Chapter 5: The Banquet of a Hundred Blossoms

In the blink of an eye, the day of the Hundred Flowers Banquet arrived with grace.

Within the palace, the Empress sat in her chambers, a group of maids meticulously attending to her hair and makeup. They carefully adorned her hair with a phoenix hairpin and dressed her in an ornate robe embroidered with golden threads. So resplendent was her attire that anyone unaware might have mistaken the day for a grand occasion of utmost importance.

Once her preparations were complete, the Empress dismissed her maids. Adjusting the weighty hair ornaments, she gazed into the bronze mirror. Reflected back was the image of a still-elegant, middle-aged beauty, her eyes flickering with a cold gleam.

“Heh, Consort Yu, so what if the Emperor favors you? Your son is nothing but a worthless fool. Today, I will see to it that he never rises again...”

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived and awaits you in the main hall,” a maid reported cautiously from outside.

“Very well.” The Empress smoothed her phoenix robe and, with the support of her attendants, stepped out toward the main hall.

“Mother, you’re here.” Upon seeing the Empress, the Crown Prince immediately rose and greeted her with respectful ceremony.

The Crown Prince, Jiang Hao, was eighteen years old, with delicate features. Today, he had deliberately chosen a light blue robe embroidered with white cranes, custom-made at the Feathered Elegance Pavilion. This added a touch of nobility to his otherwise unremarkable appearance, giving him the air of a refined young lord.

“Hao’er, are you prepared? Do you remember Lin Yurou’s portrait?”

“Mother, rest assured. Everything will proceed according to our plan. I have already arranged everything; Lin Yurou will not escape my grasp...”

For this Hundred Flowers Banquet, held ostensibly in honor of Jiang Yan, the Empress and her son were plotting with great precision.

Many noble young ladies had been invited, including Lin Yurou, the legitimate daughter of the Lin family. The Lin family was the foremost among the four great families of Jiang, and another mighty cultivator revered by the kingdom hailed from their clan. An alliance through marriage with the Lin family would greatly strengthen the royal house.

“Hao’er, don’t forget our other goal today—to utterly ruin Jiang Yan’s reputation.”

“Mother, naturally. You can await my good news. The hour is nearly upon us; let us go to the banquet.”

...

The Hundred Flowers Banquet was set in the palace’s Hundred Flowers Garden, where vibrant blossoms were arranged everywhere. It was spring, the flowers in full bloom, their fragrance wafting through the air. Melodious music drifted through the garden, and dancers twirled gracefully, painting a scene as beautiful as a picture.

The young noblewomen attending were permitted to bring their families, and most had brought siblings. Each was splendidly attired, competing in elegance and charm. Though they knew the banquet was organized for the Second Prince, Jiang Yan, each harbored her own designs. They held little hope for the Second Prince and saw the event as an opportunity to seek out potential suitors among the other young gentlemen present. Perhaps, if fortune smiled, they might meet someone to their liking.

At this moment, Jiang Yan sat leisurely at his table, cracking melon seeds and admiring the garden’s beauty. He had brought only two attendants—one was An Yi, the other a round-faced guard.

“Little Yuan, peel an orange for me,” Jiang Yan said, looking to the round-faced guard beside him.

“Yes, master...” The round-faced guard rolled her eyes discreetly.

Upon closer inspection, one would realize that this ‘guard’ was actually Mo Shiyu!

Indeed, out of a small sense of guilt toward Jiang Yan, Mo Shiyu had agreed to serve as his guard for the banquet. Yet, seeing his smug and provoking expression, she could hardly resist the urge to teach him a lesson.

With a hint of malice, Mo Shiyu tore the orange peel and stuffed the entire fruit into Jiang Yan’s mouth with swift hands.

Jiang Yan’s eyes widened; he pulled the orange from his mouth and exclaimed in surprise, “Oh? Defiant, are you? Should I go have a word with your uncle again?”

At the thought of her father’s admonishments, Mo Shiyu immediately deflated. Her cousin certainly knew how to handle her. Her round face puffed up in indignation like a pufferfish.

An Yi looked at the squabbling cousins with helpless amusement, musing to himself: Ah, the young master has indeed become more handsome, but why does he seem even more cunning now...

The Empress and Emperor sat in the place of honor, while maids brought out plates of exquisite pastries and fruit.

“Empress, look at Yan’er. If I hadn’t been told it was him, I wouldn’t have recognized him. Upon closer look, he truly resembles Consort Yu in her youth…” The Emperor gazed at Jiang Yan with fatherly affection.

If looks could kill, the Empress would have slain Jiang Yan a thousand times over with her glare. Why, she thought bitterly, was Consort Yu’s son so striking once he’d lost weight, while her own son remained so plain? She was not one to judge by appearances, but every time Consort Yu outshone her, she could not help but feel envious.

With her signature false smile and the gentlest of tones, the Empress replied, “Indeed, Your Majesty, who would have thought the Second Prince would become so extraordinarily handsome once he slimmed down—a true young noble! Hehe...”

The honored guests and their families continued to arrive, filling the venue with lively bustle. In the presence of the Emperor and Empress, everyone was careful to maintain proper decorum.

Seeing that all the guests had arrived, the Empress softly said to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, we may begin the banquet.”

The Emperor nodded to the steward, who announced in a loud voice, “Let the banquet begin…”

At that moment, the music in the garden changed, and the dancers withdrew.

“Honored guests, may you all eat heartily and enjoy yourselves at today’s Hundred Flowers Banquet. Please, feel free and unrestrained…” The Emperor beamed as he addressed the assembly.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” the crowd responded in unison.

“Your Majesty,” the Empress suggested, “since so many talented gentlemen and ladies have gathered today, why not hold a talent performance to enliven the festivities?”

The Emperor nodded approvingly. “The Empress speaks well. Those who excel shall receive a handsome reward. Who among you would like to volunteer?”

A gentle voice rose, “Your Majesty, I would like to offer a song.”

All eyes turned to the speaker—a young lady dressed in a violet gauze gown, rising gracefully to her feet. Her lovely features wore a shy expression, and she held a guqin in her arms.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“Who is this young lady?”

“She’s Lin Ruyan, a concubine-born daughter of the Lin family. I didn’t expect her to attend the Hundred Flowers Banquet.”

The Emperor praised her, “Very well, you may begin.” He had always admired those with courage, and this delicate girl, daring to step forward first, won his appreciation.

With light steps, Lin Ruyan went to the stage and set her guqin in place. She glanced over the audience and announced, “Today, I have the honor of accompanying my elder sister to the banquet. I would like to perform a piece for you all, entitled ‘The Contention of a Hundred Flowers.’”

As her words fell, she composed herself, and her slender fingers brushed the strings.

The beautiful melody flowed, enchanting everyone present. Even the flowers around seemed to bloom more brilliantly, their fragrance more intoxicating.

Lin Yurou watched the brilliant girl on stage and snorted coldly, “Hmph, is she so eager to show off?”

Her maid, Cui’er, echoed, “Indeed, miss. I’m sure she begged the master to let her come today. She certainly isn’t dressed to blend into the background!”