Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Forty-Nine: Bamboo Tube?

Chen Chang'an was confronted by Feng Yuanyi's question. Changning first stole a glance at Yongle, who was likewise kneeling nearby. Seeing that her elder sister showed no reaction, she straightened her back a little and reported, "Mother Empress, she is my maid Xiao An."

"I've only recently taken her into service, and today I brought her specifically to see the world. She was overwhelmed by your imperial presence, I beg forgiveness."

It was well known that Bai Wan favored Changning above all others. Upon hearing this, Bai Wan waved her hand dismissively, indicating she would not pursue the matter further.

Changning kept casting meaningful glances at Chen Chang'an, urging her to hurry forward and pay her respects. Understanding, Chen Chang'an shuffled awkwardly in tiny steps to Changning's side, joining the other maid Xiao Mei to stand on either side. Together, they bowed to Bai Wan.

Then, the unprecedented Empress herself delivered an address. After a speech lasting more than fifty seconds that swept like a storm across the hall, Feng Yuanyi announced with a clear, resounding voice, "The Longevity Festival now officially begins. Light the lanterns!"

His words echoed from the Taihe Pavilion, and lanterns placed high above were lit one after another, illuminating the entire palace in dazzling colors, bright as daylight, displaying the utmost prosperity and grandeur.

Envoys from various nations seated at the rear widened their eyes in astonishment at this magnificent spectacle, deeply moved and inwardly sighing, "This is truly the Celestial Empire, a wonder among nations. Magnificent!"

"Oh my, coming here to celebrate the Empress's birthday has truly opened my eyes," some exclaimed.

While the guests marveled and praised the scene, Hu Dong, the representative from the State of Yuezhi, exchanged meaningful glances with his fellow ministers, his gaze deep and contemplative.

He withdrew his attention from the brilliance outside, scanned the interior of the hall, and finally fixed his eyes on Empress Bai Wan, curling his lips in a sly smile. "Hmph, the Celestial Empire does have substance, but I haven't come here merely to present gifts."

"More importantly, I aim to dampen the prestige of your Celestial Empire."

At the front, Chen Chang'an, having finished the bowing ceremony, accompanied Changning back to their seats—although she always stood upright wherever she was.

Beside the Empress, the favored Feng Yuanyi lifted his horsetail whisk and proclaimed in a loud, clear voice, "The lanterns are lit, let the banquet begin!"

On the long central table, dishes named 'Rivers and Mountains' were served. Bai Wan, holding jade chopsticks, led Zhang Youzhi forward, delicately rolling up her wide sleeves, picking a piece and savoring it slowly, not forgetting to feed a morsel to her favored consort.

Chen Chang'an, witnessing this scene nearby, thought wryly that women, when besotted, could be more dangerous than men. She couldn't help but admire Zhang Youzhi's charm, which had so thoroughly captivated Bai Wan that she was willing to share even her exclusive dish, Rivers and Mountains.

After Bai Wan tasted the food, princes, princesses, ministers, and foreign envoys all began to eat.

Half an hour passed, and when the banquet concluded, Feng Yuanyi, responsible for coordinating each segment, raised his voice again, "Next, the ministers present their tributes!"

Bai Wan returned to her golden throne, sitting with dignity. Zhang Youzhi remained at her side, while Feng Yuanyi led two young eunuchs to prepare for receiving the gifts. Every year at the Longevity Festival, countless treasures and rare items emerged.

As Crown Prince, Zhao Yankang naturally went first. After the workshop of Mao Ji was burned to ashes, he leveraged his status to contact a troupe in Chang'an and hastily prepared something else, believing the new gift to be no less impressive than his initial peach blossom lantern.

Outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, officials responsible for collecting tributes from guests waited. When it was a person's turn, their designated official would deliver the gift.

"Crown Prince Zhao Yankang presents a painting titled 'Boundless Longevity' to Her Majesty for the festival!"

As this bright announcement ended, two attendants entered, holding up a large sheet of white paper. Palace maids, ministers, princes, princesses, and foreign envoys all paused to watch expectantly.

But as their eyes took in the scene, their expressions ranged from disappointment to curiosity, and some were plainly let down.

"Didn't he say it was the Boundless Longevity painting? Why is there not a single character, just blank paper?"

"Indeed, what's the Crown Prince up to? Surely he wouldn’t play tricks at Her Majesty's birthday banquet."

At the very back, the representative of the small island nation, Yano Jinsei, spoke in halting Central Plains dialect, "What is the Crown Prince of the Celestial Empire selling here? It's obviously blank paper—how is this a painting of Boundless Longevity!"

Even the Empress Bai Wan frowned, puzzled.

---

Seated beside Crown Prince Zhao Yankang, Changning whispered, "Brother, what is this? Aren’t you afraid Mother Empress will be angry?"

Zhao Yankang smiled without answering. He drew from his sleeve a scented sachet embroidered with lotus flowers, stood, and respectfully addressed Bai Wan: "Mother Empress, today is your birthday. The whole nation celebrates. Naturally, I must prepare something unique."

As he spoke, he opened the sachet; a refreshing fragrance wafted out, permeating the air with a rich and delicate scent.

"Look, what is that?" Suddenly, someone pointed outside.

Everyone's attention shifted, even Bai Wan's. What they saw at first were small, flickering dots, but as they drew closer, they realized they were butterflies.

There were four or five hundred, like a flowing sea of flowers, all a uniform pink, their wings fluttering delicately as they flew toward the white paper, landing one by one until they formed four large characters: Boundless Longevity.

"Wow, beautiful!"

"But butterflies—am I seeing this right? Are they responding to human commands? What a breathtaking sight!"

Everyone was astonished, unable to believe their eyes. Even Bai Wan could not help but rise, her eyes shining as she stepped closer.

Changning, too excited, swallowed a newly peeled grape whole and began coughing violently. Xiao Mei patted her back for a long while before she recovered.

She clapped her hands enthusiastically: "Brother, you're amazing. I think your tribute will become Mother Empress's favorite!"

But then her smile faltered, replaced by gloom as she tugged at the ribbons on her dress, casting a resentful glance at Chen Chang'an.

Up front, Bai Wan, delighted, waved her wide sleeves: "Excellent, Yankang! I love your tribute very much—such thoughtfulness."

Zhao Yankang secretly rejoiced, bowing even lower. "Thank you, Mother Empress."

He returned quietly to his seat.

The other princes and princesses presented their gifts in turn. Changning was most apprehensive about her elder sister Yongle, who offered a hand-embroidered landscape showing Bai Wan presiding over the nine provinces—a sweeping, lifelike panorama.

Changning looked at Chen Chang'an, now dressed as a maid, with increasing distress, muttering through her shiny little tiger teeth, "Everyone’s tribute is so impressive, and I only have ninety-nine bamboo tubes. How can I present that? Chen Chang'an, I’m doomed!"

Chen Chang'an, with sharp hearing, blew a cool breath from behind, causing Changning to look back. She spoke in a reassuring tone, "Your Highness, don’t worry. The tribute I prepared for you will astonish everyone and become the Empress’s favorite."

"Theirs are just—well, not worth mentioning, rubbish compared to fireworks."

After a brief pause, she added, "Your Highness, when it’s your turn, say you wish to present your gift last. The best is always saved for last."

Changning clenched her tiny fists in front of her chest, ready to strike: "Hmph, if you dare trick me, the whole Su family will be executed!"

Chen Chang'an promised, "I wouldn’t dare—every word is true."

"Next, Princess Changning, please present your tribute!" called the official in charge.

Changning hesitated, then stood like a timid rabbit peeking from its burrow, "Mother...Mother Empress, may I present mine last?"

Ministers, princes, princesses exchanged puzzled looks; it was unprecedented for the princess’s tribute to be given last.

Across the table, Yongle gave her a pointed look.

Changning shrank back.

But Bai Wan, ever fond of her, nodded, "Very well, I’ll let you present last. Don’t let me down."

---

So the circle of tributes moved to ministers, then to envoys from foreign lands.

The smaller vassal states presented their gifts, each more remarkable: a chalice that turned water into wine, a resplendent red robe that grew cleaner the more it was burned, a parrot with plumage that spoke blessings in human tongue...

Everyone was amazed.

All present—ministers, maids, eunuchs, and Bai Wan herself—took over fifty seconds to recover from the shock. The shrewd Feng Yuanyi knew this was not a good sign; the dynasty’s prestige must not be outshone by foreign guests.

He cleared his throat: "Next, Princess Changning will present her tribute."

By now, Changning was thoroughly demoralized by the dazzling gifts from the foreign envoys and had no confidence in the fireworks Chen Chang'an had promised, thinking them utterly worthless.

She suddenly realized she should never have let herself be influenced by Chen Chang'an—a mistake indeed.

But hundreds of eyes were already fixed on her. Yongle watched her with the stern gaze of an elder reprimanding a child. Changning could only grit her teeth and prepare to be humiliated, ready to punish the entire Su family afterward.

"If I’m ridiculed, so be it."

Changning stood and bit her lip, "Bring my bamboo tubes—no, my fireworks here."

The official at the Vermilion Bird Gate immediately had the cart loaded with bamboo tubes of uniform size wheeled in. The foreign envoys were the first to see, murmuring in confusion.

Prime Minister Zhang Huaimin, about to taste his wine, froze, his pupils dilating. All the ministers adopted the same pose.

The princes and princesses whispered among themselves, some surprised, others puzzled, some amused...

Bai Wan’s gaze traveled between her favored daughter and the cart of bamboo tubes, her expression growing ever darker. She had expected Changning’s request to present last meant a tribute of astonishing brilliance, but instead...

Yongle was the first to lose patience, standing to admonish her: "Changning. How can you present a cart of bamboo tubes at the Empress’s birthday banquet? This is nonsense!"

"The Longevity Festival is one of our dynasty’s grandest occasions. As Her Majesty’s daughter, you present a cart of bamboo tubes—is this a joke?"

"Indeed, and with foreign envoys present, this diminishes the prestige of our Great Min Empire!"

The ministers whispered among themselves.

Bai Wan’s chest heaved with anger, wishing to punish Changning severely. The purpose of inviting foreign tribes to the Longevity Festival was to display the grandeur of the Great Min Empire; Changning’s actions would make the envoys question the empire’s greatness.

The Celestial Empire, presenting bamboo tubes as a tribute?

"Remove this cart at once!" Bai Wan commanded, her tone furious.

"Ah...but..." Changning stared at Chen Chang'an with wide, glassy eyes, stammering, "Mother Empress, these are called fireworks, not mere bamboo tubes. Only my maid Xiao An can operate them to reveal their wonders."

"Er..."

Chen Chang'an stumbled, swaying awkwardly as she stepped out of the ranks.