C20 The Peony Banquet in Blue City

Yun Moxi was dressed in a blue palace robe. The side of her dress was embroidered with tiny sakura petals with a layer of gold threads, as if she was wearing a golden edge. Under the sunlight, it was dazzling. She wore a blue muslin robe with jade threads embroidered with vines, and her hair was tied up with a lotus hairpin. The lotus flower was carved from a jade stone, and a few blue tassels were tied around her head. There was a pearl hanging from her hair. Nangong Shen was stunned for a moment. The woman was standing there with a smile. Her skin was as white as snow, and her eyes were like clear water. Her appearance was extremely beautiful, like a pearl that had been born. There was a clear aura of a scholar in between her eyebrows.

He did not expect that the palace dress would make her look even more charming. It was a stark contrast to her usual wild appearance. The corner of his mouth curled up slightly as he thought about the Hexi incident and Yun Moxi's identity. He was sure that he had picked up a treasure! Yun Moxi naturally noticed Nangong Shen's gaze and felt a little uneasy. If it wasn't for Nangong Shen warning her to be more polite, she would have slipped out of the room. Lin Wan, who was at the side, noticed Nangong Shen's gaze and felt angry in her heart. From the start, the Emperor's gaze had never left this slut. Furthermore, Lin Wan noticed that the clothes that Yun Moxi was wearing today, whether it was the brocade or the workmanship, were comparable to the Noble Consort's palace dress. She was even angrier. She had heard her father mention that there were many precious things that were presented to the Emperor today, including the cloud muslin brocade. She did not expect that Yun Moxi would also be rewarded. The more Lin Wan thought about it, the angrier she became. She subconsciously retracted her hand into her sleeve and clenched it into a fist. However, she still had a gentle expression on her face. Nangong Shen was the only Noble Consort who could sit with him. It was the same in the past, and it would be the same in the future. When Lan Ruxue passed by Yun Moxi, she revealed a proud smile. So what if Yun Moxi was doted on? I am the woman who is qualified to stand beside the Emperor. Yun Moxi naturally ignored Lan Ruxue's provocation. She did not understand the hypocrisy of humans, and she was afraid of angering Nangong Shen, so she could only follow the crowd.

The royal family's seats were naturally top-notch, and there were all kinds of fine wine and delicacies.

Yun Moxi looked at the dazzling food and almost drooled. With so much food, she had a taste of fortune. The fox secretly laughed in her heart. She would definitely eat to her heart's content, and it would not be a waste of suffering today.

Nangong Shen looked up and saw that Yun Moxi did not notice him at all. All of her attention was on the food in front of her, so his face darkened and he said, "Worthy Lady Yun, come and sit with me." His tone was so forceful that no one could refuse it.

Yun Moxi was stunned for a second and pointed at herself. Nangong Shen's face darkened, and she immediately ran over with her fox legs.

Lan Ruxue, who was at the side, was so angry that her face turned into a pig's liver. Yun Moxi was just a mere Worthy Lady, so how could she sit with the emperor? How could she show her face in the future? How could she establish her authority in the harem?

"Emperor, this is a bit against the rules, right?"

Nangong Shen smiled when he heard that. Then, he took Yun Moxi's hand and sat down. He replied, "Your beloved concubine is overthinking it. It's just a banquet, and there are no rules." Before Nangong Shen could raise his wine cup and say to the ministers below, "My dear ministers, there are not many formalities for the Peony Banquet today. Everyone can drink to your heart's content. In the future, I will have to trouble you all to handle the matters of Beichen."

Since Nangong Shen had already said so, if Lan Ruxue were to be petty, she would be a bit unreasonable. She could only shut her mouth.

With such a big event like the Peony Banquet, Lin Zheng had also rushed back from Hexi on time. How could he miss such a good opportunity?

Next was the performance of the dancers and singers. All of the noble ladies were also ready to show off their talents, hoping that they would be able to please the prince.

Yun Moxi looked at the performances below and felt bored. She could not bear to eat the good food in front of her. Therefore, she hated Nangong Shen in her heart. Nangong Shen seemed to know what she was thinking about. He turned his head and looked at her. Yun Moxi instantly cowered.

Naturally, the Empress Dowager, who was at the side, saw all of this. She bowed and said to the woman beside her, "It seems that this Worthy Lady Yun is really doted on by the Emperor." She seemed to have already made up her mind.

"That, Your Majesty, I am a little drunk. I want to go out and sober up. Is it possible?" Yun Moxi said softly, trying her best to smile sincerely.

Nangong Shen raised his head and drank all the wine in his hand. Then, he nodded and said, "Be careful." This woman was obviously not drunk, yet she said that she was a little drunk. She was really bold.

Yun Moxi immediately became energetic after getting his permission.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Hu, it's finally quiet."

Yun Moxi stretched her body. The sound of the zither was almost deafening her ears.

"It's a pity that those delicacies are gone." She originally wanted to eat alone and eat quietly, but she did not expect to not even have a taste.

"There is a pond behind the fake mountain. Let's go over there and rest."

Madam Yun loved water. There were a few thick willows beside the pond, which was perfect for resting.

"My lady, are you hungry?" Madam Yun said as she handed the pastries in her hands to Yun Moxi.

"How can you be so good at tricks?"

Yun Moxi looked at the food in Madam Yun's hands and laughed. She took one and stuffed it into her mouth, not forgetting to pass it to Yue.

Madam Yun laughed out loud. How could she be good at tricks? However, she knew that Yun Moxi was a glutton.

"How can I be good at tricks? Today is a grand banquet. With so many people around, I don't think you can eat well. That's why I hid two pieces of pastries in advance."

"It's still Madam Yun who is the best."

Yun Moxi said vaguely, but she didn't know that there was someone staring at her from the side of the fake mountain.

"There's also fish here?"

Yun Moxi suddenly remembered that she had not eaten roasted fish for a long time. The chefs in the palace were not good at cooking, and they were all flashy and tasteless.

"I think I should go down and catch some." As she spoke, she smacked her lips. A Yun grabbed her and shook his head to indicate that he could not.

"I know. It's quiet here, so I just want to play with the water."

Madam Yun was helpless and signaled for Yue to wait. Yue turned around and saw the man beside the fake mountain.

"Who are you?"

Hearing that, Yun Moxi quickly stood up. Before she could even put on her shoes, the man had already walked up to her.

"I never thought that there would be such an interesting woman in the Imperial Palace."

Yun Moxi stood behind Madam Yun with her bare feet. This man was quite good-looking. Judging from his clothes, he should not be an ordinary person.

"Who are you? This is the Imperial Palace. How dare you walk around? Aren't you afraid of the Emperor punishing you?"