Today is already noon, the Plum Banquet inside the palace is about to begin soon, and the feast is set at the pavilion outside. The young ladies are at Cai Yue Pavilion, while the young masters are at Waterside Pavilion. With genders separated and each occupying a pavilion, they can see each other across Winter Lake, avoiding any impropriety, a truly thoughtful arrangent.
The wind over the lake is strong, screens are placed on both sides of the pavilion where the young ladies sit, and at the central table sit eight noble won, yet none of them have an appetite for the steaming hotpot in front of them, their eyes fixated on the opposite pavilion.
Princess Zhao Gui, who sits in the main seat today is dressed dazzlingly. She wears a short jacket of brightly-colored brocade with multicolored embroidered dragons and a silver-grey trim, beneath which is a water-pink costic satin skirt. Tied around her slender waist is a multicolored palace sash with butterfly knots, and on her feet, she wears deer-leather boots. With her hair piled up beautifully and adorned with pearls and jade, her attire significantly enhances her nobility.
Princess Zhao Gui sits right in the center, flanked by various princesses and noblewon, all daughters of the Royal Family and the crè de la crè among noblewon.
One of the noble won, around fifteen or sixteen, with a round face, looked towards the opposite pavilion, whispering curiously, "Eh? Why don’t I see the Crown Prince of Qing Luo Kingdom?"
A slightly younger noblewoman laughed and said, "Sister, that’s a question for Princess Zhao Gui, why are you joining in the excitent?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the other maidens at the table chuckled along, but their smiles seed more carved onto their faces. Everyone knew that Princess Zhao Gui was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager, who had already arranged a private eting with the Qing Luo Crown Prince days ago. The Crown Prince was the designated match for her by the Empress Dowager, and today’s banquet was rely with others as accompanying guests.
Amidst the laughter, the round-faced noblewoman, blushing furiously, hurriedly explained to Princess Zhao Gui, "Princess Zhao Gui, I ant no disrespect; I was just curious what kind of person the Qing Luo Crown Prince is?"
Princess Zhao Gui turned her head, smiling gently, and said, "There’s no need to be embarrassed, it’s not just you—everyone here is curious!"
Relieved that Princess Zhao Gui didn’t reprimand her, the round-faced noblewoman, with a flattering tone, said, "Princess Zhao Gui, why aren’t you eating? I heard you’ve been busy all morning preparing for the feast. You must be tired. Have so hotpot to replenish your energy!"
Kindly, Princess Zhao Gui responded, "Sure, let’s all start eating," and began to cook slices of mutton in the pot.
With the Crown Prince of Qing Luo absent, everyone’s attention naturally shifted to the hotpot.
Indeed, in this cold weather, watching plum blossoms while enjoying a steaming hotpot is truly a delightful enjoynt!
Most of the young ladies are tasting hotpot for the first ti because they are secluded maidens born in noble houses-like the Marquis Mansion, their families naturally wouldn’t allow them to eat out, so they were astonished by the deliciousness of the hotpot.
"Wow, this is so delicious. Is the hotpot at the Bafu Hot Pot Restaurant outside this tasty?"
"Of course!"
Princess Zhao Gui, when designing the banquet, had thought of promoting her mother’s Hot Pot City. All these nobly-born daughters, each a precious gem in their families, if they enjoyed the al, would surely visit Bafu Hot Pot Restaurant in the future. Being noblewon, they travel usually with a retinue of a dozen or more, so having all these ladies taste such delicious hotpot would certainly bring good business to the Empress Dowager!
Over at Waterside Pavilion, the scene is equally lively, everyone enjoys the savory and hot hotpot while engaging in cheerful conversations, creating a very pleasant atmosphere!
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