The night fell and the lanterns were lit. Inside the grand hall of the Weiyang Palace, bathed in soft, white light, the main seat was crafted from the finest white marble. Upon the white jade chair lay a complete tiger skin rug. The Empress, adorned with a purple-gold phoenix crown and pearl ornaments, wore a golden-yellow robe embroidered with clouds and mist. Her inner skirt was subtly outlined with silver thread, depicting phoenix motifs.
She appeared to be around forty. When she smiled, faint lines would appear at the corners of her eyes, marks that even heavy makeup couldn't completely conceal. Yet, her demeanor was exceptional, her every move exuding an air of regal grace befitting a mother to the nation.
Beside her, a white jade throne remained empty; the Emperor had not yet arrived.
The banquet guests were seated on either side. Female guests on the right, male guests on the left. Lin Yanxi sat in the front row, and with a glance upwards, she could see Shen Muzhou seated opposite her.
He sat upright, his back perfectly straight, his face devoid of any smile. Many who wished to curry favor with him were deterred by his somber gaze.
She pursed her lips, tutting. Shen Muzhou's eyes looked as if he were about to devour someone, fierce and menacing.
“Xier.” Consort Yu, her belly protruding, was supported by two maidservants as she walked to Lin Yanxi’s side.
She was dressed in a light blue gown adorned with myriad butterflies, a jade hairpin in her hair. Her captivating fox-like eyes curved into a kind smile.
Lin Yanxi rose and bowed, saying, “Greetings, Consort Yu.”
Consort Yu smiled gently, helping her up. “No need for such formalities. Is everything well at home?”
“Aunt, rest assured, all is well.”
Consort Yu stroked her belly with a contented smile. “That’s good. Xier, since you are new to the palace, be cautious with everything. My condition makes it difficult for me to visit you often. If you need anything, you can always seek my help.”
In her past life, Consort Yu had taken the young prince to the East Palace to visit Lin Yanxi, only to witness the Crown Prince’s abuse. Startled, she had covered the young prince’s mouth and fled in panic.
After that, Consort Yu never visited the East Palace again. Later, before Tang Chao suffered her miscarriage due to abuse, she had gone to seek Consort Yu’s help, but Consort Yu had avoided her.
From a rational perspective, Lin Yanxi could understand. Consort Yu was Lin Ze’s youngest sister. After many years in the palace, she had only one son. The Empress was powerful and had her eyes on Consort Yu’s child.
Understanding was one thing, but she could not forgive those who turned a blind eye to such brutality. It was their inaction that made the Crown Prince even more reckless.
Lin Yanxi actually wanted to ask Consort Yu what kind of help she meant when she said any kind of help. Was it the kind of help that stopped short of offending the Empress and the Crown Prince?
However, she didn't voice her question. She simply nodded and said, “Thank you, Aunt.”
Consort Yu smiled. “We are family, why be so formal? Your mother visited me with your father the other day. She spoke of you constantly, praising your intelligence, quick wit, and striking appearance. Seeing you today, I realize my sister-in-law did not exaggerate.”
Lin Yanxi gave a wry smile, unsure of what to say. How could her mother have praised her?
“Oh, and Eldest Sister mentioned that your relationship with you was strained recently and she wished to mend it. She asked me to teach her the most fashionable needlework in the palace, saying she wanted to make a cloak for you. Her personality…”
The Empress, seated on the white jade throne, saw Consort Yu and her gaze darkened. She spoke, “Consort Yu, is it not inconvenient for you to attend the banquet in your condition?”
“Hmph. If something were to happen to the child, you would blame me for hosting the banquet.”
As soon as the Empress spoke, the hall fell silent. No one dared to speak further.
Consort Yu’s smile faded, her expression shifting to one of apprehension. She bowed hastily, saying, “This concubine dare not. It was my oversight. Empress, please calm your anger.”
“This concubine will take her leave.”
She cast a somewhat awkward and helpless glance at Lin Yanxi before leaving the Weiyang Palace, supported by two young maids.
Lin Yanxi hesitated for a moment, then followed her out, “Aunt.”
“Aunt, I heard that Nanfeng Temple is very effective. If a husband and wife go together to pray, they can have sons or daughters. I hope Aunt can achieve your wish.”
Consort Yu paused, then nodded and smiled. Her eyes darted back towards the hall at the Empress’s venomous glare. She dared not linger any longer.
Lin Yanxi returned to her seat and had just sat down when she heard a voice:
“The Emperor has arrived.”
With a high-pitched announcement, everyone rose to bow. Lin Yanxi glanced at the noble ladies to her left and right and, following their example, knelt on the ground.
A pair of deerskin boots passed before her eyes. After a while, the Emperor took his seat on the white jade throne. With a slight wave of his hand, he said in a deep voice, “Rise.”
Everyone stood and returned to their seats.
The Emperor leaned back against the white jade chair. The Empress personally served him food. The Emperor’s countenance was majestic, inspiring awe even without anger. His eyes were deep and unfathomable, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.
Shen Muzhou’s gaze had been fixed on Lin Yanxi from the beginning. She picked up a piece of candied lotus root with her chopsticks, and he unconsciously picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.
It wasn’t very tasty; it was too sweet. He raised his eyes and saw that Lin Yanxi seemed to be enjoying it immensely, finishing the candied lotus root in small bites until the plate was empty.
“Ninth Brother, what are you smiling about?” asked the Fifth Prince, Shen Yu.
In the palace, everyone kept a respectful distance from Shen Muzhou. Only the carefree Shen Yu maintained a good relationship with him.
Shen Yu followed his gaze and saw Lin Yanxi. Luo Jingxin sat beside her. He probed cautiously, “Could it be that you’ve taken a liking to some young lady? Luo Jingxin?”
Outsiders believed Luo Jingxin and Shen Muzhou were a perfect match. Only Shen Yu knew that Shen Muzhou had no interest in her. Could he have suddenly developed feelings?
He felt a sense of crisis.
Shen Muzhou shot him a cold glance, giving him a look that conveyed "mind your own business."
“In any case, it’s not Luo Jingxin.”
Shen Yu instantly brightened, saying, “Let’s drink, Ninth Brother, let’s drink.”
Then, he put an arm around Shen Muzhou’s neck and whispered, “You promised me, didn't you? If you liked Luo Jingxin, you’d tell me first.”
Shen Muzhou raised an eyebrow, his gaze so intimidating that Shen Yu’s hair stood on end. He quickly withdrew his hand.
“This Little Ninth is less and less cute than when he was a child,” he muttered, taking a cup of fruit wine to calm his nerves.
The Empress served a piece of roasted pigeon to the Emperor, asking, “Your Majesty, shall the fresh fruits brought into the palace this year be distributed?”
The Emperor nodded. “Naturally.”
Nanshu City was located at the junction of north and south. Further south lay the Wangdu Kingdom. Every spring, various exotic fruits were brought into the palace and distributed by the Emperor to the princes, consorts, and ministers.
Soon, eunuchs and maids brought out various kinds of fresh fruits, including watermelons, cucumbers, and cherries.
Finally, a palace maid carried in a plate of lychees, with a layer of crushed ice beneath the glazed plate.
These lychees were a rare delicacy that money couldn't buy in Nanshu City. Transporting them from Wangdu required swift horses and no delays. Fresh ice had to be continuously replaced along the way. By the time they reached the palace, only about a dozen remained on the glazed plate.
The men were fine, but the women’s eyes lit up at the sight of the lychees. Lin Yanxi had eaten them once in the East Palace in her past life, but she had forgotten what they tasted like.
In any case, they had tasted delicious.
“Third Princess, Princess Chaoyang, have you tasted these lychees?”
Luo Jingxin shook her head. “How could I have tasted such rare delicacies? Moreover, I am not one who craves indulgence.”
Shen Huajun, on the other hand, cleared her throat and said proudly, “I have.”
One year, she had pleaded with her father for a long time before he agreed to give her one.
“Really? Then please tell us, Princess, what do lychees taste like?”
“These lychees… their skins are purple-red and firm. Inside, they are crystalline and round. There’s a thin peel, and beneath the peel, the flesh is thick and juicy, sweet but not cloying. And since they are chilled, the taste is cool and sweet.”
Hearing her description, Luo Jingxin couldn't help but swallow, her eyes fixed on the lychees in the glazed plate. She was yearning to taste them, even at great expense.
Even if she could have just one, she would be content.
Unfortunately, although this was not a priceless treasure, it was unobtainable in the capital, even with money. Especially in recent years, the Emperor had deemed the tribute of lychees to be a waste of resources and had not allowed it for several years.
Private trade and resale were also prohibited.
“I truly envy the Third Princess. With our status, we probably won’t ever taste them in this lifetime.”
Recalling the taste, she subtly licked her lips, praying that her father might bestow another one upon her.
Following the usual protocol, after distributing the other fruits, it was time to allocate the lychees.
The Empress smiled gracefully under the envious gazes of the crowd. She was not someone who craved food. She had eaten these lychees every year in the past. What she desired was to use such precious and rare items to showcase her status and her standing in the Emperor’s heart.
The Emperor stroked his beard, his gaze sweeping over Shen Muzhou. For the first time in a while, a faint smile appeared on his face. “These lychees are usually given to the Empress. This year, since Little Ninth is participating in the banquet, why don't the Empress yield them to Little Ninth?”
Nanshu had a total of ten princes. The tenth prince had died shortly after birth, so Shen Muzhou was the youngest. The Emperor always referred to him as Little Ninth.
The Empress’s expression, which had been as pleasant as spring sunshine, turned unsightly. His Majesty had always favored Shen Muzhou, and today he showed no consideration for the East Palace or the Qifeng Palace.
She feigned a gentle and magnanimous smile, testing the waters. “Your Majesty need not use the word ‘yield.’ As the mistress of the harem, what have I not eaten? It is indeed time to distribute them to the children. However, are these lychees to be awarded entirely to the Ninth Prince?”
Her implication was that she didn’t need them herself, but if they were to be given to the Mu King’s residence, then the East Palace should also receive a portion.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes. “There aren’t many of these lychees in total, so let’s not divide them. Little Ninth, come and receive your reward.”
Shen Muzhou had specifically requested the Emperor for lychees as a reward in the afternoon. The Emperor didn’t care who received them, but he was curious as to whom the usually cold and aloof Little Ninth was seeking them for. And since this plate of lychees was a rewarded favor, it naturally came with a price.
The Empress was seething with anger inwardly, but outwardly, she had to maintain her dignified and virtuous demeanor as the mother of the nation. However, her gaze towards Shen Muzhou was exceedingly sinister and venomous.
Shen Muzhou responded with a deep voice, stepped forward to express his gratitude, and took the plate of lychees.
The young ladies gathered together, looking at Luo Jingxin with envy. “Princess Chaoyang will have a feast! You have such deep affection for the Ninth Prince; surely he will share this reward with you.”
Luo Jingxin smiled gently and said, “The Prince might know I enjoy fresh fruits.”
These words reached Lin Yanxi’s ears word for word. She scoffed.
No wonder he suddenly attended the banquet; it was for Luo Jingxin. She subtly glanced in their direction.
The pearl hairpin on Luo Jingxin’s head trembled, standing out among the other young ladies. She sat in the front row, the center of attention, smiling coquettishly.
They are quite a pair, she thought with a wry smile, turning her gaze back.
Shen Huajun’s hopes dashed, she stared reluctantly at the plate of purple-skinned lychees. “Yes, the Prince will surely give them to you, Sister. Could you share one with me?”
“I wonder when my father will permit the tribute of lychees again.”
Luo Jingxin smiled without speaking, but inwardly she thought these rare delicacies were not meant for people like them; only she herself was worthy of such good things.
“Oh my goodness, the Ninth Prince is really coming towards us! He must be bringing them to Princess Chaoyang.”
Shen Muzhou’s alluring peach blossom eyes swept over the young ladies seated in the right-hand three rows. They blushed, afraid to meet his gaze.
Even Luo Jingxin covered her mouth with a handkerchief, concealing a hint of delight. She adjusted her hair, waiting for him to approach her.
In her mind, she envisioned herself, surrounded by the envious gazes of the capital’s noblewomen, taking a small bite of the lychee’s white flesh, the sweet juice bursting in her mouth.