Chapter 252: Mid‑Autumn Joy

Facing the officials' questioning with spears and batons, Wan Tang's expression did not change; she rose with poise, her bearing graceful.

Her voice rang clear as jade striking stone: "You are jesting, sir."

"This set of headwear and attire was a gift from the Empress Dowager long ago, kept treasured, never worn lightly."

"Today, on the Mid‑Autumn Festival, I dare to bring it out, to show respect for the Empress Dowager's grace and the palace banquet."

When the Empress Dowager was mentioned, the official's expression stiffened, his aura weakening a few degrees.

Chu Yunzheng, hearing this, turned his gaze to Wan Tang; the chill in his eyes melted, taking on a nostalgic softness: "I recall now, this set was bestowed by the Mother Empress when you saved the First Prince, was it not?"

Wan Tang nodded slightly, with a restrained smile: "The Emperor still remembers. I am unworthy, I have only fulfilled my duty."

Chu Yunzheng was moved; his gaze toward Wan Tang grew ever more tender, and he said emotionally: "Had it not been for you, I would have lost the Imperial Heir. You are not only my lucky star, but also my benefactor."

His words carried weight, both affirming Wan Tang and proclaiming to everyone present.

Wan Tang merely smiled, lowered her eyes, her posture modest.

Su Yanci, seeing this, let out a light snort, his tone mocking, his gaze flickering over Xiao Sihai and others: "It seems some people cannot continue this play."

Imperial Censor Zhou Su rose abruptly again, his face solemn, his voice like a great bell: "Virtuous Consort has merited the state, bestowed grace upon the Imperial Heir, her conduct is upright, her virtue matches a treasure!"

"On the contrary, some people know not how to share the ruler's worries, nor to empathize with the people's strength, spending all day only fighting for favor and stirring trouble!"

"If you have such idle hearts, you should rather help the Emperor expand his lineage, extend the posterity; that is the proper way!"

His words thundered like a sudden storm, mercilessly tearing open the most sensitive and awkward layer for the Imperial harem's concubines.

The concubines flushed red, embarrassed and angry, yet none dared to argue with this upright speech official.

Just as the atmosphere in the Grand Hall fell into an odd silence and awkwardness due to Zhou Su's blunt words, a high‑pitched messenger from outside announced: "The Empress Dowager has arrived."

Everyone was startled and rose quickly.

The Empress Dowager, holding a palace staff's hand, walked in slowly; her gaze swept the room, finally landing on Zhou Su, who stood with his neck rigid.

Her tone was calm yet carried undeniable authority: "Subject Zhou, your concern for state affairs is commendable. Yet today is a Mid‑Autumn family banquet, intended for reunion and celebration."

"Those who know it's a family banquet, those who don't, hearing Subject Zhou's generous speech, might think we are in the court."

The Empress Dowager, assisted by the Emperor, took her seat on the main throne; her gaze slowly swept the low‑browed, obedient concubines below, lingering especially on those in plain attire.

She spoke lightly, her tone revealing no joy or anger: "I was just outside, and seemed to hear some talk about Virtuous Consort's attire?"

The officials who had just caused trouble broke out in cold sweat, daring not to reply.

The Empress Dowager turned to Wan Tang, a faint gentle smile appearing: "I recall this set."

"Back then, the First Prince was gravely ill; the imperial physicians were helpless, and it was Virtuous Consort who pulled the Imperial Heir back from the brink of death."

"This set is what she deserves. The items I bestow should, in proper occasions, display the owner's virtue and merit. Virtuous Consort's wearing today fully matches my wishes."

In just a few words, she not only defined Wan Tang's attire as a "merit award," but also personally affirmed its legitimacy, directly shutting down all criticism.

Chu Yunzheng timely replied, his tone filled with emotion: "Mother Empress speaks truly. I also keep Virtuous Consort's merit in my heart."

His gaze toward Wan Tang added a few more genuine warmth.

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, her eyes scanning the room again, her tone calm yet meaningful: "Today is a family banquet; everyone may relax and truly enjoy this reunion."

"As for other matters…" she paused slightly, implying, "the future is long."

The banquet continued amid an apparently harmonious atmosphere, though undercurrents grew ever more turbulent.

After this incident, Wan Tang's position became more solidly entrenched, while the Xiao Family faction, under the Empress Dowager's seemingly fair yet actually biased stance, temporarily restrained its edge.

The Empress Dowager's gaze swept over Wan Tang's dazzling attire, a faint, ambiguous smile curling her lips.

She slowly spoke: "Virtuous Consort's attire today is so splendid and noble; surely you have spared no effort for this Mid‑Autumn night banquet, and will not disappoint me, the Emperor, and the various royal relatives and ministers, will you?"

Wan Tang rose gracefully, slightly bending her knee, her voice clear and resolute: "Subject will certainly not fail the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's great expectations."

The palace banquet officially began.

When the palace staff entered carrying trays of fish in a line, the Grand Hall couldn't help but echo with suppressed gasps of amazement.

Not to mention the dazzling, colorful dishes; even the vessels holding these delicacies alone left onlookers speechless.

The dishes were served on plates of pure gold or silver‑engraved, shimmering; the drinking cups were the legendary Nightlight Cup, glowing with a warm, gentle sheen under the palace lamps.

Each guest's place was also equipped with specially crafted Ivory Chopsticks or Ebony Silver‑inlaid Chopsticks, whose exquisite workmanship made them hard to part with.

"May Fengqi be blessed! Such a feast truly shines across the ages!" a white‑bearded old Prince exclaimed tremblingly.

The dishes on the plates were even more exquisitely crafted, many pastries of styles never heard of.

Especially the mooncakes, their skins as thin as cicada wings, transparent, allowing a clear view of the plump, enticing red bean paste filling.

"This… this pastry can be made so crystal clear? I've lived this long, and it's my first time seeing it!" a minister exclaimed, pointing at the Crystal Mooncake.

Even the well‑read Chu Yunzheng showed a dazzled expression; he looked around, finally his gaze fell on a delicate Glazed Porcelain Plate before him, holding grains as crystal‑clear as peeled pomelo flesh.

He curiously pointed: "Beloved Consort, what is this? So uniquely exquisite."

Wan Tang answered with a smile: "Your Majesty, this is 'Crystal Crab'."

Chu Yunzheng chuckled: "Beloved Consort, do not try to fool me, this is clearly pomelo, how could it be crab?"

Wan Tang did not argue, personally scooping a small spoonful with a silver spoon and delivering it to Chu Yunzheng's lips.

The Emperor, half in doubt, opened his mouth to taste, his complexion changing abruptly.

His eyes filled with disbelief: "This… this is clearly the shape of a pomelo, yet the taste is truly the fresh, rich flavor of crab meat! Exquisite! Exquisite!"

The Empress Dowager saw this, a hint of nonchalance flashing in her eyes, and she said lightly: "Your Majesty is being overly partial to Virtuous Consort."

She said, and also signaled a palace staff to scoop a spoonful for herself.

After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager's face could not hide surprise; though she said nothing, her expression said everything.

The guests at the table, one after another, tasted each dish, each bringing an unprecedented flavor experience, gasps of amazement rising repeatedly.

Looking again at the vessels, many were made of rarer materials than gold and silver, such as glass, agate, even warm jade, their luxury far exceeding expectations.

"Your Imperial grace is boundless! We are three lifetimes fortunate to enjoy such a feast!" a minister, eyes teary, first rose to kneel.

"Long live the Emperor! We shall devote ourselves to Fengqi until death!" the ministers and royal relatives rose, kneeling, their grateful tears echoing in the Grand Hall.

Chu Yunzheng, proud and elated, Dragon Heart greatly pleased, tightly grasped Wan Tang's hand beside him, and before the crowd, without holding back, praised: "Tang'er, with a wife like this, what more could a husband desire! You truly are my worthy inner help, my blessing, and also Fengqi's happiness!"

When the banquet atmosphere was lively and the voices of ministers praising merits and virtues were endless, a mournful cry suddenly rang out, sounding like tearing silk, and it suppressed the whole hall's clamor.

The crowd stared in astonishment, only to see an old minister in a crimson robe stagger out of the ranks; his beard and hair were slightly disheveled, old tears streaming, his trembling finger pointed at Wan Tang on the high seat, his voice hoarse with grief and anger:

"Virtuous Consort! You… you truly are a disaster‑bringing, people‑harming witch consort!"

He fell to his knees with a thud, facing Chu Yunzheng, head striking the ground, weeping blood as he accused: "Emperor! The soldiers at the Northern Border are fighting bloodily in ice and snow, they have nothing to eat, and winter clothing is still unavailable!"

"How many fine young men do not die on the battlefield, but instead freeze to death of hunger!"

"But look, look at the hall filled with gold, silver and jade ornaments, look at these unheard‑of delicacies and sumptuous foods!"

He suddenly lifted his head, his eyes burning with desperate flames, and again pointed at Wan Tang: "And all this, it turns out, is the doing of this Virtuous Consort who constantly claims to think of the nation!"

"Such extravagance and waste, reckless squandering, treating the people's fat and oil as dust, treating soldiers' lives as weeds! Such conduct, how does it differ from ancient Daji and Bao Si?!"

"Emperor, you must not be deceived by this witch consort, chilling the hearts of the forward soldiers, chilling the hearts of the people of the world!"

Each word he uttered was blood‑tinged with tears, each sentence pierced the heart; the once jubilant palace banquet instantly plunged into a freezing point.

Everyone's gaze focused on Wan Tang, some with shock and doubt, some scrutinizing, some gloating.

Chu Yunzheng's smile vanished completely, his complexion grew so gloomy it seemed it could drip water.

Ps: Treasure juices, happy Mid‑Autumn!