Chapter 034

The Longevity Festival is here in a blink of an eye.

Emperor Zhanghe's birthday was on October 19th. It was already winter and the weather was a little chilly. The banquet for the Emperor's birthday was held at night, so the temperature was colder than during the day. So Jiashan specially put on a scarlet gold-woven long jacket over her apricot-colored cross-collared dress.

She had black hair, almond eyes, and a fair face, and the rosy red color was a perfect contrast to her. Under the moonlight, her oval face was illuminated with a bright smile.

The palace was strictly governed by rules and regulations, and only on rare days when the emperor enjoyed the occasion with the people were outsiders allowed to enter the palace and celebrate with the emperor.

In addition to men holding official positions, there were also women of various ranks and relatives of prominent aristocratic families who would enter the palace at such times and gather with the women in the harem.

The barriers between men and women in this dynasty were not as strict as those in later generations. Emperor Zhanghe was kind and gentle, and he did not treat his female relatives with any airs. He did not have two separate seats in the palace, but directly ordered the relatives and ministers and the female relatives to sit on the left and right sides of the lower seat.

Emperor Zhanghe naturally sat in the center of the main seat, while Concubine Zhuang and Concubine Jing, who assisted in managing the six palaces, sat on the east and west sides. Jiashan was the most respected princess among the younger generation, and was also the oldest one, so she sat first among the princesses. At this time, the difference between Zhao Youze and Zhao Youcheng could also be seen.

Although everyone knows that the Fourth Prince suffers from congenital eye disease and the possibility of ascending the throne in the future is extremely low, he is the first heir, and as long as Zhao Youcheng is not appointed as the crown prince, Zhao Youcheng's status will never surpass his.

Therefore, among the princes, Zhao Youze is still the leader. Although Zhao Youcheng has the title of the eldest prince, he can only be ranked second.

Jiashan and Zhao Youze happened to be sitting opposite each other. They couldn't help feeling uncomfortable when they saw that after A-di finished his birthday speech with everyone, he buried his head in eating.

She had not told anyone else about Doctor Kong, except when she asked Pei Yuantang for help. She had not even revealed a single word to Yuankang.

First, he was afraid that too many people would gossip and cause unnecessary trouble. Second, he was afraid that everyone would be too happy for nothing, especially Yuankang, who was still so young.

But thinking of Yuankang's repeated words that he hoped to see her so that he could protect her, Jiashan looked forward to seeing Doctor Kong who was still on the way.

At this time, the banquet was already halfway through, and the atmosphere was very heated. In order to celebrate her father's birthday, Jiashan also drank some fruit wine. She had a moderate alcohol tolerance and would not get drunk after one glass, but she was not particularly good either. She just had a fatal problem - she would easily get drunk on her face after being slightly tipsy.

After a few drinks, Jiashan couldn't help but feel drunk and even blushed on his cheeks.

Sitting next to Jiashan was Qinghe, the daughter of Concubine Jing. Qinghe turned around and saw Jiashan's face was red. She pulled Jiashan's sleeve with some concern and said, "Sister, are you drunk? Do you want to change your clothes and sober up before coming back?"

Jiashan was still conscious, but she felt a little dizzy. She must have brought her past life experience into this life. At 15, she was certainly not as good at drinking as she was at 24.

At the banquet, people were crowded together and the atmosphere was dull.

Jiashan glanced at the people around her who were in high spirits, and her father who was chatting with the ministers at the top of the table. She nodded and said, "Then I'll go out for a walk. If my father asks, do you know what to answer?"

Qinghe is only ten years old this year. Perhaps because she has been with Zhao Youze and Concubine Jing for a long time, she is much more sensible than Shuxian.

Qinghe nodded obediently and said considerately, "I know. Don't worry, sister. I'm here for you."

Jiashan smiled with relief, patted Qinghe's shoulder gently, and then left.

When she left, two other people stood up at the same time. Pei Yuantang was sitting next to several Hanlin lecturers. Although he had a good family background, his official position was not very prominent, so his seat was not very conspicuous. He said hello to his colleagues and left spontaneously.

Shuxian was beside Qinghe. When she saw Jiashan leave first, a trace of hatred flashed in her eyes. It happened that her mother was still entertaining the ladies outside the palace and had no time to care about her. Shuxian turned her head and said something to Hui'an, then immediately chased after Jiashan.

Jiashan didn't go far either. The banquet hadn't ended yet. This might be the last birthday celebration she would give to her father before she got married, so she had to make it complete.

In a small room that had been prepared nearby, Jiashan took off the long jacket that was slightly stained with alcohol and changed into a crabapple purple top.

Su Yu took Jia Shan's changed clothes and said with a smile: "Although it was windy at night, the princess still sweated a little. Fortunately, she prepared clothes. Going back at night like this is very easy to catch a cold. Your Highness is getting married soon, and it is unlucky to get sick."

Jiashan glanced at her, smiled slightly and said, "How can it be immediate? There are still nearly three months left."

"Three months will pass quickly," Dan Cui said with a smile, "The Chinese New Year is coming soon. Once the Chinese New Year is over, it will be the day for His Highness's wedding. The people in the Ministry of Rites have to work non-stop these days."

Su Yu combed Jia Shan's hair which was a little messy due to the wind and said curiously, "I don't think I saw Master Zhan at the banquet today."

Jiashan put on lip balm in front of the mirror and said calmly, "He is on duty at the Jinwu Guard today. He has two jobs now, so he must be busier than before."

"I see." Dan Cui nodded and said, "Your Highness has calculated the days of my lord's rotation very clearly."

Su Yu smiled.

Jiashan could not help but turn his head and gently pinched Dancui's cheek. It was not until Dancui whispered, "I was wrong" that Jiashan said, "You girl!"

Dan Cui chuckled.

The master and his two servants walked out of the small pavilion, but ran into Shuxian, who had been waiting for a long time, at the door.

Shuxian was still accompanied by the two palace maids from that night. When Jiashan saw them, he just pretended not to see them and didn't even have the mood to be perfunctory.

She pursed her lips and calmly signaled Su Yu and Dan Cui to lead the way.

Su Yu said, "Your Highness, please make way. The Grand Princess needs to leave."

Shuxian looked at her coldly, her eyes still showing a hint of anger: "Why should I let you do that?"

Su Yu smiled and said, "The eldest princess is the heir and the eldest daughter. No matter how you look at it, you are the one who gave way to the eldest princess. There is no reason for the princess to give way to you."

Shuxian was not as tall as Jiashan, so she had to raise her head slightly to meet Jiashan's eyes. Shuxian raised her head vigorously, passed Suyu, walked to Jiashan, and said with her silver teeth clenched: "You just have a good mother and a slightly nobler family than me."

"If I had your background, I would get everything I want. The person I want to marry would belong to me! Instead of being snatched away by someone else!"

When she said the words "strike a sword to snatch love", Shuxian became obviously very excited, and even her outward calmness could hardly be suppressed.

Her eyes were slightly red.

Jiashan looked at her in disbelief at first, and she shook her head gently: "Look at you like this, who has stolen your love?"

"It can't be me." Jiashan said in surprise.

She slightly adjusted the white jade hairpin on her head with one hand, turned her head, and said slowly: "To win someone's love, you have to make that person love you too. Self-love is not love."

Shuxian's eyes were blazing with anger. She spat fiercely and said, "You are the one who is being sentimental."

"You're so stupid." In Jiashan's eyes, Shuxian was not even an opponent. It seemed like she was asking to be scolded. She said lightly, "She's really pitiful."

Shuxian's eyebrows turned blue, and she opened her mouth and said, "You are not allowed to say that to me."

"Well, let me tell you something else." Jiashan smiled, her eyebrows and eyes shining brightly.

Maybe it was because of the wine, Jiashan was bolder than before. She smiled and said in a clear and leisurely voice: "I have more than just a good mother. I also have a good father and a good brother. In the future -"

Jiashan paused for a moment and said clearly, "I'll have another good husband."

"What do you have?" Jiashan tapped her shoulder, "You're just jealous."

Shuxian's eyes were filled with impulsive gloom, and she stared at Jiashan fiercely. The two young palace maids were afraid that she would cause trouble and upset His Majesty on his birthday, so they hurriedly held Shuxian on the left and right.

Shuxian's hands were held, and she never took her eyes off Jiashan. Jiashan said, "Go back and learn more from your mother before you come and yell at me again."

Shuxian's tears flowed silently at this moment.

Jiashan would not be frightened by her tears. In fact, Jiashan only looked down on someone who couldn't even hold back his tears in front of the enemy.

She passed Shuxian and half turned away.

The two maids persuaded Shuxian, "Your Highness, let's go back to the banquet. You have been out for so long. If the queen knew that you came to see the eldest princess, she would be unhappy."

Shuxian wiped her face clean, gritted her teeth, and chose a road that was completely opposite to Jiashan's to walk back.

However, at this time, it was not only the palace maids around Jiashan and Shuxian who heard this conversation. There was a pool on the left side of the small pavilion and a rockery on the right side.

At this time, there was a person sitting by the Yechi Pool, and two people were hiding on the rockery.

After the two people on the rockery heard what Jiashan said, one of them asked the other in a low voice: "Sir, are you going out?"

There was a hint of smile in the corners of Zhan Yue's eyes. Thinking of Jiashan saying "she will have a good husband in the future", his delicate profile was dyed with the color of dazzling stars.

Zhan Yue curled his lips and said, "If I go out, the princess will probably be embarrassed."

The man said "yes", but thought to himself: The princess is so generous, she doesn't seem like someone who is easily shy. Maybe the adults are afraid to go out and are framing me behind my back.