Prince Bei Jing of the Red Chamber, starting from saving Qin Keqing

Ping'er, with a hint of apology on her face, quickly replied, "Your Majesty, Madam was resting in her room just now. I only just heard that the Prince was coming, so I hurried to wake her up. Madam is changing her clothes now and will be here soon."

As everyone was talking, they heard the tinkling of jade pendants coming from the back courtyard, accompanied by Wang Xifeng's signature cheerful yet slightly languid voice:

"I've kept Your Highness and the Ancestor waiting. It's all because of my weak body; I overslept!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Wang Xifeng gracefully walked in.

She had just woken up from that exhilarating moment of intimacy when Ping'er hurriedly woke her up again. At this moment, there was still a hint of languor and post-coital allure in her eyes.

Wearing a pomegranate red brocade dress with gold floral patterns, the tight fabric clung to her voluptuous and shapely figure, making her waist appear even more slender and her hips round and pert.

Perhaps because her legs were sore and weak, her steps seemed unsteady, and she didn't walk fast. Every step seemed like she was deliberately controlling her balance, afraid that others would notice something was wrong.

Her face was lightly powdered, concealing some of her fatigue. Her eyebrows were like willow leaves, and her eyes were like stars. However, her usually bright and spirited phoenix eyes now had an indescribable watery and charming quality as they moved.

When her gaze met that of Shui Rong, who was sitting in the main seat, it was as if an invisible electric current flashed between them.

A blush quickly spread across Wang Xifeng's cheeks, a shyness and tacit understanding that only the two of them could comprehend.

She quickly lowered her eyes to conceal the turmoil within them, and strode into the hall. She curtsied to Shui Rong and Grandmother Jia, her voice still loud, but with a hint of weakness and softness.

"This humble servant is Wang Xifeng. Greetings to Your Highness and to the Empress Dowager. I was unaware of Your Highness's arrival and overslept for a while. Please forgive me."

Shui Rong sat in the chair, his gaze sweeping over her slightly stiff yet still alluring figure with a half-smile, inwardly chuckling:

This fiery Phoenix must still be feeling weak in the knees. He picked up his teacup, took a small sip to conceal the smile on his lips, and said calmly, "Second Madam, there's no need for such formality. I've only just arrived myself. Since you're feeling tired, please sit down and rest."

Grandmother Jia quickly beckoned, "Feng'er, come here quickly and sit next to me. Your face is so red, is it too hot in the room?"

Following Grandmother Jia's gesture, Wang Xifeng carefully moved her feet. The slight soreness between her legs made her grit her teeth inwardly, but she had to force a cheerful smile on her face: "Thank you, Grandmother, thank you, Your Highness. Perhaps I was a little too hot while sleeping."

After saying that, she sat down on the chair next to Grandmother Jia. Although her posture seemed upright, she actually leaned half of her body slightly against the back of the chair to relieve the weakness in her legs.

She lowered her head, not daring to look into Shui Rong's eyes again, afraid that those eyes would see through her deepest secret.

At that very moment, a message came: "The banquet is ready; Your Highness, please take your seat."

Grandmother Jia, accompanied by Shui Rong, followed by Lady Wang and Aunt Xue, along with a large group of female relatives, Bao Yu, Dai Yu, Bao Chai and her sisters, made their way to the flower hall.

Because it was a family banquet, and because Shui Rong was of noble status, there was no grand banquet. Only one main seat was set up in the flower hall, with two seats for accompanying guests, while the other sisters sat at another table in the side hall.

Because of recent rumors of misconduct involving Jia Zhen and Jia Rong of Ningguo Mansion, and because this visit was a secret one by Prince Bei Jing, only Jia She and Jia Zheng were in charge of Rongguo Mansion. Jia Lian was out socializing with Prince Teng and had not returned, and Jia Huan was even less respectable and had long since disappeared.

Everyone took their seats according to etiquette.

Shui Rong sat in the head seat, with Grandmother Jia sitting at the head of the table, Jia She and Jia Zheng on his left and right respectively, and Lady Wang and Aunt Xue sitting at the lower seats.

The maids and wives, all adorned with jewels and jade, stood in a line on both sides, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and cosmetics, as well as a subtle, peculiar fragrance that was neither like orchids nor like musk, yet refreshing and delightful.

Shui Rong's gaze swept around, and she saw that the flower hall had been completely renovated. The table on the table was not an ordinary red lacquered round table, but an enormous ebony round table with silver trim and marble, so shiny it could reflect a person's image.

The tableware on the table was exquisite, consisting of small covered cups with polychrome enamel and gold decoration from the Chenghua period, paired with white porcelain bowls from the Guan kiln, all crystal clear and as white as mutton fat jade.

Before long, eight wives entered in single file, each carrying one lacquered and gilded food box.

The food boxes were made of the finest sandalwood, carved with dragons and phoenixes, inlaid with pure gold, and each corner was inlaid with a tiny pearl, gleaming in the candlelight. The moment the boxes were opened, a rich aroma burst forth, filling the air and intoxicating the senses.

The first dish served was "Eggplant Casserole".

The dish was served in a "jade lotus leaf cup," its color golden yellow, sprinkled with fine red rice, and garnished with a few tender green coriander leaves, resembling a beautiful work of art.

Shui Rong's heart skipped a beat. He had heard people say that this eggplant dish was a signature dish of the Jia family, and its preparation was so complicated that it was astonishing.

Sure enough, when Grandmother Jia saw Shui Rong staring at the dish, she smiled and introduced it:

"Rong-ge'er, try this eggplant dish. It's Feng-ya's specialty. It's nothing special. You just peel the eggplant, keep only the flesh, cut it into small cubes, fry it in chicken fat, then take chicken breast, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, five-spice tofu, and various dried fruits, all cut into cubes, simmer them in chicken broth until dry, add sesame oil, mix in fermented bean curd oil, store it in a porcelain jar and seal it tightly. When you want to eat it, just take it out and mix it with stir-fried chicken gizzards."

Upon hearing this, Shui Rong couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

A simple eggplant dish requires so much effort, using so much chicken breast, sesame oil, and expensive seasonings. This isn't eating a dish; it's eating money!

He did as instructed, picked up a piece with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. He found it to be soft, tender and fragrant, with a harmonious blend of flavors, and exceptionally delicious. He couldn't taste the eggplant flavor at all.

He couldn't help but exclaim, "Excellent craftsmanship! Although I have tasted many delicacies in the palace, I have never tasted such flavor."

At that moment, Wang Xifeng was directing her maid to deliver dishes to the inner room behind the screen. Hearing Shui Rong's praise, she quickly curtsied from a few steps away and said with a smile, "Your Highness is too kind. These are just some ordinary dishes from our household, nothing fancy. If Your Highness likes them, I'll have someone make them and send them to your residence another day."

As she spoke, her eyes darted around, and she quickly glanced at Shui Rong.

Her eyes held both the respect of a housekeeper's wife and a hint of coquettishness and shyness that only the two of them could understand.

Shui Rong chuckled inwardly. This fiery Feng, her legs were still weak, but her mouth was still sharp. He picked up his teacup, took a small sip to conceal the smile on his lips, and said lightly, "Second Madam is very kind."

Next came a dish of "pigeon eggs," served on an "agate plate" and drizzled with amber-colored "rose broth." Grandmother Jia smiled, picked one up, and placed it in a bowl of water, saying, "This is how the imperial kitchen makes it. Try it."

During the meal, Grandmother Jia kept serving Shui Rong dishes, while Jia She and Jia Zheng frequently raised their glasses to toast her.

Wang Xifeng, on the other hand, spun around like a top, moving between the main table and the screen.

He would go to the inner room to ask Madam Wang if there was enough food, and then he would come out to check if the wine on the main table was warm enough.

Shui Rong saw this and couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him.

Seeing that Wang Xifeng's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat and her steps were unsteady, he put down his chopsticks and said to Grandmother Jia, "Grandmother, today's feast is too lavish, I really can't eat anymore. Second Mistress has been busy running around and is exhausted, let her go and rest too, no need for formalities."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia quickly nodded, "Yes, look at me, so senile, I've been talking too much. Feng'er, did you hear that? The Prince wants you to rest, go back to your room and lie down for a while."

Wang Xifeng felt a warmth in her heart, knowing that Shui Rong was concerned for her. She quickly forced a smile and said, "I'm not tired at all. It's my honor to serve the Prince and the Old Ancestor." Although she said that, her legs were really starting to give way.

Seeing this, Shui Rong gave Qin Zhong a wink.

Qin Zhong understood and quickly stepped forward, saying to Wang Xifeng, "Second Madam, His Highness has decreed that if you do not rest, you will be disobeying the imperial decree."

Wang Xifeng then went along with it, curtsying again: "Then this servant will take her leave. Your Highness, please enjoy your meal. Your Majesty, please enjoy your meal." With that, she took Ping'er's hand and retreated with slightly unsteady steps.

Upon seeing this, Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "In that case, let's rest. Someone, bring tea."

Before long, the maids brought out the "Maple Dew Tea". The tea was served in a "white jade cup", the soup was emerald green, with a thin layer of white mist floating on top, and it smelled refreshing.

Shui Rong picked up his teacup, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

The Jia family's prosperity was like a pavilion built on the beach; its exterior appeared magnificent, but its foundation had long been hollowed out by endless luxury and tedious formalities.