Chapter 10: The Peony Banquet (Part 1)

  Inside the Snowfall Pavilion, Pang Luoyu and Pang Luoxue carefully evaluated each item, and then warmly did some needlework together. It wasn't until late at night that Pang Luoyu finally left the embroidery building with a satisfied heart, holding her embroidered work. Afraid that Pang Luoxue would leave behind her embroidery for appraisal, she also discussed some embroidery techniques. Although she was very tired, the result was worth it and made her very satisfied. Thinking that Pang Luoyu's embroidery skills were so impressive, she felt even more jealous in her heart. She had to think of a way to destroy them. Today was exhausting, and looking up at the sky, it was already late at night. Supporting Zongzhi's hand, they walked towards the Listen-to-the-Rain Pavilion.

  Upon entering the Listening Rain Pavilion, she dismissed everyone else and left only Songzhi to unroll a scroll of peony flowers competing in beauty. Suddenly, it felt as if the flowers were blooming before them, and the fragrance was subtly overflowing. The two people's eyes widened in surprise even more, and Songzhi saw Pang Luoyu's expression and knew that Big Miss would definitely not tolerate Second Miss's talent. Sure enough, Pang Luoyu lightly laughed and said "Songzhi, do you think this painting is good? My younger sister is quite skilled with her hands, I'm a bit envious too."

  "Song Zhi secretly said, 'The second young lady is indeed clever with her hands, but in terms of talent and emotions, she can't compare to the eldest young lady. The eldest young lady is truly the talented woman of East Qin country. However, the second young lady has not yet reached adulthood, and her elegant demeanor has already begun to show. I'm afraid that in the end, she will steal the spotlight from the eldest young lady.'"

  "Fame? I won't get it, and neither should anyone else. Especially you, Pang Luoxue, come closer and listen."

  Song Zhi had heard it before, and the two of them exchanged a smile, with a face full of venom.

  In Luoxue Pavilion, Pang Luoxue returned to her bedroom under the service of Lian'ou and Lianye, also with a tired face.

  "What time is it?"

  "It's already midnight, big sister is clearly doing this on purpose, coming so late. Miss, you should get some rest early, the calming incense has already been lit. Lately, miss hasn't been able to sleep well at night. It's better to rest early."

  I appreciate the subtlety of lotus leaves, but tomorrow will be another noisy day, so I'd better take care of my spirit and enjoy the show. So I lie in bed, finding that the pillow core has been replaced with suiyu, which indeed has a calming effect. Turn off the lights and go to sleep.

  On the second day, early in the morning, I got up and dressed in a long dress with a greenish-blue skirt, a late-smoke purple satin blouse with cloud patterns, and red jade earrings. I put on the old lady's reward of an eight-treasured crystal hairpin. I lightly applied some lip balm and blushed my cheeks with rouge. My eyebrows and eyes were full of charm. I went to pay respects to the old lady and listened to her instructions. At this time, Pang Luoyu was wearing a long dress with scattered flowers, a complete set of ruby headwear, which was very valuable. On her forehead was painted a plum blossom makeup, which made her look pitiful. Standing next to her, I felt that she was dressed like a legitimate young lady. Wang's mother-in-law was willing to spend money on her. When we went out, I and Pang Luoyu got into two separate carriages and set off towards the East Qin imperial palace. Lotus leaf and lotus root quietly sat beside me.

  The annual Peony Banquet is hosted by the Empress, and all the children of the princes and ministers will attend. To put it bluntly, it's just a matchmaking meeting in disguise. Talented young men and women perform their skills, and in the previous life, Feng Ruoyan was awarded the title of First Talent Girl with her painting "Peony Contending for Beauty". Your every move is calculated, I can only respond accordingly.

  But in less than half a stick of incense, we arrived at the palace gate. I got out of the carriage with Lotus Leaf and Lotus Root, while Song Xi helped Pang Luo Yu get down from the carriage. Song Xi was holding a gift box in her hand, which must be the peony painting. I slightly raised my eyes to look at the hand that Lotus Leaf was holding, and walked over to Pang Luo Yu's side with a smile, saying "Sister has prepared some special skills, all the secrets are in this brocade box, it's really exquisite, little sister is so curious, can she take a sneak peek?" I smiled warmly.

  "Sister is really anxious, just wait and see, sister today is indeed dressed up like a lotus flower in clear water. Look, all the other young ladies have arrived, let's go greet them first, lest we lose our manners. Song Chi has been keeping the gift box safe, it won't be damaged. Sister, what are you worried about?" Pang Luo Yu actually said this without batting an eyelid. I truly admire her thick skin. You don't seem to feel any guilt at all, just wait and see if you can handle the big gift sister is going to give you."

  We followed the palace maid to the Imperial Garden, passing through a long wisteria corridor and arrived at the Peony Garden. The Empress had not yet arrived, and the young ladies from various families were gathered in twos and threes discussing the varieties and postures of peonies. Before long, Yang, the Empress's personal maid, came out to greet us and led us into the Empress's palace. Although Pang Luoyu was the eldest daughter, with her status as a legitimate child, she could only follow behind me, together we knelt down and paid our respects "Greetings Your Majesty, wishing you eternal joy."

  "I am the daughter of the Pon family, Pon Luoxue. I have met Her Majesty the Empress with my younger sister Pon Luoyu." I bowed to Pon Luoyu again. Although Pon Luoyu was mentally prepared, she couldn't help but twitch her eyebrows when she heard the two words "younger sister".

  The empress glanced at us for a moment before letting us rise and take our seats. Next, the other young ladies came to pay their respects one by one. My maternal cousin, Yang Bing and Yang Ying, the granddaughters of Duke Yang of my mother's family, Yang Bing had just come of age, while Ying was only around ten years old, chubby and very cute, I smiled at her, this little thing almost rushed over to me on the spot. However, these two didn't get along with Pang Luoyu for real. After all the young ladies finished paying their respects and took their seats, we heard a eunuch outside announce "The emperor has arrived, the imperial consort has arrived."

  "See the Emperor, Your Highness the Imperial Consort"

  "I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress." Wang Guifei's name was Wang Ruoyao, and she was the younger sister of Concubine Wang. Her delicate and weak appearance made people feel pity for her, but unfortunately, this beauty had a heart as venomous as a snake or scorpion.

  "Sister, get up, and all the ladies, please take your seats. I thought we would have to send someone to invite you, but instead, you came with the Emperor." The Empress's seemingly careless question startled Wang Guifei, this Empress was indeed deep and cunning, it wasn't time to confront her yet, but when the time comes, she will make sure she won't die a good death.

  "Your Majesty..." King Ruo Yao had not finished speaking when the Emperor interrupted, "The Empress is afraid that I will be tired from reading the memorials, so she specially made ginseng soup for me and sent it over, which delayed her. The Queen Mother should not blame her." After saying this, he gently held King Ruo Yao's hand. The Queen Mother saw this but could only hold back her anger and said, "How would I blame her? It's just a small matter. The Emperor's body is important, and it's fortunate that my sister can accompany him for a long time. I am also at ease. Today's peony banquet, don't be restrained, ladies. The peonies in the Peony Garden are particularly beautiful this year, and I am fortunate to have seen them."

  "Sister heard that the emperor gave sister a jade pendant with natural peony patterns inside, I'm afraid there's only one such piece in this world. Why don't Her Majesty the Empress cut her losses and let me and the other ladies take a look?" Consort Wang said with a smile.

  "It's just a piece of jade, what I care about is the emperor's intention." Although the empress said it casually, the joy in her heart still floated to her face, and she let Yang Niang take it. "Alright, today's protagonist is not me but the young ladies from each family, you can all show off your talents, and I will definitely reward you heavily."