"Everyone, get up." The Empress Dowager walked in the middle, wearing a black nine-phoenix court dress with golden edges. The Emperor and Empress stood beside the Empress Dowager, one on the left and one on the right, supporting the Empress Dowager to the main seat. Then, they sat on the secondary seats on both sides to show that "filial piety governs the world".
"Everyone, please take your seats." The Emperor raised his hand.
When Qing Huan got up, she looked up at the royal family members sitting at the main table. The royal family of Dongjing reigned supreme in black. The court dress was black. Bai Lixiong's imperial court clothes were black with golden edges. Auspicious clouds floated on the hem of his clothes, and a giant dragon lay on his upper body. His beard went past his arms and reached his waist. There were totem patterns on his sleeves and waist. It was dignified and noble, and extremely domineering.
The empress's court dress was also black with golden edges. A fiery spirit phoenix perched on her shoulder, its lines smooth. It accentuated the Empress's tall figure. The collar was a small collar with a raised flower pattern. There was a trace of mystery in the dignified feeling.
The princes and princesses were dressed in plain clothes. The First Prince was dressed in white. He was tall and straight, his face was fair, and his smile was elegant. The Fourth Prince was very spirited, and his handsome eyebrows were straight. He had a bit of royal dominance. The Eldest Princess was lively and had a charming face. All of them were extremely handsome.
"Mother, there are quite a number of handsome and skilled young ladies here today.”The Empress smiled.
The Empress Dowager nodded.
Baili Xiong looked very happy today. He was smiling all the time. He didn't look as gloomy as before. Instead, he looked a little open-minded. His eyes would occasionally glance at Qing Huan.
Qing Huan tugged at the corner of General Nalan's clothes and said,""Daddy, can you hold Huan 'er?”General Nalan picked up Qing Huan's thin body and sat in his arms.""You little girl, you're so light. Eat more later.”Nalan Qinglang also moved to the side to help his sister serve the dishes. The General's wife watched from the side, the corners of her mouth curling up in satisfaction.
"Mother, please start the banquet." Baili Xiong picked up a pair of gold-plated ivory chopsticks and handed them to the empress dowager. The empress dowager smiled very happily, clearly pleased with her son's actions. He didn't decline and took the chopsticks. He picked up a golden Ruyi Roll and placed it on the plate in front of the Emperor."The emperor is busy every day, so he should also take care of himself. Sirs, don't be so formal. Let's begin."
Everyone thanked him.
Qing Huan had never attended such a banquet before. Her eyes were wide open as she watched the entire process without blinking. The young girl was wearing the same palace maid uniform. She was pretty and had a smile on her face. Her movements were graceful and smooth. The dishes were served one after another. In front of each table, there was an older palace maid, Yu Li, who explained the names of the dishes and the ingredients in a gentle voice.
Qing Huan listened and watched in a daze. Her heart shivered. Isn't this the Manchu Han Imperial Feast?
Beauty's Tea: Milk white almonds, persimmon soft candy, crispy fried cashew nuts, and sugar fried peanut candied fruit: There were four kinds of candied pear, candied jujube, candied lychee, and candied apricot cake: Whip cake, bean paste cake, coconut cup, mandarin duck roll pickles four grades: Spicy Milk Melon Slices, Sauce Pepper, Sweet Sauce Ginger Tooth, Sauce Sweet Conch Appetizer (7): Phoenix Spreading Wings, Panda Crab Meat Shrimp, Seed Winter Bamboo Shoots, Five Shredded Silks, Spiced Mandarin Fish, Sour and Spicy Cucumber, Orange Skin Beef Soup: Stewed shredded pheasant, bird's nest, and imperial vegetables, fifth-grade: Fresh abalone in the original shell, roasted partridges, fried scattered pills, shredded chicken and bean sprouts, pearl fish balls, and two cakes: Chongyang Flower Cake, Pine Seed Sea ** Royal Vegetables, Fifth Grade: Stewed shark's fin with monkey head mushroom, fried duck breast, stir-fried eel shreds, cashew nuts and deer cubes, and grilled fish belly roll cake. Hibiscus Banana Rolls, Mooncakes, and Royal Vegetables: Steamed Fresh, Stir-fried Vegetables, Stuffed Mushroom Box, Lotus Leaf Chicken, Shandong Sea Cucumber Bun, two products: Seasonal Dim sum, Soup Dumplings, Second Grade Barbecue: Roast duck and roasted pheasant porridge: Laba Congee with Fruits: Yang River Spring Green
When was the last time he ate this? Oh. Lin Jinan had once hosted a client and booked this banquet at Manhan Restaurant. At that time, he was still smiling and toasting. Heh. Now, it was already another life. So it had been so long.
"Milords, enjoy your meal. This servant will take her leave.”After the dishes were served, the palace maids left one by one. Only the sound of flattery and toasting could be heard.
"Daddy, I don't want to drink bird's nest.”Qing Huan moved around, refusing to accept the bird's nest that her father had placed in front of her. He never liked it, and he found it to be weird.
"You little girl, you're picky again. No wonder you're so skinny." General Nalan was helpless.
Although it was a royal banquet. However, there weren't many rules for having fun with the officials. Don't waste it. Before Emperor Taizu founded the country, he had experienced the sufferings of the people. Later on, when he became the emperor, the waiters prepared meals according to the previous emperor. Emperor Taizu held the spoon and sighed with tears in his eyes."Women don't eat the sufferings of the people." From then on, every meal consisted of one meat dish and one vegetable dish. A bowl of rice. Not a drop of wine. Every time the later emperors mentioned it, they would sigh at their inferiority and often take this as a warning.
However, the style of extravagance was getting better and better with each generation.
Up to now, it is said that eating will be exhausted.
General Nalan looked at his younger daughter's firm refusal and could only bring it to him.
"Father. Don't you like it too?" Qing Huan knew that the crisis was over, and she smiled again.
"Daddy, let me eat." Nalan Qinglang stood at the side and reached out to take the bird's nest. He laughed heartily.
"Hehe, thank you, big brother." Her brother, who was trying to please her, smiled. Like a puppy wagging its tail.
Qing Lang was helpless. He stretched out his hand and tried to touch his sister's hair, but he realized that his sister's hairstyle today was really out of his league. He could only tap her little nose. It was a symbol.
The harmonious and intimate atmosphere of this family was obvious even without getting close.
Consort Zhan accompanied Prince Zhan to sit at the main seat. At this moment, she was looking at the Nalan family with a thoughtful expression. Such a gorgeous and oppressive mistress, such a pair of adorable children, and such intimate behavior. Yanyan, why are you doing this? Just as he was about to lower his head to drink tea, he suddenly saw Miss Nalan, who was nestled in General Nalan's arms, blinking her big eyes at him. He was instantly stunned. Before he could react, the little girl smiled politely at him and turned her head away. It was as if she had seen everything that he had peeked at just now. His heart froze, as if he had fallen into ice. How could such a small child have such a pair of terrifying eyes?
"Princess Consort, what's wrong?" Prince Zhan noticed his wife's abnormality and asked in a low voice.
"Oh, I see. It's fine." She hid her smile at her husband. However, a wave of worry rose in her heart. This night probably wouldn't be too peaceful.
Usually, at such banquets, very few people could enjoy the delicacies. She was holding chopsticks in her hands, but her eyes and ears were alert. Between toasts, what was important was communication. Therefore, people like Grand Tutor Su would not come.
Eating and drinking. The moon had passed the middle of the sky. The solemn sky was a dark blue curtain. There were no stars, only a full silver moon hanging high in the sky. It should be the beauty of solemnity and tranquility on the distant sea.
The guests at each table also placed their chopsticks down one after another. The Dongjing State Banquet was just about to begin.
"Imperial Grandmother, all the lords are almost done eating. Can we watch the performance now?" The Eldest Princess, Baili Qianlan, ran to the Empress Dowager and acted coquettishly. Her face was as sweet as a flower.
The Empress Dowager took a sip of tea and smiled as she tapped the Eldest Princess 'forehead."You. The lords were still putting down their chopsticks. You have a short temper."
Which one of them on the table wasn't a sly fox? He quickly put down his chopsticks and swallowed the food in his mouth."I'm done. Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager."
The Eldest Princess tugged at the Empress Dowager's sleeve, unwilling to let it go.
"Alright, I'll do it. Alright. You. Tell your Imperial Father."
"Father. Let's watch the show, okay?" The eldest princess was the empress 'daughter. She was fourteen years old this year, and was at the age of being lively and active. Baili Xiong also doted on his daughter. Seeing that it was almost time, he smiled and waved his hand."Withdraw."
After a while, he put away the bowl. The palace maids elegantly served a few colored pastries and tea.
A spacious bamboo-colored platform had already been built by the side of the pool. The young ladies who wanted to show off their talents had already signed their names and taken their numbers from the eunuch at the door. At this moment, the daughters of the various families were eager to give it a try, and a happy smile floated on their faces. Li Mingyan subconsciously gripped the number plate in her hand. She was extremely excited. It was as if she had been waiting for this day and moment for more than ten years.
The managing eunuch took the vermilion booklet and walked to the side of the bamboo platform. He sang loudly,""Your Royal Highness. The chicken dances."
In an instant, the bamboo platform lit up, and the surrounding red lanterns were lit up as if it was daytime.
The Eldest Princess stood on the stage in a bright red dress. Her left hand was raised high, revealing her slender arms, reflecting the white light. It was already a starting point. With the sound of a drum beat, he extended his right hand and a sharp sword light appeared. A series of drumbeats sounded.
The red dress suddenly appeared to shock the pool, and a sword dance moved the four seats.
The ministers exclaimed.
The Empress Dowager couldn't suppress her laughter." This child. I was just wondering what was wrong with her today. She kept asking to see the performance."”
The Empress agreed. Although she didn't agree, her eyes were filled with pride. Even Baili Xiong looked pleased. This daughter of his was raised in the palm of his hand and was obedient. If he wanted to learn martial arts, he would listen to her. However, she did not embarrass herself. Wasn't this a little more like it.
Qing Huan looked at the Eldest Princess on the stage. This sword dance was indeed not bad. It could be seen that a lot of effort had been put into it.
I want to repair my skirt to the sky, fly away to chase the startled swan. She was truly a peerless beauty. After thinking for a while, he smiled and sighed. It was a pity that he was born into the mud of the Baili Royal Family.
After Baili Qianlan finished her dance, she ran down the stage, drenched in sweat, and turned back into the lively girl from before.""Imperial grandmother, is Lan 'er good at dancing?”Her smile was bright and pure.
"Alright, I'll do it. That's great." The Empress Dowager took out a handkerchief handed over by a palace maid to wipe her granddaughter's sweat.
Baili Qianlan took a handkerchief and wiped it roughly.""Sisters. Qian Lan was just trying to attract more attention.”
"Princess is too polite."
All the families returned the gift with thousands of gold. Orioles and swallows sing, like orioles coming out of the mountains. Daguan Review Passed: Daguan Time:111420183: 49PM #Cancel Review All: wdd201302 Time:111420185:56PM
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