Under the urging of the Emperor and Empress Dowager, everything was prepared in just three days. On the day of the ceremony, Nalan Xice had to follow the emperor to the royal tomb to pay his respects to his ancestors and perform the highest standard of kowtow to thank them for their blessings. After that, he went to the Palace of Tranquil Longevity to meet the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager led him to the banquet that night and officially announced Nalan Xice's return to the Jiuran Imperial Family.
"How troublesome. With such a long sequence, I'll be dumbfounded.”Jiu Ranling heard the little girl's buzzing in her ear and could not help but frown.
"Why, Your Highness? Are you feeling sorry for me?”Pin 'er finished applying makeup on Jiuranling and then held the gown for her to change into.
"Why would I feel bad? Pin 'er, if you speak nonsense again, bengong will cut off your tongue.”Jiu Ran Ling scolded in a low voice.
Pin 'er looked at Jiu Ran Ling with a serious expression and immediately lowered her head, muttering," I know I was wrong."
"It's not like we're outside now. You can't say such things casually anymore. If you're not careful, you'll be killed. Don't you know the rules after going out?”
"This servant is also thinking for His Highness. Seeing Your Highness like this, this servant's heart aches." Pin 'er put on a coat for Jiu Ran Ling and tidied up her clothes before speaking softly.
"No matter how heartbroken I am, Nalan Xice is Jiu Ranxi.”Jiu Ran Ling stared blankly at the mirror. The face reflected in the mirror had an indifferent expression.
Pin 'er took two steps back and looked at Jiu Ran Ling, who was wearing a bright red dress with a crown on her head. She was as beautiful as a newlywed. "Princess, I've never seen you dress up so meticulously before, even for the emperor and empress dowager's birthdays."”
After a long while, Pin 'er heard Jiu Ran Ling's low murmur, which seemed to be a response and also seemed to be muttering to herself,""Take it as a memorial to my love that died before it even sprouted.”
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When Jiu Ranling arrived at Yingxi Palace, it was almost the auspicious time for the banquet to begin. Jiu Ranling stood at the entrance of the palace and stared blankly at the flamboyant " Yingxi Palace " sign. Only when Pin 'er reminded him did he come back to his senses.
Yingxi Palace was the new palace that the emperor had given Nalan Xice. Today was actually considered a family banquet. There were only concubines and princes in Yingxi Palace, and they would only entertain the court officials tomorrow.
She stepped into Yingxi Palace and heard the eunuch's sharp voice saying," The Princess has arrived." Her gaze swept across the hall and saw that everyone was looking at her. A few of them were stunned.
Jiu Ran Ling bowed to the Emperor and the others on the main seat.
"Girl, you're here. You're dressed very beautifully today.”The Emperor laughed loudly. Clearly, he was in a very good mood.
Jiu Ran Ling also smiled and said sweetly,""It's all because I know that Imperial Father and Old Ancestor are happy from the bottom of their hearts.”
"Aijia's girl has also grown to be so beautiful.”The empress dowager looked at Jiu Ranling with admiration, her eyes filled with gratification.
Jiu Ranling pretended to be shy and made a few " hehe " sounds. After exchanging a few pleasantries with the Emperor and Empress Dowager, she sat beside Jiu Ranqing. The seating arrangement of this banquet was also very particular. The Emperor naturally sat at the head of the table, with the Empress Dowager sitting on the left and the Empress Dowager on the right. On the left were Crown Prince Jiu Ranxiao and Third Prince Jiu Ranmo, and on the right were Jiu Ranqing and Jiu Ranling. The group of princes went in order, and the concubines were behind the princes.
And Jiuran Xi, but with the Empress Dowager sitting in the upper position, its favored situation is obvious.
Not long after Jiu Ranling arrived, the emperor announced the start of the banquet. Nalan Xice officially changed his name to Jiu Ranxi and was given the Yingxi Palace.
After the ceremony, there was only laughter and laughter. It was rare for the princes and concubines to gather together, so they were having a good time toasting and chatting. The singing and dancing were wonderful, and there were even people who volunteered to perform on stage. For example, Jiu Ranchen went up to dance his sword to congratulate him, which made the Emperor and Empress Dowager cheer.
Not long after, Jiu Ranqing called Jiu Ranling to congratulate Jiu Ranxi. Jiu Ranling pushed Jiu Ranqing in front of Jiu Ranxi and the two of them picked up their wine glasses together. Jiu Ranqing smiled and said,""Seventh Brother, congratulations on surviving the disaster and returning to the Jiuran Imperial Family.”
"Thank you, Second Brother." Jiu Ranxi also stood up and responded.
"Seventh brother's return, not to mention father and ancestor, us siblings are also sincerely happy. After all, we were also raised by Concubine Ying.”Jiu Ranling smiled fervently. The wine glass touched Jiu Ranxi's and quickly withdrew.
The three of them chatted for a while, and their faces were all wearing the same perfect smile. However, that smile did not reach the distance in their eyes. Jiu Ranqing and Jiu Ranling only returned to their seats when the Crown Prince came forward with a wine cup.
Jiu Ranxi's smile did not fade, but Jiu Ranling did not listen to what he said. She seemed unusually excited as she pulled Jiu Ranyou and Jiu Ransheng along and laughed. The two of them thought that she had drunk too much and went crazy, so they quickly protected her carefully.
"Father, I'm afraid Ling-er drank too much." Let Pin 'er help her out to get some fresh air and let the smell of alcohol dissipate.”
After the emperor promised, Pin 'er went forward and took the Jiuran Plume from Jiuranyou and Jiuransheng.
"Be careful." Jiu Ranyou frowned slightly and instructed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Jiu Ran Ling was brought out by Pin 'er. The moment she turned around, Jiu Ranxi seemed to catch a glimpse of the gratitude in Jiu Ranling's eyes as she looked at Jiu Ranqing.
Not long after Jiu Ranling left, Jiu Ranxi suddenly realized that the atmosphere in the hall had become much more oppressive. Looking at the Crown Prince's overly fake smile and the concubines 'coquettish voices, he only felt disgust and almost couldn't breathe, so he also used an excuse to slip out of the palace.
He stood at the entrance of the hall and turned around to look at the hall. He felt a wave of ridicule.
The summer night breeze was still a little hot, but the emptiness in front of him made him feel much more comfortable than before. The servants in the palace were all well-trained, and they usually kept to their limits and did not stray too far from their posts. At this moment, the palace servants of Yingxi Palace were all waiting in the hall, and there was almost no one outside.
Except for the Jiuran Plume under the tree.
Jiu Ranxi looked at her with a faint smile on his lips that even he himself did not notice. At this moment, Jiuran Ling seemed to have shed all her disguise. She looked up at the banyan tree in front of her, her eyes bright and pure.
After an unknown period of time, Jiu Ran Ling finally discovered Jiu Ran Xi, who was not far away from her. She put away the shock in her eyes and smiled brightly.
She bowed lightly and called out to him with a smile," Seventh Brother."
Jiu Ranxi frowned and said unconsciously,"Why do I find that I don't recognize you anymore in this palace?”
Jiu Ranling's smile froze at the corner of her mouth. After a moment, she turned her eyes away from the pair of pitch-black eyes."Seventh brother must be joking. Ling-er is always like this.”
At that moment, Jiu Ranxi seemed to be angered by her reaction and tone. He took two steps forward and approached her."Why? Is pleasing the Emperor and Empress Dowager that important to you? So important that you have to live such a hypocritical life and only show them the side that they like the most?!”
This was the first time Jiu Ranxi had reprimanded her like this, and the smile on her face almost disappeared. She took a few deep breaths and loosened her clenched fists. When she lowered her head and brushed past Jiu Ranxi, she said lightly,""Jiu Ranxi, you don't have the right to criticize me, right?”
Sensing the slight stiffness of the man beside her, a sense of pleasure seemed to rise in Jiu Ran Ling's heart.
The next moment, there was only sorrow.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]