bestfiction Chapter 460: Grand Favor
Chapter 460: Grand Favor
Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye, night quietly descended, the hour of You (5-7 PM) approached, and the sky gradually darkened.
The Deer Cry Terrace was brightly lit, and the glazed tiles reflected the shimmering light against the backdrop of the white snow, resembling a fairyland.
Officials and members of prominent families arrived one after another, and everyone gathered at the Deer Cry Terrace. For a time, the surroundings were filled with noisy greetings and pleasantries, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
As soon as Yun Shang and Yu Wan appeared, they attracted a lot of attention.
A group of officials who were chatting enthusiastically with those around them suddenly stopped and moved toward Yun Shang in unison.
Their faces were plastered with ingratiating smiles, their eager and fawning manner suggesting they couldn't wait to stick to Yun Shang.
Yu Wan sighed inwardly.
As expected, people are all opportunists. Seeing that Yun Shang is now the second prime minister and holds military power in the capital, both of them are drawn to him like magnets.
Yun Shang walked indifferently alongside Yu Wan, seemingly oblivious to the fawning glances, his steps steady as he passed through the crowd.
Everyone seemed to have gotten used to this, after all, Yun Shang was always aloof and distant to outsiders, and rarely exchanged pleasantries with others.
They weren't angry at all, and followed closely behind.
The banquet at Luming Terrace tonight is a grand affair, with many guests attending. Men and women are seated at separate tables, one in front and one behind.
Male officials and other males sat in the front seats, while the female relatives of each household went to the back seats.
Yu Wan parted ways with Yun Shang halfway through the journey and walked towards the back of the table with Madam Shen, Yun Xi, and the Duchess of Anguo.
The rear seats were located in the inner hall of the Deer Cry Terrace, separated from the front seats by only a wall.
As they walked around the corridor, they saw many women attending the banquet gathered in twos and threes, talking quietly.
As soon as Yu Wan and the others stepped into the inner hall, several gazes were instantly cast upon her as if they were piercing her back.
As if recognizing them as women of the Yun family, the ladies who were exchanging pleasantries immediately greeted Yu Wan, Madam Shen, and the others with great enthusiasm.
These days, people come to her door every day to flatter and fawn over her. She has gotten used to it, and now, facing so many people, she can remain calm and composed.
Standing beside Yu Wan, Lady Anguo watched the lively scene and chuckled softly, "Your mother-in-law has really had a tough time."
She continued, "I heard that people have been sending visiting cards to the Yun family non-stop these days, and even our Duke Anguo's mansion has received quite a few."
Because so many people were going to the Yun family, some people tried to find another way to get in touch with Yun Shang through the Anguo Duke's mansion, his wife's family.
Yu Wan knew that the Duchess of Anguo did not like dealing with these things, so she leaned closer and whispered, "Mother, if you don't want to deal with those people, just refuse them. You don't need to pay too much attention to them."
Lady Anguo was delighted that her daughter was so considerate, and smiled as she agreed.
But she couldn't just do nothing.
Once Yun Shang gains power, many people become envious and jealous. If he makes even the slightest mistake, they might seize on it and make a big fuss about it. Therefore, he must be extremely careful in his actions and cannot afford to make any mistakes.
She couldn't let her daughter and son-in-law down.
Soon it was time for the hour of You (5-7 PM).
The women could hear the shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" from the front, separated by a wall, so they assumed the new emperor had taken his seat and followed suit.
Not long after, a group of women dressed in magnificent palace attire slowly walked in from the doorway. Leading them was none other than the current Empress Dowager, née Su, who had been the late emperor's empress.
The new emperor has not yet established an empress, and the three palaces and six courtyards are still empty, with only the empress dowager and a few concubines in the palace.
Empress Dowager Su, with graceful bearing, slowly walked to the main seat and took her seat.
Upon seeing this, the women all stood up and bowed respectfully.
Empress Dowager Su said gently, "Please, no need for formalities."
Her gaze slowly swept over everyone present, finally landing on Yu Wan, a hint of inquiry flashing in her eyes.
"This must be the wife of Vice Minister Yun?" Empress Dowager Su asked.
Upon hearing this, the entire inner hall fell silent instantly, and all the women's eyes focused on Yu Wan.
Yu Wan remained calm and composed as she rose gracefully, her face showing no sign of fear. Her voice was clear and steady: "Your subject Yu Wan greets the Empress Dowager."
Empress Dowager Su was immediately impressed by her composed demeanor and clear, innocent eyes.
She smiled and nodded, the look of inquiry in her eyes gradually turning into appreciation: "I have heard that Vice Minister Yun is able to serve the court without any worries, thanks to you managing the household affairs and keeping the Yun family in good order."
Yu Wan smiled humbly and curtsied again, saying, "Your Majesty flatters me. This is all my duty. Only when the Yun family is harmonious can Yun Shang serve His Majesty wholeheartedly."
Having transmigrated into the book for so long, Yu Wan has become adept at such polite conversation.
Empress Dowager Su's smile grew even wider, clearly showing her great satisfaction with Yu Wan.
She turned slightly to the side and gave a wink to the female official behind her.
The lady-in-waiting understood immediately and presented the exquisite lacquer box to Yu Wan with both hands.
Yu Wan then feigned a puzzled expression and asked softly, "Your Majesty, what is this...?"
Empress Dowager Su smiled and explained, "The late emperor was fair in rewarding and punishing, and the new emperor has inherited his will and will not be stingy in rewarding those who have made contributions."
"The Emperor specifically instructed me to select a fine item from the national treasury to reward you."
"This box contains my reward to you."
The lady-in-waiting opened the box, revealing its contents.
It is a large, round, luminous pearl.
It lay quietly on the brocade, radiating a soft and clear halo, like a pool of autumn water frozen within it.
This kind of thing looks extremely rare.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "This is a luminous pearl that was presented as tribute from the Western Regions when the late Emperor was alive. There is only one in the entire Great Zhao, and it is extremely precious."
"Today, I will bestow this item upon you."
Upon hearing this, the women around couldn't help but let out a murmur of amazement, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy.
The Empress Dowager bestowed the unique luminous pearl of the Great Zhao Dynasty upon Yu Wan, the favor and high regard it represented was self-evident.
They knew that Yun Shang was highly regarded by the new emperor, but they did not expect that the new emperor would value Yun Shang so much, and that the women of the Yun family would also rise to prominence along with him.
Despite his humble origins, Yun Shang, once in power, was still looked down upon by many self-proclaimed noble families.
However, once the news of the Empress Dowager bestowing the Night-Shining Pearl upon Yu Wan spreads, all the noblewomen of Shengjing will clearly realize that from now on, the status of the Yun family women will be no less than that of these old noblewomen.
In front of so many women, Yu Wan naturally could not refuse the Empress Dowager's reward, otherwise she would be disrespecting the Empress Dowager.
She bowed her head respectfully, carefully took the lacquer box with both hands, and sincerely thanked the Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty's kindness is boundless, and I have no way to repay it but to be of one heart with my husband, to be loyal to the Great Zhao, and to live up to Your Majesty's great love."
Empress Dowager Su's smile deepened, and she said repeatedly, "Good, good, good child, please take a seat."
At the back table, Yu Wan received a reward from the Empress Dowager, while at the front table, the new emperor also bestowed a cloud-shaped wine cup upon her.
After the banquet at Luming Terrace, it was clear to everyone that the Yun family had become the most sought-after family in the eyes of the new emperor, and this favor was unique and unmatched by others.