This was a diplomatic banquet, yet the Empress didn't even try to hide it and asked about his health in front of so many people. Wasn't this blatantly revealing the Emperor's true feelings?
Emperor Yuming found the Empress increasingly irritating and waved his hand impatiently, "I'm fine. Just enjoy your performance and don't worry about me."
The Empress was taken aback, seemingly not expecting him to say that.
Worrying unnecessarily?
He is her husband. She is only concerned about her husband's health. How is that worrying unnecessarily?
Even if she wasn't his lawfully wedded wife, but just an outsider, shouldn't he have shown some concern instead of blaming her like this?
"Hmm." The Empress lowered her head, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Consort Qin, who was smiling, and couldn't help but clench her fists. "Your Majesty, I misspoke."
The crowd exchanged bewildered glances and fell silent. For a moment, no one spoke in the hall, only the sounds of singing and dancing continued to rise and fall.
Finally, it was Prime Minister Qin who stepped forward and, together with his ministers, toasted Emperor Yuming, saying, "This old minister wishes Your Majesty a long life and that our Great Yu will live on forever!"
"Your Majesty, may you live a long and prosperous life, and may our Great Yu be immortal!"
Emperor Yuming's expression softened considerably; at least he could smile. "My beloved ministers are very kind. Today, I will certainly ensure you return home in high spirits."
Shangguan Jingci slowly withdrew his gaze.
Ugh, how boring.
He glanced at Qin Xi, who was looking down, and Lu Huai, who was whispering something in her ear, and raised an eyebrow.
...
"Let me tell you, my dad doesn't have any other quirks, he just loves to see people laugh. Especially young girls, their smiles make him happy." Lu Huai muttered softly, his head lowered.
After saying that, he realized something was off and quickly added, "That's not what I meant. Don't misunderstand. My dad isn't a pervert or a lecherous scoundrel. He just likes to see people laugh."
"Oops," Lu Huai scratched his head, feeling that the more he explained, the worse it got.
Qin Xi lowered her eyes, tugged at the corners of her mouth, and ignored him.
Minister Lu, who was not far from the Holy Throne, suddenly sneezed with a loud "Achoo!" which startled Minister Du Yingsi of the Ministry of Revenue, who glanced at him several times.
"Old Lu, are you alright?" Minister Du stroked his beard and looked him over. "Could it be that you caught a cold during the change of seasons?"
Minister Lu and Minister Du were both ministers of the Six Ministries and civil officials, and they had always been on good terms, so it was harmless for them to make a joke.
Minister Du was subordinate to the Prime Minister in the court, and Minister Lu had also formed a marriage alliance with the Prime Minister's family, which brought the two even closer.
Minister Lu rolled his eyes at him, annoyed. "You always have such a nasty way of speaking. I think you're the one cursing me, that's why I'm acting like this."
Minister Du laughed heartily and raised his cup in a toast to him.
Minister Yuan, sitting opposite them, glanced at the two of them and sneered disdainfully.
Not only do civil officials look down on military officials, who are considered "brutes," but military officials also look down on civil officials, who are considered "white-skinned chickens."
In their view, civil officials do nothing but talk all day long, never accomplishing anything of substance, and instead make the court a chaotic mess, just like a farmers' market outside.
I'm so annoyed.
After tilting his head back and drinking the wine in his cup to the bottom, Minister Yuan felt somewhat relieved.
Laugh all you want, laugh some more. Once you've taken away your backer, let's see how long you can stay happy.
...
“I’m serious, you look much better when you smile,” Lu Huai held up three fingers. “I swear.”
After thinking about it for a moment, I realized that wasn't right, so I raised another one and added, "I'm not saying you're not good-looking now, I just think you're more beautiful when you smile."
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