His hair was completely bound up in a golden crown, which would have looked out of place if not for his handsome face.
Xuanyuan Sheng's features were chiseled, exuding a regal aura. His gaze was cold, making it difficult for others to look at him directly.
When Feng Qingyi stole a glance at him, she was caught in the act. Xuanyuan Sheng stared at her for a long while before averting his eyes.
Feng Qingyi felt unnerved by his gaze; she had merely looked at him out of curiosity.
"Let the feast begin! Bring on the song and dance!"
At Xuanyuan Sheng's command, a group of dancers gracefully entered, beginning their performance in the great hall.
Despite the harsh winter, they wore only a single layer of gauzy clothing. Feng Qingyi felt cold just looking at them.
Palace maids brought various dishes to the table before her. Feng Qingyi looked at the beautifully presented food and picked up her chopsticks.
"What's this?" Feng Qingyi asked softly.
Qin Yuchuan glanced at the dish Feng Qingyi was pointing to. "Steamed bear paw. It's quite delicious, you should try it."
"...What? Bear paw!"
Feng Qingyi's initial intention to taste it vanished.
This was a nationally protected species. If this happened in modern times, wouldn't they be arrested?
Qin Yuchuan was puzzled by Feng Qingyi's reaction. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. I won't eat it. You go ahead!"
"Bear paw is delicious and very nourishing. You should try some."
Feng Qingyi shook her head vigorously, "No, no. I can't knowingly break the law. Bears are a nationally protected species. Eating them would lead to imprisonment."
"...Imprisonment?" Was this a rule from her world?
Feng Qingyi looked at another dish nearby. "And what's this?"
"This is venison. The meat is tender and delicious. You should try it."
After Qin Yuchuan's explanation, Feng Qingyi deflated. It seemed that one dish after another was off-limits.
Rejecting wild game, she decided to stick to vegetables.
Seeing Feng Qingyi's demeanor, Qin Yuchuan asked, "Would eating venison also lead to imprisonment?"
Feng Qingyi nodded, "Yes. I think the vegetables here are quite good. I'll eat these."
As she ate her vegetables, she listened to the court music and watched the beautiful dancers. Ancient people really knew how to enjoy life.
However, as she ate, Feng Qingyi felt a strange gaze upon her.
She looked up and met eyes with the elaborately dressed Empress on the high seat.
Feng Qingyi felt that this beautiful Empress's gaze held a hint of mockery, making her feel quite uncomfortable.
After the dancers in the center of the banquet finished their performance, Murong Yan smiled and suggested to Xuanyuan Sheng,
"Your Majesty, it's rare for us all to gather like this. Watching these performances might become tiresome. I've heard that the young ladies from various families are all accomplished. Why don't we let them showcase their talents?"
Xuanyuan Sheng listened to Murong Yan's words and replied, "The Empress makes a good point. If anyone can stand out, I will surely reward them generously."
This was followed by a grand display of self-promotion from the young ladies, with performances ranging from dancing and singing to playing instruments and painting.
Feng Qingyi ate and watched, thoroughly enjoying herself.
However, before the performances were even halfway through, with many young ladies still waiting their turn, attention suddenly fell on her.
"This lady beside General Qin, I don't believe I've seen her before. Which family does she belong to?" Murong Yan asked, smiling brightly at Feng Qingyi.
Feng Qingyi was about to stand up when Qin Yuchuan held her back.
"She is the only daughter of the late General Mu. She's just accompanying me for an outing. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
Murong Yan continued, "It seems General Qin is quite protective of this Miss Mu! Everyone else has showcased their talents. Why don't we have Miss Mu demonstrate hers as well?"
Feng Qingyi sensed the Empress's hostility towards her but couldn't understand why.
Considering that Qin Yuchuan was the only person she knew here, she surmised that the Empress's inexplicable animosity towards her must be related to him.
She just didn't know what kind of grudge existed between them.
"I'm truly sorry, but I don't have any special talents. Please forgive me, Your Highness," Feng Qingyi replied.
She really didn't want to perform; she had only come to observe the festivities.
Murong Yan said, "Miss Mu, you're being too modest."
At this moment, Xuanyuan Sheng also spoke up, "I am quite looking forward to Miss Mu's talents!"
"If you don't want to, I can refuse for you," Qin Yuchuan whispered.
Feng Qingyi shook her head, "It's alright. I can do it."
Although she really didn't want to perform, now that the Emperor had spoken, she had no choice but to comply.
Refusing an imperial order was a serious matter. She wasn't worried for herself, as she would be returning to her world in a few hours, but she couldn't implicate Qin Yuchuan.
The question now was what talent to showcase.
She had just completed beginner-level courses in playing the zither, but a young lady had already demonstrated exceptional skill with the instrument earlier. If Feng Qingyi were to play now, the comparison would be unfavorable.
As for dancing, without the right music, the atmosphere wouldn't be right.
Her strongest skill was painting, but that was a time-consuming activity.
Considering the current situation, she would have to make do. It seemed she might end up spending the rest of the banquet painting.
"Is Miss Mu ready?" Xuanyuan Sheng was quite eager to see her talents.
He was very curious about what skills this woman, who had caught Qin Yuchuan's attention, possessed.
Feng Qingyi stood up, "In response to Your Majesty, I would like to create a painting. May I trouble you to prepare some tools? I'll need some colored paints."
"Very well. Qi Tan, send someone to prepare the materials."
Soon, the prepared items were presented. Feng Qingyi noticed everyone staring at her.
Without an easel, Feng Qingyi had to spread the paper on the table.
"Your Majesty, there are still some ladies who haven't had the chance to perform. Painting takes time. Perhaps they could continue while I work?"
Being watched by everyone while painting made her feel uncomfortable and a bit nervous.
Seeing this, Xuanyuan Sheng agreed, "Then let them continue."
The banquet became lively again, with toasts exchanged and entertainment resuming.
As Feng Qingyi painted, she suddenly missed the unfinished dishes on the table. She looked up towards Qin Yuchuan.
Qin Yuchuan gave her an encouraging look, which Feng Qingyi acknowledged before lowering her head to continue painting.
Although they had indeed found some colored paints for her, these paints couldn't be mixed. Feng Qingyi felt quite frustrated.
She wasn't skilled in ink painting, and she also felt she wasn't qualified to attempt ink painting in front of so many people from ancient times.
If a master of traditional Chinese painting suddenly appeared, she would surely embarrass herself.
Her specialty was oil painting, but due to the limitations of these paints, that was impossible. She would have to find another approach.
After a long while, just before the banquet came to an end, Feng Qingyi finally finished her painting.
Everyone was extremely curious about the artwork she had created.
When the palace maid displayed Feng Qingyi's painting for all to see, the audience was utterly stunned.
They had never before laid eyes on such a painting; the figures within were nearly identical to their real-life counterparts, as if they had been perfectly replicated.
What she had painted was a corner of the banquet, and the people in the painting were those present at the event. Even the tables, chairs, and dinnerware were reproduced with exquisite precision.
