Winter Banquet

Early in the morning, Gui Ying has arrived with Cheng Fu, "Master! Fangsu!" Gui Ying hugged Fangsu as a big sister would after being separated for so long. As they were hugging Fangsu gasped in shocked, "Are you pregnant?" Smiling with glee. Cheng Fu and Gui Ying nodded as they were excited for the expected baby. Fangsu was recommending Gui Ying with the food to eat to promote the health of baby and mother and foods to avoid. Even taking some herbs from the backyard but the couple were trying to stop Fangsu, but they couldn't stop the stubborn girl.

As Gui Ying and Cheng Fu were accepting the gifts, they gave Fangsu and her grandpa a box, "We heard you two were attending the Winter Banquet," Gui Ying smiled whilst urging the two to open the box, revealing two hanfu which were emerald in colour with osmanthus embroidery that gracefully flutter in the wind. Gui Ying helped Fangsu wear the beautiful hanfu, donning black inner robes while wrapping the beautiful emerald hanfu on top.

The emerald sheen complimented Fangsu dyed brown hair, highlighting her bright complexion against the dark material. Fangsu closed her eyes so that Gui Ying helped apply some eyebrow makeup to help slightly darken Fangsu's eyebrow and also apply a slightly red rouge on her pouty pinks lips, enhancing the already beautiful Fangsu. On the other hand, Gui Ying was shocked to see that such subtle application of makeup could enhance Fangsu's beauty to such a degree, "Fangsu you can open your eyes," Once Fangsu opened her eyes, Gui Ying could see that Fangsu had a beauty that would only shine being bare.

With all the preparation done both Fangsu and her grandpa were dressed immaculately, Gui Ying and Cheng Fu return back to their own residence. An imperial carriage with the Chen insignia came prepared in front of the residence. As Fangsu and her grandpa were sitting in the carriage, gently rocking side by side. However, the carriage came to a stop and the driver began shouting. Fangsu lifted the curtain gesturing for the driver to come over, "Excuse me but what is happening right now?" There were another two carriages opposite then them but on a much larger scale with a Su and Tang insignia.

The driver bowed apologetically as the situation was now out of control but he also had to escort the small Chen family on Empress Dowager's orders. "Young Miss, The Su and Tang family's carriage are too big, and they want this servant to let them pass first," Fangsu's grandpa gave the driver a blood-red jade tablet with an engraved Phoenix with a Begonia flower. The driver held the blood-red jade tablet, staring at it with shock but he understands what power this jade tablet held. The driver went off with the jade tablet and after a few moments. The driver gave the jade tablet back to Fangsu who took it, it was beautiful, the blood-red colour reminded Fangsu of the massacre that happened almost a year ago. The carriage suddenly jolted as it continued its path towards the Palace.

When they arrived, a eunuch came walking towards them. "Elder Cheng, Miss Chen, the Empress Dowager and the Royal twins will be pleased that you have arrived." The eunuch stepped aside gesturing to follow him. Both the pair were about to follow the eunuch into the giant doors of the Imperial Palace.

But before the pair could enter the Imperial Palace, "Stop right there!" Su Hua Jing shouted. The young Miss of the Su family was quickly followed by a maid and a guard, "Who are you to blocking the road earlier?" The young miss puffed out her chest annoying at the pair who was riding the small inconspicuous carriage was able to enter the Imperial Palace before the Su family carriage.

Fangsu stared at Hua Jing unfeelingly, but the eunuch defended Fangsu, "Miss Su, I suggest that you don't offend Miss Chen, " both Fangsu and Hua Jing were shocked by the eunuch's actions. The eunuch, however, knew that the Empress Dowager and Lady Meng highly praised the young girl, "The Chen family were personally invited by the Empress Dowager." The eunuch wouldn't stand anyone berating the Empress Dowager's personal invitee, protecting them, especially if the offender were from the prominent Su family, who were known to be tyrants in the capital and privately associated with the illegal dealings.

Hua Jing could only flinch at the eunuch's words. This country bumpkin personally invited by Empress Dowager! No way! That couldn't be. No one has been able to gain the favour of the Empress Dowager. But before Hua Jing could talk back, someone placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. " I won't continue if I were you." The handsome man whispered into Hua Jing's ear, stopping all thoughts in the young girl brain. But, as soon as Hua Jing saw the handsome man, she instantly knew that he was the one. The one she wanted to marry.

Fangsu held back a small laugh, "Wen Cheng what are you doing here?" Giving a small nod of acknowledgement before hiding her face to laugh.

Wen Cheng sighed, "I have to be a representative for my family because no one is at home," a slight sense of bitterness was left behind with his words. But, he quickly back to his smile, "No need to worry about them! Who invited you here?" Wen Cheng knowing that the Banquet was only for the select few nobles that were given invitations.

Fangsu took out the invitation that was given to her, "Empress Dowager." There was even the Empress Dowager's personal stamp on it to prove it was indeed from the Empress Dowager. Wen Cheng was indeed shaking at first but that eventually turned into emotions of joy, having an associate acquainted or connected with the Empress Dowager was bound to reap a ton of benefits. But, before the two individual were about to continue their conversation. The eunuch interrupted, saying that the Empress Dowager was waiting for Fangsu and her grandpa to arrive.

Fangsu followed the eunuch, leading the pathway towards the banquet hall where everyone was still seated at their arranged seats, waiting for the Emperor. Two small figure ran up to Fangsu, each taking a hand, "Jie Jie! You came!" Li Mo and Biyu smiled as they pulled Fangsu with them towards the Empress Dowager's tent. Fangsu and her grandpa sat at a conjoined table with Lady Meng, while Li Mo and Biyu were sitting together with the Empress Dowager.

"The Emperor has arrived!" Two figures dressed in grand attire, coloured by red, old and black. The Empress' attire was adorned with Phoenixes while the Emperor with dragons. Everyone kowtowed in the presence of the Emperor except the Empress Dowager, the only woman who had similar authority and power to that of the Emperor. The Emperor gestured with his hand, "Rise." Everyone returned back to their original seats awaiting the Emperor's commands, "Let the banquet commerce." The first part of the banquet entertainment which started as musicians and dancers went to the centre of the banquet hall. On the stage were many beautiful women dressed in much more mutely colours to suit the season, gracefully they perform a very theatrical dance which amazed many of the people in the audience as claps resounded throughout the banquet hall.

Fangsu only occasionally glanced at the performance before turning her attention to the twins, giving them a box each. Both the children carefully opened the box to find it was their favourite snack, dried lychee. But, the Empress gestures towards the children to eat the meal in front of them. The Empress composure was immaculate and poised as she ate the food in front of her. Each movement was precise, showing no sign of a flaw which reflected the immense training that the Empress Dowager underwent when she was younger. Fangsu had to take extra lengths to follow etiquette rules since she wasn't born into a life of a young noble girl where etiquette is a requirement in everyday living.

With chopstick in her hand, Fangsu ate the delicious food that was served at the banquet only being served to the Imperial family. Lady Meng and Fangsu's grandpa sat on either side of Fangsu, occasionally place side dishes in the girl's bowl. But, despite being given so much food, Fangsu ate the food to keep both elders happy otherwise all of hell would break loose. After all the entertainment, there was a martial art competition at the outdoor battle stage for all the young nobles to be able to win prizes. But, since Fangsu couldn't participate in the competition as it would be a death wish since she had no cultivation. Tables for non-participating people were set up around the stage to view the battles, Lady Meng sat a table with preserved fruits served and Li Mo and Biyu pulled Fangsu to sat at the table, eating the dried lychees.

Jingyi rushed over to Fangsu, "Greetings Lady Meng," bowing to Lady Meng, awaiting for approval before sitting down beside Fangsu. As Fangsu was eating the persevered persimmons, Jingyi repeatedly tapped Fangsu shoulder, pointing to Fangsu's eyes, "Your eyes! The spell is breaking! Hurry we have to get out!" Jingyi whispered whilst dragging Fangsu to a random courtyard to replace the spell to avoid revealing her true appearance.

Taking out a disposal paper talismans, Fangsu began chanting but the strong winds muffled her words making the paper talismans power weaken and it was barely enough to cover her ash-grey eyes. Fangsu's eyes were now a light brown with a grey hue, it was risky to go back but the talisman that Fangsu used was the last one she had on hand. Fangsu heard the faintest sound of the rooftop tiles moving, turned her head towards the rooftop seeing a young man standing who jumped a distance away from them, throwing a piece of paper at Fangsu. Catching the thin paper, Fangsu saw it was high tier talismans which are only available at certain specialty shops and are usually sold at astronomical prices. The one Fangsu used was a low tier talisman, the duration was long enough for Fangsu to use on a day to day basis but it still expensive. This person was by no means normal.