On New Year's Eve, a grand family banquet was held in the palace, which took place in the Empress Dowager's Yong'an Palace.
The palace was decorated festively inside and out, with bright red palace lanterns everywhere. The already magnificent palace was now illuminated even more brightly, as if it were daytime.
The Empress Dowager, Emperor Jing, the Empress, the concubines, princes and princesses from various palaces, and several important officials all attended in their finest attire.
The joy of the festival radiated from everyone's faces as they gathered together to celebrate the New Year and bid farewell to the old.
Emperor Jing sat facing south, with a large banquet table beside him filled with all kinds of cold dishes, hot dishes, oven-baked food, steamed buns, rice and noodle pastries, snacks, and more.
To demonstrate the Qin King's high position and power, and to show that he treated his only younger brother well, the hypocritical Emperor Jing deliberately placed the Qin King, Xuanyuan Han, next to himself, so that they could dine at the same table.
The Empress Dowager, with her kind and amiable appearance, kept nodding and smiling at everyone, seemingly in a very good mood.
This was all thanks to the safe return of her most beloved grandson, Crown Prince Xuanyuan Hao, who had been traveling abroad for many years. It was also because Xuanyuan Hao, who was thought to be unable to attend the family banquet on New Year's Eve due to smallpox, miraculously recovered as scheduled.
Wearing an exquisite dragon and phoenix crown inlaid with countless pearls and gemstones, the dignified and composed Empress sat beside the Empress Dowager with a smile, looking very pleased. They would occasionally exchange smiles and conversation.
The other palace mistresses were also discussing how much reward their palaces had received this year. Whether it was generous or not, and whether it was sincere or not, most of them had smiles on their faces and were all very happy.
Unlike previous years, this year's grand family banquet featured two new faces. One was the return of Crown Prince Xuanyuan Hao, who was finally free from his travels, and the other was Princess Mei Xiyuan, the Princess Consort of Qin, who was spending the New Year with the Xuanyuan royal family for the first time.
At that moment, she sat on the other side of the Queen.
The family banquet officially began, and celebratory court music played. Accompanied by beautiful melodies, a group of beautiful women dressed in slightly thin and flowing pink dresses came to the center of the hall and danced gracefully, their movements as graceful as a startled swan.
Everyone rose together and raised their glasses, wishing that "the weather in Western Qin will be favorable and the people will live in peace and prosperity in the coming year." With this ceremony, the banquet officially began.
The Empress smiled as she sipped the wine in her cup, gazing with satisfaction at her two children.
When his gaze fell on Xuan Yuan Yue, a trace of sadness welled up in his heart, and the smile on his face faded considerably.
Xuan Yuan Yue was also feeling uneasy. She knew perfectly well that she was now in a bind, with no choice but to go. Once the envoys and the Dongning Kingdom finalized the details of the marriage alliance, she would inevitably be married off to a distant land, and from then on, she would never have the chance to spend this beautiful night with everyone present again.
As she pondered, she looked around at every face she liked or disliked.
Because this will be her last memory of this place, which she has known for so long since birth. She wants to try her best to remember everyone's every smile and gesture, so that she can use it to recall the memories of her lonely and long life to come...
But as she looked, her eyes were quietly moistened by tears that welled up uncontrollably. She quickly lowered her head and wiped away the tears with the back of her hand so that no one would notice.
However, the observant Empress and Empress Dowager noticed it at the same time, and the smiles that were just on their faces instantly froze.
Yet they seemed at a loss for words, for advice, leaving only a deep sigh from each of them…
This inappropriate scene was noticed by Mei Xiyuan, who was standing to the side. She saw that everyone present was whispering among themselves, each with their own activities and topics. When she suddenly looked at the Empress Dowager and the Empress beside her, she saw their expressions as they looked at Xuan Yuan Yue and the disappointment on Xuan Yuan Yue's face. Mei Xiyuan seemed to have guessed what was going on, so she spoke up to break the dull atmosphere.
Mei Xiyuan picked up her cup and smiled, saying, "Xi'er toasts Mother and Sister-in-law, wishing them both good health and all their wishes fulfilled in the new year."
Only after these words were spoken did the three of them come to their senses.
The Empress Dowager quickly put on a smile again and said, "Xi'er is so thoughtful."
The Empress also raised her cup and nodded with a smile. As they spoke, the three of them drank the wine in their cups in one gulp.
After a moment, the Empress asked with concern, "Is there still no news from the Princess Consort of Qin?"
Mei Xiyuan was intelligent and naturally understood what the Empress was saying. The Empress Dowager also cast a questioning glance at her. The concubines, who had been whispering and gossiping just moments before, fell silent instantly when the Empress asked such an explosive question. They waited to see how the wealthy Princess Dongning would answer.
After a moment's thought, Mei Xiyuan feigned some self-reproach and said, "Your Majesty, I am terrified. My health has not been good, so I dare not get pregnant at this time. If anything were to happen during this period, I would be guilty of a terrible crime."
The Empress, who had been distracted by Xuan Yuan Yue's matter, suddenly remembered that Mei Xi Yuan had been saying she was unwell and had even personally gone to the palace to request a female physician. She then said, "Look at my memory, I completely forgot about that. That's true, thankfully the female physician bestowed upon the Princess will soon be entering the Prince's residence. We must ensure the Princess receives proper care and treatment. The Prince of Qin is not young anymore; the Princess should strive to produce an heir for the Xuan Yuan royal family as soon as possible."
As soon as the Empress finished speaking, the Empress Dowager hurriedly comforted her, "Princess Qin, there's no need to worry. Please relax. Both Princess Qin and Prince Qin are in the prime of their lives, full of vigor and vitality. Let the physician help them recover first. Only fertile land can grow good crops. Look at our Prince Qin, so brave and valiant, with his noble bearing. He will surely sow excellent seeds. Princess Qin, please rest assured."
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, the minds of the assembled concubines immediately began to race. The Empress Dowager was referring to Prince Qin, Xuan Yuan Han, the cold and handsome god-like figure whom every woman in the world adored. Their cheeks instantly flushed red. They were filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment; they couldn't even imagine what it would be like to be beneath such a cold and noble man, let alone have the privilege of bearing his children…
At this moment, Mei Xiyuan also lowered her head shyly, revealing a blush on her face. The Empress Dowager and the Empress looked at each other and smiled.
Just then, Crown Prince Xuanyuan Hao, who was sitting at the banquet table next to Xuanyuan Yue, stood up and said, "So this is the Queen Consort of the Imperial Uncle Qin, my Imperial Aunt Qin. She is indeed as beautiful as a fairy, especially the beauty mark between her eyebrows, which is very beautiful. Nephew pays his respects to Imperial Aunt Qin."
“Your Highness, there’s no need for such formalities. I heard from Your Highness that you contracted smallpox when you returned to the palace a few days ago. Have you fully recovered?” Mei Xiyuan greeted Xuan Yuanhao politely and inquired about his well-being upon their first meeting.
"I'm so sorry to have troubled you, Aunt Qin. Fortunately, Yun'er took meticulous care of me for over half a month, never taking her time. Now, Hao'er is safe and sound."
As soon as Xuan Yuanhao finished speaking, Mei Xiyuan's heart filled with suspicion. Could it be that vile woman again? So she hurriedly asked, "Your Highness spoke of Yun'er, but who is she...?"
"Oh, it's Yi Shangyun, the physician who will soon be taking up her post at the Qin Prince's residence!" Seeing Mei Xiyuan's puzzled expression, Xuan Yuanhao quickly gave her full name.
It really is her. How come she's everywhere? She's like a persistent ghost. Just as Mei Xiyuan was pondering this, Xuan Yuanhao spoke again, "Aunt Qin, I've heard that Dongning Kingdom is vast and rich in resources, with many advanced things. In the future, may I often visit the Qin Prince's Mansion to learn from you personally?"
Mei Xiyuan hadn't expected Yi Shangyun to be so capable. Not only had she won the heart of Xuan Yuan Yue, the most favored princess of the Western Qin Kingdom, but even the Crown Prince of Western Qin seemed to be looking at her differently now. Thinking of this, she gritted her teeth in anger.
"Aunt Qin? Aunt Qin?" Seeing that she seemed to be in a daze, Xuan Yuanhao called out to her again.
Mei Xiyuan then came to her senses and hurriedly said, "Yes, of course, the Prince of Qin's residence welcomes Your Highness the Crown Prince at any time."
"Then Hao'er thanks Aunt Qin in advance," Xuan Yuan Hao said, winking at Xuan Yuan Yue beside him, but Xuan Yuan Yue glared at him.
Xuan Yuanhao then sat down and lowered his voice to say to Xuan Yuanyue beside him, "Royal sister, is my brother deliberately trying to get close to that Princess Dongning?"
Xuan Yuan Yue glared at him with disdain and said, "You are the Crown Prince of a nation, why do you do this? Mei Xi Yuan is very cunning and hard to guard against. Do you like associating with such a person?!"
Although arranging for Yi Shangyun to work at the Prince of Qin's residence seemed to be the most suitable decision, Mei Xiyuan's repeated unconventional actions had completely overturned Xuan Yuan Yue's previous positive impression of her.
Xuanyuan Hao snorted coldly, looking at Mei Xiyuan's gorgeous clothes and jeweled headdress, and said, "Hmph, tonight is just the New Year's Eve family banquet. Look at that Princess Dongning, dressed in such luxurious attire, she is more arrogant and vain than all the women present, and she doesn't know how to conceal her sharpness. When my brother spoke to her just now, she was also thinking hard and hesitant, her eyes were glazed over. It's obvious at a glance that she is no good person."
"Then why are you still..." Xuan Yuan Yue said angrily.
“Elder sister, please don’t get agitated. Your brother’s closeness to her is all for the sake of that girl Yun’er,” Xuan Yuanhao explained.
"What do you mean?" Xuan Yuan Yue was unaware that after years of training outside and under the careful guidance of her father, Wen Taifu, her younger brother was no longer an ordinary, ignorant 10-year-old boy.
So, he moved closer to Xuan Yuan Yue and said carefully, "Royal Sister, our Qin Imperial Aunt is clearly not someone to be trifled with. Her backer is the incredibly wealthy Dongning Kingdom. Although our Western Qin is not weak either, given the current situation, we still have to be wary of her. Otherwise, how could our all-powerful Qin Imperial Uncle have tolerated such a willful and capricious princess until now, while only taking Yun'er into the royal palace as a physician?!"
"How did you know that Uncle Qin had feelings for Yun'er..." Xuan Yuan Yue was extremely surprised that Xuan Yuan Hao had noticed Xuan Yuan Han's ambiguous feelings for Yi Shang Yun.
Xuanyuan Hao smiled disdainfully and said, "You all treat your younger brother like a child, but he knows everything. He even saw Qin Huangshu holding that girl in his arms and not wanting to let go."
"Shh!" Xuan Yuan Yue quickly frowned and put her finger to her lips...
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