tallest building

Chapter 213 Little Palace Banquet

On this day, Princess Zhao entered the palace again to pay her respects.

Upon meeting her, he was surprised by the Empress's transformation: "Your Majesty looks so good, you look much younger than me."

"Speaking of which, it's all thanks to you. The incense you sent was very good. I've been sleeping well these days, and my appetite has improved as a result," the Empress said with a smile. "But how is your foot feeling? You must take good care of it. At this age, any ailments can still be treated and cured. If you don't take it seriously, it could lead to future problems."

"Thank you for thinking of me, Your Highness. My foot is fine now," Princess Zhao said hurriedly. "Speaking of which, the fragrance wasn't my doing; it was all thanks to Mingqian. I even brought some face creams that she specially made for Your Highness today—one unscented and the other with a green tangerine scent."

"Oh? She can even make the scent of green tangerines. I'd like to smell it." The Empress couldn't help but be curious.

Princess Zhao then personally opened a box and presented it to the Empress with both hands.

The Empress smelled her hand and said, "That's interesting."

Chunying then picked up some and gently applied it to the back of the Empress's hand. The delicate orange scent, like a gentle breeze, brushed past everyone's noses.

"How natural the fragrance is! It's as if it were just picked from the tree."

The Empress couldn't help but close her eyes gently, indulging in her favorite fragrance.

"Back then, His Majesty and I met during the season when oranges and tangerines turned yellow and green." The Empress couldn't help but recall the distant past. "That day, I was riding a horse in the orange grove when it got spooked, and it was thanks to His Majesty's timely rescue..."

"The Empress and His Majesty are a loving couple, truly a model for all couples in the world," said Princess Zhao with envy. "Such a heroic rescue is a story that should be recorded in history."

"What's so great about it? Even if they are an emperor and empress, they are still just husband and wife in the end. I just hope that I can grow old with him in this life." There was a hint of disappointment in the empress's tone, but everyone pretended not to notice it.

At this moment, palace maids brought out newly made pastries from the palace. Because the Empress's appetite had improved recently, the imperial kitchen was particularly busy.

"You should try their new pastries; they're quite interesting," the Empress said with a smile after glancing at the pastries on the table. "You seem to value Wen Mingqian quite a bit."

Princess Zhao did not shy away from the question, saying, "Not only do I value her, but everyone who has a close relationship with her values ​​her highly."

That day, Song'er suddenly fell ill, and without her, the situation would have been extremely critical. Not only was she skilled in perfumery, but she was also an excellent cook.

Putting all that aside, she is inherently a person of self-respect and dignity, which is more valuable than any other skill.

"It's true that even the Eldest Princess recognized her as her goddaughter, so she must have some admirable qualities." The Empress tapped her fingertips lightly on the table for a moment before saying, "In that case, I will host a banquet in the palace on this day and invite the Eldest Princess and you. You should also bring Wen Mingqian into the palace! I want to see her for myself."

"It would be good for Your Highness to meet her. Putting aside everything else, the incense she makes can help Your Highness sleep peacefully, which is quite remarkable." Princess Zhao was also very pleased.

When she returned from the palace, she summoned Wen Mingqian and said this and that.

"The Empress wants to see you; this is a great opportunity for you. But there's no need to be too nervous. You are someone who knows the rules and knows your place, so I don't need to give you any more instructions."

Wen Mingqian hesitated for a moment: "I'm really afraid of making a mistake in front of the Empress. Maybe I shouldn't go?"

"You're being too cautious. What could possibly go wrong? You've done a great service. Even if you make a few mistakes, it won't matter," Princess Zhao comforted her. "Besides, there's me and Her Highness the Princess. If you're too nervous and afraid of making any impolite mistakes, we'll cover for you." Wen Mingqian relaxed slightly, but still looked somewhat apprehensive.

Three days later, Princess Zhao, together with the Eldest Princess, took Wen Mingqian to the palace.

The Empress was dressed a little more formally than usual today. She smiled at the Princess and said, "I haven't been able to see Your Highness since the beginning of the first month. I was just telling my sister that we should send an invitation."

The eldest princess replied with a smile, "The Empress knows that I am the laziest person. I would rather lie down than sit. If you hadn't invited me, I would never have come down the mountain."

After speaking with the eldest princess, the empress turned her gaze to Wen Mingqian, observing her discreetly.

Upon seeing the Empress, Wen Mingqian knelt down properly. He remained kneeling on the ground with his hands folded in front of him and his head bowed.

"Is this Lady Wen?" the Empress said, looking at her. "Don't be afraid, raise your head!"

Upon hearing this, Wen Mingqian thanked the Empress for her kindness and straightened up slightly, but his eyes remained lowered, avoiding direct eye contact.

The Empress nodded and said, "What a well-mannered person, and very knowledgeable about etiquette. Rise and take a seat! There's no need for formalities."

Princess Zhao whispered to her, "Get up quickly! Her Majesty the Empress is very considerate."

Wen Mingqian then slowly got up.

Although there weren't many people at the banquet, the atmosphere was more reserved than anything else.

Wen Mingqian didn't eat much at all; everyone knew this wasn't really about eating.

Afterwards, the Empress took them for a stroll in the Imperial Garden. Wen Mingqian simply followed behind obediently, only giving brief answers when the Empress asked her questions, never saying anything more.

As dusk approached, Wen Mingqian left the palace with Princess Zhao and the Eldest Princess.

On the carriage, Princess Zhao said to her, "Go back and pack your things! It seems the Empress has taken a liking to you and will be summoning you to the palace soon."

Wen Mingqian looked surprised and said, "How is that possible? If Her Majesty the Empress wants to use my things, she only needs to send someone out of the palace to deliver the decree. Why must I come into the palace? If that's the case, how can I serve Your Highness the Princess?"

"That's not how it works. People always strive for higher positions, and it's rare that you've managed to win the Empress's favor. She's both the Empress and my own sister, and she's been mentally unstable for so many years, which worries me as well."

Now that you have a good idea, shouldn't you go and serve her? It's neither reasonable nor morally right to let you remain among the common people." Princess Zhao patiently explained to Wen Mingqian, "Besides, once you enter the palace, you might be able to help me keep an eye on Tong'er!"

He's still young, after all, and inevitably mischievous. Her Majesty the Empress has many affairs to attend to in the palace, and she can't always be there to look after him. You know me too; I can only enter the palace twice a month at most, and each meeting lasts less than an hour.”

There were some things Princess Zhao didn't say aloud, because the Empress was not only busy, but also had a rather impatient temper.

Ying Tong is not her biological son, so there is no way they can get along like a biological mother and son.

Wen Mingqian is somewhat of an acquaintance, so entrusting certain matters to her might make her more dedicated.