Su Yue dressed formally and left with her maidservant.

This year's Qiong Flower Banquet was held at Lotus Lake.

It was late July, the perfect season for appreciating lotus flowers.

Su Yue was very satisfied with her outfit, with her only annoyance being that she had to wear a veil.

When she entered, many ladies had already arrived, chatting in small groups.

Su Yue found several acquainted young ladies.

"Sister Su, I can hardly recognize you today. Your headdress is so beautiful!" a woman in yellow whispered, her eyes full of admiration.

Su Yue looked proud. Liu Jiao's father was just a sixth-rank minor official, so naturally, he hadn't seen such fine things.

"Yes, Jiao just told me she thought you were a royal princess! But Yue'er, why are you wearing a veil?"

The speaker was Meng Zhiyun, the concubine-born daughter of the Right Minister. Despite being a concubine's daughter, she lived more luxuriously than legitimate daughters. Her father, Minister Meng, was famous in the capital for favoring concubines over his wife.

Su Yue smiled, "I caught a cold a few days ago and haven't fully recovered, so I'm wearing a veil. As for this headdress, it's the Twelve Jade Pieces, naturally precious."

Liu Jiao exclaimed, "These are the Twelve Jade Pieces? I've heard about them but never seen them before. So they're actually in the Prefectural Secretary's residence! Sister Su, the Prefectural Secretary is so kind to give you such a valuable headdress."

Su Yue raised her head, "Naturally. My father dotes on me the most. My sister's face is ruined, so my father can't count on her, except..."

"Su Yue! How dare you wear these Twelve Jade Pieces! You're not worthy!"

A loud shout interrupted Su Yue's proud speech.

Su Yue turned to see Wei Yuanyao furiously approaching.

Wei Yuanyao angrily said, "What tricks did you use to get these?"

Su Yue blinked innocently, speaking softly, "Elder sister, what do you mean?"

"Who's your elder sister! I only have Li'er as my cousin!"

Wei Yuanyao's companion, Meng Zhiruo, stepped forward to hold her back, afraid she might act impulsively.

"Yuanyao, what's wrong? Why are you so angry?"

Wei Yuanyao said, "Zhiruo, these Twelve Jade Pieces are from our Duke's residence, extremely precious. They were a gift from my grandmother to my cousin Li'er on her tenth birthday. Now they're actually worn by this woman!"

She then looked coldly at Su Yue, "Take them off right now!"

Liu Jiao, being low-ranking, didn't dare intervene. But Meng Zhiyun stepped forward, "Lady Wei, Yue'er said these were given by the Prefectural Secretary. You're being unreasonable!"

Wei Yuanyao loudly retorted, "Nonsense! These belong to my cousin. She must have used some despicable method to get them. A lowly concubine's daughter like her doesn't deserve to wear such a valuable headdress!"

Meng Zhiyun's face turned red with anger. Today, everything she wore was better than Wei Yuanyao's companion Meng Zhiruo. Was Wei Yuanyao mocking her?

Su Yue, noticing everyone was starting to stare, spoke softly, "Elder sister, my sister, knowing her face was ruined, gave me this headdress."

Wei Yuanyao was furious, secretly blaming her cousin.

These were a gift from her grandmother. How could they be given to an outsider?

"Her Majesty the Empress arrives! Cloud Consort arrives! Princess Chaoyang arrives!"

Just as they were still arguing, an announcement interrupted the dispute.

Everyone quickly knelt to pay respects.

"Long live the Empress! Long live! Long live!"

The Empress walked towards the high platform with several others.

After sitting down, she waved her hand, "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Today is the Qiong Flower Banquet. Everyone need not be too formal. Ladies, please be seated."

The ladies took their seats one after another. The Empress's inner palace attendant stepped forward and announced loudly, "Today's Qiong Flower Banquet will be like previous years. Each lady will showcase her talents, and the top performer will receive a grand reward from the Empress!"

Young ladies took turns presenting poetry, paintings, singing, and dancing, creating a lively atmosphere.

The Empress sat on the high platform, merely going through the motions. Her future daughter-in-law had long been decided in her heart.

At this moment, a graceful woman walked forward. Her steps were light, with black hair styled in a flowing cloud bun, adorned with pearl flowers. With beautiful eyes and wearing a blue trailing dress, she looked stunning.

She was Lan Yu, one of the Capital's Four Beauties and daughter of the Cavalry General.

"This humble woman Lan Yu pays respects to the Empress, Cloud Consort, and Princess Chaoyang," she said.

The Empress's previously indifferent attitude changed. She smiled warmly, "Rise. I remember seeing you when you were small. Look how much you've grown. Come closer and let me take a look."

Cloud Consort, seeing the Empress's enthusiastic manner, understood she favored the Lan family.

The Empress was indeed strategic in her choice. In the Tianqi Kingdom, military power was divided into three parts: one part held by the royal family, one part by the Duke's residence, and the last part by General Lan.

Lan Yu approached and bowed again.

The Empress took her hand, her smile growing warmer.

The young ladies looked on with envy, but Lan Yu remained indifferent.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the Empress, she moved to the center of the platform.

She performed a sword dance accompanied by a pipa, which was spectacular.

"Excellent! Truly befitting a military family's daughter! No less impressive than a man!" the Empress exclaimed.

The Empress was thoroughly satisfied with this potential daughter-in-law - her family background, appearance, and abilities all matched perfectly with the Crown Prince.

Cloud Consort smiled outwardly but felt differently internally.

What a pity such an excellent lady was to be married to a sickly man near death.

But this was not something she could prevent. Her gaze shifted to Wei Yuanyao below.

In terms of family background, among the capital's noble ladies, only Wei Yuanyao could rival Lan Yu. She must help her son marry Wei Yuanyao!

Wei Yuanyao, unaware she had been targeted, was still taunting Su Yue.

"What's wrong? Seeing how Lan Yu has caught the Empress's favor, are you upset? If you have the ability, why don't you go up and dance too!"

Su Yue coldly laughed internally but smiled softly, "Elder sister, what are you talking about? I'm happy for Lady Lan. As for a performance, I've prepared something. Consider it a small contribution."

Wei Yuanyao sneered, "Hypocrite!" She could see Su Yue was seething behind her gentle facade.

After Lan Yu's performance, when Su Yue saw her being summoned by the Empress and even granted a seat, her smile faded.

Among the Capital's Four Beauties, her status was the lowest.

Cavalry General's legitimate daughter Lan Yu, Princess Chaoyang, the Zhao Prince's young lady - they were all of noble birth.

Many people thought she was the legitimate daughter of the Prefectural Secretary's family. Over time, she had almost started believing it herself.

Su Yue stood and walked forward.

"Paying respects to the Empress, Cloud Consort, and Princess Chaoyang," she said.

The Empress glanced up, her expression unreadable. "Who are you?"

"This humble woman is the daughter of Prefectural Secretary Su. As I'm still recovering from a cold, I wear a veil to avoid disturbing the noble ladies. I've prepared a dance, which cannot compare to Lady Lan's, merely to contribute to the entertainment."

Cloud Consort looked at Su Yue, secretly thinking she was foolish.

Anyone could see the Empress favored Lan Yu and intended to give her the top honor.

Lan Yu had just finished her performance, and now this Prefectural Secretary's daughter was about to dance? This seemed like a provocation.

The Empress, having never seen someone so lacking in perception, spoke in a flat tone, "You may proceed."

"Yes," Su Yue bowed and walked towards the stage.

[--------------------------------------------]

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