Chapter 3598 Parthian Envoy
The next day, just after the hour of Mao, someone came to wake them up.
The two of them had been very tired these days preparing for this day, so after being woken up, Nan Yan was still a little drowsy and couldn't even open her eyes. Zhu Feng looked back at her sleepy appearance and couldn't help but smile: "Do you want to lie down for a while?"
Upon hearing this, Nan Yan shuddered and opened her eyes wide: "No!"
Zhu Feng said, "You look so sleepy, don't doze off outside later."
Nan Yan shook her head vigorously, as if trying to shake off the sleepiness, and then said, "It's okay, I'm not sleepy anymore."
After saying that, he turned over and got out of bed. Ruoshui and the others immediately came in to help them get up, dress and wash. After everything was done, Zhu Feng could not have breakfast yet, as he had to go to the Taimiao to burn incense first.
Zhu Feng turned around and glanced at Nan Yan, saying, "Please accompany me."
Nan Yan said, "Your Majesty, please go ahead. I still have a lot of things to do here."
“…”
Zhu Feng's face darkened, and he turned around and walked out without saying a word.
Nan Yan saw that he looked a little unhappy, but for some reason, this was obviously a small matter, and he had clearly not prepared for such a big event today. As a noble concubine, Nan Yan had a lot of things to deal with in the palace, so he wouldn't be angry with her early in the morning for such a small matter.
So she respectfully saw the emperor off at the door and then returned to her room.
Aunt Tongyun came over and said, "The Imperial Kitchen is about to deliver breakfast to Your Majesty. Your Majesty, please—"
Nan Yan waved her hand and said, "There's no need for breakfast. Tell them to bring today's menu over quickly. I need to go over it again. You don't have to eat breakfast either. Just bring some snacks."
Aunt Tongyun had no choice but to respond and go down.
As she left, another figure flashed out of the doorway. Nan Yan looked up and saw that it was Xiao Shunzi. Nan Yan asked in surprise, "Didn't you follow the emperor to the Imperial Ancestral Temple? Why are you back?"
Xiao Shunzi walked in and whispered, "How come your Majesty doesn't understand the Emperor's thoughts?"
Nan Yan frowned slightly, realizing something: "Is the Emperor angry?"
"I'm not angry, but on a day like today, the Emperor naturally hopes that the Empress can be by his side at all times."
“…”
Nan Yan couldn't help but pursed her lips and smiled, muttering, "You're not a child."
Xiao Shunzi suppressed a smile, wiped the corner of her mouth with her hand, and then said, "This servant has come back to tell you that the emperor has ordered that if he hasn't returned after the hour of Si, your Highness should go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple in person."
Nan Yan was even more confused after hearing this.
The banquet officially starts at 3:15 pm. Since you are afraid of missing it, just ask someone around you to remind you. Why do you have to go there by yourself?
Or, because it's his birthday today, Zhu Feng must act a little bit willful?
But no matter what, this was the order of His Majesty the Emperor, and Nan Yan had no choice but to agree. Xiao Shunzi also reminded her not to go there before the hour of Si, and then turned and left, presumably going to the Taimiao.
Looking at his back, Nan Yan shook her head helplessly.
At this time, the imperial kitchen sent over the menu that had just been prepared last night, as well as two plates of exquisite snacks. Nan Yan didn't have time to eat, so she took the menu and looked at it carefully.
Ruoshui stood aside, glanced at the menu, and said curiously, "Why, the menu for each country's special envoy group is different?"
Nan Yan looked at it and said, "Yes."
"But didn't we always follow the order from the imperial kitchen for every banquet we held before?"
"This time is different from the previous ones. The envoys who came here are from different countries, and their eating habits are different. Some don't eat pork, some don't eat beef, and some don't eat meat at all."
"ah?"
"So, the Imperial Kitchen discussed this for a long time with the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Academy before finally finalizing it. The Parthian envoy only arrived last night, so the list has been revised again."
Ruoshui sighed softly, "Your Majesty, you have worked so hard."
Nan Yan turned around and glanced at her: "If you behave yourself and don't act naughty today, I won't have to work so hard."
Ruoshui immediately pouted and said, "Your Majesty, you underestimate me."
Nan Yan laughed and said, "Go check on the Princess and the King of Han and tell them to come over at the appointed time. They are not allowed to sleep in today, and they are not allowed to doze off in the main hall."
Ruoshui responded and went down immediately.
After reading the menu, Nan Yan pointed out two places that needed to be modified, sent it back to the imperial kitchen, and rechecked the guest list for today's banquet.
Although Yan State has had frequent exchanges with overseas and Western Region countries in recent years, and Zhu Feng even met with the envoy of Parthia in person at the border, this is the first time he has met with envoys from so many countries. With thousands of people on the scene, it is natural to verify them clearly and not make any mistakes.
Although today's banquet is grand, it does not have many parts.
The first item was that after the emperor and his concubines took their seats, envoys from various countries would meet with the emperor in order and present gifts; the second item was that all civil and military officials would meet with the emperor together and congratulate the emperor on his birthday; the third item was singing, dancing and feasting.
It looks very simple.
But the simpler it is, the more complicated it is, especially with so many people coming today. Even if one word is wrong, it is very likely to be recorded in the book. Therefore, no matter whether it is the emperor, the concubine, or the cabinet ministers, they must ensure that today's banquet is foolproof.
After checking the list, Nan Yan handed it to the people below.
Only then did Nan Yan heave a sigh of relief, swallowing two snacks with her tea, then raised her head and asked, "What time is it?"
Aunt Tongyun said, "It's just past the hour of Chen."
"Where's the Emperor?"
"The emperor is still in the Taimiao."
"Still in the Imperial Ancestral Temple..."
Nan Yan frowned slightly.
The banquet had just begun at 3:30 PM, and now it was just 7:00 PM, so there was no need to rush. However, she remembered Zhu Feng's unhappy look and what he had said to Xiao Shunzi just now -
It seems that I really have to go to the Taimiao again today.
Fortunately, the current situation has been almost resolved.
She took a breath and was about to send someone out to check again when Delu ran in again and said softly, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Crown Princess have entered the palace with Master Gu and a special envoy."
"oh?"
When Nan Yan heard this, she raised her eyebrows slightly.
She knew very well that it was not time to open the palace gates yet. They would not open until the hour of Si. At this time, all the envoys and their entourages should be waiting outside the Nangong Gate, but the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess actually brought a special envoy into the palace.
No need to guess, it must be the special envoy of the Parthian Empire.
So Nan Yan immediately said, "Bring them in."
After saying that, he immediately said, "Watch these people and don't make a big fuss."
De Lu took the order and ran out in a hurry. After a while, he saw him coming in with the prince, the princess, and Gu Yiyou, and following behind them was a familiar figure.
Gao Ye.
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