Chapter 49 New Year's Eve Palace Banquet
It's New Year's Eve again, and this year the Qin Mansion is particularly lively because of the eldest son's wedding.
Jiang Yuyan and Qin Shangyu discussed and decided to go back to Jiang Mansion to have lunch with Xiao Yuanyan and Xie Jingyu at noon, and then go back to Qin's house to celebrate the New Year in the evening.
Unexpectedly, Xie Jingyu came knocking on the door early in the morning.
"Your Majesty will host a New Year's Eve palace banquet for all the ministers to enjoy together. You are also invited."
After not seeing each other for two days, Xie Jingyu stared at Jiang Yuyan with a smile, as if he wanted to see flowers.
Jiang Yuyan widened her eyes in surprise. She never thought that after traveling to another world, she would have the opportunity to meet the "head of state".
But she only learned some common rules here, and she has no idea how to enter the palace to meet the emperor!
Xie Jingyu seemed to see what she was thinking and called someone forward.
"This is Eunuch Zhang from the palace. He is an old man from the time of the previous emperor. I asked him to teach you some lessons on palace etiquette. Don't worry."
After saying that, he playfully squeezed Jiang Yuyan's hand to comfort her.
"Okay, then I'll cram for the exam." Jiang Yuyan held her forehead with her hand.
He turned around and saluted Eunuch Zhang respectfully, "Excuse me, Eunuch!"
Eunuch Zhang took a look at Jiang Yuyan's demeanor and manners, and admired her in his heart. He smiled and walked forward and said, "Madam Jiang, you don't have to be polite. Your demeanor and manners are already very good. I just need to teach you some rules once."
So Jiang Yuyan had no time to go back to the Jiang Mansion and studied the rules diligently.
Before leaving in the evening, Jiang Yuyan felt uncomfortable thinking about Xiao Yuanyan spending New Year's Eve alone. When Qin Shangyu saw her off, he seemed to want to say something but stopped himself several times.
As if he was a worm in her stomach, Qin Shangyu was considerate and smiled gently, "I'll go to have New Year's Eve dinner with Brother Xiao, and then go back to the Qin family to stay up until the New Year."
Only then did Jiang Yuyan feel at ease getting on the carriage of Prince Wu's mansion, and the group headed towards the palace in a mighty procession.
After passing Shunchang Gate, they officially entered the Imperial Palace. Although Jiang Yuyan was a little curious, she did not look away and followed Xie Jingyu closely.
The banquet hall was set up in the Weiyang Palace. The hall was filled with silk and bamboo, and the aroma was fragrant. Lanterns were hung high, and the hall was magnificent. It was so grand!
When the palace servants led them to their seats, Jiang Yuyan's heart tightened. Their seats were actually very close to the front.
The Dayue Kingdom had a strict hierarchy. Although Xie Jingyu was a royal relative, he was a commoner after all and was a non-staff member of the court.
Logically speaking, at the top are the emperor and the empress and the imperial concubine, below and on the right are the princes and princesses, on the left are the princes and relatives, and then are the left and right chancellors, the first-rank officials of the court, etc.
They were not qualified to sit next to the King of Wu, even the Crown Prince sat below the Left Prime Minister. They actually inserted themselves between the King of Wu and the Left Prime Minister.
Jiang Yuyan and Xie Jingyu looked at each other, and Xie Jingyu comforted her to stay calm.
Jiang Yuyan had no choice but to lower her head and remain silent, trying to reduce her presence and become a nobody.
It’s a pity that no matter how low-key some people are, they are still the most eye-catching when sitting in the crowd.
The court officials in the Weiyang Palace had met Jiang Yuyan once at the wedding banquet of the Prince of Wu's mansion that day, and they were shocked by her beauty at that time. When they saw her again today, the beauty was wearing a gorgeous and noble palace dress, which made her more gorgeous than before. Her skin color, which was obviously two shades brighter than the surrounding skin, was even more conspicuous, making the whole hall pale in comparison.
The princes also took their seats one after another and cast their eyes over.
The Sixth Prince was particularly delighted. When he first saw Jiang Yuyan, his little face turned into a round bun with a smile. He left the table and threw himself into her arms, calling out, "Aunt! Aunt!"
The palace servants hurriedly tried to persuade him, "Oh my little prince, please go back to your seat~"
Jiang Yuyan did not dare to speak loudly, and whispered: "Your Highness, go back and sit down first. Come to Prince Wu's Mansion later, and I will take you out to play!"
The Sixth Prince then pouted and reluctantly returned to his seat.
After a while, a eunuch's sharp voice was heard.
"Your Majesty has arrived! The Empress and Consort Jia have arrived!"
"The third princess has arrived!"
The entire banquet hall suddenly became solemn.
Jiang Yuyan hurriedly stepped away from the table with everyone else and knelt down.
I saw a bright yellow piece of clothing fluttering past my eyes, followed by a sincere male voice, "My dear ministers, please stand up."
Jiang Yuyan then got up and sat back in her seat. However, someone above her looked at her, and her palms became slightly wet with nervousness.
"Today is New Year's Eve. I am here to celebrate with you all. My dears, please feel free to do as you please." The male voice at the top said gently.
"Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Everyone responded in unison.
Seeing that the emperor had already picked up his chopsticks, everyone started to eat as well.
Jiang Yuyan was just about to enjoy this ancient imperial meal when she heard the emperor asking questions.
"Uncle Wang, which one is your daughter-in-law Jiang?"
Emperor Sheng Yuan noticed this woman as soon as he came in. Although she kept her head down, it was obvious that she was indeed a rare beauty.
After being named, Jiang Yuyan stepped out of the line, knelt down, and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty, Jiang, pays homage to His Majesty the Emperor. Long live His Majesty."
The etiquette is appropriate and impeccable.
"Look up..."
Emperor Sheng Yuan looked at her fair forehead and wanted to get a glimpse of her whole appearance. The next second, he gave the order as he wished.
Jiang Yuyan raised her head slowly and respectfully, her expression calm.
Emperor Sheng Yuan almost stood there in a daze, not saying a word for a long time.
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