Willow arrived to find Yun Xiang Wan already bustling with activity. Besides the imperial concubines, many young ladies from official families and noblewomen were present.
Because the Emperor had shown extraordinary grace, granting Jin Jiali’s request, her friends and relatives were also permitted to attend.
This banquet served a dual purpose. Not only was it Jin Jiali’s birthday celebration, but the Emperor also wished to bestow a primary consort upon Feng Lie and arrange a marriage for Jin Shaoyuan, the Minister of War's son.
The Emperor concerned himself with the marriages of his officials, believing that only when they had no worries about their successors would they be able to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to serving the imperial family.
Willow scanned the surroundings. The young ladies were dressed in vibrant colors, appearing shy and delicate as butterflies. They frequently covered their mouths with their sleeves, seeming impossibly fragile. Gathering in groups of three or five, they stood in various pavilions, engaged in lively conversation.
The moment Willow entered, everyone crowded around her. Although their eyes held disdain, they feigned intimacy and greeted her. Willow calmly returned each greeting, her demeanor composed and graceful.
Setting aside the birthmark on her face, the Empress's elegance remained unmatched.
Willow detested these insincere exchanges. She found a suitable spot to sit by the lakeside. On the lake, lotus leaves spread out like small, dark green umbrellas.
Pink lotus flowers emerged from beneath the leaves, resembling graceful and delicate women, elegant and fresh. Willow watched them, captivated.
She wished she could transform into a blooming lotus, releasing her full allure. Even if it were only for a fleeting moment of bloom, the lingering fragrance would make death itself feel willing.
As Willow was lost in thought, a rich fragrance suddenly wafted to her nose. She looked up to see two concubines, Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing, approaching with smiles, bowing gracefully to Willow.
"Your humble servant greets the Empress."
Willow raised her hand to stop them. Jin Jiali did not complete her bow and said calmly, "Today is Noble Consort Shu’s birthday. Such formalities are unnecessary."
"Thank you, Empress." Jin Jiali replied, "Your humble servant will go greet the guests." Jin Jiali had no intention of truly bowing to her; it was merely a show. Although she desperately wanted to embarrass this woman, she had to proceed step by step. Before bringing someone to their doom, one must at least maintain propriety and avoid giving anyone a reason to find fault.
"Go ahead," Willow waved her hand. Lou Sijing also paid her respects before leaving the pavilion with Jin Jiali.
Willow watched the retreating figures of the two women. They were exquisitely dressed today. Those already beautiful, they were now enhanced by an extra degree of divine beauty. If only they possessed a little more innocence, how many men would be drawn to them? A faint smile touched her lips.
Cui'er and Caixia, seeing their mistress looking somewhat dispressed, spoke respectfully, "Mistress does not like it here. Would you like to go out for some fresh air?"
Willow found Caixia's suggestion sensible. She stood and walked out, following a winding small bridge further away. A gentle breeze blew coolly against her face. Away from the noise, it was indeed much more peaceful.
As Willow was pondering, she suddenly heard cries of surprise from a distance. Four men, as if stepped out of a painting, appeared. She secretly marveled, thinking Feng Xie was truly unique to allow men to participate in such a harem gathering.
"The Emperor has arrived," Cui'er whispered, wanting to call her mistress over. But seeing her mistress merely glance and then turn away to continue watching the distant scenery.
A white egret flew back and forth in the sky, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. It finally landed on a lotus leaf, balancing on one leg. Willow was surprised that such birds were kept in Yun Xiang Wan. She smiled faintly.
"Humans are sometimes less happy than a bird."
"The Empress speaks truly," a deep voice sounded beside her, startling Willow. She quickly turned around. Her two little maids had vanished somewhere, and the speaker was the one who played the flute every night, the imperial physician Nangong Yue.
Seeing him in daylight, he was even more handsome and untouched by the mundane world. His gaze drifted towards the white egret circling and flying in the distance, holding a deep longing. Willow watched for a moment, then followed his line of sight.
"Why has Lord Nangong come here? Have you not found any young lady to your liking?" Willow believed the Emperor intended to arrange a marriage for Nangong Yue as well, otherwise he wouldn't have invited him.
"Mere common women," Nangong Yue replied in a low voice. He turned and swept his gaze over Willow, his eyes seeming to penetrate one's very soul as he looked at the capital's most unsightly woman.
The birthmark wasn't as terrifying as imagined, just unattractive, not ugly. However, her serene demeanor drew attention.
In the sunlight, Nangong Yue's long hair cascaded down. His slender willow-leaf eyebrows were as neatly trimmed as if cut by a knife. His bright eyes sparkled, reflecting the rippling light of the lake, carrying a heartwarming warmth that stirred the soul.
Willow was stunned. This was the first time she had ever been dazed by a man. Even Feng Xie had never made her lose her composure. It seemed everyone had their weaknesses, so it wasn't wrong for Feng Xie to dislike her.
"Lord Nangong should go over quickly. The Emperor seems to be looking for you."
Willow saw many people looking their way. Without needing to think, she knew that the admiring gazes in their eyes were all directed at the fair and jade-like Nangong Yue. However, his brows were slightly furrowed, and he did not seem happy about the gathering.
"Shouldn't the Empress also go?"
Nangong Yue asked softly, reminding her. He then walked away gently. Willow smiled faintly. She didn't think this gathering had anything to do with her; it was merely Jin Jiali showing off in front of her.
At this moment, she was curious about Nangong Yue. Who had hurt his heart? Lost in thought, she blurted it out.
"Who could be so heartless as to hurt you?"
Nangong Yue’s heart trembled. His steps did not falter, and he quickly walked away. Beneath his brocade robe, his fair hand trembled slightly. This woman was truly intelligent and perceptive. It turned out she was a pearl covered in dust.
After Nangong Yue left, Cui'er and Caixia reappeared, two little maids supporting Willow, one on each side.
"Mistress, the banquet is about to begin. Please go."
"Alright," Willow withdrew her gaze from the lake and nodded, walking towards the center of the banquet.
The banquet was set up on the lawn of Yun Xiang Wan. Colorful parasols were propped up overhead, with fresh green vines hanging from the edges, adding infinite charm.
The feast was designed for self-service. Each person had a low table in front of them, adorned with flowers, fruits, vegetables, water, wine, and specialty dishes. In the center of the venue, singing and dancing girls performed, creating a lively scene.
Especially today, there were three handsome men present besides the Emperor. Any one of them would have been more than enough to please the noble ladies, who couldn't help but steal glances at them.
Prince Yan, Feng Lie, was clad in a fiery red brocade robe, meticulously tailored and sewn by the imperial tailor. He exuded a devilishly handsome nobility, unrestrained and wild, possessing a commanding aura second only to the Emperor.
Nangong Yue, dressed in a soft, pure white long robe, was elegant and charming in his every movement, exuding a profound melancholy. He was as beautiful as an immortal banished from the mortal realm.
Jin Shaoyuan, in a black long robe, had a fierce tiger embroidered on his chest. His features were as if chiseled by a knife, perfectly arranged, exuding a potent masculinity.
He was also one of the birthday celebrants today, Jin Jiali’s elder brother. In this situation, Jin Jiali hoped her brother would choose a suitable and well-matched lady to enrich the Jin family.
The Emperor, Feng Xie, sat majestically on the main seat, with the birthday celebrant Jin Jiali seated closely beside him. On his other side sat Noble Consort Lou Sijing. It seemed everyone had forgotten about the Empress.
Willow, however, had no intention of drawing attention to herself. She simply found a suitable spot and sat down, observing everything with a detached gaze. Truthfully, she detested everything before her. If she had any choice, she would have turned and left long ago.