Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Deep within the imperial palace, preparations for a grand banquet were in full swing. Empress Defei, a highly respected noblewoman at court, personally presided over the banquet, inviting the families of many ministers and the daughters of the capital's aristocratic families. The banquet aimed to foster mutual understanding and harmony, while also showcasing the royal family's generosity and grace.

The banquet took place in the Imperial Garden, a vibrant scene of lush greenery and vibrant flowers. Carefully arranged tables and chairs lined the garden paths, each set with exquisite china and silverware. A central fountain shimmered in the sunlight, adding a touch of elegance and grace to the banquet.

Li Ruoyue and Liu Ruyan were talking in low voices when they heard a loud voice singing "The Empress Defei has arrived."

The dress of Concubine De is undoubtedly a beautiful sight in the palace. She is known for her elegance and dignity. Every time she appears, she is eye-catching, as if she is the perfect combination of art and beauty.

Consort Defei typically wore exquisite palace attire, often crafted from the finest silk or brocade, resulting in a soft, lustrous texture. Her garments were often hued in deep blue, royal blue, or violet, colors that not only highlighted her noble status but also highlighted her gentle demeanor. Her garments were embroidered with intricate designs, depicting blossoming peonies and other figures. Each stitch revealed the craftsman's meticulous attention to detail, symbolizing auspiciousness and prosperity.

Consort De's headdresses were equally exquisite. She often wore hairpins or phoenix crowns inlaid with gold, silver, pearls, and gemstones. These headdresses were intricately designed and varied in form, some resembling blooming flowers, others resembling flying phoenixes, all of which exuded the extravagance and refinement of imperial royalty. Her earrings and necklaces were also often made of pearls or gemstones, neither overly ostentatious nor lacking in subtlety, perfectly highlighting her dignity and elegance.

In terms of makeup, Consort De pursued a natural and harmonious look. Her makeup was light yet refined, her eyes exuding gentleness and wisdom, and her lips were often elegant shades of pink or rose, complementing her attire. Her jewelry, both hands and feet, was equally exquisite, from diamond-studded bracelets to delicately embroidered shoes, revealing a royal demeanor and taste.

In different seasons or occasions, the dress of Consort De would also change, but she could always show the royal dignity and elegance in the most appropriate way. Whether it was the heavy brocade robe in winter or the light gauze skirt in summer, she could handle it properly and became a never-fading landscape in the palace.

The Virtuous Consort sat in the main seat, a gentle and kind smile on her face, and her eyes were soft and gentle. The ladies of the various noble families in the seats paid homage to the Virtuous Consort sitting in the main seat, praying for good fortune. The Virtuous Consort raised her hand to let the people below stand up.

She spoke softly, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I am hosting a banquet for you all. Don't be shy, everyone! Enjoy this wonderful time!" Her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, making people feel particularly comfortable and relaxed. Then, with a smile, Concubine De added, "Today is a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. I hope everyone will enjoy their food and drinks, just like being at home." Her words were full of warmth, and those present felt her care and warmth.

Everyone responded in unison to thank Her Majesty Defei.

The banquet began, and the palace actors took to the stage one after another, showing off their talents. Some danced gracefully, some played instruments, and some sang poetry. For a moment, the whole palace was filled with joy and a lively atmosphere.

First up was a group of beautiful women, adorned in gorgeous costumes, who danced gracefully. Their graceful movements, like the ethereal grace of fairies, captivated the audience. Next, a musician took the stage, expertly playing the guqin (Chinese zither), whose melodious sounds echoed through the hall, bringing a sense of peace and joy. Then, a singer appeared, her clear, melodious voice delivering a moving song. Her voice was mesmerizing and captivating.

As time went on, more and more performers took the stage, each show brilliant and captivating, drawing rounds of applause from the audience. The entire banquet hall was filled with laughter and joy, as everyone immersed themselves in this wonderful artistic atmosphere and enjoyed the pleasure brought by this grand feast.

The palace banquet hosted by Consort De was not only a royal feast, but also a cultural exchange and spiritual encounter. Through this banquet, Consort De not only demonstrated the generosity and grace of the royal family, but also promoted harmony and unity within and outside the palace, allowing every participant to feel the care and warmth of the royal family.

While watching the singing and dancing, Liu Ruyan was not idle. She kept nagging Li Ruoyue about the rules of the palace. "Miss Li, let me tell you, the seating arrangement at Empress Defei's banquet is extremely particular. Empress Defei usually sits in the center of the banquet, symbolizing dignity and authority."

The seats of other guests are arranged according to their status and position. The families of ministers and young ladies from noble families will be arranged in different positions according to their family status and rank in the palace.

Guests attending the banquet were required to wear attire that conformed to court etiquette. These typically included gorgeous palace attire, accessorized with delicate headdresses and jewelry. The color and style of the attire were also carefully considered, avoiding overly bright or understated attire to maintain overall harmony and solemnity.

Liu Ruyan chattered non-stop like a chirping bird. Her voice was clear and melodious, full of energy and enthusiasm. Li Ruoyue, sitting across from her, listened quietly, smiling and nodding from time to time to show that she was listening attentively. However, despite the focused expression on her face, her mouth never stopped talking. She responded to Liu Ruyan's words while eating the food in her hand. Her answers were concise and clear, neither lengthy nor verbose, and they just expressed her views and feelings. Meanwhile, her hands were not idle either. She skillfully put the food into her mouth, chewing and swallowing, her movements graceful and natural. She seemed to have a keen interest in food, enjoying the pleasure of tasting various delicious foods. The whole scene was very harmonious. Liu Ruyan's liveliness and Li Ruoyue's calmness formed a sharp contrast, but they also complemented each other. The communication between the two was relaxed and pleasant, giving people a warm atmosphere.

Miss Li, did you know that after the banquet, Consort De would prepare exquisite gifts for the guests. These were all homemade products made by the imperial kilns for the people in the palace. There were small porcelains fired according to the preferences of each master, as well as small, beautiful and clever objects boldly designed by the workers.

After this thing is brought back, it can bring a lot of glory to people and make them look very prestigious; and it is also an item from the palace!

At this moment, a petite and graceful young lady from an official family walked forward lightly and bowed, saying, "Greetings to Her Majesty, Concubine De. I am the daughter of Lord Sun. I have come here today to pay my respects to Her Majesty and would like to perform a dance for Her. I hope You will grant my permission." Her voice was as sweet and melodious as a yellow oriole singing out of a valley, which made people feel favorable towards her.

The corners of Empress Defei's mouth rose slightly, revealing a faint smile, and she said softly: "So you are Lord Sun's daughter. You have grown up so much. Alas, time really makes people grow old! I wonder what dance you are going to dance?" Her eyes revealed a hint of curiosity and expectation, and she seemed to be very interested in the performance of this official lady.

Miss Sun replied calmly, "Your Majesty, I have just learned a stunning dance, and I dare to perform it in front of you today."

Concubine De gently waved her hand, signaling the people around her to begin. The nanny Gao Sheng, who was standing behind Concubine De, stepped forward and shouted, "Finish the music for Miss Sun!"

She began to dance, her movements lithe and graceful, like a beautiful swan frolicking on the lake. The moonlight was bright, and the lights in the imperial garden shone against it, creating a mysterious and romantic atmosphere. As the melodious sound of the guqin slowly rose, she appeared in a long, elegant dress, delicately embroidered with cloud and crane patterns, seemingly echoing the clouds in the night sky. Her hair was tied high in a bun, strands of her long black hair flowing in the breeze. The pearls and jade in her hair swayed gently with her dance, emitting a faint, enchanting glow. As the music progressed, her movements flowed like flowing clouds and water. Every turn and every lift of her foot seemed to write an invisible poem in the air. Her arms waved gently, like a wild goose spreading its wings for flight, or like a gentle breeze brushing across the water. Each dance movement exuded an indescribable lightness and freedom. As the melodious melody deepened, her movements quickened, and her skirt fluttered like a brilliant, colorful cloud. Each dance step was filled with power and beauty, captivating everyone. Finally, she concluded this magnificent performance with a stunning pirouette, earning enthusiastic applause and cheers from everyone present. This young lady's dancing was truly breathtaking!

Liu Ruyan and Li Ruoyue were completely absorbed in the scene, as if in another world. However, they didn't notice Li Ruoliu standing beside them. Li Ruoliu was clutching her handkerchief tightly, her eyes revealing a strong sense of resentment and anger.

At this moment, she stared fiercely at the person in the middle of the dance floor, her heart filled with resentment. At that moment, her distorted face was chilling, but she quickly regained her composure, as if nothing had happened. This sudden change was astonishing, and Li Ruoyue couldn't help but sigh at her strong self-control.

Yes! Looking back now, everything is so clear. No wonder I was so foolish in my previous life, falling into his trap. He was so scheming, so determined, and so ruthless. He showed no mercy even to me, let alone my sister, who had no blood relationship with him. I was so naive, so blinded by so-called family affection that I couldn't see his true face.