Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 451: Talent Performance Second Watch (1)_1

Chapter 451: Chapter 451: Talent Performance Second Watch (1)_1

Caiwei stole a few glances at the Empress Dowager, then lowered her gaze. True enough, the Empress was a beauty among beauties, a national treasure, the most stunning in the Imperial Harem. It is no wonder she gave birth to such a handsome son as Nangong Yi.

However, the Empress emanated a cold and proud aura, as if she was all alone in this world, lacking the maternal affinity expected from the mother of a nation.

Empress Mo, hand on Luo Xue’s arm, ascended the steps to the Waterside Pavilion, where her throne was already set up. Before the throne was an ornately carved lacquer table and on either side behind the Empress, eunuchs and palace maids lined up like the wings of wild geese. They held items such as the incense burner, embroidered handkerchief, rinse bowl, and duster. Luo Xue stood unwaveringly by the right side of Empress Mo.

To the left and right of the Empress’s throne were a few empty chairs, indicating that there were some yet to arrive, but it wasn’t clear who.

The seating arrangement for the young ladies was dependent on the official rank of their families. The higher their family’s status, the closer their seats were to the Waterside Pavilion. Consequently, Caiwei’s table was placed far from the Waterside Pavilion, so far that she could barely see the people inside.

Whereas, Helana’s seat was arranged inside the Waterside Pavilion. Even though it was at the far end, the young ladies who had seats inside the pavilion were, besides princesses, only her and Li Ruizhu.

Today, the Empress Dowager seemed to be in poor spirits. After uttering a few polite remarks, she commanded for the banquet to begin and for the food and wine to be served.

Everyone had arrived early at the palace, and to avoid needing the washroom, they had come on an empty stomach. At this point, having played for the whole morning and with mealtime long past, they were all famished. As soon as they heard the banquet was about to begin, they all perked up, eagerly anticipating the meal.

The court banquet was exceedingly sumptuous. There were five delicacies: white boiled fish lips, Luohan big shrimp, venison tail roast, rare delicacies of fivefold thorns, and eight-treasure diced rabbit.

Additionally, there were four types of cakes, one plate of steamed dishes, and one plate of braised dishes, two boxes of snail appetizers, along with pearl-like japonica rice and lamb strip soup served in a silver hot pot.

Apart from this, there were also ten varieties of rice and flour dishes, as well as dairy products, including small bamboo roll bread, small elephant eye bread, snail-shaped buns with bean paste, paste oil square points, oil cakes, pea buns, spoon buns with red cakes, and three types of oven biscuits.

Caiwei hadn’t eaten breakfast, and having sparred for a while with the imperial guards on top of dealing with her period, she now felt exceedingly hungry.

Faced with such a feast, of course she didn’t hesitate. As soon as they received the command to start, she began to eat heartily.

The few young ladies at the table initially maintained their dainty airs, eating little bites. But after seeing Caiwei’s unrestrained eating, one of them couldn’t resist, and joined Caiwei in eating heartily.

"Caiwei, here, this is delicious!"

Xiang Yun, food still in her mouth and cheeks bulging, placed a peeled Luohan shrimp onto Caiwei’s plate.

"Thank you, Sister Xiang Yun!"

Caiwei picked it up, and consumed it in large bites.

It was indeed tasty!

Watching Caiwei enjoying her food, Du Wanqiu felt anger, hatred, and contempt in her heart.

This vulgar woman, consumed by greed and desperation, behaved as if she hadn’t eaten for generations. She did not show any restraint or uphold any dignified deportment when eating. Besides her good looks, she didn’t have a single admirable quality. Yet, why were so many good men falling over each other to win her favour?

Alas! These men were truly blind!

While Caiwei was enjoying her meal, she suddenly felt a chill, as though something was gripping her. She instinctively lifted her head and from a distance she saw a cold gaze fixed on her from the Waterside Pavilion.