Chapter 2: The Birthday Banquet

“Let’s go, the carriage is ready,” someone called out.

One by one, everyone mounted their horses.

Surrounded by several attendants as she climbed into the carriage was Wen Qi. After Wen Qi was seated, each person faced Wen Qiao with extreme coldness, even disdain flickering in their eyes.

“There aren’t enough sedan chairs; you will follow us on horseback,” Wen Zehan said to Wen Qiao.

“Alright,” Wen Qiao replied. She was headed to the palace, even if she had to ride all the way there.

The palace was some distance away, and she was already very weak from having a portion of her flesh cut away. Although she carried a few energy-restoring pills, she tried to endure as long as she could.

After an unknown amount of time, they arrived at the palace.

The overlapping palace walls were a place many yearned to reach.

To Wen Qiao, it was a grand cage.

The crowd around was endless, all attending the day’s birthday feast.

They disembarked from their carriages, exchanging compliments.

Including Wen Qiao’s father.

Wen Qiao followed at the back, heading towards the feast venue.

“I heard the marquis’s true daughter has been found? For over ten years, the marquis has been searching, and now she’s finally found—what a joyous occasion!” someone said to Wen Congqing.

Wen Congqing laughed heartily. “She’s just a rustic girl from the countryside, knowing nothing of the world.”

To others, it might have sounded like a joke.

But Wen Qiao knew he meant it with genuine disdain.

Wen Congqing disliked Wen Qiao’s mother; retrieving her was more about reclaiming that pair of earrings.

“Whether or not she’s the true daughter of the marquis’s family, the marquis will surely educate her well. Perhaps she will become the next literary talent of the capital,” the man said flatteringly.

“Qi Qi is the result of my countless efforts raising her; naturally, she’s exceptional,” Wen Congqing said proudly when speaking of Wen Qi, lifting his chin with pride.

“Indeed, the seventh young lady is a well-known figure in the capital.”

“Surely she will find a good husband someday. I suppose the marquis favors the Crown Prince?”

“It would be wonderful if the Crown Prince notices my daughter.”

“...”

Hearing such praise for Wen Qi made Wen Congqing almost unable to close his mouth.

As for Wen Qiao, being the marquis’s daughter was enough for a few polite words, but most thought her a rustic country girl unworthy of Wen Congqing’s favor. Even today, she wore a plain blue robe, without any extra adornments from head to toe.

Even the maids and servants who came with them were better dressed than Wen Qiao.

—

Inside the grand hall for the birthday feast.

Massive golden pillars stood tall, surrounded by low tables holding exquisite cups and pastries meant for early arrivals to nibble on.

Wen Qiao found a slightly concealed spot.

She didn’t want to hear the idle gossip, only waiting for the feast to begin and to meet the emperor, hoping to leave a good impression.

Before the empress dowager arrived, the others in the marquis’s household repeatedly warned her not to lose composure.

She could only nod in response.

When the pastries were almost gone, the empress dowager and the emperor arrived, fashionably late.

As they appeared, everyone promptly stepped forward to bow.

Before Wen Qiao even saw them, she was pulled forward by Wen Zehan, her head pressed down firmly as a voice whispered in her ear, “Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress Dowager!”

She mumbled her greetings.

“Rise,” came a somewhat aged voice.

Wen Qiao was led to stand. She glanced up at the empress dowager.

The empress dowager was seventy years old, dressed in a grand purple robe embroidered with dragon and phoenix motifs. The hem bore a large “longevity” character embroidered with gold thread. Countless golden hairpins adorned her head, and she sat in the highest seat, exuding noble status.

Though older, she was well preserved—few wrinkles marked her face, and her entire presence was dignified and elegant.

Yet Wen Qiao knew the empress dowager would pass away from illness next year.

At this very feast, she had even fainted once.

“Today, no need for excessive formalities; all ministers may act as they wish,” Emperor Xiao Zheng said to everyone.

He wore a yellow robe with a vivid dragon embroidered on the chest, radiating imperial majesty and presence.

The feast soon blossomed into a lively scene of song and dance.

Everyone sang and danced joyfully.

Xiao Zheng then looked toward Wen Congqing. “Minister Wen, I hear you have found the long-lost daughter of the Wen family?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Wen Congqing stood and bowed slightly. “But she has returned from the countryside and I have yet to properly educate her. If she comes forward now, she might disgrace Your Majesty’s eyes. Perhaps I should send my other daughter to perform instead?”

Yet Wen Qiao was indeed Xiao Zheng’s true niece.

The only child borne by his sister.

Xiao Zheng raised his hand slightly. “Let me see her. Even if she lacks grace, I will not blame you.”

With the matter settled thus, Wen Congqing had no retort.

Wen Qiao recognized the chance and immediately stepped forward. Her deeply ingrained etiquette made her bow to the emperor with poise. “Your servant greets the Emperor.”

“Rise,” Xiao Zheng said, then turned his gaze back to Wen Congqing. “She appears decent. It seems you have taught her well these days. Good.”

“...”

Wen Congqing had never taught her.

He hadn’t even intended to let anyone instruct Wen Qiao; all he wanted was what Wen Qiao held.

He only brought her here because he was in a good mood today.

After all, what manners could a girl from the countryside possibly have? He had watched Wen Qiao’s shamelessness these past days and figured even Xiao Zheng wouldn’t spare her a glance.

Unexpectedly, Wen Qiao’s bow earned Xiao Zheng’s praise.

“Your Majesty flatters me. But my younger daughter Wen Qi has recently learned a dance. Would Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager like to see it?”

At this point, only Wen Qi’s dance could hope to win the emperor and empress dowager’s favor.

A mere bow could not compare to Wen Qi’s graceful movements.

“Mother, do you wish to see it?” Xiao Zheng asked, lacking enthusiasm.

He actually wanted to speak a few words with Wen Qiao.

Wen Qiao resembled her sister somewhat; through her eyes, he seemed to glimpse his sister.

But his sister was simple and pure, while Wen Qiao’s eyes were deep, as if she had endured much hardship.

Perhaps she had suffered greatly over the years.

“Very well, let her perform. But this girl does resemble your sister somewhat. Come, come closer so I may look at you,” the empress dowager beckoned Wen Qiao with delight in her eyes.

Under everyone’s gaze, Wen Qiao stepped forward steadily until she stood before the empress dowager.

“Well done, truly a fine child. Come, sit with me,” the empress dowager said, motioning for a eunuch to bring a stool.

The empress dowager’s banquet table was vast, the delicacies specially prepared by the imperial kitchen.

Meals within the palace were indeed exceptional.

Wen Qiao sat beside the empress dowager, speaking gently, “Empress Dowager, if you feel unwell, please drink less wine.”

“Thank you for your concern, I am well and there is no need to worry,” the empress dowager replied. To her, these were merely old ailments.

The two sat together, watching Xiao Zheng and others converse happily. Then she turned to Wen Congqing. “Let her dance.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Wen Congqing responded.

Wen Qi wore a pale pink dress, her appearance exquisitely adorned. Her bright, lively eyes sparkled with smiles. Even her steps exuded the air of a refined lady.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on her, eager to see how many people her dance might captivate.

Meanwhile, Wen Qiao spoke to the empress dowager, “Empress Dowager, do you often feel drowsy, weak, and sometimes suffer headaches?”

“How do you know this?” the empress dowager asked, somewhat surprised.

She had consulted many imperial physicians, all of whom said the same thing: her age accounted for these symptoms, and there was little to be done except to take prescribed medicines.