Chapter 395 Yixiu 73
Yixiu didn't care whether they really remembered it or not. She had already said what she needed to say. She waved her hand and asked them to sit down.
After the lecture, it was time to offer some practical benefits. She ordered tea to be served again, took a sip to moisten her throat, and then slowly spoke, "The harem has been overwhelmed with affairs these past few years, thanks to the assistance of Concubine Yu and Concubine Mao. I just want to give the young people more opportunities to gain experience. Yesterday, I discussed it with the Emperor, and from tomorrow, I will ask Concubine Ke and Concubine Xian to learn from Concubine Yu slowly, so that they can help me share more of the burden in the future."
The two whose names were called were startled for a moment, then a hint of joy flashed in their eyes. Concubine Ke was more cautious. Although she was willing in her heart, she still stood up and declined: "We are young and inexperienced..."
"I'm just helping out Concubine Yu and Concubine Mao. Please don't look down on us for being stupid, sisters."
However, Concubine Xian didn't want to give up the duck she had got, so she agreed to what Concubine Ke said. Concubine Ke, who was already tempted, went along with it and stopped talking.
Everyone around them secretly looked at the two of them, most of their eyes were unfriendly. Unfortunately, Concubine Ke and Concubine Xian, who were both burning with passion, didn't care. They subconsciously ignored Concubine Mao and only thought about helping the Queen manage the six palaces. In the past, they were Concubine Qi, Concubine Yu, and the newly rising Concubine Xin. So, they...
Yixiu touched the already lukewarm tea, tapped the cup with her fingers, and said with a smile to the crowd with different thoughts, "It's getting late, I won't keep you here any longer."
"I'll take my leave."
When Concubine Fang stood up in the crowd, she felt dizzy, but fortunately she recovered in a short while. Seeing that there were so many people talking, she didn't want to make a sound, lest people misunderstand that she was disrespectful to the Queen. Now she didn't feel anything anymore, so she hurriedly asked her maid to help her leave.
Concubine Wu followed behind Concubine Zhen. Seeing her dark face, she knew that she would be blamed for her anger when she returned. However, she did not dare to show any trace of resentment in her heart. Instead, she put on a smile. When she saw Concubine Fang, the smile on her face became more genuine.
At the Mid-Autumn Festival family dinner the next day, everyone dressed up carefully, and it was really pleasing to the eye at first glance.
As usual, the emperor, the empress dowager and the queen were at the top. First, the emperor led his brothers to toast the empress dowager to show filial piety, and then the queen led the concubines in the palace to toast the empress dowager to show respect.
Then came the Emperor's and the Empress's speeches, and then several princes took turns accompanying the Emperor in acting out scenes of brotherly love and mutual respect between the ruler and his subjects. In short, the atmosphere was very harmonious until Prince Yi finished his toast to the Emperor.
Until the emperor's younger brother, Prince Xun, who was now very popular in the court, stood up with a smile and raised his glass.
The originally harmonious atmosphere became strange as his words became increasingly bold. Prince Lian, who was also sitting in the front, could hardly maintain his usual gentle smile on his face. He frequently glanced at the Fourteenth Prince sitting below him, hating himself for being too far away and also hating himself for being too close.
The Eighth Wise King, who has always been very sensitive to other people's emotions, dared to guarantee it with his own twenty years of life. The emperor who is still laughing above must be angry.
Fortunately, the heavens heard his inner cry. Prince Yi, who was closest to Prince Xun, didn't know whether the emperor was angry or not, but he also felt that Fourteenth Brother's words were becoming increasingly out of line, so he jokingly interrupted: "Fourteenth Brother, did you come here because you secretly drank wine? Come and eat some food to fill your stomach."
"Thank you for your concern, Thirteenth Brother. I'm not as carefree as you are. I can have a drink somewhere else before joining the family dinner."
Prince Yi could hear the disdain in Fourteenth Brother's words. While he was considered the best-tempered of the brothers, he wasn't like Big Brother. If anything, he was a man who wouldn't tolerate any injustice. Furthermore, when it came to brotherly love, Prince Yi didn't really think he was any less than his own brother, Fourteenth Brother. Seeing that he wasn't only ungrateful but also deliberately irritating, he kept quiet.
Good words cannot persuade a damn ghost, so let him do whatever he wants.
"Alright, I think your Thirteenth Brother is right. Today is a family dinner, so let's not be too restrained. It's only right to let go and have some fun."
With the Queen Mother's words, Prince Xun finally stopped talking, but Yixiu felt that it would be better for the Queen Mother to remain silent.
Seeing that everyone had taken their seats, the songs and dances rehearsed by the Harmony Bureau were quite innovative. During the banquet, several concubines also found opportunities to toast the emperor. With the help of others, the emperor's mood gradually improved.
Yixiu was watching with great interest, but when she turned her head, she saw Hongshi running to toast Prince Lian and Prince Xun.
This is not a big deal. The relationship between Prince Lian and the emperor is much more harmonious now, and he is good at handling public relations, which is what the emperor is least good at. Recently, he and Prince Yi have cooperated with each other on many things, which has saved the emperor a lot of trouble.
Prince Xun is my uncle after all, so it is more reasonable to toast him.
Yixiu felt that Hongshi seemed to be particularly close to Prince Xun. She thought that if they were not in the hall in front of the emperor, Prince Xun would probably be arm in arm with him.
"What are you looking at so intently?"
Suddenly, a voice came from beside her ears. Yixiu quickly turned her head and said with a smile, "I am looking at this song and dance. The Harmony Bureau is rehearsing very well."
Yinzhen had already followed her gaze and saw that it might be Yixiu's illusion, but he seemed to hear a barely perceptible humming sound.
Yixiu hurriedly picked up a piece of food with chopsticks and said, "Your Majesty just drank a lot of wine. Eat something to fill your stomach, otherwise your stomach will feel uncomfortable soon."
"You seem like a loving mother, but you don't know that there are ignorant fools who ignore their own parents and instead go to other people's homes to show their filial piety."
The emperor said this coldly, but still ate the dish in the bowl.
After a round of singing and dancing, the banquet was halfway through, and elderly people like the empress dowager could no longer sit still, so they stood up and went back to Tiandi Yijiachun.
With the Empress Dowager gone, the concubines could relax a bit. It was their turn to perform, and Yixiu naturally stayed on stage, leaving the others to their own devices. Whether they were composing poetry or playing music, though still intended to please the Emperor, at least they had a sense of dignity. Singing and dancing were only performed in private, for the Emperor's enjoyment; even in such situations, they still had to consider their dignity.
Of course, there were also those who were less scrupulous, mostly concubines of ordinary birth. They had no family background to help them, nor were they burdened by it. Compared to reputation, favor was more important to these children, and it could even be said to be the foundation of their survival.
It’s no wonder that Liu Da Ying, who has always been inconspicuous among the crowd, actually has a great voice, which sounds no less than Yu Ying’er and An Lingrong back then.
Moreover, her voice is clear and ethereal. If she were to stand in a pavilion or waterside terrace at night facing the full moon and sing softly across the lake, it would surely be a unique experience.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
