It was hot at that time, and the palace was not cool because it was built in the middle of the mountain.
Yankai is by the lake, surrounded by towering ancient trees, and the lake breeze is blowing. Although it is not as cold as autumn, it is refreshing and pleasant.
Concubine Xuan and Concubine Rui were ordered to host a palace banquet for the first time. Although it was not a big banquet like the New Year's Day, she still put in her best effort. She went to the warehouse to carefully select the tables, chairs, bowls, chopsticks, screens, and incense burners to complement the surrounding scenery.
Thousands of pots of jasmine flowers were brought from Shandong to decorate the banquet, making the entire banquet fragrant.
He also ordered red-crowned cranes, deer, parrots and other birds and animals with beautiful and gentle temperaments to be placed by the lake.
He invited Yun Fenghuang to work with him to monitor the musicians and performers in the Jiaofang Division, and even rewarded the concubines in his palace with clothing, materials, and jewelry, and told them to practice diligently... The Qing people and other attendants looked at their busy schedules and couldn't help but feel a little worried: "Your Majesty, Concubine Xuan and Concubine Rui were too busy in the limelight during their confinement period. If things go on like this, the palace and harem will only know about them and not the empress."
"That's what I'm asking for." Yun Fenghuang smiled slightly, "After all, the identity of my father and brother is there. They have been holding down their requests, not to mention their father and brother's murmurings about whether they beg or not. What's wrong with Bidong?" Do you think? He must think that I am so powerful that even a noble lady like Concubine Xuan and Rui Fei can’t do anything to me... If things go on like this, Bidong will be very sorry for me. How much pity does this palace have?"
"It's better to let Concubine Xuan and Concubine Rui rush in front. It will show that we really came from a small family. Without Bidong's support, we can't achieve anything. Then Bidong can rest assured and I will be relaxed."
The people of the Qing Dynasty felt a little sad when they heard this, and sighed: "You are as talented as your empress, but Mr. Xie has dragged you down."
"Mr. Xie did not cultivate me carefully back then." Yun Fenghuang shook his head and said, "It's not like they forced me to enter the palace to win over Yi. Things like the door lintel... I am not from Bu Yi's family. I don’t ask for words like that.”
She said slowly, "After Ji's incident, Bidong must have learned a lesson and will never allow concubines in the palace to cover the sky with their legs. So if Concubine Xuan and Ruifei of Ming Dynasty are in the limelight, we don't want to be impatient. Bidong must not even see it. In our eyes. The more they stand out, the more likely Bidong will support us."
"Moreover, the emperor's eldest son and the emperor's eldest daughter are raised in the east of this palace, and the middle palace is despised by the emperor. If we know that the cards in our legs are not bad, we should seek stability for the sake of understanding. We can only enter the palace if we can't follow. Seeking status but not status, asking for favor but not being favored is the same as it was back then, trying to find ways to avoid the conflict."
The Qing people didn't even think about it, so they asked: "What about the concubines in our palace at that banquet? Can you please give me some advice?"
"Of course I'm asking for advice!" Yun Fenghuang looked at the fan in his lap and smiled slightly, "Is our Huanqing Palace famous for its many beauties? If we let others go to Bidong, where will my face be turned? ? My name is Yishi Qushi, so please cheer up, no matter what method you use, you have to prove to me that our Huaqing Palace is full of talented people!"
Yi Xingen and Qu Hongzhuan were very frightened after receiving the order, especially Qu Hongzhuan: "I come from a humble background, I don't know how to read, and I have no talent... So what should I do?"
She could be selected into the palace purely based on her appearance, but her appearance was not as good as that of Yi Xing'en. At that time, the master asked her to compete with other concubines in the palace, and she had to win. Isn't that too overwhelming
But Qu Hongzhuan didn't dare to say anything. After being embarrassed, he went to discuss with Yi Xing'en.
Yi Xingen asked for kindness, but Bu Naoqiu said that she was not confident compared to the concubines in other palaces. The two of them discussed it with the other concubines, and then went to Yun Fenghuang's valet Qingdu to ask for help. Director Fang sent an expert to give some guidance.
Qingdu asked Yun Fenghuang for instructions and approved them.
Those people practiced hard and didn't dare to relax day and night. Finally, they stayed up until the banquet started. Following their respective seats and watching the concubines in other palaces all dressed up, they all felt unsure and became more and more nervous.
Of course, Yun Fenghuang and other high-ranking officials were calm and composed. They were all dressed up and crowded around Chunjia, talking, laughing, and coquettishly, as if there was no intrigue between them.
After three rounds of drinking, Concubine Xuan brought it up and said to the teacher: "There are just a few tricks every year, and it's not interesting. Mingyue is a family banquet, and there are no outsiders. Why don't we let the sisters show their legs to add to the fun?" "