At noon, at the Imperial Kitchen.
Following Zhao Zheng's instructions, Noble Consort Li hosted a banquet there. Every consort, concubine, lady of bright deportment, lady of excellence, and lady of beauty recorded in the palace registers—whether titled or untitled—was in attendance. Knowing the Emperor had called for this banquet, no one dared to be late.
The concubines sitting at the tables did not dare to look directly at Noble Consort Li, who had recently regained the Emperor’s favor. They had all, at one point or another, kicked her while she was down, and when they recalled how the Emperor had slaughtered thousands of eunuchs and palace maids at Youning Palace just days ago on her behalf, their anxiety grew. Since Noble Consort Li was presiding over the banquet, they were already terrified, certain that this "family feast" would prove to be a trap.
Chapter 23