Chapter 77 A Slight Increase

Emperor Xiao Xuan looked at Song Zhimian kneeling below and examined her carefully.

Indeed, her etiquette is standard and proper. The fact that she has been able to influence Xiao Jingjue to this extent in such a short time shows that she is a good person.

Yes, the person that girl recommended was indeed excellent.

That girl is definitely more attentive to the Crown Prince's personnel needs!

With a sigh in his heart, Emperor Xiao Xuan rewarded Song Zhimian.

"Song Zhangyi did a very good job. He is rewarded with a hundred taels of gold and a box of pearls."

As for his official rank, let's promote him to the fifth rank first!

In just a few simple words, Song Zhimin's abilities during her time in the Eastern Palace were affirmed.

Song Zhimian quickly expressed her gratitude.

That's good. There's a reward, pearls, and she's been promoted from a sixth-rank female official to a fifth-rank official.

The monthly salary has also increased from the original 28 taels to 32 taels.

Congratulations!

Song Zhimian felt a little better, and the tension she had been feeling eased somewhat.

As long as today passed safely and smoothly, the day's gains were quite good...

...

After admiring Song Zhimian, Emperor Xiao Xuan whispered a few words to Xiao Jingjue before letting Xiao Jingjue return to sit down next to Song Zhimian.

Xiao Jingjue chuckled twice at Song Zhimian, then obediently watched the others continue delivering things.

Inspired by Xiao Jingjue, the other young princes and princesses who were about to send congratulatory gifts also expressed that they would eat well and take good care of their health.

Emperor Xiao Xuan was just as pleased and praised each of his juniors who sent him congratulatory gifts.

Of course, it was just empty praise; there were no other actions...!

As for rewarding everyone like the crown prince, that didn't happen.

Dragon pendant... that's even more out of the question!

There was only one pair of dragon pendants, which were given to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, leaving others to only look on in envy.

After the lively exchange of gifts, the birthday banquet finally moved on to the next stage.

The banquet has officially begun!

The palace servants and eunuchs orderly delivered the delicacies and wines to the tables in front of each person.

To say that those dishes were particularly delicious is not necessarily true.

Knowing the rules of the Imperial Food Bureau, Song Zhimian was well aware that the bureau had put a lot of effort into preparing these meals.

Some people like to eat certain things, while others don't. Which dishes can be served on which tables, and which dishes cannot?

The main principle is to avoid making mistakes.

On Xiao Jingjue's table were some meals that young children liked to eat, and unlike the other tables, there were no drinks, only dairy products.

Sitting next to Xiao Jingjue, the twelfth prince, Xiao Huaichen, showed off the fruit wine on his table to Xiao Jingjue.

"Look, I can drink fruit wine now!"

Xiao Jingjue snorted and turned around to take out the Buddhist prayer beads that Xiao Xuan had taken off his wrist and put on Xiao Jingjue's hand while she was nestled next to him.

"I have this, you don't!"

The twelfth prince...

“I have roasted meat, you don’t!” Xiao Huaichen immediately pointed to a piece of roasted meat on the table and continued to show off.

Xiao Jingjue still showed off her Buddhist prayer beads.

"I have this, you don't!"

The twelfth prince was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth.

Xiao Jingjue's meaning was clear: it doesn't matter what you have, the important thing is that you don't have this in my hand!

While suppressing a laugh, Song Zhimian placed the food from the table into Xiao Jingjue's bowl.

Who says children have to be innocent?

Look at the one next to me, a classic case of pretending to be weak while actually being strong, a perfect little red bean paste bun!

...

Soon, led by the Crown Prince, everyone took turns toasting Emperor Xiao Xuan.

Regardless of their true feelings, they all wished Emperor Xiao Xuan a long and healthy life.

Emperor Xiao Xuan, in turn, politely brought his wine cup to his lips.

As for whether or not they drank, everyone knows the truth.

Regardless of whether Emperor Xiao Xuan drank it or not, they were required to finish the wine in their cups...

After several rounds of drinks, the Linde Hall gradually became lively.

Among princes, ministers, and nobles, whether they were familiar with each other or not, they would politely exchange toasts while raising their glasses.

This is a great opportunity to make friends and also a good opportunity for the younger generation in the family to meet.

Who knows, you might just find someone you click with!

Consort Wu and Prince Zhao were not in a good mood.

Not only had they been overshadowed by Xiao Jingjue, but they had also had a rough couple of days.

Consort Ruan's niece from her maternal family is engaged to the second son of Minister Tian.

Although Emperor Xiao Xuan did not say anything on the surface, the day after the Ruan and Tian families got engaged, Minister Tian was reprimanded for his lack of decorum in front of the palace.

In addition, his official rank was downgraded from the third rank to the fourth rank.

Everyone knows that His Majesty is very unhappy with this marriage.

At the same time, it was also to vent the anger of Imperial Censor Duan's family.

Another warning is to those who have ulterior motives: don't try anything underhanded, because they will know about any such attempts.

If I wanted to deal with you, it would be a piece of cake.

...

Emperor Xiao Xuan watched with a smile as the people below clinked glasses and exchanged toasts, but the smile did not reach his eyes.

The real excitement hasn't even started yet!

Once things really get lively, how many of these people will be able to keep up the good work?

Emperor Xiao Xuan glanced again at Prince Zhuang, who was toasting with Prince Zhao across the distance.

This younger brother of the emperor... his eyesight really isn't very good!

Looking again at Tong Shiqing, the son-in-law of Prince Zhuang who lived some distance away, Emperor Xiao Xuan's eyes were filled with disgust...

That clueless idiot, still thinking about playing it out loud...

Forget about it!

Since you don't even want to stay in the Hanlin Academy, then you should stay in the Princess's residence all day from now on and not come out...

...

With Eunuch Xue clapping twice, today's song, dance, and acrobatic performance began.

One by one, graceful figures filed into the Linde Hall.

The charming and gentle dancers, as graceful as water, presented a captivating song and dance performance.

The princes and ministers were delighted, their eyes glued to the screen.

Those who knew the inside story were all on tenterhooks.

They knew someone would make a move, but they didn't know who those people were hiding among.

These dancers... were all trained by the Imperial Household Department. They wore very little and thin clothing, so they certainly couldn't hide their weapons.

It shouldn't be these dancers...

Soon, the song and dance ended, and the dancers, having received their rewards, bowed and quickly withdrew.

Next up were the jugglers.

There were performers who could breathe fireballs, and others who could balance plates on their heads...

Song Zhimian's heart was in her throat as she slowly moved closer to Xiao Jingjue.

These are the people most likely to hide weapons...