in2ebook Chapter 17 Autumn Banquet
Chapter 17 Autumn Banquet
On April 16th, the Empress's birthday banquet will be held.
Just like in her previous life, Shen Jingshu accompanied Song Wan to the palace banquet.
The difference is that in this life, she begged Song Wan to bring Xie Wanqing into the palace with her.
She did not encounter Jiang Jin'an on that path.
"Jing Shu!" A clear voice rang out. Shen Jing Shu looked in the direction of the voice and saw Wen Yin, the eldest daughter of the Minister of Personnel, running towards her while lifting her skirt.
The Minister's wife, Madam Lü, anxiously scolded from behind, "Yinyin! Slow down! What kind of behavior is this, so impetuous and rash!"
Wen Yin is one year older than Shen Jing Shu. The two have known each other since childhood and have a deep friendship; they are like best friends.
She was lively and unconventional by nature and was still unmarried. For the past year, Madam Lü had kept her confined at home, hoping to correct her personality and find her a good marriage. But now that she was out, she was still the same.
Lady Lü was filled with worry.
Wen Yin pretended not to hear, ran to Shen Jingshu, caught her breath, bowed to Song Wan, then exchanged greetings with Xie Wanqing, and cheerfully took Shen Jingshu's hand, saying, "Jingshu, it's been a long time! I haven't congratulated you on your happy marriage yet!"
If you think about it carefully, Shen Jingshu hasn't seen this close friend for six years.
Not long after marrying Fu Zijin in her previous life, Wen Yin was unfortunately selected for the imperial concubine selection. She was extremely unwilling, but she could not escape. In the end, she was given the title of Noble Lady and was trapped in that small palace world.
Perhaps due to a lack of imperial favor, no matter how many palace banquets Shen Jingshu attended afterward, she never saw Wen Yin again.
Her eyes welled up with tears, and her voice trembled with emotion, "Sister Wenyin, it's been so long."
Lady Lü glanced at her daughter with a helpless expression, then walked to Song Wan's side, curtsied, and said, "Madam, congratulations! The Emperor has bestowed this marriage upon us; such an honor is rare indeed."
Song Wan smiled and replied, "Thank you, Madam Wen."
The banquet had not yet begun, and everyone was exchanging pleasantries in the Imperial Garden.
Those qualified to attend the palace banquet were all members of the imperial family and the families of important officials. Since the last spring banquet, any matter involving this Miss Shen had generated wave after wave of interest, and they had all heard about it.
Unlike the Pingyang Marquis's mansion, the noble ladies of aristocratic families have always been bound by numerous rules and regulations, and are not allowed to leave their mansions at will. They can only meet occasionally by finding an excuse to exchange visiting cards, or by taking advantage of occasions such as palace banquets or tea parties.
What was supposed to be a lively and joyous scene took a turn for the worse when the young ladies saw Shen Jingshu.
Some looked on with envy, some with disdain, and some even harbored the intention to watch the spectacle unfold.
Jiang Jin'an may be cold and ruthless, but no one can say he's not good-looking. Just based on his handsome face alone, he's the dream man of countless women.
But if he were to actually marry her... the women couldn't help but feel fear, after all, his cold and aloof aura was truly chilling.
They had assumed that Shen Jingshu, with rumors of her reputation being tarnished and an imperial decree bestowing marriage upon her by the living Yama, would surely be utterly haggard.
But Shen Jingshu, dressed in a sky-blue silk dress and with an exquisite tassel-adorned hair bun, was not wearing much makeup. Yet, the confident look in her eyes alone was enough to draw attention.
He showed no sign of being affected by the rumors, and even the girls who originally wanted to see him make a fool of himself couldn't help but secretly admire him. Naturally, no one wanted to go up and make a fool of themselves.
Shen Jingshu felt the gazes fixed on her, but she didn't care and chatted happily with Wen Yin.
Amidst the whispers of the crowd, Gu Shiyi, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, and Gu Shile, the second daughter, strolled in gracefully.
Gu Shiyi was tall and graceful, with a gentle temperament. Her lake-green dress swayed gently in the wind, making her look like a fairy descending from the blue waves. However, her eyes revealed undisguised hostility.
She approached Shen Jingshu, her greeting somewhat perfunctory, and straightened up before coldly asking, "Are you going to marry my cousin?"
Shen Jingshu then realized that Jiang Jin'an was actually connected with the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.
Song Wan was chatting happily with the other ladies when she heard the commotion and hurried back to Shen Jingshu's side. Just as she was about to speak, Shen Jingshu stepped aside and stopped her.
She calmly returned the greeting and replied frankly, "Indeed, I am honored by His Majesty's bestowal of this marriage, and I, Jing Shu, will naturally comply."
Xie Wanqing watched from the side, secretly delighted, and deliberately said, "The Commandant is so good to Sister Jingshu, he thinks of her in everything. It is truly a match made in heaven that Sister Jingshu is so favored by the Commandant."
As she spoke, she secretly observed Gu Shiyi's expression.
Gu Shiyi's expression indeed grew increasingly unpleasant.
She was the proper eldest daughter of the Duke's family, raised with proper etiquette and manners, and acted with composure and poise. Shen Jingshu, on the other hand, was flamboyant and had a fiery personality, and she had looked down on Shen Jingshu since childhood.
In her heart, how could such a woman be worthy of her cousin?
Gu Shile quietly tugged at Gu Shiyi's sleeve and smiled at Shen Jingshu, "Sister Shen, my sister is straightforward and has no ill intentions. My cousin is aloof, so don't let him bully you."
Just as Gu Shiyi was about to say a few more words, she heard a melodious tune coming from afar, indicating that the Empress, the Imperial Concubine, and the other concubines had arrived.
Gu Shiyi and Gu Shile hurried back to Jiang Shi's side. As Jiang Jin'an's aunt, Jiang Shi felt displeased as soon as she saw Shen Jingshu from afar. She gently patted Gu Shiyi's hand to comfort her.
The once bustling Imperial Garden fell silent as everyone straightened their clothes and composed themselves, preparing to pay their respects.
The Empress, dressed in a magnificent phoenix robe and wearing a phoenix crown, walked slowly in, surrounded by her concubines.
She has a dignified appearance and graceful demeanor. Even though she is over forty years old, there are no signs of the passage of time on her face.
Consort Shao followed closely behind, dressed in a gorgeous brocade dress, with exquisite makeup and a charming and alluring look in her eyes.
The other concubines also displayed their elegance, their jade pendants jingling, and a fragrant breeze blowing.
Everyone knelt down in unison, saying, "We respectfully welcome Your Majesty the Empress, may Your Majesty live a thousand years! May Your Majesty the Noble Consort live a thousand years! May all the concubines be well!"
The Empress raised her hand slightly and said softly, "Everyone, please rise."
Wen Yin winked at Shen Jingshu and whispered, "Jingshu, I'll come find you later."
Shen Jingshu smiled and responded.
Then, everyone entered the Qingyan Hall in order.
The Qingyan Hall was decorated in a magnificent and resplendent manner. The Empress walked up to the high platform and sat on the phoenix throne. "Today is my birthday. I am very pleased to have you all come to congratulate me."
As she spoke, her gaze swept over the assembled guests, “I hope that everyone will enjoy themselves to the fullest and share in this grand palace feast.”
Everyone curtsied and said in unison, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty the Empress."
The Empress gestured to the lady-in-waiting beside her, who understood and immediately arranged for palace maids to file in and serve tea, snacks, and fragrant fruit wine for everyone to enjoy.
Shen Jingshu and Song Wan sat down, while Xie Wanqing sat behind and to the side of Song Wan, seemingly well-behaved and quiet, observing her surroundings discreetly.
Gu Shiyi and Gu Shile accompanied Jiang Shi, who was talking quietly with a noblewoman beside her, occasionally glancing at Shen Jingshu with a critical and dissatisfied look.
Wen Yin ate her food without a care in the world, while Shen Jing Shu glanced at her with a smile and shook her head.
Consort Shao put down her wine cup, wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief, and then smiled as she spoke, "I heard that His Majesty personally bestowed a marriage upon you the other day, which is a joyous occasion. Miss Shen, may I ask how you and Commandant Shen came to be?"