Every day leading up to the Mid-Autumn banquet,
Xiao Shizhi had trouble sleeping.
Who would have thought that Bai Fuxue would truly come to the Zichen Hall every day to work alongside her?
Whenever Xiao Shizhi turned around, she could see Bai Fuxue diligently discussing matters with the palace attendants.
Of course, when Bai Fuxue summoned the attendants, she did so in the Zichen Hall.
In the Peaceful Hall, the Empress hurled her jade ruyi to the ground with a violent crash,
The Empress hissed venomously, “Consort Bai certainly knows how to wield a chicken feather as a command arrow, how audacious!”
Her personal maid replied, “Your Majesty, neither Consort Huang nor Lady Xu managed to trip up Bai Fuxue as expected.”
The Empress’s beautiful face now resembled a wrathful asura from hell,
bearing no trace of the dignity befitting the mother of a nation.
The Empress snarled madly, “Consort Bai has stolen the Emperor’s attention, and now she’s grasping for authority over the inner palace too! How greedy can she be!”
She flung a teacup at a maid kneeling on the floor,
“Rumors of Consort Bai and His Majesty in the Zichen Hall have even reached the imperial court! Who knows what that woman is doing with the Emperor!”
“If they carry on so licentiously in broad daylight, what must their nights be like!”
The struck maid dared not make a sound, kneeling motionless as blood trickled from the corner of her eye.
On the day of the Mid-Autumn banquet, the “licentious” Xiao Shizhi and the “licentious” Bai Fuxue finally took a break.
Bai Fuxue went to oversee the banquet arrangements, while Xiao Shizhi sat among the consorts and ministers.
To her left were the imperial concubines, to her right the court officials.
Beside her sat the unfamiliar Empress.
The Empress tenderly placed her hand over Xiao Shizhi’s, saying with concern,
“Your Majesty, the dark circles under your eyes show you’ve been overworking.”
With the dignified grace of a nation’s mother, she frowned slightly and added,
“Consort Bai really should have reminded Your Majesty to rest, seeing her with you every day.”
As she spoke, the Empress glanced at Li Dequan standing behind them.
Li Dequan averted his gaze.
Ever since Bai Fuxue started coming to the Zichen Hall, Xiao Shizhi had stopped taking walks.
Even the consorts’ chances for “accidental encounters” had been stripped away.
Everyone cursed Bai Fuxue as a seductive vixen.
Only Li Dequan knew the truth the Emperor had genuinely been diligent.
Not even ten previous emperors combined could match His Majesty’s recent diligence.
Xiao Shizhi subtly withdrew her hand from the Empress’s grasp and said,
“It’s not Consort Bai’s fault.”
The Empress: “…”
As lanterns glowed in the evening, glazed tiles shimmered, and music from silk and bamboo instruments filled the air, dancers with flowing sleeves entered in procession.
Xiao Shixhi had never seen ancient beauties dance before, and for a moment, her attention was completely captivated by their exquisite skill.
There was no lust in her gaze, only pure appreciation.
Watching the supple, graceful dancers, Xiao Shizhi thought that if modern historical dramas could replicate even a third of this artistry, it would be considered masterful.
The Empress gritted her teeth, though she maintained a gentle facade, “Does Your Majesty fancy the lead dancer?”
Xiao Shizhi nodded, “She is quite beautiful, very skilled.”
While Xiao Shizhi was still admiring the performance, she noticed that Bai Fuxue, who had already taken her seat, was also watching the lead dancer.
Xiao Shizhi: ?
Songluo whispered a reminder, “Your Highness, you should tone down your gaze.”
Bai Fuxue took a sip of chilled wine, “What a stunning beauty. No wonder I picked her as the lead dancer out of all those candidates.”
Seeing the look in her mistress’s eyes, Songluo nearly wept, “Your Highness! His Majesty is watching you!”
Bai Fuxue looked up at Xiao Shizhi seated in the main position above and offered an awkward yet polite smile.
Who wouldn’t enjoy cozying up to a lovely beauty?
The lead dancer was draped in chains of gold, each embedded with several gemstones, and her dress was woven from gold threads and bird feathers.
Elegance seemed etched into her very bones.
Her appearance, in particular, was that of a classic Jiangnan beauty a reserved, classical beauty paired with exquisite attire, creating a unique charm.
Even Bai Fuxue couldn’t help but steal a few more glances (her eyes nearly popping out of her head).
Xiao Shizhi immediately averted her gaze and cleared her throat awkwardly.
The ministers exchanged toasts, raising their cups in a lively atmosphere.
“I heard this banquet was organized by Consort Bai. It’s truly remarkable everything is so meticulous and refined.”
“Is this Consort Bai the same Lady Bai from the late emperor’s reign?”
“Exactly, it’s her. She’s already twenty-three, yet her grace and charm rival even the younger consorts in the rear palace.”
“The Bai family’s immense fortune owes much to this daughter.”
Prince Su snorted indifferently and shifted his gaze to the old General Bai.
Then, he turned his eyes to the Empress seated high beside Her Majesty the Queen.
The Empress spoke gently, “Your Majesty, look how capable Consort Bai is. Such a grand banquet, and not a single flaw to be found. I feel quite inadequate in comparison.”
Xiao Shizhi took a sip of warm wine, her eyes already showing a hint of intoxication.
She gazed at Bai Fuxue, the tips of her ears slightly reddening.
Her little beauty was truly adorable.
The Empress continued, “To coordinate so many affairs so flawlessly, it must be with the strong support of the General’s estate. General Bai has truly been a loyal and capable servant in easing Your Majesty’s burdens.”
Bai Nianyong, whose hearing was exceptionally sharp, felt as if needles were pricking his back. His aged body twitched slightly, and he glanced at the Empress in disbelief before quickly looking away.
This was no compliment to the Bai family!
It was clearly pushing them into a pit of fire,
Praising them for easing the Emperor’s burdens? More like insinuating they had overstepped their bounds into the palace affairs.
Prince Su curled his lips and raised his cup with both hands, “On this splendid mid-autumn night, under the full moon, I toast to Your Majesty.”
Xiao Shizhi drained the half-filled cup in one go.
Next came a round of toasts from the consorts. Noble Consort Rong, having suffered repeated setbacks, had largely shed her formerly arrogant and extravagant demeanor, though she still shot a resentful glance at Bai Fuxue.
After offering a few auspicious words, she downed her cup in one gulp.
Bai Fuxue’s cup was refilled again and again, as an unfamiliar palace maid finished pouring wine from the jade jug for Song Luo.
Clear wine flowed from the white jade jug into Bai Fuxue’s cup.
By now, Bai Fuxue’s cheeks were flushed with intoxication, her delicate body leaning limply against the chair back.
The beauty’s laughter was like blossoms trembling in the wind.
And trembling along with it was Xiao Shizhi’s heart.
Cup after cup, Bai Fuxue grew merrier with each drink.
Seeing her completely intoxicated, Xiao Shizhi chuckled softly, “Escort Consort Bai back to rest.”
But Bai Fuxue was not satisfied, nearly finishing all the wine in the white jade jug.
In her real life, she had few ways to relieve stress alcohol was one of them.
The ancient wine had a low alcohol content, requiring a lot to feel its effects.
Slightly tipsy, Xiao Shizhi listened to the lingering melodies of strings and pipes around her.
Amid the gentle songs and graceful dances, a flicker of unease crossed her mind.
The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet had corresponding scenes in the novel.
Bai Fuxue stumbled out of the palace, her dazed eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.
She didn’t recognize this place before her stood an aged, dilapidated palace.
Her court robes were already stained with wine, becoming disheveled as she staggered along, her hair tangled by tree branches.
The pitch darkness outside felt like a different world compared to the brightly lit palace halls.
The palace maid behind her spoke in a fearful, hushed voice: “Your Highness, it’s just ahead.”
Bai Fuxue’s vision blurred the alcohol had clouded her mind terribly.
All she wanted was to find somewhere to lie down immediately.
Pushing open the creaking wooden door, she saw a simple bed with basic bedding.
A woman already lay on the bed, her clothes torn open, eyes glistening with moisture, apparently drugged with something.
Waves of heat surged through Bai Fuxue’s body, making her unbearably feverish. Stumbling to the bedside, she finally recognized the woman as the beautiful lead dancer she had admired.
The suffering woman tore at her own clothes and collapsed weakly against Bai Fuxue.
“So hot, I’m burning up.”
The exposed pale skin instantly sobered Bai Fuxue.
Just as she made the recognition, the wooden door was locked from outside.
While spring’s passions filled the chamber, outside gathered the crowd coming to catch adulterers.
Defiling the imperial harem, a crime punishable by execution of nine generations.