The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 49 - Ordinary Family Banquet

"Is it not possible to invite Your Majesty for a simple meal without any special occasion? I was thinking that the Dragon Boat Festival is coming up in a few days. While Your Majesty enjoys the grand feasts in the palace every year, have you ever experienced a commoner's Dragon Boat Festival family dinner?"

Hearing her words, Emperor Yuwen Hong's interest was piqued.

He followed her into the inner room, picked up a sachet on the table, and asked, "Is this also used by commoners?"

"Your Majesty jests. This was sent by Lin Guifei this afternoon, saying that everyone in the palace has one."

She then picked up the colorful silk threads and skillfully wove a wrist cord with a Ruyi knot, which looked very delicate.

"When I was at home, my mother would often make wrist cords for us before the Dragon Boat Festival. My father, brother, and younger brother all had one. The whole family would wear these wrist cords, and on the 24th of June, we would burn them in a fire basin, hoping for a year of peace and prosperity."

"Oh? The 24th of June? What festival is that?"

"This is a festival of the Yi people near Shuzhou in the southwest. It is said that the 24th of June is their lunar New Year, so they celebrate with bonfires and torches for three days. My grandfather saw their tribe burning wrist cords like this, so he taught our family to do the same."

"Your grandfather is quite knowledgeable."

Lin Wanyi smiled and then tied the finished wrist cord on her right wrist, which looked more intricate than ordinary wrist cords.

Seeing her fluid movements, the Emperor raised an eyebrow and asked, "I don't get one?"

"Your Majesty jests. Such customs are merely for the peace and happiness of ordinary families. As the Son of Heaven, Your Majesty naturally enjoys longevity and prosperity without needing these things."

Her flattering words made the Emperor smile lightly.

"In the past, I thought you were not good with words, but now it seems you are quite eloquent."

Lin Wanyi wrung a cloth in a copper basin and handed it to the Emperor, then brought over some mouthwash.

"Your Majesty, please sit for a while. I will instruct them to serve the dishes."

"Alright."

With the Emperor's approval, Qiu Ming and the others, who had already prepared everything, began to serve the food.

The imperial kitchen sent over stir-fried eel and green dumplings filled with red bean paste, along with a bowl of three-bean soup.

Chun Qi's preparations were simpler: a plate of salted duck eggs and a few mugwort cakes. Though they looked ordinary, they piqued the Emperor's curiosity.

He looked at Lin Wanyi with a puzzled expression, and she explained with a gentle smile.

"During the Dragon Boat Festival, people eat zongzi, hang calamus, and drink realgar wine, which Your Majesty is familiar with. But among the common folk, there is also a tradition of eating salted duck eggs and mugwort cakes. These items are prepared in advance."

"The duck eggs are marinated early, and when it's time to eat, they are steamed and then cut into quarters to be eaten with white rice. The best duck eggs even ooze oil. Your Majesty, look, this piece is quite good."

She picked up a piece and placed it on a white porcelain plate in front of the Emperor, making the golden yolk look even more appetizing.

"And this mugwort cake is made by mixing mugwort juice into the flour. I had Chun Qi add some lard and sugar, using the method for making flaky pastries. It has a layered, crispy texture. Your Majesty should try it!"

She broke off half and placed it in front of the Emperor.

These two foods were new to him, so he tried them with curiosity.

The unique flavors made the Emperor unable to stop, and he ate nearly half a plate before stopping.

"The food of the common people is simple and unadorned. While this is partly for convenience, it also carries a sense of respect."

"Respect? What do you mean by that?"

"The Dragon Boat Festival was originally established to commemorate Qu Yuan. Activities like river tours, dragon boat races, and zongzi offerings have continued to this day. For the common people, this is not just a festival but a way to remember their ancestors. Simplifying the customs highlights the original intent."

Simplifying the customs to highlight the original intent.

The Emperor had heard these words from the late Empress Xu.

He couldn't help but recall some past events.

Empress Xu, the eldest granddaughter of Duke Xu, was raised with great care. She was not only virtuous and dignified but also frugal and managed the household well.

During her lifetime, the palace upheld a tradition of simplicity.

This was to set an example for the people and to remember their roots.

But after Empress Xu's death, the palace affairs were managed by Lin Guifei.

As a result, the festive celebrations became more elaborate, though not extravagant, they were more time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Lin Guifei had used the excuse of showcasing the imperial family's grandeur to silence those who criticized her.

Gradually, the entire palace became accustomed to this way of doing things.

Today, Lin Wanyi's unintentional words have enlightened the Emperor.

He looked deeply at Lin Wanyi, seeing her as serene and composed as ever, and couldn't help but smile.

"If the common people know to show respect, then as the ruler of the world, I should lead by example."

Though his words were not explicit, Lin Wanyi's anxious heart was relieved.

With the Emperor setting an example, no one would dare to be ostentatious during the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.

The precious five-poison fan given to her by Lin Guifei would naturally not appear.

Thinking of this, her smile became more sincere.

She diligently served the Emperor, and the meal was enjoyed to his satisfaction.

The Emperor did not stay overnight in the concubines' quarters, as was the ancestral rule.

And Lin Wanyi, still recovering from her injuries, was naturally not fit to serve in bed.

So after sitting for a while, the Emperor left.

Watching his figure disappear, Lin Wanyi finally breathed a sigh of relief and, supported by Xia An and Chun Qi, returned to the inner room.

Qiu Ming followed closely behind, his eyes deepening with understanding.

No wonder both the master and the head of the inner court had placed their bets on the young lady. He finally understood that it was because she resembled someone from the past.

Thinking of the late Empress Xu, her image was somewhat blurred, but her gentle nature and peaceful smile were deeply imprinted in Qiu Ming's mind.

Lin Wanyi, unaware of her accidental success, felt she had overcome another hurdle.

She relaxed her mind and murmured to herself.

"If only I could see my brother."

She had been in the palace for over a month, and not only had she not seen him, but she hadn't dared to send a message for fear of causing trouble for her family and herself.

Now, thinking of the possibility of seeing her brother openly, she looked forward to the dragon boat race with great anticipation.

"My lady should focus on recovering. Otherwise, the young master will worry if he sees you limping."

"Don't worry. My brother will be on the dragon boat, at least ten zhang away from me. As long as I don't walk quickly, he won't notice."

Lin Wanyi smiled, but there was a hint of bitterness in her smile.