The emperor took in their expressions, his smile undiminished: "Where is the Queen Mother?"
The Empress Dowager's armored hand seemed to casually pat Qiu Yi twice, then she said, "Coincidentally, I also heard that Zhiyu's birthday is today, and I mentioned earlier that she is a good match for me. Since the Emperor is going too, let's go together."
The emperor naturally would not reject her request. He smiled and nodded.
The imperial carriage traveled all the way to Xu's house.
Jiang Zhiyu was greeting the guests one by one under Xu Youran's coercion and inducement when she heard the doorman come to report.
"His Majesty and the Queen Mother have arrived."
Knowing Jiang Zhiyu's favor, the guests present had already prepared themselves mentally for the emperor's arrival. They were about to stand up to welcome him, but the name called from behind made everyone startled.
Why is the Queen Mother here?
The Queen Mother had always lived in seclusion and had never attended the birthdays of princes and princesses. She did not even show up at the wedding of her beloved fifth princess, Xiao Qingwu.
How come you are attending Jiang Zhiyu's birthday party today?
Everyone saluted, and the emperor said with a smile, "Please stand up. Today is a festive day, there is no need to be so rigid about etiquette."
After he finished speaking, he looked at He Yanting again and jokingly said, "It's rare to see you in such an occasion."
He Yanting, whose heart skipped a beat as soon as he looked over, said: "..."
"Your Majesty, you are joking. My old injury hasn't healed yet, so it's inconvenient for me to travel. Besides, Miss Jiang is my savior."
His explanation was reasonable. The emperor glanced at him sideways, chuckled, and said nothing.
The Empress Dowager didn't expect that so many people would come to Jiang Zhiyu's birthday party. Judging from the situation, everyone in the capital who could be named was there.
She frowned and walked up to Tan Shujing. When she was about to bow, she supported her and said, "Madam Xu, there's no need to be so polite. I have a good impression of Zhiyu. He will definitely become rich and powerful in the future."
As a parent, who doesn’t like others to praise their children?
Tan Shujing raised the corner of her lips slightly and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Queen Mother. We are not talking about becoming rich or famous. As long as Zhiyu lives a safe and healthy life, we will be satisfied."
[Isn't it a good match? This girl is eyeing my eyeballs and wants to dig them out and put them in her treasure house.]
【I've seen through her a long time ago! 】
!!!
For a moment, the few people who could hear her inner thoughts looked at the empress dowager with meaningful eyes.
Tan Shujing pulled her hand out of the Queen Mother's and said, "Quickly go in and sit down to talk."
The Queen Mother's smile faded slightly because of her actions, but after hearing her tone, she felt that she was overthinking it.
So he nodded slightly and went in first under the guidance of the maid.
Jiang Zhiyu was wearing the red dress that Xu Youran had carefully selected. She had big, bright almond-shaped eyes, a straight and pretty nose, and red lips. She was a beauty comparable to a national beauty, full of energy and very charming.
The emperor looked at her and said with emotion, "You are one year older."
Jiang Zhiyu: “…”
[Why does the tone sound like that of a pig seller? Is the next sentence, "If it gets bigger, we can eat it or sell it?"
emperor:"……"
Nonsense, why does he sound like a pig seller?
He just sighed and said that if he waited another three years, he would be able to get married.
hiss.
So, it seems that there is no difference in essence?
The emperor's rebuttal was stuck in his throat for a moment.
Xiao Lingyu noticed his discomfort and said, "Father, please go in first. It's time for the banquet."
The emperor looked at him with appreciation and walked towards the inner courtyard.
Delicacies were served like flowing water, extremely luxurious.
The empress dowager sat on the right side of the emperor, but on his left was not the prince, but Jiang Zhiyu.
According to the emperor, since today is Zhiyu's birthday, she should be given the highest status and it doesn't matter where she sits.
Since the emperor had said so, no one else would reject his interest at this moment.
For Jiang Zhiyu, it didn't matter where she sat. After the meal was announced, she just focused on eating.
While they were eating, someone from the doorman came hurriedly and whispered something in Xu Youran's ear.
Xu Youran's expression changed.
"Send him away. If he comes to the Xu residence again in the future, there is no need to inform him."
There is probably only one person in Shengjing who can make Xu Youran say this.
Everyone knew the answer in their hearts, and just pretended not to hear her and continued talking and laughing.
The Queen Mother lowered her eyelids.
Isn't today Song Shiwei's coming-of-age ceremony? What is Jiang Zhaorong doing here?
The Queen Mother looked around again and couldn't help but feel a little relieved.
I was glad that I didn’t go to the Prime Minister’s Mansion first.
Almost all the court officials in the capital came here, so you can imagine how deserted the prime minister's residence was.
[Why send him away? This kind of scumbag is like a pig hitting a tree. He knows he's turning around. If you let him go, he knows he loves you.]
Avoiding him will only make him feel lucky. It's better to be open and honest with him, letting him see clearly and know that there is no possibility between you two anymore.
Xu Youran thought about it for a moment and felt that what she said made sense.
He ordered, "Forget it, let him in."
After a while, Jiang Zhaorong walked in with a brocade box in his hand.
Seeing his colleagues in the courtyard, he was slightly startled. When he saw the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, he was shocked and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, Your Majesty, and the Empress Dowager."
The emperor said in a cold tone, "Stand up. Today is Zhiyu's birthday. There is no need for Prime Minister Jiang to be so polite. However, Prime Minister Jiang is a little late."
Jiang Zhaorong looked embarrassed.
After leaving the Prime Minister's Residence and entering the main street, the street was so congested that it was impossible to move. Jiang Zhaorong had no choice but to abandon the carriage and walk.
He took out the brocade box in his hand and changed the subject: "I went to get the gift I prepared earlier, which delayed me a little. Zhiyu, take a look and see if you like it."
Inside the brocade box was a white jade hairpin inlaid with pearls, jadeite and tourmaline. Judging from the quality, it was extremely good.
But it seems a bit shabby to give it to you today.
Some ministers already had a hint of contempt in their eyes.
He is my biological father, but what he gave me is not as good as what they gave me.
Jiang Zhiyu didn't even glance at it. Xu Youran said, "I appreciate your kindness, but you should take this gift back, Your Majesty."
Jiang Zhaorong frowned slightly and said anxiously, "What's going on? Zhiyu likes white jade the most, and she hasn't even taken a look at it..."
"Zhiyu doesn't like white jade," he said before Xu Youran interrupted, "The one who likes white jade is obviously your adopted daughter."
Impossible! Jiang Zhaorong looked at Jiang Zhiyu for confirmation.
Although he didn't remember what Jiang Zhiyu liked, he asked the maid who had served Jiang Zhiyu for the longest time in the prime minister's mansion, and she told him herself.
Jiang Zhiyu gnawed on a chicken leg and nodded, "I don't like white jade, I like red agate."
[White jade is so plain and simple. If it falls, it will be hard to find it.]
[Red is different. Even if it falls off, you can still see it at a glance.]
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