Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 453: Talent Performance Second Watch (3)_1

Chapter 453: Chapter 453: Talent Performance Second Watch (3)_1

Subsequently, she addressed the two concubines who were still kowtowing, "Stand up!"

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

Consort Huo and Consort He Zhaoyi thanked the Empress, then stood up and took their seats.

After the ladies had sat down, the young masters and mistresses below all rose from their seats, knelt on the ground, and paid their respects: "We greet the Empress, the Virtuous Consort, and Consort Zhaoyi––"

Cai Wei also joined the young ladies in paying their respects to the concubines inside the Waterside Pavilion.

"Stand up, all of you are descendants of my Great Jin’s nobles, there is no need to overdo the formalities!"

Jin Guifei smiled warmly, raising her arm to signal everyone to stand up and talk.

"Thank you, Empress!"

Everyone got up and carefully retreated back to their seats.

Everyone still held great reverence for Jin Guifei.

It was said that Jin Guifei originated from the brothels and Chu Pavilion. After getting involved with the then Crown Prince, he arranged for her to enter the Mansion of Marquis Wuchang and become the adopted daughter of the Marquis’s wife.

Later, she married into the Prince’s Mansion with the title of a common concubine under the name of Marquis Wuchang’s daughter, and was the only favored concubine in the Prince’s Mansion, even the Prince’s wife had to make way for her.

After the prince ascended the throne, the prince’s wife was crowned Empress, and she was conferred the title of Imperial Concubine. Apart from the Empress, she held the power to manage the six palaces.

Later on, the empress tragically died during childbirth along with the eldest prince. The Emperor intended to make her the new Empress, but was opposed by many ministers. A few daring ministers even brought up Jin Guifei’s history of being from the brothel. The Emperor felt humiliated and although he severely punished these ministers, he did not mention making her the Empress again.

However, because he was not able to fulfill his promise to make her the Empress, the Emperor always felt that he owed her. Not only did he make the second prince whom she bore his heir, he also granted her the power to manage the six palaces.

The new Empress, Mo Yuehua, came from Duke Li Guo’s Mansion. She was renowned for her beauty, being able to make fish sink and geese fall from the sky with her beauty and make flowers close in shame. In terms of beauty, she surpassed even ten Jin Guifei’s.

However, although the new Empress was born with a noble and cold beauty, she was not favored by the Emperor. Along with her, her son, Prince Nangong Yi, and her daughter, Princess Nangong Zhaoyang, were also not favored. For many years, the three of them have always lived under the oppression of Jin Guifei.

Jin Guifei, although only holding the title of Imperial Consort, is in reality the true master of the imperial harem. On the other hand, Empress Mo only holds the title and power in name.

Jin Guifei doesn’t take the Empress seriously at all.

For a feast organized by the Empress, she not only arrived late, but she also brought the other concubines with her, clearly demonstrating her power in front of everyone, making the Empress lose face.

When paying respects to the Empress, she did so perfunctorily, stood up before the Empress could tell her to, and even took over the Empress’s place to address the crowd. She was indeed audacious!

Despite Jin Guifei’s provocation, the Empress, although silent, was not one to be trifled with.

She couldn’t stop Jin Guifei from arriving late, but she found a way to humiliate her. Before she came, the Empress ordered the feast to start, so Jin Guifei and her entourage could only eat the leftovers when they arrived.

After Jin Guifei and her entourage had taken their seats and saw that the feast had begun without waiting for them, they were naturally unhappy. However, their rich experience didn’t allow any of that displeasure to show on their faces.

She picked up the tea cup in front of her, lifted the lid to glance at it and seeing that the tea was already cold, she put it down, laughing, "It’s a rare occasion for us all to gather together. If we just eat and drink like this, it’s boring. Why don’t we ask some of the talented young ladies to perform and entertain us? So it won’t be a wasted trip to the palace."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Consort He Zhaoyi immediately chimed in, saying: "The Empress’s idea is excellent. Under your blessings, we consorts can also join in the fun and enjoy the show."

"Since everyone agrees, let’s do it! Li Hai, go and announce it."

Jin Guifei twirled her bracelet, and without consulting the Empress, she took it upon herself to make the decision.

"Yes."

Chief Eunuch Li Hai, who was by Jin Guifei’s side, prostrated himself and then got up and left without even glancing at Empress Mo.

Empress Mo silently watched the cups and bowls in front of her without saying anything. Her frosty face remained as usual, seemingly accustomed to Jin Guifei’s arrogance and insolence. However, only Luo Xue noticed that the Empress Dowager was angry. Although there was no expression on her face, her clenched fists underneath the table were so tight that they were almost crushed.

Jin Guifei was going too far. It was one thing to be domineering in the palace, but today, in full view of everyone, she’d dared to overstep the Empress and order something of her own accord. Wasn’t this a slap in the Empress Dowager’s face?

Li Hai came outside and announced Jin Guifei’s imperial edict to the banquet on the left side of the Waterside Pavilion.

None of the calculating young ladies moved. Jin Guifei’s overstepping of the Empress Dowager to issue an edict was already improper. If any simple-minded girl went and performed without regard for right and wrong, wouldn’t that align them with Jin Guifei! Wouldn’t that cause the Empress Dowager to be wary of her and in turn, wary of her family.

However, there really were such people!

The first one to go on stage was the daughter of the Ministry of Rites. She looked no more than twelve or thirteen years old, still bearing a naive expression. With her adorable dimples, she was eager to try her hand at performing when she heard about it.

She performed Touhu, the most popular game during dinner parties among the elite in the Jin Kingdom.

On a huge ceremonial platform, a horizontal bar was set up, on which hung three urns of different sizes. The aim of the game was to shoot three arrows from a certain distance and successfully get them into the urns without bouncing out. Bouncing out meant losing the game

The player of this game must be accurate and be able to control their strength. Too much force would cause them to bounce out and using too little would prevent the arrows from getting into the urn. However, this daughter of the Ministry of Rites seemed to be well trained in this skill, picked up the bow and arrows that the eunuch offered, and shot three arrows rapidly. They all landed in their respective urns, only bouncing once or twice before stopping.

"Great!"

Everyone cheered enthusiastically. Cai Wei joined them in clapping and cheering enthusiastically, but little did she know, that she herself had caught someone’s attention.