Chapter 84 - Starting the summer banquet

“How could I lie about such a big thing?” When Yun Fenghuang was guessing, at Mian Fu Palace which was brightly lit, Queen Mother Ji, who had slept but was hurriedly wakened up by the maids, coldly stared at the concubine in colored clothes kneeling on the ground.

Jie Yu Lu was relatively young among the concubines who joined the Imperial Harem when the Emperor got married, and was in her 20s this year. Although she was one of the hostesses with her adoptive father Marquess Qingping as a backer, she was not largely invisible and was always ignored by others.

That her family background was relatively inferior among those concubines was one of the reasons and the other one was about her appearance.

Jie Yu Lu had an infant name called Qidao. She was fair-skinned, and had a good set of facial features which looked beautiful when being viewed separately but quite ordinary together.

Even with the delicate makeup, she was still invisible among those charming concubines.

At this moment, she knelt under the steps with her head lowered, and a neat embroidered kerchief was laid neatly in front of her. The kerchief was cyan and embroidered with a few patterns, and the most conspicuous was a cluster of branches.

Both the patterns and the texture were good but the technique was not very good.

If Yun Fenghuang were there, she would share a common discourse with the one who made the embroidery, for their skills were equally bad.

Queen Mother Ji stared at the kerchief angrily, and showed an awesome expression.

Fortunately, Lu Qidao, who was almost lying on the ground, could not see it. With a brittle voice which made people unpleasant, she said, “I wanted to tell you when I learnt it, but… you happened to be ill in those two days, so I dared not to bother you.”

Queen Mother Ji pursed her lips and asked quickly, “Did you tell it to anyone else?”

Jie Yu Lu said, “I didn’t intend to say it. When you were ill, my mother and my sister-in-law went into the palace and chatted with me for a while. Being uneasy, I was read by them, so I told part of it to my mother. I wanted my father’s help. After all, the matter…”

“…” Queen Mother Ji was silent for a while and then said, “I see. Since it’s late, you go back.”

Jie Yu Lu respectfully said yes, but did not get up. She said, “Please believe me. I didn’t hurt Jie Yu Yue and her baby.”

Queen Mother Ji looked at the carpet not far away, being expressionless for a moment. She then said indifferently, “I see. I will explain it to the Empress.”

Seeing that Jie Yu Lu saluted and left, Queen Mother Ji smashed the tea bowl at hand to the place where Jie Yu Lu had just kneeled down, wrathfully saying, “Bitch!!! I must…”

However, she finally sat down helplessly, asking people to come for tidying.

… In the next morning, people at the Imperial Harem who wanted to laugh at Jie Yu Lu found that she was fine. Instead, some leading maids of Yan Lan Palace, Qiong Fang Palace, Bao Hui Palace and Hu Zhu Palace were blamed, and the reason was that they spread rumors in private. Therefore, Shan Xiang, who was timid by nature, accepted it as truth and regarded Hu Zhu Palace as an evil palace and Jie Yu Yue as a devil.

Therefore, after being sent to Hu Zhu Palace, she was mad because of fear. She visited Yun Fenghuang for help and then hurt Jie Yu Yue… It was not surprising for a mad person to do anything.

“I heard that Jie Yu Lu quietly visited Queen Mother of Honor.” Since Imperial City Division was well informed, Xi Le learnt the truth soon after she went out for a while. As soon as Yun Fenghuang returned to Zi Quan Hall after the greeting time, Xi Le secretly came to report, “Her Highness did not mention her when she announced the result of the disposal. It is probably related to Queen Mother of Honor.”

Yun Fenghuang was slightly surprised, saying, “Jie Yu Lu… She is on the side of Marquess Qingping and she is the sister-in-law of Prince Regent, but how could she have a relationship with Queen Mother of Honor?”

“It is said that Marquess Qingping entered the palace during Shenzong period and served Queen Mother of Honor initially and then was given to Emperor Xiaozong.” Xi Le explained, “Emperor Xiaozong gave him the title regardless of the opposition of many officials.”

In that case, it would be not surprising that Jie Yu Lu asked Queen Mother Ji for help. After all, according to the rules at this time, when she worshipped Marquess Qingping as her adoptive father, she was destined to be on the side of Queen Mother Ji.

But…

Yun Fenghuang asked curiously, “Since Marquess Qingping has such a relationship with Queen Mother of Honor, why did he tie with Prince Regent by marriage?”

Xi Le sighed, “The late emperor valued Prince Regent very much when he was old and Marquess Qingping often accompanied the emperor and therefore he knew Prince Regent well. It is said that the late emperor wanted to let Prince Regent marry Concubine Lu as early as his first consort was alive. Later… Have you heard the rumor? It is said that Marquess Qingping spread the news out, otherwise, how could others knew this kind of big news? In short, since then, Marquess Qingping rarely visited Queen Mother of Honor. But he served her for many years and Queen Mother of Honor witnessed Jie Yu Lu grew up… Maybe Queen Mother of Honor stilled valued the relationship?”

“After all, as you said, Jie Yu Lu didn’t do it.”

Besides, Queen Mother Ji was unpleasant about Yuan Lianniang’s pregnancy. No matter who miscarried, Queen Mother Ji would be happy very much.

Then she would be more willing to help Jie Yu Lu.

“The palace is really complicated.” Yun Fenghuang signed, “If not for your directions, I would be still confused.”

“I’m flattered.” Xi Le smiled and lifted her chin toward the main palace, “She joined the Imperial Harem as early as His Majesty got married. She knows everything but still traps herself in such a situation, doesn’t she? This morning when I accompanied you for the greetings, both the masters of Yan Fu Palace and Mian Fu Palace mentioned the thing casually and then talked about the summer banquet… So far, she gets no comfort.”

Traditionally, as for the concubine who suffered such things during her pregnancy, even if Empress Dowager who stayed at her palace for many years didn’t know it, the three Queen Mothers, the Empress and the high-ranked consorts like Noble Consort Gui and Noble Consort Shu were expected to reward and comfort the concubine.

However, no one came to Hu Zhu Palace. Whether they forgot that or they did not intend to comfort her?

Yun Fenghuang suddenly understood why Yuan Lianniang became angry easily.

Who could bear the isolation made by all the people at the Imperial Harem?

No wonder Yuan Lianniang, a spoiled girl who hardly heard cross words, couldn’t bear it.

Uh… but she was partially responsible for it…

“By the way, do Xi Jing and you have brighter clothes?” Yun Fenghuang drew back her thoughts, took a sip of tea, and asked Xi Le, “If not, open my storehouse to pick the materials you like to customize some, and select some jewelries from my dressing drawer. You have heard at Chong Chang Hall today that we will go to the summer banquet. Your dress these two days is too simple. Don’t lose the face of our people in Zi Quan Palace.”

Originally, Empress Ji thought that she would be busy if all the people went to the summer resort, so she didn’t want to hold a grand summer banquet.

However, Empress Dowager, who hardly went out, wanted to present at the banquet!

Therefore, how could she pay little attention to the banquet since Empress Dowager, who hardly went out since Xiaozong period, would present?

Thus, Empress Ji, who originally wanted her followers to do it, would certainly do it in person.

The other concubines, who planned to make use of this opportunity to select ideal lovers for their brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces, like Wei Hengyan, all tried their best to entrust people.

Seeing this situation, how could they miss the opportunity? They all asked to “take care of Empress Dowager”.

Seeing this, Empress Ji decided that concubines with the rank higher than Fifth-Grade, except Noble Consort Gui and Jie Yu Yue who were pregnant, were all allowed to go there… The reason was not that Empress Ji was considerate towards them but that she wanted those newly-joined concubines to be there to show that there were enough people to give birth children. Because she considered that Empress Dowager got older and had said a few times that the palace was increasingly cheerless because the Emperor had no child and that the two concubines hadn’t gave birth to their babies and it was still unclear whether they could deliver their babies safely or not.

… After all, the newly-invited noble girls were around in their 15 years old. Young and beautiful, they all had a cheerful disposition.

Empress Dowager would be happier when she saw them… anyway… The Empress sincerely showed her filial affection.

Yun Fenghuang had a comparatively high rank and was favored by the Empress, so she would go there.

Only those who were most honorable could enjoy in that occasion, while it would be better for Yun Fenghuang to act cautiously. Since she intended to bring Xi Jing and Xi Le over, she would get their dress ready.

Hearing that, Xi Le thanked her with a smile. Yun Fenghuang thought it for a while and then whispered, “How’s everything about Shizi?”

“Everything is fine as usual.” Xi Le peeped at her expression and said carefully, “It is said that Childe Qi has lived together with the beautiful girl sent by Prince Regent’s Mansion…”

Yun Fenghuang was silent for a while, and then replied indifferently, “Hum, fortunately, Shizi is fine.”

She had thought the thing that Fu Ren Yaoning and Jie Yu Lu were wronged would urge Prince Regent to take some actions… In that case, Gongxiang Xiao might ask to see her for being worried.

Well, she was just worried about Gongxiang Xiao. After all, Xi Le was quite useful and even part of Imperial City Division could be a good backer… In short, the reason why she asked so was not that she wanted to see Qi Jiulu.

Thinking of this, Yun Fenghuang bit her lower lip lightly, whether for covering up or confirming… She settled down and said to Xi Le, “You can go for packing up, for everything is okay here.”

Someone finally arrived at Ning Bi Hall for comforting and rewarding her until that evening. The mood of Yuan Lianniang could be imagined. Far away from the main palace, people at Zi Quan Hall still heard a lot of noise and movement. During that time, Chen Zhu went out once for inquiring, and then came back. He told everyone with a smile that Ning Bi Hall asked imperial doctors to go there again.

It was said that Jie Yu Yue was so angry that she felt uncomfortable, “She has been pregnant for no more than three months and this kind of thing happened. What will happen in the coming days?”

Would she deliver the baby safely?

Yun Fenghuang looked at them indifferently, neither stopping them nor joining them. So, they lost interest soon. After all, Yuan Lianniang always got angry, so they turned to discuss about the summer banquet happily.

In the next few days, Yuan Lianniang, who had to stay in the bed to have a good rest, still got angry. However, others at the Imperial Harem all behaved well, showing a rare peaceful and lively scene. After all, they always lived in the boring Harem, so it was rare to see something new. Everyone wanted to relax during the summer banquet.

Time passed quickly and the date came soon.

Early in the morning, the concubines converged to Chong Chang Hall as usual. Then, they were led by the Empress, first went to Mian Fu Palace to meet Queen Mother Ji, and then went to Qing Ci Palace together.

At Qing Ci Palace, Queen Mother Yuan and Queen Mother Qu had already come, saying good words to Empress Dowager.

Concubines with a low rank couldn’t have a chance to speak there, and even Jie Yu couldn’t in today’s case. Only the Empress and the three Queen Mothers took turns to please Empress Dowager. When the time was approaching, they all decided to leave for Small Ying Zhou, where the summer banquet would be held.