83 Chapter 83 Empress’s Birthday (1/2)
The day before Lin Xulian's birthday, Feng Jun Yi told her about the banquet. She doesn't want to have a huge celebration but Feng Jun Yi told her that all the preparations are done and she will disappoint the imperial kitchen servants who made a lot of effort for this banquet. ”They also made different and new kinds of sweets for you to try. They are really looking forward to your reviews.” Hearing about the sweets, Lin Xulian relented.
On the day of the banquet, Lin Xulian woke up early and wore her usual red robes with golden thread embroidered chrysanthemum and butterflies. But her clothes' design is slightly different today. It shows more skin in her neck area and a bit of her collarbone is showing. Nonetheless it still looked dignified and wholesome. The servants said that the emperor personally asked the seamstress to make this specific design.
When she is finally done with her hair and make up, Feng Jun Yi entered her chamber and stood behind her while they both looked at her reflection in the bronze mirror. The servants bowed and retreated leaving the husband and wife alone.
Feng Jun Yi took out the turquoise colored jade box and gave it to her. ”Your present. Happy birthday.”
Lin Xulian opened the box and saw the gold necklace with the pink pearl pendant. Although Lin Xulian is tough and merciless with her enemies, she still likes adorable and pretty things. And the simple looking but pretty necklace is to her liking. Specially the pink lustrous pearl. ”This is really pretty, Jun Yi. Thank you.” Lin Xulian said with a beaming smile.
Feng Jun Yi gave her a small smile and took the necklace to personally put it on her. The necklace contrasts well on her milky white skin. It also fits with her angelic face. Seeing the necklace on her, Feng Jun Yi thought that it was made specifically for her. They both stayed there like that until the time of the banquet arrived. Feng Jun Yi offered his hand and they went to the hall.
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When the eunuch announced the arrival of the emperor and empress, the whole crowd stood up and gave them a proper greeting. The sight of the two, one is smiling warmly towards the guests and the other looks cold but holding her hand protectively, is a sight to behold. They are the manifestation of a golden couple. They garner different gazes from the crowd; awe, respect and of course jealousy. Specially from an annoying sticky rice cake.
Han Yimei went a step further this time. She is almost twenty and is considered as a left over woman. The right prime minister's household never lacks of marriage proposals but she still refused to get married if not to the emperor. Her grandfather already gave up on her.
Today on Lin Xulian birthday banquet, she wanted to compete with her so she wore a redish orange robes with golden thread embroired roses, almost identical to peonies that symbolizes the empress. Her clothes' design is also a bit more revealing than nomal that shows her full collarbones and a bit of her cleavage. Her make up also accentuated her best features and made her look more seductive. She feels like she is the most beautiful woman at this moment. But those who looks at her thinks that her look is like a borderline between a seductive concubine and a brothel woman.
Since her virtuous and dignified façade already broke a long time ago, Han Yimei threw all her pretense and goes straight to seduction strategy. But just as usual, Feng Jun Yi didn't even look at her direction.