The Red Bride - Chapter 37

Warm sunshine peeked through the canopy of cherry blossom trees, making the field shined with a pastel baby pink. Large silk rugs of different colors were nailed down onto the soft soil, and on top were beautifully decorated cushions. In the middle sat a low table with fresh floral centerpieces and jade tea sets. Up above among the branches hung fresh peony and orchid streamers made a zigzag throughout the field, connecting one tree to another. Finally, a large light green carpet with potted plants on top of it split the meadow into halves.

The males were to be seated on the left and the ladies were to be seated on the right. The seats were lined by ranks as well as family connections. Each table had its own flower as a centerpiece, making it easy for people to distinguish which table was theirs. Hence, eliminating the trouble of fighting over the best tables by the large grand table upfront. One by one the guests took their seats accordingly, and everyone acted their parts. The boys were sitting with their chests puffed out and the girls acted delicately. The scenery and mood was spectacular, but it pales in comparison to the colorfully dressed nobles. Each one was better than the next, and everyone had an air of elegance to them.

“Stand for the Empress and the Empress Dowager,” an eunuch announced to the buzzing crowd.

The sea of people stood and bowed towards the on coming women. An old but well groomed woman linked her arms with a lovely young woman. It was as though a very harmonious pair of mother and daughter in laws had arrived splendidly among the flowers and bees. Their smiles were full of warmth, but their hearts held unspoken thoughts.

“Everyone please sit down. Aja is getting tired by just looking everyone standing,” the Empress Dowager said happily.

The Empress Dowager’s words made the atmosphere lighter and carefree as before. Everyone sat back down in a light hearted manner. In truth, the Flower Viewing Party was meant for the younger generation, so the older ones sat at home praying that their sons and daughters would not ruin the family name. It was also why the Emperor is stuck in his office with mountains and mountains of paperwork.

While Mu Qing was not exactly warm, she was not cold as normal. Her smile was a bit bigger and her eyes were a bit kinder. It gave off the feeling of a flower on top of a cliff, beautiful but distant. Many of the males secretly stole glances at the young Empress, but their impure thoughts were quickly flushed away by fear.

Her voice was soothing and gentle, “Let the Flower Viewing Party begin!”

A roar of claps started as the Empress sat down. The maids began to serve the first appetizer. Each person was served a medium bottle of aged rice wine and pickled cherry blossom petals. The trick is to place the salty and sour pickled petals into the cup and then pour the wine in it. The taste and look of the petals will not only add to the presentation, but to also deepen the flavor of the wine. After the much anticipated wine, a small seafoam green plate was served. On it was a refreshing cucumber salad with seaweed sprinkle sesame seeds. It was sweet, vinegary, and crunchy. A good palate cleanser for the rest of the meal.

The mood was even more lively as the meal commence. The boys were were busy toasting and pouring wine. Each one of them was an expert on the subject. The girls delicately taking small sips and bite, comparing jewelry or gossip in between. Yu Yue did not say much to the people at her table. Her eyes were secretly following Mu Qing. She held in a small chuckle as she glanced at the salad in front of her.

Mu Qing laughed secretly inside as she saw the crinkles between the Empress Dowager’s eyebrows. The Empress Dowager had not picked up her chopsticks as she looked hatefully at her salad. Mu Qing took her chopsticks and elegantly placed a small piece of the seaweed into her mouth, chewing carefully. It was a lot of work coming up with this menu, and now she could enjoy it in peace.

‘Who knew witches hate seaweed? Enjoy your meal, you old hag!’