Most of the people present at the banquet were concubines, imperial relatives, and the families of important court officials. There were even more people than at the last birthday banquet for the Empress Dowager.
Moreover, the number of guards beside the Nuan Yu Pavilion was twice as many as usual.
The grander the banquet, the more likely something might go wrong. Apparently, His Majesty had thought of this.
The court officials in the previous dynasty had already officially received the envoys. The atmosphere in the Nuan Yu Pavilion was more like a family banquet.
Lan Miao observed the family of Prince Cheng on the high platform. From afar, Prince Cheng kept drinking. He was clearly a heavy drinker. Although Princess Cheng was seated at the same table with him, her body was tilted to the side. Princess Feng Ling was squeezed between them. She had lost her previous arrogance and seemed to be looking down at the guests below.
Xue Er nestled against Lan Miao and whispered.
"Mother, last time, Heir Apparent Han Xi said that Princess Feng Ling wanted to find an opportunity to apologize to Yu Jia and me. But His Majesty has never allowed her to enter the palace, and we've never had the time to go out of the palace. This time, should I go and see her?"
"Do you want to see her?"
Lan Miao gently touched her forehead and asked softly.
"… I do. I don't want to avoid people."
Xue Er hesitated for a moment and then replied in a childish voice. Her eyes were as clean and bright as crystals.
"When there are fewer people later, you can go and see her with Yu Jia. Just be careful. There are too many people in the palace today."
"Okay."
Xue Er immediately looked up and gave a bright smile to Princess Feng Ling on the platform. Princess Feng Ling, however, seemed embarrassed and lowered her head.
The atmosphere of the banquet was reaching its peak.
The so - called Exquisite Stone Banquet began.
The trend of jade was very popular in both countries. Princess Kai Yun had brought many skilled craftsmen from the Qi State this time, as well as the most precious black jade of Qi State.
When the legendary black jade was presented, the surroundings became quiet.
The quality of the black jade was truly extraordinary.
A large, uncarved dark - green jade block was quietly placed in a wooden tray. It was crystal - clear and radiant. One could tell at a glance that it was definitely a rare treasure.
"Your Majesty, the quality of the jade I brought this time is quite good, isn't it?"
Princess Kai Yun smiled brightly.
Emperor Jing Xiang glanced at it indifferently. His jade - like face showed no expression. "It's okay. But I'm not an expert. We should let someone who knows have a look."
He casually gave a look to An He.
An He immediately understood.
He quickly trotted all the way to Lan Miao's seat below the platform and made a gesture of invitation. Lan Miao knew it was her turn to take the stage. So she handed Xue Er to Han Bi to take care of and slowly followed An He onto the high platform.
Xue Er called out softly behind Lan Miao.
"Mother is the best."
Lan Miao heard it and a faint smile curved her lips.
Xue Er sat in her seat with Han Bi, staring intently at Lan Miao's back without blinking.
When Lan Miao reached the platform.
"Your humble servant, Lan Miao, pays respects to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and Her Royal Highness the Princess. May the Princess enjoy good fortune and longevity."
She bowed to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Princess on the platform, and then gracefully stood up. Her plain dress bloomed like a lotus in winter. She had an elegant temperament and was as beautiful as an orchid.
A look of surprise flashed in Princess Kai Yun's eyes.
Lan Miao looked at Princess Kai Yun.
Princess Kai Yun was the Emperor's younger sister, two years younger than him. She had thick, black hair and wore golden hairpins. She was calm and composed, exuding an air of nobility and dignity.
"Someone, set a seat for Lady Lan. Come and take a look at the quality of this jade."
Emperor Jing Xiang ordered.
Immediately, a sensible courtier came to arrange a seat for Lan Miao. The black jade was placed in front of Lan Miao by two court servants.
Lan Miao quietly examined it for a moment and said,
"I've always heard that the most famous thing in the Qi State is black jade. Now that I've seen it, it truly lives up to its reputation. The color is bright and the texture is crisp. Even this uncarved raw jade is as precious as a jade tablet. I've really broadened my horizons today."
"You have good taste. Is this the jade carver that Mother found?" Princess Kai Yun asked with a faint look of pleasure on her face.
The Empress Dowager nodded.
"Yes. The birthday gift I'm going to give you is also being carved by Lady Lan. Lady Lan has really skillful hands. She's truly rare."
"Really? Then I'm really looking forward to it."
Princess Kai Yun squinted her eyes and looked at Lan Miao from time to time. The first thing she noticed about Lan Miao were her jade - like hands. Her fingers were long and slender, with distinct joints. But looking closely, there were many fine marks on her palms and knuckles. They were truly the hands of a jade carver.
Her black - and - white eyes rolled slightly, and she kicked off the prelude to this banquet.
"Your Majesty, since this Lady Lan has been praised so much by you, how about we from the Qi State also send a jade carver? Each side will set a test for the other's jade carver to complete. What do you think?"
Emperor Jing Xiang didn't respond immediately.
His gaze shifted to Lan Miao. Seeing the look of pleasure in Lan Miao's eyes when she saw the black jade, the corner of his mouth involuntarily curled up.
Does my lady like this jade so much?
"Lady Lan, what's your opinion?"
"It's an honor for me to compete with the jade carver from your country." Lan Miao replied calmly.
The smile in Princess Kai Yun's eyes deepened. She sized up Lan Miao and then glanced at Emperor Jing Xiang. She found that Emperor Jing Xiang was looking at her with a cold look in his eyes. She didn't dare to look anymore.
As they talked back and forth, the other concubines sitting on the platform didn't interrupt. In such an occasion, even the Noble Consort didn't dare to speak easily. They could only watch eagerly, drink, and enjoy the music.
The atmosphere gradually heated up.
The song and dance performance below the platform ended.
Princess Kai Yun pondered for a long time and then slowly said,
"Alright. I'll provide a semi - finished jade piece for Lady Lan to carve. The Jing State will also provide a semi - finished jade piece for our jade carver to work on. The time limit is three hours. There's no restriction on what to carve. Is that okay?"
"Good. Let's do it like this."
Emperor Jing Xiang agreed.
Lan Miao and the jade carver from the Qi State walked up to Emperor Jing Xiang and the Princess together. After bowing, they received the semi - finished jade pieces they were going to carve. Then they were led by An He to the prepared room to start carving.
She walked side by side with the other jade carver.
This jade carver was named Feng Han. He was a middle - aged man with a fair complexion and no beard. He looked cold and arrogant and didn't talk to Lan Miao.
He glanced at Lan Miao up and down and then shifted his gaze away.
Lan Miao was just about to greet him friendly when this cold and arrogant Feng Han suddenly spoke up, "You, a woman, also know how to carve jade?"
Lan Miao was stunned.
Before she could answer, Feng Han disdainfully said again, "Don't say anything. I won't show mercy just because you're a woman."
Lan Miao understood that this man looked down on her and women in general. He probably thought that she could participate in this competition because of her looks.
Jade carvers were usually men because their hands were more steady and stronger. But women also had their natural advantages, being dexterous and soft. She wasn't angry at being denied like this.
A cold smile flashed across her lips.
"Then I might as well show some mercy, after all, Master Feng is a man."
"…"
As soon as she said this, An He, who was leading the way in front, burst out laughing.
Lady Lan is really sharp - tongued.
The court servants and guards around also showed suppressed smiles.
"You... Women only know how to talk big." Feng Han's face turned pale.
"Then, Master Feng, can't even talk big?"
Lan Miao's response completely ignited the gunpowder of this competition.