RPAGF Chapter 75 Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, The Empress Makes Things Difficult
Chapter 75 Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, The Empress Makes Things Difficult
The Empress Dowager pulled Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan aside to talk, inquiring about everything from their daily lives to Gu Junze's health.
It wasn't until the eunuch came to announce that the banquet was about to begin that the Empress Dowager stood up, and Chu Ruohan pushed Gu Junze and walked slowly towards Huaqing Palace with the Empress Dowager.
Inside Huaqing Hall, a huge wooden carving of a dragon and phoenix, symbolizing good fortune, sits on the roof, so lifelike that it seems about to take flight.
The ministers and their families had already gathered, with the Emperor and Empress seated in the highest positions.
After the Empress Dowager was seated, everyone bowed to her, saying, "Greetings, Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress Dowager!"
The Empress Dowager smiled and raised her hand, "No need for formalities. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone please don't stand on ceremony."
Everyone thanked them and stood up.
Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze were no exception. After paying their respects to the Empress Dowager, they turned around and greeted the Emperor and Empress.
After everyone took their seats, the Emperor was overjoyed, and his booming voice echoed throughout the hall: "The prosperity of our dynasty is all thanks to the concerted efforts of all my beloved ministers. At this Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, I hope that you will put aside your worries about the court and enjoy the joy of family life. There is no need to stand on ceremony."
"Your Majesty, we obey your decree and thank you for your great favor. Long live the Emperor!"
The eunuch announced loudly, "The banquet begins!"
Immediately, the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air.
A group of dancers dressed in colorful costumes filed in gracefully, their movements elegant and light, their ribbons fluttering, as if fairies had descended to earth.
The table was laden with delicacies, and the golden goblets and jade plates gleamed in the candlelight, radiating an alluring glow.
However, amidst this scene of singing, dancing, and laughter, a pair of venomous eyes were fixed intently on Chu Ruohan.
The Empress sat on the throne, looking at Chu Ruohan with icy eyes, clearly displeased with her.
My younger brother has always been a womanizer and unruly, but he's finally settled down and taken a liking to a woman.
But the Chu family is too ungrateful, betrothing their daughter to a lowly guard.
Isn't this a slap in the face to the Duke of Wei's mansion?
As the singing and dancing stopped, the Empress suddenly coughed lightly. Although the sound was not loud, it instantly attracted everyone's attention.
The Empress raised her phoenix eyebrows slightly, a hint of sinister glint flashing in her eyes, and a faint smile played at the corners of her lips.
She slowly began to speak: "Madam Gu, I have recently heard that the Chu family is extremely wealthy and skilled in business. Their shops are all over the country, and they are quite famous in the business world."
"Now that it is the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Western Regions have sent a batch of cloth as tribute. They say it is very novel, but I am not so sure about it."
"Since Madam Gu is so intelligent and quick-witted, she must have been exposed to all kinds of silks and fabrics since childhood and must be very familiar with the intricacies of these materials. Why don't you tell me about them and broaden the horizons of everyone present?"
After saying this, the nanny beside the Empress clapped her hands, and the palace maids carried forward several exquisite brocade boxes, unfolding the fabric inside one by one.
Everyone in the palace was shrewd; they could easily see that the Empress was deliberately making things difficult for the wife of the Heir Apparent of the Marquis of Anyang.
In an instant, everyone's eyes turned to Chu Ruohan. Some were watching the show, some were gloating, and some were secretly worried for her.
The Empress Dowager sat in the high seat, her brows furrowing slightly in displeasure. She was well aware of the Empress's actions, but as the Empress Dowager, she had to consider the bigger picture and couldn't show her anger on the spot.
But the hint of coldness in her eyes already indicated her dissatisfaction with the Empress's behavior.
The fabrics were colorful and varied in texture; some were as thin as cicada wings, while others had intricate patterns. They shimmered with an unusual luster under the candlelight, clearly indicating that they were not ordinary items.
Chu Ruohan felt a tightness in her heart, knowing that this was the Empress deliberately making things difficult for her, but she had been exposed to these things since childhood and was not entirely unfamiliar with them.
Gu Junze's eyes were full of worry. Although he tried his best to restrain himself, his tightly pursed lips still revealed the turmoil in his heart.
He straightened up slightly, about to speak up for Chu Ruohan, but was stopped by Chu Ruohan's eyes.
Chu Ruohan gave him a reassuring look, a look that was full of determination and tenderness, as if to say, "Don't worry, I can handle it."
She curtsied slightly, her expression calm and composed, and said softly, "Your Majesty is too kind. I only know a little bit about this subject. Since Your Majesty has asked me, I will do my best."
After saying that, Chu Ruohan stepped forward and carefully examined the fabrics.
She gently stroked one of the pieces; the fabric was smooth to the touch, yet subtly resilient.
After a moment's thought, she said, "Your Majesty, this fabric may look thin, but it is actually made of the finest silk mixed with ice hemp unique to the Western Regions. Therefore, it has both the softness and smoothness of silk and the coolness and breathability of ice hemp. Clothing made from it in the summer will surely make people feel very comfortable."
"Moreover, this weaving method uses Suzhou's unique double-sided embroidery technique. Although the patterns on the front and back are slightly different, they are both exquisite and time-consuming, and very valuable."
Then, she pointed to another horse, "Look at this one, the color is vibrant and doesn't fade easily, it must have been dyed with a special plant dye..."
The women listened to Chu Ruohan's explanation and couldn't help but secretly praise her. The Empress Dowager also nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.
Upon seeing this, the Empress's face darkened slightly, and she was secretly annoyed. She had thought she could stump Chu Ruohan, but she hadn't expected that Chu Ruohan could actually speak so eloquently.
"Hmph, Mrs. Gu does have some knowledge, but the value of this fabric lies not only in its material but also in the style of the garments it becomes. In your opinion, what style would be most suitable to make from these bolts of fabric?"
The empress's voice carried a hint of resentment and sharpness.
Chu Ruohan had anticipated this, but she maintained her smile without showing any panic or weakness.
She lowered her eyes slightly, her delicate brows furrowed, seemingly pondering for a moment, but in reality, she already had a plan in mind.
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, that light and thin fabric can be made into a flowing, wide-sleeved fairy dress. It will be light and graceful when walking, and will surely show the gentleness and beauty of a woman."
"And that thick, warm fabric could be made into a cloak, trimmed with mink fur and embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. When the Empress wears it, she will look both noble and elegant, yet still magnificent."
After hearing this, the Empress couldn't find any flaws for a moment. Although she was unwilling, she had to suppress her anger and said coldly, "You do have some insight and ingenuity."
Seeing that the Empress was still relentless, the Empress Dowager's face darkened, and she put down her teacup with a dull thud.
The sound was exceptionally clear in the silent hall, and everyone's eyes turned to the Empress Dowager.