latelenovela Chapter 148 Welcome-Away Banquet
Chapter 148 Welcome-Away Banquet
"I heard that there were guards in a cave who found the two men's tattered clothes on a stone bed."
Qiao Qingling blinked, her words earnest: "If these things were to spread in the palace, would His Majesty, as a man, truly feel no resentment towards Consort Qiao?"
Empress Wang's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this.
What deep-seated hatred did this beauty Qiao have for her elder sister that she would resort to such insidious means to ruin her reputation?
However, what Qiao Qingling said is also true. No man in this world can tolerate his woman being impure, let alone a king who is the only one who matters.
Moreover, Qiao Qingyin was nothing more than a substitute to him. If she really lost her chastity, he didn't believe His Majesty could tolerate it.
Then, if Li Die, who looks and has a figure that are extremely similar to His Majesty, takes advantage of the situation, it will be an easy task to win His Majesty's heart.
Thinking of this, Empress Wang lowered her eyes and said, "Consort Qiao, since you discovered this matter, then I will leave it to you to handle."
As the Empress, she would naturally not handle this matter personally. Besides, if Pei Yuanling were to investigate, he wouldn't be able to trace it back to her.
Qiao Qingling curtsied and accepted the order, saying, "This concubine accepts the order."
Now that she had the Empress's permission, she had a shield, and she would only become more reckless in her actions.
The welcome-home banquet that Empress Wang was preparing for Consort Qiao was scheduled for three days later.
On the day of the welcoming banquet, the sun shone brightly, and the palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Palace maids and eunuchs were busy preparing early in the morning. Everything was personally confirmed by Empress Wang, which shows how much she valued this welcoming banquet.
The banquet was held in a pavilion in the imperial palace, with carved railings and openwork on all sides. It was large enough to accommodate eight or nine tables. The venue was not large, but it was small and exquisite. A breeze was blowing, which was very pleasant.
Surrounded by swaying lotus flowers and a cool breeze, it is an excellent place to hold a banquet in summer.
The palace banquet was scheduled for the evening. Chu Qingyin had recovered quite well in the few days since returning to the palace. Because of His Majesty's favor, she had not stepped out of Xingyue Palace even once.
Early that morning, Pei Yuanling ordered someone to send over several sets of new clothes.
Chu Qingyin glanced at the monotonous shades of purple dresses and a cold, indifferent smile curved her lips.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty truly cares deeply for you." Xianglan looked at the gifts that were being sent over like a flowing stream and was genuinely happy for her mistress.
Chu Qingyin smiled but remained silent. This favor was merely based on Pei Yuanling's guilt towards the late Consort.
He was simply projecting his so-called deep affection onto himself.
But she can no longer bear such deep affection.
If it weren't for her brother, she would never have entered the palace again in her life to feign friendship with him.
"This outfit will do."
Chu Qingyin casually chose a light purple dress. Summer clothes are usually quite light and thin, and this figure-revealing dress intentionally or unintentionally revealed the red marks on her neck.
As the sun began to set, many of the concubines had already arrived when she gracefully walked to the waterside pavilion.
Consort Qin and Consort De, both of high rank, stood side by side, but they did not exchange a word.
As for Qiao Qingling, standing next to her was an unfamiliar concubine. Chu Qingyin recalled in her mind that the concubine was surnamed Li, but she rarely appeared before, and she had almost forgotten that such a person existed.
The remaining concubines stood in twos and threes, forming several small mounds.
Chu Qingyin moved lightly and gracefully into the waterside pavilion.
Her appearance instantly attracted everyone's attention; her lotus-colored dress accentuated her snow-white skin and graceful figure.
Upon noticing the red mark on her neck, a hint of jealousy flashed in Qiao Qingling's eyes.
Consort Qin raised an eyebrow slightly, a cryptic smile curving her lips, and spoke first: "Your Highness Consort has been very fortunate these past few days, enjoying His Majesty's exclusive favor. Even the welcome-home banquet prepared for you is late."
Although his words were spoken with a smile, they contained a hidden barb.
Qiao Qingling never missed an opportunity to kick someone when they were down. Upon hearing this, she quickly chimed in, "What does Your Highness Qin Fei mean? My sister is currently enjoying immense prestige. Even if she arrives a little late, it's inevitable."
Chu Qingyin's expression remained unchanged as she gracefully bowed and greeted everyone. Her voice was gentle and sweet: "Greetings to all the elder sisters. I am sorry for being late. I hope you will not be offended. I have not been out for a long time and was momentarily negligent, which caused me to miss the appointed time."
When Empress Wang saw Chu Qingyin arrive, she slightly raised her eyes.
Upon noticing the red mark on her neck, a barely perceptible look of disgust flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his dignified smile: "It's good that you've come. This banquet was specially prepared for you, sister. Please take your seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress." Chu Qingyin bowed and took her seat as instructed.
Pei Yuanling seemed to be held up by something and arrived late, accompanied by several court officials including Lu Zhiheng. Prince Lu and his wife followed closely behind, and the people who had just taken their seats had to stand up and bow again.
Standing beside the Empress, Wang Jingyi's eyes widened with joy when she saw the tall figure she had longed for.
After many days, she finally saw Lu Zhiheng again!
Heaven knows how much she's worried about Lu Zhiheng these past few days; she's even developed blisters on her lips from worry.
Fortunately, God had mercy and he returned safely.
"Don't be shy, please sit down."
Pei Yuanling took his seat at the main table. He waved his hand, and the concubines thanked him and took their seats.
"Your Majesty has worked hard today." He glanced around at the layout, which was enough to prove the Empress's care, and such flattery was still necessary.
"Your Majesty flatters me." Empress Wang smiled politely. She sat beside Pei Yuanling, exuding elegance and grace, befitting an empress.
Chu Qingyin was the main character of today's banquet. Empress Wang specially arranged for her to sit near the front, next to Pei Yuanling. However, the person opposite her was not His Highness Prince Lu, but Lu Zhiheng.
The Empress meant that since Chief Minister Lu had suffered the same fate while he was stranded abroad, Chu Qingyin would not have been able to return safely without him. Therefore, he should be included in today's banquet, and thus his seat was arranged near the front.
The two locked eyes, and Chu Qingyin's breath caught in her throat for a moment, but she quickly looked away, picked up the sweet fruit wine on the table, and took a sip.
Empress Wang noticed the subtle unease between the two women, a slight smile playing on her lips as she teased, "Your Majesty, the chief minister Lu deserves much credit for Consort Qiao's safe return to the palace. Has Your Majesty decided what to reward her with?"
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanling's gaze lingered briefly on Chu Qingyin and Lu Zhiheng before he said in a calm voice, "What the Empress says is quite right. Minister Lu has indeed made great contributions this time. May I ask what reward Minister Lu would like? Please speak freely."
Lu Zhiheng stood up, bowed respectfully, and said in a steady voice, "Your Majesty, I am humbled. It is my duty to escort the Noble Consort back to the palace. I dare not claim credit or seek reward. The peace and tranquility of the world is my blessing."
Pei Yuanling raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with the answer, yet also as if he felt there was a deeper meaning behind it.
He chuckled lightly: "Very well, I will reward you with a hundred taels of gold and a quantity of fine silks and satins, hoping that you will continue to share my burdens in the future."
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness." Lu Zhiheng bowed again and slowly sat down.
Pei Yuanling's reward sounded very generous, but in reality, it consisted of insignificant gold and silver items that were of no use to him.
As for what he really wants...
As he raised his glass, his gaze drifted intentionally or unintentionally toward Chu Qingyin's location, before quickly averting his eyes.