The Huayang Palace was most lively in the first lunar month, with imperial consorts and noble ladies from outside the palace seeking audience daily. There were small banquets every three days and grand feasts every five, truly a spectacle of perfumed silks and shimmering candlelight.
Consort Wei was also in high spirits, magnificent and noble, surpassing even the Empress in her bearing.
Today's banquet was specially hosted by her for Wang Qingyao, with the primary aim of offering apologies. Even the Empress Dowager had been invited.
Besides the Empress Dowager, Consort Chen was also present, along with various other consorts, all dressed in simple, elegant attire to highlight Consort Wei’s splendor.
This arrangement made Consort Wei appear like a peacock.
Except for Consort Chen.
Consort Chen had also dressed with care. Truth be told, her looks were only average, barely ranking in the harem filled with beauties.
However, she possessed a serene and graceful temperament, refined by years and the influence of her high status. Compared to the youthful Consort Wei, she seemed more like a venerable figure.
Consort Wei's expression soured upon seeing her.
Consort Wei had held sway over the six palaces for over twenty years, with no rivals.
Yet, after her son was made Crown Prince, a competitor suddenly emerged – the notoriously low-key Consort Chen.
Consort Wei couldn't fathom why Consort Chen had suddenly become ambitious.
In the Huayang Palace, besides the Empress Dowager, Consort Wei and Consort Chen held the highest status. At this moment, they sat on either side of the Empress Dowager, appearing quite harmonious.
Wei Qing and Wei Yu stood beside Consort Wei, whispering to each other.
Before long, Wang Qingyao arrived. The Empress Dowager beckoned her closer and, taking her hand, asked, "Did Princess Nange not accompany you?"
Consort Wei had also sent an invitation to Feng Jiangduo, but Feng Jiangduo had declined, citing ill health.
Wang Qingyao chuckled playfully, "I thought the Empress Dowager missed me, but you immediately asked about Princess Nange. Ah, never mind, married women are not as charming as young maidens."
The Empress Dowager laughed heartily at her words, explaining, "Nange is a reserved child; she has always been close only to you."
Consort Wei smiled, "Princess Nange is not feeling well, so she did not come."
The Empress Dowager nodded.
Consort Chen said gently, "The Crown Prince often visits the Dingnan Prince's manor. I imagine he gets along well with the Feng family children." She then looked at Wei Yu, "Is that right?"
Wei Yu faltered.
The Crown Prince had indeed visited the Dingnan Prince's manor several times. He wished to foster good relations with the family, but the Dingnan Prince was always occupied.
It was the Dingnan Prince's heir who had hosted him a few times. However, the heir was naturally carefree and casual, showing little interest in political affairs. Instead, he enjoyed accompanying the heir's wife in appreciating flowers, painting, and playing music – a gentle and affectionate man.
The Crown Prince had spoken with him a few times, but they found little common ground. He then turned his attention to the Dingnan Prince's two grandsons, Feng Jiangyi and Feng Jiangbo.
Friendships between young men are easily forged. Cockfighting, drinking, horse racing, polo – a few days of play and they become good friends.
After Feng Jiangyi and Feng Jiangbo arrived in the capital, they indeed engaged in such activities, already gathering a circle of friends.
However, the Crown Prince, as the heir apparent and future Son of Heaven, could not indulge in such pastimes.
The old censors were watching him closely.
He wished to win them over, but he was unable to participate in these feasts and entertainments.
Thus, he had to abandon the idea.
The Dingnan Prince held military power, and everyone sought to win his favor.
But the Crown Prince was already the Crown Prince. To still seek to win over a powerful minister holding military command sounded rather greedy.
Wei Yu paused for a moment, then forced a guilty smile, "It is only right that the Crown Prince extend hospitality to the two young masters of the Feng family, as they have rarely come to the capital."
Consort Chen: "The Crown Prince is truly enthusiastic."
It was impossible to tell if this was genuine praise or sarcasm.
Wei Yu managed a smile and dared not reply.
In her heart, she felt a pang of dissatisfaction: What did Consort Chen mean by this? Did she also harbor ambitions for the throne?
Wei Yu looked down upon the Seventh Prince, and naturally, she looked down upon Consort Chen. A hint of cold amusement flickered across her lips.
Wang Qingyao's gaze met Consort Chen's. She smiled, "Consort Chen, you seem rather different from before. You've become even more beautiful; I almost didn't recognize you."
The Empress Dowager laughed, "You wouldn't know, but Consort Chen is radiant with love."
The Empress Dowager was quite unconventional. She had always enjoyed the rivalries within the harem and was somewhat displeased with Consort Wei's sole dominance. Now that Consort Chen was rising, she was quite pleased.
Consort Wei's expression darkened slightly, though she managed to maintain a smile.
Wang Qingyao cast a sympathetic glance at her and said faintly, "No wonder."
No wonder what?
Consort Wei felt her words carried hidden meaning and was about to speak when Wang Qingyao clutched her chest with one hand and covered her mouth with a handkerchief, coughing a few times with a pained expression.
Consort Chen immediately asked with concern, "What is wrong, Princess Ding'an? Are you still not fully recovered?"
Wang Qingyao offered a weak smile, "The doctor said I've recovered greatly, but every time I recall that incident, I feel a shock, a panic, and I can't catch my breath..."
"Ah," Consort Chen said sympathetically, "This is a heartache. Who knows when it will heal. Poor child."
The Empress Dowager nodded in agreement.
Consort Wei's banquet was originally intended as an apology to Wang Qingyao.
The Wei family had already offered many apologies in the past few days, so one more would not matter.
In fact, it could even earn them favor with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
Since Wang Qingyao had brought up the matter, Consort Wei immediately said with remorse, "It is all my fault for my poor upbringing, spoiling that child Wei Yun."
Wang Qingyao blinked at her, "How can we blame Your Ladyship? You doted on Princess Rong and the second daughter of the Wei family just the same, and they are both doing well. It shows that those with good character remain unchanged no matter how they are spoiled. Wei Yun was too good at hiding, making Your Ladyship believe she was virtuous."
The Empress Dowager nodded, "Princess Ding'an speaks the truth."
Consort Wei: "She is, after all, a child of the Wei family. I bear some responsibility."
Wang Qingyao looked at her sincerely, "We are already very grateful that Your Ladyship does not blame the Ding'an Prince's manor for Wei Yun's death. We know how much Your Ladyship doted on Wei Yun; otherwise, why would you have sought the Emperor's decree for her marriage, giving her such great honor? Right?"
Consort Wei did not dote on Wei Yun, but she could not say so.
She could only exchange pleasantries with Wang Qingyao.
The banquet was being set up in the grand hall. It was almost ready.
Consort Wei went to take a look, then returned to escort the Empress Dowager to the hall, with Consort Chen on the other side.
After walking only a few steps, a palace maid beside Consort Wei cried out, "Your Ladyship, your Shenghua hairpin is missing!"