Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 273 Delicate Xi Shi

Chapter 273: Chapter 273 Delicate Xi Shi

The young eunuchs and little palace maids lined up one by one to receive their gifts. Once they had gotten them, they joyously bowed toward the side hall and loudly called out:

"Thank you, Master Lian, for the reward."

"May Master Lian enjoy peace and good fortune."

"May Master Lian enjoy health and well-being."

Each one of them was overjoyed, their faces radiant with delight. Some couldn’t help but start eating their mooncakes right there, their faces full of smiles.

For the young eunuchs of Star Palace who couldn’t attend, Lian Hua had someone give everything to Zhang Qing to distribute.

The eunuchs of Star Palace were very shrewd. When it came to the gifts and silver granted by other consorts and courts, they would weigh whether or not to accept them, and even if they did, they worried about this and that. However, the gifts from Canglan Court were accepted without any burden, as they were tacitly approved by the chief steward.

Moreover, Master Lian never intended to exploit them. At most, she would have them do some manual labor, which was originally part of the duties Steward Zhang assigned them. Even if they did not do it, there were plenty in the palace who would want to. One must not forget that Master Lian was now His Majesty’s most favored consort.

Currently, under the supervision of Nanny Qi, Lian Hua was letting Xiao Qing and Pang Ya help her with her hair ornaments and makeup, preparing for the Mid-Autumn banquet.

Hearing the joyful sounds outside, she was also very happy, her smile never leaving her face.

She had not understood before why the preparations took so long, but now she finally did. From her coiffure to her makeup, and from her jewelry to her dress, everything was meticulous.

Oh my, compared to her past negligence, she simply couldn’t afford to be so careless now.

Nanny said, as this was her first time officially attending a grand banquet since becoming a beauty, everything needed to be magnificent, impressive.

Of course, ’impressive’ was her own interpretation based on what Nanny had implied. In any case, it needed to be grand, and she couldn’t afford to be as casual as before, lest she be looked down upon.

Her attire and jewelry were gifts from His Majesty, and the rouge and face powder for her makeup were prepared by Nanny Qi. Somehow, she looked sophisticated.

Previously, from picking her clothes to stepping out, it took her at most two quarter-hours, and the longest time she spent was for an autumn flower-viewing banquet, so she could dress attractively for His Majesty, which took quite a while.

But this time, the preparations took one and a half hours. Goodness, this was after she had pitifully begged Nanny to simplify the process as much as possible, asking for a simpler hairstyle and wearing fewer pieces of jewelry because she found them too heavy for her head.

She now had a whole new appreciation for the other concubines, especially the Noble Consort. Being able to wear so many pieces of jewelry and beaded hairpins, their heads must be so heavy.

Only after experiencing it herself did she realize how miserable it was to be draped in glittering jewels and have a head full of beaded hairpins. The regal appearance was achieved at the expense of their own discomfort. They were truly incredible.

Silk flowers were much better, light as air. Wearing them felt as if she wasn’t wearing anything at all. Of course, she also loved jewelry, which was worth quite a lot of silver. But wearing one or two pieces was fine; too many and it was just too heavy for her.

With her insistence, and since Nanny Qi also felt it best not to overburden her, she ended up wearing only a few hairpins and hair clasps. Even so, it still felt quite heavy, not very comfortable.

Once she was fully dressed, her whole body felt stiff. Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror, she found herself somewhat unrecognizable. Her makeup made her look vastly different from her usual self. Truly, clothes make the man—a saying that couldn’t be more accurate.

"Nanny, why do I feel like I don’t look like myself?" Lian Hua checked her reflection from left to right and voiced her concern.

Nanny Qi gave her a stern look: "How can you not look like yourself? I think you haven’t changed a bit."

Although the makeup made the young girl appear more commanding and somewhat fierce, her eyes remained unchanged. Those were not something that could be altered by mere attire.

Lian Hua touched her face, somewhat puzzled, "Is that so?"

Xiao Qing also looked on, noting that her master’s demeanor didn’t seem as approachable anymore, somewhat cold, she interjected, "Master, if you don’t speak, you seem uncharacteristic, but if you do speak, it’s still you."

Lian Hua had an epiphany, sat up straight, and adjusted her face to a blank expression.

Indeed, that was the case. She involuntarily turned her head and gleamingly said to Nanny Qi, "Nanny, if I don’t speak, I actually look quite fierce. It’s perfect for frightening others."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" The little girl is really straightforward, Nanny Qi chided her, then instructed, "Be cautious tonight, protect yourself well. Xiao Qing, along with Feng Ji and Xiao Linzi, remember to stay close to your master at all times. Protect her, and don’t listen to anyone trying to send you away. If something happens, either send someone back, or go find His Majesty."

Xiao Qing nodded busily. After the incident with Beauty Li, she dared not stray a step away from her master, she wouldn’t dare leave her side at all.

Nanny Qi later called Xiao Jizi and Xiao Linzi aside to instruct them again. If anyone used their status to pressure them, they should say they were following His Majesty’s command, not daring to leave or disobey.

By the end, Nanny Qi almost wanted to go herself, truly worried.

Lian Hua quickly comforted her, telling Nanny Qi that Sister Zhaoyi would be there as well. If anyone troubled her, she could just remain silent. If intellectual tact did not succeed, she could still rely on physical force, and nothing would go wrong.

While speaking, she had Xiao Qing lift a large rock from the courtyard to show Nanny Qi, and also asked Xiao Jizi to carry Xiao Linzi around in a circle to prove that they indeed had physical strength.

Successfully amusing Nanny Qi, they finally let her go out.

This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival harem banquet was held at the Eternal Autumn Palace, with the external court banquet at the Taiji Hall. The major banquets of the palace were held at these two halls.

The Eternal Autumn Palace is north of the Star Palace, closer to the harem, while the Taiji Hall lies south of the Star Palace, nearer to the former court where court sessions are held.

Lian Hua, along with a few others, chatted and laughed along the way, getting closer, the festive atmosphere grew thicker.

Outside the Eternal Autumn Palace was a large open square, with different performances on the east and west sides, all very lively.

Near the east side of the Eternal Autumn Palace, there was a big stage. Before the banquet started, court music could be heard, and during the full swing of the banquet, one could enjoy both the moon and a play there.

At that moment, performers were playing soft music on the stage.

Lian Hua didn’t get too close to avoid disturbing, she just listened from afar, not understanding much, but felt it was pleasant to hear, and stood listening for a while.

Someone approached from the side, which she didn’t notice. Xiao Jizi, seeing this, quickly bowed his head to remind her, then saw that it was Consort Fang Pin approaching.

"Greetings to Consort Fang Pin." Lian Hua, along with her entourage, bowed and saluted.

Consort Fang Pin’s face bore a gentle smile as she pinched her handkerchief and raised her hand slightly, "Please rise, Sister Lian."

She then looked towards the stage where the soft music was playing, murmuring to herself, "It’s very lively, isn’t it?"

Without waiting for Lian Hua to respond, she continued to mutter to herself, "It’s a pity my chamber is cold and desolate, agarwood faintly warms the jade furnace and the lingering fragrance leaves me, my sentiments flow like water. Even amid such beautiful scenery, who is there to share the rail with me and enjoy the view?"

Lian Hua opened her mouth to say something, felt it inappropriate, thought for a moment, and then closed it.

Consort Fang Pin pinched her handkerchief, wiped the corner of her eye, and looked at her sorrowfully, "Sister Lian, were you going to say something?"