Shen Wei chuckled and said softly: "You kid, you have been thinking nonsense all day long."
Li Chengtai had a stern face. His mother had been poisoned by other concubines, but he was still trying to have fun in the midst of suffering. He wanted his mother to be safe, have a smooth life, and no longer suffer.
He shifted his gaze and his eyes met with his father's.
Like a little wolf in a den, examining the king of the pack.
Li Yuanjing narrowed his eyes and saw the dissatisfaction in his son's eyes.
This stubborn child.
Li Yuanjing thought to himself, which of the other princes was not respectful when they saw him? Only Li Chengtai looks the most like him, and his stubborn and unyielding temper is also the most like him.
Li Yuanjing patted his son's shoulder and said in a low voice: "There is a flood in the south. I am going to Chang'an Palace to summon my ministers to discuss relief for the disaster-stricken areas. Since you are free, come with me."
Li Chengtai's eyes widened and he stammered, "I...I?"
Li Yuanjing nodded.
Let the child experience the emperor's daily state affairs, so that he won't think that the emperor is idle every day.
Li Yuanjing stretched out his arm and dragged his son to accompany him to handle state affairs. Shen Wei hurriedly caught up and said worriedly: "Your Majesty, Chengtai is still young, don't tire the child out."
Shen Wei was very happy.
It’s a good sign that the emperor brings his children to participate in state affairs! This laid the first foundation for Li Chengtai to inherit the great cause in the future.
Li Yuanjing said, "I know my limits."
After saying that, he left with his eldest son.
In the room, a child named Li Chengyou raised the empty bowl in his hand, looked at Chen Wei eagerly, and called in a baby voice: "Mother, I want to eat the third bowl."
Shen Wei smiled and pinched his fat face: "No, you are too fat to ride a horse."
Lee Seung Woo: ...
After sending the three children away, Yongning Palace instantly became quiet. Shen Wei stretched and asked Cai Lian, "Have you received a reply to the letter to Shopkeeper Ye of Weiyan Pavilion?"
Cai Lian nodded: "Shopkeeper Ye replied, saying that he would not let you down and would definitely seize the opportunity."
Shen Wei smiled happily.
The Queen Mother's birthday banquet was a good opportunity for Ye Qiu Shuang to show her face in front of the Queen Mother, and to take the opportunity to open up new markets for Chen Wei's shop in Yanjing and join the ranks of imperial merchants.
...
...
The fifth day of May is the birthday of the Empress Dowager. Recently, some areas in the south have suffered from floods. The Queen Mother sympathized with the suffering of the people and held this birthday banquet in a low-key manner without any extravagance.
Only court ladies, women of noble families and concubines from the harem were invited to the banquet.
The birthday banquet was held in Qinghua Hall.
As dusk approached, the noble ladies of Yanjing City came to the palace one after another for the banquet. A luxurious carriage also drove into the palace gate, the curtain opened, and Duke Lu's youngest daughter Lu Yun got off the carriage.
Lu Yun was dressed simply tonight and did not stand out among the group of flashy ladies. The maid asked in confusion: "Miss, why are you dressed like this today?"
Lu Yun curled her red lips slightly: "The Queen Mother is concerned about the floods in the south, so the birthday banquet is simple and not extravagant, so I naturally have to dress simply and elegantly."
This is a scene that I had in my dream.
In that nightmare that foreshadowed the future, Lu Yun also dreamed of attending the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Because of her extravagant dress, she was scolded by the Empress Dowager, and her sister, who was also a concubine, was also affected.
Every failure makes you wiser. This time Lu Yun dressed simply and elegantly and will never make the same mistake again.
She followed the palace maids into the palace. The palace path was long and winding. Lu Yun glanced inadvertently and saw a woman in a light golden silk dress behind her. She had a beautiful face, calm and steady manners, and her eyes and eyebrows were full of intelligence.
Lu Yun frowned secretly. When did a new face appear in the circle of noble ladies in Yanjing?
"Whose daughter is that?" Lu Yun asked the palace maid who led the way.
The maid replied, "Miss Lu, this is the owner of Weiyanji Store in Yanjing, her name is Ye Qiushuang."
Lu Yun was stunned.
A lowly merchant girl was actually invited to a banquet by the Queen Mother?
Lu Yun racked her brains to recall her dream. In the dream, there didn't seem to be any merchant girl entering the palace.
Could it be that dreams and reality diverge?
Lu Yun felt worried and secretly looked at the merchant girl named "Ye Qiu Shuang" - she looked good, but her age was evident from her face and her fingers were not delicate.
Lu Yun felt a little relieved.
The emperor has seen many beauties and would definitely not be attracted by such a rough face.
Lu Yun stroked her beautiful cheek, feeling anticipation welling up in her heart. Tonight is the Queen Mother's birthday banquet, and the Emperor, who values filial piety, will also be in attendance.
She had to work hard to be noticed by the emperor and allowed to enter the palace as a concubine.
...
The moon was above the willow trees, and the Tsinghua Hall was bustling with activity.
Lu Yun sat in the seat for distinguished ladies, looking eagerly towards the main seat in the center of the hall. Behind a pearl curtain, the thrones of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were empty.
At an auspicious time, the eunuch's voice was heard: "The Emperor has arrived, and the Empress Dowager has arrived."
The women stood up and saluted.
After the ceremony, the banquet began.
Lu Yun had no intention of tasting the food. She covered her face with a round fan and secretly glanced at the emperor sitting on the throne. Even though there was a faint pearl curtain between them, the emperor's tall and majestic figure still aroused people's desire and made them yearn for it.
The Queen is ill and is recuperating in Kunning Palace, so she cannot attend the birthday banquet tonight. Below the main throne were the most honorable concubines in the harem, Consort Chen and Consort Shu.
Lu Yun secretly glanced at her sister. Concubine Shu was dressed simply today, with light makeup on her face. She looked like she was worried about something.
Lu Yun shook her head secretly.
My sister has indeed grown old. After having a child, she is not as charming as before.
Lu Yun's eyes rolled and she glanced at Concubine Chen Wei beside her. Lu Yun frowned slightly. The Concubine Chen was radiant tonight, with a pair of black and bright eyes, skin as white as snow, and her eyes and eyebrows were full of spirit.
Among a bunch of gorgeous concubines, Concubine Chen was the most eye-catching.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!
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