The grand state banquet was held in the Hall of Harmony and Benevolence.
The hall itself was imposing and majestic, built to inspire awe. Twelve massive golden pillars rose from floor to ceiling. Their bases were inlaid with fine gold carved into the patterns of the legendary Taotie beast its eyes wide and fierce, its jaws agape as if ready to swallow the sun, moon, and stars.
Though the banquet had not yet officially begun, many guests had already arrived.
Ministers and officials sat in one section, while envoys from foreign lands occupied another. The seats for the officials’ wives and the imperial consorts were placed close together, but separated from the men by a large screen.
The atmosphere remained pleasant and lively, with soft conversation and laughter filling the air.
The adults chatted and joked about matters that meant nothing to Yi Yi, whose entire attention was fixed firmly on the food laid out on the table.
Since the feast had not started in full, only fruits and light pastries had been served. This was far from enough to satisfy her. Yi Yi ate slowly and carefully, savoring every bite so she would not finish everything too quickly and be left hungry.
“Consort Xi, you are said to be so highly favored yet why do you sit in such a corner?”
Hearing the voice, Jiang Wantang looked up.
A group of consorts approached, led by Imperial Consort Liu. The speaker was Noble Lady Shen, and the jealousy in her tone was impossible to miss.
Jiang Wantang lowered her gaze, choosing not to reply. She simply continued feeding Yi Yi her fruit.
Ignored so openly, Noble Lady Shen felt her temper rise.
“Consort Xi, you really must teach the princess better manners. She is so willful and unruly I would hate to be driven to my death just like Consort Qi was!” As she spoke, she pretended to wipe away tears that were not there.
Her words caught the attention of the ladies sitting nearby. All ears pricked up, eager for gossip.
One woman, speaking with feigned indignation, said, “With envoys from so many nations present today, we ought to present the finest example of Great Xia’s grace. As His Majesty’s only child, the princess should set a worthy standard of conduct.”
Murmurs spread through the hall, and many eyes turned toward Jiang Wantang and Yi Yi with suspicion and disapproval.
Noble Lady Shen quickly joined in. “Indeed. It is terrible enough that Consort Qi died for no reason. But if the princess acts so rudely and recklessly at today’s state banquet, it will bring shame upon all the rules and customs of the court!”
She stared challengingly at Jiang Wantang, while several other consorts echoed her words. Imperial Consort Liu merely watched from the side, looking as if she had nothing to do with the matter.
“Stop it… you… bad auntie… leave my mummy alone!”
Yi Yi still had food in her mouth, so her words came out thick and slurred but her expression was fierce and determined, as if she meant every word.
To the onlookers, however, this outburst only seemed to confirm the rumors of her spoiled, unruly nature.
Jiang Wantang pulled the fuming little girl back into her seat and popped a grape into her mouth to quiet her.
Her own face turned cold and calm. “Noble Lady Shen, you claim the princess is willful and unruly, yet you offer no proof. Believing idle gossip and slandering the Emperor’s own child is your first offense.”
“Second, though I am only here as a consort and you as a noble lady, you have not offered me the proper greeting and respect upon seeing me. That is your second offense.”
The ladies of the court listened closely, and their opinion shifted once more.
One whispered, “The rumors said Consort Xi came from the countryside and could not teach her child proper behavior. But judging from this, the truth seems quite different.”
At the very least, she had handled Noble Lady Shen far more gracefully and with far more dignity.
Hearing these whispers, Noble Lady Shen’s face flushed bright red. Reluctantly, she bowed and muttered, “Greetings, Consort Xi.”
Before Jiang Wantang could reply, she turned and stormed away in a huff.
Jiang Wantang sat back down.
Yi Yi pouted sadly as she ate the last sunflower seed.
No more food… I am so hungry…
She glanced toward the table on her right, then shook her head. Those belonged to those mean aunties she would not eat from them.
Turning her head to the left, she stared longingly at the next place setting.
Beside her sat Pei Xue, the wife of the Prime Minister. Seeing the little girl looking so eager, she smiled and handed her a handful of seeds.
Yi Yi beamed in delight and thanked her sweetly. “Thank you, pretty sister!”
Sister?
Pei Xue felt her heart melt. She had known all along that those rumors were nothing but lies. How could such a lovely child ever drive someone to death?
And even if she was a little spoiled she was the only princess of Great Xia. Surely she deserved to be treated with extra care.
Pei Xue pushed all the fruits and pastries from her own place over to Yi Yi’s table.
“Mummy.”
A small boy’s voice sounded, flat and expressionless, as if he were speaking without much thought.
He looked about six or seven years old, with fair, delicate features and beautiful, deep black eyes yet his gaze was distant and slow.
Pei Xue realized with a start. She had been so caught up in the moment that she had forgotten her own son.
This was Lu Jingchuan, the Prime Minister’s only child. He had been taken to the washroom earlier and she had completely lost track of him.
Pei Xue quickly pulled him into her arms and patted him gently.
“Princess, would you like to play with Little Chuan?” she asked Yi Yi.
Since Lu Jingchuan had returned, she had noticed Yi Yi watching him closely. Thinking there were no other children around for the princess to play with, she assumed Yi Yi wanted company.
In truth, Yi Yi was only thinking that this boy smelled wonderful rich with that dark, foul energy she loved so much.
She walked over to him with a bright smile. “Brother, let’s play together, okay?”
Pei Xue was surprised. Lu Jingchuan, though five years old, had the mind of a child barely two. No other children in the school or palace ever wanted to play with him.
She asked gently, “Princess, Little Chuan may be a little slow. Are you sure you want to play with him?”
Yi Yi nodded eagerly. He smells so good of course I want to stay close!
“Wonderful,” Pei Xue said, fighting back tears of joy. “Little Chuan, you must promise to protect Princess Yi Yi.”
After a long pause, Lu Jingchuan finally understood. “I will protect Princess Yi Yi.” His round face was serious, as if taking a solemn oath.
Pei Xue spoke briefly with Jiang Wantang, then asked her servants and Qinghe to take the two children to the play area set aside for young guests.
For the adults’ convenience, the play area was not far from the main hall.
When Yi Yi and Lu Jingchuan arrived, several other children were already there.
Some built sandcastles, others climbed wooden ladders, and a few swung on swings. Servants stood nearby, watching carefully to ensure their young masters and mistresses stayed safe.
There were many things to do but Yi Yi had only one goal: the table piled high with sweet pastries and treats.
Lu Jingchuan followed her, sitting down obediently as she pulled him along.
Yi Yi ate happily, enjoying not just the cakes and sweets but also the dark energy she was quietly drawing from the boy beside her.
It tasted delicious.
“Brother, come closer… I can’t reach.”
Lu Jingchuan stared blankly, then pushed his chair a little nearer. He was busy peeling seeds for her, thinking she just wanted easier access to the food.
As Yi Yi absorbed the energy bit by bit, Lu Jingchuan did not notice but his fingers began to work faster, his movements becoming smoother and more coordinated.
“Hey, you slow-witted fool! Do you really think someone like you is fit to play with the princess?!”