Chapter 234: Banquet
When the four of them arrived at Zhongling Palace together, Concubine Yu Gui was a little surprised.
"Did you discuss this?"
Yu Zheng said, "We just happened to meet."
Concubine Yu Gui understood and asked about Jiang Shu's recent situation with concern. At the end, they talked about Yu Lan's marriage.
"Fate plays tricks on you. You have suffered a lot these years. Fortunately, you are finally married, and I am relieved." Concubine Yu Gui patted Yu Lan's hand, her eyes slightly moist.
Being in the royal family, there are too many things that cannot be helped. The three of them, mother and son, are already very lucky.
Concubine Yu Gui's words made Yu Lan's eyes red.
She wanted to comfort Concubine Yu Gui and say that she was not suffering, but she herself did not believe this. Saying it out loud would make Concubine Yu Gui even more sad, so she swallowed it back.
The princess, who was loved and loved by her husband, was forced to marry into the Zhuang family. Her husband died in battle before she gave birth, leaving her trapped in the unfamiliar Zhuang family, raising a young son and living as a widow until now.
How could she not suffer?
Yu Lan thought, with a sour feeling in her throat.
Finally, Jiang Shu spoke to comfort her, "Mother, it's all over. Sister and Yun'er will be happy in the future."
Concubine Yu nodded, touched Zhuang Yun's head lovingly, and asked him in a gentle voice, "Does Yun'er like Uncle Zhou?"
Old Lady Zhuang had also asked Zhuang Yun the same question.
At that time, Zhuang Yun had little contact with Zhou Boxu, and didn't understand his meaning, so he didn't know how to answer.
But now Zhuang Yin understood, and after spending several times with Zhou Boxu, he developed feelings for him.
"I like him." Zhuang Yin nodded truthfully.
Yu Guifei was pleased to hear this: "Yun'er is so good, Uncle Zhou must like Yun'er very much."
Jiang Shu also said: "Mother is right, Yun'er is so smart and polite, everyone who sees her will like her."
Zhuang Yin was happy to hear this, and a smile appeared on his little face.
Yu Lan looked at Zhuang Yin's smiling face and swallowed the bitterness in his throat.
Because of Zhuang Yin, the bitterness was mixed with sweetness, so it was not so bitter.
The family was talking warmly, and a palace maid came in and reminded quietly: "Your Majesty, it's time to go to Deqing Palace."
Concubine Yu Gui came to her senses and laughed: "Look, I forgot the time when I was so happy. Let's go together."
The palace was lonely. Even though she was favored by the emperor, Concubine Yu Gui mostly stayed alone during the day and rarely interacted with the concubines.
She was also at odds with the empress, and in order to avoid disputes, she rarely left Zhongling Palace.
She was like a canary, trapped in the gorgeous cage of Zhongling Palace. She
usually spent her days quietly, and she would only be happy for a moment when the emperor came to see her, or when Yu Zheng and Yu Lan came to visit her.
The palace road was deep and dark, and the setting sun shone on the wall in a scattered manner.
Jiang Shu raised his eyes to the west, but could only see a circle of light golden halo.
The palace walls were so high that even the sunset could not be seen, making people feel suffocated for no reason.
When the group arrived at Deqing Hall, the hall was already full of people. When they saw Concubine Yu Gui, they all stood up to greet her.
"We are all family, there is no need to be polite." Concubine Yu Gui was in a very good mood and smiled.
"It's been a long time since we last met. Your Majesty looks better and better."
Compared to the dignified empress, Concubine Yu Gui was approachable and the wives of the royal family were happy to talk to her.
It was the first time that Jiang Shu met the royal family. At first glance, they were almost all strangers. She was a little nervous, afraid that she would recognize the wrong person and behave in the wrong way.
"Don't be afraid, just follow me." Yu Lan pulled her and said.
Because there were many people attending the banquet, men and women were seated separately.
"Brother Zheng." Yu Yuan waved to Yu Zheng in the crowd.
When Yu Zheng saw that Jiang Shu had been pulled down by Yu Lan, he walked towards Yu Yuan with confidence.
As soon as Jiang Shu and Yu Lan sat down, a group of girls and young ladies gathered around and started talking.
"Is this the emperor's sister-in-law? She's so pretty."
"Brother Zheng has good eyesight. I like the emperor's sister-in-law when I see her."
Jiang Shu blushed at the compliment and responded with a smile.
After a few words of conversation, everyone saw that Jiang Shu had a gentle temperament, so they started chatting and rushed to talk to her.
To them, Jiang Shu's experience was more exciting than the stories told in storybooks and storytellers. After finally meeting a real person, I naturally wanted to inquire about it carefully.
Jiang Shu answered all questions, and Yu Lan was there to help, so he had a great time chatting with them.
"The Emperor and the Queen have arrived!" the chamberlain standing outside the palace shouted at the top of his lungs.
The hall, which was filled with lively conversation, immediately became quiet, and everyone stood up to salute.
"Meet your Majesty (father), the Empress (mother)."
The emperor and the empress entered the hall together, walked through the hall with their heads held high, and sat down on the upper throne.
"Everyone stand up." The emperor raised his hand.
"Thank you, your Majesty (father)." Everyone thanked in unison and sat down again.
It was not yet dark, and everyone took turns chatting with the emperor and empress, answering the emperor's questions, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
At the hour of You, when it was dark, the palace servants took away the tea and fruit plates and presented wine and food.
Before starting to eat, everyone raised their glasses to show respect to the emperor and empress.
After drinking a glass of wine, the emperor and empress picked up their chopsticks to pick up the dishes, and then everyone started to eat.
After eating a few mouthfuls, everyone began to toast the emperor and empress.
After a while, the emperor and empress didn't eat much of the food, but drank half of the wine.
"I am very happy today. All the clan members are here. I have a good news to announce."
Everyone put down their cups and chopsticks and waited for the emperor to speak.
"According to the calculation of Qintianjian, the sixth day of June is a very auspicious day, suitable for marriage. It is set as the wedding date for Yu Lan to marry into the Zhou family."
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Congratulations, Princess..." Everyone raised their cups and congratulated in unison.
After swallowing the last mouthful of wine, the emperor really didn't want to drink anymore. He frowned and glanced at Eunuch Gao beside him.
Eunuch Gao understood, and he puffed out his chest and shouted: "Singing and dancing into the palace!"
With this shout, the dancers and musicians who had been waiting for a long time entered the palace and began to perform.
The emperor heaved a sigh of relief, picked up the silver chopsticks and ate while enjoying the singing and dancing.
Unlike the last annual banquet, the highlight of today's Lantern Festival was not inside the palace but outside the palace.
So after a short rest after the banquet, the emperor and empress led everyone out of the Deqing Palace and slowly walked to the nearby Shouxing Tower to watch the fire tree and silver flower.
The so-called fire tree and silver flower is to sprinkle the molten iron water into the sky with a special willow stick under the flower shed while it is still hot. The iron water turns into tiny iron filings and sprinkles in the air, forming a spectacular scene.
Every year during the Lantern Festival, there will be flower-beating performances in various places, which are listed as the twin scenes of the Lantern Festival together with Aoshan.
Jiang Shu loved watching flower-beating when she was young, and every year during the Lantern Festival, she would pester her father to take her to watch it.
But she had not seen it since she married into the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion.
Last year, she wanted to go with Jiang Ning to see it, but she didn't go because she remembered that Cuiyun Tower had just taken over.
This year, during the Lantern Festival, she actually went with Yu Zheng to appreciate the grand spectacle of flower-beating in the palace.
"Bang!" The leading flower-beater hit the first stick hard.
Immediately afterwards, one by one, the flower-beaters took turns to beat, causing the flower shed to bloom with silver flowers all over the sky.
Jiang Shu's almond eyes widened, staring intently.
Clusters of silver flowers bloomed, illuminating the dark night sky.
After watching flower-beating for many years, this was the closest time for Jiang Shu, with the best position and the most shocking view.
"Stand behind me, be careful not to get burned." Yu Zheng stretched out his long arm and protected Jiang Shu to his side.
Although the scene of Dahua is beautiful and dazzling, it is also very dangerous. Every year, people get burned while watching Dahua.