As soon as his words began, the young ladies from the western hall had already stood in a row before the hall, each holding something in their hands.

Upon hearing the signal, they forcefully threw the objects in their hands upward.

They didn’t throw them all at once, but slightly staggered, with the daughter of the Minister of Justice’s family going first.

Tie Ci noticed they had great coordination among themselves, having obviously rehearsed, and couldn’t help but support her forehead with her hand.

What kind of scheme was Murong Yi cooking up with the Miaocu Society group day after day!

Only when the objects flew into mid-air did everyone see clearly they were translucent milky-white spheres with some colorful, glittering things inside that looked quite beautiful.

“Whoosh.”

The sound of arrows breaking through air startled everyone. Turning back, they saw the dancer on the drum had already released an arrow.

The small arrow flashed with golden light, precisely piercing the milky-white sphere. The sphere exploded with a bang, and a piece of silk fell down, caught on the arrow tip, shot into a massive landscape screen depicting “A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains” in the hall.

There were words on the silk, which everyone read: “Candle.”

Along with the silk, some small colorful objects of five colors also fell.

The milky-white spheres continued being thrown into the air by the young ladies in sequence.

“Whoosh whoosh” – the sounds were continuous. Every small sphere was precisely shot by Murong Yi on the drum with golden arrows, shot onto the curtain. Each sphere that exploded released a piece of moon-white silk with words written in gold powder.

Those silks were sequentially pinned to the screen, and everyone unconsciously read along: “Candle,” “Flower,” “Bright,” “Sinking,” “Water,” “Radiant,” “Wine,” “Waves,” “Turning”…

At first, only a few scattered people read, but as more silks were nailed up, more people joined in reading, finally becoming the entire hall reciting in unison: “…Left arc records auspiciousness, Lai robes with five-colored brilliant patterns. The courtyard lists rows of jade trees, seats crowded with pearl shoes, golden bowls with cold sugar cane juice. How to wish you longevity? A smile pointing to South Mountain.”

A birthday congratulation poem.

It should be only half a stanza, after all, the screen couldn’t hold more.

As the white spheres burst and silks were carried away by arrows, the colorful fragments inside the spheres scattered down – jade fragments and golden light, red shadows and blue colors, purple jade and dark green… A shower of colored rain fell in the center of the great hall, making melodious sounds as it hit the golden brick floor.

Watching this scene, Tie Ci suddenly remembered what her master had mentioned about celebratory pop-up banners.

Someone curious picked up those fragments for a look and couldn’t help exclaiming in surprise.

It was actually a ruby!

More people bent down to pick up tourmalines, pearls, sapphires, topaz, red agates, amethysts, emeralds… It turned out those glittering colorful fragments were all pearls, jade, and precious stones!

What magnificent extravagance!

Everyone in the hall looked at those daughters of wealthy families. The dancers certainly couldn’t produce these things – naturally, these young ladies had prepared these birthday gifts. But this was too eye-catching, truly treating pearls like dirt and gold like iron!

The young ladies’ money naturally all came from their fathers. Such lavish spending clearly showed their families were quite wealthy.

Everyone was thinking of checking which young lady it was, perhaps they could catch some political enemy’s weakness, but when they looked, their own disobedient daughters were conspicuously among them too.

Those girls only received five taels of monthly silver – where did they get these pearls and precious stones?

In the end, everyone looked at each other in dismay, discovering the scope of damage was too broad – not one could escape.

Looking again at the screen, the silks were layered and arranged in order. From a distance, they actually formed the shape of a peony flower.

A moon-white peony with golden edges bloomed magnificently on the screen, while the floor was covered with pearls and jade like sand and gravel.

This scene was so ostentatious it could blind people’s eyes – even the imperial family had never witnessed such a thing.

After all, the imperial family emphasized dignified grandeur, and Tie Ci also valued her reputation, absolutely refusing to hold lavish birthday celebrations that would invite censure from censors and criticism from the people. She absolutely couldn’t pull off such nouveau riche behavior.

Calling it nouveau riche was actually somewhat harsh, considering the peony was elegant, the calligraphy beautiful, and the pearls and jade had bright, harmonious colors. The overall effect was both refined and noble, displaying the organizer’s excellent aesthetic sense.

Yet a military general loudly praised: “Excellent archery!”

Everyone had just been dazzled by the pearls and jade, but now they reacted and thought it over. Those young ladies had thrown spheres in succession, and the dancer on the drum had to shoot them down consecutively in extremely short time, the sequence couldn’t be wrong, and to form the peony, the positions and angles of the shots had to be calculated without the slightest error. Looking at those small arrows pinning the silks, they formed a perfect circle of golden stamens, and the depth they penetrated into the screen was exactly uniform.

The eyesight, control, speed, and calculating ability required – how formidable!

In comparison, Qi Yuansi’s archery seemed inadequate.

Actually, it wasn’t that Qi Yuansi’s archery was much worse, just that someone’s style was ostentatious and sensational – ordinary people couldn’t compete.

Pearls fell like rain throughout the hall, and some greedy officials were quietly picking them up.

Tie Ci pretended not to see.

The Liaodong Prince’s heir was wealthy and willing to subsidize Da Qian’s officials – let him be.

Tie Yan watched dumbfounded, murmuring to the eunuch beside him: “I knew some people loved taking bribes, but I didn’t know all the civil and military officials were richer than me.”

To let their daughters generously scatter gifts to his daughter.

Such subjects – the more the better!

All civil and military officials: We’re innocent.

Someone came onto the hall to collect those pearls and jade. The dancers continued their performance, but Murong Yi stopped dancing, rolling up his sleeves and standing openly by the side of the hall.

When guards moved to drive him away, Tie Ci glanced over there. Chi Xue understood and smiled while waving her hand, so the guards bowed and walked away.

Tie Ci rose and went toward the banquet tables of several noble ladies and first-rank command wives. The ladies all quickly stood up, except for one purple-robed elderly woman who sat motionless.

That old woman was perfectly proper from head to toe. After sitting for so long, her clothes didn’t have a single wrinkle, and her hair, which seemed dyed with lotus seed grass, was jet black and shiny without a strand out of place.

Seeing Tie Ci come to offer a toast, she slowly lifted her cup and said coldly: “Your Highness has quite a reputation for virtue recently, but seems rather lacking in respecting the elderly. This subject’s wife thought Your Highness wouldn’t come to offer a toast today.”

The wives of Marquis Duanyang and Grand Secretary Li Shen beside her uncomfortably shifted away, thinking this first minister’s wife truly lived up to her reputation – daring to speak disrespectfully even at the Imperial Daughter’s birthday banquet. Did she think this was her Di family’s military camp?

Tie Ci acted as if she hadn’t heard, smiling as she raised her wine cup: “Princess Consort, Duke of Wei’s wife, Marquis Duanyang’s wife, Marquis Wuwei’s wife… Madam Xie, Old Madam Qi, Madam Li, please.”

She went through all the noble and first-rank wives at the table one by one, but deliberately omitted Old Madam Rong.

This was more humiliating than cursing her to her face. The purple-robed old woman’s white face slowly became even whiter, veins appeared on her neck, and her eyes stared sharply at Tie Ci.

Tie Ci drained her cup, smiled warmly at the ladies and said a few words of thanks. Among them was a rather kind-looking old lady who personally came forward to toast Tie Ci. Seeing such an elderly person, Tie Ci naturally didn’t dare accept the courtesy and immediately stood to support her, calling her “Old Madam” and asking her to please sit. But the old lady held onto her arm and wouldn’t let go, looking her up and down with the kind of gaze used to examine a daughter-in-law, making Tie Ci’s skin crawl.

From afar, Qi Yuansi saw this and stretched his neck.

His grandmother’s beauty obsession was acting up again!

Old Madam Qi looked her fill of Tie Ci before smiling and patting her arm: “A talent like the Imperial Daughter – my Yuansi couldn’t match!”

Only then did Tie Ci breathe a sigh of relief, smiling: “Brother Qi is both scholarly and martial, destined to be a pillar of Da Qian. Such talent would be wasted confined to the palace.”

Old Madam Qi nodded with a smile: “This subject’s wife wants to ask His Majesty to find Yuansi a good marriage later. I wonder if His Majesty would grant our Qi family this honor.”

“Naturally.”

Old Madam Rong suddenly said coldly: “The Qi family’s eldest son is such a talent, yet even the Imperial Daughter looks down on him. What a pity that Governor Qi had wishful thinking, proclaiming it throughout the city. But this old woman can’t help but presume on my age to say something to the Imperial Daughter – since you had no interest in the Qi family, why give hints and win them over, only to abandon them like worn shoes afterward? This is no way to treat meritorious officials.”

Before Tie Ci could respond, Old Madam Qi had already turned around, intimately patting Old Madam Rong’s shoulder: “Lan’er, what are you saying? What hints and winning over, what abandoning like worn shoes? My eldest grandson willingly follows the Imperial Daughter to achieve merit and serve the court. The Imperial Daughter treats my eldest grandson with complete fairness and selflessness. Our Qi family serves the court with dedication, not caring about being meritorious officials or not – we’re just fulfilling our duty as subjects. Lan’er, it’s not that this elder sister is criticizing you, but you think too much!”

Old Madam Rong’s white face became even whiter with anger.

Just talking, why the touching and feeling!

And calling her by her childhood name!

This dead old woman, knowing full well she hated being called by her childhood name, relying on growing up together and being one year older to act superior!

Looking again at Tie Ci who stood there as if nothing happened, holding her cup with seemingly graceful composure but eyes full of interest as she watched the show, that fire immediately flared up.

She reached out to remove Old Madam Qi’s hand, a harsh, cold smile at the corner of her lips: “Madam Qi has been smooth-talking and pleasing people since childhood, best at coaxing people to like her and deceiving others into serving her. If you’re good at talking, say more – maybe you’ll hit it off with the Imperial Daughter!”

Before her words finished, golden light flashed, whistling toward her face!

Old Madam Rong came from a military family and knew some martial arts. Instinctively she turned her head to dodge but bumped into Old Madam Qi beside her.

Old Madam Qi immediately cried out “Ouch!” in a pitiful voice, but her bottom didn’t move an inch.

Old Madam Rong couldn’t dodge successfully. Her head shook, something clattered down, then a black shadow covered her eyes.

Surrounding voices exclaimed in surprise as the ladies quickly stood and moved away. Old Madam Rong raised her hand but grabbed her own hair.

Her hair bun had been shot down!

Her hair bun that took half an hour to arrange!

Old Madam Rong had always been a meticulous, particular person, particular to the point of never appearing before her husband with disheveled hair or removed makeup. It was said that even on their wedding night, she kept her clothes neat and tidy, once becoming the talk of the capital.

If she was so tense even before her husband, how much more she cared about her appearance before outsiders.

She reached out and grabbed a handful of black and white mixed hair – the white hair inside that hadn’t been properly dyed, which she had carefully combed with hair oil early in the morning, hiding each strand, was now all exposed!

And much had fallen out from the external force!

Had her sparse scalp also been seen!

Old Madam Rong could no longer sit still. Covering her head with one hand, she stood and turned to angrily shout at the stunned palace maid: “Don’t you come serve me! Bring a hat!”

The palace maid calmly replied: “Madam, this servant is a sixth-rank female official of Ruixiang Palace, today specifically assigned to manage the palace banquet. Even if I were to serve someone, I would only serve the Imperial Daughter. Please forgive me, Madam – kindly go outside the hall to find your own maid to serve you.”

She smiled politely and courteously, showing eight white teeth.

What a joke – was she someone who could be ordered around?

She was the Imperial Daughter’s person of Ruixiang Palace!

Sister Chi Xue had said that as the Imperial Daughter’s person, every word and action represented the Imperial Daughter’s dignity. Don’t cause trouble, but absolutely don’t be casually humiliated either.

Sister Chi Xue was the role model for all palace servants in Ruixiang Palace – she, A’li, couldn’t fall short!

Old Madam Rong froze.

In previous years when she often entered the palace, as the wife of the powerful First Minister, the foremost among external command wives, even those marquis and duke wives couldn’t compare, she received almost the highest courtesy everywhere. When had she ever suffered today’s humiliation?

Her fingers touched something slender – looking, it was a short golden arrow. This was what shot down her hair bun.

She turned around abruptly, staring at the hall.

Opposite, that lowly dancer casually raised his bow at her.

In that instant, Old Madam Rong’s anger blazed, almost burning her eyes red.

In this great hall, even a lowly dancer dared attack her!

“Guards! This person shot arrows at a command wife – he must harbor ill intentions and intend assassination. Quickly capture him for severe interrogation!”

Old Madam Rong pointed at Murong Yi, her voice cold as ice, but having suffered consecutive setbacks, she finally knew to use the Emperor as a shield to arrest someone.

But what made her even more furious was that the guards still didn’t listen to her, instead looking first at Tie Ci.

Tie Ci said indifferently: “Madam worries too much. This dancer was invited by the imperial family – he’s just playing a joke with Madam.”

Old Madam Rong angrily pulled out the golden arrow: “This is an arrow! Shooting people with arrows – how can that be a joke! Is this how Your Highness treats the families of important ministers!”

“Everything has cause and effect. Madam only pursues being shot and losing her hair bun here, but have you forgotten what you said to me earlier?” Tie Ci smiled. “A minister’s family member – do you dare treat the Imperial Heir this way?”

Old Madam Rong was speechless, bit her teeth and said: “This subject’s wife dare not – this subject’s wife was only joking with Your Highness.”

Tie Ci nodded: “So that was also a joke.”

She smiled at Old Madam Rong.

I won’t hold it against you – do you dare hold it against me?

Old Madam Rong looked around, seeing all the internal and external command wives avoiding eye contact. The officials in the eastern hall had been alarmed, and her husband, son, grandson and others had all stood and walked over.

She gritted her teeth.

She only regretted that banquet attendees couldn’t bring their own servants, otherwise she always had old soldiers following her, and would definitely have captured this arrogant young man on the spot!

But now the hall was full of imperial people. Even the Xiao family had avoided the confrontation today with no one coming. Her husband had specifically reminded her through others before leaving to be more moderate. With circumstances stronger than people, she could only grit her teeth and endure.

Her people were all outside the palace, but this lowly dancer would have to leave the palace eventually…

The veins on Old Madam Rong’s cheeks bulged and disappeared. Finally, just before the First Minister approached, she forced a smile: “This subject’s wife spoke out of turn – Your Highness, please forgive me. This subject’s wife’s appearance is now disheveled, fearing to pollute Your Highness’s eyes. Please allow this subject’s wife to withdraw and arrange her appearance.”

“A’li, escort Old Madam Rong to the side hall to wash and dress.”

The palace maid stepped forward with an inviting gesture.

Old Madam Rong reluctantly straightened her hair bun and hurriedly followed A’li out with lowered head.

As she reached the front of the great hall, she saw Murong Yi standing to one side, idly playing with his bow, his eyes only looking toward the great hall behind her, not even glancing at her.

This lowly dancer, after doing such a thing, could still act as if nothing happened!

Having lived a smooth life, Old Madam Rong could no longer contain her rage. With a flick of her finger, the golden arrow she had been clutching tightly whistled out toward Murong Yi’s lower abdomen!

At such close distance, with the other party absent-minded…

This was the consequence of daring to despise her and the Rong family!

Seeing the golden light about to pierce flesh, that dancer still seemed completely unaware.

Old Madam Rong straightened her back, too disdainful to look at this person’s flowing dirty blood, and coldly continued walking forward.

Suddenly a figure flashed before her eyes.

A hand swept through the air, barely catching the golden arrow just a hair’s breadth from Murong Yi’s lower abdomen.

Only then did Murong Yi look down at the golden arrow.

He laughed: “Oh my, just in time – you saved my lifelong happiness.”

Tie Ci gave him a white-eyed look and flicked the golden arrow away.

You deliberately waited for me to come, didn’t you?

Murong Yi reached out to catch the golden arrow, casually used it to gather his hair, using the golden arrow as a hairpin to hold up his scattered long hair, and smiled at Tie Ci.

“You saved my life, I must repay you with my body.”

Tie Ci coldly refused: “I don’t marry nouveau riche.”

After this teasing exchange, she turned to face Old Madam Rong.

Old Madam Rong maintained her composure, saying proudly: “What, this subject’s wife wants to discipline this insubordinate thing, and Your Highness won’t allow it?”

Tie Ci gazed at her, then suddenly smiled after a long moment: “Whatever makes Madam happy.”

Anyway, this guy holds grudges even more than you do.

Once out that door, who knows who’ll be crying.

Old Madam Rong’s lips twitched as she silently bowed to her, still not forgetting to cover her hairline and wide scalp with one hand, and continued walking proudly forward.

Tie Ci waited until she reached the high threshold, then suddenly called out loudly: “Oh, A’li, don’t forget to bring Madam plenty of hair growth ointment!”

This shout was heard throughout the hall.

With a bang, Old Madam Rong, who was just stepping over the threshold, fell down outside the threshold.

…

Author’s Note: The birthday congratulation poem “Shui Diao Ge Tou” is by Zhou Quan of the Yuan Dynasty.