"The Sixth Princess arrives—"
"The Seventh Princess arrives—"
"The Eighth Princess arrives—"
Everyone at the banquet rose one after another, straightening their clothes and composing themselves. I followed my father in standing up, lowering my head and giving a proper bow.
From the corner of my eye, several figures filed into the open pavilion amid the encircling palace attendants, their presence dazzling.
At the front was none other than the First Princess, Xiao Lintian. She was about seventeen or eighteen, wearing a bright yellow brocade robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden python, a red-gold crown on her head and a Nine-Dragon jade belt at her waist. Her brows and eyes were heroic, and with every glance she carried the natural authority of the heir apparent. Her steps were steady. Behind her followed two slightly younger princesses—
The Fourth Princess, Xiao Linyun, about twelve or thirteen, bearing four or five parts resemblance to the First Princess. She wore a crabapple-red palace gown, her brows and eyes proud and haughty, keeping half a step behind the First Princess on her right.
The Fifth Princess, Xiao Linyu, about the same age as the Fourth Princess, wore a goose-yellow dress. Her face was round and gentle, her smile warm and amiable, following half a step behind on the First Princess's left. The three walked straight toward the most honored row of seats on the left side, forming their own group—the most powerful Crown Princess faction in the court.
Next to enter was the Eighth Princess, Xiao Linyue. Though only ten, she was already quite tall. She wore a dark red fitted outfit, her long hair tied high into a ponytail, with a sword at her waist (though it remained sheathed at the banquet). Her brows were sharp and her eyes bright as cold stars. Her strides were wide and confident, carrying the brisk vigor unique to martial people. Behind her followed two younger princesses—
The Seventh Princess, Xiao Linshuang, about the same age as the Eighth Princess, wore silver-blue riding clothes. Her small face was set in a serious expression as she strove to imitate the Eighth Princess's bearing.
The Ninth Princess, Xiao Linxue, looking only seven or eight, wore a pink-and-white little riding outfit. Her round face and curious eyes darted about as she was led by her wet nurse, yet she still tried hard to hold her small body straight.
These three headed for the seats on the right. Though young, they already faintly carried the imposing presence of the military-merit faction.
Last to enter were three princesses who looked particularly quiet and subdued.
The Third Princess, Xiao Yuhuang, walked at the front. She was slender, dressed in a half-worn light cyan palace gown, with only a plain silver hairpin in her hair. Her head was lowered, her steps light, her presence almost negligible. Following behind her—
The Second Princess, Xiao Linfeng, was carried in a light sedan chair by two strong palace attendants. She was about fourteen or fifteen, pale and thin, dressed in a plain white gown with a light blanket over her knees. She sat quietly, her gaze calmly sweeping across the banquet. Though not good at walking, her temperament was serene like still water.
The Sixth Princess, Xiao Linlu, about eleven or twelve, wore a lotus-colored dress and twin-bun hairstyle. She looked timid, following closely beside the Second Princess's sedan chair, nervously pressing her lips together from time to time.
These three took seats in a less conspicuous spot toward the middle rear of the pavilion, forming their own small group, as if separated from the surrounding bustle by an invisible barrier.
With the eight princesses seated according to faction, the layout immediately became clear.
The First Princess's side was the liveliest, with officials constantly coming forward to toast and exchange pleasantries. On the Eighth Princess's side, several women who looked like military officers gathered, laughing and talking with a soldierly straightforwardness.
And on the Third Princess's side… it was cold and deserted. Aside from palace attendants making routine toasts, almost no one approached.
Just then, the eunuch's even more sonorous call rang out again:
"Her Majesty the Empress arrives—
Lord De, Lord Shu, Lord Xian, Lord Hui arrive—
All Noble Lords and Attendant Lords arrive—"
Everyone rose once more. This time even the princesses stood, lowering their heads to welcome them.
A middle-aged beautiful man in a formal court robe of phoenixes threading through peonies in crimson red, with a nine-phoenix pearl-holding crown on his head, came forward in dignified fashion amid the escort of many palace attendants.
He was about forty, with handsome, stately features and a gentle bearing worthy of the mother of the realm. This was the current Empress of the dynasty, of the Feng clan.
Behind the Empress followed four high-ranking consort-lords in palace attire of different colors—Lord De (the birth father of the First and Fourth Princesses), Lord Shu (the birth father of the Fifth Princess), Lord Xian (the birth father of the Eighth and Seventh Princesses), and Lord Hui (the birth father of the Ninth Princess).
After them came more than a dozen lower-ranked Noble Lords and Attendant Lords.
I noticed that among these consort-lords, Lord De's attire was the most splendid, and he walked in the most prominent position behind the Empress, his face well maintained, his brows and eyes carrying a hint of self-satisfaction.
Lord Xian looked valiant and spirited, bearing the air of a military household. Meanwhile, the birth fathers of the Second, Third, and Sixth Princesses were not among the high-ranking consort-lords.
Only among the lower-ranked Attendant Lords at the back were there three men dressed especially plainly, their heads lowered almost to their chests.
The Empress and the consort-lords took their seats in the honored area above the princesses' seats. The Empress sat in the center, the four high-ranking consort-lords on either side, with the rest arranged by rank.
Lord De's gaze naturally fell toward the First and Fourth Princesses, a smile on his lips.
Lord Xian looked toward the Eighth Princess, his eyes carrying the pride unique to a military family. The other consort-lords with daughters also looked toward their own children with concern.
As for the Third Princess, Xiao Yuhuang, she kept her head lowered from beginning to end, not looking toward any of the consort-lords.
In the upper seats of the Attendant Lords, a man in an old gray-blue robe quickly lifted his eyes to glance at her back, then lowered his head again at once, his fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of his clothing.
Just then, three crisp cracks of the ceremonial whip sounded outside the pavilion.
The chief eunuch's long, ringing voice spread through the entire hall:
"Her Majesty the Emperor arrives—!"
Everyone, including the Empress and the consort-lords, rose from their seats and immediately knelt to the ground. I knelt with my father, my forehead pressed to the cold, smooth golden-brick floor, able to clearly hear my own heart pounding like a drum.
Steady, majestic, unhurried footsteps approached from afar.
The hem of a bright yellow dragon robe passed not far before my eyes. The golden dragon patterns embroidered on the fabric shimmered under the lights, carrying a suffocating pressure.
Those footsteps finally stopped before the highest seat.
"Rise."
Two words—not loud, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears, carrying an unquestionable authority.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Amid the thunderous response, everyone carefully rose and returned to their seats, still lowering their heads and restraining their gaze, not daring to look directly upon the imperial countenance.
As I stood, I stole a glance upward in the quickest and most concealed manner.
The Female Emperor, Xiao Chen, sat upright upon the Dragon Throne. She looked about forty, bearing some resemblance to the princesses, but more imposing and profound.
Her phoenix eyes calmly swept over those below. Wherever her gaze fell, no one dared meet it. She wore a bright yellow twelve-symbol dragon robe and a beaded imperial crown, her entire body radiating the chilling aura of one long seated upon the throne.
"This spring banquet is for ruler and ministers to enjoy together. There is no need for rigid formality," the Female Emperor said, her voice steady and betraying little emotion.
"Relax yourselves."
Even so, the atmosphere of the banquet grew more solemn and tense because of her presence.
The Female Emperor raised her cup, and everyone hurriedly followed suit. After the opening drink, she said little more, only occasionally speaking softly to the Empress beside her, her gaze now and then sweeping over the crowd below.
When she looked at the First Princess, Xiao Lintian, a trace of almost imperceptible satisfaction flashed through her eyes.
After sitting for about a quarter of an hour and drinking three cups of wine, the Female Emperor rose and left her seat.
"I still have matters of state. Enjoy yourselves," she said.
With everyone kneeling once more to see her off, she departed from Liufang Garden.
The Emperor's departure seemed to remove some invisible pressure. The atmosphere at the banquet immediately loosened and grew livelier. The sounds of silk and bamboo music became pleasant once more, and laughter and conversation gradually grew louder.