"Young Madam, why did you take off your hairpin?"
Cai Qing took the hairpin and placed it on Feng Jin's head. "Young Madam, don't take it off again. If your hairstyle falls apart later, we'll have to re-do it."
Feng Jin was speechless. This girl, had she put all her hairpins and jeweled accessories on her head?
The palace banquet was held in the waterside pavilion. As soon as the carriage reached the palace gate, someone led them over.
Upon arrival, Feng Jin realized that her head full of jewels and jade was nothing compared to others.
Everyone was dressed to attract attention, as if this was not a palace banquet but a beauty contest.
"It's over, Young Madam. I told you we should have worn the golden filigree peony crown, but you insisted on this one. Now we're completely outshone!"
Cai Qing whispered in Feng Jin's ear. Such palace banquets were always grandly adorned, and now they seemed rather plain in comparison.
"Then listen carefully."
That crown was even heavier than this one; wearing it for an entire night would surely break her neck.
As soon as Feng Jin sat down, Feng Ruoyan slithered over, her slender waist swaying. "Sister, Brother Mo Han."
Her blatant gaze roamed over Ling Mo Han repeatedly, as if afraid others wouldn't know of her deep affection.
Feng Ruoyan's eyes lingered on Ling Mo Han for not a second less, comparing him to the Third Prince. He paled in comparison, with only his status as the legitimate heir to the throne worth mentioning.
The rest... was truly difficult to describe.
After the comparison, Feng Ruoyan's gaze towards Ling Mo Han became even more infatuated.
"Sister, is it really appropriate to stare at your brother-in-law like this?" Feng Jin's sarcastic voice pulled Feng Ruoyan back. "Sister, the Third Prince will be back soon. It's better if you save your affectionate gaze for him."
Her true feelings exposed, Feng Ruoyan's face turned red with embarrassment. She glared at Feng Jin and gritted her teeth. "These matters do not require your sister's concern."
That little slut. Once she ascended to the position of Empress, Feng Jin would be the first to be killed out of spite.
When Sun Shi saw Feng Jin, her heart skipped a beat. Why hadn't she died? She was here, alive and well.
"Feng Jin, my good child, how have you been these past two days?" Sun Shi asked feigning concern, her eyes scanning Feng Jin, trying to find any clue on her face.
"Thank you for your concern. I'm living quite well."
A hint of hatred flickered across Sun Shi's face, her venomous eyes wishing they could burn a hole through Feng Jin. "It's good that you're well, it's good that you're well."
What went wrong here? Sun Shi was full of worries, her gaze fixed on the jade bracelet in Cai Qing's hand. She was wearing it, so why was it ineffective?
Could it be that the time elapsed was too long and the蛊虫 (gu worm) had lost its efficacy?
After much thought, Sun Shi could not figure out what had gone wrong.
"The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
"The Emperor has arrived, the Empress, and the Imperial Consort have arrived!"
The eunuch's shrill voice rang out, and everyone present rose in unison to bow.
"All officials may rise. Today is the Mid-Autumn Feast, please be at ease."
Emperor Xuanwen was around forty years old, well-maintained, making him appear to be in his early thirties. The small mustache at the corner of his lips added a touch of seasoned charm.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" everyone replied in unison, then rose and took their seats.
Feng Jin, weighed down by the jewels on her head, had to support her headdress with her hand when she stood up, barely managing to rise.
As they sat down, Ling Mo Han, concerned that she might cause further trouble, helped her arrange her skirt.
The Mid-Autumn Feast was no different from usual, consisting of admiring singing and dancing.
Feng Jin had skipped dinner to wear this dress and was now ravenously hungry. Seeing that no one was paying attention, she quickly grabbed a pastry and popped it into her mouth.
Sun Shi tugged at Feng Ruoyan's sleeve, signaling her to stand up.
As Feng Ruoyan stood up and was about to speak, a kind voice sounded from the stage.
"Where is little girl Feng Jin?"
Feng Jin, who was secretly eating, heard her name being called. She quickly swallowed the half-eaten pastry and hurriedly stood up, looking towards the stage.
"Who is the Empress Dowager?" a deep male voice came from beside her.
Feng Jin let out a sigh of relief and gracefully rose to walk towards the center to bow. "Your subject, Feng Jin, pays respects to the Empress Dowager. I wish the Empress Dowager good health and well-being."
"Good... good, come forward and sit beside this empress. Let this empress have a good look at you."
The Empress Dowager beckoned to Feng Jin, signaling her to come up and sit.
Feng Jin was slightly stunned. Doing so would be a grave disrespect. She absolutely could not comply. "The Empress Dowager is the model of virtue for the empire. Feng Jin dares not sit with the Empress Dowager."
"You do understand etiquette. Since Mother has asked you to sit, then you may go. This Emperor exempts you from punishment."
"Girl, come here quickly."
"Your subject thanks Your Majesty, and thanks the Empress Dowager!"
After performing her courtesies, Feng Jin, under the gaze of countless people, nervously walked towards the stage.
"Come, sit beside me." The Empress Dowager lovingly pulled Feng Jin to sit beside her.
"A few days ago, I heard from Yue E that you went to Marquis Pingyang's mansion to congratulate him on his birthday, and she said that you and Bi Rou looked very much alike. Seeing you now, this empress feels as if she is seeing Bi Rou again."
The Empress Dowager held Feng Jin's hand, her thoughts filled with emotion, a wave of sorrow washing over her, and she could not help but shed tears.
"Let's not dwell on the past. Seeing you well, your mother and maternal grandmother can rest in peace in the netherworld."
"Empress Dowager, it is indeed fortunate for me in three lifetimes to be cared for by you."
"Good child!"
The Empress Dowager tenderly stroked Feng Jin's cheek and then removed a phoenix hairpin from her own hair, placing it on Feng Jin's head. "This crimson gold peony phoenix hairpin, this empress has worn it for many years. Consider it a congratulation on your happy wedding. This empress has long prepared a dowry for you; it will be sent to your residence tomorrow."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
"From now on, with this empress backing you, no one will be able to bully you." This statement from the Empress Dowager directly provided Feng Jin with a shield of protection.
"Prime Minister Feng, I recall that when Miao Qing married into your family, she brought a dowry of a million taels. Now that Feng Jin is married, Miao Qing's dowry should also be given to Feng Jin. You will sort out the dowry tomorrow and send it all to the Ling residence."
"Your subject obeys." Feng Yuanping immediately agreed without the slightest hesitation.
"This empress also has a copy of the dowry list. If you dare to deceive this empress, do not blame this empress for punishing you for deceiving the emperor."
Back then, when the late Emperor passed away, Emperor Xuanwen was only eight years old. It was the current Empress Dowager who ruled as regent, managing state affairs for nearly ten years, until Emperor Xuanwen married and took the reins of power, after which she retired to the inner palace.
Although she had not been involved in state affairs for many years, her authority remained undiminished, which immediately intimidated Feng Yuanping.
"Your subject would not dare to deceive the Empress Dowager. Miao Qing's dowry has always been stored in the treasury, waiting to be sent with Feng Jin upon her marriage. I have been busy with official duties these past two days and was negligent. Tomorrow, I will ensure the dowry is tallied and sent over."