Chapter 285
Two days later
-The Flower Appreciation Banquet was held as scheduled
Empress Xu had arranged all the chores to the female officials around her
The people lived up to Empress Xu’s expectations and prepared in an organized manner
The location of the flower banquet was set in the imperial garden next to a rockery
By the side of the rockery was a clear pool of water, in which were raised a number of expensive fish
Water pool side planted a circle of weeping willow, long willow branches swaying with the wind, meaning soft and enchanting
Next to the willow tree there is a huge pavilion, inside and outside the pavilion are placed several tables and chairs
The table was filled with fresh fruits and various colors of refreshments
Several musicians sat on the other side of the rockery and played melodious music
Across the rockery, it was not too noisy and noisy, but also added a bit of leisurely mood
The concubines entered the pavilion with Empress Xu and sat down
The concubines with a slightly lower rank could only sit a little farther outside the pavilion
Fortunately, the surrounding trees provide shade, blocking most of the sunlight
Behind the concubines stood two palace maids, each holding a flower pot, which was covered with a gauze cover
It was hard to see the peony’s true appearance
The concubines looked around and whispered and laughed, which was quite amusing
Empress Xu cleared her throat and said, “Let’s be quiet for a while
The Palace yesterday personally opened his mouth to invite, the Emperor has promised, will definitely come to today’s flower viewing banquet
-You and patiently wait a moment”
As soon as the words fell, a chamberlain ran to report, “Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived!”
Empress Xu was busy standing up, and all the concubines also got up, along with Empress Xu to receive the driver
The emperor traveled, even in the palace, the battle will never be small
The chamberlains and palace maids escorted, and the people accompanying them clustered before and after, in a vast mannerMy concubine greets His Majesty”
Empress Xu bowed respectfully
The voices of the concubines were even more delicate and appealingThe Empress doesn’t need to be polite
All the concubines, please rise together as well!”
The Emperor was very sick at the beginning of the year and has been recuperating since then, on the surface he looks cured, but in fact, the dragon’s body is still weak
Face with a few points of sickly pallor
The concubines naturally will not tell the truth, each after taking their seats, no less than to compete to flatter
This said “the Emperor’s body is very safe in my heart is not overjoyed”, that said “the Emperor looked very good today my concubine is really too happy”
A race of a delicate and charming, the emperor looked in the eyes, the dragon heart pleased: “Today’s flower feast worthy of the name
All the concubines fighting flowers, I will come today to enjoy the flowers, assessed the flower leader
This kind of elegant things, really fit my heart”
Fighting flowers to appreciate flowers, are a double language double light
Concubines on the surface pretending to be shy, the heart since is eager to try
-Empress Xu’s phoenix eyes flashed, said with a smile, “His Majesty is so pleased today, we all have to perform well, don’t spoil His Majesty’s pleasure
Beauty Wang, didn’t you say you have new peonies for us to enjoy?
How about we start with you?”
The gazes of the crowd looked over in unison
Beauty Wang was most pleased to be in the limelight and didn’t excuse herself, rising with a smile, “I’ll be the first to make a humble offering”
Wang Meiren was so confident and full of confidence, which also made everyone curious
She led two court ladies to the center of the pavilion and unveiled the first veil, revealing a pot of pink peonies, “This pot is called Silver Powder Golden Ling”
The crowd fixed their eyes on it and could not help but praise it
This pot of Silver Pink Golden Ling had four flowers on one plant
The delicate pink petals were layered on top of each other, just like a beauty’s first makeup, shy and bright
It is indeed a rare treasure
Wang beauty heart secretly self-satisfied, opened her mouth and laughed: ”Silver powder gold ling bloom although good, but not as rare as this pot of blue field jade
Please ask the Emperor and Empress Mother to appreciate and savor it”
Saying that, he unveiled the second cover
This pot of peony was actually an extremely rare blue color
The petals were warm and thick, shining with a mysterious and moving color under the sunlight
I don’t know whether it was intentional or coincidental, but Beauty Wang also wore a blue palace dress today, and stood next to the peony, looking particularly delicateThe name of this Blue Field Jade is true to its name”
The Emperor looked at Wang Beauty one more time and complimented her with a smile
Wang Beauty’s heart was joyful
She gave her thanks and retreated
Empress Xu lightly hummed in her heart
No wonder Wang Meiren was so crazy this year, so she had actually planted a rare peony like the Blue Field Jade
Luckily, Ling Jingshu had planted Luoyang brocade, otherwise, this year’s flower leader would have been snatched by Wang Meiren, and she would have to show her face as the Empress
As soon as Wang Meiren brought out these two new peonies, the other concubines were secretly disappointed
The peonies they had prepared were all well-prepared, but they were dwarfed by the blue peonies in this pot
First case red, imperial yellow, white jade inlaid with gold, purple thread bounded with jade
Pots of delicate and beautiful peonies were presented in front of the crowd, mesmerizing the eye
It was a pity that they were all slightly inferior to the Lantian jade
The self-satisfied color in Wang Meiren’s eyes grew thicker and thicker, and she pretended to say respectfully, “I wonder what kind of peonies the Empress has prepared this year?”
Empress Xu didn’t move and smiled, “Rui Lian, Jingshu, the two of you stand in the center and show the peonies in your hands to everyone”
Empress Xu held her own status, so she could not act like an ordinary concubine, and simply let the female officials around her hold the peonies on stage
Rui Lian and Ling Jingshu stood in the center of the pavilion with flower pots in their hands smilingly
The crowd felt a light in front of their eyes
Rui Lian was the most useful person beside Empress Xu, and her looks and temperament were no weaker than those of the concubines present
The crowd was also very familiar with her
Ruilian side of the girl, appearance than Ruilian even better, not applying powder, but the light is intimidating
Wearing a light green palace dress, standing there playfully, the corner of the lips with a smile
The emperor most like beauty, see this beauty, can not help but ask: “Empress, who is this female officer?
How come I have never seen it before?”
Empress Xu smiled and said, “Her surname is Ling, her maiden name is Jingshu, she is the niece of Lord Ling of the Ministry of Public Works
I have quite an eye for her and summoned her to the palace for company
When she entered the palace at the beginning of the year, His Majesty’s dragon body was weak
These past few months she has been serving the flowers and plants in the Pepper Room Hall and has never gone out to walk around, so it’s no wonder the Emperor hasn’t seen her”The two pots of peonies presented today are both carefully cared for by her as well
Your Majesty might as well enjoy them carefully”
Saying this, he ordered Rui Lian, “Rui Lian, uncover the veil”
Rui Lian respectfully answered and uncovered the veil, “This pot of peonies is called Xiangyu”
His Majesty’s gaze swept over Ling Jingshu’s pretty face and landed on the peony in Ruilian’s hand
Fragrant Jade was a light pink color, and the flowers were large and bright
The crowd spoke out in praise
Peonies were beautiful because they were big, and this pot of fragrant jade flowers was bigger than the mouth of a bowl, which was indeed rare
As for the aroma, there were many peonies here, so the aroma was too strong to show
Next, it was the turn of the peony in Ling Jingshu’s hand