Volume One, Chapter 12: The Welcome Banquet

As dusk fell and the first lights were lit, the Hall of Preserved Harmony was brilliantly illuminated.

The Emperor sat upright on the throne. To his right were the concubines of the harem, princesses, and other noble ladies, while to his left sat the princes, civil and military officials, and their families.

The hall was filled with lively music and dance, glasses clinking amid the festive atmosphere.

This banquet was held in honor of Princess Ning Yunshu, who thus occupied the seat closest to the Emperor on the right side. Following her were Consort Xian, Ning Moxue, Noble Consort Xiao, Princess Changdu, and the other concubines.

Opposite her sat the Crown Prince Ning Yu, the Second Prince Ning Nanzhou, the Chancellor, Shen Yan, Zhang Zhixi, and other officials.

She took a sip of clear wine, her gaze casually sweeping across to the other side.

Zhang Zhixi wore a deep navy court robe today, his presence deep and composed. He sat upright among his peers from the Ministry of Personnel.

Many officials had come with their sons, but their wives and daughters were notably absent.

“Nanny, go ask Zhang Zhixi why the banquet list was never shown to me,” Ning Yunshu commanded.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Nanny Gui promptly obeyed and moved discreetly toward Zhang Zhixi from the rear of the hall, unnoticed amid the bustling song and dance.

Nanny Gui reached Zhang Zhixi’s side. He looked up, recognizing her, then glanced toward Ning Yunshu.

Ning Yunshu smiled faintly, her wine cup rippling in her hand. The nanny’s lips moved silently; Zhang Zhixi’s expression flickered with surprise before he muttered something.

“I am Wanqiao, Your Highness,” said a voice.

Ning Yunshu turned to find a young woman standing beside her whom she had not noticed before. Her almond-shaped eyes and cherry lips shone brilliantly with a smile that bore a touch of familiarity.

She recalled that the first princess sent away in a marriage alliance years ago had such delicate features. She also remembered hearing that this princess had a younger sister who resembled her in age and beauty — this must be her.

But why would a princess appear at tonight’s palace banquet?

Wanqiao seemed to read the question in her eyes and explained, “Back then, Noble Consort Xiao, out of respect for your elder sister’s merits, accepted me as her adopted daughter despite my humble status.”

Ning Yunshu glanced at Noble Consort Xiao and Consort Xian, who were laughing quietly together, their sisterly bond having endured since the Emperor was still Crown Prince.

Yet, Noble Consort Xiao had borne no children for years, relying solely on the Emperor’s favor to hold her position. It must be why she had taken in an adopted daughter seven years ago.

“In that case, you are also my sister,” Ning Yunshu said calmly.

Wanqiao’s voice was lively, her smile even brighter. “I am honored that Your Highness does not disdain me!”

Ning Yunshu smiled softly and set down her wine cup. Since she was personally mentored by Noble Consort Xiao, it was no wonder she sometimes lacked tact.

“Sister,” Wanqiao addressed her sweetly, yet kept a respectful distance. “May I ask if Lord Zhang has committed some offense?”

Ning Yunshu raised an eyebrow. “Why do you say that?”

Wanqiao glanced toward Nanny Gui. “I recognize the nanny beside Lord Zhang—she serves in your palace.”

Ning Yunshu studied the young woman. Had she not been closely watching Zhang Zhixi’s every move, how else could she have noticed an unfamiliar presence by his side so quickly?

The girl must have come of age two years ago but had yet to marry her beloved; it seemed she was like a fallen flower loved by the wind, unnoticed by the stream.

Ning Yunshu glanced again at Zhang Zhixi; Nanny Gui had already withdrawn, and he sat upright as if nothing had occurred.

“Noble Consort never taught you? Do not pry into palace affairs,” Ning Yunshu said coldly.

Wanqiao’s expression stiffened, her smile fading.

She was just a princess sent away in marriage, yet she carried herself with such airs—unlike Sister Moxue, who was noble yet treated her like a sister, never so haughty.

Biting her lip, Wanqiao bowed her head and whispered, “I spoke out of turn.”

At that moment, Nanny Gui returned, and Wanqiao wisely lowered her gaze and retreated to Noble Consort Xiao’s side, humbled.

“Princess, Lord Zhang said the banquet list was given to him by the Crown Prince, so he thought it was your instruction and did not present it,” Nanny Gui reported in a low voice.

Ning Yunshu’s eyes shifted toward Ning Yu, who was chatting confidently with those beside him, occasionally glancing toward her.

“Nanny, do you find anything unusual about the list today?” she asked.

Being a veteran palace attendant, Nanny Gui was often assigned to various palaces and recognized many faces.

She scanned the room carefully. “All the unfamiliar faces today are young men. I vaguely recognize the one speaking with the Crown Prince—he should be the son of the Minister of War. Two years ago, at a banquet, he was punished by the Emperor for harassing palace maids and banned from official service for life…”

Her expression grew grave as she lowered her voice. “In my opinion, the list was drafted by the Crown Prince himself. All these attendees are marriageable youths. Could it be that he intends to arrange a husband for Your Highness?”

Ning Yunshu covered her lips, a cold smile curling. Even Nanny Gui could see through it—the Crown Prince’s intentions were painfully obvious.

He would stoop to such despicable schemes rather than tolerate her presence in the palace, an eyesore to him.

Since Ning Moxue appeared seven years ago, she had been overshadowed everywhere in his eyes, rendered utterly superfluous.

Especially that slap in the cold palace—it still stung sometimes.

Yet she had only sent eunuchs to deceive Ning Moxue into the cold palace and uttered a few threats to uncover the truth behind the marriage alliance token. In Ning Yu’s eyes, however, she was the one forcing Ning Moxue to a desperate fate to avoid the marriage.

Why would he refuse to believe her...?

“Sister,” Ning Moxue’s voice came softly by her ear.

Ning Yunshu turned slightly. Today Ning Moxue wore a flowing gown of pale yellow with wide sleeves. Her round, delicate face was lightly adorned with makeup, her natural beauty making her stand out in the hall and attracting many secret glances from men.

“Sister, I’ve come to sit with you and ease your weariness,” Ning Moxue whispered gently, her every gesture flowing with grace.

“The music and dance are delightful; there’s no cause for weariness,” Ning Yunshu replied without changing her expression.

Ning Moxue sat down, her face showing a trace of grievance. “Are you still holding a grudge over what happened all those years ago? But I truly knew nothing. If I had drawn the marriage token then, I would have accepted without hesitation.”

Her tone was sincere, eyes full of innocence.

Ning Yunshu smiled wryly and fixed her gaze on her. “The realm is in turmoil now. If you wish to marry into a foreign land, you have many choices—be it the Xiongnu or the Rouran.”

Ning Moxue was suddenly speechless. She had long feared facing Ning Yunshu, but today, entrusted by their elder brother to introduce the palace’s young talents to her, she had forced herself to speak bravely. Yet Ning Yunshu’s reply was not what she expected.

Seeing the tension on her face, Ning Yunshu couldn’t help but smirk, eyes filled with mockery and irony. “You need not worry. Father treasures you dearly and would never let you go. Besides, you have a betrothal to General Shen—he wouldn’t let you go either.”

Ning Moxue’s nervousness did not abate in the slightest. The more indifferent Ning Yunshu appeared, the more anxious she felt.

Why did Ning Yunshu deliberately mention Brother Yan? What was she scheming?

She had loved Brother Yan so fiercely once. Even if she had been sent away in marriage, seven years later, she would surely still harbor feelings for him...

What should she do? What was Brother Yan’s current thought?

Ning Moxue’s panic grew as she glanced toward Shen Yan, who just happened to raise his cup and look up. Yet his gaze landed squarely on Ning Yunshu beside her.

Ning Moxue clenched her delicate hands tightly; her breath faltered.

At that moment, the music ceased abruptly, and the dancers withdrew. A figure rose from across the hall and made their way to the center.

Everyone was puzzled, but Ning Yunshu’s phoenix-like eyes curved into a crescent, a smile unconsciously tugging at her lips.

That smile caught Shen Yan’s eyes, and his sudden frown was noticed by Ning Moxue.

In the center, Zhang Zhixi bowed deeply toward the throne. “Your Majesty, this humble servant is unworthy, but today I offer a qin performance to celebrate the return of the Princess.”

The hall erupted in surprise.

Was this still the same Zhang Zhixi, the austere and aloof official?

The revered figure among court ministers, the untouchable dream man among women, was now performing at a banquet in honor of the princess?

Though countless banquets were held annually in the palace and everyone knew Zhang’s unparalleled skill with the qin, he had never performed even at the Emperor’s birthday celebrations!

Today, surely the sun had risen in the west!

“Zhang Qing… is this true?” The Emperor’s face was filled with confusion and astonishment.

Zhang Zhixi gestured, and palace attendants swiftly brought forth the prepared qin and chair.

Realizing he truly intended to play, the crowd fell silent in anticipation.

Among them, Wanqiao’s eyes shone with expectation tinged with jealousy.

To her, Zhang Zhixi was like a god from the heavens, untouchable and sacred, yet he was about to play for a woman like Ning Yunshu!

Such a despicable person—how could she deserve Zhang’s music!