Zhen had stopped singing, so I don't know what song it was."

Perhaps fearing Min Jieyu's reproach, Qiu Xin quickly added, "If the Emperor enjoys listening to songs, it's unlikely he only likes the one that's been chosen, otherwise, with the Emperor's fondness for this song, how could there be no rumors in the palace? The Emperor has never been very attentive to these matters, and even the Imperial Music Bureau rarely enters the palace, so even if he likes it, it's a subtle preference."

"Who knows where Consort Zhen got her information, but it doesn't matter—it works in your favor."

Qiu Xin followed behind Min Jieyu, quietly offering advice, "There's still some time before the New Year's Eve palace banquet, why not think about how to mix your embroidery skills with music, and surely you will astonish everyone."

Min Jieyu pondered for a moment, finding Qiu Xin's suggestion reasonable, but how to combine embroidery with music was a difficult problem.

The consorts chosen to enter the palace were all outstanding, each skilled in their own way, and lately, they had been competing to outdo each other in their studies, hoping to catch the Emperor's eye.

Noble Consort Wang had lost her influence and was further demoralized by the poisoning of the eldest prince. If she did not pull herself together soon, their faction might continue to wane. For the sake of future favor and glory, she could not afford to sit idly by!

In the ten days leading up to the New Year's Eve banquet, snow fell on and off.

The magnificent palace was blanketed in frost and snow, with red walls and white snow, silver trees and jade branches, creating a unique and enchanting scene.

On New Year's Eve, Su Jiaojiao was completely unperturbed. After lunch, she took a nap, sleeping soundly for a full two-hour period.

When she lazily opened her eyes, she was met with Yu Ying's expression of suppressed laughter.

"My lady, the other ladies have been selecting their outfits and arranging their hair since dawn. Why are you so unhurried? Even if we don't plan to perform, we shouldn't appear inferior among the exquisitely dressed beauties, should we?"

Yu Ying gently encouraged her not to stay in bed any longer, and said with a smile, "My lady, get up quickly, don't remain secluded in bed."

Just then, Ling Xiao entered from outside, holding a tray, smiling softly, "Recently, there's no need to go to Fengyi Palace to pay respects, and it's cold outside, so my lady is even more reluctant to go out, remaining secluded in the palace all day, eating and sleeping."

The two of them teased each other, and Su Jiaojiao, unwilling as she was, had no choice but to get up.

She sat up, pushing the blanket away, and rubbed her temples with a resigned smile, saying, "If I sleep any longer, I might as well be a shadow in your eyes."

She was helped to sit in front of the bronze mirror, and Ling Xiao, standing behind her, asked with a smile, "Today is a big day, what will my lady wear? Winter palace gowns are elaborate and heavy, not showing off the waist and figure, so we can only focus on the style."

"These are the new winter outfits sent by the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau, crafted from luxurious fabrics in vibrant, beautiful colors. I've picked out a soft primrose and a deep rosy red, the most outstanding among them. Which one do you think is better?"

Su Jiaojiao propped her chin on her hand, looking at the two exquisite palace dresses, and lazily yawned, saying, "Many will be dressed in bright colors today, so there's no need to join the crowd."

"Let's go with the primrose color."

Ling Xiao unfolded the soft primrose-colored palace dress for her to see, lighter than goose yellow but softer than the usual primrose.

It looked very fresh and delicate.

The color was quite clever, not as eye-catching as darker shades but more lively than green. Paired with a pink underskirt, it suited the winter well.

After carefully dressing and applying makeup, it was already dusk.

Su Jiaojiao was helped to her feet.

She elegantly extended her flowing sleeves, took a few graceful steps forward, and turned her head with a captivating glance, stunningly beautiful.

"Let's go."

Guanju Palace was close to Liangyi Hall, so they deliberately didn't leave too early. Just as she got into the palanquin, she saw a figure she hadn't seen in a long time approaching from the imperial garden.

She had clearly been out of favor for a long time, but now she looked radiant and charming, her simple rosy-colored palace dress making her appear youthful and delicate, as if she had been well-nourished.

The woman saw Consort Zhen's entourage, smiled, and curtsied, greeting Su Jiaojiao in a sweet, melodious voice, "I pay my respects to Sister Consort Zhen."

"Yun Liangshi, it's been a long time since I've seen you."