A month later, the Chengyu Banquet at the Bianjing palace arrived as scheduled.
As night began to fall, the faint, melodic sounds of song and dance drifted across the water. The majestic palace buildings were adorned with thousands of lanterns, while eunuchs and palace maids held lights along the paths. Gold and jade curtains hung heavy, and the walls were studded with moon-pearls. The banners and streamers fluttered in the light, casting a shimmering glow over everything.
At this moment, the windows of the great hall were thrown wide open. Golden light danced upon the tables, where the Chengyu—the "tribute fish"—was served in various styles: fried, braised, and stewed. Beside the tables were lush green bamboos and willows, their leaves vibrant and fresh. The concubines laughed and chatted, the wine was fine, the flowers were new, and the atmosphere was lively.
The Chengyu Banquet was a nearly annual tradition in the palace.
Just as the concubines were laughing and talking, a woman approached with a grand entourage of maids. She wore a blue silk dress, her face as beautiful as a lotus, her dark hair styled in an elaborate bun adorned with a magpie-on-plum-blossom hairpin that was crystalline and striking.
The woman was none other than Consort Shu.
Upon seeing her, the concubines’ expressions varied, but they all offered hypocritical greetings. Those of lower rank curtsied in unison: "We pay our respects to Consort Shu."
Consort Jing teased, "Sister, it has been quite a long time since you gathered with us."
After taking her seat, Consort Shu waved her hand to excuse the concubines, smiling, "Sister Jing, it has been a while, but you still love to tease me."
"Looking at Consort Shu’s radiant and charming expression, it is easy to see how much His Majesty favors you," another concubine chimed in with flattery. "Consort Shu, your skin is like snow; you must have some wonderful secret recipe. We are all sisters here, so please don't keep it all to yourself."
Another concubine stared at Consort Shu’s porcelain-pale hands: "Consort Shu’s hands are more delicate than those of a girl who hasn't even reached her capping ceremony..."
Shu Qing took a slow, deliberate sip of tea and, as if by accident, revealed a precious jade tribute bracelet on her wrist. She smiled lightly: "I wasn't feeling well today and didn't plan to attend the Chengyu Banquet, but His Majesty insisted I come." She curled her lips and set down her handkerchief: "Perhaps it is because His Majesty visits so often; when one is in high spirits, one naturally feels a bit more lighthearted."
"His Majesty’s exclusive favor for you, Consort Shu, truly makes us envious." No sooner had Consort Shu finished speaking than another concubine probed, "I heard that you have promoted a newly arrived palace maid to be your personal attendant?"
Shu Qing raised an eyebrow: "You sisters certainly have keen eyes. Even such a small matter in Huayang Palace is clear to everyone. I simply found the girl pleasing to the eye, and since she is quick and capable, I made an exception to promote her."
When His Majesty, the Empress, and the Consort arrived and the greetings were concluded, Shu Qing lifted her chopsticks: "The Chengyu Banquet is a joyous festival in our palace. Since the Empress has already spoken, there is no need for you sisters to be so restrained."
***
The Chengyu Banquet was a flurry of wine and conversation, but this had little to do with the maids below.
Jiang Cangyue had been very busy lately. Aside from crafting incense, she was also teaching Ji Yanxiao the Six Arts of a Gentleman as well as various strategies and tactics. By the time of the Chengyu Banquet, Ji Yanxiao had already achieved a certain level of success.
His rate of progress was astonishing.
Just as he was about to learn more, Jiang Cangyue saw that his foundation was solid and began to teach him the four lethal techniques of the Four Gates.
The techniques of the Four Gates were not easy to master. Jiang Cangyue was willing to teach, and he was willing to endure the hardship. Man Chu, however, harbored secret concerns and whispered to Jiang Cangyue, "Sister, if he stabs us in the back later, that won't be a good thing."
"It doesn't matter," Jiang Cangyue said. "I have my own plans."
After finishing her tasks, she was sent by Consort Shu to deliver something at the banquet.
She was halfway there when she was intercepted by several women in luxurious attire. The woman in the center, dressed in fine robes, looked her up and down: "Are you that palace maid from Huayang Palace, Jiang Yue?"
Jiang Cangyue glanced at the three young women before her—clad in brocade, bedecked with rattling jade pendants and pearls. She lowered her eyes and bowed: "This servant, Jiang Yue, pays her respects to the noble ladies."
The leading woman exchanged glances with the others and acted arrogantly: "She doesn't look like much, nothing more than a pretty face..."
Jiang Cangyue stood up, holding the tray: "This servant still needs to deliver items for Consort Shu. Do you noble ladies have any other business?"
"Why does His Majesty go to Huayang Palace?" the woman asked, the words slipping out before she could stop herself.
Jiang Cangyue smiled faintly: "That has nothing to do with this servant. However, Consort Shu has made it clear: His Majesty’s feelings for her are not fickle, but steadfast; his every word is sincere, not wavering; his devotion is constant, not fleeting; and he treats Her Ladyship with the utmost sweetness. She is like a rare treasure, a flawless jade—what could others possibly use to compete with her?"
With that, she turned and walked away.
The three women behind her were stunned. When they finally reacted, they nearly tore their handkerchiefs to shreds. One of them spat, "Pah! Does Consort Shu really think that because she has caught His Majesty’s eye for a moment, she is the most beautiful in the entire palace?" She sneered, "When we go back, we must have a long talk with Her Ladyship about this."
"I really cannot swallow this insult!"
"There are so many sisters in this harem; Consort Shu is being far too ruthless. She eats the meat and drinks the soup, leaving not even a scrap for anyone else!"
Resentment flared among the three of them.
Later, as they sat at the banquet, they whispered to one another: "Exactly—doesn't this just mean she’s blocking everyone else’s path?"
The liveliness of the Chengyu Banquet took on a strange undertone, as various gazes began to covertly sweep toward Consort Shu’s seat.
Just as the banquet reached its peak, the scent of the fish made Consort Shu feel nauseous. Upon examination by the imperial physician, it was discovered that she was one month pregnant.
His Majesty was overjoyed.
***
In Hexi Palace, because Yue Wenjun was allergic to fish, she never attended the Chengyu Banquet. At that moment, she was leisurely teasing a red-bellied bullfinch.
Noticing that the bird seemed a little plumper than before, she put down her toy and asked her personal maid, Taoyao, "Is there anything different about the Chengyu Banquet this year?"
"Haitang went to see," Taoyao replied with a pleasing smile. "The Chengyu Banquet is the same table of fish every year. It’s for the best that you don't go, My Lady, given your allergy. It’s mostly just rehashing old matters—quite boring. Though, Consort Shu was rather conspicuous this year."
Yue Wenjun sat down on her chair, indifferent, breaking off fish food to feed the red carp: "Conspicuous? 'The tree that stands tallest in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.' Even Consort Shu’s dull mind should understand such a simple truth. Or perhaps when people are blinded by success, they naturally ignore everything around them. In this palace, exclusive favor is the greatest taboo. This is truly interesting."
She watched the red carp fighting over the food: "The people in this harem are no different from these red carp fighting for scraps. There is only one portion of food—which carp deserves it? If one carp is greedy and devours all the food, the others will eventually grow desperate with hunger..."
As she teased the fish, Haitang’s urgent voice sounded from outside the hall: "My Lady, I have found out something!"
Yue Wenjun wiped her hands in a slow, deliberate manner: "Speak."
"Consort Shu, she..." Haitang stuttered.
"Since when have you become unable to speak clearly?" Yue Wenjun frowned, her expression darkening with displeasure. "Could it be that Consort Shu has been promoted in rank?"
Even with His Majesty’s recent favor, she shouldn't be promoted without reason. If it wasn't that, then it must be something else.
Yue Wenjun looked at Haitang’s hesitant expression and suddenly felt a bad premonition. A moment later, Haitang dropped to her knees with a thud: "Replying to My Lady, what I heard at the banquet is that Consort Shu is one month pregnant."
Yue Wenjun slammed her hand on the table!
"Chirp—" The red-bellied bullfinch was startled and fluttered about the room in a panic.
Haitang and Taoyao fell to their knees instantly.
Yue Wenjun took a deep breath: "Say that again. What is wrong with Consort Shu?"