Chapter 46 Evening Banquet

Chapter 46 Evening Banquet

A Wu listened and naturally felt relieved.

Though she didn’t quite understand, there were about seven or eight honeyed pills, each no larger than a broad bean, wrapped in premium reed paper.

A Wu was slightly puzzled: "Are these for eating?"

Eunuch Fu cleared his throat and shook his head. "No."

Seeing his hesitation, A Wu tilted her head and studied him. "Then what are they? Could they be... poison?"

Eunuch Fu nearly choked.

Exasperated, he sighed, "My lady!"

Glancing outside to ensure no one was around, he hastily shoved a yellowed piece of paper into A Wu’s hands. "My lady, even I don’t know how to use this. You’ll have to figure it out yourself."

With that, Eunuch Fu bolted.

A Wu grew even more curious. She unfolded the paper and, upon reading it, it clicked.

She unwrapped the gilded casing around the honey pill—it looked familiar. Lu Yunjian had once used something similar on her.

Lu Yunjian had had her trained to seduce the Crown Prince, providing her with various aids, including these honey pills.

These pills were said to be made from bitter ginseng, borneol, and raw aconite, designed to restore maiden-like tightness and even impart a floral fragrance.

After carefully reviewing the instructions, she found the method unchanged from before: to be inserted after bathing, allowing the pill to slowly dissolve and permeate.

She flung it aside. What good would it do? With her own charm, couldn’t she captivate an emperor’s heart without such tricks?

***********

The next day, Consort Hui visited A Wu for a casual chat. The moment she entered, she marveled at how lavishly decorated A Wu’s quarters had become.

A Wu smiled. "Eunuch Fu had these delivered."

Consort Hui tutted knowingly—clearly, it wasn’t Eunuch Fu’s doing, but the Jingxi Emperor’s.

Though the Emperor had yet to visit the newly arrived Little Noble Lady, he was already smitten, ensuring she was well-appointed. In the future, gifts would likely pour in endlessly into her chambers.

Palace consorts also received additional rewards after being favored, though none had seen such gifts in years. Now, it seemed all would be bestowed upon the Little Noble Lady.

Still, Consort Hui was puzzled. "A Wu, are you fairly close with Eunuch Fu?"

A Wu nodded. "Mm, fairly. He’s very kind and gentle."

As she spoke, she recalled how often she had snapped at him or ignored his advice, leaving him exasperated.

She added, "Even when I provoke him, he’s all smiles."

Consort Hui: "..."

She fell silent, unsure how to respond.

Eunuch Fu had once been the Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial, the most powerful among the Twelve Directorates. They held custody of the imperial seal on the Emperor’s behalf. Given the Jingxi Emperor’s diligence, this was less consequential, but under a lax ruler, the Grand Secretary would effectively serve as the de facto chancellor.

However, due to health issues in recent years, Eunuch Fu held only a ceremonial post in the Directorate, living in leisurely retirement by the Emperor’s side.

Yet everyone knew the Jingxi Emperor’s reliance and trust in Eunuch Fu. Even the Crown Prince had to show him due reverence.

As a result, A Wu, this newly entered Little Noble Lady, praised his kindness, noting he didn't take offense even when she spoke sharply...

Finally, Consort Hui managed to squeeze out a sentence: "His Majesty is truly fond of you."

Eunuch Fu's attitude reflected the Emperor's own.

After some thought, A Wu began to understand a little: "It seems I should treat Eunuch Fu with more respect from now on."

Should she ever fall from favor, she might still need to beg Eunuch Fu for leniency.

Hearing this, Consort Hui sighed and dropped the subject, instead bringing up the matter of paying her respects to the Empress Dowager.

Truth be told, A Wu was rather apprehensive about greeting the Empress Dowager, always afraid she might receive harsh treatment. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager didn’t seem hostile—just lukewarm.

That was fine by her. She could simply pay her respects, kowtow, and be done with it.

So that day, she followed Consort Hui to greet the Empress Dowager, only to find—unfortunately—that the Crown Princess was also there.

The moment the Crown Princess caught sight of A Wu, her face went pale, as if she’d seen a ghost.

A Wu was equally surprised, so she simply smiled at her.

Other concubines were present as well, all secretly waiting to see the drama unfold.

The Little Noble Lady had once been the Crown Prince’s concubine, under the Crown Princess’s thumb in the Eastern Palace. But now, she had entered the palace directly to become the Emperor’s concubine, a noble lady.

Though a noble lady was vastly inferior to the Crown Princess—the wife of the Crown Prince—she was still someone who served the Emperor. Even the Crown Princess was obliged to nod politely and show some courtesy when they met.

So when the Crown Princess and the Little Noble Lady crossed paths now, everyone surreptitiously watched.

Right under the watchful gazes of the crowd, the Crown Princess suddenly saw A Wu.

She froze, utterly unsure how to react.

Setting aside the past—just recall that day when the Crown Prince had nearly stormed into the palace to confront the Emperor, only to be blocked at his own gates by the Capital Garrison and military commanders. Then came an imperial decree, leaving no doubt that the Emperor had directly sent the Crown Prince to the northern frontier so he could peacefully bring this Little Noble Lady into the palace.

She saw through it completely, but she still rushed to the palace to confirm—and sure enough!

Within days, the Little Noble Lady had entered the palace and moved straight into Langhua Palace—that wretched A Wu!

From that day on, she had been on pins and needles, her life unbearable. She even ran back to her family in tears, seeking advice. Naturally, her family was terrified and hurriedly devised plans, finally deciding to stay put.

Their reasoning was this: the Emperor had just taken his own son’s concubine into the palace. This alone compromised his position, so he couldn’t afford to provoke significant consequences. No matter how ruthless his methods, he wouldn’t stir up major trouble now—he had to proceed discreetly to avoid drawing attention.

Besides, the Emperor had only one son—the Crown Prince. The throne would inevitably be his someday. As long as the Crown Prince didn’t make any grave mistakes, the Crown Princess just had to endure.

After much deliberation, the family concluded that the real issue wasn’t the Emperor but the Crown Prince.

They had to persuade the Crown Prince not to lose face over this matter.

Her father—the eldest legitimate son of the Duke of Yingguo—stroked his beard and said gravely, "At the very least, prepare a few stunning beauties for the Crown Prince’s chambers, so he won’t keep pining for the one in the palace."

The real problem was that the Emperor was in his prime, only sixteen or seventeen years older than the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince had a long wait ahead—years, perhaps. If he made a fuss now and damaged their father-son bond, and if some imperial concubine bore another prince, things could take a bad turn.

The Crown Princess thought it over and agreed wholeheartedly.

At this point, she had no energy for jealousy. All she cared about was securing her position as the Crown Princess. She even began to hate herself for not tolerating that wretched woman back then. If she had just endured it and kept her suppressed in the Eastern Palace, she wouldn’t have fluttered straight into the Emperor’s arms!

And then, just yesterday, the Emperor had summoned her grandfather and manipulated him thoroughly. When her grandfather returned home, he wept bitterly, saying their family’s lineage had lost a Duke, that he had failed their ancestors, and that he had no face left to show his descendants.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince’s Consort felt as if struck by a thunderbolt—this was a disaster of epic proportions! The Jingxi Emperor had outright pinned all the blame on her, making her solely responsible, and used it as a pretext to crack down hard on her family!

The crux of the matter... she was at fault first, giving the Emperor leverage over her. Though she knew the Emperor was passing the buck, she had no way to defend herself.

The Duke of Yingguo's household were furious with the Crown Prince’s Consort. Having a Crown Prince’s Consort in the family had done them no favors, and now they had lost a Duke!

One must understand that in Great Hui, the title of Duke was not easily obtained—it was won by their ancestors’ blood and sacrifice. In the future, when the Crown Prince’s Consort ascended to the position of Empress, her family would have to walk on eggshells to avoid any suspicion of nepotism. Thus, the lost dukedom would never return.

Never again!

The entire Duke's household wore grim expressions, like they were at a funeral, glaring at her like she owed them a fortune!

The Crown Prince’s Consort was filled with dread and unease, feeling as though her family was no longer her family, and her life was falling apart.

Now, encountering A Wu in the palace, she felt a cold shiver down her back.

At this moment, she dared not offend A Wu either. She wanted to paste on a smile at her, to awkwardly gloss over the situation, but she simply couldn't muster one.

She was the Crown Prince’s Consort, the wife of the Crown Prince, while the woman before her was merely a bedchamber servant. Why should she smile at her?

Those around them noticed the Crown Prince’s Consort's shifting expressions, all ears, eager for drama.

The Crown Prince’s Consort bit her lip, turning beet-red, and reluctantly nodded at A Wu.

A Wu averted her gaze, ignoring her.

With a resounding crash, the Crown Prince’s Consort felt her pride hit the floor.

She dared to ignore her?

Who does she think she is?

A Wu, of course, sensed the Crown Prince’s Consort's embarrassment and discomfort, but she paid no mind, drifting away casually.

The Crown Prince’s Consort had schemed against her—this grudge was firmly lodged in her heart, and she would settle it sooner or later!

A Wu gritted her teeth in secret, thinking, *If only the Jingxi Emperor would summon me to his bedchamber. Once he does, I’ll work my influence.*

Then she would weep and say, "The Crown Prince’s Consort set me up, and that Nie San nearly assaulted me!" Let’s see what the Old Emperor has to say about that!

Just as the Crown Prince’s Consort was burning with shame, the Empress Dowager spoke: "Mingyuan, what’s the matter? Come sit by me—"

Finally given a way out, a semblance of dignity, the Crown Prince’s Consort forced a smile and approached the Empress Dowager, though her eyes were still red-rimmed.

Seeing this, A Wu knew the Empress Dowager was backing the Crown Prince’s Consort. Seizing the moment, she quickly made herself scarce.

*************

When A Wu returned to her Langhua Palace, she noticed eunuchs and palace maids scurrying around from afar.

Her two attendants were surprised. "Huh? What’s going on?"

A Wu spotted a familiar eunuch among them—one who served the Jingxi Emperor—and her pulse jumped.

So... was the Jingxi Emperor finally summoning her?

She had been in the palace for days, having only glimpsed him once from a distance without exchanging a word. Who would have thought he would come now?

She knew this was a make-or-break moment for her and felt a surge of joy, quickening her steps.

As soon as she arrived, the eunuchs and maids bowed deeply in greeting, while a female palace official guided her into Langhua Palace.

Upon entering, she was somewhat disappointed to find that the Jingxi Emperor had not arrived. Instead, a group of palace maids were waiting for her.

She was puzzled, but one of the maids explained they would bathe her and prepare the bedchamber, as the Jingxi Emperor would be dining at Langhua Palace that evening.

A Wu was taken aback for a moment before suddenly realizing—the Jingxi Emperor intended to visit Langhua Palace, and the palace servants had come in advance to make preparations.

This...

Indeed, returning to the palace had made all the difference. What a lavish spectacle!

A Wu wanted to observe more closely, but she was already being attended to by the palace maids for her bath and change of clothes. The bathing process was particularly meticulous, involving meticulous head-to-toe cleansing. Even the bath towels were edged with golden threads, embroidered with golden phoenixes and clouds in different postures.

After this thorough cleansing, A Wu was rubbed with scented balm by the maids, who then gently massaged it into her skin. Another maid knelt to massage her long hair and carefully trim her fingernails and toenails.

Clearly, these maids had been specially trained—their movements were light and careful, making the experience extremely pleasant.

A Wu felt her body go limp and weightless, like a cloud.

Once everything was in order, she was dressed in a loose and comfortable white undergarment made of unbleached silk, its hem embroidered with golden phoenixes mid-flight, so vivid they seemed alive—exquisite and elegant.

Over the undergarment, she wore a robe embroidered with gold-threaded clouds and pheasants, paired with a narrow-collared long skirt of fine silk. Over this, she donned a diaphanous overdress adorned with numerous pearls, each one lustrous and perfectly round, making her cheeks glow even rosier.

After this elaborate dressing, A Wu gazed at herself in the bronze mirror, barely recognizing herself. The reflection showed a noble and radiant beauty, unlike her usual self.

She felt a flicker of doubt as she examined the robe more closely—the pheasant patterns were typically reserved for highest-ranking court ladies, weren’t they?

But the maids around her seemed utterly unbothered, so she decided not to dwell on it.

By then, the bedchamber had been completely rearranged. A round table had been placed near the window, where blended harmony incense burned. Two crabapple-shaped stools were set beside it, and the table was laid with silver cups, ivory-tipped chopsticks, and twelve dishes of fruits and delicacies.

The brocade curtains had been freshly hung, and even the pillow had been replaced with a brand-new Ding kiln white porcelain child-shaped pillow, adorned with a sweet chrysanthemum sachet.

The floor carpet had also been changed to a plush two-pile carpet depicting two dragons frolicking in water—far more refined and luxurious than usual. The tabletop was decorated with cheerful winter plum blossoms, casting a warm, festive glow over the entire chamber.

Yet the Jingxi Emperor’s imperial carriage still had not arrived. Instead, a eunuch was sent to deliver a message, asking A Wu to wait a little longer as the Emperor was still handling pressing imperial business in the Fengtian Hall.

A Wu couldn’t suppress a flicker of irritation. She thought to herself, *You had me prepared so elaborately, yet you’re too busy to come? What could possibly be so urgent? I’ve been in the palace for days without even a glimpse of you!*

*This doesn’t feel like being an imperial favorite—more like being relegated to the cold palace!*

As her thoughts wandered, she suddenly heard the sound of an imperial carriage outside, accompanied by faint notes of sheng and xiao pipes. Then came the announcement of the Emperor’s arrival, and the maids hustled A Wu into position, urging her to prepare for the reception.

Quickly composing herself, A Wu hurried out to receive him. Amidst the imperial music, the carriage halted before Langhua Palace. A Wu knelt in reverence, and only then did the Jingxi Emperor descend from the carriage.

He wore a jade crown and imperial robes, regal and imposing.

Under the gaze of the crowd, A Wu dared not raise her head in the presence of such imperial dignity. She kept her eyes lowered, her expression one of deferential meekness.

She could feel the Emperor’s gaze resting upon her, watching her intently.

For some reason, she felt a sudden flush of embarrassment. *All this grandeur just for... sleeping together? You’d think this was a royal wedding.*

Then, a pair of slender, immaculate hands extended toward her.

A Wu hesitated briefly before lifting her eyes—and met a pair of honey-colored eyes, smiling gently at her.

In that instant, she felt blood rush to her cheeks, burning hot.

The Jingxi Emperor took her hand and led her into the palace.

A Wu noticed that he had just bathed and wore perfume, likely a very light and elegant scent, faint but lovely.

At this moment, the Jingxi Emperor turned his head and asked with a smile, "Have you had your meal?"

A Wu: "No."

She’d been starving, waiting for him—who would dare to dine before his arrival?

Jingxi Emperor: "There were several urgent petitions to handle today, which delayed me. I haven’t eaten either. We’ll eat together."

A Wu: "Mm, sounds good."

The two of them then entered the hall, where the eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen began serving dishes. The extravagant spread was so lavish you’d think they were feeding eighteen people!

The Jingxi Emperor took A Wu’s hand and led her to sit. A Wu initially intended to sit but then thought better of it and rose again, kowtowing three times in thanks.

She noticed that the attendants around them weren’t just from the Imperial Kitchen—there were also officials from the Office of Imperial Records and the Directorate of Ceremonial, among others. With so many watching, she couldn’t slip up.

Jingxi Emperor: "Rise. No need for that."

Only then did A Wu stand up. The two then took their seats, though as a mere Noble Lady, A Wu’s embroidered chair was lower than the emperor’s, and she could only sit lightly on the edge.

A Wu found this extremely uncomfortable. If every time he summoned her required such formality, it would exhaust them both. He should visit less often.

Meanwhile, the main dishes were still being arranged. Before them were appetizers—dainty, vibrant treats like honey-glazed kumquats, crystal jelly, crispy fish, and braised camel feet.

Outside, the soft strains of strings and flutes played continuously, gentle and soothing, never intrusive.

A Wu asked curiously, "Is the Imperial Music Bureau playing?"

Jingxi Emperor: "This is the Drum and Bell Office’s banquet music."

The court had dedicated offices for music—the Imperial Music Bureau, overseen by the Ministry of Rites, handled formal rituals, while the Drum and Bell Office managed by the inner court was responsible for events like Princess De Ning’s upcoming hair-pinning ceremony.

He explained to A Wu, "By tradition, my midday and evening meals are accompanied by music, though I often skip it when busy."

A Wu suddenly understood. Rich families kept private musicians, and the imperial family naturally did the same—on a far grander scale. In this regard, the emperor could enjoy music with every meal.

She asked curiously, "Is it always such refined classical pieces?"

The Jingxi Emperor smiled and explained, "There are also folk tunes. The musicians here are skilled in all styles."

He then instructed the musicians to play softer, lyrical melodies. A Wu watched as one performer stepped forward—a voice like strung pearls, each word clear and sweet, captivating in its gentle cadence. Upon closer look, the musician was also strikingly beautiful.

A Wu glanced discreetly at the Jingxi Emperor, who didn’t spare the performer a second glance, completely unfazed—clearly used to such beauty.

A Wu recalled Consort Shun and the other imperial consorts she had seen earlier, realizing that beauty was commonplace in the inner court. Some might even surpass her own looks.

These women all lived at the mercy of the Jingxi Emperor. With a mere crook of his finger, countless beauties would prostrate themselves at his feet. He had truly seen it all.

Now, she found herself puzzled—why had the emperor treated her with such favor? Perhaps it was just fate.

She had always prided herself on her beauty, but now she dimly understood that here, beauty was everywhere. A girl’s youthful bloom would fade in an instant, but a man’s power could endure for ages.

As she pondered this, the sound of flowing, carefree music drifted in from outside.

The Jingxi Emperor’s voice was deep and warm as he smiled and said, "You can listen to all kinds of music. Tell me what you like."

A Wu smiled faintly. "Alright."

The Jingxi Emperor briefly introduced the current piece of music to A Wu—it was *The Dialogue Between the Fisherman and the Woodcutter*, played on the guqin. Originally a renowned guqin composition, it had been adapted by the imperial court.

His voice was gentle and unhurried as he recounted the origins and background of the piece in detail. Then, he and A Wu listened together to the subsequent melodies.

A Wu had naturally never understood such things before, but now, as she listened, she found it quite pleasant. Hearing music before a meal seemed to make the meal more enjoyable.

The Jingxi Emperor turned his head slightly, observing her absorbed expression, and knew she enjoyed it. "Among the imperial banquet music, there are indeed several fine pieces. You may listen more, or even have a musician teach you."

A Wu: "Isn’t it difficult to learn? My hands are clumsy."

The Jingxi Emperor glanced at her delicate hands. "Noble Lady Ning doesn’t strike me as the musical type."

A Wu: "..."

*In front of the court historians, can’t you say something nicer?*

She shot him a pouty, somewhat aggrieved glare.

The corners of the Jingxi Emperor’s lips curled into an indulgent smile. "Just dabble—no need to master it. The focus is on elegance and personal refinement. I shall wait for the day when Noble Lady Ning can play a tune herself."

He then instructed the nearby palace eunuchs to find a musician specifically to teach Noble Lady Ning imperial court music. The eunuchs acknowledged the order and recorded it.

Since it was the emperor’s personal command, they naturally took it seriously.

A Wu felt a flicker of delight at first, but then it occurred to her—*didn’t I just land myself an extra task?*

Curious, she asked the Jingxi Emperor, "Does Your Majesty play the guqin?"

The Jingxi Emperor replied modestly, "I know a bit."

As the Crown Prince, he had been rigorously trained in the Six Arts (rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics) since childhood, excelling in each.

A Wu was surprised and impressed. She could tell—he’s probably really good, given how his tone of "I know a bit" clearly suggested otherwise.

She nearly asked him to play a piece for her, but quickly realized—*Am I asking for trouble?*

Just then, the eunuchs finished arranging the dishes, and the two began their meal in earnest.

The dining etiquette was naturally ritual-heavy—first, hand-washing, wiping, and rinsing the mouth, before the meal could commence.

A Wu was starving. Fortunately, the table was piled with delicate imperial dishes, and she could finally indulge.

She carefully sampled the dishes before her. Unfamiliar with their names, she took a few bites of paper-thin slices of beef, which carried a subtle sweetness. At first, she was surprised by the taste, then found it delicious and took a couple more bites.

After four mouthfuls, she decided she shouldn’t eat more and glanced at the other dishes.

The spread was dazzling—so many dishes that her eyes darted from one to another. Then, she noticed one that looked particularly shiny and succulent, resembling something like braised beef tendon, yet not quite. She was puzzled.

At that moment, the Jingxi Emperor gave a slight wave. A eunuch immediately stepped forward, bowed, then lifted the dish. Moving aside, he slipped on raw silk gloves and took up a silver knife to slice the tendon-like meat.

The knife wasn’t sharp at all—perhaps even unsharpened—but the eunuch was skilled, making the task swift.

Kneeling on one knee, the eunuch presented the plate with both hands in offering. The Jingxi Emperor gestured, and the dish was presented to A Wu instead.

*Hmm?*

A Wu looked up in confusion at the Jingxi Emperor.

His voice was deep and gentle. "Noble Lady Ning may go ahead and try this. It is braised bear’s paw—a nourishing tonic."

A Wu stared into the Jingxi Emperor's eyes for a moment before realizing he had it sliced just for her.

She slowly rose, knelt, and kowtowed to thank him.

These past few days, she had learned many rules and understood the etiquette—this was just an informal family meal, so a single kowtow would suffice.

The Jingxi Emperor acknowledged it without a word. Once A Wu stood up again, he motioned for her to start eating.

A Wu didn't hold back and took a bite. It was delicious! No wonder bear’s paw is so famous!

It was fatty and juicy without being heavy, with springy yet tender tendons that were flavorful and satisfying to chew.

Touched, she thought to herself—he'd clearly noticed her eyeing it, which was why he had the palace eunuchs slice it for her.

Though it required a kowtow, one bow was a small price for bear’s paw.

After eating four slices, A Wu stopped. She had all the time in the world—she could always have more, just a few more bows.

But since this was her first meal with the emperor, with court historians watching, she couldn’t leave behind a reputation as "Noble Lady Ning was so greedy she ate an entire bear’s paw."

Just then, a palace eunuch approached with a small snow-white ceramic jar on a tray, obviously piping hot.

It took her a second to remember—it contained a hot towel.

The eunuch used silver chopsticks to lift the towel and presented it to A Wu.

She took it but was confused.

Shouldn’t they wipe their hands and mouths after finishing the meal? Why give this to her now? Was she not allowed to eat anymore?

She hadn’t even eaten her fill—how could they kick her out before she was full?

Bewildered and innocent, she looked to the Jingxi Emperor for guidance.

The emperor smiled faintly, his gaze making his meaning clear as it lingered on her lips.

Ah?

A Wu suddenly understood—oh no, how embarrassing!

Her mind was reeling, but outwardly, she remained graceful, lightly dabbing her lips with the towel.

Only then did she realize—the bear’s paw had just been steamed, rich with flavor, but within moments, the rich juices would thicken and stick to her lips!

Fortunately, she wiped it in time—otherwise, it would've been humiliating.

A Wu imagined the scene—her lips smeared and unwipeable… What punishment would that warrant for losing decorum before the emperor?

It had to be said—this meal was anything but relaxing. If she had to eat like this every day, A Wu would never have a good appetite again.

Thankfully, it was finally time to sleep. A Wu watched as the palace maids bustled about, making the bed, folding the quilts, and assisting her with a light bath before finally withdrawing.

Then, the man reached out, his fingers encircling her delicate wrist.

A Wu lifted her face to look at him.

His gaze was focused and tender, filled with something deeper.

She could even sense his serious, almost worshipful tenderness.

Recalling the events of the evening—though the process had been exhausting and nerve-wracking—after enduring such rituals, their union now carried a mysterious sense of ceremony.

It even struck her suddenly—why had he not visited or summoned her in the days since she entered the palace?

Perhaps… it was all for this one special night?