Chapter 335
Everyone bowed.
Everyone present rose and bowed.
"Greetings to Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince, and Your Highness the Imperial Concubine."
"Greetings to Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince, and Your Highness the Imperial Concubine."
......
Everyone knelt on the ground, and Song Xuan led the two adults and the child toward the main seat. There was a chair on the main seat, the seat of Consort Shen Qingnian, which was originally placed to the side below the Emperor.
Song Xuan stopped in his tracks, and Xia Xiazi immediately stepped forward, gesturing to the maid beside him: "Quickly replace the chair with a long couch."
Soon, the chair in the main seat was replaced with a long couch. Only then did Song Xuan pull Shen Qingnian and Xiao Yanqing to sit down, and said to the kneeling crowd, "Rise, all of you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After everyone stood up and sat down, their eyes were drawn to Shen Qingnian, who was seated above them, clearly showing their curiosity about her.
Shen Zheng's gaze was almost blank; he had even forgotten to hide it, his eyes filled with shock and astonishment.
No wonder, no wonder His Majesty has never even touched Shen Man, who has been in the palace for so long! With the Consort and the late Empress looking so alike, Shen Man is naturally no match for her.
Thinking of this, Shen Zheng couldn't help but let out a long sigh, and then buried his head deeply.
Since Shen Man was neither able to attract His Majesty's attention with her looks nor had the wisdom to protect herself, she only had one path to take. Fortunately, Zheng'er had already given her the items.
Sitting on the far side, Shen Man looked pale. Even the heavy makeup couldn't hide her fatigue. She was looking at the radiant Shen Qingnian in the seat of honor, her eyes filled with resentment.
She was so frightened in the wild last night that she fainted. After being carried back, she developed a fever in the middle of the night and remained in a daze all night. This morning, in order to attend the hunting banquet, she had to hold her nose and be given some herbal medicine before she could come.
Seeing the Imperial Concubine in such a splendid state while she herself was in such a sorry state, how could she not feel resentful? They were clearly both substitutes, so why was there such a huge gap between her and the Imperial Concubine?
It must be the Imperial Concubine who's been interfering, constantly badmouthing her to His Majesty, which is why His Majesty hasn't been able to favor her. He must also have feelings for her; otherwise, why would he have sent her roasted meat yesterday...?
Thinking of this, a blush rose on Shen Man's face. She couldn't help but touch her bulging purse, a look of determination on her face.
Shen Zheng, who had been keeping an eye on Shen Man, couldn't help but show his disgust when he saw her expression: Father was right, Shen Man is indeed useless.
After scanning everyone's faces, Shen Qingnian, who was seated at the head of the table, finally fixed her gaze on Wang Jiarong. She noticed that the other woman's gaze was quite complicated.
There was shock, there was surprise, but also confusion and hesitation...
At this moment, the attendants stepped forward and poured wine for the ministers and their families.
Song Xuan slowly began, "This year, just like every year, whoever hunts the most animals will be the winner, and the prize will be that large bow made of pure gold."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiazi led the palace servants to bring up the large, pure gold bow that was taller than a person. The bow was made entirely of gold and inlaid with countless gemstones, making it sparkle in the sunlight.
Everyone present gasped when they saw the large bow.
"I heard that this bow was sent by the neighboring country of Japan. It was made of nearly two hundred catties of gold, and every gem on it is priceless."
"Tsk tsk, Japan may be small, but it's still rich. I've heard they spend lavishly on entertainment."
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