Qin Hanhan rarely visits Daqi, and since she’s not actually planning to marry Chu Shun,
she might as well take the chance to see the Flower Festival before going back, making her trip to Daqi worthwhile.
This Flower Festival ca quite suddenly, and it involves Su Jin.
After the morning court session, Marquis Dongxiang went to the Political Discussion Hall to see the Emperor and questioned him about holding a grand birthday celebration for Su Jin on Consort Yun’s death anniversary. Was it deliberate to give his daughter the reputation of being unfilial?
The Emperor was taken aback by the question.
He was just worrying about how to celebrate his daughter’s birthday.
Because Su Jin’s birth coincided with the death of Consort Yun.
Marquis Dongxiang looked displeased.
Eunuch Fu quickly said, "Marquis, please calm down. The Emperor has no intention to hold a grand birthday celebration for the Heir’s wife."
"No such intention? Then why is the palace suddenly making large purchases?" Marquis Dongxiang asked.
The Emperor wasn’t aware of this matter.
However, Marquis Dongxiang had heard it from Mrs. Tang.
Yesterday, at the celebratory banquet held by Duke Dingguo Mansion, noble ladies gathered and speculated, and Mrs. Tang overheard.
Though palace purchases vary, they are not large.
A sudden large purchase surely indicates a banquet is being planned, and not a small one.
Ever since Consort Yun’s death, no banquets are held in the palace during the month anniversary of her passing.
Now that Su Jin’s identity as Consort Yun’s born princess is exposed, and the Emperor dotes on her, it’s no wonder people misunderstand the palace is throwing a grand birthday for her.
Seeing the gradually subdued anger on Marquis Dongxiang’s face, the Emperor’s own temper began to rise.
Su Jin may be his daughter, a princess of Daqi,
but since an official edict has not been issued, it’s still not recognized.
Throwing a birthday banquet for her in the palace is unlawful.
Eunuch Fu looked at the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, shall I go ask?"
Eunuch Fu quickly withdrew.
Soon, he returned and said, "Your Majesty, the palace is organizing a banquet on the Empress Dowager’s orders, to welco back Princess Duanhui and her family."
"Princess Duanhui sent a letter to the Empress Dowager, saying she would return to the Capital in a few days, so the palace is preparing early to avoid the rush when the ti cos."
However, Princess Duanhui’s timing of return is likely to coincide with the birthday of the Princess Consort Zhenbei.
The Empress Dowager is deliberately giving the Emperor a hard ti.
He wants to celebrate his daughter’s birthday, but there’s much to consider.
The Empress Dowager arranging a welco banquet for her daughter is just a word.
Not knowing the Empress Dowager’s intentions is one thing, but now that he does, how could the Emperor comply?
Yongning Palace.
The Empress Dowager lay on the phoenix couch, looking haggard.
A concubine entered, greeted the Empress Dowager, and said, "Empress Dowager, the Emperor just sent Eunuch Fu to inquire about the palace’s birthday banquet..."
The Empress Dowager glanced at the concubine, "What did he say?"
"Eunuch Fu didn’t say anything, but he seed displeased," the concubine said worriedly.
She depends on the Empress to stand her ground in the harem.
But which woman in the harem doesn’t want the Emperor’s favor?
If she’s openly siding with the Empress Dowager, it will surely displease the Emperor.
The concubine wanted to step back.
But the Empress Dowager said coldly, "When did you need to act according to a servant’s mood, just because the Emperor gave you the Phoenix Seal to manage?!"
The concubine opened her mouth but couldn’t say anything.
Although Eunuch Fu is just a servant, he’s the Emperor’s most trusted servant.
If he’s upset, the Emperor’s even more upset!
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, "Organize the banquet well, if done well, I shall reward you."
The concubine had no choice but to reluctantly bow and withdraw.
After the concubine left, Nanny Li brought over dicine and said, "Empress Dowager..."
"No need to persuade ."
"Mother and daughter have been apart for over ten years, and now finally able to return to the Capital, why should I look at others’ expressions to give my daughter a welco banquet?!"
Although the Empress Dowager and the Emperor aren’t biological mother and son, the Emperor is a filial son, and he wouldn’t defy her when she’s seriously ill.
The Empress Dowager understands the Emperor’s nature and thus acts without restraint.
But she underestimated Marquis Dongxiang.
With him, there’s no need for defiance; he can drive the Empress Dowager half to death with rage.
The Emperor asked Marquis Dongxiang how best to celebrate Su Jin’s birthday.
Marquis Dongxiang suggested, "Jinjim has always wanted to see the Flower Festival since arriving in the Capital, but hasn’t had the chance. Why not grant her the privilege to have the Capital hold a Flower Festival on her birthday?"
Hmm.
The Empress Dowager wants to hold a welco banquet for Princess Duanhui on Su Jin’s birthday.
But Princess Duanhui is still on her way to the Capital.
Even if the Empress Dowager is determined to vex the Emperor, she wouldn’t dare say it outright.
The Emperor first decreeing this day will use up the day, and even if Princess Duanhui returns on that day, everyone will be busy attending the Flower Festival, and no one will attend the banquet, leaving the welco banquet unceremonious.
To save face for her daughter, the Empress Dowager would naturally postpone it.
This move by Marquis Dongxiang, avoiding direct confrontation and striking at the heart, was enough to infuriate the Empress Dowager.
The Empress was angry and said, "I hear it’s not just the Flower Festival; Marquis Dongxiang also wants the Emperor to exempt a year’s taxes to bless both the Princess Consort Zhenbei and Consort Yun in the netherworld."
The Empress felt envious jealousy and hatred.
Princess Shouning was born fifteen years ago, just two or three months younger than the Princess Consort Zhenbei.
Did the Emperor ever hold a Flower Festival or exempt a year’s taxes for her?
If the Emperor truly waived taxes under the guise of celebrating the Princess Consort Zhenbei’s birthday, all the people of Daqi would pray for her longevity!
The Empress Dowager was trembling with anger, "Did the Emperor agree?"
"No, fortunately, the Duke entered the palace in ti and dissuaded the Emperor," the Empress said.
The Southern Army of Nanliang is pressuring at the borders.
The National Treasury is empty year after year, and with war looming, it’s grateful enough not to increase taxes, let alone exempt them.
The Empress couldn’t fathom what was going through Marquis Dongxiang’s mind!
Tax exemptions often happen after wars when the people need to recover, and the Emperor grants the favor of tax exemption.
But he readily suggested it for his daughter, seeking to win the people’s favor. Does he aspire for his daughter to vie for the Crown Prince’s position?!
In the Imperial Study.
Marquis Dongxiang argued his case, but Duke Chong was unyielding.
The Emperor also felt that Marquis Dongxiang was not quite right.
The truth is that the National Treasury lacks money.
Reducing a year of taxes would be unsustainable if a war breaks out.
The Emperor sided with Duke Chong, and thus the matter ended.
With nothing else, Marquis Dongxiang took his leave.
Once the Emperor’s permission for the Flower Festival was announced, the entire Capital was in an uproar.
Xingxing was dancing with excitent, "Finally, the Capital is holding a Flower Festival."
"Haven’t you attended a Flower Festival before?" Su Jin asked with a smile.
"Every year, I’ve seen a Flower Festival, but never in the Capital. How could the festival at the feet of Qingyun Mountain compare to the Capital?" Xingxing said beaming.
In Xingxing’s eyes, nothing compares to Qingyun Mountain.
But apart from Qingyun Mountain, no place matches the Capital.
The Capital’s Flower Festival is sure to be bustling.
Especially since this festival is specially held by the Emperor for Su Jin’s birthday.
To show the importance attached to this festival.
Su Jin decided to make a lantern herself.
To make the most beautiful lantern.
Because she was bored with too much ti on her hands.
But once she started—
She discovered that both of their hands were clumsy.
Su Jin, "..."
Xingxing, "..."
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