Phoenix Reigns Over The Nine Heavens - Chapter 54

“Not for the Noble Consort?” Wu Jingyi frowned, then sneered. “If it’s not for the Noble Consort, are you going to keep it for yourself?”

Yun Zishu remained indifferent. “Whether or not I wear it is none of your business.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Yun Zirou walked in, surrounded by palace maids. She was wearing a bright red palace dress with layers of skirts, and the color was bright and luxurious.

Yun Zirou’s eyes narrowed with displeasure when she heard Yun Zishu’’s words upon entering the door. “Why are you so aggressive, Ninth Sister? Today is Mother Consort’s birthday. It’s your own business what birthday gift you want to give. Even if it’s very precious, we’ll just take it as a token of your regard. We’re not trying to steal your thunder.”

That set of phoenix coronet and hairpins was not a formal phoenix coronet and could be worn on ordinary days. Even if it was not worn, it was still pleasing to the eye.

She told her mother about this when she came back a few days ago. Her mother felt very pleased and felt that there was no need to argue with Yun Zishu. Anyway, it was Yun Zishu’s money that was spent. Even if Yun Zishu was short on funds for now, she would be the one to repay the debt later—it wasn’t something they, as mother and daughter, needed to worry about.

Who wouldn’t be happy to get a set of phoenix coronet and hairpins worth ten thousand gold for nothing?

Yun Zirou thought it over and realized that it was indeed the case. No matter whose face the manager of the Imperial Treasure Pavilion was looking at, the phoenix coronet would eventually fall into her mother’s hands, and that was the most important thing.

Yun Zishu presenting a gift in front of everyone would, at most, earn some verbal praise. After the event, those who should alienate her would still alienate her, and those who did not like her would still not like her.

When Yun Zirou thought of this, she suddenly felt that it was unnecessary to argue with Yun Zishu.

“Stealing the spotlight isn’t important,” Yun Zishu said, sitting at the table with a relaxed demeanor and a calm tone. “I’m just telling the truth. That set of phoenix coronet and hairpins was indeed not prepared for the noble consort.”

Seeing that she didn’t seem to be saying it out of anger, Yun Zirou’s expression slowly darkened. “What is the Ninth Sister saying?”

Yun Zishu’s gaze turned cold, her presence even more imposing than Yun Zirou’s. “How many times do I need to repeat myself?”

“Today is the birthday of the imperial concubine. If you bought the phoenix crown not to give to the imperial concubine, are you keeping it for yourself to wear?”

Yun Zishu smiled faintly. “Since you know that it is a phoenix crown, you should be even more clear that only the empress is permitted to wear the phoenix crown.”

“You—”

Yun Zishu asked lightly, “Does the Noble Consort wish to be the Empress?”

Yun Zirou’s expression suddenly turned cold, and she stared at Yun Zishu with a gloomy gaze.

The other noble ladies in the side hall also looked at Yun Zishu with surprise and disbelief. Those that had been present at the Imperial Treasure Pavilion that day wore expressions of utter astonishment.

Yun Zishu bought the phoenix crown worth ten thousand taels of gold, but it was not for Consort Wu?

Who is she going to give it to? Is she really going to keep it for herself?

As everyone knows, although the Imperial Treasure Pavilion is not an imperial merchant, the jewelry sold in the pavilion is mostly extremely valuable. Most of them are bought by noble women and given to the Empress Dowager, the imperial consort, and other concubines. Alternatively, princesses or imperial consorts who wanted new styles could place custom orders in advance.

However, customized styles had to adhere to regulations based on status and rank. If one wears jewelry that does not belong to one’s rank, it could lead to serious consequences.

The noble ladies were all looking at her at the same time, each with their own thoughts, but Yun Zishu pretended not to see them.

“Yun Zishu, what do you mean?” Yun Zirou glared at her. “Today is the birthday banquet of my mother; do you want to make her unhappy?”

As soon as she finished speaking, the respectful voice of the eunuch outside sounded, “The banquet in the garden is ready. All noble ladies are invited to proceed to the garden.”

The noble ladies had different thoughts, and they got up and walked out in small groups. Before leaving, some people couldn’t help but glance at Yun Zishu’s face, their eyes filled with contemplation.

The Ninth Princess has really changed a lot from before, and the change in her temperament is the most obvious.

The Emperor favored Consort Wu, and in order to make the atmosphere more relaxed, he held the birthday banquet in the Imperial Garden and also built a stage and invited the most famous opera troupe from outside the palace to sing.

The noble ladies flocked around Yun Zirou and headed to the Royal Garden. Yun Zishu didn’t care about being ignored by the crowd and slowly fell behind.

“Leng Yue,” Yun Zishu called out.

“Your Highness.”

“Today is Consort Wu’s birthday, but the Empress Dowager will also make an appearance.” Yun Zishu said softly. “My purpose in entering the palace today is to see the Empress Dowager, not to celebrate Consort Wu’s birthday.”

“Your subordinate understands.” Leng Yue nodded. “I will make arrangements later.”

Yun Zishu hummed in acknowledgement and said nothing more.

The widest place in the imperial garden was used to build the imperial platform, where the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Imperial Concubine, and the other concubines were to be seated. The platform was covered with a canopy and feather fans to provide shade and surrounded by imperial curtains to separate the emperor’s family from the ministers.

Although the Empress Dowager had not yet arrived, the Emperor always ordered people to set up a phoenix chair on such occasions out of respect and filial piety.

The noble ladies of the imperial family, the princesses and other noblewomen, were seated on the second floor of the imperial garden pavilion for the banquet. Once the opera began, they could step out and stand at the railing to listen.

The distinction between the ruler and the subject, male and female, was strictly maintained without any room for error. 

The princes and ministers took their seats one after another, and a high-pitched voice rang out from afar, “His Majesty the Emperor has arrived, the Noble Consort has arrived—”

Everyone stood up to greet the emperor and knelt down to pay their respects.

“Greetings to Your Majesty!  May the Emperor live ten thousand years!”

“Greetings to the Imperial Noble Consort, may she live for ten thousand years!”

The Emperor and Consort Wu came hand in hand. The Emperor was wearing a dragon robe, looking majestic and domineering. Consort Wu was dressed in a formal crimson robe—a color reserved for the Empress. Her makeup was exquisite, and she looked graceful and luxurious. Her noble aura was overwhelming.

Behind them followed several high-ranking consorts, each dressed in a grand manner.

“All of you may rise.” The Emperor, supported by the eunuch, walked up to the imperial platform and sat down on the dragon throne. He raised his hand to signal everyone to sit down. “Today is the Noble Consort’s birthday banquet. I wish my beloved consort many more years to come, with each year as joyful as this one.”

Consort Wu bowed gracefully, a perfect smile on her lips. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The concubines who sat down one after another congratulated her with a smile: “We wish Elder Sister Consort Wu good health and success in all endeavors.”

“Thank you, Your Highnesses and Your Excellencies,” Consort Wu said in a dignified and amiable manner. “Please be seated, everyone.”

The crowd was just about to sit down when a voice rang out not from far away: “The Empress Dowager has arrived!”

The Imperial Garden instantly fell silent.

The emperor’s expression visibly stiffened, and the imperial concubine turned her head to look at the emperor in surprise and doubt. “Why is the empress dowager here?”