Standing Like a Maid Before the Feast, Her Highness the Princess Consort Flaunted Her Might!

Amid the crackle of firecrackers, another year passed.

Early that morning, Xiangling and Caiyun led the servant women in pasting up spring couplets and freshly oiling the peachwood charms. The hall tables were laden with assorted pastries and fruit, along with rows of silver ingots for New Year's gifts.

Concubine Zhao wore a Pheasant Crown, her gold hairpins and Jade Pendant swaying gently, and a ceremonial cape embroidered all over with golden mandarin ducks. She turned this way and that before the bronze mirror and asked uneasily:

"How do I look?"

Qingwen smiled. "Madam, you look dignified and magnificent."

"You certainly know what to say, girl!" Concubine Zhao's cheeks flushed. Hearing the gongs and drums outside, she assumed a reserved expression.

"Tell Huan'er I'm going into the palace with Old Madam to offer New Year's greetings."

With that, she departed with measured, dignified steps.

Five sedan chairs stood in a row at the Ceremonial Gate.

Jia Mu, dressed in her prestigious Imperial Mandate Robes of a rank above the first, entered the first sedan chair.

Madam Xing followed.

Madam Wang lifted her foot to go next.

The ceremonial eunuch coughed.

He looked toward Concubine Zhao. "Please, after you."

Madam Wang's face darkened with embarrassment. Swallowing her humiliation, she stepped back.

Concubine Zhao raised her chin and entered the third sedan chair.

You Shi of Ningguo Mansion followed her.

Under the strange looks of the Jia Family's branch relatives, Madam Wang burned with anger. She lowered her head and hurried into the last sedan chair.

She swore that next year she would ride in the second chair. Her elder brother would display his power, Baoyu would make something of himself, and she would bask in all the glory!

"Raise the chairs!" the eunuch called, drawing out his voice. The imperially invested