Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite
Chapter 52: The Festive Dragon Boat Feast

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: The Festive Dragon Boat Feast

According to the custom, Lin Wanyi and the others also sat at the farthest end of the palace banquet.

Also close to the lake, as the gentle breeze blew over, it brought a refreshing feeling.

In the row of concubines, there were four people in total; besides Lin Wanyi, there was Mu Lanchun, the newly entered Shangguan Daying, and Han Daying, who had been in the palace for many years.

They were all people of few words, and upon seeing the bustling scene today, they dared not look around too much.

Sitting next to Lin Wanyi was Mu Daying.

She glanced at the scene, feeling somewhat apologetic, and walked over to Lin Wanyi to say.

"A few days ago, I was blinded by lard and caused you trouble, sister. I hope you won’t distance yourself from me because of this."

After saying this, she looked at Lin Wanyi with a somewhat sorrowful expression, and tears fell instantly.

This drew the attention of the surrounding concubines, who looked over with curiosity and confusion in their eyes.

Lin Wanyi wiped her tears with a handkerchief, then said good-naturedly.

"Your tears seem a bit pointless, there’s no wind or sand, I can’t even find a good excuse to cover for you."

Amused by Lin Wanyi, Mu Lanchun let out a chuckle.

"As long as Sister Lin doesn’t blame me."

"Don’t worry, it’s not a big deal. I heard today’s rice dumplings are both sweet and savory. If you truly feel sorry, just eat a couple more for me."

"You don’t like rice dumplings, sister?"

"I don’t particularly enjoy glutinous foods, always feel heavy in the stomach after eating them."

"I see, then rest assured, sister, I’ll help you finish everything on the table."

Mu Lanchun, as always, was very close to Lin Wanyi.

However, Chunqi and Xia An, who were watching from behind, had a fleeting sense of alertness in their eyes.

Sitting behind the two were four to five well-behaved ladies, who could not even be counted as concubines, merely the Emperor’s bed companions.

One among them, with a good-looking face and lively nature, was sipping tea while chatting with the person beside her.

"Miss Jiang, have you attended the Dragon Boat Festival banquet before?"

"Attended twice, once in the seventh year of Yuanhe, and once in the fourteenth year of Yuanhe."

"Oh? Then you’ve been in the palace for quite a while, surely you know what to watch out for at this palace banquet. I’ll just follow you, doing whatever you do."

Miss Jiang glanced sideways at the speaker, wanting to refuse but unable to cut off the conversation, so she just smiled faintly and said.

"Lady He, you are new to the palace, it’s fine to know less about the customs; I have been here so long and am still just a lady, not worthy of such regard from you."

The person called Lady He immediately puckered her lips, feeling very unwilling, but still had to put on a pleasing face.

Speaking to Miss Jiang, she said.

"Don’t worry, lady, I just said this out of fear of breaking the rules, I wouldn’t really do anything to affect you."

After hearing this, Miss Jiang closed her mouth.

After all, they were sitting at the very back, and even seeing the back of the Emperor from a distance was a good thing.

Whether rules were followed or not, who would notice?

Seeing her remain silent, Lady He also stopped talking, turning instead to look at the shimmering lake, easing two points of awkwardness.

The Fourth Prince Consort had been chatting with Lin Guifei when they heard a sound from outside Qing Garden.

"The Emperor is arriving."

Upon hearing the eunuch’s sharp voice, which sounded like heavenly music for a moment, everyone immediately rose to welcome the divine chariot.

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live."

Then they saw the Emperor striding over, clad in a bright yellow court robe, exuding great majesty.

Following behind were several older men who somewhat resembled the Emperor.

As they entered Qing Garden, the Emperor immediately noticed Lin Guifei’s attire.

He faintly frowned and then relaxed, speaking calmly.

"You may rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

And the few middle-aged men behind him also cupped their hands and said.

"We greet Lin Guifei."

"You are too kind, dear uncles, please, do rise quickly."

Lin Guifei gestured a polite invitation, then stood by the Emperor’s side, showing a graceful and dignified demeanor.

Lin Wanyi and the others were too far away to see the faces of those Imperial Uncles clearly.

But from their voices, it was clear that each had a strong and forceful tone, they seemed to be people full of vitality.

The Emperor took his seat on the Dragon Chair, while the others found their seats as well.

With a wave of Lin Guifei’s hand, a group of eunuchs came to remove the purple sandalwood screens.

The sides were made symmetrical.

"Today is not only a palace banquet but also a family feast. I have invited everyone to watch this dragon boat race together and wish that the heavens protect our Da Wei, always prosperous and flourishing for thousands of generations!"

The Emperor Yu Wenhong raised his cup, and everyone lifted their cups in front of them and drank in one go.

The music started, marking the beginning of this Dragon Boat Festival banquet.

Initially, under Lin Guifei’s instructions, Consort Ye and Du Changzai had arranged a variety of fine wines and delicacies.

But with the Emperor’s decree, it became much simpler.

Yet even with simplicity, the essentials had to be there, such as the five-flavored jujube dumplings and cloud leg meat dumplings, all placed on exquisite eight-precious plates, one dish per person.

They looked appetizing, but Lin Wanyi just lightly touched them and found only residual warmth.

If she ate such glutinous food, she feared she’d be bedridden for the next two days, so she looked at Mu Lanchun beside her.

Only to see her plate already wiped clean, her eyes wide as she looked at Lin Wanyi.

"Go ahead and eat, but don’t choke."

"Understood, sister, rest assured, my stomach is ironclad, nothing will be a problem."

They were far from the main table, and since they deliberately kept their voices low, no one around noticed.

But the Emperor, sitting at the center, gave Lin Wanyi a casual glance and then continued chatting with those Imperial Uncles, exchanging drinks and talking.

Lin Guifei liked this kind of setting because she was the only one qualified to stand by the Emperor’s side.

Just as their conversation was getting lively, cheers came from Shounan Lake outside.

"Your Majesty, it seems the lads are ready. As an old minister, hearing it makes my blood boil!"

The speaker was the Emperor Yu Wenhong’s fourth uncle, the late Emperor’s brother Yu Wenqian.

Though over fifty, he spoke with full confidence and had a robust physique like a general of the past, with a face full of whiskers.

Lin Wanyi had heard her elder brother mention this Fourth Prince, her eyes filled with admiration and longing.

He was said to be loyal and righteous, with a frank and open nature.

Moreover, although born into the Imperial Family, he never coveted royal power and preferred life in the military.

Thus, he withdrew early from the path of contention for the throne, not only protecting the late Emperor on his way to supreme power but also displaying loyalty to the current Emperor.

For this reason, six years ago, he was honored with the title of "Prince Wei An of Da Wei" and awarded the glorious Death Exemption Token, a privilege not granted to any other prince.