Chapter 16 A new shining little star
The Empress's birthday is undoubtedly a grand social event for the civil and military officials and their families in the capital. It is also a good opportunity to show up in front of the Emperor and Empress and showcase the family's style.
But for the National Master Chu Xuanyi, this news was like a bolt from the blue. It shattered his heart, which had just calmed down a little because Ajiu had been quiet for two days.
Palace banquet...of course he was among the invited guests.
And according to convention, he... seems... seems... to... should... bring the people from the mansion with him?
When Chu Xuanyi thought about bringing Ajiu's "walking gossip-making machine" and "mobile source of chaos" into the Queen's Millennium Banquet, he felt dizzy in front of his eyes, as if he had foreseen a "beautiful" future with all kinds of chaos and upheaval.
He had considered "accidentally" locking Jiu up in the Imperial Preceptor's residence, or perhaps sending her on a last-minute mission to gather dew and refine an elixir. But then he thought, the Empress Dowager had just summoned Jiu and expressed her admiration for her. What if, at the banquet, she suddenly asked about Jiu? What if he told her she was ill? Given how much the Empress Dowager loved Jiu's cheerful nature, she might even send the imperial physician to the Imperial Preceptor's residence for a "consultation." If his lie were exposed, he'd be in big trouble.
What's more, His Majesty the Emperor was also deeply impressed by Ajiu's "Eight Treasure Porridge Theory of Governing the Country". Maybe he would also like to hear what new "prescriptions for governing the country" this "little fortune teller" has at the banquet?
The more Chu Xuanyi thought about it, the more desperate he became. He felt like an unlucky guy who was about to attend a military parade with a time bomb. Every step was full of unknown dangers.
"Sir, this is the invitation to the Queen's Thousand Years Banquet, as well as... the palace dress and jewelry prepared for Miss Jiu, sent by the Palace Household Department." The butler carefully handed over the gold-plated invitation and the beautifully wrapped brocade box beside it.
Chu Xuanyi looked at the brocade box, took a deep breath, and took it with a resigned air. His voice trembled slightly, "I understand... Send the things... to Miss Jiu. Then... tell her to come to my study every afternoon from today until the banquet begins... I will personally teach her court etiquette!"
For Chu Xuanyi, the "special training" of the next few days was a practice that was a hundred times more difficult than uncovering the secrets of heaven.
"Ajiu, remember, when you see the Queen and other ladies, you must bow and kneel, squat down, fold your hands at your waist, and lower your head slightly. Do you understand?" Chu Xuanyi demonstrated it himself.
Ah Jiu imitated him, but when he squatted down, he lost his balance and sat down on the ground with a plop. Then he looked at Chu Xuanyi with a blank face: "Sir, why do you have to squat like a little duck? This way you can't see if there are any beautiful little flowers on their heads."
Chu Xuanyi: "..." Hold on, be graceful, don't hit the child)
"Ajiu, at a banquet, if you see something delicious, you can't just grab it with your hands. You have to wait for the palace maids to serve the dishes, then use the silver chopsticks in front of you to pick it up and eat it in small bites. Don't make any noises. Do you understand?"
Ah Jiu licked his lips, his eyes sparkling. "Then if I see a snack that looks like a big gold ingot, can I swallow it in one gulp? That way it won't make any noise!"
Chu Xuanyi: "..." He began to doubt his life)
"Ajiu, the most important point! If you meet His Royal Highness the Regent at the banquet, you...you must not say anything! Don't look at him! It's best to pretend that you don't know him! Especially! You are absolutely not allowed to mention anything like 'little pink flowers'! Do you hear me?" Chu Xuanyi emphasized almost gritting his teeth.
Jiu tilted his head, looking innocent. "But...if that mean brother asks me if his little flower is blooming beautifully today, wouldn't it be rude if I don't answer? Master said that you have to answer when someone asks you a question."
Chu Xuanyi: "He won't ask! He absolutely won't ask! Even if he asks, you just say... just say you can't see! Yes! Just say your eyes are not feeling well today and you can't see anything!" He felt like he was going crazy.
Ah Jiu nodded, not quite understanding: "Oh... if the fierce brother asks me, I will pretend to be blind, right?"
Chu Xuanyi waved his hands feebly, feeling the dull pain in his chest begin to build again. He had given up, he had truly given up. This girl was completely impervious to all kinds of poisons! He could only pray to God that on the day of the banquet, Ah Jiu would suddenly change and become a quiet and well-behaved little lady, even if it was only for an hour!
Finally, the day of the Queen's centenary arrived.
Chu Xuanyi, with two huge dark circles under his eyes and a haggard face, boarded the carriage to the palace with Ajiu, who was wearing a brand new palace dress and looked like an exquisite porcelain doll (as long as she didn't speak).
Along the way, Chu Xuanyi never stopped talking, repeatedly reminding people of various precautions. Ajiu nodded repeatedly, and then his attention was attracted by a butterfly flying outside the window, which made Chu Xuanyi's mood go up and down like a roller coaster.
The palace was festooned with lights and a festive atmosphere. The banquet was held in the Changyin Pavilion in the Hundred Flowers Garden. The pavilion had already been decorated in a magnificent manner, with the music of stringed instruments and the officials and their wives dressed in elegant attire, chatting and laughing cheerfully.
As soon as Ah Jiu entered Changyin Pavilion, she was captivated by the scene before her. Everywhere were sparkling lights, fragrant aromas, and crowds of people dressed in beautiful clothes. It was even more lively than a temple fair! Her big eyes darted around, her face filled with excitement and curiosity.
Chu Xuanyi followed Ajiu closely like a hen protecting her chicks, always on guard to see if she would suddenly do anything surprising.
Many officials and ladies noticed the delicate young woman at the Imperial Master's side, casting curious and inquiring glances. Rumors about this "little fortune teller" in the Imperial Master's mansion had long since spread among the powerful and influential in the capital. Some claimed she could predict the future, others that she was insane, and still others that she was a favorite of the Empress Dowager.
Just as Chu Xuanyi was carefully dealing with colleagues who came to greet him, and was always on guard against Ah Jiu running around and talking nonsense, a cold and magnetic voice sounded not far behind him:
"Master Chu, how are you?"
Chu Xuanyi's body stiffened. This voice... he would recognize it even if he turned into ashes!
He slowly turned around and saw the Regent Xiao Yu, who was wearing a dark brocade robe, with an upright figure, handsome and unparalleled, but exuding an aura of keeping strangers away. He was standing not far away, and his deep gaze... seemed to fall on Ah Jiu who was beside him.
Chu Xuanyi's heart skipped a beat. It's over! Whatever you fear will come true!
Xiao Yu was actually somewhat helpless. He had tried to avoid the Imperial Master and the little girl, but the banquet hall was so small that they kept running into each other. He simply exchanged a polite greeting, but his eyes couldn't help but gravitate towards the little girl, dressed in a pink palace gown and twin buns, who was gazing at him curiously with her large, dark eyes.
Today, she looks a little more... childish and... cute than usual?
No! He must be dazzled!
Just as Chu Xuanyi was about to bite the bullet and step forward to pay his respects, and was trying to hide Ah Jiu behind him, Ah Jiu's eyes suddenly lit up, and she opened her mouth and shouted crisply:
"Oh! It's Xiong Xiong! Xiong Xiong, there's a new sparkling little star next to the pink flower above your head today! It's blinking at the flower! Are they whispering to each other?"
The sound was not loud, but it was particularly clear in this relatively quiet corner.
Chu Xuanyi: “!”
His eyes went dark, his legs went weak, and he almost fell to his knees on the spot.
Oh, Heaven! Oh, Earth! Which fairy sister would be so kind as to send down a thunderbolt right now to kill him and this outspoken subordinate together! He really doesn't want to live anymore!
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