Everything that happened tonight had made the two of them less than happy, but an additional bond had quietly begun to grow between them.
And they did not know that this bond would bring even more trouble to the pair, who already misunderstood each other.
When all was said and done, they still did not know who the other truly was.
In the days that followed, whenever they met again, neither mentioned what had happened that night. They continued as usual, and the atmosphere grew increasingly natural.
Thus, the two agreed that if anything changed, they would leave a mark in a hidden place that only they could understand.
The days passed one after another, and Jiang Yiyun was still under “confinement.” For her, this “confinement” was actually a good thing. Although some people could not bear the loneliness and wanted to give her trouble all day long, they had done nothing more than insignificant little tricks.
Although she could not leave, news could still come in. The imperial palace would soon become lively again, and who could possibly remain unaware of it?
The Ximing Kingdom would soon pay a visit, so her confinement could likely no longer continue. At that time, the empress would need to appear in public; the dignity of the state had to be Taken Into Consideration.
Less than two days after the news arrived, a junior eunuch came running to deliver an oral decree, ordering her to prepare to welcome the western ming envoys.
The Ximing Kingdom lay to the southwest of the Chen Kingdom. Though somewhat remote, that did not mean it lacked resources. On the contrary, Ximing was rich in produce, prosperous, and powerful.
The Chen Kingdom had contended with it for many years but still could not conquer it. Chu Yinheng knew how troublesome it was, so whenever the two kingdoms exchanged visits, both sides responded with caution.
Apart from ceremonies such as worshiping Heaven and the ancestors, along with palace banquets held during certain festivals, Jiang Yiyun had never attended a grand state banquet of such scale.
The visitor from the Ximing Kingdom this time was even its crown prince. The Chen Kingdom would certainly spare no manpower or wealth to display its national strength and splendor.
This visit from Ximing was originally a troublesome matter for Jiang Yiyun. The emperor managed external affairs, while the empress managed internal affairs. Although the Six Palaces belonged to the inner court, they also represented the face of the imperial family. With countless complicated matters, everything inside and outside should have been entrusted to the empress.
However, she had now lost all real authority. Not to mention managing matters, she did not even have the power to assist in administering the Six Palaces. This hot potato had long since fallen into Jia Yinger’s hands. If she handled it brilliantly, that was one thing; but with the slightest mistake, every problem would be blamed on her. Jiang Yiyun was only too happy to remain at ease.
Her quarters were now exceptionally quiet as well. The imperial concubines’ attention was focused on Jia Yinger, and all eyes had gathered there.
If they could cause Jia Yinger some trouble, would that not bring far more benefit than suppressing a disfavored empress?
The day arrived before they knew it, and Jia Yinger had also managed to get through the busiest early period. Everything was still proceeding in orderly fashion.
Even if someone tried to cause trouble, she had the best backer. Whether she did well or poorly was determined solely by Chu Yinheng.
Jiang Yiyun wore a false face yet dressed in full finery. Whenever she faced herself alone in the bronze mirror, she could not help revealing a self-mocking smile.
Her true appearance was far more beautiful than this physical appearance, and she had originally possessed a mole beside the corner of her eye that gave her brows and eyes a slightly alluring air. Now it was covered completely by disguise paste.
When practicing martial arts or acting in private, she wore one face; when serving as the empress, the head of the six palaces, she wore another. After changing faces back and forth for so many years, she could barely recognize her own true appearance anymore.
Clad in vivid red and wearing a multicolored, ornate crown, she radiated dazzling splendor after being carefully dressed.
Chu Yinheng had not seen her for several months. Seeing her again now, he was especially dazzled, and his eyes held a little more scrutiny and anticipation.
Even Chu Yexuan, who had always shown little expression, seemed to undergo the slightest change for an instant upon seeing her.
Jia Yinger wore a warm, friendly smile and remained radiant, but she was still somewhat thinner.
While some rejoiced, others worried; Consort Chun’s current situation was far from optimistic.
Earlier, because she was pregnant, she had been Throwing Her Weight Around. Now her authority had vanished, her sharpness had diminished, and she had clearly grown much thinner.
She had been too hasty before. The first child of the imperial family was difficult to come by, and so many people were watching. Once pregnant, she should have restrained herself appropriately and appeared less often before others.
Anyone understood this principle, yet people often could not restrain themselves, simply because the limits of their understanding stopped there.
No matter how noble one’s identity was, it could not suppress the vulgarity rooted in one’s bones. They could not broaden their outlook or endure loneliness.
This was why so many people, after becoming successful, would rapidly grow inflated with pride and even bring about their own destruction.
By the time she saw Jia Yinger, she had become extremely respectful. Her down-and-out state had given her a harsh lesson, as well as a warning to the imperial concubines.
Consort Chun sat lifelessly in a corner. Naturally, being ignored allowed her to freely shoot daggers at Jia Yinger with her eyes.
Jiang Yiyun watched as people entered one after another. Seeing their hypocritical exchanges of pleasantries, a trace of mockery flickered across the corners of her lips.
After a series of tedious formalities, the banquet finally began.
The western ming envoys entered one after another. At the very front was the Crown Prince of Ximing, Qi Yunzhuo. Even without previously knowing his identity, anyone could tell from his imposing and upright appearance, splendid brocade robe, and extraordinary bearing that he possessed a prominent status.
He possessed majesty, but kept it concealed; he wore a smile, but it did not reach his eyes.
Though he was still young, the fact that he could become the crown prince showed that his abilities were not to be underestimated.
Following behind him was a proud and flamboyant woman dressed in red. Judging from her attire, she too seemed to have been born into the imperial family.
The woman’s eyes were pitch-black yet bright. Though large, they were not dull; instead, they made her seem even more spirited. Her skin was as smooth as water, and her red lips resembled flames, carrying seven parts wildness and three parts sensuality.
Combined with her flamboyant red clothing, she became the first and most eye-catching focus. Even the radiance of crown prince Qi Yunzhuo was overshadowed, yet the crown prince did not mind having the limelight stolen from him.
Not only was this woman’s bearing flamboyant, but her beauty was flamboyant as well, and her gaze was raised high above everyone else.
As soon as she entered the palace hall, she first swept her eyes over the imperial consorts present. With her chin raised, she examined them one by one from the corners of her eyes, then looked away with evident disdain.
The imperial consorts present had no time to feel angry. They were completely crushed beneath the force of her direct gaze, and none dared look straight at her.
Where had they ever seen such a bold and arrogant woman? They did not even dare reveal angry expressions, feeling only uncomfortable beneath her stare.
The woman swept her eyes over the imperial consorts, then her bright gaze came to rest on Jiang Yiyun and Jia Yinger.
Of everyone present, only the appearance of those two was worth her looking at directly.
She stared fixedly at the pair, assessing them without the slightest reservation. Her eyes held evaluation, comparison, and finally provocation.
Jia Yinger had been wearing a gentle smile, but who could have expected the other party to be so utterly unreasonable? She simply ignored the courtesy displayed on Jia Yinger’s face.
In the end, Jia Yinger still lost to that scorching gaze. It was as though she had done something wrong and been seen through, so she shifted her eyes elsewhere.
Yet that “undefeated” gaze encountered an opponent the next moment. She stared straight at Jiang Yiyun, and Jiang Yiyun glared back. Her gaze was like a blade, striking back at the other woman.
Meeting her eyes sparked a trace of interest in the woman, and her smile grew even wider.
“Qi Zhi, do not be rude. Haven’t you looked enough?” the crown prince at the head reprimanded her, though his expression was amiable and his tone gentle.
Hearing the way the crown prince addressed her, everyone understood and learned the woman’s identity.
Her name was Qi Zhi. She was the Princess of Ximing, the emperor’s most cherished Luminous Pearl, and also the foremost beauty of Ximing. No wonder she was so arrogant and looked down on everyone.
Qi Zhi smiled. “I merely wanted to see how many beauties there are in the imperial harem of the Chen Kingdom. After seeing them, I can say the visit was barely worthwhile.” With that, she raised her brows and looked at Jiang Yiyun and Jia Yinger.
When the imperial consorts heard this, none could maintain their composure.
Some gritted their teeth, while others twisted their handkerchiefs. They were all seething inwardly, but they had no choice but to accept it, hating only that their looks were inferior to hers.
Qi Yunzhuo said with a smile, “emperor, my younger sister has been overly indulged since childhood. Her words today were disrespectful, and I have made a fool of myself before you. Please forgive her.”
His attitude was neither servile nor overbearing, and he was modest and courteous.
Chu Yinheng also smiled. “It is nothing. It is rare for a young lady to possess such a frank and forthright temperament. It is truly admirable.”
At these words, Qi Zhi’s gaze brightened. Her clear eyes shifted slightly, as though she had thought of something. She then stared straight at Chu Yinheng for a while longer, the smile at her lips refusing to fade.
Women were the most sensitive. Every imperial consort present could see that the princess had taken an interest in the emperor, and they all cried out inwardly that this was bad.
Jia Yinger was the most displeased of all. She felt as though she were facing a formidable enemy. She had originally intended to cause Jiang Yiyun some minor trouble during the banquet as a display of power.
But then an unexpected rival had appeared, throwing her into disarray. She had long since forgotten all about schemes and intrigues.
After a round of pleasantries, everyone took their seats. As was customary, there was another display of song and dance. They enjoyed the performances while taking turns offering toasts and exchanging polite words.
Qi Zhi had eyes only for Chu Yinheng. Her utterly undisguised stare made even Chu Yinheng feel somewhat embarrassed. Who could blame him? The woman was simply too uninhibited.
Jiang Yiyun did not care about any of this. Like Chu Yexuan in the corner, she occupied herself with drinking.
“Prince Bianjian has arrived!”
A shrill announcement rang out, and every gaze turned toward the entrance.