Han Yаn оbеdiеntlу walked ovеr. Тhe Emрress pаttеd hеr hеаd, hеr voicе somewhat urgent as she аskеd, "Did yоu reаllу sее a gоldеn-wingеd sраrrow?"
Нan Yan, feеling bоth timid and dеlighted, repliеd, "It's true! Yan'еr saw it for thе first timе, whiсh is whу I wаs sо fаscinatеd аnd lost mу wау." She сautiоuslу lookеd аt the Еmpress and sаid, "The spаrrоw's fеathеrs were shimmering with gоldеn light, sоmewhаt rеsеmbling thе hеm оf Your Маjestу's skirt."
As sоon as shе finished sреаking, a shаrр rеbukе was heard: "Нow audacious! Нow dare уou cоmpаrе Hеr Majesty to a beast?"
Han Yan looked up and saw that it was Miss Li, who had now stood up, glaring at her with an angry expression.
The Empress waved her hand, somewhat displeased, and said, "Jiaqi, how can a young lady be so rash? Let Miss Zhuang finish speaking."
Han Yan pouted, her small face showing a serious expression as she said, "The golden-winged sparrow is not a beast. Yan'er's mother once said that the golden-winged sparrow is the embodiment of a household guardian deity. Wherever the golden-winged sparrow appears, that family will be blessed a hundredfold, with descendants flourishing endlessly. Yan'er simply felt that Your Majesty is also a blessed person. Over the years, you have consistently assisted the Emperor, which is why the Great Dynasty's realm has prospered so greatly. Moreover, the noble color of its feathers resembles Your Majesty closely. In this sense, Your Majesty is like the human incarnation of the golden-winged sparrow. However, while the sparrow protects small households, Your Majesty protects the entire nation!"
As a woman, it was only natural to enjoy hearing praise. The ladies present all flattered and fawned over the Empress to varying degrees, but none had phrased it as skillfully as Han Yan. With a single sentence, she praised the Empress's noble status, her innate blessed destiny, and her role as a blessing to the nation. As the head of the six palaces, the Empress had heard countless flattering words over the years, but never before had she found them so pleasing. Han Yan's praise was grand and dignified, making her unable to hold back a beaming smile. Looking down at Han Yan's innocent little face, her eyes filled with affection: "Child, what are you saying? The stability of the realm and the nation is all due to the Emperor's blessings. It is the generals and ministers who protect the country. I am merely a woman—how could I possess such abilities?"
Han Yan tilted her head and suddenly heard a hearty laugh from behind: "Zitong, there is no need to be modest. I think what the young lady said is correct—you truly are my lucky star!"
Han Yan looked up and saw the Emperor approaching from a distance with several close aides, likely having overheard her earlier words.
Upon hearing this, the Empress was momentarily stunned, a flicker of delight flashing in her eyes. She quickly stood up and curtsied: "Your humble consort greets Your Majesty."
The surrounding ladies and young misses also knelt and bowed in greeting. The Emperor, however, appeared extremely pleased: "There is no need for such formalities." He then turned to the Empress and said, "Zitong, I heard what Miss Li said. It seems the prosperity of our Great Dynasty this year has attracted the auspicious bird."
The Empress smiled faintly: "It is all due to Your Majesty's wise governance."
The Emperor gave her a satisfied look and said, "You share in the credit as well!"
It had been a long time since the Emperor had spoken to her so gently. The Empress felt a surge of joy, her cheeks flushing slightly. When she glanced at the smiling Han Yan beside her, her gaze softened considerably.
Encountering the Emperor during the plum blossom viewing was a minor disruption. The Emperor stayed for a short while before departing, and the plum garden gradually returned to its earlier liveliness.Han Yan sat beside the Empress, obediently conversing with her. After the earlier incident, the gazes of the surrounding noblewomen and young ladies toward Han Yan had noticeably shifted, with some even showing signs of wanting to draw closer and curry favor.
From beginning to end, Han Yan wore a bright, cheerful smile. When the Empress spoke to her, her replies were exceptionally pleasing, and paired with her adorable appearance, the Empress genuinely felt a surge of maternal affection toward her.
Over there, Zhuangshan’s expression had turned extremely unpleasant. She had never expected that her scheme would not only fail to put Han Yan in her place but instead give her a chance to shine. The Emperor had praised Han Yan several times before leaving, and now the Empress had even invited her to sit by her side. A flicker of jealousy instantly flashed in Zhuangshan’s eyes.
Madam Zhou, however, was busy mingling with the other noblewomen. Although she secretly resented Han Yan’s good fortune, paving the way for Zhuangshan was far more important. Opportunities to enter the palace were rare, and she had to seize every moment to make the most of it.
While chatting and laughing, Han Yan did not forget to observe that Miss Li. Li Jiaqi kept glancing at her from time to time, and Han Yan, sensitive to such things, keenly felt her hostility, which only deepened her bewilderment.
Hostility never arose without reason. Why would Li Jiaqi target her?
If Li Jiaqi’s hostility was overt, then another scrutinizing gaze made Han Yan feel even more pressured.
Picking up a piece of pastry, Han Yan concealed the depth in her eyes, her peripheral vision glancing toward the Empress Dowager beside Consort Li.
What that scrutinizing gaze meant, Han Yan had no way of knowing. But from the moment she first met this Empress Dowager, the other’s attitude had been deeply intriguing. The jade bracelet wrapped in the brocade handkerchief in her bosom seemed to grow scorching hot once more.
Unable to make sense of it no matter how hard she thought, Han Yan simply set the matter aside and focused on appreciating the plum blossoms. Though the white plum blossoms in this garden were beautiful, they could not compare to the splendor of the red plum grove. With such a magnificent scene in the palace, why had the Empress chosen this spot for the gathering? Unless that place was off-limits to ordinary people or involved some secret.
Han Yan had no interest in uncovering any secrets. Generally speaking, the more secrets one knew, the sooner one met their end. Instead, her thoughts drifted to that handsome man from earlier. The image of herself hiding inside his cloak resurfaced in her mind, and she couldn’t help but blush.
That man had acted so freely within the palace; he must be someone of high status. She hoped she wouldn’t run into him again—she had no desire to suffer frostbite once more.
The time spent admiring the plum blossoms passed quickly, and before long, the sky darkened. The Empress stood up and addressed the seated guests with a smile, “It’s getting late. The palace banquet is likely prepared, so let us take our seats early.”
Han Yan observed the Empress. Her invitation sounded warm and natural, as if she were merely an ordinary noblewoman, yet her demeanor was elegant and dignified—truly befitting the foremost lady of the six palaces, the mother of the nation.
Lost in thought, Han Yan lowered her head. If she could learn such poise from the Empress, it might prove useful in the future.
Han Yan then followed the other noblewomen toward the banquet hall.
The venue for the palace banquet was a grand hall fronted by a clear stream. The flowing water meandered like a wandering dragon, and on both sides of the stone railings, crystal and glass lanterns of various colors were hung, glowing like silver flowers and snowy waves. All kinds of flower lanterns shone brilliantly, each meticulously crafted from silk and gauze.
The sky was as dark as spilled ink, devoid of stars or moonlight, while thick white snow blanketed the land for miles around. Under the eaves, large red lanterns cast a joyful crimson glow, and palace maids dressed in emerald-green jackets respectfully welcomed the noblewomen, holding silver trays.The hall was divided into seating areas for male and female guests, but as this was a royal celebration, there were no screens separating them. The young ladies present all wore expressions of anticipation, their eyes sparkling with excitement, yet constrained by etiquette, they kept their heads lowered, not daring to look around freely.
Deng Chan nudged Han Yan's arm: "I heard General Cheng will return today. We might even get a glimpse of the valiant general's presence."
Han Yan looked at her with a smile: "He's just a man with two eyes and one mouth—what could be so different? What is there to see?"
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