Han Luoxue turned to look in the direction of the retired emperor, and Ouyang Zhen chuckled: "Why bother with him?"
"The Emperor smiled! I actually saw the Emperor smile just now!"
Not far away, Xu Lingyi held her hands to her heart. In the past, they had not seen the Emperor often, and every time he did, he had a stern face.
He actually smiled just now, and the Emperor's smile was so beautiful.
"Yes, I also want the Emperor to smile at me like that!" Su Xiaoman said with envy. Li Qingluan's eyes were dark. She had been preparing for this day for several months. She believed that her performance today would definitely impress the Emperor.
As long as the emperor has even the slightest interest in her, she can enter the palace.
If given the chance, she too can gain the Emperor's favor and give birth to a lovely prince. This would elevate the family's status further.
Soon, the banquet began, and Li Qingluan was the first to leave.
"She usually seems so aloof, I never expected Sister Li to be so enthusiastic!"
Xu Lingyi curled her lips in disdain; she hadn't expected that Li Qingluan would be the first performer to win the award.
I remember that this spot wasn't cheap back then; the Li family was really generous.
"Miss Xu, which number did you get?" Su Xiaoman smiled faintly, she wasn't particularly attached to the first one!
Her mother was a renowned talented woman in the capital. Her mother had once told her that being the first to receive a spot wasn't necessarily a good thing.
While it's good to make a name for yourself, even a slight mistake can leave a very bad impression.
"I... I didn't do very well, I was sixth!" Xu Lingyi's cheeks flushed slightly. She had wanted to compete for first place, but her grandfather was not happy about it.
"That's not bad either!"
Su Xiaoman smiled faintly, and Xu Lingyi hurriedly asked, "Then which one are you?"
"Me? I'm the last one!"
This made Xu Lingyi even more frustrated. The highest price she paid was for the first one, followed by the last one.
She never expected that the people she knew would achieve such good rankings.
I'm stuck in this awkward situation, not in a good position at all.
I don't know what her grandfather was thinking. Couldn't he have spent more money to buy her a better spot? Doesn't she realize that if she really catches the emperor's eye, wouldn't it be the Xu family who would be the ones to benefit in the end?
"I must say, this Miss Li is quite nice!"
Looking at the woman's supple waist, skillful movements, and beautiful figure, Han Luoxue couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Ouyang Zhen turned his head and rolled his eyes at her: "You're actually giving your opinion now?"
Han Luoxue chuckled: "Who wouldn't want to see a beautiful woman!"
"You're really mischievous!" Ouyang Zhen didn't want to stay here for a moment longer, so she buried herself in her food. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus watched with great interest, and even the two children stared wide-eyed at what was happening above.
I don't know if the two of them can understand it.
The performance time flew by, and before we knew it, we were on the fifth show. The two little ones were tired and kept yawning.
The emperor ordered them to be carried back to the palace, and the two little ones became drowsy on the way.
The dishes on the table in front of her were almost all served. Han Luoxue enjoyed the food while watching the performance, feeling incredibly content.
Although he knew the palace was safe and sound, the emperor still sent a few more people!
"I don't want to watch anymore. I'm too old and tired. I'll go back with them!"
The Empress Dowager was reluctant to let the two children leave, so she also stood up!
"I'm going back too!" The Emperor Emeritus also stood up.
"You young people should play this; older people don't want to watch anymore!"
"But those girls were all pretty good, they were quite talented!"
Everyone...
What they really wanted was the Emperor's commentary, since few people would pay attention to the retired Emperor, given his advanced age!
After the Empress Dowager and her entourage left, the performance continued.
At this moment, a row of palace maids came in an orderly line, carrying freshly cooked dishes in their hands!
"Oh my, it's actually my favorite food!"
Han Luoxue's eyes lit up when she saw the dish that had just been served: "Honey-glazed duck wings."
She taught the imperial chefs how to make this, but they were quick learners and it tastes delicious now!
"Then eat more!"
The Emperor said affectionately that he didn't like sweets, but Han Luoxue loved them!
"Um!"
The Emperor personally picked a piece for her, and Han Luoxue smiled sweetly. This dish only tastes good when it's freshly made!
It tastes sweet and delicious when you put it in your mouth!
"This dish tastes so good... wait a minute..."
Han Luoxue suddenly spoke, and the Emperor was taken aback for a moment before hurriedly saying:
"Xue'er, what's wrong?"
"This dish is not right!"
[Toxic!]
Just as Han Luoxue's chopsticks landed on the plate of honey-glazed duck wings again, a loud, piercing sound suddenly rang in her mind.
Han Luoxue's hand froze. She then put a pill from her palm into her mouth. Her gaze fell on the palace maid who had just left, and she whispered, "Nightingale, detain that woman!"
Hearing this, Nightingale, who was standing behind Hanluo Snow Mountain, rushed up and kicked the woman in the back of the knee.
The changes at the scene took everyone by surprise.
Ouyang Zhen jumped up and asked anxiously, "What's wrong, Xue'er? Are you alright?"
"This dish is poisonous!"
Everyone's eyes were drawn to the dishes in front of Han Luoxue, while some glanced at the woman who was being held down on the ground.
"Poisonous?" Ouyang Zhen believed Han Luoxue's judgment, but the food prepared by the Imperial Kitchen was always tested, and it was absolutely impossible for them to bring over poisonous food.
Unless someone tampered with it on the way!
But there are a lot of people coming to the palace today, so it won't be a simple matter to investigate!
At that moment, a figure quickly circled around behind Han Luoxue. Before Han Luoxue could react, a gleaming dagger was thrust at her.
Before anyone could react, Ouyang Zhen kicked the man while pulling Han Luoxue forcefully into his arms.
The man, having failed in his first attack, got up from the ground and prepared to strike again.
At this moment, Ye Xue had already reacted. She stepped forward, grabbed the person's wrist with one hand, and kicked her hard in the stomach. The person groaned in pain and knelt on the ground.
The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard.
Ouyang Zhen's expression turned cold, and the two of them were brought in front of her.
"hehe!"
Ouyang Zhen sneered, but the woman on the ground suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with malice, and said, "It's all your fault! It's all your fault!"
The voice sounded somewhat familiar to Han Luoxue. She stepped forward and said coldly, "You are...?"
The woman looked haggard and almost unrecognizable, but Han Luoxue still recognized her; it was Mu Yurou.
"Guards, take these two away!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
