diskusbooks Chapter 110 The Substitute Bride 26
Chapter 110 The Substitute Bride 26
In terms of the new dynasty's etiquette, the empress, as the head of the harem, met with the wives of officials not only for social interaction, but also as a key move to solidify the relationship between the court and the harem.
Ji Xiaosong meticulously prepared and set up an exquisite and elegant tea party in a side hall of the inner palace.
It was winter, and she put some thought into creating a scene of blooming flowers.
On both sides of the entrance to the side hall, giant blue and white porcelain vases are filled with slender branches of wintersweet, the tips of which are densely clustered with golden wintersweet blossoms. The rich fragrance, like an invisible wave, rushes in and instantly fills the entire space.
As you walk further in, at the four corners of the hall stand flower stands several meters tall, filled with rare varieties of chrysanthemums. The white chrysanthemums look like piles of frost and snow, pure and flawless.
The black chrysanthemum is like a piece of black jade, mysterious and profound;
The yellow chrysanthemums are like scattered gold, dazzling and eye-catching. The layers of petals stretch out freely, each one large and full, showing its extraordinary and luxurious nature.
Along the walls of the hall, pots of blooming red camellias were arranged one after another. Their delicate petals were as red as fire, and the diameter of the flowers was almost as large as a lotus leaf. Against the backdrop of the emerald green leaves, they appeared even more bright and beautiful.
On the main table in the hall, an elaborate floral display became the focus. On the flower stand made of precious sandalwood, exotic flowers and plants from all over the world were gathered, including elegant orchids from the south with long petals and graceful posture.
There were dahlias brought as tribute from the Western Regions, with large and colorful flowers;
There are also peonies unique to the Central Plains. Although it is not their blooming season, they are carefully cultivated and bloom, with huge flower heads layered on top of each other, showing their national beauty and heavenly fragrance.
Besides these, small and exquisite vases can be seen everywhere, between tables and chairs, on windowsills, and beside curtains. They may contain a few pink crabapple blossoms, a few fresh daffodils, or clusters of lovely baby's breath.
These flowers complement each other, transforming the entire side hall into a sea of flowers, exuding an overwhelming sense of luxury and dazzling the eye.
In the past, royalty was known for their extravagance, so banquets were rarely held.
Ji Xiaosong is now living a truly extravagant life, which has shocked all the noble ladies who came to attend.
Ji's mother didn't want to attend, but thinking of her two sons who would be taking the imperial examinations next year, she had no choice but to swallow her pride and enter the palace.
Even if they are no longer related, isn't Ji Xiaosong still her daughter?
What's more, she is now his only daughter.
Ji Yan is already dead, shouldn't Ji Xiaosong forgive them?
Because of her high status, Ji's mother was seated at the front.
There was no brazier inside the hall, yet it was warm as springtime.
The maidservant following Ji Mu removed her outer garment, leaving her in a short skirt.
Ji Xiaosong had seen her when her mother entered the room, but she didn't intend to talk to her.
The other ladies-in-waiting came one by one to pay their respects to Ji Xiaosong and presented her with carefully prepared gifts.
When she arrived at Ji Mu's place, she took an exquisite sandalwood box from her maid and opened it with slightly trembling hands.
Inside the box was a brocade robe embroidered with phoenix patterns using gold and colorful silk threads. The phoenix was so lifelike that every feather was meticulously embroidered, and its eyes were inlaid with rubies, which shimmered brilliantly in the candlelight.
This brocade robe was meticulously embroidered by the Empress Dowager, who spent several months personally selecting the finest silk and commissioning the most famous embroiderers in the capital to follow the regulations for the Empress's attire in the palace.
The concubine stepped forward, curtsied slightly, and said, "Your Majesty, this is something I prepared especially for you. I hope you will like it."
Her voice carried a hint of anticipation, yet also a touch of trepidation.
"This is impossible!"
Suddenly, the wife of the Minister of Rites, a second-rank official, stepped forward. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her eyes were full of seriousness. "The phoenix robe is exclusively for the Empress. Its production is governed by strict laws. How can it be embroidered at will?"
Even the wife of a first-rank military commander frowned. Being straightforward, she raised her voice and said, "Although you are the Empress's birth mother, these rules cannot be broken! If word gets out, people will think that the royal family's rules are just for show!"
The wife of the Minister of Personnel, a third-rank official, chimed in, "Indeed, this phoenix robe symbolizes the Empress's majesty and the legitimacy of the royal family. Its production requires special permission from the royal family. Your unauthorized production is highly inappropriate."
Faced with the accusations of the crowd, Madam Ji's face turned deathly pale. Her hands clenched involuntarily, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. However, she still tried to remain calm and hurriedly explained, "Ladies, I have absolutely no intention of overstepping my bounds. I just thought that Xiao Song is now the Empress, and as her mother, I am filled with love for my daughter. I wanted to prepare a unique gift for her, which is why I went to such lengths. It is truly just out of love for my daughter."
The wife of the Minister of Justice, a third-rank official, snorted coldly: "Even the love for one's daughter cannot disregard the law. If this matter of the phoenix robe is investigated thoroughly, it is a serious crime."
Ji Xiaosong sat in the main seat, quietly watching all of this without saying a word to stop it.
Her expression was calm, but her eyes revealed a hint of something unfathomable.
Everyone could see what she meant.
The wife of the fifth-rank Dali Temple Minister coughed lightly and stepped forward. Although her voice was not loud, it was particularly clear in the slightly tense atmosphere: "Wait a minute, everyone. Don't forget that Her Majesty the Empress severed ties with the Ji family back then. The meaning behind her taking out this phoenix robe now is truly puzzling."
These words instantly froze the already tense atmosphere, and everyone's attention was once again focused on Ji's mother.
Madam Ji's face grew increasingly grim, her lips trembling slightly. She hurriedly retorted, "So what if we sever ties? She is still the daughter I carried for ten months and gave birth to. How can this blood bond be so easily broken?"
Her eyes were filled with anxiety, yet also with a hint of stubbornness. "I made this phoenix robe purely out of a mother's love for her daughter; I had no other intentions."
The wife of the fourth-rank official in charge of the Court of State Affairs gently shook her head, her tone tinged with regret: "That may be true, but severing ties was the decision made by the Ji family back then. Now, it inevitably seems somewhat inappropriate."
Madam Ji's eyes reddened, and she became somewhat agitated: "We were foolish back then, but these past few years, I've regretted it every single moment. Xiao Song is the Empress, and as her mother, I just wanted to do something for her. Is that wrong?"
She looked at Ji Xiaosong with pleading eyes, as if hoping her daughter would say a word for her.
However, Ji Xiaosong remained seated calmly, without uttering a single word.
The wife of a first-rank military commander could no longer contain herself. She stepped forward, straightened her back, and asked in a booming voice, "Your Majesty, this matter concerns royal law and dignity. What do you think should be done? This phoenix robe... should we accept it or not?"
Her voice echoed in the hall, and everyone's eyes instantly focused on Ji Xiaosong. The entire side hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and everyone was waiting for the Empress's decision.
The wife of the Minister of Rites, a second-rank official, also bowed and added, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Rites is in charge of etiquette regulations. This matter of the phoenix robe is contrary to the rules of etiquette. We hope Your Majesty will enlighten us so that we may know how to follow the rules."
Her eyes were filled with respect and caution. She clasped her hands together in front of her and bowed her head slightly, waiting for Ji Xiaosong's response.
Ji's mother's breathing became rapid, her gaze fixed on Ji Xiaosong, her heart filled with fear and anticipation.
Her hands unconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes, and beads of sweat slid down her temples, dampening her delicate makeup.
At this moment, she was like a lamb to the slaughter, able to place all her hopes on a single sentence from Ji Xiaosong.