45 Family Dinner
◎Sister-in-law, why does Lord Xue keep looking this way?◎
"What do you mean, sir?" Rong Qianyu pretended not to understand, but in fact she had nowhere to hide in front of Xue Ji. He knew her too well and she couldn't pretend at all.
She is like a cat. When she is happy, she will give you a smiling face. When she is unhappy, she will get angry with you no matter how much you praise her. If she is still unhappy, you might get scratched all over her face.
Xue Ji didn't hide it and said frankly, "That's what I mean. Your Majesty is so smart, doesn't she know this?"
This little cat clearly distinguishes between public and private matters, prioritizing what's important and when to do things. Living under someone else's roof since she was little, she's learned to read people's expressions and conceal her sharpness. "You've crossed the line."
Xue Ji was unhappy: "I don't think so."
This was the first time he expressed his feelings directly, and he thought about it carefully for a long time before he dared to say "I don't feel it".
Although I know that the moon in the sky is out of reach, I still want to work hard to get it.
Rong Qianyu remained silent. She hadn't expected Xue Ji to tell her this, having been caught off guard by the bloody situation today. She instinctively tried to avoid him. "Master Xue, you're mistaken. We're just partners, each taking what we need, right?"
The phrase "each taking what he needs" completely crumbled the defenses he'd built up over the past few days. How ridiculous he was. What was he craving for? "So you kissed me because we both need what we need?"
"yes!"
"Qian..." Xue Ji was a little stunned, his head was buzzing. For some unknown reason, he called Rong Qianyu's name for the first time. Before he finished saying a word, his mind suddenly became clear.
No one has called her Qian'er for a long time. Since her mother passed away, even her father rarely called her by her nickname. The last time it was Wen Xiaqing, he was scared and ran away.
The word "Qian'er" made Rong Qianyu feel a little soft-hearted. She had met Xue Ji several times, and she was always in a light gauze skirt, while he was always dressed neatly. She was happy, but always lonely. She hoped from the bottom of her heart that he would be affectionate, but her remaining rationality told her that it was impossible.
"My Lord, you are tired. Stop talking nonsense and go back."
"I don't believe that when you kissed me and hugged me, and wrote to me, it was because we both needed each other, and I helped you willingly, but do you dare to say that you really didn't waver at all?"
Looking into his affectionate eyes, Rong Qianyu felt a little reluctant and whispered, "There's nothing in those letters. Can you calm down?" Her thoughts were exposed and she fled in panic, "Qingyun, it's too late. Take your parents back to rest."
Looking at her hurriedly leaving figure, Xue Ji felt that he seemed a little anxious and confused.
After returning to Weixuan Hall, his exhausted mind and sleepiness disappeared. He thought about what Xue Ji had just said. Every word was so clear, but in the end, there would be no result.
Rong Pan handed her a bowl of calming tea. "Your Majesty, you've gone too far. You shouldn't have said something so embarrassing. Is Your Majesty really so heartless? Even if you can be my support, why would you reject me so rashly?"
"We each get what we need. Mixing in anything else would only harm him!"
Rong Pan could also see Rong Qianyu's worry, "Master Xue, I think Your Majesty is happy with what you said."
So what if she was happy? She couldn't let this matter get out of control. It would be bad for herself and it would be bad for Xue Ji. She could do anything, but it would be bad if it was mixed with other emotions.
"Two people have to hide the truth and be cautious. I don't want to be passive. I'd rather say that I colluded with the eunuchs, but it can't be a power-for-sex transaction."
They both had a lot on their mind, adding a layer of hazy ambiguity to this unspoken feeling.
Rong Pan helped her take off her clothes and ran away, removing the hairpins and rings. "How could this be a power-for-sex transaction? Your Majesty is clearly happy in her heart. Can you really tell the difference so clearly?"
"I can." These are all taught by Xue Ji. One must keep public and private matters separate.
"Actually, Lord Xue is truly excellent. For so long, whenever the Empress has something to do, Lord Xue has always done his best to plan it."
Rong Qianyu knew it very well. Every time they went to the Imperial Household Department, he was extremely gentle. Sometimes, when he was drowsy, he would personally carry her to take a bath. The body cannot speak, and it is obvious whether it likes it or not. That is why she cannot harm him.
Because of the sudden confession, Rong Qianyu hid from Xue Ji for a month in fear. When Xue Ji took the initiative to come and see her, she made excuses, either saying that she couldn't get up or was not feeling well.
After going back and forth for a month, the two finally met at the little prince's full moon banquet.
Cui Rumei had been much more obedient this month, though she was a bit of a slacker, and she still came to Weixuan Hall to receive her punishment. Fu Hua was much nicer to Rong Qianyu than before, occasionally checking in on her well-being and whether the food was to her liking, but that was all; he never stayed the night.
Fu Kang had a rare moment of leisure today. He had been feeling unwell recently, but luckily it was nothing serious. "Today is the little prince's full moon banquet. Everyone should be more relaxed at this family dinner."
"According to the generation name of our Great Zhou prince, the young prince is named Huaiyu. We hope that he will be broad-minded and grateful for Huaide."
Today, Liu Chunyan, as the mother of the birthday boy, a meritorious official of the Great Zhou, and the stepmother of the remaining young crown prince, enjoyed a much better treatment than before. She changed into a new gauze dress, her face full of a mother's tenderness as she thanked him on her son's behalf, "I thank Your Majesty for the name given to Yu'er."
At that time, the eldest grandson was one month old, and Fu Kang did not forget to urge him to give birth to a son and a daughter-in-law. "Crown Princess, you must also strive for honor. Hua'er already has an eldest son and a daughter, but no legitimate son. You should also give me a legitimate grandson as soon as possible."
Fu Huarong Qianyu were both a little embarrassed, they just smiled at each other and nodded in agreement.
After the banquet began, the sound of drums and music gradually rose. The dancers from the music troupe danced with their long sleeves, their figures graceful and their clothes flowing, as graceful and charming as fairies on the water. When the drums and music ended, petals fell from the sky, and the hall erupted in applause and endless praise.
The nobles and their wives were toasting and laughing, but Rong Qianyu was the only one drinking alone.
Fu Tao, who didn't have to go to school today thanks to his nephew, was particularly active. Seeing Rong Qianyu looking unhappy, he asked, "Sister-in-law, why do you look unhappy?"
"Nothing." She said in a muffled voice.
"Sister-in-law, why do you think Master Xue keeps looking this way?"
Looking in the direction Fu Tao said, Xue Ji's eyes met hers. Feeling a little guilty, she immediately withdrew her gaze. "Never mind him. How are your studies going lately?"
Fu Tao stopped making a fuss when he heard about homework. "Sister-in-law, you're such a spoiler! Mother said she won't ask me about my homework today."
"Even though you're a woman, you can't be any worse than the men. You'd better not slack off in your studies."
Fu Tao pretended not to hear what Rong Qianyu said, hiding behind her and timidly saying, "He's still looking over here..." Rong Qianyu was a little annoyed by this look. Before she could stand up, Fu Tao suddenly jumped up and said, "Oh no! He must have found out that I skipped classes at the end of last month! He's not going to tell Mother!"
"You skipped class?"
Fu Tao was evasive but had to admit, "I read a storybook. It was very interesting. I was going to go to bed after finishing this chapter, but before I knew it, it was already daybreak."
"What storybook?"
Fu Tao was about to speak when he saw Xue Ji about to stand up. Thinking that he was coming to arrest him, he pulled Rong Qianyu out of the hall and said, "It's over, it's over. He's here. Sister-in-law, please accompany me out."
"Now tell me, what story book do you want to finish reading even if you don't sleep or go to class?"
Xue Ji also followed out, "Greetings to the Crown Princess, and to Her Royal Highness the Princess."
Fu Tao was a little afraid of him, afraid that he would grab him and take credit for it, so he quickly fled the scene. "I feel a little cold, so I'll go back first. Bye."
Only he and Rong Qianyu were left outside the hall. "What are you going to do?" she asked.
"I want to talk to you." The two of them were stubborn for a month. Xue Jifu sent her a lot of things, but she returned them all.
"Did you see Taozi skipping class?"
"without."
Rong Qianyu deliberately changed the subject, "She thought you were here to arrest her for credit. This little girl, she's reading a storybook instead of sleeping or going to school."
Xue Ji: "Can you please stop talking about her?"
The two of them were in a very awkward situation. Neither of them wanted to say a word. They had something on their minds that they couldn't express. "Master Xue, if you have anything, please come to me. I can also come to you. Don't mention anything else."
Rong Qianyu returned to the table alone. Xue Ji looked at her back and felt as if a lifetime had passed. Less than a year had passed, and the timid princess who had been there when they first met had completely changed.
I have thoughts, plans, and means.
Shu'er was now over two years old, at the age when she was most adorable, running and jumping. She wore a small shirt and had two pigtails on her head, her face rosy as she ran to Rong Qianyu and called her mother.
She held Shu'er on her lap and gave her grapes. Shu'er was naughty and always wanted to grab the hairpin on her head.
"Don't make trouble, mother is a little dizzy from drinking."
Fu Hua considerately handed her some fruit and said, "Come here, bring the Crown Princess a cup of chrysanthemum tea!"
The three of them looked like a family, enjoying themselves to the point of envy. "Let's drink some of this to sober you up."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Xue Ji saw this scene and felt a little unwilling. They had clearly agreed that they would each get what they wanted, but he had gotten deeper and deeper into it without her knowing. She pushed Rong Qianyu away with her own hands and watched her being affectionate with someone else.
Xue Ji was very familiar with her every smile and frown. He had even seen her tearful eyes and trembling body, but it would not be his own, so he could not help but drink another glass of wine.
"Can I go to the Crown Princess's place to rest today?" Fu Hua asked.
Although their relationship had improved considerably, Rong Qianyu still didn't want to have any further contact with him, rejecting him with various excuses. "I haven't been feeling well lately. Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness."
After one group finished singing and dancing, another group took the stage. Amid the lively sound of drums and music, everyone had their own thoughts.
Today is a good day for the little prince, and many princes who rarely appeared in the past have also come. Among them, the most eye-catching is the Jin Wang family.
Prince Huaixiao of Jin also prepared a gift for his cousin. "My grandson is young, so this is a picture of a hundred years of longevity that I drew for him. I also have a longevity locket, which I wore when I was a child. I'm giving it to him too, to bless him with safety and a long life."
Liu Cairen stood up and thanked him: "Thank you, Your Highness."
Rong Qianyu: "Is this Prince Huaixiao of Jin?"
Fu Hua nodded, then pointed to the right side of the banquet, where a young woman in gorgeous attire stood. "That's Princess Liu of Jin. She's the eldest daughter of Concubine Liu Xian's cousin. Concubine Liu Xian is her cousin."
The branch of Prince Jin is indeed noble. If he is also a legitimate son, the position of crown prince would probably not be Fu Hua's turn.
After the banquet, Fu took the initiative to send Rong Qianyu back to the palace for the first time, but she politely declined.
After the two parted on bad terms, Xue Ji had been waiting outside the palace, just to see Rong Qianyu, "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and to His Royal Highness the Crown Princess."
Fu Hua greeted him cheerfully, "Jiming, you've been busy organizing the banquet recently. I see your eyes are red. You must be a little drunk."
"It's my job, I'm not tired." But Xue Ji's mind was on Rong Qianyu. "Your Majesty, don't you look a little tired?"
Rong Qianyu felt a little embarrassed. She held her forehead and turned away his burning gaze. "I can't handle the alcohol. Please forgive me, Master Xue."
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