Chapter 44 The Empress Dowager Invites You
"What a bunch of useless trash! What use are you to me!"
The Emperor was in a rage at Shou Kang Palace. The time for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet to begin had already passed, yet these servants were claiming that the Empress Dowager had disappeared.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. The Empress Dowager said she wanted to take a walk alone this morning and didn't want anyone to follow her, so..."
"Are you blaming the Empress Dowager?!"
The maid's explanation only made the emperor angrier.
Chunyu Han stood outside the hall, his handsome face clouded with worry.
Prime Minister Yu had been there for quite some time, but he hadn't even seen a trace of Yu Nian. After Canghai returned from his inspection tour, Chunyu Han spoke softly.
Where are they?
"Your Excellency, the guards have reported that they have spotted the Empress Dowager heading towards the main hall."
After Canghai finished his report, he immediately felt that Chunyu Han's aura had become even colder.
"Did he say something wrong? Is this not what the master wants to hear?" Canghai thought for a moment and then spoke.
"Miss Yu hasn't arrived yet. I heard she caught a cold a couple of days ago. It's already this late, so she probably won't be coming."
This time, Chunyu Han, whose face was as cold as ice, finally reacted, but his tone became even colder than before.
Did I ask her? I was being nosy.
Canghai wanted to cry but had no tears; he was having such a hard time.
Chunyu Han's narrow phoenix eyes glanced almost imperceptibly toward the direction of the outer water banquet, his deep eyes filled with frost.
...
moment.
As the birthday banquet began, cannons were fired, and the Empress Dowager walked out of the main hall of Shou Kang Palace, surrounded by people.
"Where did you go early this morning, Mother? Your son is very worried about you."
The Emperor, standing beside the Empress Dowager, spoke with concern.
"I was just going for a walk to clear my head, Your Majesty need not make a fuss. It was only a little late, I don't care at all, it's nothing."
The Empress Dowager took her seat, and the banquet, which had been quiet all morning, finally became lively.
Yu Nian arrived at the outer water banquet after the last cannon shot. She walked so fast that a thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead, and the hem of her dress was torn, making her look somewhat disheveled.
"I made it! I finally made it..."
Yu Nian was already a bit weak from the cold, and she had been rushing around. When she arrived at her destination, she quickly found an empty seat and sat down. She didn't care about looking disheveled; no one was looking at her anyway.
As soon as Yu Nian arrived, Canghai immediately reported to Chunyu Han.
Chunyu Han paused slightly in the wine glass, his expression unchanged, but the intimidating aura around him subsided considerably.
He figured she wouldn't dare not come.
The news of Yu Nian's arrival also reached the Crown Prince's ears. The Crown Prince's eyes darkened. Yu Nian was like a leech, impossible to shake off. How could she have managed to find him even in this situation?
"Go and gag the old woman who led Yu Nian."
Li Mingjin's eyes sharpened. Yu Nian's arrival wouldn't be a problem; her elder sister was waiting to deal with her.
Yu Nian had just settled down when she wanted to see if Lu Mingzhu was among the group of people.
A familiar voice rang in her ears: "Cousin."
Yu Nian shuddered slightly, turned around, and couldn't help but feel that she was really good at making mistakes. Of all the seats at the banquet, she just happened to sit next to the female lead, Yu Zhirou.
In this kind of situation, Yu Zhirou must have been brought by the Crown Prince. Needless to say, someone will definitely fall ill or have some kind of pain soon, and the female lead will have to treat them.
Such a crowded occasion is perfect for Yu Zhirou to shine.
Yu Nian didn't care about any of that. What she cared about was why she had to see her ex's current girlfriend when she was in such a disheveled state. It was a bit embarrassing.
Hello, cousin.
Yu Nian returned a faint smile and greeted Yu Zhirou.
"My cousin doesn't look too well, is there anything I can do for her...?"
Yu Zhirou looked at Yu Nian with concern, not for any other reason than that Yu Nian knew her mistakes and was able to correct them, which was a great virtue.
Yu Zhirou used to harbor resentment towards Yu Nian, not only because Yu Nian would deliberately cause trouble for her in front of the Crown Prince, but mainly because Yu Nian always deliberately imitated her.
Everyone wants to be unique in this world. No one likes to always have a shadow over them. Today, when Yu Zhirou saw Yu Nian, although she was a bit disheveled, she was still a sight to behold.
"No, thank you, cousin. It's just a small matter, I won't trouble you. I'll be fine after a rest."
Yu Nian waved her hands repeatedly, saying that her little problem didn't need Yu Zhirou's help, lest Li Mingjin see it and accuse her of having ill intentions.
"You're too kind, cousin..."
Yu Zhirou returned a gentle smile. She felt a little unaccustomed to Yu Nian being so polite to her.
As the two sisters were chatting, a young eunuch rushed over. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Fu Lu, the young eunuch who served Li Mingjin.
The young eunuch came to find Yu Zhirou, but when he saw Yu Nian, a woman who shouldn't be there, sitting with Yu Zhirou, he looked at her like she was a monster.
Yu Nian rolled her eyes at him. What kind of look was that? Did he think she had horns on her head?
With his duties on his shoulders, the young eunuch dared not delay and hurriedly said to Yu Zhirou, "Miss Rou, the Crown Prince requests that you go to the Shou Kang Palace immediately."
Upon hearing this, Yu Nian realized that the female lead had been given a job, and judging from the looks of it, it was the Crown Prince who had arranged it for her.
She truly thinks of her beloved in every way; it's definitely true love.
Yu Zhirou also stood up, and before leaving, she didn't forget to say something to Yu Nian.
"Excuse me, cousin."
Yu Nian didn't care about any of this. She felt more at ease after Yu Zhirou left and quickly waved her hand.
"You go about your business."
After Yu Zhirou left, Chuntao started muttering in Yu Nian's ear again.
“Miss, look at her, she’s going to show off in front of everyone again. Even you, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister’s mansion, can’t show your face in front of the palace.”
Yu Nian's eyes lingered on the table full of delicious food. Hearing Chun Tao's old habit kicking in again, she quietly took a piece of pastry from the table and slipped it into Chun Tao's hand.
"You haven't eaten anything all morning, go find a secluded place to grab a bite."
Yu Nian had no desire to show her face in front of the palace; she was already grateful that she could avoid appearing timid.
"Miss, this is absolutely not allowed."
Chun Tao realized that Yu Nian wanted to shut her up, but the palace was different from the mansion. With so many eyes watching, breaking the rules would definitely result in punishment.
"Look at you, you're not afraid to talk badly about others, but you chicken out when you steal a pastry. I've told you so many times, don't talk badly about people behind their backs."
Yu Nian picked up a piece of fragrant braised pork for herself. The chefs in the palace were truly exceptional; not only was the dish visually appealing and delicious, but the meat itself was also incredibly flavorful.
Even Yu Nian, a patient whose nose was somewhat blocked, could smell the fragrance.
When Chun Tao saw that Yu Nian wanted to eat this greasy food, she immediately tugged at her sleeve. The Fourth Young Master had said that she should eat a light diet.
"Miss, aren't you always talking badly about the Regent behind his back?"
Yu Nian's chopsticks slipped as she was pulled, and she didn't get to eat any meat. She pouted unhappily.
"Are you his spy planted next to me? I wasn't saying anything bad, I was just stating the facts. Good Chuntao, it's rare for us to come out, I'll just have one piece, nothing will happen, please don't stop me, okay?"
Since Yu Nian had said so, Chun Tao had no choice but to nod.
Yu Nianxin picked up the braised pork with satisfaction. Just as her moist lips touched the meat, she heard the somewhat shrill voice of the little eunuch Fulu ring out again.
"Miss Yu, the Empress Dowager requests your presence!"
That shout startled Yu Nian so much that he dropped the braised pork.
Yu Nian looked at the little eunuch with displeasure. Could it be that she had the wrong person? Why did the Empress Dowager invite her?
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