PFC Chapter 363: The guest takes over the host's position
Chapter 363: The guest takes over the host's position
Everyone quickly stood up and saluted. Imperial Concubine Nianhulu also stood up and saluted. Shi Nanxi was still wearing the same double-breasted fur-collared waistcoat as yesterday, but today he did not wear a cloak and even changed his flower-pot shoes into flat shoes.
Don't get me wrong, the flower-pot-soled shoes of the Qing Dynasty were just a type of shoes that evolved from flat shoes.
The reason why people are keen on wearing high-heeled shoes is because it makes them look tall and upright, and also symbolizes noble status.
Shi Nanxi didn't like it very much, but she didn't want to be an exception when there was a girl named Shi Rongyue who also wore clear clothes, so she always wore clogs when she went out.
Especially in winter, these high-soled shoes are cleaner, but today is a known Hongmen Banquet, and in order to prepare for the chaotic scene later, she changed her high-heeled shoes into shoes that are more suitable for running to avoid accidents.
His mind was full of thoughts, but he kept a faint smile on his face, raised his hand and said:
"Everyone, get up quickly. Am I late?"
Everyone stood up to express their gratitude.
Concubine Niuhulu glanced at Shi Nanxi and saw that she was dressed so casually, without even the flower-pot shoes that symbolized her status. She immediately pursed her lips and a cold light flashed in her eyes. Did she look down on the Plum Blossom Banquet she hosted?
A paranoid person can only see what he thinks in everything. However, thinking of the plan later, Concubine Niuhulu suppressed the resentment in her heart, raised her lips, and glanced at him without showing any displeasure:
"It's not even time for the party yet, so it's too late."
Shi Nanxi smiled and sat down in the seat reserved for her. Hongying, who was holding Xixi behind her, also stood beside her master.
Xixi was surprised to see the cats, dogs, parrots and other pets around. It, which was usually lazy, became energetic and looked around. Its eyes, which were almost squeezed by the meat, widened a little.
Concubine Niuhulu sat down only after Shinanxi sat down, and the others followed closely.
At this time, Rong Fei, who was holding Xiaoxue, accidentally saw Xixi's appearance and giggled:
"Oh, it seems that Concubine Xian's Xixi likes it here very much." As she spoke, she held Xiaoxue's front legs and made a greeting gesture to Xixi.
Xixi saw a dog that was also snow-white but much bigger than it, and meowed as if in return of a gesture.
Xiaoxue met Xixi's gaze, stuck out her tongue, and whimpered as well, which made Rong Fei even happier.
"Hey, it seems our Xiaoxue likes Xixi very much!"
Shi Nanxi propped up her head, with a smile in her eyes.
"Xixi is usually lazy and uninterested in everything, but now it seems that she likes Xiaoxue very much!"
"That's great. When I have time, I will take Xiaoxue to play with Xixi." Rong Fei responded with a smile, and it was unclear whether she was being polite or serious.
Shi Nanxi glanced at Rong Fei and smiled and replied, "Okay, welcome!"
Seeing this scene, everyone joined in.
"Empress Xian has taken such good care of Xixi. My little Hua likes to run around everywhere every day and I often can't find him."
The one who was speaking was Concubine Cheng, who had a helpless look on her face. Xiaohua was a calico cat, which she had adopted from the Imperial Cat Room after she was promoted to Concubine. She liked it very much, but for some reason Xiaohua always liked to run around everywhere and she often couldn't find it.
Dingpin, who usually spoke very little, said at this time:
"I think Xiaohua is very good. My Xiaobai only moves when you poke him. He gained several pounds in one winter. I can hardly hold him."
Concubine Ding also had a cat, a tabby cat at that. It should have been lively and active, but it just liked to eat and then sleep, and then eat and then sleep.
At this time, Concubine Hui also talked about the dog she raised. Her dog was a big hunting dog, which was raised by the eldest prince.
But she didn't bring it here because it was too big and too ferocious. Now she complained that the big hound was a big eater and looked ferocious, but the eldest prince liked it.
Concubine Yi also spoke up, and she looked like she had a terrible headache when she talked about the crickets raised by the Ninth Prince in the Yikun Palace.
Everyone started talking, and Shi Nanxi occasionally said something as well. The atmosphere was lively and harmonious.
As the host of the banquet, Concubine Nianhulu smiled throughout the whole process, but her smile did not reach her eyes. The bitch Concubine Xian ignored her more and more. This was the plum blossom viewing banquet she hosted, but now it seemed as if it had become hers.
Noble Concubine Nianhulu gave a wink to Noble Lady Su, who was holding the orange cat and changed the subject.
"Speaking of pets, Concubine Niuhulu, you have prepared a lot of winter pet clothes for all the ladies. I heard that they were specially made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They are made of the finest materials and are very exquisite and beautiful. I wonder if there is any for Tuanzi?"
"You are so impatient. Your family's dumplings will definitely get a share." Concubine Nianhulu joked with a smile.
"Jingyan, why don't you bring the pet clothes that I prepared for you sisters?" Jingyan received the queen's signal and immediately bowed and left.
Concubine Niuhulu explained to everyone's gaze:
"My brother from my mother's family went to Jiangnan a few years ago and brought back a lot of fabrics. The patterns were all the latest from Jiangnan. I was delighted to see them, and thought that happiness is better shared than happiness alone, so I asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to make some pet clothes and give them to everyone."
Hearing this, Shi Nanxi raised her eyebrows:
"The latest Jiangnan styles are rarely seen in the palace. Concubine Niuhulu is really generous."
In her mind, she was thinking about the materials that Kangxi had people send to her from time to time. They were all tribute satins from various places. As soon as new patterns came out in Jiangnan every season, Kangxi would send people to deliver them to Chuxiu Palace. However, in order to avoid jealousy, they were all sent privately.
"Yes, Concubine Niuhulu is very generous."
"That's right, Jiangnan has come up with a new trick. This time we are going to be amazed."
Hearing the flattery from the crowd, Concubine Nianhulu subconsciously raised her chin and finally felt better. Her Nianhulu clan was one of the top Manchurian families, and these things were just a piece of cake for her.
At this moment, Concubine Xi, who was playing with the parrot, suddenly said:
"By the way, Lady Niuhulu, I just asked, we all brought our own pets, why didn't I see your beloved cat?"
As soon as the words fell, the parrot in the cage next to Concubine Xi also imitated them:
"Why didn't the cat see it? Why didn't the cat see it?"
Now everyone's attention was diverted, and they realized that they had indeed not seen Concubine Nianhulu's cat named Nana.
Upon hearing this, Shi Nanxi glanced at Concubine Xi, secretly wondering if Concubine Xi had discovered something, but her face showed just the right amount of confusion.
As for why the cat didn't come over, it was because it was almost dying of abuse from Concubine Nianhulu, and she was afraid that if she brought it over directly, it would be discovered, so she had to put on a show to cover it up and squeeze out the last bit of value from it before it died.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Concubine Nianhulu suppressed her emotions and instead showed a hint of obvious sadness.
"Well, it's a lion cat, which is delicate and hard to raise. It has been feeling unwell since winter. The vet said it was because of the cold weather. It has been sick several times.
Fortunately, she has gotten better in the past two days, so I brought her here today. I was just afraid she would get cold again, so I let her out for a while and then took her to a nearby attic. Now the wind has died down a bit, Nanny Qin, go and bring Nanny here."
Nanny Qin bowed and left the pavilion.
"I see." Concubine Xi held the bird-playing stick, her eyes rolling, and she laughed sweetly:
"The Imperial Concubine Niuhulu truly sympathizes with the weak and is kind-hearted."
Upon hearing this, Shi Nanxi glanced at Concubine Xi again. She didn't know whether she was praising Concubine Niu Hulu or making a sarcastic remark. While waiting for the cat, everyone enjoyed the flowers, drank tea, and talked and laughed.