Chapter 147 Xu Chuchu's Gift

"Okay, okay." The emperor was relieved to see that someone finally took the initiative to buy into his plan. "The girl from the Shao family, right? Speaking of which, it's been a while since I last saw your grandmother. Is she okay?"

When Shao Zhi heard the emperor ask about her grandmother, she said happily, "Your Majesty, my grandmother is in good health. She even came to the palace to have a small gathering with the Empress Dowager not long ago."

The ministers of the Shao family are loyal, but their abilities are limited. Their ability to gain a foothold in the capital mainly depends on their connections with the old lady in the mansion and the empress dowager.

But the Queen Mother is in poor health and did not attend today. When the Queen Mother is gone in the future, the status of the Shao family will inevitably plummet. It is no wonder that the younger generation of this family has started to fight for themselves now.

The sound of stringed instruments began, and Shao Zhi performed a graceful dance.

The clothes she wore today were not orthodox party attire, but more like a slightly modified version of a dance costume, with wide cuffs and layers of layers. When she danced, she looked like a butterfly flapping its wings, which was indeed dazzling and eye-catching.

The officials praised him profusely, and some recalled the good relationship between Xiao Yu and the Shao family, wondering if it was possible for the two young people to become a couple.

These words naturally fell into Shao Zhi's hands. She wanted to be the first to come out just to achieve this effect.

However, the emperor seemed not to hear the discussions of the crowd. He praised Shao Zhi a few words and let her go without mentioning Xiao Yu at all.

With Shao Zhi taking the lead, many other young people also became enthusiastic, both men and women. After all, this was an opportunity to show themselves in front of the emperor, empress and all the officials.

Some showed off their sword skills, some showed off their piano skills... You have to admit, those who dared to come out were really talented. Any one of them, if recorded into a video and posted online, would get millions of views.

Xu Chuchu didn't expect that the young men and women in the capital were so outstanding. She felt that she was so low because she had no talent.

But she had no choice. When she was a child, studying and practicing with her master was all she could do. She had no time to learn any special skills.

But as time passed, the situation gradually became unfavorable for Xiao Yu and Xu Chuchu.

According to the procedures of previous years, after the "gift-giving" session, the banquet and the song and dance performances arranged by the palace will begin. After three rounds of wine and the atmosphere has relaxed, you can quietly leave.

But now a talent show has been added at the last minute, the food hasn’t been served yet after dinner time, and time is tight, so I don’t know if I will have the chance to leave.

The emperor was still very interested in watching it and wanted to find a few partners from time to time.

In comparison, Xiao Yu and Xu Chuchu were worried about the palace and Yu Chan, which really seemed like the emperor was not anxious, but the eunuchs were.

"Alright, let's stop here for today and prepare the food and wine." Seeing that the snacks in front of the ministers had been eaten up, the emperor finally relented. "Oh, it seems that we need to hold more activities like this in the future. Otherwise, who would have known that our capital city has so many outstanding talents."

However, no one cared who stood out. Everyone was happy to be able to eat. After all, they had all gotten up before dawn and hadn't eaten a hot meal in four or five hours.

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment." Chen Zhaozhi stood up at this time, "I also have a special gift that I haven't sent out yet."

"Oh? What's the special method?" The emperor was in a very good mood and agreed immediately.

The palace servants who served the dishes retreated, and the ministers cursed in their hearts.

Chen Zhaozhi smiled and said, "For this gift, I would like to ask another partner present to complete it with me."

When Xu Chuchu heard this, her heart skipped a beat. She felt for no reason that he was coming for her. Sure enough, the next second Chen Zhaozhi turned around and faced her and Xiao Yu.

"Mr. Xiao," he said to Xiao Yu, "The person I want to invite..."

"I've already demonstrated it." Xiao Yu interrupted him directly.

"...It's not you." Chen Zhaozhi replied stiffly, "It's the girl who accompanied you."

The officials laughed secretly, and even the emperor almost laughed out loud.

Xiao Yu also said bluntly: "This girl is just my maid, she can't bear the heavy responsibility of Master Shen, please find someone else."

Without exception, everyone's eyes were focused on Xu Chuchu.

In fact, many people had noticed her before, because in the past, wherever Xiao Yu went, he always brought his personal attendant Ah Fu with him, and this was the first time she brought a maid with her.

But before, everyone thought that he brought a maid to prove to everyone that his illness was indeed cured and he could have normal contact with women.

Could this be the real reason why he rejected the daughter of the Xia family?

In recent years, Chen Zhaozhi and Xiao Yu have been regarded as two equally famous freaks in the capital. One has a strange disease, and the other is rumored to be the child of a fox spirit. However, due to Xiao Yu's disappearance in the past, they had little interaction.

Today, the two men met in public for the first time and they were at loggerheads with each other. Everyone was secretly waiting to see the show. Even the emperor was leisurely drinking tea, with no intention of stopping them.

"Maid?" Chen Zhaozhi laughed, "Master Xiao, aren't you afraid that Xiangshi Xu will be unhappy when you belittle her like this?"

"Fateteachers? Are there female fortune tellers?" the emperor asked curiously.

"That's right," Chen Zhaozhi said. "Your Majesty, you may not know this. I once went to Tailing County on business and happened to meet this physiognomist. At that time, she was doing justice, risking her own life to help sick villagers. Moreover, her physiognomy skills are far superior to mine. I have admired her for a long time."

At such a young age, she's even more formidable than the Grand Master's last disciple? So, was Xiao Yu's recovery also her fault?

No wonder I always carry it with me.

Not only the court officials thought so, the emperor was also surprised and said: "I was wondering how Xiao Yu's illness suddenly got better, but was it you who cured it, Miss Xu?"

When the emperor asks questions, you naturally have to answer them well.

Seeing that Xiao Yu was about to respond, Xu Chuchu hurriedly pulled his sleeve.

She stood up and bowed calmly, saying, "In reply to your Majesty, I do know a few folk arts, but they are not comparable to the orthodox physiognomy that Master Shen has learned, let alone better than Master Shen. I did try to treat Master Xiao's illness, but many methods were ineffective. In the end, the illness healed on its own, not on my own merit."

"You are quite modest." The emperor's expression was kind, and it was hard to tell whether he believed it or not. He simply said, "Then why don't you cooperate with Zhao Zhi today and show us what you can do?"

Xu Chuchu remained calm and continued, "It is my honor to have the opportunity to present a gift on Your Majesty's birthday. However, I am not good at coordinating with others. I would like to present a gift alone. I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish."

Although she still owed Chen Zhaozhi a huge sum of five thousand taels of gold, she would not fall into his trap again.

No one knew what this guy was up to, it seemed like he just wanted to separate her and Xiao Yu in front of everyone.

Does this mean anything to him?

The emperor raised his eyebrows: "What do you think?"

Xu Chuchu thought that Shen Zhaozhi would struggle again and insist on cooperating with her, and even thought of an excuse to shirk responsibility. Unexpectedly, Shen Zhaozhi agreed with a smile without saying a word: "I am willing to respect Miss Xu's choice."

After saying that, he quietly stepped aside, leaving the entire middle space to Xu Chuchu.

For a moment, the emperor, empress, concubines, princes, officials, and even palace maids, everyone looked at her closely.

Xu Chuchu took a deep breath and walked to a white magnolia tree near the midfield. She gently placed her hands on the trunk, then closed her eyes and gently stroked the trunk and branches as if she was caressing a lover.

It was not the blooming season for white magnolias yet, and the branches and leaves were all covered with buds. Only a few had blossomed thanks to the careful care of the palace servants for this banquet.

Unexpectedly, after being caressed by Xu Chuchu, the flower buds miraculously opened slowly, brilliant and passionate.

Then Xu Chuchu suddenly opened her eyes, and the petals fell down as if blown by a strong wind, swirling in the air for a while, and fell to the ground, forming a medium-sized "Fu" character.

She then bowed and said in a clear voice, "I congratulate the emperor on his prosperity, may he be as bright as the sun and moon!"

The whole room was in uproar.

The concubines and court officials also stood up and said, "Congratulations to the Emperor, may His Majesty be blessed with fortunes as vast as the East Sea and may his days be bright and prosperous!"

"Excellent!" the emperor laughed, clapping his hands. "You are indeed quite capable! Give me a generous reward!"