Chapter 40: Family Banquet

  The next day, Dr. Chen came to see me as usual, and looking at his calm and composed demeanor, I felt a pang of discomfort in my heart. This man's humility and politeness were so ironic, his smile had probably disappeared long ago, and what I saw today was just an empty shell that had lost its soul, devoid of any radiance.

  "How are you feeling today?!" A cold voice slowly came out from that shell.

  “。。。。。”

  "Manya girl! Manya girl!"

  “。。。。。”

  A gentle cough from Empress Zhen brought me back to reality. Today, she seemed to have dressed up especially carefully, with her high bun adorned with a pair of golden hairpins in the shape of flying swallows, and a delicate jade pendant hanging down beside her ear. Her palace attire was a rare sight, with its intricate patterns of peonies and plum blossoms, making it seem as if she were about to attend some grand occasion.

  "Ah, Doctor Chen, this question should be mine to ask you," I replied calmly.

  "Hmm, yes, this makes sense, but let's investigate and ask questions, asking is also a part of it."

  "Oh, if so, then I've spoken out of turn!"

  Chen Taizhen smiled silently.

  "Doctor Chen, why is my illness still the same, without any improvement? I cough at night and can't sleep, but during the day, there's nothing wrong."

  "Cold evil invades and arrives, lung heat, fever and chill, those who emit from yang, headache like wrapping..."

  Alright, I admit I was wrong. These incomprehensible classical Chinese texts were returned to the language teacher after the college entrance exam. Heaven knows what he's talking about, blablabla.

  "Knock knock knock", the sound of knocking on the door came in waves.

  With a creak, the door was opened and a somewhat familiar eunuch hurried in, walking quickly to Empress Chen's side. He bowed his head and whispered something in her ear. After listening, she nodded slightly, her face turning cold, with a slight tremble at the corner of her mouth. Suddenly, she stood up and walked rapidly towards Imperial Physician Chen, the golden hairpin on her head jingling with each step.

  "Can Imperial Physician Chen go out and move around?" asked Consort Zheng coldly.

  "It can be done, but you cannot stay outside for long." Dr. Chen replied respectfully.

  "Hmm", the Empress nodded to a eunuch beside her, and that eunuch retrieved a grey-white fur-lined cloak from a cabinet and handed it over to me.

  "Imperial Concubine, what is this?" I asked in puzzlement.

  "Get dressed and come with me to watch a good show!" The Empress Dowager's tone was as stern as ever, leaving no room for refusal.

  "This... Dr. Chen" I looked up at Dr. Chen, who was standing idly by, hoping he could help me escape this predicament, but he was calm and composed, as if nothing had happened, quietly standing with his head down, his eyes fixed on a certain point, not making a sound.

  "Hurry up and get dressed, I've never waited for anyone!"

  The Empress's patience seemed to have reached its limit, she stared at me standing still in one place, somewhat annoyed, rolled her eyes, and let out a "tsk" sound. The eunuch behind her blinked and rushed to my bedside, pulled open the quilt, grabbed me from under the covers, quickly put on my fur coat, tied up the buttons, and everything was done. Then he quietly walked back behind the Empress, as if nothing had happened.

  "Go!"

  "Your Majesty, I bid farewell to Her Highness!"

  The imperial concubine lightly swung the handkerchief tied around her waist and turned to walk out, I was pulled by the eunuch to follow the imperial concubine out, passing by Chen Taifu who bowed his head in courtesy, he retreated a few steps back, his signature smile still hanging on his face, but at this moment, I couldn't quite read him, what kind of man is he!

  It's a sunny day with clear air. Although it's deep winter, there is no feeling of freezing at all. The sun is shining brightly, just like in early spring. It's really rare to have such good weather.

  The Empress Dowager sat on the sedan chair, followed by many people, all the way here, quietly and without a sound.

  "Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager!" A shrill voice shouted from afar, an elderly woman dressed in luxurious attire, with a middle-aged noblewoman clad in palace garments following closely behind her. Judging by their attire, they were certainly not ordinary people.

  "Halt!" The Empress waved her hand, and the palace attendants stopped in their tracks, setting down the sedan chair.

  The imperial concubine got up and walked away, her footsteps were a bit urgent, but she didn't lose the elegant demeanor of a noble lady. When she arrived in front of that old woman, she joined her hands together, bowed slightly to one side, and curtsied weakly. Her demeanor was full of elegance and refinement. She stood up with a smile and spoke softly, just like a young girl waiting for marriage, playfully teasing her family members.

  This scene, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never believe it. Consort Shu, what's going on? Has she changed her nature? Who are those two women? Is the sun rising in the west today? Or am I still asleep from a serious illness?

  Doubts fill my mind, a chaotic mess.

  The imperial concubine did not return to her sedan chair, but instead followed two women walking ahead of her, chatting and laughing along the way. The road was walked quickly, and before long, after passing through several palace gates, a patch of crimson red decorations came into view. The so-called lanterns and streamers now seemed too desolate, this red color, compared to the bright red decorations of the past, had a bit more blue in it, not like a raging fire, but rather like humanity's endless desires.

  What day is today!

  The golden longevity character on the emerald jade screen answered my question, Longevity, who is celebrating a grand birthday? The palace would not be so extravagant if it were not for someone of this level. Thinking about it, I knew that with such grandeur, it must be either the Emperor, the Empress, or the Dowager Empress.

  "The Emperor has arrived!" A hoarse yet sharp voice rang out.

  "Hong hong hong! Although it's not my first time seeing the emperor, this is my first time experiencing such a grand scene. The majestic background music from ancient dramas kept echoing in my ears, it was pure conditioned reflex!"

  "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live! Ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand and ten thousand years!" The crowd of people, regardless of whether they were imperial consorts, high officials, eunuchs or palace maids, all knelt down to the ground.

  The emperor and empress dowager walked slowly into the scene surrounded by a crowd of imperial consorts.

  "Today's family banquet, no need for too much courtesy, everyone get up! Haha! Take your seats!" The emperor was obviously very happy today, wearing a bright golden yellow robe that highlighted his imperial demeanor.

  "Yes!!!!!" The rustling of clothes sounded, and the crowd brushed off their knees and stood up. Just now, there was no distinction between you and me, kneeling together in a piece, but at this moment, the difference in status was restored again.

  "Mother first!" The emperor stepped aside and yielded the way ahead to the empress dowager on one side, following behind her.

  The substitute emperor and other masters took their seats, and the crowd gradually dispersed to their own seats.

  The princes, the imperial sons and the ministers mostly brought their families with them. At this time, they had to sit separately, men together, women together, everyone sitting around a round table at the same time, as if it were really like a family banquet, lacking in etiquette between ruler and minister, but full of warmth and closeness of family reunion.

  I've been following Empress Dowager, so I couldn't sit down. When the banquet started, I could only stand aside and watch blankly, which was really a cruel thing. Although it's called a family banquet, this banquet is not like the kind where relatives gather to eat dumplings, stew chicken, or roast fish. Moreover, this is the master's birthday banquet.

  The ancient etiquette, I don't understand, but looking at today's scale, I can probably guess a few points. Chinese people, regardless of the dynasty, will always be auspicious and perfect, just like today's dishes, with six grains, six clear soups, and six sacrifices all complete.

  What are the six grains? They are rice, millet, glutinous millet, sorghum, wheat and oats. What are the six clear liquids? They are water, milk, wine, vinegar, cool water and sweet liquor. As for the six domestic animals, they are oxen, sheep, pigs, dogs, geese and fish.

  Hundred Flower Cake, Clear Wind Rice, Red Silk Cake, Earthy Brocade Turtle, Camel's Hoof Jelly, Phoenix and Swan, Rhombus-shaped Fish Slice, Five-threaded Tripe, Pot-roasted Sea Cucumber, Oil-blasted Tripe Kidney, Sesame Seed Oil Roll, Steamed River Pearl Scallop, Cherry Meat, Three Fresh Shark Fin...

  It can be said that golden cups are lined up, jade goblets are full, treated with precious delicacies, and feasted with the finest meat.

  Please forgive my ignorance and incompetence, some dishes are far beyond my knowledge range, I don't recognize them and haven't eaten them before, but judging by the appearance, I know they must be very good, what a pity, Umanya, today you're just a servant, only able to watch others eat their share.

  At the banquet, it's inevitable to have a casual chat about family matters. Even the royal family can't avoid this custom. How old are the children in that household? The son of that household has reached the age of marriage. Whose elderly father has taken a new concubine? Which household has built a new garden and so on.

  This is a family feast!!