Chapter 310: The Envoy from the Northern Frontier
Li Yuande was racking his brains trying to figure out how to explain this to His Majesty. But when he looked back, he saw that His Majesty was watching with great interest and didn't seem to be asking him any questions.
Sure, whatever makes you happy, sir.
With that thought in mind, Li Yuande calmly returned to his post with his hands tucked in his pockets.
Yuan Siyin noticed that the patterns embroidered on their dance skirts looked somewhat familiar, but after thinking for a long time, she couldn't remember where she had seen them before, so she simply lowered her head and drank her sweet soup.
Before she had even finished half of her soup, a lily of the valley was suddenly tossed in front of her. She instinctively reached out to stop it, and the white petals and leaves fell abruptly into the porcelain cup.
I can't drink it anymore.
Yuan Siyin blinked and put down her spoon, feeling a little regretful.
The woman, surrounded like a star around the moon, didn't stop walking. Her lips, hidden under her veil, pursed slightly, and a flower bud slipped out from her sleeve. She held it between her fingers and swayed with her dance, as if she had accidentally let it slip from her hand.
After the dance ended, the woman stepped forward and removed her veil, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. She then bowed slightly to the emperor at the head of the table and said, "Congratulations on Your Majesty's birthday."
As soon as she finished speaking, her attendants bowed in the standard northern greeting, which, though somewhat out of step with the Central Plains, had a unique charm.
Yu Hao nodded in satisfaction: "The envoy from the northern frontier arrived sooner than I expected."
"There was some delay on the way, otherwise I wouldn't have been so abrupt. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Upon hearing the woman's identity, some whispers arose among the guests: "So, she must be Nalan Yujie, the extremely favored princess of the Northern Frontier?"
"Her appearance is comparable to that of the Yuan family's daughter, but I wonder who..."
The person speaking not far away suddenly lowered their voice, followed by a barely audible snort, most likely mocking her for being uncouth.
Yuan Siyin lowered her eyes and played with the mutton-fat jade pendant at her waist, remaining silent.
"I heard that the First Prince has also come. Why is he not here?"
Nalan Yujie withdrew her gaze and replied with a smile, "My brother is unwell and it is not suitable for him to enter the palace at this time, so he will rest and recuperate at the post station inn."
However, my elder brother said that although I cannot attend in person, I must still show my respects.
As she spoke, she clapped her hands, and immediately a servant brought in a heavy box: "Your Majesty, please take a look."
Li Yuande, having received a signal from Yu Hao, immediately ordered his guards to help carry it over and open it. He was then completely dumbfounded.
The emperor was somewhat displeased.
Whether it's good or bad, hurry up and tell us. Your inhuman, ghostly appearance is just making us wonder.
However, his reaction did indeed pique Yu Hao's curiosity.
After all, Li Yuande had been by his side for so many years and had seen all kinds of treasures. Now that he looked so naive, the treasures in the box must be pretty good.
Li Yuande, having had his fill of astonishment, finally gasped and looked at Nalan Yujie: "The wooden box is heavy; I wonder if this treasure could be taken out and presented to Your Majesty for your enjoyment?"
Nalan Yujie nodded gently, a polite smile always on her lips: "That's natural."
Li Yuande handed the whisk to Xiao Minzi behind him, then rubbed his hands together and personally helped lift the box onto the high platform with utmost care, carrying out the white jade coral inside for the emperor.
The white jade, carved into the shape of coral, is lustrous and smooth. The gnarled branches are adorned with fist-sized luminous pearls. The moment it was placed on the table, even the palace lanterns paled in comparison.
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