The group was perplexed as well, and strands of conversation arose here and there.
The young eunuch trotted up with a dismayed expression and quickly kowtowed. “In response to Your Majesty, this isn’t Oft Spring Garden. We, we took the wrong fork just now.”
This realization startled the group and all conversation halted. The empress’ slender brows were tightly knit together as she responded coldly. “What? We walked all this way and we’re not at Oft Spring Garden? I don’t recall such a place appearing in Eternal Spring Mountain!”
The young eunuch was trembling on the ground. He wanted to lead the way earlier, but the empress had refused to let him serve!
The empress was feeling rather awkward as well. Due to her station, she spent her days keeping the emperor company. She had exceedingly few opportunities to travel out of the palace with him. Touring a province or any other outing were very rare occurrences.
Oft Spring Garden had been bestowed to her, but she’d only come once last year for a dip in the hot springs. There had been a large group of people with her then, so naturally she hadn’t needed to remember the way. It’d been an obvious conclusion for her today that Oft Spring Garden was the only place present on the mountain. To think that the scenery that everyone had spent so much effort admiring was someone else’s!
“You dog of a servant, is this how you serve?!” A high ranked mama kicked the eunuch’s shoulder and sent him rolling on the ground.
When the eunuch righted himself, he kowtowed several more times. “Mercy, Your Majesty! Mercy!”
The empress pursed her lips impatiently and felt that, with the group of people behind her, she couldn’t lose her dignity as the mother of the nation. She had to swallow her temper and dismiss lazily, “Let it pass. It’s not a big deal. We’re out for some fun, so we can just walk back since we’ve taken the wrong way.”
“Your Majesty speaks rightly. The air here is clean and fresh and the sunlight gentle. It’s lovely to chat and laugh on a nice walk,” the wife of Statesman Cao offered smilingly.
Everyone hastened to agree, warming the stiff atmosphere. The eunuch quickly crawled up to show the way.
In better spirits now, the empress marched back to where they’d come from with the nobles ladies clustered around her. They went down a slightly wider bluestone path this time. This was when she noticed that the peach blossom grove they’d just walked through was accessed via a newly created path. The bluestones on the ground here marked the old way to her place.
However, her good spirits and complimentary sighs from the group dwindled the further they traveled down the way. With that seemingly magical palace fresh in their minds, the way to Oft Spring Garden was lacking and boring in comparison. The blooming crabapple trees lining the side were well enough, but on a whole, it wasn’t as breathtaking as Ning Park.
Meanwhile, the noble ladies had used up their entire repertoire of pretty phrases earlier. When faced with such dull scenery, they could only silence their consciences and scrounge for words like ‘simple and unsophisticated’ or ‘peaceful’.
The expression on the empress’ face was growing uglier and uglier. When the group reached the doors of Oft Spring Garden, her face had sunk to the most extreme of lows.
Ning Park had freshly retouched walls and lavish doors. The buildings within were also brand new. In comparison, Oft Spring Garden’s walls showed the passage of time. While the view through open doors of eunuchs kneeling in welcome was impressive enough, the weathered buildings and unimaginative garden were also clear to see. Distaste welled up from the bottom of the empress’ heart.
“How did you all prepare for my arrival?!” She frowned and hectored lowly. “What’s with that park from just now?!”
Although she’d kept her voice down, those behind her weren’t too far away and could hear everything clearly.
Elder Statesman Cao had given special orders to the eunuchs in charge, and they hastened to report back. “In response to Your Majesty, the elder statesman gave orders to fix up the park. The owner of the park has a great background, so he says to just ignore that park.”
The empress grit her teeth but couldn’t vent her anger. “Isn’t he worried of overstepping himself!” she squeezed out in the end and entered the garden first.
The group of noblewoman inwardly snapped to solemn attention when they saw the empress was displeased. They didn’t even dare speak loudly, for fear of angering the empress in her awkward state.
* * *
Chapter 145: An Awkward Empress (II)
Chapter 145: An Awkward Empress (II)
Knowing that the empress was making an excursion to Oft Spring Garden today, the servants had prepared a banquet in a quiet corner of the rear garden.
The empress was gazing around from her position in the head seat. She was slightly pacified by the crabapple blossom encircled surroundings and strands of birdsong from all around. A trace of a smile also appeared on her face, allowing the group to relax when they saw that the imperial presence no longer imitated a walking thundercloud.
The empress raised a small wine cup. Her pure gold nail guards were tipped with crimson nail polish, beautifully offsetting her sparkling skin. The combination also complemented the gold wine up, further highlighting her embroidered, loose sleeve, garnet robe. She was the epitome of opulence and sumptuous.
The group cast reverent glances at the head seat when they saw that the empress wanted to offer a toast. She quite enjoyed being the center of attention and cleared her throat.
“Our peace talks with Great Zhou were successful, and peace will be known beneath the heavens in the future.” She called out, “The emperor and this seat are immensely gratified. I have invited everyone here today first for…”
Bang~~~~~ Pow~~~~
Fireworks soared into the air, their sudden explosions reverberating through the mountain and drowning out the empress’ speech. The crowd jerked their heads in the relevant direction and saw multi colored fireworks shooting into the sky from Ning Park’s direction. The radiant red, green, and yellow on display were bedazzling even in the daylight. Whoever was setting them off wasn’t being stingy about them at all as fireworks gushed forth like a fountain, showing no signs of stopping at all.
While the pops and cracks of the fireworks rang and echoed, it wasn’t so loud as to be deafening, but it beat a great racket on one’s heart all the same. Nothing could be heard now even if the empress yelled next to everyone’s ear, much less giving a simple speech at the head of a table!
Although fireworks weren’t an exceedingly rare sight, they were uncommon during ordinary times, particularly a stupendous show like this. The madames and misses couldn’t tear their eyes away and were quite taken with wonder. They’d actually forgotten about the empress’ speech!
Meanwhile, her imperial majesty was livid and clenching her teeth. She wanted to lose her temper, but she was completely drowned out by the fireworks. They’d taken the wrong way earlier and someone else’s garden had completely outshone hers. Now her speech was being interrupted? How could she endure all this??
The display went on for a full fifteen minutes, bringing the smell of gunpowder to everyone’s nose when they breathed in. The group turned around to see the empress with a heavily displeased expression on her face. No one knew what to do. It’s probably an inauspicious day today. Why else would the empress have lost face so many times?
A servant was summoned and the empress murmured, “Go and tell whoever’s at Ning Park that the empress wishes to borrow their premises for a banquet. Have whoever’s inside leave as soon as possible. I will set off for there shortly with the group.”
The servant whispered back, “In response to Your Majesty, the statesman did say that the owner of the park has a great background, and that we should avoid interacting with them.”
A vicious glare shot out of the empress’ eyes. “Shut your mouth! Why can’t this seat use a park that my own father fixed up? Everything beneath th
e heavens belongs to the emperor, and I am the empress. Do I not even have the power to host a celebratory banquet in a Great Yan property?”
“But the statesman said not to…”
“Impudence! I’ll have your head if you don’t go!”
The servant didn’t dare utter another word when he saw that the empress was truly angry. He spun on his heel and trotted off to Ning Park to borrow their location. The empress lifted her chin with a supercilious smile. “Well? Were the fireworks pretty?”
No one dared respond and everyone lowered their heads. The empress sniffed and continued, “I’ve already sent someone off to borrow that yard. Didn’t someone say that it was as beautiful as a heavenly palace? Then we’ll have our banquet there and dine amongst the gods.”
“Your Majesty is the mother of all beneath heaven, and it’s to that park’s great fortune if it hosts you.”
“Indeed, Oft Spring Garden is elegant and tranquil. It’s already a great favor that we can keep Your Majesty company here.” The madames offered ingratiating words again, making the empress feel slightly better.
She glimpsed the servant’s return out of the corner of her eye. The empress rose and elegantly twitched her skirts. “Let’s go then, over there…”
“Your Majesty.” The servant almost burst out into tears when he saw his mistress stand and prepare to leave. “The owner of the park said no.”
“No?!” was the shrilled reply.
The servant thumped to his knees. “Yes. This servant was stopped at the door and the guard there said that his master had spoken. The park would be lent out to no one.”
“Did you tell him that the empress wanted to use his yard?!”
“In response to Your Majesty, this servant did say so, but they said no was no.”
“How dare they!” The empress could finally stand for this no longer and angrily swept all of the dishes onto the ground. Porcelain shattered, food scattered, and wine sprayed all over the ground, sending the womenfolk shooting to their feet in frightened huddles.
Even an ordinary noblewoman would find repeated losses of face humiliating, much less the empress. The imperial majesty was in a hot fury and stalked forward. “Come with me! This empress would like to see just who is the owner of Ning Park! As the mother of the nation, how dare they decline my request to use the premises! We’re going to tour Ning Park today no matter what!”
Even the statesman’s wife didn’t dare try to calm down an empress in a towering rage. Cao Yuqing hadn’t even spoken a word on the entire excursion. The other noble ladies had even less courage to do so. They could only follow their liege wherever she may go.
The group swept out of the Oft Spring Garden and took the now familiar bluestone path. They turned again into the magical peach blossom grove and made straight for Ning Park’s brand new crimson doors.
This quick summary sounded easy, but the noble womenfolk rarely exercised and all had bound feet apart from Qin Yining. It wasn’t easy for tiny, bound feet to tread the mountain paths and walk so long. Those like the old dowager were barely keeping up thanks to servants supporting her on both sides. However, no one dared voice their complaints out loud.
When they arrived at the main doors of Ning Park, the empress coldly gestured with her chin. “Go and smash those doors open!”
The servants quickly assented, but they hadn’t even touched the doors before the doors were pulled open. A middle-aged man in a deep blue shirt, buttons running down the front, snuck at a peek at the crowd of opulently dressed womenfolk. He frowned deeply, “Madames and misses, what are you doing?”
The servant lifted his chin in response and angled his body to the side to show the empress. “Take a good look. This is the empress of Great Yan. It’s great fortune accumulated from your ancestors that she wishes to tour your yard. Hurry up and open the doors!”
The guard looked at the empress, then at the collection behind the empress. He raised a cupped fist salute and responded evenly, “I already told you earlier, our master has said that we’re not open to any visitors.”
The empress had thought everything would be fine if she was here in person, but to think that rejection was still staring her down even still!
Her face had been pummeled to the bottom of a canyon and she finally erupted shrilly, “How dare you! I am the mother of the nation, why can’t I borrow the use of a yard?! Servants, drag out everyone in Ning Park! I will have the emperor send troops to raze this raggedy yard to the ground!”
“Who dares raze my park?” A lazy, resonant voice sounded from within.
Qin Yining abruptly lifted her head to see Pang Xiao stride out garbed in ivory robes, a white jade buckle at his waist, a small golden crown on his head, and a magnificent air between his brows.
He stood with his arms crossed at the head of a group and looked at the empress as if looking at something dead. “Borrowing things has to be a voluntary act. Will the empress seize by force if such agreement is lacking?”
* * *
Chapter 146: An Awkward Empress (II)
Chapter 146: An Awkward Empress (II)
Almost none of the womenfolk present had seen Pang Xiao before, so the only thought that ran through their mind was how charming this young man seemed. His features were exquisite and deeply set, a pair of long brows imposingly framing a pair of phoenix eyes. Merely a casual glance was enough to send one’s heart pounding hard. Although he was handsome, his body also looked tall and fit. His aura was imposingly domineering, forcing one’s head down after one such glance, and not daring to possibly offend the young man.
Wasn’t the newcomer afraid of the empress taking revenge in the future? How dare he show such a strong attitude to the empress? Just what was his background?
Meanwhile, her imperial majesty’s face had gone ashen. So it was this demon that her father hadn’t wanted her to antagonize! She’d personally borne witness how the emperor had bowed and scraped in front of Pang Xiao at the Meridian Gate that day. She wouldn’t dare say anything even she had a belly full of irritation!
“The Faithful Prince of the First Rank loves to jest.” She laughed dryly. “Those were but words said in anger, how would I possibly force my will on anyone? As the mother of the nation, I naturally rule via virtue and lead by example. Your Highness must have some misunderstandings of this empress.”
The Faithful Prince of the First Rank? The womenfolk looked askance at Pang Xiao. So this was Great Zhou’s unblinking demon of slaughter! After casting a startled glance at the prince, they subconsciously shifted their gaze to Qin Yining.
Rumors had long abounded regarding the two in the city. Combined with Pang Xiao’s heroic actions and proclamation in front of the Meridian Gate, the common populace were naturally curious about things.
This was especially true for the old dowager, second madame, and seventh miss. In their view, the prince was a true northern man who drank blood, possessed a bristling beard, was as stocky as an oxen, had a voice that boomed like a bell, and owned eyes so sharp that they could cut someone to pieces with a single look. Who would’ve thought that he would turn out to be such a good looking person!
The seventh miss stared at Pang Xiao, infatuated, while Qin Yining glared ferociously at him. Just what was he on about now? Although the two nations were at a tentative peace, he was still the prince of another nation. Wasn’t he afraid of getting into trouble with such a high profile face-off with the empress??
Qin Yining’s glare utterly delighted Pang Xiao. He grinned. “Since the empress doesn’t have such intentions, then we can forget about all this.”
A beet red flush crept up the empress’ neck from the awkwardness she felt. How was someone as lofty as her supposed to react now? Was she supposed to wheel around and take everyone away with her again?
Pang Xiao snuck another look at Qin Yining and continued, smiling. “But since the empress is already here, it wouldn’t be the right thing to bar guests at the door. Why not come inside for a tour?”
>
The empress heaved a silent sigh of relief at this gesture and her expression relaxed greatly. “I naturally can’t decline Your Highness’ invitation.”
Pang Xiao tilted to the side and carelessly welcomed the group inside. He paid no further attention to his new guests and walked back in with Huzi and his men. The empress clenched her teeth at this wanton disrespect and set foot inside, servants showing the way. She was naturally followed by the rest of the group.
It was only after they’d entered that they understood what was meant by the words that described skies filled with flowers and a perfect garden layout. Only then did they truly experience an ethereal palace and an otherworldly set of surroundings.
Setting aside the exotic flora present, even the regular peach and plum blossoms were painstakingly planted in exact configurations. From a distance, they appeared like a patch of fiery clouds. The covered hallway was decorated with exquisite carvings, and wisps of pale-green veils peeked out beneath bamboo curtains. Some cranes frolicked in and about the greenery, adding yet more hints of an immortal realm to the yard.
A burning sensation sprang to the empress’ cheeks. After entering, she really did feel that all her face had been firmly trampled beneath his foot. Oft Spring Garden was nothing compared to Ning Park! To think that she’d so proudly accepted everyone’s compliments earlier. I really don’t understand why father didn’t offer such an exquisite yard to the emperor, but gifted it to someone like Pang Xiao instead!
A covered hallway three meters wide and six meters long lay in front of the main residence. A table and a couple of chairs had been placed there, with tea and snacks already waiting for the group.
Pang Xiao leisurely took a seat at the head of the table, leaving the empress to take a seat beneath him with clenched teeth. The womenfolk of the eight families took their seats according to family prestige.
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