Chen Jingxi had a smile on her face. As long as she was not embarrassed, others would be embarrassed.
The queen coughed lightly a few times and ended the topic about Chen Jingxi's abduction in time to avoid the atmosphere being too awkward.
When most people had arrived, she got up and led everyone to the Imperial Garden to appreciate the flowers.
The chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden lived up to their reputation. The various colors of chrysanthemums bloomed in unison, vying for splendor and beauty beyond measure. Noble ladies and young ladies sat together in groups of three or four, chatting about their experiences admiring the flowers, and bursts of laughter could be heard from time to time.
Chen Jingxi and several other people of high status naturally followed the queen. After walking around the imperial garden, the queen led everyone to sit in the pavilion of the imperial garden to rest for a while.
The Queen smiled at Chen Jingxi and asked, "Princess Su rarely comes to the palace. What do you think of the scenery here?"
Without even thinking, Chen Jingxi replied directly, "It looks good."
Her answer was concise and clear, but it also surprised everyone. They didn't expect her to shut up after saying just these two words.
Upon hearing this, the Queen smiled even warmer and continued, "If Princess Su likes you, please stay in the palace for a few days."
Chen Jingxi had a smile on her face. As a member of the audience of "Legend of Zhen Huan", she knew it was not that simple, but she still asked her.
Therefore, adhering to the principle of "the more you say, the more mistakes you make, and the less you say, the better", she simply replied with the word "good-looking", which was neither impolite nor caused unnecessary trouble.
She continued, "The palace has many rules and regulations. I am a rude person and I am afraid of causing trouble for the Empress. Moreover, before I entered the palace, the prince specifically instructed that he would wait for me to return and have dinner together."
A lady nearby interrupted, hearing this: "I didn't expect Prince Su and Princess Consort to be so loving. How is Prince Su doing lately?"
Chen Jingxi glanced at her and replied, "Is this Madam Cui? My prince is doing well. He eats, drinks, and sleeps well, and smiles every day. He said that the emperor was considerate of him and allowed him to rest for three months, and he still received his salary. This is a great blessing."
Mrs. Cui didn't hear what she wanted to hear, so she smiled awkwardly and didn't say anything else.
Chen Jingxi knew exactly what Madam Cui was asking. She was hoping to use this opportunity to trick her into venting some complaints about Chu Jinghuai's dissatisfaction with his life in the palace. Then, she could use these complaints as leverage to have the censor impeach Chu Jinghuai for his refusal to repent, perhaps even charging him with slandering the emperor.
When the banquet was halfway through and the atmosphere was at its peak, Jiang Xiwan suddenly jumped out and said, "Your Majesty, I got a nice toy a few days ago and I want to give it to you."
Upon hearing this, the Queen raised her eyebrows in interest and asked, "What is it?"
Jiang Xiwan smiled and shook her head, saying mysteriously, "This humble servant wants to keep this a secret and give Your Majesty a surprise later."
The Queen nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do as you say. I'm looking forward to your surprise."
Jiang Xiwan said with joy, "Empress, this gift of mine needs cooperation to show its magic. Could Princess Su do me a favor?"
After hearing this, the Queen did not immediately agree, but turned her gaze to Chen Jingxi, "Princess Su, look..."
Chen Jingxi knew that Jiang Xiwan's sudden request must be up to something. "Your Majesty, since Miss Jiang has made this request, your daughter-in-law is naturally willing to cooperate. I just don't know how you need your daughter-in-law to cooperate?"
Jiang Xiwan clapped her hands, and two palace maids came in carrying a tray covered with a red cloth.
"Princess Su, this is the gift I want to give to the Queen. Please lift up the cloth." Jiang Xiwan said with a smile.
Chen Jingxi walked forward and gently lifted the red cloth. On the tray was a bundle of fireworks, but they were not the usual fireworks.
Jiang Xiwan said that she had a skilled craftsman make it. The fuse of this firework is made of special material and does not need to be ignited with fire. The firework can be ignited by shooting the fuse with an arrow.
Because it needs to be shot with an arrow, someone is needed to hold it, and Chen Jingxi is the chosen person.
Jiang Xiwan took the bow and arrow handed to her by the palace maid and said with a smile: "Princess Su, these fireworks won't hurt anyone. I've practiced countless times at home and I'm sure they won't fail. I believe that Princess Su is so brave that she shouldn't be afraid, right?"
Chen Jingxi sneered and prepared to pick up the fireworks.
Chunmei, who was standing by, hurriedly stopped him and said, "Princess, you can't do that."
This is obviously a trap. Fireworks won't hurt anyone, but sharp arrows can. If you miss, the consequences will be disastrous.
And no one can guarantee that these fireworks will not hurt people.
"It's alright." Chen Jingxi raised her hand to signal Chunmei to leave. She said calmly, "I'm having a good time today. How could I spoil the Empress's mood? Don't worry, I know what to do."
As she spoke, she picked up the fireworks and walked to an open area. After she stopped, she said to Jiang Xiwan, "Miss Jiang, shoot."
Seeing Chen Jingxi agreed so readily, Jiang Xiwan was a little suspicious. When did Chen Jingxi become so easy to talk to and was willing to cooperate with her performance?
However, she changed her mind and decided that as long as she could see Chen Jingxi make a fool of herself, she would be happy. So she raised her arrow and was about to shoot.
Suddenly, Chen Jingxi on the opposite side said, "My hand is a little sore from holding it up, I'll lower it a little. Miss Jiang, you should be able to shoot it, right?" As she said that, she put the fireworks in her hand on her head.
This move surprised everyone.
Jiang Xiwan was stunned and said quickly, "Princess Su, please hold the fireworks higher."
Chen Jingxi smiled and said, "No need. I believe in your archery skills. But you still have to be careful. This princess's life is in your hands. If you shoot at the wrong spot, I'm afraid your Zhenguogong family will be..."
There was a hint of joking in her words, but anyone who heard it knew it was full of threat.
Seeing this, the Queen hurriedly stopped him and said, "Xi Wan, stop messing around. This is too dangerous. Put down the arrow quickly."
Chen Jingxi smiled and said, "Empress, it's just a game, how could it be dangerous?"
No one can stop her from playing this game today. If she wants to risk her life, she will play with her to the end.
"Is Miss Jiang scared?"
Jiang Xiwan gritted her teeth and said, "I'm not afraid. But Princess Su, are you sure you want to put fireworks on your head?"
Chen Jingxi said lightly, "Of course," and said no more, just standing there quietly.
Jiang Xiwan pulled the bow to its limit, aiming the arrow tip at the red fuse. She was confident she could hit the target. As long as she did, Chen Jingxi would be terrified the moment the fireworks exploded.
The servants in her house would always become incontinent out of fear, and she believed that Chen Jingxi was no exception.
However, Chen Jingxi's eyes were calm, as if she didn't realize that there was an arrow pointed at her.
The calmer she appeared, the more panicked Jiang Xiwan became. Beads of sweat had already formed on her forehead, and the bow in her hand began to tremble slightly.
She felt as if she was enveloped by an invisible pressure that made it impossible for her to concentrate.
She still clenched her teeth, trying her best not to look at Chen Jingxi's eyes, took a deep breath, and kept cheering herself up in her heart.
Then he released his fingers.
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