The plum blossoms in the imperial garden had not fully withered yet. After Xiao Xiao and Shi Muyuan discussed, they set the date for four days later, which also gave the young ladies time to prepare new clothes.
Sure enough, not long after the invitations were sent out, the most popular shops in Changjing City were swarmed with customers.
While Mrs. Jiang was still happy that her foresight had allowed her daughter to buy clothes earlier, Shili Pavilion unexpectedly introduced a new style embroidered with plum blossom patterns. She quickly took her daughter there to buy some more.
It was no wonder they behaved like this.
Who else could host a banquet like the one the Empress Dowager was hosting, inviting most of the noble people in Changjing City? So they were determined to make a good impression at the banquet.
The original owner had been so extravagant because once someone else's banquet had overlapped with hers. In a fit of anger, she had invited so many people just to ensure that no one would attend that young lady's banquet.
Although this had happened when she was still a Miss Shi, after repeating it several times, it had become a tradition. Moreover, she had since become the Empress Dowager.
This banquet was an opportunity for many. When the late emperor was alive, he had taken a fancy to several talented scholars at this banquet and appointed them to official positions in various places, with fairly high ranks.
So the gentlemen were also preparing to attend the banquet.
Although the new emperor was young and there might not be the same opportunities as in the late emperor's time, it would still be nice to meet a young lady from a noble family they fancied.
After Shi Muyuan recovered, she couldn't stay idle. One could truly say that she had never seen such an active Empress Dowager.
The Concubine Qi and the Concubine Rui would want to bite her every time they saw her. But Shi Muyuan was not afraid of them at all. When she managed the small vendors, she had scolded them fiercely and never flinched. How could she be afraid of these women who had been raised in seclusion?
One day, Xiao Xiao came in secretly with a box of pastries. She told Shi Muyuan that the chefs in the imperial kitchen had developed new pastries for the plum - viewing banquet and had specially sent some for her to taste.
Shi Muyuan was lying on the small couch. Her listless eyes suddenly lit up.
"Quick, take them out and let's taste them."
Xiao Xiao quickly opened the food box and arranged the pastries on the square table.
Pastries in three colors - red, yellow, and white - came into view. They were delicate and dainty, shaped like winter plum blossoms. There was a sprinkle of sugar on the surface, like a layer of frost. The base, made of something unknown, was shaped like a tree branch, looking exactly like a real plum blossom branch, emitting a sweet fragrance.
"The chefs in the imperial kitchen said these pastries are called 'Plum Blossom in a Branch'."
"Is that the name? So simple?" Ze Ze couldn't believe it.
"These pastries are so delicate and lifelike. 'Plum Blossom in a Branch' is a perfect name. If they had given it a fancy name, it would have been tacky," Xiao Xiao scoffed.
Shi Muyuan looked at these vivid plum - blossom pastries and was almost reluctant to eat them. It felt like a waste! Such works of art should be sealed up and exhibited in a museum.
It was Xiao Xiao who took the lead. She picked one from the branch and brought it to Shi Muyuan's lips.
Shi Muyuan opened her mouth and took a bite while feeling regretful.
"Um! Delicious! It even has a bit of the astringency of winter plum blossoms. Delicious!" Shi Muyuan praised repeatedly.
Xiao Xiao and Ze Ze couldn't resist and also took a bite. Both of their faces showed satisfied smiles.
"Should Your Majesty reward the chef?"
"The servant thinks it's necessary," Ze Ze chimed in eagerly with his cheeks still puffed from the unfinished pastry.
"Even food can't shut your mouth. How dare you make decisions on behalf of the Empress Dowager!"
Shi Muyuan burst into laughter. These two were really like a bickering couple. She would feel uncomfortable if they didn't bicker for a day. She waved her hand. "Reward him. Why not? As for how to reward, Xiao Xiao, you decide." She really had no idea what to give as a reward.
"Yes," Xiao Xiao replied happily.
"Xiao Xiao, go to the imperial kitchen and get two more boxes. I'll take them to see Heng and the others."
Ji Heng and the other two had been studying every day. Since Shi Li came, even the youngest, Ji Ling, couldn't play freely. Since they were free today, she decided to go and see them.
Xiao Xiao quickly came back with two boxes of delicate pastries.
Shi Muyuan walked towards Yunya Hall, where the three children studied together. Ji Heng, as the emperor, also studied some things in the imperial study.
She thought that maybe Shi Li was giving the lesson now, and she could give one box to her second brother. If he wasn't there, it wasn't good for the children to eat too much, so the pastries would surely end up in her own mouth.
However, Shi Muyuan never expected that it was Huo Qizhou who was giving the lesson and teaching them to recite books.
Shi Muyuan suddenly felt embarrassed to go in. It felt like she was disturbing the class. She quickly made a gesture to Xiao Xiao and Ze Ze, signaling them to be quiet, and then the three of them hid under the window and peeked.
Huo Qizhou usually looked cold and inarticulate. Unexpectedly, when teaching, his voice was gentle and pleasant, like pearls falling on a jade plate.
He was wearing a light - colored robe. The ivory - white round - collared robe was embroidered with landscape patterns in a fine - brushwork style. There was a jade belt around his waist. His eyebrows and eyes were as thick as ink, looking exactly like a gentleman from an ink - wash painting.
It was just that his temper wasn't very good.
The clear voice was getting closer. Shi Muyuan didn't notice that Huo Qizhou had already walked to a position right above them.
It was actually the snake - shaped hairpin on Shi Muyuan's head that had distracted Ji Huang, and Huo Qizhou had noticed.
He told the three children to continue reciting and quietly walked out of the room.
Shi Muyuan found it strange that the voice had suddenly stopped. She poked her head out to look but didn't see Huo Qizhou's figure.
Huh? When did he leave? Why didn't she see him come out?
"Does the Empress Dowager have something to do here?" The clear and deep voice sounded behind her. Shi Muyuan was so startled that she shivered. When she turned around, the person who had just disappeared was right in front of her.
Huo Qizhou bowed with his hands clasped.
Xiao Xiao and Ze Ze quickly got up and bowed to him. Huo Qizhou waved his hand, signaling them to step back.
The gentleman stood upright, looking down at her with his hands behind his back. Shi Muyuan unconsciously straightened her back, trying to make herself look taller.
Huo Qizhou just looked at her without saying a word, as if he really wanted an explanation.
"Does the Empress Dowager also want to listen to my lesson?" Huo Qizhou curled his lips.
"Nonsense. I... I just wanted to see how well Heng is learning and came by to deliver some pastries on the way."
Shi Muyuan turned around, took the two boxes of pastries from Ze Ze, and stuffed one into his hands.
"I think learning should be balanced. Since the imperial kitchen sent these new pastries today, I thought I'd bring some for Heng and the others to taste," Shi Muyuan said, feeling her chest heaving. She secretly thought that she was really timid to be scared like this.
Huo Qizhou opened the box and saw the delicate plum - blossom pastries, looking extremely lifelike.
Shi Muyuan felt a bit uncomfortable. "These pastries are called 'Plum Blossom in a Branch'. They were newly developed by the imperial kitchen for the plum - viewing banquet. They taste good."
Damn it! What was she rambling on about!
"Heng and the others are still young. It's not good for them to eat too much. Just leave one box for them. I originally thought my second brother would be here, so I brought an extra box. Since it's you, I'll give it to you."