Chapter 419

Poetry Sage Shī Shèng, I never imagined you'd come to the palace!

Our Consort Mei is your idol—no, she's your fan!

Our Lady Lan is also your fan!

This servant loves your poem 'Red beans grow in the southern land; in spring they send forth a few shoots. May you gather many, for this breeds longing'—it's truly full of atmosphere!

This was written offhand by Heng Xian and then thrown away.

Our entire Kindness-Purity Palace loves your poem... 'Within the seas there are true friends; at the ends of the earth we are as neighbors'—it's so grand!

This too was written offhand by Heng Xian and thrown away.

For a moment, the palace maids surrounded Heng Xian, giving him a feeling of being chased by fans, while Ji Yaoyue and her sibling could only stand to the side.

Heng Xian really couldn't leave, so he said, 'Studying poetry now isn't very fitting, is it?'

Then... could you give us your autograph?

An autograph? Sure!

A group of palace maids immediately prepared brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Consort De could bear it no longer and snapped, 'What propriety is this?'

Only then did the group of palace maids and female officials scatter like birds and beasts.

The procession continued on, though glances came from all directions now and then.

You're quite popular with women! Ji Yaoyue walked up to Heng Xian and said coldly.

Can't help it, my charm is too great! Heng Xian stretched.

Ji Yaoyue gritted her teeth: 'I knew someone like you wouldn't be honest; even having a princess accompany you isn't enough!'

Heng Xian secretly squeezed her palm: 'Just a bunch of palace maids attracted by poetry; no need to worry.'

Only then did Ji Yaoyue's expression ease, and she snorted.

Fireworks burst without cease inside and outside the Imperial City, the sky rendered especially brilliant and colorful; before we knew it, we had arrived outside the Imperial Orchid Garden.

Outside the gate, the consorts' palanquins were packed full, and palace maids and eunuchs crowded the vicinity until they saw Consort De's conveyance, whereupon they all bowed and stepped aside.

Consort De signaled for the palanquin to stop; her face had turned green, as if she wanted to turn back.

Seeing this, Ji Yaoyue and her sibling hurried to persuade her.

Upon entering the gate, one sees the Imperial Orchid Courtyard filled with colorful, varied flower clusters, artificial mountains and flowing water, ancient curios, sculptures, antiques—everything one could wish for, dazzling the eyes; the palace maids and eunuchs coming and going are all of high rank.

The head eunuch Jia in front was directing the servants when he saw Consort De, Heng Xian, and the others; his eyes lit up and he came forward to greet them: 'Your servant pays respects to Consort De, Poetry Sage Shī Shèng, and the two highnesses.'

No need for formalities! Consort De asked, 'Your Majesty, where are you setting up the New Year's feast this year?'

"Hall of Passing Clouds!"

Steward Jia replied respectfully, then led the way ahead.

A group of people passed through the extremely luxurious imperial gardens and a bevy of handsome palace maids, finally arriving before a hall exuding imperial majesty, its decorations radiating noble grandeur.

Still outside the hall, they heard a burst of cheerful voices and laughter from inside.

"A bunch of vulgar flatterers confusing the Emperor!"

Consort De's face was full of anger, she flicked her wide sleeves, looking like a proper wife catching a concubine, and strode into the palace.

Heng Xian exclaimed in surprise: "Is Consort De always like this?"

Ji Yaoyue gave him a sideways glance: "You know the answer and yet you ask!"

Beside them, Ji Yifan sighed repeatedly, not knowing what he was sighing about!

Upon entering the hall, it was warm as spring, and the air was filled with the refreshing scent of rouge and powder.

Each of these rouges and powders was a top-grade tribute to the imperial household, but mixed together they somehow carried a hint of vulgarity.

In the middle of the hall stood a huge, solemn long dragon table, laden with an exquisite variety of pastries; in terms of standard, it even surpassed that of the Xianqing Palace!

Around the table sat thirty-six women, all the elderly emperor's consorts; taking advantage of the holiday, they let loose, chatting and laughing, making a merry din.

After all, the emperor hadn't been seen in over ten years, so seeing him now was truly a joy.

On the main seat were two chairs; the Empress, dressed in a phoenix robe, was already seated in one, leaving the other, carved with a five-clawed golden dragon, vacant.

As soon as Consort De entered, she immediately put on airs, walking all the way to a spot not far from the Empress before giving a cold smile: "Really, anyone can come these days; before the Emperor makes a decision, shouldn't he have given it more thought?"

Only she would dare say something like that!

"Greetings, Consort De!"

Apart from the Empress and a few higher-ranking consorts, everyone else rose to salute.

"Forget it! What's the point of such an extravagant ceremony that happens only once a year?"

Consort De unhesitatingly took the third seat!

This left Heng Xian and the others following him speechless.

The atmosphere inside the hall grew awkward, and no one dared to chat or laugh anymore.

"Mother Empress and all the aunts are present? Your subject pays his respects!"

Just then, two people entered from outside: a man wearing a four-clawed dragon robe, dignified and imposing, and a woman with beautiful features, graceful and splendid.

They were the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.

A group of low-ranking consorts hurriedly rose to salute: "Greetings, Crown Prince and Crown Princess!"

"No need for excessive courtesy!"

Ji Qian, accompanied by his wife, walked to the side of the Empress, glanced lightly at Heng Xian, smiled, and said nothing.

The atmosphere inside the hall became even more strange.

Not long after, Steward Jia stood before the gate and announced loudly: "His Majesty approaches!"

Everyone immediately rose to their feet, gazing with fervent eyes.

Especially the Empress, Consort De, and a group of consorts felt nervous, subconsciously adjusting their clothing and hair, striving to present their best side to the Emperor.

Heng Xian also looked outside the gate, curious in his heart—could this old emperor have recovered?

While thinking, dozens of imperial super guards outside the gate escorted a person inside.

He saw that the person's complexion was fair, body still frail, yet looked very spirited and regal.

That was exactly the emperor who had been half-dead just a few days earlier.

Just this time, the flying sickle didn't follow, and Jia Gonggong's presence was even weaker.

"Your Majesty! It's been fourteen years—you finally agreed to see us!"

The Empress wept profusely, her face soaked with tears.

Upon seeing the Empress's reaction, Consort De immediately burst into tears, her face streaming, and even stepped forward to support the emperor.

As for the other consorts, needless to say, each tried to outdo the other in acting, wishing they could tear out their hearts to show the emperor how pure they were!

"Tsk tsk tsk..." Heng Xian clicked his tongue involuntarily.

"How? Are you jealous?" Ji Yaoyue said lightly.

"Alright, here we go again!"

Heng Xian said righteously: "I'm just curious how the emperor will handle so many concubines!"

"Just comfort them one by one!" Ji Yaoyue said: "Anyway, they're all concubines—you can't just kick them out!"

Heng Xian chuckled and asked quietly: "You said, does the prince consort have the qualification to take a concubine?"

"Yes!" Ji Yaoyue said coldly: "If you want to take a concubine, tell me beforehand—I'll sharpen my sword!"

"What's the sword sharpening for?" Heng Xian asked.

Ji Yaoyue snarled: "I'll castrate you!"

Heng Xian found it boring and simply stayed silent.

At that moment, the emperor indeed comforted all the consorts, then took the main seat beside the Empress, gesturing for all the consorts, the Crown Prince, the Prince of Wu, Ji Yaoyue, and Heng Xian to sit, and ordered that the New Year banquet could begin!

The palace maids and eunuchs hurriedly got to work.

It was said that the emperor's feast tonight consisted of a total of 1,100 dishes.

Before the food arrived, the emperor suddenly looked at Heng Xian and said: "The twenty-sixth day of the first month after the New Year is an auspicious day—you may marry Yaoyue!"

"Uh..." Everyone was startled by the news.

It's only a matter of time before the princess and prince consort marry, but such a decisive announcement is really rare!

(End of chapter)