Crown Princess Carita's face paled as her hand shook, the cup she held in her hand dropped and broke when it hit the floor.  Concubine Lisa immediately knelt and kowtowed as the wine seeped into her sleeve.  After a second, she realized what she did and immediately knelt and kowtowed in apology.  

"Please forgive me Imperial Aunt."  Carita said as her whole body shook.  "Forgive me Queen Mother." 

Carita and Lisa knew that Queen Yuki have been talking to her son, the Crown Prince, to marry another concubine.  Her excuse was that he needed to ensure the continuation of the Shiro bloodline.  But even with two women in his life, neither of them were pregnant nor showed any signs of pregnancy.  A third addition to his harem would only be the sensible thing to do.  

But to have Queen Yuki use this opportunity to scold Carita and Lisa, was a move to tell the rest of the noble mothers that she is looking for a future daughter in law.  A concubine for her son.

The whole women's side of the wedding celebration stopped what they were doing to see the play in front of them. The one's closest to the dais and those who have been paying attention to the dais knew what happened. 

Rumors spread that Crown Princess Carita dropped the celebratory wine and did not wish Lady Lihua happiness in her marriage.  While Concubine Lisa didn't even go get a celebratory wine cup, she didn't even wish them well.  

Word spread to the other side of the room where the men were at.  Crown Prince Jing Guo narrowed his eyes at his women in frustration.  How did they manage to anger his mother and embarrass him at the same time? Soon the men on the other side also stopped what they were doing to watch the play unfold.  

Lihua sat back and let Queen Yuki proceed with the play.  She found it highly entertaining so she kept her mouth shut and let Queen Yuki take control.  

A maid came forward to clean up the mess and once it was clean, it was only then that Queen Yuki spoke.  

"Do you wish to give ill will to King Takeshi and Lady Lihua?" Queen Yuki ask the two girls in front of her.  "How could you drop the celebratory wine, Crown Princess?  And you, Concubine Lisa, how could not even go get a cup of celebratory wine?"

Lisa felt injustice in her heart.  She didn't go get a cup, because Queen Yuki didn't dismiss her to stand up.  How could she go, without being dismissed?  And now she's twisting words to make it seem like Lisa is at fault!  Lisa's heart burned hotter with rage. And its not like any of them can say anything back to the Queen.  

"How should I answer to Lady Lihua of your rudeness and impudence?  How should I answer my son?  Or my husband, the King? How should I answer King Takeshi that on his wedding day, his very own Imperial Niece-in-laws did not wish their Imperial Uncle and Imperial Aunt with good luck and well wishes?"

"Please forgive us."  Carita apologized.   "We have sinned against Imperial Aunt and Imperial Uncle.  Please punish us."  

"It is not up to this Imperial Aunt to punish you."  Lihua said.  But then she turned to Queen Yuki and said. "Imperial Sister, as they are your daughter-in-laws, it is up to you to teach them of their mistakes."  

"Imperial Sister is wise, this Queen shall do as you ask." Queen Yuki said with a slight smile of civility and a gleam of evilness in her eyes.  "Rise and you both shall try again and wish Lady Lihua well wishes in her marriage to King Takeshi.  You will then immediately leave and go back to your courtyard to receive punishment when we return." 

The two girls stood up on shaky legs as they made their way to the table and poured wine into the cup.  They then came back to stand in front of Lihua and said their well wishes with as much dignity that they could muster.  They drank the wine from the cup and were escorted out by their maids back to the palace.  

"This Queen must apologize to Imperial Sister for not teaching these Daughter-in-laws well.  This Queen will remember to do so in the future."  Queen Yuki said as she nods her head in apology toward Lihua.  

"Nonsense."  Lihua said as she eyes her maids to serve her and the Queen some tea.  "With this tea all is forgiven."  

Queen Yuki smiled and accepted the tea and drank it down in one go as Lihua drank hers.  When all was said and done, the celebration continued on until the Lei women bumped into the Han women.  And all hell broke loose.