Chapter 167 Tit for tat
The emperor was stunned and the queen's expression changed slightly.
The Queen suppressed her anger and asked, "Commander Fu, what do you mean by that?"
The queen hasn't slept well for several days. She has been taking ginseng soup and lighting three incense sticks every day.
I started putting on makeup early today so that I could carefully cover up my extremely bad complexion and the dark spots on my face.
Her skin color could barely cover it up, but her head was throbbing with pain, and the anxiety caused by poor sleep was like a wave, surging from time to time.
Hearing what Fu Qingyin said, he couldn't help but question him.
Fu Qingyin glanced at her and said to the emperor, "Your Majesty, the Ninth Princess is going to marry a foreign prince. It was the Empress's family who advocated this matter. They said that the Ninth Princess sacrificed herself for the country, for the benefit of the people, and to relieve the worries of the Emperor."
"The Ninth Princess's move is a great thing that benefits the world. In the past, during festivals and New Year's Eve, the Emperor would personally select the best gifts and send special people thousands of miles away to give them to the Ninth Princess and the King of Wu, which made everyone happy."
"Why has it become a regret this year? That is why I say that whoever advises the emperor in this way should be executed."
The emperor glanced at the queen, and the queen pursed her lips and said nothing.
Fu Qingyin looked at her with a smile: "Isn't that right, Queen?"
There was a flash of displeasure in the emperor's eyes, and he thought to himself that he was really confused for a moment. He seemed to be possessed that day, and he continued to think about what the queen had said. The more he thought about it, the more regretful he felt.
Now that I think about it, that’s definitely not true.
His children are born noble, but they should also take responsibility and worry about him when needed. What's wrong with marrying him? And I heard that she is doing well over there.
The emperor nodded and said, "Qingyin is right. A few days ago, Li'er sent some gifts to me. She said in the letter that she was living well in Wu State."
Fu Qingyin smiled and bowed: "Then congratulations to the emperor and the queen. The decision was indeed wise."
The queen's face turned pale and she forced a smile.
Fu Qingyin's eyes swept across her slightly trembling hands, and a hint of sneer flashed in his eyes.
The palace banquet began, dishes and drinks came in like water, music started, and a group of dancers entered the hall to dance.
The hall suddenly became like a boiling pot, with all kinds of sounds mixed together.
Yu Shengsheng remembered the lesson from last time and decided not to drink if possible. Before taking the first bite of food, he covered his mouth with his sleeve and swallowed a pill.
She spent a lot of money to buy this. It can help to sober up, as well as to cure common poisons and drugs.
She was eating when she suddenly felt someone's eyes falling on her.
Looking up, I saw Qi Mubai sitting at the end.
The distance was far and there were so many people between them, so she really didn't notice when Qi Mubai came.
In just two days, Qi Mubai looked much more haggard. Perhaps Wu Da Lian's death must have made him very worried.
He could get away, but Yu might not.
The reason why he was able to come must be because of his position as the top scholar, or because he was destined to be the crown prince.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be in such an awkward position.
Yu Shengsheng looked back calmly, and Qi Mubai's fingers couldn't help but tighten, holding the wine glass tightly.
The last time he came to the palace banquet, he was in high spirits and was the center of everyone's attention. The emperor handpicked him as the top scholar, and everyone praised him for his outstanding talent and handsome appearance.
But in the blink of an eye, he could only sit at the end, while Yu Shengsheng became the princess, and the indifference in her eyes made him feel heartbroken.
So, were all the words and feelings she said before false?
Otherwise, how could she withdraw so easily? Just leave as soon as she said so?
He clearly said that although he would make her a concubine, he would treat her well. Except for not having the position of wife, everything would be the same as he had promised.
Why wouldn't she listen?
Qi Mubai drank one cup after another and turned his head to look at Kong Dezhao in front of him.
I'm afraid that, having climbed up the social ladder and being used to seeing men in high positions, she would look down on him?
Yu Shengsheng had already looked away, not knowing that he had so much inner drama.
Fu Qingyin, who was sitting on a high place, held a jade wine glass in his hand, narrowed his narrow eyes, and looked at the two of them.
Standing high above, you can see everything clearly.
Yu Shengsheng's eyes were calm. This top scholar...still hasn't given up!
"Your Majesty," Imperial Concubine Shu raised her wine glass and said, "I wish Your Majesty good health and a good appetite, so that you can eat three large mooncakes in one go."
She has slightly curved eyebrows and eyes, and is naturally beautiful. When she smiles, she is even more charming.
Everyone knew that she was both talented and beautiful, but she chose not to say those gorgeous words of blessing, which instead made the emperor laugh.
"Okay, just for what my beloved concubine said, I will eat more too," the emperor looked at the plate on her table, "how many kinds of fillings do you have?"
Concubine Shu looked at her plate: "One."
"Hmm?" The emperor raised his voice, looked at his own plate, and then at the plate on the queen's table.
The mooncakes have different patterns and shapes, representing different fillings. There were five kinds on both his and the queen’s plates.
The emperor looked at Fu Qingyin's desk again and saw two types.
The emperor's face darkened slightly, and he looked at the queen: "What's going on?"
Although it was not a big deal, it was still a mistake. Who knows if there was anything wrong on the desks of the ministers below?
It would be fine if they were all the same, but what would they think if some had more and some had less?
The queen didn't expect this either. She was stunned: "This...I also..."
She wanted to say she didn't know, but since she was the one in charge of this matter, how could she shirk her ignorance? It would only make the emperor even angrier.
"Perhaps the servants have made a mistake. I will investigate and punish them severely when I return."
Before the emperor could speak, Concubine Shu said, "Your Majesty, don't be nervous, and Your Majesty, don't be angry. Just give it to me."
The emperor laughed briefly, his tone doting, and patted the seat beside him: "Come here."
The queen's face changed, but she tried her best to hold back and whispered, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this is inappropriate..."
"What's wrong with that? The imperial concubine was wronged and couldn't even eat mooncakes. I am helping the queen to clean up the mess."
Imperial Concubine Shu stood up and carried the plate to the emperor's side: "I dare not sit down, I just want two mooncakes for you, Your Majesty."
The emperor smiled and nodded: "I remember you like to eat jujube paste and bean paste, these two are for you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Imperial Concubine Shu bowed, smiling brightly, "I am not just talking, I am preparing a dance for Your Majesty as a token of my gratitude."
"Well, I haven't seen the imperial concubine dance for a long time."
"Then I will be back soon!"
Concubine Shu stepped back to change her clothes.
Yu Shengsheng was unaware of the subtlety of the incident and her eyes quickly swept over the ordinary concubines.
Among them was a lady wearing a light purple dress and a pearl necklace. Thinking of the little palace maid she met when she left Concubine Shu's palace, she thought that she must be Concubine Yu.
Sure enough, her skin was smooth and flawless, like jade.
Just as he was secretly admiring the emperor, Concubine Yu seemed a little drunk and was helped by a palace maid to take her leave from the emperor.
The emperor waved his hand and Concubine Yu left the table.
Yu Shengsheng didn't take it to heart. Just as she looked away, someone patted her from behind.
She turned around and saw that it was a palace maid. Judging from her clothes, she was from Concubine Shu's palace. Looking at her face, she seemed familiar. Although she was not a head, she had indeed seen her in the Concubine Shu's palace.
"Princess, the Imperial Concubine asks you to come over."
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