Chapter 77: The Palace Banquet

Luo Wushuang’s smile deepened at the thought. “My status is the most noble in the land. Letting them wait is an honor I’ve bestowed upon them.”

Shangguan Liqian rolled her eyes at Luo Wushuang—who had somehow already finished dressing—and rose from the daybed.

Seeing Liqian’s hurried movements, Luo Wushuang quickly spoke up to soothe her. “Don’t be in such a rush, Sister. Your clothes are already prepared. We won’t be that late.”

As she spoke, palace maids appeared, carrying sets of formal court attire on trays.

Liqian’s gaze swept over the trays. The deep red court gown looked imposing and grand, a perfect match for the purple robes Luo Wushuang wore. However, as the garment was unfurled, Liqian’s brows furrowed at the pattern traced in gold thread across the front.

Phoenix among Peonies.

By law, this was a design reserved exclusively for the Empress Consort…

Though the pattern was subtle, appearing and disappearing with the light, a closer look revealed a phoenix with wings spread, poised to take flight.

“This gown?” Liqian looked up, her words trailing off in hesitation.

Luo Wushuang acted as if she hadn’t noticed anything amiss and asked playfully, “What is it? Does Sister not like it?”

As she spoke, Luo Wushuang signaled for another servant to bring forward an even more formal, bright yellow phoenix robe. She seemed to think that one was quite nice as well…

This caused Liqian’s brow to knit even tighter. If she wore that one, she feared some “loyal and righteous” official would bash their head against a pillar in protest during tonight’s banquet.

“Wearing this tonight would be far too ostentatious,” Liqian said with a sigh, pressing down on Luo Wushuang’s restless hand.

“It’s fine. I’ve already tucked the imperial edict into my sleeve today. If anyone dares to object, I’ll just slap them across the face with it.”

Luo Wushuang knew what her sister was worried about, but she didn’t care in the slightest. She was itching to announce Liqian’s status to the world. She wanted to mark Liqian as hers in front of everyone. Once that was done… even if her sister regretted it later, it would be too late.

Looking at the indignant yet sly expression on Luo Wushuang’s face, Liqian glanced back at the red “Phoenix among Peonies” gown and finally compromised. “I’ll wear this one.”

Luo Wushuang lowered her head to hide a smirk. She knew it. If it came down to choosing between the two, her sister would definitely choose the red gown. If there had been a third, more modest option, Liqian wouldn’t have given in so easily. Good thing I’m clever!

Having achieved her goal, Luo Wushuang smiled with exaggerated eagerness. “Then allow me to serve you while you dress, Sister.”

Liqian looked at the heavy, complex gown on the tray and frowned. It would indeed be difficult to put on by herself, but letting Wushuang help…

Just as she hesitated, the smile on Luo Wushuang’s face began to fade. “Does Sister wish for someone else to touch her instead?”

Hearing the veiled threat in her tone, Liqian shot her a glare and sighed helplessly. “Fine, you help me then.”

“Gladly!” Luo Wushuang agreed instantly, pulling Liqian toward the inner hall.

By the time the two had finished preparing and arrived at the banquet for the foreign envoys, the guests had been waiting for a considerable amount of time. However, just as Luo Wushuang had predicted, no one dared to voice a complaint.

They simply waited anxiously in the Hall of Heavenly Grace for the arrival of the imperial carriage.

As the eunuch announced the Empress’s arrival, that touch of anxiety vanished, replaced by a sea of heads bowed low in respect.

Fearing that Liqian might be nervous, Luo Wushuang held her hand tightly the entire way. She led her step by step to the very front of the banquet hall, seating her at the highest possible position.

“You may rise!” Luo Wushuang commanded.

A chorus of thanks echoed through the hall. Only then did some of the bolder officials dare to steal a glance at the dais.

When they realized that someone was sitting beside Her Majesty—and that it was a woman—speculations about the woman’s identity began to swirl. Those with sharper eyes caught sight of the pattern on the woman’s gown and hurriedly lowered their heads again, masking the internal shock that threatened to overwhelm them.

Her Majesty is…

Most officials waited until the Empress signaled for them to take their seats before they began to observe. However, seeing that no one else was making a move, no one wanted to be the first to speak out. An eerie silence fell over the hall. What those ministers were thinking, only they knew.

In contrast, the envoys from the two neighboring nations—the Western Regions and Baiyue—were secretly sizing up the woman sitting beside the Emperor. Unsurprisingly, they were immediately met with Luo Wushuang’s threatening, ice-cold glares.

Their eyes flickered with a moment of fear, and they quickly behaved themselves.

The envoy from the Western Regions was particularly weary. He looked at his eyesore of a Prince, then at their Princess, who looked as cold as frost and seemingly indifferent to everything. It was an exhausting sight.

Luo Wushuang scanned the reactions of the crowd, a mocking smile touching her lips. She knew today was the best time for Liqian to appear in public. With foreign envoys present, no matter how outrageous her actions were, the court officials would not dare to remonstrate here and now.

As for how lively tomorrow’s morning court session would be, she didn’t care. When she said she would slap an edict across their faces, she wasn’t joking. If they pushed her too far, she wouldn’t be merciful or soft-hearted.

She wanted Liqian to be her Empress, and no one would stand in her way.

Seated beside Luo Wushuang, Liqian also spotted the two individuals sent for the political marriage alliance. After the morning court, Wushuang had mentioned that besides that eccentric Prince, the Western Regions had also sent a Princess.

Seeing her in person now, she wasn’t quite what Liqian had imagined. There was something “off” about the Princess of the Western Regions. How should she put it?

If someone said the King of the Western Regions had sent her to assassinate Wushuang, she might believe it. But to say she was sent for a marriage alliance…

Liqian looked at Lou Yanhui, then back at her own Wushuang. She felt that both women were the dominant, forceful type. If they were actually paired together, they would probably get into a fight over who was the “active” party before they even finished undressing for the night.

Truly… the thought alone is hilarious.

While Liqian’s mind was wandering, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her waist. A voice dripping with jealousy drifted into her ear.

“Look at me!! Sister is not allowed to look at anyone else!”

Liqian’s expression didn’t change, but her hand moved secretly to the spot on her waist where she’d been pinched, rubbing it gently.

Good heavens, she really didn’t hold back! No “tender pity for the jade” at all…

Realizing that she might have actually hurt her sister, Luo Wushuang temporarily suppressed the bubbling jealousy in her heart and reached out, wanting to help rub the sore spot.

Sensing Wushuang’s hand reaching out under the table, Liqian instinctively winced and pulled away.

Sensing that hidden rejection, Luo Wushuang’s face darkened instantly. She followed the direction her sister had been looking earlier. When her gaze landed on Lou Yanhui—dressed in her exotic Western attire—Wushuang’s eyes became exceptionally predatory.

It was like a beast facing an intruder in its territory, instinctively baring its fangs. The irritability on her face and the intimidation in her eyes were unmistakable.

Sister was just looking at her… I really want to kill her.

Lou Yanhui had been sitting quietly in her seat, pondering what kind of leverage she should use to convince the Empress to lend her a few Imperial Physicians and, while she was at it, change her marriage partner. Suddenly, she felt eyes on her.

Following her instincts, she sought out the source of the gaze, only to lock eyes with Luo Wushuang.

The Empress was looking at her like a rabid hound guarding its meal.

Lou Yanhui: “…”

She found it utterly loathsome, but she couldn’t let it show.