The matter of Qi Caishang's promotion was merely a minor interlude during the Empress Dowager's grand birthday banquet. Once the Emperor's decree was issued and the surrounding officials offered their congratulations, the affair was considered over. After all, the Empress Dowager was the true focus of the occasion; the attention of the assembly would not linger for long on an insignificant official.
The ones whose emotions remained unsettled for a long while were likely only the members of the Qi family.
Qi Daiyu looked at the fine wine and delicacies before her, finding she had little appetite. The original host of this body had been granted the title of Jieyu for saving the Empress, and she herself had been promoted to Zhaoyi for saving the Grand Princess. One could say these were merits earned through saving members of the imperial family, so the promotions were justified.
But Qi Caishang? He had merely presented an exceptional birthday gift and was elevated from a minor seventh-rank official to a substantive fifth-rank official with real authority, leaping over more than a decade of effort others might expend. It was truly a meteoric rise.
Qi Daiyu couldn't help but feel a sweat break out for Qi Caishang. Leaving aside whether such fortune would invite jealousy and resentment, she was more worried about whether her somewhat unreliable father from her memories could even competently handle the duties of Vice Director of the Waterways Department.
Especially after using her phone to look up what the "Waterways Department" actually managed, Qi Daiyu grew even more anxious. The Ministry of Works' purse strings? Would her cheap father really not embezzle...
Qi Daiyu immediately decided she would write a letter of admonishment as soon as she returned. She wanted to live for several more decades...
"Why have you stopped eating?" Qin Saizhu beside her asked with concern.
At this point, no one had yet connected Qi Daiyu with Qi Caishang, as the Qi family had previously been utterly inconspicuous.
"Are you feeling a bit cold? These grand feasts are always like this. Perfectly good dishes are served, yet one can't eat them right away. By the time one can, the food has turned cold. It's somewhat better now that it's summer; what I dread most are the winter banquets, when even the meat fats congeal, making everything look utterly unappetizing."
Qin Saizhu said, "If only they could serve hot pot. The broth stays simmering, so it never gets cold."
Qi Daiyu laughed, "Hot pot has a strong aroma; it wouldn't appear at such a formal grand banquet."
"True," Qin Saizhu sighed with regret, then smiled again. "But in the capital, hot pot is all the rage now. Baiwei Lou's business is incredibly good."
She was naturally referring to the Baiwei Lou hot pot branch, which had opened a month prior. Its signature beef tallow hot pot, the novel tomato hot pot, and the mutton-swish pot catering to local Beijing tastes satisfied various palates, attracting a constant stream of customers.
Now, they not only offered dine-in service, but also had servants from noble households specifically sent to the shop to purchase hot pot base broths to cook back in their mansions.
"Beef tallow isn't some great secret. Anyone attentive could figure it out after a couple of meals, just slight differences in cooking technique. But the tomato pot, thanks to the name you chose—many haven't heard of 'tomato' and don't realize it's actually the 'June persimmon.' Even if they did know, they wouldn't dare believe it's edible. That secret should be safe for a while longer."
Hot pot broth recipes, unlike specific dish formulas, were hard to keep secret. Especially for chefs from Sichuan and Chongqing who already knew some basics of broth-making. After tasting Baiwei Lou's beef tallow hot pot a few times, they could identify the tallow and, after some private experimentation, produce a decent-tasting broth themselves.
Qin Saizhu was mentally prepared for this and didn't expect to keep it exclusive for long.
Qi Daiyu, however, said, "So what if they figure it out? Beef tallow is hard to come by, and even fewer are willing to spend so lavishly. Besides, Baiwei Lou's reputation is now established. Even if other merchants appear later, in people's minds, Baiwei Lou's will still be the most authentic. Baiwei Lou's daily capacity is limited, but Beijing has so many diners. Even if other shops take some business, it's nothing to fear."
"That makes sense," Qin Saizhu nodded in agreement. "But what you mentioned before about 'service being paramount'—I think it's feasible and would like to give it a try."
Qi Daiyu didn't object. She had shares in the Baiwei Lou branch; the more Baiwei Lou earned, the more she received. She was willing to put in the thought. "Give me some time. I'll write out the specific details and procedures for you."
"Good."
As they chatted and laughed, Qi Daiyu glanced towards the entrance and saw Concubine Cao returning from outside the hall, her expression seeming somewhat displeased.
Qi Daiyu's eyes flickered. If she remembered correctly, she had just seen Consort An return from outside the hall as well.
Leaving at this time was mostly likely to freshen up.
While continuing her conversation with Qin Saizhu, Qi Daiyu divided her attention to check the continuously recording video footage. She clicked rewind. Sure enough, Consort An had returned just a few minutes before Concubine Cao. Rewinding further, she discovered something interesting.
A quarter of an hour ago, Consort An and Concubine Cao had left together.
Yet just now, they had returned one after the other.
Qi Daiyu couldn't help but look towards Consort An, just in time to see Ming Cui, from Concubine Shu's side, walking past behind Consort An.
The hall was crowded and noisy. To an ordinary observer, it wouldn't seem remarkable. From that angle, one could say Ming Cui was merely passing by Consort An on her way elsewhere, or that she had paused by Consort An for a moment.
Qi Daiyu directly replayed the recording. Ming Cui had indeed intentionally sought out Consort An. She had leaned close to Puying's ear and said something, Puying had replied, and then Ming Cui had returned to Concubine Shu's side. It was the moment she turned that Qi Daiyu had seen.
Concubine Shu, Consort An, Concubine Cao...
Qi Daiyu felt puzzled. Was there a connection between Concubine Cao and Concubine Shu?
As she pondered, she noticed Consort An sharply look over.
Qi Daiyu's heart skipped a beat, but she calmly met Consort An's gaze and offered a composed smile.
Consort An, not thinking much of it, gave a stiff nod.
Keeping her various thoughts to herself, Qi Daiyu maintained a normal expression and continued chatting with Qin Saizhu.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Consort Ning, using the excuse of freshening up, also left the Baohe Hall.
She was actually chasing after her younger sister, Yang Luoniang.
As an important court minister, Zeng Qiming naturally attended this birthday banquet, and Yang Luoniang, as his family member, was able to enter the palace.
When she first entered the hall, Yang Luoniang's stunning beauty drew many gasps of admiration. Upon learning she was Consort Ning's sister, the compliments flowed even more freely.
The imperial examinations had just concluded, Yang Heng was enjoying great prestige, and Zeng Qiming was a rising star at court. Many noble ladies felt inclined to befriend Yang Luoniang. Having heard little about Yang Luoniang before, they had initially worried she might be difficult to get along with. To their surprise, upon interacting with her, they found her to be of an extremely pure and kind nature—somewhat unworldly, yet gentle and well-mannered—so they were all willing to converse with her.
From her elevated position, Consort Ning watched from afar as Yang Luoniang was surrounded by noblewomen. Some kind-hearted ladies even helped introduce her and make connections. Consort Ning felt somewhat comforted and even thought to herself: People in this world value advantage. Seeing their father reinstated and Zeng Qiming's prominence, naturally no one would gossip about the age difference between Luoniang and Zeng Qiming, nor mock her for being a second wife.
Mother had worried too much.
Her guilt somewhat assuaged, Consort Ning sent her maid Yang Xue to quietly find Yang Luoniang, wishing to invite her out for a word. To her surprise, Yang Luoniang refused.
Puzzled but unable to do anything, Consort Ning now saw Yang Luoniang leaving the hall. Guessing she was going to freshen up, Consort Ning hurriedly followed.
"Luoniang!"
The figure ahead paused and turned around, revealing a face of unparalleled beauty. The young woman had already married, shedding her youthful innocence and gaining a touch of a matron's charm, making her even more enchantingly lovely. In the southern lands, there was a beauty, peerless and standing alone.
No wonder those ladies all said Zeng Qiming had good fortune, marrying a noble lady, and one with such outstanding looks at that.
Even Consort Ning was stunned by her younger sister's beauty.
Consort Ning chided, "I asked Yang Xue to call for you, why didn't you agree?"
Yang Luoniang kept her head down. "The banquet is crowded with many eyes. Luoniang did not wish to cause trouble for Your Highness."
"How could speaking with you be trouble? Today, Mother did not come. I was worried you might feel uncomfortable alone in such a large gathering. Seeing Lady Ning accompanying you put my mind at ease. Luoniang, how have you been these days? Is Lord Zeng... good to you?" As she spoke, Consort Ning reached out to take Yang Luoniang's hand.
But she avoided it.
Consort Ning was taken aback, withdrawing her hand awkwardly with a frown. "Luoniang?"
Yang Luoniang still kept her head down. "They all say today's Longevity Banquet was organized by Your Highness assisting the Empress. Everyone praises Your Highness for being virtuous and benevolent. It seems the reputation Your Highness has always yearned for is now yours. Why bother putting on an act with Luoniang now? Doesn't Your Highness find it exhausting?"
Consort Ning's heart trembled. "Luoniang, did Mother say something to you?" Yang Luoniang's attitude could only make her think that Lady Yang had said something. "Some matters are not as simple as you think. You are still young..."
Yang Luoniang turned her head away, interrupting her. "There was no need for Mother to say anything. Luoniang has grown up and can judge for herself."
It was the age for dreaming of the future, yet she was told she must marry a man old enough to be her father—and this was the joint decision of her own father and sister. No one knew how despairing Yang Luoniang was the day she learned the truth.
How could she not resent Consort Ning?
Consort Ning argued, "Still saying you're not a child. Luoniang, Father's decision was made after careful consideration. Lord Zeng is just older, but he is deeply valued by His Majesty. Just look at how those ladies treated you today. Countless families in the capital wish to marry their daughters to him."
"But those willing to marry their daughters to him are either selling their daughters for glory or are only willing to marry off daughters from collateral branches or neglected concubine-born daughters. And me? The legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister, yet I can only become someone's second wife. Yes, parents' orders and the matchmaker's words—who I marry is ultimately Father's decision. Having enjoyed the wealth and status of the Prime Minister's household for years, I dare not complain when Father decides to marry me to Zeng Qiming.
"Only, Elder Sister, you and Father may seek glory and wealth, but don't deceive your own heart. And don't deceive me."
"Luoniang..." Yang Luoniang's words were merciless, tearing away the last shred of pretense. Consort Ning's expression became strained. "At the very least, Lord Zeng treats you decently..."
"Enough!" Unexpectedly, Yang Luoniang suddenly broke down upon hearing this, a flicker of hatred appearing in her eyes as she looked at her.
Yang Luoniang seemed to be suppressing something with great effort. "The banquet is still ongoing. Your Highness should please return."
She turned to leave.
A panic seized Consort Ning's heart. She instinctively reached out to grab her wrist, only to hear Yang Luoniang cry out in pain. Taking advantage of being forcefully shaken off, she clutched her arm and retreated to the side.
Consort Ning keenly sensed that something was wrong. "What's wrong with your arm?" Without another word, she stepped forward and pushed up Yang Luoniang's sleeve.
Yang Xue and the others quickly gathered around.
And Consort Ning, seeing the patches of blue and purple on Yang Luoniang's arm—clearly old wounds layered with new ones—felt as if thunder had struck her mind, a deafening roar.
"This..." She looked up at Yang Luoniang in disbelief, hoping to see denial in her eyes.
But Yang Luoniang pulled her arm back from her grasp and covered it with her sleeve.
"Consort Ning, my dear elder sister. Do you know how Zeng Qiming's first wife died?"
She gave a bitter smile, beautiful as a celestial being yet haunting as a vengeful spirit.
"This is the good marriage you picked for me."
