Chapter 130: The Banquet

Lin Miaomiao finally felt that she had truly embraced the life of leisure. Every day, she and Li Yanhao strolled through various shops together. At noon, Lin Miaomiao cooked the meals, and after lunch, the two would take their afternoon nap. In the afternoons, they either played cards or rode horses out to the outskirts of the capital.

Time slipped by swiftly. At the break of dawn, Lin Miaomiao would see Li Yanhao dressed in his court robes, preparing to attend the morning assembly. To avoid raising suspicion, they shared a room, but Li Yanhao always slept on a mat on the floor each night.

As a modern woman, Lin Miaomiao could not accept the idea of being intimate with Li Yanhao before she turned twenty. Because of this, Li Yanhao’s choice to sleep on the floor was made without complaint, a gesture of respect towards her.

Rubbing her eyes, Lin Miaomiao sat up groggily, watching Li Yanhao dress. Seeing her state, he smiled and said, “Go back to sleep a little longer! I have to attend the morning court.”

Lin Miaomiao blinked drowsily and mumbled, “Aren’t you on sick leave these days?”

Li Yanhao nodded, explaining, “It’s the emperor’s birthday holiday, so I must attend the morning court to see if the emperor plans any celebrations this year.”

Hearing this, Lin Miaomiao nodded in understanding, hugged the quilt, and lay down to sleep again. When Li Yanhao was about to leave, he noticed her snow-white feet sticking out from under the covers. With a sigh, he tucked them back inside and straightened the quilt before stepping out.

Lin Miaomiao slept soundly until eight in the morning. Upon waking, she found Madam Zhao and others waiting outside. Seeing the group, her face flushed with embarrassment.

As a typical modern person, Lin Miaomiao was accustomed to rising at eight and going to bed after nine in the evening.

Madam Zhao, noticing the rosy tint on Lin Miaomiao’s cheeks, teasingly remarked, “The princess must have been tired last night; it’s no wonder you’re sleeping in.”

Lin Miaomiao blushed deeply. While washing her face, she overheard Madam Zhao mutter, “I wonder when our little prince will be born.”

Halfway through washing, Lin Miaomiao suddenly looked up, awkwardly smiling as she finished and quickly dressed.

Just as Lin Miaomiao finished breakfast, Li Yanhao returned, having changed out of his court robes. Sitting beside her, he asked, “You’re up?”

Lin Miaomiao nodded, “Yes. How was your work this morning?”

Used to the question, Li Yanhao replied, “Not bad. But this year, the emperor’s birthday celebration will be grand.”

Curious, Lin Miaomiao looked up, “Shouldn’t the emperor’s birthday be celebrated grandly every year?”

Li Yanhao shook his head and explained, “Not when the treasury is tight. But now that the southern barbarians have been subdued and vast territories annexed to our Great Yong Empire, the realm is peaceful and the treasury abundant. Plus, with all the corrupt officials recently purged, there’s enough wealth to lavish a grand celebration for the emperor.”

Lin Miaomiao nodded thoughtfully. Li Yanhao sighed. “With such a grand event, every faction is eager to present gifts to win the emperor’s favor.”

Lin Miaomiao was momentarily stunned, then looked up and said, “Suddenly, being the emperor seems quite nice.”

Li Yanhao shook his head and replied with a hint of impatience, “Are you foolish? There’s nothing good about it. This grand celebration is just to appease the emperor, who’s reached the age of knowing his fate. You think the seventh prince isn’t worried?”

Hearing this, a cold sweat broke out on Lin Miaomiao’s back. She lifted her head, her hands trembling slightly as she asked, “Could something be about to happen?”

Li Yanhao shook his head uncertainly. Indeed, the seventh prince, Li Yankang, was in a delicate position, overshadowed by the crown prince and Li Yanhao himself. Although Li Yanhao held a fiefdom, the current emperor wished to keep his son in the capital a while longer to maintain their father-son bond.

But everyone knew the royal family’s notion of father-son affection was merely a pretense, a way to delay Li Yanhao’s departure from the capital.

Though Lin Miaomiao held little power at court and came from a farming family, she had grown her business considerably, contributing substantial silver annually to the palace’s private treasury. Naturally, Emperor Yongchang wouldn’t want to lose such a source of wealth.

Moreover, a young and vigorous prince like Li Yanhao, once away from the capital and free in his fief, could muster troops. With Lin Miaomiao’s wealth and Li Yanhao’s military expertise, secretly raising an army could pose a threat after the emperor’s reign.

Thus, more factions preferred Li Yanhao to remain in the capital than wished him to go to his fief.

During this time, Lin Miaomiao stayed quietly in the mansion, awaiting Emperor Yongchang’s 46th birthday. She suddenly found the emperor’s birthday preparations rather troublesome.

At forty-six, the emperor was considered to have reached the age of knowing his destiny, an age perilously close to death in ancient times.

Li Yanhao found a jade piece and had it carved into a jade ruyi, placing it in a box as the emperor’s 46th birthday gift.

Seeing Li Yanhao’s casual approach, Lin Miaomiao shook her head with a smile. “Isn’t this gift a bit too simple?”

Li Yanhao chuckled, “Saying too much or doing too much invites scrutiny. The emperor has seen all kinds of treasures. It’s better to win his favor quietly than make a show.”

Lin Miaomiao agreed, and together they entered the palace, arriving at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Looking up at the grand hall, Lin Miaomiao marveled at the enormous plaque and the tiered staircases. Surrounded by lavish decorations, it all felt like a scene from a television drama.

Li Yanhao noticed her daze and gently took her hand.

At that moment, Princess Chang’an, Li Anyi, approached.

Seeing Li Yanhao take Lin Miaomiao’s hand, a sharp pang struck the princess’s heart.

Princess Li Anyi had lost her first child and was once told by the imperial physician that her chances of conceiving again were slim.

She knew whether she would marry again was uncertain, but at least she was well provided for and could live comfortably in the princess’s residence.

In her youth, she had dreamed of marrying a young man and having a family of her own.

But now, her marriage was merely a bargaining chip used by her father to manipulate and control her half-brother.

Princess Li Anyi watched Lin Miaomiao turn back and smile sweetly at Li Yanhao — a smile so pure and beautiful it lifted one’s spirits.

“I’m fine,” Lin Miaomiao said softly. “It’s just my first time seeing such a magnificent banquet. Poverty truly limits imagination.”

Li Yanhao laughed, patting her head, “Come on, let’s take our seats.”

Lin Miaomiao nodded and waved goodbye to Princess Li Anyi as they moved on. The princess returned the gesture.

The steward of the Imperial Household, Liang Yong, conducted a thorough inspection before nodding in satisfaction and heading to the Palace of Diligent Governance to report.

Today, all officials of the fifth rank and above were to bring their families to the palace banquet. Numerous carriages lined up outside the city gates, and the palace arranged carriages and horses to welcome the attending officials and their families.

By the time everyone entered the palace, night had fallen.

The long corridors of the Imperial Garden were hung with lotus-shaped palace lanterns. Thousands of lights illuminated the Falling Plum Pavilion, and the air near the plum grove was filled with a lingering, delicate fragrance.

The seating was arranged by rank: imperial relatives in front, followed by officials and their families. Lin Miaomiao’s group sat near the front.

Facing her were Crown Prince Li Hanwen and beside him, the seventh prince, Li Yankang. Opposite Li Yankang sat Li Zheng.

Noticing Lin Miaomiao’s gaze, Li Zheng raised his cup and toasted her. Lin Miaomiao smiled gently and nodded in response.

At that moment, music began to play. The officials were all seated, and the women wore expensive garments and luxurious headpieces.

Most of those seated at the front were imperial relatives and nobility, followed by officials and their families.

As Lin Miaomiao surveyed the grand banquet, she suddenly recalled a poem by Li Bai:

“The clouds think of her garments, the flowers long for her face;
The spring breeze brushes the railing, the dew is thick and bright.
Had it not been on Jade Mountain’s pinnacle,
They would have met beneath the moon at the Jade Terrace.”

In that instant, Lin Miaomiao understood why Li Bai had composed such a poem at an extravagant feast.

Noticing her thoughtful gaze, Li Yanhao asked, “What are you thinking?”

Lin Miaomiao looked up, lowering her beautiful eyes, and recited softly:

“The clouds think of her garments, the flowers long for her face;
The spring breeze brushes the railing, the dew is thick and bright.
Had it not been on Jade Mountain’s pinnacle,
They would have met beneath the moon at the Jade Terrace.”

Li Yanhao furrowed his brows and said, “That poem is written for a woman, isn’t it?”

Lin Miaomiao nodded, then looked up seriously and said, “But don’t you think it’s only natural for such a magnificent banquet to have an equally outstanding woman present?”

Li Yanhao nodded, lifted his cup, and said softly, “Then, my lady, you are the most beautiful woman here tonight.”

Under the glow of the lanterns, Lin Miaomiao saw the exquisite face of Li Yanhao, who looked at her with sincere affection.

A smile curved her lips — the kind of smile people often called “happiness.”

With a sense of ceremony, Lin Miaomiao raised her cup. When their glasses met, a clear, crisp chime rang out.

Though their voices were low and few could overhear, there were always those who watched every move within the palace walls.