Chapter 439 - 217: Song Zhaoyi Is Even More Beautiful Than Before

Chapter 439: Chapter 217: Song Zhaoyi Is Even More Beautiful Than Before

It wasn’t until the next day, just as she was about to leave for the banquet, that Song Yunzhao remembered to ask Xiangxue, "Did Princess Consort Wan invite Princess Fuke?"

Xiangxue was taken aback for a moment. "I didn’t ask about that. I’ll go find out right away."

Yun Zhao nodded.

Xiangxue hurried out. Shizhu asked, a little confused, "Your Highness, why do you ask? It doesn’t really matter to you whether Princess Fuke goes or not."

Song Yunzhao smiled. "It doesn’t matter much, but it does matter a little."

Princess Fuke had sent her quite a few local delicacies, and she was rather fond of some of the special products among them.

’It’s only right to return the favor.’

"Princess Fuke has only just arrived at the traveling palace, and Princess Duanjing is still ill. I’m afraid they might not be able to attend the banquet," Nanny Yu said.

Yun Zhao nodded. The Emperor hadn’t held a welcome banquet for Princess Fuke yet, so she certainly wouldn’t make an appearance so casually.

When one reached a certain status, a certain level of pomp and ceremony was required.

Especially since the Empress Dowager had snubbed Princess Fuke right after her arrival. It wasn’t exactly a humiliation, but it certainly wasn’t glorious either. If she couldn’t regain that face, Princess Fuke’s standing in everyone’s eyes would surely plummet.

This was not what Princess Fuke wanted, nor was it what the Emperor wanted.

"I still have two boxes of blood bird’s nest in my stores, don’t I?" Song Yunzhao suddenly asked.

"Yes. Manager Meng delivered them personally when we first arrived at the traveling palace."

"Nanny, please go personally and deliver the blood bird’s nest to Princess Duanjing to help her recuperate. Consider it a return gift for Princess Fuke." Song Yunzhao hadn’t thought of this yesterday and felt a little annoyed with herself. ’Life has been too easy lately; my brain is getting slow.’

"Your Highness, won’t that be too conspicuous? I’ve noticed that no one else has sent a return gift," Nanny Yu said.

"It’s fine. Just go. There’s no need to be secretive about it," Song Yunzhao said.

Nanny Yu nodded. "I’ll go at once."

"Tell Princess Duanjing that once she’s feeling better, I’ll invite her to the traveling palace for a visit." As the Emperor’s favored concubine, Song Yunzhao had the authority to make such an offer.

"Yes."

After Nanny Yu left, Song Yunzhao sat before her mirror to do her makeup. Princess Consort Wan’s tea banquet was an invitation to people from both inside and outside the traveling palace, so this appearance would be different from the one at the Empress Dowager’s.

The banquet hosted by the Empress Dowager had been a more solemn affair, so everyone’s attire had been very formal.

This tea banquet, however, would be a veritable riot of color. Song Yunzhao was a woman of worldly tastes, and she loved beauty.

’Besides, I’m the infamous Evil Concubine. How can I lose a beauty contest?’

A long, flowing gown of concubine-pink sprinkled with gold. The color alone was eye-catching. Anyone whose skin wasn’t fair enough wouldn’t dare to wear it, as it would make a less-than-pale complexion look even darker.

But Song Yunzhao’s complexion was so fair it was almost translucent, as white and delicate as the finest Mutton Fat Jade. The moment she put on the dress, Shizhu and the others gasped in admiration.

Song Yunzhao looked at her reflection in the mirror, thoroughly pleased.

She then took out a set of pink pearl hair ornaments. There were more than a dozen pieces of various sizes, but the most striking was a pearl hairpin made from a thumb-sized pink pearl. Fine tassels dangled from it, brushing against her ear, truly creating an endlessly captivating charm with every turn of her eyes.

’No wonder women love jewelry. How could they not?’

She carefully applied her makeup in the mirror. With Xiangxue away, she had to do it herself.

To match her outfit and jewelry, she specifically applied peach-blossom makeup, even dotting a peach blossom motif between her brows. Shizhu was so stunned she didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly.

Yun Zhao held up the mirror, admiring herself, her mood soaring. No one dislikes beautiful things—like her face, for instance. She liked it very much.

Seeing Shizhu’s expression, Yun Zhao’s eyes curved into a smile.

Shizhu’s face flushed red. After a long moment, she said, "Your Highness hasn’t dressed up like this in so long. I was completely stunned. Today, you will surely outshine all the other beauties."

Song Yunzhao nodded in satisfaction. ’I’ll definitely be the hottest girl in the room!’

"Let’s go."

"Yes."

Princess Consort Wan’s residence was a bit far. Song Yunzhao chose not to take a sedan chair, walking the entire way instead. Shizhu held an umbrella over her, while Anshun followed behind with a retinue of attendants—a grand and imposing procession.

The palace where Princess Consort Wan was hosting her banquet was already bustling with noise. The ladies of various noble houses had brought their daughters and entered the traveling palace early, as they couldn’t possibly make the honored personages wait for them.

Princess Consort Wan also made a rare early appearance to greet her guests, chatting and laughing with everyone. Qin Xiyue and the others didn’t arrive late either, timing their entrance to be just before Princess Consort Zhuang and Consort Shu showed up.

As everyone was talking, someone suddenly said, "Look, who’s that coming?"

Hearing this, the crowd turned to look. They saw, by the lake amidst blooming flowers and floating green willows, a figure in concubine-pink burst into view. Walking through the lush summer scenery, she looked like a fairy descended to the mortal realm, stepping right out of a painting.

As she drew closer, someone murmured, "Song Zhaoyi?"

The smile on Qin Xiyue’s face stiffened slightly. One didn’t need to look closely to know who would be so ostentatious. As expected, it was Song Yunzhao.

Perhaps the person who had spoken was a bit too loud, for everyone saw Song Zhaoyi suddenly turn her head to look their way. Amidst the verdant trees, that splash of red was exceptionally striking. It was truly like a spring plum blossom blooming in the snow, or an autumn grain head covered in frost. Her eyes, as brilliant as stars, gazed over, making one’s heart tremble.

What did it mean to be a national beauty in full bloom? Now, they finally had an inkling.

Everyone knew that Song Zhaoyi was with child. These noble ladies had given birth themselves, and they knew the discomforts of pregnancy could make a woman’s face look haggard.

The last time, at the Empress Dowager’s banquet, it had been nighttime, and things weren’t very clear under the lamplight. But today was different. In the daylight, every detail was visible. Song Zhaoyi’s lower abdomen was slightly swollen. This should have been the time when morning sickness made one look their most worn-out, yet Song Zhaoyi’s face was so beautiful it seemed to glow. Not only was there no sign of fatigue, but she actually gave off the impression of being even more beautiful.

The moment Song Yunzhao saw the astonished looks on everyone’s faces, she was satisfied. It hadn’t been a waste to get up at the crack of dawn to get ready.

’Although I dislike categorizing women, an occasion like this is like a high-society battlefield. You can’t take a single step back.’

Qin Xiyue subconsciously glanced at Princess Consort Wan first, only to see that her expression was normal. She lowered her eyes slightly to hide her own surprise, and when she looked up again, her face had also returned to its usual composure.

All the concubines in the harem wanted to win the Emperor’s favor while Song Yunzhao was pregnant. Carrying an heir was indeed a joyous event, but a pregnant woman’s appearance and body would inevitably change.

If one were unlucky, her face might become covered in spots. Severe morning sickness could also lead to a sallow complexion from poor diet.

But Song Yunzhao showed none of these things.

She was even more beautiful than before.

Qin Xiyue could hardly breathe. ’Why are some people always so lucky? Not like me, constantly struggling in the mud but still unable to reach the shore.’

She then glanced at An Shutong, who was not far from her. Although nothing showed on her face, her tense body betrayed some of her thoughts.

Song Yunzhao approached amidst the beautiful lake, mountains, and the garden’s full splendor. She smiled at Princess Consort Wan and said, "This concubine greets Lady Wanfei."

Her voice, crisp and melodious like pearls falling onto a jade plate, resonated in everyone’s ears. Looking up, they were again met with Song Zhaoyi’s stunning beauty. Those who harbored ulterior motives instantly felt the crushing pressure emanating from her.

’How can anyone even compete with this?’