The 19th of June was the birthday of Emperor Wenyi. The weather was clear and the banquet was held in Fuli Hall. Fuli Hall was built very early. It was originally a small garden where Empress Dowager Zhaokang of the previous dynasty spent her later years in Taiping Palace. The hall was made of white snail stone, and the four sides were carved with railings, exquisite and bright. Because the lake was not far away, he could still clearly hear the music of the strings and strings coming from the water pavilion of the Moon Lake. The sound was clear and distant, and there was less noise. I know that many things will happen today.
The Golden Dragon Banquet Table was placed in the middle, facing north and south, with the empress sitting side by side. The Empress was dressed in a cyan-colored dress and wore two small ribbons. She sat next to the Emperor in a dignified manner and maintained a perfect smile as usual. However, today, her smile inexplicably made me feel a faint sadness. After entering the palace for more than ten years, the Empress had never received the Emperor's special favor. Moreover, ever since the child she gave birth to when she was a noble consort died, she had not given birth to a son or a daughter. The palace people privately said that the Empress had lost the ability to give birth again.
She was also a pitiful woman. Other than her status as the most noble woman in the world, she had nothing. It was lonely at the top. No one knew how she had lived for more than ten years.
From north to south, the banquet tables of the close relatives, noble women, and concubines were placed opposite each other. The rules of the palace were strict. Men who were close to dignitaries were not allowed to meet and gather with the concubines unless they had a major festival banquet. Today was Wenyi's birthday, and she had set up a family banquet, so she naturally did not hold back.
On the left side of the Emperor and Empress were the seats for the relatives, nobles, and women. The four rosewood tables in a row were Qishan Wang Xuanxun, Runan Wang Xuanji, Qinghe Wang Xuanqing, and Pingyang Wang Xuanfen.
King Qishan was a very rough looking man. He had thick eyebrows, tiger eyes, and bright eyes. He had thick lips and never smiled. He was expressionless, but he gave off a noble and inviolable feeling. King Qishan's princess was also an elegant beauty, but she looked much younger than him.
Runan Wang Xuanji's princess was the daughter of Marquis Shenyang, He Family. Between the beauty of the harem and the noble women of the clan, she could only be said to be average in appearance. She only gave people the beauty of a weak willow supporting the wind. She smiled as she watched her husband quietly, not speaking to anyone else. Prince Runan had a strong back and a strong waist. His eyes were sharp, and his face was filled with dignity. He had lost his mother since he was young and was not loved by his father. He was an extremely strong and cold person. However, he doted on this princess consort to the point of being obedient. Although Prince Runan's appearance can't be said to be handsome, he's also a man of iron blood and tenderness. Because of this, they were secretly ridiculed as " husband who feared his wife." In this era, they were rare loving couples. During the banquet, I saw that the Emperor was extremely close to the Runan Wang couple. I knew that it was because the war in the southwest was tight. Among the close relatives, only this Runan Wang could be relied on.
Qinghe King Xuanqing and Pingyang King Xuanfen were not married yet, so they did not bring their wives. Qinghe King Xuanqing's seat was empty, and no one came until the banquet began. Xuan Ling only laughed and said,"I don't know what new thing this Sixth Brother has seen and is unwilling to move."”Pingyang King Xuanfen was only fourteen years old, and he had delicate features. It was obvious that he would be a genius of his generation when he grew up.
Mei Zhuang was wearing a large peony green gauze and a deep red embroidered apricot forest spring swallow brocade dress. Her hair was lowered and inlaid with pearls and jade. There was a red gold hairpin on her hair bun. The whole body was decorated with lotus flowers, double happiness characters, and bats. On the head of the hairpin were two immortals of harmony, symbolizing many children and blessings. When Empress Dowager Zhu was pregnant with her 14th brother, the Empress Dowager of the previous dynasty gave it to her. It had extraordinary significance. She was already beautiful, but now she looked more like a lotus flower out of the water.
Cao Handsome Fairness wore a lotus-purple upper garment, a skirt of emerald blue, golden branches, green leaves, and a hundred flowers. Her head was full of pearls and jade, and her originally delicate and pretty appearance was also exquisite and charming. They were surrounded by a large group of palace maids, constantly filling the wine goblets with fine wine. During the banquet, they chatted with the other concubines and wives, and were the most flattered.
Consort Hua had not seen Xuan Ling since the day she entered the Taiping Palace. Today, she was just dressed up lightly and sat quietly. It was very different from her usual gorgeous makeup, adding to her pitiful appearance.
Zhen Huan sat next to me, wearing a light blue long dress embroidered with cineraria petals. She used a white brocade belt to tie up her slender waist. She tied her black hair into a wishful bun, only inserted a white jade hairpin with plum blossoms, and pinched a peony flower. The bright and beautiful posture did not need to be decorated to become a unique scenery. Although her outfit was simple, it looked fresh and elegant. Smiling and drinking cup after cup of pear blossoms without saying a word.
Ever since that night, Xuan Ling came to my Ten Thousand Moon Tower even more frequently. He would come once every three to five days, but he never stayed overnight. He only looked at me with a complicated expression. Even if I put on a cold face to him every day, he was not tired of it. He would find a topic to talk about and occasionally make me laugh. He was very relaxed. Originally, my health was not good and I did not plan to attend this banquet. However, Xu Wanhai said that I had already attracted the attention of the concubines in the harem. It was really inappropriate for me to shut myself in this time.
Many concubines stared at me with disdain in their eyes. Who asked me to have a low status? Moreover, I hadn't slept with them yet. Although they didn't make things difficult for me, they still threw faces at me. My face darkened. Even if there were beautiful women, good wine, and good looks, the women at the banquet were all jealous of you. If you were to be restless, who would have the mood to enjoy this banquet! My heart couldn't help but burn. Without thinking, I glared at Xuan Ling, who was sitting high up. Perhaps my emotions were too obvious, but he noticed it at a glance. His face was obviously expressionless, but I could understand what he meant. I didn't do anything. Why are you staring at me like that?
At this moment, the Empress glanced over and revealed a meaningful smile before remaining silent. I couldn't help but feel apprehensive. What keen observation skills! It was not a good thing to be targeted by a venomous snake like her! He pretended to lower his head and drink to hide the panic in his heart. I had just taken a sip when I felt a chill on my back. I raised my head and didn't know where this cold gaze came from.
The main characters appeared one by one, such as Concubine Duan, who later became the hero of Zhen Huan. She was quite old and had a pale face, but she still had the beautiful posture of a young woman. Two or three palace maids supported him before he shakily bowed. The Emperor quickly left his seat and helped her up, saying," The sun is so bright outside, yet you still rushed over. It's not an urgent matter."”
A smile appeared on Consort Duan's pale face."It's a big event for Emperor Wenyi's concubine to celebrate her birthday. ChenQie must come to congratulate her." ChenQie has not seen WenYi for a long time.”He ordered the servant girl to give him his dowry. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Cao Handsome Fairness, I felt disdain in my heart. Hmph, if you're sick, then be well. Why do you need to give me a dowry gift? In the past, Xuan Ling didn't think of you, and in the future, he won't think of you either. There was an indescribable jealousy in his heart.
Xuan Ling glanced at me as if she had sensed something, but she also seemed to have unintentionally not looked at me at all. I pretended not to see it.
Zhen Huan had drunk three rounds and could not hold her liquor anymore. After giving me a few instructions, she quietly pulled Liu Zhu out to change her clothes and sober up. I knew that she would probably meet the second man in her life this time.
At the beginning of the banquet, they sang a big show. However, I'm more interested in the encounter between Zhen Huan and Xuan Qing. Pretending to look at it casually, the Emperor and the ministers were chatting intimately, while the Empress and a group of women were socializing. He was delighted that no one was paying attention to him. He left quietly.
I didn't know that there was a pair of eyes watching me leave. He even secretly sent someone to keep an eye on my whereabouts.
The imperial garden had more hundred-year-old vines, lush flowers, jagged rockery, lush shade, and blooming flowers. The natural beauty was refreshing. I held Baojuan's hand and walked slowly. In the quiet garden, I only heard a strange man laughing boldly." The Latter Lord Li once praised the fair skin of a beautiful woman as 'soft jade.' What he said was true. However, I don't think it's better to use 'pale jade slender' to add to the beauty of a woman's snow-white and slender body!”I was afraid that you wouldn't come!
I secretly gave Baojuan a look, and Baojuan understood. Before anyone could speak, the woman shouted,"How dare you!" Who's being rude here!"
I held Baojuan's hand and slowly walked out from behind the rockery. I walked steadily towards Zhen Huan and Lord Xuanqing. I frowned and looked around. I saw Zhen Huan standing barefoot on the grass, her clothes and face disheveled. A handsome young man with a slender figure stood outside, his attitude indifferent. I said coldly,"Liu Zhu, hurry up and put on your little master's shoes and socks!"”
I, Chen Yaojin, who came out of nowhere, scared Zhen Huan. Liu Zhu, this little girl, was so scared that she almost cried. On the other hand, King Qinghe was still drinking without saying a word.
Zhen Huan put on her shoes and socks with a pale face. She held Liu Zhu's hand and forced herself to calm down." Ling Rong, why are you here?" Is there anyone else here?"
I said indifferently without changing my expression,"I came out alone to sober up and just walked around."”He tightened his grip on Bao Juan.
Baojuan understood and shouted,"The harem concubines are here, and you actually don't know how to avoid them. "Even…" Her face was filled with shame and anger, and she didn't have the face to continue.
Zhen Huan's face was pale as she wanted to speak, but she didn't know how to do so. Liu Zhu was so frightened that he stood aside, but Guo Junwang remained unmoved.
I raised my eyebrows and said coldly,"Baojuan, don't be rude. This is Guo Junwang!"”When Zhen Huan heard me mention Xuan Qing's identity, her weak body almost fainted. Liu Zhu was also dumbfounded and speechless.
Bao Juan obediently bowed and retreated. Guo Junwang stopped drinking and stared at me without any scruples." How do you know I am Guo Junwang?”
"Sister Zhen, Ling Rong can't hold his liquor, he's not feeling well.”I didn't even look at them. I turned around indifferently and left.
Zhen Huan was shocked." Ling Rong, wait! Let's go together!"”He hurriedly chased after me. Guo Junwang saw that I had left and Zhen Huan was about to leave as well. She staggered a few steps and wanted to catch up with me. Zhen Huan was so angry that she ordered the servant behind her with a distant expression," Your prince is drunk. Help him to sober up!"”
Zhen Huan supported Liu Zhu and ran up to him. Her pale face was slightly red from panting. Seeing that there was no one around, she relaxed a little and said in an unnatural tone," Ling Rong, what just happened was just an accident!”
I looked at her and said coldly,"Whatever Wan Wanyi says, I will do it. I am just a small seventh grade servant. I don't dare to trouble elder sister so much!"”
Zhen Huan was surprised and sad. Ling Rong, you were really just an accident! Ling Rong, believe me!"
I looked disdainful as I said,"The daughter of the Minister of Official Personnel Zhen Yuan, is this how she is raised?" Regardless of whether it was an accident or not, your clothes were disheveled, your face was unkempt, and you were even barefooted in front of a man in broad daylight. You were also Guo Junwang, the person who had been rumored to be the same as you!”
Zhen Huan's eyes turned red and her face turned pale. I was just playing in the water. Who knew that Guo Junwang was nearby? It was an unintentional mistake!”After saying that, she was already crying pitifully.
I pretended not to have the heart to say angrily,"You still think you don't have enough eyes!" This time, such a ridiculous thing was done! What do you want me to say about you? Forget it, I'll pretend that I didn't see anything today. I'm blind! Are you satisfied now?" After saying that, he looked disappointed.
Liu Zhu couldn't bear it and said angrily," My little master really didn't do it on purpose. It was unintentional! If you want to blame someone, blame Guo Junwang for being too rude!”
My face was full of ridicule as I said,"You really have a good upbringing. Even a servant dares to bully me!" If Wan Wanyi felt that what she did today was not wrong, An Lingrong would not say anything! I'm sorry that I'm not feeling well, but I won't accompany you anymore!”He turned around decisively and left.
Zhen Huan was so nervous that she fell and did not catch up. No matter how she called me, I ignored her. He could only hear the faint sound of crying and scolding behind him.
I laughed coldly in my heart. Zhen Huan, the war between us has just begun. But don't worry, I won't let you and Guo Junwang have any ambiguous relationship even if I die. I will protect your womanly morals! Guo Junwang's power in the previous dynasty and her two younger sisters could not marry into the Prince's mansion. Otherwise, there would be endless trouble. Zhen Huan could only be surnamed Zhen forever. If she became Niu Gulu and Zhen Huan, she would become a noble lady of the three flags. Hehe, wouldn't she be able to control the entire harem?
Also, I want you to face Cao Jie Yu and the others in a panic and lose face in front of the ministers and wives. I just want your graceful dance to be like a startled bird. I just want you to become a favored concubine who only has beauty and no talent! Since I, An Lingrong, exist, then you, Zhen Huan, shouldn't exist. Since I have a song that I cherish, then there shouldn't be your graceful dance!
Hehe, Zhen Huan, thank me.
Thank you, Mengmeng. I also feel that I can't get rid of the original text. Although it's just a drivel, if the plot can't keep up, I'll be disfigured! Originally, he had planned to write an ode to Lou Dong, but now he had changed it.
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