Chapter 1833: Chapter 1833: Palace Banquet (Part 1)
Zuo Qingqing furrowed her brows and turned to look at Cui Fangfang.
Cui Fangfang smiled at her, then looked in Yang Ruxin’s direction, "Too much of a show-off, it feels a bit off."
Zuo Qingqing laughed, "I was just thinking the same thing..."
Cui Fangfang glanced at Zuo Qingqing. Even without saying more, there was a mutual understanding in their eyes.
Meanwhile, the conversation on the other side was lively.
"I realized you truly love food and know your stuff," Jiang Fangfei gave a thumbs-up, "I can’t stand it, I must visit your home; you’ve made me crave it."
"Alright, then let’s set it for the day after tomorrow," Qi Zizi decided immediately, "You can prepare tomorrow."
Others were interested in going too, but considering their unfamiliarity, they didn’t speak up.
Yang Ruxin found it amusing yet didn’t reject the idea, so she nodded, "Then I will welcome the County Mistress the day after tomorrow."
At that moment, a palace maid came to announce that the morning court session at the front had ended, and everyone was to proceed to Taihe Hall.
Everyone stood up in succession.
Jiang Fangfei’s personal palace maid, Dankou, came in and whispered a few words in her ear. Jiang Fangfei frowned, but after a slight pause, she waved her hand and returned to normal.
Yang Ruxin was slightly behind her. Due to her keen sense of hearing, she caught the gist of it and was surprised — Peng Jing had strained her back? What astonishing thing had she done at the palace gates? Of course, with that girl, nothing was surprising.
However, what intrigued her was whether the appearance of the King of Han was a coincidence or...
Jiang Fangfei glanced around, then slowed her pace to walk alongside Yang Ruxin, "That Peng Jing is truly astonishing."
Yang Ruxin glanced sideways at her, feigning ignorance, "What extraordinary thing has she done this time?"
Jiang Fangfei relayed what she had heard, then shook her head with a smile, "I’ve never seen anyone so troublesome."
"Did that coachman provoke her?" Yang Ruxin was also surprised; it turns out it was to kick that little coachman’s driver? That’s just too...
"Who knows!" Jiang Fangfei shrugged, "However, her absence saves us from being annoyed at the birthday banquet."
"Makes sense." Yang Ruxin laughed as well.
A group of older ladies led by the Empress Dowager had reached the doorway by now. Seeing the young ladies approaching, they gestured — those in sedan chairs sat in sedan chairs, those walking walked, heading towards Taihe Hall.
At this moment, Taihe Hall was already adorned with lanterns, exuding a festive atmosphere.
Emperor Xuanjing Qi Wei, in a bright yellow Dragon Robe, sat majestically on the dragon throne in the center of Taihe Hall, looking at the civil and military officials below with a face full of joy, full of spirit.
And the officials below, naturally, were also full of cheer and continuously offering compliments.
At this moment, outside, an eunuch announced loudly the arrival of the Empress Dowager, the imperial noble consort, the Virtuous Concubine...
There were grade restrictions for officials attending palace banquets, and the concubines attending also needed to meet grade requirements. Not everyone could attend; no matter how much the Emperor favored someone, without the necessary grade, they couldn’t come.
After everyone chanted ’long live,’ they began to take their seats.
The seating arrangement also had its rules, with higher grades sitting closer to the Emperor.
The men sat in the front, followed by their families.
However, there were cases when men weren’t present, like Duke Anguo Shen Xuan, whose old Lord was still stationed at the Western Frontier, so his seat was occupied by his wife Shen Zhaoshi.