Liuli watched the four exchange pleasantries and polite greetings, which made her yawn repeatedly. Finally, the four took their seats one after another. Yu Ke stood properly behind Zhang Chao, eyes downcast and silent. Liuli, on the other hand, stood casually next to Yu Ke and let out a big yawn.
Ahua stood on the other side of Liuli. She felt tired after standing for only a short while, let out a lazy sigh, and leaned against Liuli. Liuli took the opportunity to hug Ahua and rest her head on Ahua's shoulder.
Upon seeing this, Liang Yihan raised an eyebrow, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
The lights were dim, and Liuli was dressed in men's clothing. Xuan Yuanhao felt that Zhang Chao's guards and maids were not quite right. He couldn't help but look over carefully before recognizing Liuli. He was stunned for a moment and subconsciously wanted to greet her, but he quickly realized and held back.
Liang Shen naturally noticed that Liuli and Ahua were being rather impolite, but he only glanced at them before looking away, his expression unchanged, and he lowered his eyes to look at the table without saying a word.
On the wooden platform, many eunuchs and palace maids couldn't help but look behind Zhang Chao, their faces mostly showing confusion and bewilderment. They were quite surprised that Lord Zhang had chosen only two guards and a maid for such an important banquet. It was rather inappropriate.
Zhang Chao finally realized something was wrong. All the people on the wooden platform were looking behind him, their expressions incredibly varied. Some of the palace maids were even barely holding back their laughter.
Zhang Chao sensed something was wrong. His face darkened, and when he turned around, he was instantly filled with rage. He shouted angrily, "How dare you! Stand properly! What kind of behavior is this!"
Liuli and Ahua trembled in fright. Liuli was furious and about to yell back when Yu Ke quickly grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear, "Miss, the young master said that if you don't behave and ruin this banquet, he will lock you up for a month when we get back!"
Liuli grew increasingly angry, but considering that Li Molin could really do such a thing, she had no choice but to swallow her anger and reluctantly straighten her posture.
Seeing that Liuli had given in, Ahua had no choice but to stand obediently, but she still looked lazy and nonchalant.
Zhang Chao turned around and let out a deep breath, his face turning black with anger.
Liang Yihan took everything in, and his smile deepened. He quickly lowered his head to hide the smile, clenched his fist to cover his mouth, and coughed a few times.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
At that moment, a high-pitched voice shouted from below the Moon Gazing Terrace.
One by one, the people on the wooden platform stood up. They could hear the footsteps coming from the wooden ladder to the north getting closer and closer. After a while, a middle-aged man with a fat figure climbed up the wooden ladder with some difficulty. He was panting heavily as he climbed this short section of the wooden ladder.
The man was dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe, with a thick cloak embroidered with nine coiled dragons, and a collar of fine mink fur.
The man came to the wooden platform, looked around, and said with a smile, "My esteemed ministers have arrived. It is I who am late."
Everyone on the stage, except for Liuli and Ahua, knelt down and shouted in unison, "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
Before Emperor Rui's gaze fell upon Liuli and Ahua, who were standing alone in place, Yu Ke suddenly pulled Liuli, causing her to kneel on the ground. Just as Liuli was about to get angry, Yu Ke whispered two words in her ear, saying, "Young Master!"
Liuli paused for a moment, then reluctantly knelt on the ground, pulling Ahua along with her. Ahua looked at the people kneeling all over the ground, obediently squatted down, and performed a curtsy like the palace maids.
At that moment, everyone on the stage had their heads down, even Liuli was secretly gritting her teeth. Only Ahua looked up at Emperor Rui with a curious expression. Emperor Rui spotted her immediately and his eyes lit up.
Emperor Rui stared at Ahua, sizing her up, his eyes filled with lust, as if he wanted to devour her alive. Ahua disliked that gaze and lowered her head to avoid it.
Seeing that the emperor remained silent for a long time, a eunuch around forty years old beside Emperor Rui lowered his head and coughed lightly.
Emperor Rui realized what was happening and quickly walked to the table on the north side and sat down, saying with a smile, "My dear ministers, please rise! Today is just a banquet, there's no need for such formalities!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the crowd said in unison, and then rose and took their seats.
Emperor Rui's lustful eyes were fixed on Ahua, and he said with a smile, "Minister Zhang, is this girl your maid? I've never seen her before."
Zhang Chao was taken aback, turning to look at Ahua with a bitter expression. He understood perfectly what Emperor Rui meant. In the past, he would deliberately select beautiful maids to bring into the palace, and if Emperor Rui took a liking to one, he would offer her to him to please him. Now, however, Emperor Rui had taken a liking to Ahua. He knew perfectly well that Ahua was Liuli's sister, and Liuli was a notorious troublemaker. If he dared to offer Ahua to Emperor Rui, regardless of whether Ahua would comply, Liuli alone could raze the palace to the ground! Then all the blame would fall on Zhang Chao!
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