After hearing what those small countries wanted, Emperor Wu'an considered it at length before replying, "Since they have brought congratulatory gifts, we cannot be stingy either. It is only a few extra tables at the banquet. Let them come."
"Understood, Your Majesty. After court, I will arrange for someone to notify them and send people to teach them palace etiquette."
Emperor Wu'an nodded. With no other matters to discuss, court soon adjourned.
On the twenty-ninth day of the fourth month in the seventeenth year of Wuan, the air was fresh and the sky clear, without a cloud in sight.
Shen Shixu wrapped the gift he had prepared for the Empress Dowager and brought along the one the Crown Prince had sent over—the gift Xiao Jinyi had previously asked him to help prepare for her. The two gifts complemented each other quite well.
Xiao Yuanqi had helped prepare a white jade statue of Guanyin, while Shen Shixu had found a string of one hundred and eight sandalwood prayer beads blessed by an eminent monk.
After packing the two gifts together, Shen Shixu went to inspect what Xiao Jinyi had sent through Mo Yu early that morning. He opened the box to find a complete set of blue-and-red brocade robes, including a crown and accessories.
The birthday banquet would not begin until evening, so no one was in a hurry. Still, the officials arrived at the palace with their families around dusk.
Their families needed to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress, so naturally, they had to arrive early.
The officials, who could not enter the inner palace without an imperial summons, were instead led to the hall where the banquet would be held.
Seeing the officials arrive, the palace attendants hurried to serve tea and pastries. Those