Chapter 47a: Mid-Autumn Festival
Although Yuchi Lianqing is famous in the world, since she dared to openly send an invitation, that proved that she was already prepared early on. However, when had Luo Qing Luan ever been afraid of conversation?
If nothing happened, so be it, but since someone deliberately picked on her, then she wouldn’t take it sitting down.
In kind, she very politely responded to the invitation, saying that Miss Yuchi was a model female scholar in the present age of Grand Scholar Lin Xian Zhu. She dared not give guidance and even hoped that Miss Yuchi will give some pointers. At that time, they could admire the full moon to their heart’s content......blah blah blah, she wrote a bunch, then sealed the letter and gave it to someone from the Marquis’ mansion in reply.
Leaving aside Yuchi Lianqing’s reaction when she read Luo Qing Luan’s reply, within three quick days, the capital unexpectedly exploded with no small number of rumors, saying the the second Miss Luo from the General’s Mansion came out with some conceited nonsense, making arrogant and conceited declarations. She actually wanted to fight for the title of number one female talent during the Mid-Autumn Feast. This immediately made everyone focus on the originally very ordinary feast.
Every year, the Mid-Autumn Feast was held. Since it’s arranged by the imperial palace, as far as those small families and small officials were concerned, this feast was simply too prestigious and unapproachable. They could only observe from afar with envy. However, as far as those genuinely wealthy and noble daughters were concerned, this was practically the same as an old game, nothing interesting.
If it wasn’t for the fact that this time, there was a possibility of meeting the crown prince and an opportunity to shine in front of Her Highness the Empress, they simply would not have considered the event to be of any importance.
But suddenly, this Luo Qing Luan popped up and surprisingly declared a challenge against all of the female talents within the entire country of Western Chu. For a period of time, events unfolded unrestrainedly sharply, instantly offending everyone.
Naturally, Luo Cheng reprimanded Luo Qing Luan fiercely, saying that she knew nothing about a daughter’s modesty and reservedness, to actually make such unruly statements. Luo Qing Luan was also too lazy to explain. In any case, Luo Cheng wouldn’t believe her anyway.
“I don’t care what happened, since this rumor has already spread, you have to seize the title of number one female talent for me.” Luo Cheng’s expression was solemn along with a bit of strictness. He continued in a heavy tone of voice. “The empress is also attending the Mid-Autumn Feast this time, you have to leave a deep impression on her, and be even more lovable. At today’s morning court, His Majesty mentioned crown prince’s marriage again and even asked all of the officials to have their daughters of marriageable age participate. I’ve already made preparations for you in advance. If you’re unable to seize.....”
“If I’m unable to win the title of number one female talent, can it be that Father will punish me?”
Luo Qing Luan shot this question neither softly nor firmly, with a faint smile. She seemingly didn’t take this matter to heart at all.
“You......”,
Luo Cheng felt more and more that he was incapable of disciplining Luo Qing Luan. She was previously Fifth Prince’s fiancee, yet was unbearably ugly and stupidly love-struck. With difficulty, she’d now recovered her original appearance and became beautiful, as well as clever. Clearly, her reputation suffered from the divorce and was no longer marriage material.
Yet another opportunity came, but she surprisingly didn’t care about it in the least?
In the end, considering that tonight was an important night, Luo Cheng endured. He held back from letting loose the rest of his reproach. “Qing Luan, no matter what, this crown prince consort position is something you have to fight for. Since her Highness the Empress already has a favorable opinion of you, and the crown prince already fell for you, you’re the most hopeful. As long as you make a good showing tonight, it should be fine.”
Luo Qing Luan replied absent-mindedly, saw that the time was about right, and entered the horse carriage, which speedily galloped towards the imperial palace.
Not taking Luo Cheng’s words seriously at all, accepting tonight’s invitation was just something she should do, that’s all. It went without saying that there were many things in life which we’re helpless against, things we didn’t want to do, yet still had to do. She most disliked being restricted by nature, so was even more unwilling to be forced. Fortunately, she merely had to attend a Mid-autumn feast tonight. It’s still something she could still barely accept.
As for Yuchi Lianqing’s provocation?
Just wait and see. It’s already good of her to not provoke others, yet others even came to provoke her? Regardless of whether they’re noble ladies or princesses, she’d still strike back accordingly.
After Luo Qing Luan entered the palace, the day had already started to darken. A clear and bright moon was rising into the sky.
The weather wasn’t bad. There wasn’t a cloud in the grey expanse. The moonlight shone brighter and brighter, like a silver plate hanging in the distant firmament. This time, the feast was held in Phoenix Presence Hall at Morning Sun Palace. This was the coolest place within the entire imperial palace. Each year, the emperor and empress would come here to escape the summer heat.
The imperial garden was huge. There were countless numbers of artificial lakes. An underwater spring bubbled forth incessantly day and night. In addition, the garden was filled with an abundance of flowers, grasses, trees, and was extremely beautiful.
Tonight, not only was Morning Sun Palace not quiet, it was instead filled with laughter and joyous clamour. One after another, lanterns hung packed along the sides of the winding corridors in the palace, lighting up their surroundings like it was daytime. Countless numbers of palace maids dressed in motley attire carried plates of fruits and fragrant tea shuttling back and forth. They offered all kinds of foods and drinks.
When Luo Qing Luan arrived at Phoenix Presence Hall, a great number of high born ladies had already arrived dressed in bright colors. Each and every one of them made up and displaying elegant poses. Some stood along the corridors, some congregated in groups of three or four under the pavilions, even more encircled the open spaces by the lake, admiring the full moon and chatting while seated on woven mats.
Countless numbers of tables had already been set up within the open spaces at an earlier time. Every kind of fruits, pastries, and necessities were displayed on them. Slices of watermelon, enticing grapes, fresh and tasty muskmelon, also iced pickled plum drink......
However, basically, no one was interested in these things. Even though everyone seemed to be chatting while admiring the full moon, from time to time, they were clearly glancing left and right. Apparently, they were waiting for someone to arrive, yet were afraid others would notice them looking around. They appeared extremely ridiculous.
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