The following day, Yan Linyuan did not come.
However, Wang Shunde arrived at Linhua Palace accompanied by several young eunuchs, all of whom were carrying a few chests.
When the chests were opened, they revealed various types of clothing fabrics and several ready-made garments. The embroidery was exquisite, yet the styles were simple and elegant.
“Young Master Yun,” Wang Shunde said, bowing. “The Emperor commanded this old servant to deliver some clothing. He said that since the New Year is approaching, the palace will be hosting a banquet, and the Young Master will need to make an appearance. Please look through these clothes and see if any catch your eye. If not, the Bureau of Clothing can have new ones made.”
Yun Biechen was leaning on the couch reading a book. Upon hearing this, he raised his eyes and swept a glance over the clothing.
Moon-white, light cyan, ivory white; most were plain in color, with only subtle, dark patterns embroidered on the collars and cuffs. Only a small portion had more vibrant colors.
Yan Linyuan must have given instructions beforehand, as most of them were in the colors he usually preferred to wear.
“Everything is fine,” he said.
Wang Shunde paused. “Would the Young Master not like to try a few on?”
“There is no need,” Yun Biechen said, lowering his head to continue reading. “You may handle it as you see fit.”
Wang Shunde had no choice but to have the eunuchs carry the chests into the inner room and hang the garments up one by one. After they were finished, he added, “The palace banquet is on the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month and will be held in Linde Hall. All court officials will be in attendance, and the consorts of the inner palace are all required to attend as well.”
Yun Biechen grunted, signaling that he understood.
Wang Shunde continued, “The Emperor ordered that what the Young Master wears and what accessories you choose are entirely up to you. If there is anything you need, just tell this old servant.”
“Understood,” Yun Biechen said, turning a page.
Seeing that he truly had no interest, Wang Shunde did not say anything further, bowed, and withdrew.
He had to hurry back to report to the Emperor.
Ordinarily, a matter like delivering clothes would not require the Chief Eunuch’s personal attention, but these clothes had been personally selected by the Emperor, so he had to be the one to deliver them.
Within the inner palace, the atmosphere had become quite lively over the past few days.
The palace banquet was a major annual event. Consorts were required to attend and show their faces before the Emperor and the court officials. Even those who were not usually favored spent these days dressing meticulously, hoping to catch the Emperor’s eye during the banquet.
If they could garner his attention and earn his favor, their days in the palace would surely become easier, and the benefits brought to their families would be immense.
Consort Li’s foot injury had fully healed. For the past few days, she had been busy preparing her attire and jewelry for the banquet, calling the people from the Bureau of Clothing to her chambers several times.
“This one will not do; the color is too dark,” she said, pointing to a dark purple gown. “I want that newly offered piece of Cloud-Mist Brocade, the red one.”
The female official from the Bureau of Clothing looked troubled. “Your Highness, that piece of Cloud-Mist Brocade, the Emperor ordered that it be reserved for making clothes for the person in Linhua Palace.”
Consort Li’s face darkened. “For Yun Biechen?”
“Yes.”
“He is a man; why does he need to wear Cloud-Mist Brocade?” Consort Li sneered. “Forget it. I do not want it. Bring me that Moon-Glory Satin, the one with silver thread embroidery.”
The official was cautious. “That piece was also given to Young Master Yun by the Emperor.”
Consort Li’s face was now filled with fury, but she did not dare to vent her anger on anyone outside her own palace, so she could only suppress her rage and say, “Then bring me that one.”
The official breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly agreed.
Consort Li sat before her dressing table, carefully tracing her eyebrows in the bronze mirror. She was in a foul mood, and after spending a long time drawing them without satisfaction, she finally threw the eyebrow pencil aside.
“What is Yun Biechen going to do that day?” she asked her head maid.
The maid whispered, “This servant has inquired, and there is no movement at Linhua Palace. Wang Shunde delivered the clothes, but Young Master Yun did not even look at them, simply saying that everything was fine.”
“Everything is fine?” Consort Li scoffed. “He certainly knows how to put on airs.” Her eyes were filled with jealousy.
Why should she be forced to use only what he left behind? Yun Biechen truly deserved to die. Once she gained the Emperor’s favor, she would give Yun Biechen a harsh lesson.
She thought for a moment and said, “Go ask the side of the Fengyi Palace what the Empress intends to wear or do that day.”
The maid acknowledged the order and went.
In Fengyi Palace, Empress Lin Qingwan was sitting by the window reading a book.
She was wearing a light cyan daily robe, and her hair was adorned with only a single jade hairpin, appearing so plain that she did not look like an Empress at all.
Her head maid, Qiuyue, was holding a bright red palace gown, asking carefully, “Your Majesty, would this be suitable for the banquet?”
Lin Qingwan looked up, shook her head, and said, “It is too gaudy.”
“But this is bright red, the color the Empress should wear.”
“Change to that smoky purple one,” Lin Qingwan closed the book. “Simple is better.” She did not care for these superficial things; what mattered was what pleased her.
Qiuyue muttered, “But Consort Li will surely dress up to the nines, trying to outshine you.”
“Let her outshine me if she wishes,” Lin Qingwan said calmly. “I do not care about such things.”
She stood up and walked to the flower stand, picking up a watering can to water an orchid. The orchid was growing well, with emerald leaves and already-formed flower buds.
“Your Majesty,” Qiuyue put down the palace gown and walked over, “Consort Li’s people came to inquire about what you intend to wear or do that day.”
Lin Qingwan’s hand paused in its watering. “She is certainly diligent. To have such leisure to expend her energy on these matters.”
“Indeed,” Qiuyue pouted. “I hear she has been running to the Bureau of Clothing every day, wanting this and that, and she has even been inquiring about the one in Linhua Palace.”
“Yun Biechen?” Lin Qingwan put down the watering can. “Why is she inquiring about him?”
“What else could it be?” Qiuyue lowered her voice. “Jealousy. The Emperor runs to Linhua Palace every day now. Consort Li has lost favor and is unhappy, so she likely wants to find trouble with Young Master Yun at the banquet.”
Lin Qingwan sighed lightly. “Go tell the people in Consort Li’s palace that I will keep everything simple that day, with no dancing or music, and tell her to cease these petty schemes.”
“And as for Young Master Yun?”
“As for Young Master Yun,” Lin Qingwan thought for a moment, “have someone send word to Linhua Palace. Tell him that if he needs anything on the day of the banquet, he may come to me.”
Qiuyue was startled. “Your Majesty, you are…”
“I am the Empress; managing the inner palace is my duty,” Lin Qingwan picked up her book again. “If Consort Li truly causes a scene, I will also have a headache. The Emperor will likely be unhappy in his heart as well; it is better to send a greeting in advance so that Young Master Yun is prepared.”
Qiuyue understood. “Is Your Majesty worried that Consort Li will trouble Young Master Yun and make a scene that will be difficult to settle?”
Lin Qingwan did not speak, which was her way of acknowledging it.
She opened the book and continued reading. The sunlight from outside the window shone in, casting a soft glow over her. She read intently, occasionally taking up a brush to write a few words in the margins in elegant, neat handwriting.