Chapter 210: Opening the Mouth and Starting to Fight
When Yao Zhaoyi was mentioned, everyone had different expressions, especially the ministers' families. You know, in the past Mid-Autumn Festival, Yao Zhaoyi always sat next to the emperor. In the past year, the prince died, and Concubine Yao has been reduced from a high-ranking concubine to a Zhaoyi. It is no wonder that the royal favor is so unpredictable.
The empress dowager looked at the red coral in front of her, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in her eyes. Although Yao Zhaoyi had been demoted, she was still as meticulous as ever. This red coral was a rare and good thing. Not even the palace warehouses had such good quality ones.
"You are so thoughtful. Go back and tell your mother that I really like this gift."
Prince Rong smiled and responded.
"Yes, my grandson will tell Mother."
Look at the mooncakes presented to you.
The Queen Mother picked one up and tasted it.
"Mm, it tastes good. I still remember that in previous years, your mother would personally make mooncakes for Aijia and the Emperor."
In previous years, the mooncakes on the tables of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were all prepared by Yao Zhaoyi. When the Emperor looked at the different mooncakes on the table, he seemed to remember his past affection with Yao Zhaoyi.
Prince Rong spoke at this time.
"Father, Mother has already prepared some for you, but Mother said she made you angry, and she's not sure if you'd still be willing to eat the mooncakes she made."
A palace maid, carrying a plate of mooncakes, walked to the emperor's side and bowed respectfully.
The emperor looked at the plate of mooncakes, was silent for a moment, looked at Prince Rong's expectant eyes, and reached out to take one.
"Your mother is thoughtful."
Upon seeing this, Prince Rong felt relieved. At least his father was willing to eat the mooncakes made by his mother. This was a good start.
"Thank you, Father."
Defei, who was on good terms with Yao Zhaoyi, stood up and saluted.
"Your Majesty, today is Mid-Autumn Festival. Looking at the mooncakes on the table, I am reminded of last year's reunion with the whole palace. However, this year, Sister Yao is missing. I remember that in previous years, the Yao family would send many gifts to Sister Yao during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Sister Yao would share them with the other sisters. This year... there is no one from the Yao family anymore. I'm afraid Sister Yao will cry quietly alone in Yonghe Palace. Why don't we invite Sister Yao out to eat mooncakes with everyone?"
One of the ministers' wives also sighed.
"Your Majesty, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions. Concubine Yao Zhaoyi no longer has a maternal family, and Your Majesty is the only one she can rely on in this world. Concubine Zhaoyi is still thinking about the mooncakes that the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty like. Why don't Your Majesty meet Concubine Zhaoyi? Even if it's just to ask Concubine Zhaoyi to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty, a meeting like that will make her feel less lonely."
A minister also stood up and bowed.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Zhaoyi was confused for a moment and angered Your Majesty, but Concubine Zhaoyi has always loved Your Majesty, and His Royal Highness Prince Rong is also very filial to Your Majesty. On this day of family reunion, Your Majesty, for His Royal Highness Prince Rong's sake, please allow Concubine Yao Zhaoyi to eat mooncakes with everyone, and allow His Royal Highness Prince Rong to accompany Your Majesty during the Mid-Autumn Festival while also spending time with his mother."
The Queen and the Fifth Prince looked at each other.
This operation.
It seems that Prince Rong and his party want to take this opportunity to force Concubine Yao to dismember her feet.
Concubine Zhou, who was sitting to the lower right of the emperor, spoke.
"This lord is saying that since I was nearly burned to death by Concubine Yao in Jingsi Palace, Concubine Yao only needs to be confined for half a month?"
"It seems my life is truly worthless. The palace's rules are nothing to Concubine Yao. Even Concubine Li's children and Concubine Shu's children are the heirs of the emperor. But a heir to the emperor is only worth half a month's confinement in front of Concubine Yao."
How come Concubine Zhou hadn't appeared in years? Why did she suddenly appear at the banquet this year? If she hadn't said anything, everyone would have ignored her presence. But once she spoke, she was so ruthless.
The minister who was pleading for mercy couldn't help but look grim. He had originally thought of letting Concubine Yao unbind her feet on the pretext of a family reunion during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but he didn't expect that Concubine Zhou would appear halfway.
"Your Majesty, this old minister did not mean that..."
Concubine Zhou didn't care who he was, and didn't even know his last name. She just watched him continue speaking.
"What does this gentleman mean?"
The minister had no choice but to bow helplessly.
"I drank a couple of glasses of wine and lost my composure. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Concubine Zhou looked at the two ladies who were pleading for mercy.
"These two ladies just kept saying that the Yao family is wiped out. Isn't the reason for this disappearance of the Yao family because of corruption and abuse of power?"
"Have a wonderful Mid-Autumn Festival! Your Majesty, you've worked so hard, you've spent days organizing this banquet. And yet, you two ladies chose to bring up some corrupt officials at this banquet. Do you think the Emperor is in too good of a mood for the Mid-Autumn Festival?"
The two ministers' wives were so embarrassed by Concubine Zhou's retort that their faces turned red and white. They were speechless for a moment and could only lower their heads and dare not say anything.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became subtle and tense, and everyone's eyes were looking at Concubine Zhou from time to time.
This Concubine Zhou is so brave.
Concubine De frowned. Her princess was still young and had been dependent on Concubine Yao over the years. Even her own maternal family supported Prince Rong.
"Madam Zhou, the two ladies are just..."
Before she could finish her words, Concubine Zhou looked at her and spoke.
"The Empress Defei and Consort Yao Zhaoyi had a deep sisterly bond. I just hope that one day when the Empress Defei is burned to death, she will be able to show some generosity and forgive the arsonist."
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