Others were afraid of offending the Emperor and dared not look for long, but Prince Kang was not afraid.
After all, the Emperor was already displeased with him, so he looked all he wanted, envying what he saw.
The Empress lifted her eyes and saw an extra set of tables and chairs on the right.
"That is..."
She asked.
Xie Zhixing did not answer her.
At this moment, Ying Lu walked over and diligently guided Yun Jiao over.
The Empress felt a pang in her heart.
Yan Chi revered the left, and placing Concubine Xi slightly lower on the right was not overstepping, yet she still felt a pang, and couldn’t help but softly ask, "Isn’t that seat meant for Lady Shufei?"
This time, Xie Zhixing responded to her:
"Lady Shufei very much agrees with my thoughts. Concubine Xi is with child; she should sit closer for better care."
The Empress felt another pang in her heart.
She resented Lady Shufei for allowing the Emperor to bestow such favor on Concubine Xi!
The second resentment was towards Concubine Xi.
At such a significant event, how could she sit there with ease, not considering she was unworthy?
Her gaze fell on Concubine Xi.
Yun Jiao had just sat down, her face subtly showing regret.
She didn’t actually want to sit here; she wanted to sit with Concubine Li or Consort Ji.
If worse came to worst, sitting with Concubine Wei would also be fine! It’s said that on significant occasions, she could be picky about everything from food to guests’ attire. The seat that made the entire harem envious seemed to Yun Jiao like a designated attention seat beside the podium, unfairly singled out by the teacher, something she greatly disliked.
The Princess and the Eldest Prince took turns kowtowing to the Emperor to wish him longevity.
Besides Ruyi, the other two princesses were very low-key, fearful of drawing the Empress’s eye, and Yun Jiao had hardly ever seen them in the harem.
The princesses presented embroidery, and the young Princess Ruyi recited a birthday poem written by Concubine Wei with a crisp, clear child’s voice.
After the children finished kowtowing, it was time for the concubines to present birthday gifts.
Yun Jiao watched intently, thinking to herself that being the Emperor was indeed good; on his birthday, he could receive so many precious gifts, with everyone racking their brains to please him!
Onstage, dancing girls in colorful costumes gracefully performed, embodying the auspicious imagery of a hundred birds paying homage.
Concubine Wei spoke, her voice not soft: "What a pity that the Lan Family was demoted and no longer eligible to perform, otherwise her dance would have been unparalleled, more skilled than any at the Shengping Bureau."
"Look at what Sister Wei is saying, is that really the same?"
"It’s not the same," Concubine Wei nodded: "Those at the Shengping Bureau don’t have aspirations higher than the heavens."
The concubines let out a synchronized, muffled laugh.
Attendant Lady Lan blushed from the laughter, but she felt the same way in her heart.
If she could perform at the Longevity Festival, she might stun the Emperor with a single performance and win his favor back to herself... However, the reality was that if not for the Longevity Festival, her current rank wouldn’t even qualify her to have a seat at this banquet.
"What does Concubine Xi think? Isn’t Concubine Xi going to perform with Lady Shufei later?"
Suddenly named, Yun Jiao replied with a smile: "I’m merely a backdrop, no match for Lady Shufei."
Concubine Feng tried to smooth things over: "It’s said that Concubine Xi has been practicing her music skills with great effort recently, which is commendable for the heartfelt intent."
Concubine Li felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, eager to escape.
Seeing that Yun Jiao’s performance was coming up, she couldn’t help but send a Chief Palace Maid to ask her if she was confident about today’s performance, emphasizing the need to remember how to play.
Soon, the palace maid returned with a troubled expression.
"What did she say?"
"Concubine Xi said," the palace maid paused: "She wants to use the restroom."
"..."
Getting a nervous stomach at critical moments, what a problem!
Concubine Li gritted her teeth: "Tell her to hold it."
Thanks to Lady Shufei, Yun Jiao had seen the schedule for today.
The closer it got to the end, the less interested she was in watching the performances.
Finally, it was time for Lady Shufei to go on stage, followed closely by Consort Ji and Yun Jiao.
"The Emperor’s benevolence shines like the sun and moon, and the wisdom of the Emperor brings peace to the land, allowing the people to live in prosperity, comparable to the times of Yao and Shun. I have nothing to offer, so today I’d like to present a painting," she paused: "But the painting is not yet completed, so I ask for the Emperor’s patience, allowing my two sisters and me to complete it together."
Sitting at the head, Xie Zhixing nodded, knowing she surely had some ingenious idea in mind.
Lady Shufei and Concubine Xi were both prominent figures on the Empress’s blacklist.
The combination of the two made the Empress smile dismissively: "Presenting an unfinished painting has the appearance of slighting the Emperor."
In these days without amplifiers, the ministers sat far away, and Wei Qingchen did not hear what his daughter was saying.
But seeing the Emperor frown, his knees started to weaken.
To appease the Emperor’s displeasure, the Wei Family spared no expense on the gifts.
The Emperor’s reaction remained indifferent; he did not wish for the Empress to provoke royal displeasure.
...
Two eunuchs brought up an easel.
It was a rectangular canvas, placed on the easel for all to see.