Is there something you can't say aloud and need to write down?

Xie Jingyan was in a good mood, and then he heard Shen Wan lower her voice and say, "After the banquet starts, have Chen Feng find a reliable person to deliver the note to the Crown Prince."

Xie Jingyan's smile froze.

It wasn't for him after all.

He wanted to see what was written on the note.

Xie Jingyan was about to open it when Shen Wan pressed her hand down. It wasn't that she couldn't let Xie Jingyan see it, but Xie Jingyin was sitting right across from them, and they were afraid he would see it.

The more they forbade him to see, the more curious Xie Jingyan became. However, he ultimately didn't get to see it because a hoarse voice came through:

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Except for Xie Jingyan, who had a leg disability, everyone in the hall knelt down to pay their respects to the Emperor.

The Emperor walked over, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe. He exuded an imposing aura that made people afraid to look him in the eye. He waved his hand and said, "Get up, all of you."

Everyone stand up and return to your seats.

The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, with Empress Song on his right and Consort Zheng on his left.

Consort Zheng is the birth mother of the Third Prince Xie Jingyi, who was just enfeoffed as the Prince of Yue a few months ago.

After the Emperor sat down, some ministers stood up to congratulate the royal family on the addition of two new daughters-in-law, wishing them to soon produce offspring for the royal family. The Emperor also expressed his desire to hold his eldest grandson as soon as possible.

The title of "eldest grandson of the emperor" is no ordinary title; it successfully made Xie Jingqi, the eldest prince who was not yet married, frown.

He is the eldest son of the emperor. Xie Jingyin is eleven months older than Xie Jingyan. In a few days, he will turn twenty. He is half a year older than Xie Jingyin. He should be the first to get married and have children.

His marriage also needs to be put on the agenda as soon as possible. Although the succession does not depend on offspring, having offspring is better than having none. Moreover, marriage alliances can also win over court officials.

When the Emperor spoke, everyone's eyes turned to him. Shen Wan, with her thin skin, couldn't bear it. She and Xie Jingyan would never consummate their marriage, let alone have a child. Given how difficult it was for her to have a child in her previous life, even if she and Xie Jingyan were to truly marry, the eldest grandson of the Emperor could not be hers. Moreover, she still had the psychological trauma left by Fu Shu's childbirth. In this life, if she didn't have to choose one of the princes, Shen Wan would never get married. She would be content as long as her father and elder brother were well, and that the Yun family was safe and sound.

Shen Wan was lost in thought when her hand was suddenly gripped tightly. Xie Jingyan, who usually ignored the emperor, spoke up, "Your subject will not disappoint Father."

Shen Wan, "..."

Yes.

He will not disappoint the Emperor.

He would drive the emperor to despair.

Shen Wan tried to pull her hand back, but Xie Jingyan held it tightly, and she couldn't move at all. Looking into the Emperor's smiling eyes, Shen Wan's face burned.

Shen Ying, sitting opposite, was furious. She had never seen anyone so shameless. This was Cheng'an Palace, not their Lingwang Mansion. They were being so mushy in front of all the civil and military officials and the Emperor, as if they were afraid others wouldn't know how close they were!

Shen Wan glared at Xie Jingyan several times. Then, as if remembering something, she looked in the direction of Princess Qinghe, who was sitting there eating pastries with little interest.

Since this palace banquet was held to celebrate the marriage of two princes, it was necessary to mention it briefly, but after saying those two sentences, it was no different from any other palace banquet.

Singing and dancing filled the air, and toasts were exchanged.

The emperor and his ministers were all happy.

However, watching these song and dance performances at every banquet, especially since the ministers all had their wives with them, made it difficult to watch intently, which felt a bit lacking.

As the dancers left, Empress Song smiled and said, "These songs and dances get tiresome after a while. Today, many ladies from noble families and young masters have come. I wonder if they have any new tricks to add some liveliness to the banquet."

The Emperor praised, "The Empress's idea is excellent."

There was a moment of silence in the main hall.

Fu Shu, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhongguo's mansion, stood up and said, "I have recently learned a new dance, and I will make a fool of myself with it today."

Empress Song smiled and said, "Then I'll have to take a closer look."

Fu Shu walked onto the stage, first bowing to the Emperor and Empress, and then began to dance as the music started.

Her figure was graceful, her dance steps light and elegant, captivating all who watched.

The song ended.

Fu Shu stopped, and the Emperor praised her, "You danced well."

Empress Song smiled and said, "Miss Fu is not only good at dancing, but I also heard that she is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry and songs. The Duke of Zhongguo and his wife have given birth to a wonderful daughter."

The Duke of Zhongguo and his wife quickly stood up. "Your Majesty is too kind. Our daughter still has many shortcomings and does not deserve such praise."

Fu Shu also humbly said, "I've heard that Princess Jin is skilled at dancing. I was just showing off my limited skills in front of an expert. I wonder if I would have the honor of seeing Princess Jin's dance?"

Shen Wan sat opposite Shen Ying, barely managing to suppress her laughter.

Fu Shuzhen really does make trouble for whoever likes Prince Jin. In her past life, it was her, and in this life, it's Shen Ying's turn.

Although Shen Ying dances quite well, she is still far inferior to Fu Shu.

However, Fu Shu challenged Shen Ying to a competition in front of the Emperor and all the officials. If Shen Ying refused, it would be tantamount to admitting defeat. If she couldn't beat Fu Shu at the banquet prepared for them, it would be a disgrace to Prince Jin.

However, Shen Ying was still the Princess Consort of Jin, and if she lost face, Empress Song would also lose face.

Fu Shucai received praise from Empress Song, but turned around and stabbed her in the back. Empress Song did not show the slightest displeasure, which seemed to indicate that she tacitly approved of it.

Or perhaps it's better to say that a wife is not as good as a concubine, and a concubine is not as good as a stolen affair. In this life, Shen Ying came to Xie Jingyin's side too early. In addition, without the support of her father's military power, Shen Ying had not yet caught Xie Jingyin's eye. Empress Song did not like her that much either, and preferred Fu Shu. She did not care whether Shen Ying lost face or not. After all, if it were not for the accident at the Changshan Prince's Mansion, Shen Ying would have been barely qualified to be Xie Jingyan's concubine, let alone the principal wife.

The embarrassment she suffered was only her own and that of the Marquis of Pingyang's mansion, and had nothing to do with the Prince of Jin. On the contrary, it made people sympathize with the Prince of Jin and made the Prince of Changshan's mansion tremble with fear.

Shen Ying gritted her teeth in anger. If looks could kill, Fu Shu would have been riddled with holes by her glares.

With so many people watching, it would be even more embarrassing if she didn't even have the courage to go on stage and compete.

It's just a competition, isn't it?!

She might not dance worse than her!

Shen Ying may lose the game, but she won't lose the battle.

Having ambition is a good thing, but having ambition without ability is useless. Anyone with eyes can see that Shen Ying's dancing is far inferior to Fu Shu's. The Second Madam regrets not making sure Shen Ying practiced a dance she was good at.

After Shen Ying finished dancing, Empress Song's face was already very ugly. She said, "It's been a long time since I practiced dancing, so I'm a bit rusty. However, my eldest sister's dancing is far superior to that of Miss Fu."

Shen Wan sat there drinking tea, her eyes turning cold upon hearing Shen Ying's words.

Shen Ying is really clever. She lost to Fu Shu and couldn't save face, so she found someone to take the fall and make her lose face too.

However, given the opportunity to humiliate her, Empress Song would never miss it.

Just as Shen Wan thought of this, Empress Song looked over and said, "In that case, Princess Ling, please also perform a dance."