Hearing He Yunce's words, Song Ruoan's eyes filled with tears as she followed him without stopping.
She clung tightly to He Yunce's sleeve through the two servants, and nodded repeatedly in his direction.
She nodded, and tears immediately streamed down her face, making her look like she was acting in a tragic drama.
"Husband...husband, don't worry, it's only half an hour of hardship for you. Even if it costs me my life, I will protect this opportunity..."
Thinking of the trouble she had just caused, Song Ruoan's sobs became even more genuine, and her eyes filled with even more affection: "It will definitely be foolproof, it will definitely be foolproof."
The birthday gift she was about to present was not only her husband's only chance to turn the tide, but also her own only chance. She was determined to seize this opportunity...
He Yunze felt Song Ruoan's sincerity and was increasingly moved.
He released Song Ruoan's hand and said very solemnly, "Ruoan, thank you. Thank you for staying by my side no matter what unexpected disasters I encountered."
He Yunze stared at the tears on Song Ruoan's face, feeling deeply moved and even a little proud.
With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?
True friendship is revealed in times of adversity; the choice I made in my past life was indeed the right one.
Even though he encountered too many unexpected things in this life, it also created many gaps in his relationship with Ruo'an. He Yunze himself even developed many doubts, wondering if the person he deeply loved in his previous life was really that bad.
But at this moment, all of He Yunze's doubts vanished. In any case, Ruo'an's expression at this moment was genuine.
That anxious look emanated from every pore of her skin, as if she herself were the one about to encounter disaster.
Even at such a critical juncture, she never considered giving up on herself.
He Yunze's chest trembled, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he said to Song Ruoan, "Go back, go back, Ruoan, go to the banquet."
He patiently reassured him, "It's alright, I'll get my reward soon, everything is under control."
As He Yunce spoke, Song Ruoan clutched her chest and slowly walked back, reluctantly turning back every few steps.
Yes, at this moment, she, her mother, her father, and her husband all have their lives hanging in the balance, depending on the birthday gift sent by His Highness Prince Yu.
...
Not only He Yunce, but even Prince Yu himself was both uneasy and extremely excited at this moment. Although he had arranged everything, he still felt a little nervous.
The auspicious time for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was drawing ever closer, and the originally rapid sound of gongs and drums was suddenly replaced by a deep, resonant drumbeat.
The originally cheerful music of string and wind instruments was transformed into a more solemn melody in an instant.
To this melody, the emperor, Consort Li, Consort Liang, and other officials led the civil and military officials to take their seats at the birthday banquet.
The birthday banquet was decorated with bright red ribbons and huge longevity characters, and the jade platters of delicacies on the table were dazzling.
All around sat highly respected monks from the central government, their eyes closed, chanting Buddhist scriptures in hushed tones.
The high monk's voice was low and hoarse, mingling with the music playing inside the hall, making the scene even more magnificent.
As the last drumbeat faded, everyone was seated at the birthday banquet, and the Empress Dowager, dressed in a luxurious and solemn gown, slowly entered through the main gate of the palace.
Everyone was looking in the direction of the Empress Dowager. Consort Li and Consort Liang looked at each other with respect, but also with undisguised envy. Only Consort Zhen glanced at Song Xizhi at this moment, her expression ambiguous.
When the Empress Dowager entered the hall, the Emperor led everyone to rise, greet her, and bow to her.
Emperor Guangqi was filial from a young age, and after ascending the throne, his filial piety became famous throughout the land and was passed down as a beautiful story.
He led the concubines, civil and military officials in performing the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows before the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager sat in the seat of honor, and after she announced that he had risen, Emperor Guangqi presented his congratulatory message and his carefully prepared birthday gifts.
His birthday gift was a Buddhist pagoda carved from pure gold. The outside of the pagoda was intricately carved with Sanskrit characters by a highly virtuous monk, while the inside of the pagoda contained a lock of the Empress Dowager's hair from her youth.
It means wishing the Empress Dowager long life and boundless health.
The Empress Dowager was overjoyed, and couldn't stop smiling when she saw the pagoda.
After Emperor Guangqi, it was the princes who presented their gifts.
The first to be addressed was Prince Su.
Prince Yu and Consort Li sat quietly in their seats with smiles on their lips, waiting for Prince Su to present his birthday gifts.
Prince Su, with his neck stiff and back straight, also looked confident and determined to win.
He first kowtowed to the Empress Dowager, offered his birthday wishes, clapped his hands, and then turned to look at the palace entrance.
"Your Majesty, this birthday gift may be a bit too much. We need to dismantle the palace gates and bring it in from outside. Please forgive me."
A murmur arose among the court officials, who looked at each other with curiosity.
Prince Yu and Consort Li frowned slightly, while Song Xizhi raised his eyebrows slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Emperor Guangqi's lips twitched, and he was about to speak, but the Empress Dowager waved her hand dismissively.
A hint of curiosity appeared in her eyes: "What is it that requires dismantling the palace gates to bring in?"
Prince Su adopted a fawning and ingratiating demeanor, making a comical expression: "Naturally, it's something that Grandmother Empress likes!"
The Empress Dowager laughed and waved her hand, "Very well, I grant your permission. I'd like to see just how big it is!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the men brought by Prince Su were prepared and quickly dismantled the palace gate.
Soon, the people in the palace saw dozens of strong men dressed in red, carrying a huge boulder on their shoulders, slowly moving in from the palace gate.
Everyone gaped slightly, looking up at the boulder on the burly man's shoulder.
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