Chapter 124: Wishing to Perform a Talent at the Mid-Autumn Family Banquet

Shen Tangyu made a small gesture to rise, but Cui Yingsu gently pressed her back down. "The Empress Dowager said there is no rush to thank her until you have fully recovered. You must be hungry, sister. Let me have them bring you something to eat."

With palace maids attending to her, Shen Tangyu finally felt that life was becoming more bearable. Although her throat still ached slightly, she could at least recover in peace at the Shou'an Palace. Within a few days, she was able to get out of bed and speak again.

Guided by a palace maid, she approached the main hall, where the sound of silk and bamboo instruments drifted through the air. Shen Tangyu stepped softly and looked in, only to see Cui Yingsu dancing gracefully as if riding the wind. A sudden sense of crisis washed over her.

Cui Yingsu’s movements were light and supple, and she was dancing to the tune of "Embracing the Moon." Was the Empress Dowager planning to have Cui Yingsu perform at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet?

Steelng herself, Shen Tangyu smiled and said, "Could you please announce me, sister? I have come to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."

The maid nodded slightly, went inside to announce her, and then beckoned her to enter.

Cui Yingsu had finished her practice and smiled when she saw Shen Tangyu. Shen Tangyu returned the smile, then knelt before the Empress Dowager, performing three kowtows. "Your servant pays her respects to the Empress Dowager. May you enjoy eternal peace."

"I am here to thank the Empress Dowager for saving my life. I shall never forget this kindness and am willing to give my all for you."

The Empress Dowager sat above, nodding with a hint of satisfaction. "You are clever and know the proprieties. Do you know where exactly you lost to the Virtuous Consort?"

Shen Tangyu gritted her teeth, keeping her head low. "Your servant was too impatient."

"Hmm, that is hitting the nail on the head." The Empress Dowager nodded. "Rise."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager." Shen Tangyu stood up and bowed again. "I have made foolish mistakes in the past, but I am now willing to serve by your side."

The Empress Dowager looked at her with a touch of pity and beckoned her closer. "Come here."

Shen Tangyu walked forward and knelt before the Empress Dowager.

"It was the Emperor’s will that you be demoted to a palace maid; even I could do nothing about it. However, you are a thoughtful child, and I do not wish to see someone as beautiful as you toil away in this palace. But if you wish to stay by my side, you will have to endure much hardship. Can you bear it?"

"Your servant thanks the Empress Dowager. I can bear it." Shen Tangyu kowtowed again to show her resolve.

The Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction as she took Shen Tangyu under her wing. If she could use this girl to replace that little vixen in the Xianyue Palace, it would be for the best; at the very least, it would stir up enough trouble to keep the Shen family in turmoil.

"Come, watch how Su'er dances," the Empress Dowager said, pulling Shen Tangyu toward her.

"Miss Cui’s dancing is exceptional," Shen Tangyu said, looking at Cui Yingsu. Despite the bitterness in her heart, she added, "In my humble opinion, standard instruments are a bit common. Perhaps a *xun* could be used to add more depth to the atmosphere."

...

"Sister Shen."

Cui Yingsu walked over, still in her dancing attire, smiling brightly. "Thank you for your hard work, Sister Shen. Please, play the *xun* for me."

"It is but a small favor." Shen Tangyu’s smile was somewhat stiff. She had fought hard for this, but all she had secured was a chance to play the instrument. Still, she would not give up.

Cui Yingsu beamed. "With this dance at the Mid-Autumn banquet in a few days, I am sure to win the Emperor’s favor. You will bless me, won't you, Sister Shen?"

Shen Tangyu struggled to hide her jealousy, but she knew that under the current circumstances, she had no choice but to humble herself. "Naturally. Besides, you are the Emperor’s cousin; I am sure being named a concubine is only a matter of time."

"I think so too." Cui Yingsu smiled, her bright eyes fixed on Shen Tangyu. "Does Sister Shen also wish to be a concubine to the Emperor?"

Shen Tangyu was taken aback and replied sheepishly, "I am already content to serve the Empress Dowager. How could I dare to harbor such奢望 (extravagant) desires?"

"Very well, then I shall not disturb you further, Sister Shen." Cui Yingsu said no more, her smile remaining fixed until she reached the side hall, where it vanished instantly.

"Miss." It was Yan'er, the maid Cui Yingsu had brought from home.

As Yan'er carefully removed Cui Yingsu’s hair accessories, her hand trembled, accidentally pulling on her hair.

"You death-seeking wretch! Do you want to die?" Cui Yingsu pinched her hard. "Did you do that on purpose?"

"This servant is wrong! This servant is wrong!"

"Shut up!" Cui Yingsu’s eyes widened. She pulled a hairpin from her hair and, taking Yan'er's hand, slowly drove the sharp tip into her skin.

"Ah..."

"Can't take it?" Cui Yingsu narrowed her eyes. "You had better endure it. If you scream and disturb the Empress Dowager, I will send your entire family to the underworld to keep you company."

Only after Yan'er’s hand was covered in tiny puncture wounds did Cui Yingsu release her, her mood suddenly improved. "That’s enough, get up."

Looking at herself in the mirror, Cui Yingsu smiled. Seeing Yan'er’s fear brought her a sense of comfort. In this palace, her only true rival was the Virtuous Consort.

If a woman as arrogant as that were to fall into the mud of despair, how desperate would she be?

At the thought, Cui Yingsu could not help but giggle.

"Speaking of which, the Mid-Autumn banquet is in a few days, right?" Shen Fuyun opened her eyes languidly while resting on a chaise lounge, enjoying the massage from her maids. "Should I go and show off some of my talents?"

Yinling’s hand, holding the fruit platter, froze. She laughed awkwardly, "Your Highness, the Mid-Autumn banquet is no casual occasion. It’s not just our palace people; all members of the royal family will be there. If you mess up... it would be quite embarrassing."

"But I am one of the new concubines this year, am I not?" Shen Fuyun blinked. "I feel like it would be a good chance for the princes and princesses to get to know me. What do you think?"

Yinling: ... Please, have mercy!

"Your Highness is so favored, who wouldn't know you?" Yinling tried to dissuade her.

What favored concubine would ever perform at a banquet? Look at the Noble Consort and the Wise Consort—they had no such plans! Besides, your "talents" are truly not fit for public display!

Anyone who had heard Shen Fuyun play the zither knew it was basically a death sentence. Hearing too much of it would send one to the underworld ahead of schedule!

"But if I perform, they will get to know me more deeply, won't they?" Shen Fuyun stroked her chin. "Your mistress here is quite the social butterfly."

Yinling: "..."

Yes, and the only thing left behind would be everyone else's awkwardness.

But performing was not that simple. Palace banquets were complex and tedious; if one wanted to perform, it had to be requested in advance to allow for preparations. One could not simply walk onto the stage empty-handed.