Once everything was in order, she was dressed in a loose, comfortable white undergarment of raw silk, its hem embroidered with lifelike golden phoenixes spreading their wings exquisite and luxurious.
Over this, she wore a robe woven with golden threads and embroidered with clouds and pheasant motifs, paired with a narrow-collared, long silk skirt.
An outer layer of sheer gauze was draped over her, adorned with countless lustrous pearls, each one perfectly round and radiant, enhancing A wu’s already glowing, rosy complexion.
After all this adornment, A wu gazed at herself in the bronze mirror, barely recognizing the elegant, radiant woman staring back-so unlike her usual self.
A flicker of doubt crossed her mind as she examined the robe more closely.
The pheasant patterns were reserved for first-rank noblewomen, weren’t they?
But the maids around her seemed completely unfazed, so she decided not to dwell on it.
By then, the bedchamber had been completely rearranged.
A round table stood by the window, where a hundred-harmonies incense burned.
Two crabapple-shaped stools were placed beside it, while the table itself was set with silver cups, ivory chopsticks, and twelve dishes of fruits and delicacies.
The brocade curtains had been freshly hung, and even the pillow had been replaced with a brand-new Ding kiln white porcelain child’s pillow, complete with a sweet chrysanthemum-scented pillowcase.
The floor covering had also been changed to a double-layered woolen rug depicting two dragons frolicking in water-far more intricate and lavish than usual.
A vase of cheerful winter plum blossoms adorned the desk, casting a warm, festive glow throughout the chamber.
Yet Emperor Jingxi’s imperial presence remained absent.
Instead, a eunuch arrived with a message, asking A wu to wait a little longer- urgent state affairs at Fengtian Hall still required the Emperor’s attention.
A wu couldn’t help but feel somewhat displeased.
‘You had me primped and prepped so thoroughly, yet you’re too busy to come?,’ she thought.
Just how swamped are you?
She had been in the palace for days without so much as a glimpse of him!
This was hardly the treatment of a favored concubine-it felt more like being consigned to the cold palace!
Lost in these wandering thoughts, she suddenly heard the sound of a carriage outside, accompanied by faint strains of music, followed by announcements of the emperor’s arrival.
Palace maids hurried in, instructing A wu to prepare for his reception.
A wu quickly composed herself and went out to greet him.
Amidst the imperial music, the carriage stopped before the Langhua Palace gates.
A wu knelt in reverence, and only then did Emperor Jingxi descend from the carriage.
He wore a jade crown and ceremonial robes, resplendent and dignified.
The emperor’s imposing presence was such that A wu dared not raise her head under the watchful eyes of the court.
She kept her gaze lowered, her expression obedient.
She could sense the emperor’s gaze resting upon her from above.
For some reason, she felt a flush of embarrassment.
Just for a night’s visit—such a grand ceremony!
One might think it was someone’s wedding day.
Then, a pair of slender, immaculate hands appeared before her.
After a brief hesitation, A wu looked up and met a pair of light amber eyes smiling down at her.
Instantly, she felt blood rush to her face, burning hot.
Emperor Jingxi took her hand and led her into the palace.
A wu noticed he seemed to have just bathed, his scent lightly perfumed-something subtle yet elegant, barely there yet pleasant.
Turning to her with a smile, the emperor asked, “Have you dined yet?”
A wu: “Not yet.”
She’d been waiting hungry-who would dare eat before his arrival?
Emperor Jingxi: “There were urgent memorials to review today, which delayed me. I haven’t eaten either-we shall dine together.”
A wu: “Yes, Your Majesty.”
As they entered the hall, eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen began setting out dishes with such fanfare one might think eighteen people were dining!
When the emperor led her to be seated, A wu nearly sat directly but caught herself.
Rising again, she formally thanked him with three kowtows.
She’d noticed the attendants included not just kitchen staff but also palace historians and protocol officers-all manner of officials were present.
She couldn’t afford any missteps.
Emperor Jingxi: “Rise. The courtesy is waived.”
Only then did A wu stand.
They took their seats, though as a mere Noble Lady, her embroidered chair was lower than the emperor’s, and she could only perch lightly on the edge.
A wu found this posture unbearably uncomfortable.
If every imperial visit required such formality, it would exhaust them both better he came less often.
As dishes continued arriving, appetizers appeared first: golden candied kumquats, crystal-clear jelly, crispy bonefish, and camel’s foot-all vibrant and exquisitely presented.
Soft orchestral music played continuously in the background, subtle yet soothing.
A wu asked curiously, “Is this from the Music Academy?”
Emperor Jingxi explained, “This is banquet music from the Drum and Bell Office.”
The court maintained both the Music Academy under the Ministry of Rites for ceremonial events and the Drum and Bell Office managed by the inner court, which would handle Princess Dening’s upcoming hair-pinning ceremony.
He added, “By tradition, my midday and evening meals are accompanied by music, though I often waive this when busy.”
A wu understood just as wealthy families kept their own musicians, the imperial household maintained far grander ensembles.
From this perspective, the emperor could enjoy music with every meal.
She inquired, “Is it always these refined classical pieces?”
Emperor Jingxi smiled as he explained, “There are also some folk tunes-they excel at playing all kinds of string and wind instruments.”
He then had the court musicians perform gentle melodies.
A wu noticed one musician step forward, whose voice trembled sweetly, each word clear as strung pearls.
The soft singing and delicate playing were utterly captivating.
Upon closer inspection, the musician was also exceptionally beautiful.
However, A wu glanced subtly at Emperor Jingxi, who didn’t spare the musician a second glance, appearing completely uninterested-clearly accustomed to such sights and unimpressed.
A wu recalled Consort Shun she’d seen earlier, along with other imperial concubines, realizing that beauties were commonplace in the harem.
Some might even surpass her own looks.
These women all lived by Emperor Jingxi’s favor.
With just a beckoning finger, countless peerless beauties would prostrate at his feet.
He was truly a man who had seen it all.
Now thinking about it, she found herself puzzled as to why Emperor Jingxi treated her so exceptionally.
Perhaps it was just fate.
She had always prided herself on her beauty, but now she vaguely understood that here, beauty was everywhere.
A young maiden’s freshness would fade in a blink, but a man’s power could endure for ages.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, flowing music began outside-ethereal and unrestrained.
Emperor Jingxi’s deep voice sounded gently, “You can listen to various pieces. Tell me what you like.”
A wu smiled lightly, “Alright.”
Emperor Jingxi then briefly introduced the current piece “Dialogue Between Fisherman and Woodcutter,” originally a famous guqin composition but refined for the court.
His soothing voice clearly explained the piece’s origins as they listened together.
A wu naturally knew nothing of this before, but now found it quite pleasant.
Listening before meals seemed to whet the appetite.
Emperor Jingxi turned to observe her absorbed expression, recognizing her enjoyment.
“Among court banquet music, there are several excellent pieces. You could listen more, or have musicians teach you.”
A wu: “Isn’t it difficult to learn? My hands are clumsy.”
The emperor’s gaze swept over her delicate fingers: “Lady Ning indeed doesn’t seem to have innate talent for this.”
A wu: “…”
Couldn’t he say something nicer in front of the court historians?
She gave him a reproachful, somewhat aggrieved look.
A doting smile curved Emperor Jingxi’s lips.
“Learn casually, no need for mastery. Focus on refined pleasure and self-cultivation. I’ll wait for the day Lady Ning can play herself.”
He immediately ordered eunuchs to find a musician specifically to teach A wu court music.
The eunuchs complied and recorded the command naturally handling the emperor’s personal instruction with care.
At first delighted, A wu then realized she’d suddenly acquired new responsibilities.
Curious, she asked, “Does Your Majesty play the qin?”
With modest humility, Emperor Jingxi replied, “Only a little.”
As the crown prince, he had mastered the Six Arts since childhood, and Emperor Jingxi was an expert in each one.
A wu was surprised and impressed.
She could tell he must be quite knowledgeable, judging by his tone that claimed “just a little understanding” yet clearly indicated deep expertise.
She wanted to ask him to play a piece, but quickly realized-asking the emperor to perform for her?
That would be tempting fate.
Just as she was thinking this, the eunuchs arranged the various dishes, and the two officially began their meal.
The dining etiquette was naturally intricate-washing hands, wiping them, rinsing the mouth-before they could finally start eating.
A wu was already starving, but fortunately, the table was laden with exquisite imperial delicacies she could enjoy.
She carefully sampled the dishes in front of her.
She didn’t recognize them, nor could she name them, so she took a few bites of the thinly sliced beef, which had a faint sweetness.
At first, she was startled by the taste, but then found it delicious and took a couple more bites.
After four mouthfuls, she felt she shouldn’t eat any more and glanced at the other dishes.
The spread was dazzling so many dishes that her eyes wandered until she spotted one that looked particularly glossy and rich, resembling braised beef tendon, yet not quite.
She was puzzled.
Just then, Emperor Jingxi seemed to slightly raise his hand.
A eunuch immediately stepped forward, bowed, then picked up the dish.
Moving aside, he donned raw silk gloves and took up a silver knife to slice the tendon-like meat.
The knife didn’t look sharp-it might not even have been properly edged but the eunuch’s skill made the task swift.
Kneeling, the eunuch raised the dish high above his head in offering.
Emperor Jingxi, however, gestured toward A wu, and the eunuch placed it before her instead.
Huh?
A wu looked up in confusion at the emperor.
His voice was deep and gentle.
“Noble Consort Ning may try this. It’s a braised bear’s paw-a warming tonic.”
Staring into his eyes, it took her a moment to realize he had ordered it cut specifically for her.
Slowly, she rose, knelt, and kowtowed in gratitude.
These past few days, she had learned much about court etiquette.
For a casual family banquet like this, a single kowtow sufficed.
Emperor Jingxi accepted it silently and, once she straightened, motioned for her to eat.
A wu didn’t hold back.
She took a bite-it was delicious!
Truly worthy of the famed bear’s paw!
The texture was rich but not greasy, with tender, chewable sinews that were fragrant and satisfying.
Touched, she thought he must have noticed her longing gaze and had the eunuch prepare it for her.
Sure, she had to kowtow, but one bow for bear’s paw?
Worth it.
After four slices, she stopped.
There would be other chances-she could always kowtow a few more times later.
But this was her first meal with the emperor, with historians present.
She couldn’t risk being remembered as “Noble Consort Ning, the glutton who devoured an entire bear’s paw.”
Just then, a eunuch approached with a small, snow-white ceramic jar, steaming hot.
Recalling, she realized it held a warm towel.
The eunuch used silver chopsticks to present the towel to her.
A wu took it but was puzzled.
Shouldn’t this come after the meal?
Why give it to her now?
Was she being dismissed before she was full?
She hadn’t even eaten her fill yet since when did people get kicked off the table halfway through dinner?
She looked at Emperor Jingxi pleadingly, innocent yet helpless.
Emperor Jingxi smiled faintly, his gaze silently lingering on her lips with clear implication.
Huh?
A wu suddenly understood-ahhh, how foolish she’d been!
A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, yet her expression remained perfectly composed as she elegantly took a handkerchief and lightly dabbed her lips.
Only while wiping did she realize the bear’s paw had been freshly steamed, piping hot and deliciously tender when eaten, but within moments, the gelatinous texture would congeal, sticking to one’s mouth!
Fortunately, she’d wiped it just in time.
Had it hardened completely, the embarrassment would have been unbearable.
A wu imagined the mortifying scenario of being unable to wipe away the sticky mess…
What punishment would one receive for such impropriety before the Emperor?
Truth be told, this meal had been anything but relaxing.
If every dinner were like this, A wu would surely lose her appetite forever.
Finally, bedtime arrived.
Watching the palace maids bustle about-making the bed, folding quilts, and assisting with another brief ablution -A wu felt relief when they finally all withdrew.
Then the man reached out, his fingers encircling her delicate wrist.
A wu lifted her face to meet his gaze.
His eyes held hers with focused tenderness, carrying an unusual depth of emotion.
A wu could actually sense his solemn reverence.
She recalled every moment of this evening- while the process had been tedious and taxing, undergoing such rituals together before intimacy bestowed their union with a sacred ceremonial quality.
It suddenly dawned on her why he hadn’t visited or summoned her during her first days in the palace.
Perhaps… it was all for tonight?
For this far more solemn occasion?