Chapter 110: The Flower Viewing Banquet

Almost the moment Shangguan Liqian stepped into Phoenix Hall, Luo Wushuang’s voice rang out.

“Does Sister like foxes?”

Her voice was filled with doubt, laced with a faint, barely perceptible sense of grievance.

If Sister liked foxes, she only had to tell me. Why go to someone else to ask for one?

It is just a fox. How could it possibly be worth Sister speaking to someone she clearly finds loathsome?

I’ll send people into the mountains later to catch them. I’ll have every fox in the mountains brought here…

Hearing Luo Wushuang’s question, Shangguan Liqian immediately understood that Wushuang likely knew everything that had just transpired in the Imperial Garden.

Liqian had expected as much and didn’t find it surprising. After all, she had known Wushuang’s temperament for a long time, hadn’t she?

Shangguan Liqian shook her head with a touch of helplessness. She stepped forward, took a seat beside Luo Wushuang, and finally spoke.

“In a moment, stay away from that little fox in Prince An’s arms.”

“Alright,” Luo Wushuang agreed immediately. After a moment of hesitation, she asked in a small voice, “Can Sister tell me the reason this time?”

Seeing her cautious, almost timid appearance, Shangguan Liqian’s brows furrowed slightly.

It had been so long; did Wushuang still lack confidence in her?

Liqian had already declared her feelings, yet this woman still couldn’t shake the habit of being startled by every rustle of the grass, treating every shadow like an enemy.

Am I really that untrustworthy?

Liqian’s self-doubt lasted only a fleeting second before vanishing. Forget it; now was not the time to dwell on such things.

Thinking of the little fox in Prince An’s arms, Shangguan Liqian offered no deception, stating her concern plainly: “I am afraid it will hurt you.”

Seeing that the worry in Shangguan Liqian’s eyes was genuine, Luo Wushuang swallowed her intention to probe further. She replied obediently, “I will listen to Sister.”

Shangguan Liqian looked at Luo Wushuang’s submissive expression. Even though she knew eighty percent of this look was likely an act, she couldn’t help but let the corners of her lips curve upward.

Setting trust aside, this woman certainly knew how to play the “good girl” in front of her.

The smile in her eyes deepened as Liqian reached out to pat Wushuang’s head, praising her casually, “Good girl.”

The Empress Regnant, who had been trying so hard to act cute and pleasing in front of the person she loved, subconsciously replied upon hearing the praise, “Then, does your Majesty have a reward?”

Meeting Luo Wushuang’s expectant gaze, Shangguan Liqian sighed inwardly. This woman certainly knew how to take an inch and turn it into a mile.

Resigning herself to the moment, Liqian leaned down and placed a kiss on the corner of the Empress’s lips. But just as she prepared to pull away, she was pulled into a tight embrace against Wushuang’s lap.

Luo Wushuang lowered her head and pressed her lips against Liqian’s. The kiss was fierce and urgent, as if she wanted to devour her whole.

By the time Shangguan Liqian was released, her lips were swollen and glistening, clearly showing she had been bullied quite thoroughly.

Liqian shook her head, which was dizzy from the kiss, only to hear the culprit’s triumphant voice: “Now that is a reward.”

Shangguan Liqian: “…”

This person is getting more and more out of hand.

Meeting Luo Wushuang’s predatory, wolf-like gaze with her own accusatory eyes, Shangguan Liqian suddenly felt a jolt of alarm.

This woman was not just overbearing; she had no restraint whatsoever.

“Enough, get up. I will assist Your Majesty in changing your robes.”

Shangguan Liqian rose, pretending nothing had happened. She emphasized the words “Your Majesty” heavily, hoping to make the woman settle down.

However, before she could even turn around, Luo Wushuang pulled her back.

“I also wish to assist Sister in changing her clothes.”

In a whirl of motion, Shangguan Liqian found herself sitting on Luo Wushuang’s lap once more. Feeling the other woman’s restlessness, she quickly pressed her hand against Luo Wushuang’s approaching lips and lowered her voice sternly.

“That is enough. It is getting late; no more fooling around!”

Seeing Sister’s firm attitude, Luo Wushuang pouted and conceded reluctantly, “Fine.”

Shangguan Liqian stopped teasing her and led her to the wardrobe. “Which one do you want to wear?”

Luo Wushuang’s gaze swept over Shangguan Liqian’s pale blue palace dress. Finally, her eyes landed on an imperial black ceremonial robe. “I want to wear black today.”

One in black, one in blue—deep and mysterious paired with steady and elegant. Standing together, they looked quite harmonious.

Luo Wushuang looked at their reflections in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction.

Shangguan Liqian naturally saw through her thoughts, but she said nothing.

Once they had finished changing, the two walked unhurriedly toward the Imperial Garden. From a distance, they could already hear the sounds of conversation from the grounds.

Though it was called a Flower Viewing Banquet, anyone who wasn’t a fool knew it was merely a pretext.

As for the Empress’s true purpose, everyone had their suspicions; it likely had to do with a political marriage alliance.

However, few people who could appear at a palace banquet were truly stupid. They conversed with a tacit understanding, all while secretly observing the men and women at the tables, checking if any were suitable matches for their own juniors.

The younger generation was also scanning the banquet for potential partners. When eyes met and sparks flew, they would test each other’s intentions with subtle back-and-forth remarks.

And so, a perfectly good Flower Viewing Banquet had essentially transformed into a royal matchmaking event.

“Her Majesty has arrived!”

The eunuch’s shrill announcement cut through the noise of the banquet.

The officials and their families knelt to pay their respects. Just like the last time, Luo Wushuang held Shangguan Liqian’s hand, walking step by step to the very front. Only after taking her seat did she speak coolly.

“You may rise.”

After thanking her for her grace, the crowd rose and returned to their seats.

Having learned from the previous experience, no one was foolish enough to stare at Shangguan Liqian this time. However, the glances stolen in her direction were filled with envy.

Previously, they had all assumed that the sixth daughter of the Shangguan family was merely a passing whim of the Empress. They figured that once the Empress grew bored, her fate would be predictable. Because of this, most of them had looked upon the Shangguan girl with pity or mockery.

But since the last banquet, news of the Empress’s upcoming grand wedding had spread.

Upon learning that the person the Empress intended to marry was the very Shangguan girl they had looked down upon, their pity and mockery had completely transformed into envy.

To be a woman and yet win the sole devotion of a sovereign, even being named Empress Consort—what an immense honor was that?

The Empress’s feelings for Lady Shangguan must be ingrained in her very marrow; otherwise, why would she risk the world’s condemnation to marry her?

How could the unmarried young ladies present not envy such profound affection?

Some had even begun to secretly contemplate their own close female friends.

Rather than marrying a young master they had barely met, only to spend their lives managing a household as a Matriarch while watching their husband bring one concubine after another into the home, it would be better to…

As Luo Wushuang and Shangguan Liqian took their seats, no one realized that the young maidens in the audience had already begun to broaden their criteria for a spouse.

They were so young and beautiful; did the person they married necessarily have to be… a man?