Chapter 52 The Regent's Palace "Beauty Pageant"

Chapter 52 The Regent's Palace "Beauty Pageant"

On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, at the Regent's Palace.

The side hall was even more lively than usual today.

"Your Highness, take a look at this. This is the finest Yun brocade from Jiangnan this year, and the embroidery is exquisite."

"And this one, it's made of soft silk gauze, a specialty of Sichuan. It feels as light as a feather when you wear it, and you walk like a fairy under the moon..."

The head eunuch of the Imperial Wardrobe, Eunuch Sun, was bowing with a beaming smile, with twenty well-trained palace maids kneeling behind him.

Each of them held a red lacquered tray, on which were stacked various kinds of gorgeous palace dresses that were dazzling and colorful.

The Empress Dowager really went all out this time.

Although she wished she could devour Pei Yunjing whole, this was, after all, a royal banquet. If the Regent's Consort dressed too shabbily, it would be a disgrace to the royal family.

Therefore, each of these clothes was custom-made according to the standards of the principal wife, or even beyond.

Tang Li sat on the soft couch at the head of the table, her left hand in a sling (actually, the injury had mostly healed, she just wanted to be lazy), and her right hand holding a freshly peeled big red apple, which she took a bite with a "crunch".

She chewed on an apple while scanning the room full of gorgeous clothes with her discerning eyes.

"This is too plain, it makes you look like a nun."

"This outfit is too flashy; people who don't know better might think I'm going to perform in a play."

Tang Li was making plans in her mind.

Tomorrow's palace banquet will be an absolute battleground.

The noble ladies whom the Empress Dowager had specifically named—Miss Zhao, Miss Li, and the talented Miss Su—were all dressed to the nines, determined to outshine her, a "humble" illegitimate daughter.

Even if you lose the fight, you can't lose your spirit!

Although Tang Li did not have a distinguished family background, she was still the only legitimate mistress of the Regent's Palace.

Tomorrow's battle is one she must not only fight, but fight spectacularly!

I must dress like a stunning empress, so that all those beauties know who is the boss in this mansion!

"This one will do."

Tang Li swallowed the apple in her mouth, stretched out her slender finger, and pointed to a light purple flowing fairy dress in the corner.

It was an extremely beautiful garment.

The fabric is an extremely rare "mermaid gauze," which is as light and thin as smoke, with layers upon layers.

The fabric is embroidered with large areas of mandala patterns in silver thread, which appear and disappear in the sunlight, exuding both a cool and ethereal beauty and royal dignity.

Most importantly, the dress is extremely form-fitting, with a very slim waist that perfectly accentuates her slender yet shapely figure.

"Your Highness has excellent taste!"

Eunuch Sun immediately gave a thumbs up and praised, "This 'Purple Smoke Flowing Light Dress' is a treasured possession of the Imperial Wardrobe. Only someone with a figure like Her Majesty can pull it off!"

Tang Li nodded in satisfaction, and was just about to ask someone to bring the clothes over to try them on.

"Da, da, da."

A series of steady, powerful footsteps came from outside the door.

The eunuchs and palace maids who had been chattering and praising the palace maids instantly fell silent, lowering their heads even further and not daring to breathe.

A figure in black walked in against the light.

Pei Yunjing had just finished court and was still wearing the regency robes that symbolized supreme power, with a purple-gold crown on his head. He exuded a cold and dignified aura that kept strangers at bay.

He glanced at the room full of eunuchs and palace maids and their gaudy clothes, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Your Highness."

Tangli quickly put down the apple and obediently tried to get up and bow.

"Sit down."

Pei Yunjing pressed down on her shoulders and pushed her back onto the soft couch.

He walked straight to the head seat, sat down, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his gaze fell on the light purple dress.

"This is what you picked?"

His tone was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Yes!" Tangli said proudly, "Your Highness, look how well this color suits me! And this material is light and breathable, it must be comfortable to wear."

Pei Yunjing remained silent.

He waved his hand, as if shooing away flies: "Get out of here."

As if granted a pardon, Eunuch Sun quickly led the group of palace maids and eunuchs out, leaving only the purple dress behind.

Only two people remained in the side hall.

Pei Yunjing put down his teacup, tapped his long fingers on the table, and stared intently at Tang Li with his deep phoenix eyes, a cryptic smile playing on his lips:

"Now that you've made your choice, go and put it on."

"Huh?" Tang Li was taken aback. "Now?"

"Um."

Pei Yunjing leaned back in his chair, looking completely at ease.

"I want to see."

As a responsible pet owner, he certainly has the right to check whether his little pet, which has just learned to show its claws, will embarrass him when taken out.

not to mention……

He looked at the gossamer-thin dress, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes.

Doesn't this dress look... a bit too thin?