Hai Ling was somewhat surprised to hear this, not expecting that even the Empress Dowager and Consort Jinlan had been alerted. As the younger generation, they naturally couldn't keep their elders waiting, so they got up and led Xi Liang and Mingzhu out of the main hall of Liuyue Palace, heading towards Guangyang Palace.
The reason why the Empress Dowager and Consort Jinlan, among others, came to today's chrysanthemum banquet is because they know that the Empress is holding this chrysanthemum banquet to raise money for the Emperor. As the Empress Dowager and Consort Jinlan, they naturally cannot not attend.
The Guangyang Palace was newly decorated inside and out. Various kinds of precious chrysanthemums were displayed inside and outside the palace. At a glance, it was dazzling and beautiful. Then the eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."
The noblewomen in the main hall all looked over. In front of the hall, a woman who was radiant and whose beauty was in no way inferior even with a pregnant belly, was naturally the Empress. Beside her were Liang, the young prefect of the Cangwang Mansion, and Princess Mingzhu from the Nanling Kingdom who had come for a marriage alliance. The three of them, along with several palace maids following behind, walked in in a grand procession.
Inside the hall, the ladies of noble families rose and spoke respectfully and meekly.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
Hai Ling nodded, gracefully led the people into the main hall, and then waved her hand and softly gestured for everyone to rise: "Everyone, please rise. Today I am hosting a chrysanthemum banquet, and I am delighted that everyone has graced me with their presence."
As soon as she finished speaking, several people below turned pale and were speechless. Whether they were being polite or not, the Empress had sent imperial physicians, so they couldn't pretend to be sick. Therefore, they had no choice but to come. However, no one dared to speak out of turn and all spoke respectfully.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. How could we, your humble servants, not attend the flower-viewing banquet Your Majesty has hosted?"
Everyone stood up, and Hai Ling led Nalan Mingzhu and Xi Liang to higher ground.
The Empress Dowager and Consort Jinlan, two elders, sat at the head of the table. Two other consorts who had given birth to princesses did not come, because although they wanted to, they did not have the power to do so, so they did not show up.
Hailing led Mingzhu and Xiliang to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager and Consort Jinlan.
"I have met the Empress Dowager and Consort Jinlan."
Inside the main hall, many people were watching the movements at the head of the table. Rumors circulated that the Empress Dowager and the Empress were at odds, but no one knew if it was true or not. So everyone was staring at the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, trying to discern something.
The Empress Dowager smiled broadly and gestured to Hailing, "Empress, please get up. Don't stand there; your belly can't take standing."
His face was full of affection, showing no sign of dissatisfaction or displeasure whatsoever.
As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, Consort Jinlan, who was sitting next to her, also smiled and said, "Empress, please sit down. Don't stand. Pregnancy is not something to be taken lightly."
Hai Ling thanked the Empress Dowager and Consort Jinlan, then walked to the center of the head seat. Today's flower viewing banquet was still hosted by her, and as the mother of the nation, the Empress Dowager did not sit in the center seat. The Empress Dowager and Consort Jinlan sat next to Hai Ling.
Xi Liang and Nalan Mingzhu sat down one step below the main hall. The noblewomen below looked up at the harmonious scene above and couldn't help but feel disappointed. They sat down one by one, especially the Prime Minister's wife. She was extremely annoyed, thinking about how the Empress had made her husband suffer and now wanted to make him bleed.
However, she dared not show it. Her husband had repeatedly reminded her not to offend the Empress, because she was no match for the Empress in terms of intelligence. She should not ask for trouble. Although the Prime Minister's wife was very unwilling, she did not dare to cause trouble. Everyone sat down.
Inside Guangyang Palace, all was quiet. Everyone looked up at the Empress at the head of the table. The Empress was smiling radiantly. She was already stunningly beautiful, but now, with her radiant smile, she was even more dazzling. Coupled with her graceful and noble demeanor, not only men but also women were stunned and couldn't help but sigh in their hearts.
There is such an outstanding woman in the world. No wonder the emperor dotes on her. Such a woman is born to be pampered. Unlike them.
Ignoring the various gazes in the hall, Hai Ling smiled faintly and said, "I have been away from the capital for some time now. During my absence, I have missed everyone very much, so as soon as I returned, I held this flower-viewing banquet to get together with everyone."
After Hailin finished speaking, a chorus of agreement and resonance erupted from the audience.
Actually, many people were thinking to themselves, "Your Majesty, you don't care about us, you just want our money, don't you?"
Princess Zhaoyang, Xiyan, looked at the woman at the head of the table with a dark expression, her heart filled with anger. She muttered to herself, "I don't want her to take out a single penny today. What does the food shortage in the south have to do with her? If this woman is so capable, she can take out her own money. Just don't ask them to take out any money."
"Let the banquet begin."
At Hai Ling's command, palace maids dressed in pink palace gowns filed forward and began pouring wine for the people at each table. Dancers from the Northern Lu Kingdom's palace gracefully entered and began performing the bamboo dance. The soft, melodious sounds of string and bamboo instruments filled the air, enlivening the entire banquet.
For a moment, everyone focused on the food and the song and dance performances. Although they knew that the Empress was likely to mention fundraising, they knew that they would have to loosen their belts as soon as the Empress spoke, so they might as well relax a bit.
Inside the main hall, many people enjoyed their meal while watching the famous bamboo dance of the Northern Lu Kingdom.
Hai Ling sat upright at the head of the table, holding a teacup in her hand. Because of her pregnancy, she naturally couldn't drink alcohol, so she sipped the tea slowly, observing the movements of everyone in the hall. Observing their calm expressions, she knew that many people were aware of and agreed with the fundraising, which was why they looked so composed. However, some people seemed to be constipated, probably because they didn't want to donate money. These people frowned and their eyes flickered, as if they were thinking of ways to refuse to donate. Hai Ling silently observed the expressions of everyone in the hall and already understood what was going on.
After a bamboo dance performance ended, the music stopped abruptly, and the talking abruptly ceased.
Everyone stopped what they were doing, put down their jade pendants, and looked up at the Empress at the head of the table, thinking that the Empress was probably going to bring up the matter of fundraising.
Hai Ling smiled gently and said, "I am holding this chrysanthemum banquet today for two reasons: first, to connect with everyone and second, because I have some good news to share with you all."
After she finished speaking, many people muttered to themselves, "Is making someone pay money considered a happy occasion?" The Empress is truly unique. Princess Zhaoyang, Xi Yan, and others rolled their eyes and curled their lips in a sarcastic smile.
However, Hailin ignored them and continued speaking with a smile.
"I have taken Liang, the young prefect of the Cangwang Mansion, as my sworn sister and bestowed upon her the title of Princess Qinyang."
As soon as Hai Ling finished speaking, the main hall of Guangyang Palace fell silent. No one spoke. Then the Empress Dowager and Consort Jinlan reacted. The Empress Dowager's face darkened immediately, and she couldn't help but call out heavily, "Empress."
The Cang Prince's Mansion is a non-royal family, and has always been an object of taboo for the royal family. It's one thing for the Empress to like the young princess of the Cang Prince's Mansion and take her as her sworn sister, but bestowing upon her the title of Princess Qinyang is a matter for the Emperor. How could she overstep her bounds and do such a thing on his behalf?
The Empress Dowager's face darkened, and everyone in the hall realized what was happening. They all looked at the Empress Dowager and the Empress at the head of the table, and then at the Princess Consort of Cang. The Cang Prince's family was incredibly powerful; a mere princess had won the Empress's favor, not only being adopted as her sworn sister but also being bestowed the title of Princess Qinyang. However, the Empress Dowager might not agree to this.
Princess Consort Cang already knew about this matter, as Xi Liang had mentioned it to her. She initially disagreed, but Xi Liang said it was fine. However, the Empress Dowager seemed to disagree now, and her face was cold. When Princess Consort Cang saw the situation in the main hall, she broke out in a cold sweat. In fact, she didn't care whether Xi Liang became a princess or not; she just hoped that Xi Liang would be happy. Now that the Empress Dowager was unhappy, if things went wrong, their Cang Prince's Mansion could get into trouble. Therefore, Princess Consort Cang was full of worry.
Everyone looked at the head of the hall. Hai Ling raised her eyebrows and looked at the Empress Dowager. She had apologized to the Empress Dowager earlier to avoid making things difficult for Ye, hoping to coexist peacefully with her. But now she regretted it because the woman in front of her was very selfish. She could completely disregard her son's feelings for her own selfish desires. So from now on, she no longer needed to compromise and try to please her.
As Hai Ling pondered this, she looked at the Empress Dowager with a faint smile on her lips, but her demeanor remained neither humble nor arrogant.
"Mother, this matter was still the Emperor's idea. Ling'er was merely conveying the Emperor's intentions."
She would never act arbitrarily; she would always consult with Ye before doing anything. She would never be as selfish as the Empress Dowager.
Hai Ling's words silenced the Empress Dowager. Although Hai Ling's expression was calm and polite, it was different from when she apologized to her at Cixi Palace. The Empress Dowager was a shrewd person, and she knew this. A glint appeared in her eyes. She knew that this woman was just putting on an act. She had only pretended to be at Cixi Palace for Feng'er's sake. Look, she has now revealed her true colors.
The people below the main hall did not see Hai Ling's expression, but Consort Jinlan saw it clearly.
Consort Jinlan was still one of the late emperor's favorite concubines. She did not like the Empress Dowager because the Empress Dowager appeared out of nowhere. She had not been favored by the late emperor before, but suddenly appeared, seized the late emperor's throne, and became the Empress Dowager.
Consort Jinlan was initially annoyed that Ye Lingfeng had become emperor, but after comparing her son with the current emperor, she came to accept the emperor, who was indeed much better than her son.