Chapter 151,
This move was exactly what Su Guoer wanted.
She came here to be a supervisor, and what she needed to be on guard against was whether anyone would tamper with the dishes. As for cooking, a Yunjiang fish ball was enough as a signature dish, so she happily agreed to the task assigned by the director.
As for Minghua and the others, they were scattered everywhere, helping with some odd jobs, but in fact it was to check whether they did their work carefully.
It also prevents someone from cheating with the food.
While Su Guo'er and the others were busy at the back, drums and gongs were already blaring in the front, welcoming the return of the Hu Kingdom's honor guard, which brought back a group of seven people. They were all from the Hu Kingdom's delegation, and they were originally ministers of the Hu Kingdom, specializing in diplomatic missions.
Of course they couldn't come empty-handed, so they brought ten camel carts loaded with rare stones, spices, animal skins and other things.
It was said to be a gift to the government.
The emperor held a grand ceremony in Chaoyang Palace to welcome the Hu State delegation.
At the banquet, there was music and dancing, the sound of orchestral music was endless, and there were also graceful dancers performing, which was a feast for the eyes. The envoys were all staring in amazement.
Under the Imperial Concubine's arrangement, Qingluan first had some fruits brought in for them to try, with the meal to follow. But that was secondary; what they ate wasn't important; what they came for was what mattered.
Also attending the banquet were officials of the fifth rank and above, as well as officials invited by the emperor, and various princes staying in Beijing, a total of about 120 people.
This banquet was quite grand.
Before the banquet began, Emperor Mingde ordered people to light sky lanterns and set off fireworks to liven up the atmosphere, and then he started drinking. It was easier to get people to talk after they were drunk.
He didn't believe that they were just here to pay tribute.
He also planned to drag them to the military parade ground tomorrow to show them how powerful his soldiers were, so that they would give up the idea of coming to take advantage of him and know that the Celestial Empire was not so easy to mess with!
This is the key point!
Of course, ensuring the lives of these envoys is also the key point. In the interactions between two countries, envoys must not be touched. Otherwise, there will be another bloody storm on the battlefield, which is not what Emperor Mingde wants to see.
So he could be said to be extremely careful and cautious at this banquet.
As for why he had to ask the Imperial Concubine to host this banquet? It was because he wanted to weaken the arrogance of Imperial Concubine Zhang, so he did so and would find a reason to scold her after the banquet.
Otherwise... based on Concubine Zhang's personality, she would not be quiet at this banquet.
She has always been thinking about how to outdo the Queen and will not give up on confronting her at the banquet. It would be okay to find her something to do to distract her attention.
As for the purpose of the envoys from the Hu Kingdom, their small eyes were hidden in their thick eyebrows, making it difficult to see clearly, but the gleam in their eyes could not be ignored.
For a moment, everyone at the banquet had their own thoughts.
Morgan, the minister of the Hu Kingdom, first raised his glass to toast His Majesty, said some words of blessing, and said that the people of the Celestial Empire were healthy and prosperous, which made them very envious.
Soon everyone around him joined in, livening up the atmosphere at the banquet.
There was singing and dancing, a scene of peace and happiness.
Su Guoer had just finished making her Yunjiang fish balls when the chef came over to urge her. The other dishes were already prepared and they were just waiting to be served. Fortunately, there was nothing wrong with this batch of dishes.
Su Guoer, Minghua and the others also kept a close eye on the situation to ensure that no one took action.
In addition, all the dishes were delivered by people arranged by the Imperial Concubine, so Su Guoer breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the task assigned to her could finally be completed. After tonight, she could leave the palace, and then she would never want to come to the palace again.
Really...
It's terrifying.
After watching the dishes being served, Su Guoer finally relaxed all her strength and sat on a bamboo stool to rest for a while, with her legs hanging down.
She couldn't go to the party, so her work ended here.
After finishing her work, she walked back under the guidance of the little palace maid.
The little palace maid was called Lian'er. She was pretty and sweet-mouthed. She kept chattering on the way Su Guoer returned to the palace.
"Oh, I really envy those sisters who can serve at banquets. They can see so many princes and nobles, as well as Prince Jing, Prince Li and others. It's really enviable!"
Su Guoer didn't understand what was so enviable about this, so she asked, "Why do you envy this?"
If nothing goes wrong at such a banquet, at most they will just have to stand by the pillar for a day. But if something goes wrong, they... will inevitably be implicated, and may even be called to entertain envoys.
Such things are common.
Su Guoer was a little worried.
But Lian'er said, "No reason. Although there's no reward money at this kind of banquet, it's nice to meet those nobles, right? What if they take a fancy to me..."
She seemed to think that such a thing was unlikely to happen, so she immediately became dejected: "That's right, how could he be interested in a palace maid like me? Even a random official is not worthy of me. Oh, I really am too sentimental."
Su Guoer didn't say anything.
Judging from the results of her previous life, Lian'er was indeed a little too self-indulgent.
Those princes and nobles were all very arrogant, how could they condescend to even look at them?
After all, they can walk with their heads held high and their chests puffed out after entering the palace, but they... have to kneel down when they see a noble. Under the influence of such power, they will not be interested in a little maid or palace maid.
In her previous life, Su Guoer was able to become a prince's concubine only because of her status as an orphan and the old lady's favor. How could she not know how deep the chasm was?
But she still wanted to say a few more words: "At what age can you palace maids be allowed to leave the palace?"
Lian'er: "21, maybe? It's a little late, but there will still be people who want her by then. I heard that those who have worked as maids in the palace are very popular outside."
Su Guoer nodded: "Then it's better to leave the palace, otherwise your black hair will turn completely white if you stay in this palace."
Lian'er: "Yes, yes, my aunt is like that. She spent half her life in the palace and didn't even have any children. The other day... when the Concubine Dowager passed away, she died with her."
When she said this, she seemed to have something to hide. She hesitated and didn't say it out loud. She just leaned over to Su Guoer and whispered, "I heard that she died in an accident!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com