The Beloved Imperial Consort

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Zhanghe twelveth year, the fourth day of the second month. Yuancheng Emperor hosted a banquet in Jingtai palace to celebrate Empress Dowager's sixtieth birthday. The imperial princes, members of the imperial clan, court officials and imperial consorts and concubines were all present.

Empress Dowager Jin sat upright at Emperor's right-hand side. She was attired in a bright yellow phoenix robe decorated with light red peony embroidery. A phoenix crown embellished with pearls and green jades adorned her head. She wore a jade thumb ring on her left hand and a gold crystal nail guard on the right hand. The Empress Dowager's gaze was bright and clear, her expression amiable. She was talking with Yuancheng Emperor. The two seemed quite close.

All the imperial consorts and concubines have dressed with utmost care. Smiles filled their faces. The cheerful atmosphere had them engaging in talks and amusing each other. The imperial princes were seated according to their seniority, all of them accompanied by womenfolks of sufficient status.

Today, Zhong Zheng Lin has, uncommonly, worn a dark red ceremonial robe of an imperial prince which reduced a little bit of his coldness and added him a bit of handsomeness. Mu Xi Yao was attired in a plum red colored formal dress of cefei. Its top was a buttoned little jacket with coated edges and her lower garment was a celestial trailing long skirt. There was a tiny swell on her belly. Due to the pregnancy, she appeared even more seductive. When Zhong Zheng Lin looked at her, he had an urge to drape a cloak over her.

The sixth Highness sat there straight as a ramrod with a solemn face. Fortunately, there was a gentle and charming Mu cefei by his side to attend him – serving him a tea, toasting wine and from time to time leaning sideways to say something to him. This made the sixth prince appear more relaxed. Otherwise, it would truly turn like how Yuancheng Emperor had imagined, an unsightly spectacle.

Mu Xi Yao's little hand was grasped by Zhong Zheng Lin. She was currently watching artists from Yin Yue Ge presenting dance at the center of the main hall. A song 《Bodhisattva's birthday congratulation》was an eye-opener for Mu Xi Yao. She felt that it was quite similar to《Thousand Hand Bodhisattva》from nowadays. Just there were two more baskets in their hands.

"Does your Highness enjoy appreciating dances?" When Mu Xi Yao saw others dance cheerfully, her heart felt enticed.

"Oh? Does Bendian's cefei know how to?" It was Zhong Zheng's first time hearing Mu Xi Yao mention singing and dancing. He had never seen her dance in estate before. But when he thought carefully about how well she coped with those difficult morning movements, she certainly must have some foundation.

Thereupon, he narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth to say meaningfully, "Is Jiao Jiao willing to, after giving birth, dance for Bendian?"

Hearing him use the endearment he usually called her during their intimate moments at the public place with numerous people present, her face heated up. She cast him a displeased glance and then turned her head, complying bashfully.

The following opera《Happiness offered by peaches of immortality》was sang cheerfully. For a moment, the audience raised glasses and exchanged cups, applauding ceaselessly.

Mu Xi Yao wasn't fond of theatre play kind of art. Watching it made her mind confused and disoriented. She leaned against Zhong Zheng Lin and grumbled in a small voice that she did watch it but didn't understand.

Zhong Zheng Lin didn't expect Mu Xi Yao to be this blunt about it. He was rendered speechless for a moment. Amused, he pinched her little hand and seized her waist underneath the table to let her lean against him and rest.

It was the first time other imperial princes saw Zhong Zheng Lin being close with a woman. They were very astonished. Subsequently, they saw the two being quite intimate with each other. Zhong Zheng would occasionally pick up food for her with a gentle expression, which made them so surprised they couldn't help themselves but to throw them few more glances.