"Your Highness!"
Liu Hui walked straight towards Empress Xiao, and the concubines stood up and saluted him one after another.
The crown prince is the heir to the throne, so concubines of lower rank in particular must not neglect the etiquette in the slightest.
"Your son pays homage to your mother, Madam Yu!"
When they approached Empress Xiao, Liu Hui and Li Lizhi greeted her respectfully.
Note: Because this book uses the titles of the Han and Tang dynasties, the princes called the empress "mother" or "Her Highness the Empress". Here it is written as "Queen Mother". The emperor's concubines are referred to as the surname plus the title.
"Prince, how is this going?"
"Thanks to the Queen Mother, everything is fine!"
The intimacy in the words spoken by Empress Xiao and Liu Hui was just like that of a real mother and son.
However, the many concubines present probably thought it was just an act.
However, Xing Bang knew very well that Empress Xiao might have harbored resentment towards the Crown Prince in the past, but now it was probably much calmer because her state of mind had changed. Moreover, as a mother, she would not really complain or care about a child in her heart.
After all, her previous resentment was only due to injustice, and was only directed at Liu Xian and Madam Fanghua.
At Empress Xiao's signal, Liu Hui and Li Lizhi sat down.
"Hui'er, shouldn't you be in the Hall of Supreme Harmony?"
Madam Yu asked Liu Hui kindly...
This kind look is very genuine, exactly the same look a mother gives her own son.
Xing Bang could see that Madam Yu liked Liu Hui very much.
Perhaps, it could be that Mrs. Yu truly desired a child from the bottom of her heart.
Besides, Liu Hui is really likable and is her spiritual sustenance.
"Madam Yu, the banquet has ended. Your Majesty drank a few more cups, so he asked me to come here first. Your Majesty will be here after a short rest."
"Well, your mother should be here soon."
Madam Yu smiled slightly, then turned to look at Yu You'er. Seeing her expression, she couldn't help but frowned: "You'er, why don't you greet the prince?"
Yu You'er's face turned red with embarrassment. She was distracted just now. She quickly stood up and bowed to Liu Hui and Li Lizhi.
"No need to be so polite, you must be Sister You'er!"
Liu Hui smiled brightly, without any hint of distracting thoughts in her expression.
After all, he is just an eight-year-old child.
Yu You'er is different. She has reached the age of falling in love for the first time. If nothing unexpected happens, she will marry the Sixth Prince soon.
As women from royal and noble families, they should naturally be taught the virtues of women in advance.
So, it’s normal for her to be shy like a young girl!
Xing Bang could also see that Liu Hui and Madam Yu were quite close.
Apart from greeting and saying a few words just now, Li Lizhi was now sitting comfortably on the side.
When he came in, he just gave Xing Bang a symbolic glance.
"Lizhi, His Majesty didn't explicitly ask you to participate. I think you are now the Crown Princess and a real member of the harem. If you want to participate, I will talk to His Majesty later."
"Thank you for your concern, mother. However, Li Zhi is a junior after all, so I will not participate. I will just join in the fun."
Li Lizhi said very humbly.
Empress Xiao smiled slightly, "That's good. I know you have already learned it. With your intelligence, I am afraid that basically no one can be your opponent."
"Thank you for the compliment, Queen Mother. Li Zhi is also not very experienced and only has a limited understanding."
"Mother!"
After Liu Hui muttered something in a low voice, they stopped chatting and looked towards the door.
Madam Fanghua, dressed in a gorgeous and stunning outfit, walked in, with Wan Yanran beside her. Cuiyu Pavilion and Baoshi were close to each other, so it seemed that the two of them had met and came here together.
Almost all the eyes in the audience were focused on Madam Fanghua. In addition to her stunning appearance today, what was more important was that she came here specially from the torture chamber.
Many concubines may be surprised that the young lady in the torture chamber still looks as charming as before.
Naturally, there are many speculations...
"Fanghua greets the Queen, Madam Yu!"
"I greet the Queen, Madam Yu!"
Madam Fanghua and Wan Yanran came forward and bowed to Empress Xiao and Madam Yu respectively.
With the presence of the most powerful Empress Xiao and Madam Yu, there was naturally no need to pay respects to the other concubines of lower ranks one by one.
In fact, there are only a few people with high positions. Among the dozens of other people, there must be people with the same position as Wan Yanran, who is the lowest rank among the concubines. This time, all those with high positions have gathered together.
"Just sit down."
"Thank you, Queen Nanny!"
Madam Fanghua and Wan Yanran responded and prepared to turn around.
Obviously, Wan Yanran was of low status, so she dared not sit in the front row. Madam Fanghua no longer had a title, so she naturally would not break the rules, so the two of them prepared to sit in the last seat at the same time.
However, Madam Fanghua was stopped by Empress Xiao, and Ren Wanyanran walked towards the door.
"Fanghua, since His Majesty has ordered you to attend this banquet, and the Crown Prince is here, just sit down here."
Queen Xiao was definitely not trying to make things difficult for her. What she said was very sincere and there was nothing wrong with it. Madam Fanghua thanked her and sat down.
At this time, all the concubines have arrived, who dares to be late?
Afterwards, the Sixth Prince Liu Jing arrived a little earlier than Liu Xian.
Now, all the royal banquet guests have arrived.
In addition to the concubines, there are Liu Xian's two sons. Of course, although Liu Xian did not have many descendants, he still had several princesses, but they were all married to other countries.
This may be the reason why there are few children. Even Empress Xiao’s daughter was married to Northern Qi as a political marriage...
This daughter was Empress Xiao's second child. She was a few years older than Liu Jing and younger than Li Lizhi. In fact, she was the real eldest princess.
The reason why Li Lizhi was honored as the eldest princess was because of Liu Xian's favor.
However, Queen Xiao would not care about these things. No matter how much she loved her daughter, she could not change her fate of marrying far away in a foreign country.
Northern Qi was powerful and was Dayao's number one enemy, so the only way to show his sincerity was to marry his eldest daughter to them.
Xing Bang had seen her portrait in Shouning Palace. She looked just like Empress Xiao, with an extremely beautiful appearance!
Hearing about someone is worse than meeting them in person. I believe that the day will come when we will meet.
After all the formalities were completed, Liu Xian waved his hand and everyone took their seats.
Liu Xian sat high on the main seat, and Empress Xiao sat beside him.
The first person sitting at the bottom left is naturally Crown Prince Liu Hui and Crown Princess Li Lizhi.
The seat on the right was naturally reserved for Madam Yu, and the Sixth Prince's seat was naturally a little further back.
Apparently, Liu Xian had already made arrangements. He pointed to the side of Madam Yu and said, "Fanghua, you can sit with Madam Yu."
Then, Empress Xiao said, "You'er, today is a family dinner. Young people like to have fun together. You can join Jing'er at the same table to have fun."
"Yes, my lady!"
Yu Youer nodded in agreement, then slowly walked over and sat next to Liu Jing.
Liu Xian's expression remained solemn, but everyone could see that he was very pleased with Empress Xiao's arrangement.
She is indeed a generous and decent queen!
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