Time truly flies in the palace.
Soon, it was Chu Sui.
On Chu Sui night, the palace was naturally not as lively as the outside world.
Yet the Chu Sui Banquet was an annual tradition that could not be missed.
And the Crown Prince was exceptionally busy during this time.
As the Crown Prince, he had to preside over the royal sacrificial ceremony on Chu Sui day.
After the ceremony, he would attend the Chu Sui Banquet with the Crown Princess.
He also had to console various ministers, bestow certain rewards, and deal with a multitude of messy court affairs.
In short, he was extremely busy.
In Yaohua Hall, the three Bong Yis gathered around a table.
The banquet was set up in the main hall where Yang Ni Shan resided.
The table was laden with dishes and pastries that were delightful in color, aroma, and taste, along with a jar of seasonal Meihua Wine.
However, the three at the table were somewhat subdued, which did not match the celebratory atmosphere of the festival.
In the blink of an eye, they had been in the palace for half a year.
This was their first New Year away from their parents, and all three were struggling to adjust.
Tears welled up in Lin Fujia’s eyes as she sobbed, “I miss my mother’s cooking. She’s an excellent cook. Every New Year, she would personally prepare a large table of dishes. Our family would sit together joyfully, drinking, chatting, and staying up to welcome the New Year.”
Wen Lier’s nose tingled with emotion upon hearing this; she missed home just as much.
But once you entered the palace, it was like diving into an unfathomable sea. Even the Crown Princess couldn’t return home to visit her family freely, let alone them, mere Bong Yis.
Yang Ni Shan, who always carried herself with an air of arrogance, disdained speaking to Wen Lier and Lin Fujia. After taking a few bites of food, she returned to her bedchamber.
With her gone, Wen Lier and Lin Fujia felt much more at ease.
The two chatted about amusing incidents from before they entered the palace. As they talked, they finished the entire pot of Meihua Wine.
Although Wen Lier was also a bit drunk, she wasn’t as unsteady on her feet as Lin Fujia.
Qiu Momo, who attended to Lin Fujia, instructed the palace maid Zixiu to prepare sobering soup and then helped Lin Fujia back to the West Hall first.
As for Wen Lier, she walked back on her own.
Having drunk wine, she felt warm. She stood at the entrance of the East Hall for a long while, gazing at the stars.
…
The next day.
The first day of the New Year.
The Crown Princess had to take the Crown Prince’s concubines to pay respects and offer New Year greetings to the Empress Dowager and the Empress.
Aside from the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince had only taken three Bong Yis as concubines.
The Crown Princess had already informed them about the visit to the two ladies.
So that morning, Wen Lier was roused from her bed early by Mama Qin.
Having drunk too much wine the previous night, her head was still somewhat groggy.
Qing Zhu brought a bowl of sobering soup, which Wen Lier drank in one gulp.
On such an important day, she must not behave improperly in front of the two ladies, lest she bring disgrace upon the Crown Prince.
Lin Fujia was waiting for her at the entrance of Yaohua Hall. When the two arrived at Fuyao Hall, both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess were there.
Yang Ni Shan had already arrived and was gazing at the Crown Prince with deep affection.
Yan Shixu was dressed in an apricot-yellow four-clawed python robe, standing tall and imposing, exuding authority.
Wen Lier and Lin Fujia both kept their heads bowed, not daring to look at him.
Xie Zhenrong reminded them that when they went to see the Empress Dowager and the Empress, they must remember to be cautious in their words and actions and not offend the two most noble women in the realm.
Wen Lier and the other two curtsied in unison and responded, “We will surely remember the Crown Princess’s instructions.”
Xie Zhenrong nodded and looked at the Crown Prince.
Yan Shixu glanced almost imperceptibly at Wen Lier before rising.
The group first headed to Cining Palace.
After the late Emperor passed away, the Empress Dowager had taken up residence there.
Usually, she lived a leisurely life and did not interfere much in the affairs of the inner palace.
Today, however, was the New Year, and the Cining Palace was filled with people.
The Emperor, the Empress, the imperial consorts, princes, and princesses were all gathered here.
The Empress Dowager wore a Russet Auspicious Pattern Brocade Robe, her hair streaked with silver. Her features were gentle, bearing the marks of time, and her gaze upon the younger generation was full of affection.
From the contours of her face, one could tell she must have been a beauty in her youth.
Yan Shixu led his wife and concubines forward to pay respects and offer New Year’s greetings to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager grinned from ear to ear and beckoned to him.
“Xu’er, come closer and let me have a good look at you. You’ve been so busy lately—have you lost weight again?”
Yan Shixu stepped to the Empress Dowager’s side and smiled. “Your grandson hasn’t lost weight.”
“Nonsense, your face has lost at least two ounces of flesh.”
The Empress Dowager looked at his thin face, her heart aching with concern.
Seated below the Empress, Yang Guifei also scrutinized the Crown Prince briefly before turning to her two sons and saying, “Cheng’er, Liang’er, you must take the Crown Prince as your role model.”
Yan Shicheng and Yan Shiliang hurriedly agreed.
Yang Guifei was exceptionally beautiful, and even as the mother of three children, she had lost none of the charm she possessed in her youth.
Over the years, Yang Guifei had enjoyed the Emperor’s favor above all other consorts, and her status was second only to the Empress.
The Empress Dowager glanced at her sideways, her eyes cooling slightly.
Yan Shiliang broke free from the palace maid holding his hand, ran to the Emperor’s side, and hugged his leg.
“Father, Liang’er has been diligently learning from the Crown Prince. Today, I even memorized a few lines of poetry.”
Yan Shiliang was only six years old, with features strikingly similar to Yang Guifei’s. He looked like a Jade-faced Boy, and with his sweet tongue, he was dearly loved by the Emperor.
The old Emperor lifted him onto his lap, his face radiating a father’s affection.
“What poem did Liang’er memorize today? Recite it for Father.”
Yan Shiliang swayed his head and recited an ancient poem:
“Lamps lit from morn to night, Years slowly take their flight. Purple towers not yet left, By green gates spring’s bereft. Cold passed behind closed door, Grass sprouts when peace I restore. Woods have their joy and cheer: Who cares for the passed year?”
At this moment, the poem “New Year” was particularly fitting.
The Emperor asked him, “Do you understand the meaning of this poem?”
Yan Shiliang replied crisply, “Yes, I do.”
“Then tell Father, what does it mean?”
“This poem expresses the poet’s detachment and transcendence from worldly power and wealth; It also reveals the vitality and changes in the world, hinting at the transformation and growth within a person’s heart; And it conveys the poet’s love and contentment with life.”
The Emperor laughed heartily, planted a firm kiss on Yan Shiliang’s cheek, and praised him for his intelligence.
He then immediately bestowed many rewards upon Yan Shiliang.
Yang Guifei smiled even more tenderly, taking a handkerchief to wipe the crumbs from the corner of Yan Shiliang’s mouth.
The Empress Dowager watched their display of familial bliss, her face instantly darkening, the disgust in her eyes toward Yang Guifei impossible to conceal.
Wen Lier stole a glance at Yan Shixu.
He sat quietly to the side, a faint smile on his lips as he observed the scene.
His fingers idly stroked a jade thumb ring on his thumb.
He appeared to be enjoying himself.
But Wen Lier caught a fleeting glimpse of bitterness in his eyes.
It was common knowledge that the Crown Prince was not favored by the Emperor.
If not for the Empress Dowager’s pressure, the Emperor would likely have already deposed the Crown Prince and replaced him with one of Yang Guifei’s sons.
Xie Zhenrong watched this scene, barely restraining the surging fury within her.
In stark contrast to this scene was the Empress.
Her expression remained composed, showing no trace of emotional fluctuation.