These words exploded in Yu Yihe’s ears like a sudden clap of thunder, but before anyone else could speak, Consort Rong had already identified the man herself.
“He is the eldest brother of my sister-in-law from my maiden home. He currently serves as a yuanwailang in the Ministry of War. He lost his wife last year. I wonder if the Second Miss would be interested?”
Consort Rong hailed from the Zhenguo Gongfu, so the elder brother of the Heir’s wife was undoubtedly from a prestigious family. It wouldn’t be a slight to the Yu family. However, everyone knew that Consort Rong was a late-born child of the Duchess of Zhenguo; by the time Consort Rong was born, her eldest brother had already started a family. Her sister-in-law’s elder brother would surely be more than twenty years older than Yu Yihe.
Yu Zhaoyuan’s beautiful face immediately chilled as she rejected the offer on Yu Yihe’s behalf. “Thank you for your concern, Imperial Consort, but I fear that gentleman is not a good match for my second sister. Let us drop the matter.”
She had never gotten along with Consort Rong, so why would she want any connection with her? Moreover, what Consort Rong was doing was essentially no different from an insult.
The atmosphere froze instantly, but only for a moment. The announcement of a Neishi from outside broke the deadlock—”The Emperor has arrived!”
Everyone present immediately shifted their attention to the sovereign, and the previous incident was no longer mentioned.
Wei Jingheng looked at the nearly full side hall and let out a nearly imperceptible sigh of relief.
He did not enjoy large banquets and preferred to keep things as simple as possible. However, no matter how modest a Wanshou Yan was held in the palace, it was always tedious. The sight of the Qingyuan Dian packed with titled lords and ministers was enough to cause a headache. After feasting the officials, there were still the concubines of the inner palace to deal with. By holding it at Qiqing Garden this time, constrained by the venue and guest list, he hoped it wouldn’t last too long.
Amidst the kneeling salutations of the crowd, the Emperor ascended the steps and took his seat on the throne upon the high platform. After some brief pleasantries, he announced the start of the banquet.
Even though it wasn’t in the palace, the standard performances for such an event were still present. The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments soon filled the air. The nobles and aristocrats who had accompanied the carriage to Qiqing Garden took turns wishing the Emperor longevity, creating a lively scene. Behind the silk curtain, the imperial concubines and female relatives also began to move.
It had been many years since Yu Yihe had seen such music and dance. Her last memory of it was when she was twelve or thirteen, back when the late Emperor was still alive. Later, although she married into the Wei family, it was to the second son, so she naturally didn’t have the status to follow her elders into the palace for banquets.
She felt a touch of melancholy—not because she particularly loved such gatherings, but because she lamented that she couldn’t bring her daughter to see this and broaden her horizons.
While she was lost in thought, the Madam of Nanning at the front table suddenly turned around. Holding a cup of wine with her plump fingers, she looked at Madam Yu and Yu Yihe and smiled. “It is not easy for the four of us, mother and daughters, to attend His Majesty’s Wanshou Yan together. We should drink our fill.”
The voice of the Madam of Nanning was mostly drowned out by the music. Before Yu Yihe could hear clearly, Madam Yu beside her had already picked up her wine cup. With no other choice, she followed suit.
The wine served to the concubines and female relatives was usually a light fruit wine, but drinking several cups could still go to one’s head. After a few rounds, Madam Yu and the Madam of Nanning began laughing and chatting about stories from their childhood.
“…At that time, I received a reward from the Empress Dowager. Just as the eunuch delivered the gifts to the residence, you three little rascals spotted those three palace flowers. You huddled together and pounced on them. There was quite a fuss back then—wasn’t it over who got which flower? Your second sister even cried about it.”
Having finished two cups of wine, a look of maternal affection appeared on Madam Yu’s face. She picked out old memories to share, causing the Countess, Yu Yiwei, to double over with laughter.
“I remember that. I think the youngest sister took a fancy to the one in second sister’s hand? We were all young and ignorant then. Who would make a fuss over a tiny palace flower now? Isn’t that right, second sister?”
Yu Yihe, who had been keeping her eyes lowered, looked up and gave a faint smile. “I don’t remember much of that incident. A flower is of no great consequence.”
Yu Yiwei and Madam Yu didn’t notice anything amiss and moved on to other amusing anecdotes. Yu Yihe maintained a gentle, listening posture, but in her heart, she thought: I do remember. I remember the colors of those three palace flowers clearly. One was bright red, one was pink, and one was pale yellow.
Back then, they were all children under ten, and naturally, every one of them vied for the vibrant red and beautiful pink. The eldest sister, being the oldest, got the bright red one. She herself got the pink one. The youngest sister had nothing, but after one glance at what was left, she started crying and screaming for the flowers in her sisters’ hands. Eventually, the matter reached their mother.
“It’s just a flower, why not let your younger sister have it?”
“She is the eldest sister, so naturally, she should have the first pick.”
In the end, the flower in Yu Yihe’s hand was swapped for the pale yellow one.
Yu Yihe sipped her wine in silence as her thoughts drifted, unaware that someone was observing her from the high platform.
The social customs of this dynasty were relatively open. The wide silk curtain between the officials and the female relatives was merely a symbolic gesture; it was not a solid barrier. While the officials opposite might see only blurred silhouettes, the Emperor’s view from the high platform was not entirely obstructed.
He only needed to tilt his head slightly to meet the gaze of Consort Rong or Yu Zhaoyuan, who sat in the first and second seats to his right. Consequently, he could not help but see Yu Yihe, who sat behind Yu Zhaoyuan.
Among the many female relatives who were either watching the dance, conversing, or drinking, she was the only one holding her wine and lost in thought. Her cheeks were flushed pink, and her red lips pressed against the white porcelain cup—poised to drink but hesitating, like a lotus standing tall and graceful.
As Wei Jingheng looked away to acknowledge a toast from a minister below, he thought to himself: Pink suits her very well.
The men’s wine was grain-based. After a few cups, Wei Jingheng couldn’t help but rub his temples. Li Fuhai noticed this and immediately took the hint. “The wine is going to your head. Why don’t you go out for some air, Your Majesty?”
Yu Yihe didn’t notice the Emperor’s departure. After a brief moment of daydreaming, she was called to the front table by Yu Zhaoyuan. As she stood up, she felt her cheeks burning, but she dared not disobey an imperial concubine’s command.
The Zhaoyuan had a maid place a round stool by the table and pulled Yu Yihe down to sit, placing a cup of wine before her. “Second sister, don’t be biased. If you drink with Mother and Eldest Sister, how can you forget your youngest sister?”
“I wouldn’t dare. I’ll drink.”
Even though she was utterly disappointed with her mother and this sister, Yu Yihe didn’t dare offend them. She picked up the cup and drained it in one go. After a few more cups, Yu Yihe felt her body becoming unsteady and hurriedly pleaded for mercy. “Imperial Consort, please spare me.”
Yu Zhaoyuan saw her peach-colored cheeks and spring-like expression. After a brief pause, she personally poured a cup and held it out to Yu Yihe.
“Second sister, have just this one more cup.”
Yu Yihe wanted to please her and reached out to take it. Unexpectedly, during the handoff, the cup wobbled. With a “clink,” the glass shattered, and the wine spilled instantly, soaking the front of Yu Yihe’s dress.
“Quick, take my second sister to change her clothes.”
Before Yu Yihe could say a word, Yu Zhaoyuan had already ordered the maids beside her. Yu Yihe had no choice but to clutch her bodice and follow a maid out of the side hall.
The Emperor was hosting an evening banquet. When Yu Yihe first entered the hall, the sun was already setting; now that she was out, the lanterns were being lit. Yu Yihe observed her surroundings as she followed the maid. Though things were a bit blurry in the twilight, she could remember about seventy or eighty percent of the path.
This was both her habit and her talent. Once Yu Yihe walked a path, she could find her way back perfectly—but only when she was sober. Now, Yu Yihe felt her head growing hotter and her body becoming increasingly soft.
Was the royal fruit wine really this strong? Or was it because she hadn’t touched alcohol in three years and her tolerance had dropped?
Perhaps noticing Yu Yihe’s poor state, the little maid stopped and explained, “The banquet was held in His Majesty’s side hall. To avoid any suspicion, the ladies’ changing room was set further away. Miss, have you had a bit too much to drink?”
Yu Yihe thought for a moment and nodded. she didn’t want to push herself. With men and women mixed in this area, going too far might lead to trouble.
Seeing this, the maid said thoughtfully, “It just so happens that this is a tenglang, and there are palace lanterns at both ends. The summer breeze is warm as well. Why doesn’t the Miss catch the breeze here to clear her head from the wine? You can wait for your clothes to dry here.”
This suggestion suited Yu Yihe perfectly. She immediately sat down on a long bench under the gallery. The night concealed the inscrutable smile on the little maid’s face. “This servant will go fetch a cup of sober-up soup for the Miss.”
Yu Yihe didn’t stop her. She remembered the way she came; even without the maid, she could return on her own.
…
The decadent music in the Xi Dian continued. Wei Jingheng took a few sips of sober-up soup and set it down. He was not a particularly self-indulgent Emperor; he still intended to go back and end the banquet personally. However, he hadn’t expected an accident on the way back.
Under the dark tenglang, a person was leaning against a pillar. Perhaps hearing footsteps, she slowly turned her head, revealing a face that was both familiar and strange. It was familiar because he had glanced at her during the banquet, but strange because he had never seen her looking like this.
The woman’s cheeks were crimson, and her eyes were hazy. With a single glance, a startling hint of allure escaped her—the image of a graceful, pure lotus was gone.