Chapter 53 Is this guy going to be reborn as a hungry ghost today?
Xiao Nanyue raised his head slightly, looked at Helian Cong with respect, and raised the wine glass above his head.
"The Regent is thoughtful!"
Helian Cong smiled and picked up the golden cup, taking a sip, while Xiao Nanyue drank it all in one gulp.
Then, he waved at Han Xiao and Ye Ren, and the two of them walked forward steadily, carrying a large wooden box painted in vermilion and gold.
"Your Majesty, today I offer you a thousand-year-old warm jade statue of the God of Longevity, symbolizing the virtue of jade for longevity. I wish Your Majesty a long and prosperous life, and may all people enjoy peace and prosperity."
The moment the wooden box was opened, the temperature in the hall seemed to soften a bit.
The statue of the God of Longevity is over two feet tall and is carved from a whole piece of warm mutton-fat jade. The red dot on the God of Longevity's forehead is inlaid with a pigeon-blood ruby, and gold thread patterns can be faintly seen in the folds of his clothes, which coincide with the dragon pattern on the emperor's court robes.
The most wonderful thing is that the warm jade has a warm and moist aura, and wisps of white mist float out from the birthday star's cuffs, as if there is really fairy air lingering around.
Helian Cong stared at the Longevity Buddha, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he was very pleased:
"This thousand-year-old warm jade is not only of rare quality, but also of exquisite craftsmanship. Such a valuable gift truly demonstrates the care and attention that went into its creation! I am truly delighted!"
Xiao Nanyan saluted again, his voice sonorous and powerful:
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Xiao Nanyan turned around and returned to his seat.
Next, Crown Prince Helian Feng led the other princes to toast the emperor and present birthday gifts.
Afterwards, the other concubines and ministers also raised their glasses, offered birthday congratulations and carefully prepared birthday gifts. For a moment, the atmosphere of the birthday banquet was pushed to one climax after another.
Xiyan stood beside Xiao Nanyan with her head lowered, serving him attentively. As soon as Xiao Nanyan's eyes fell on a dish, she would carefully pick it up and put it on the bone plate in front of him, and pour wine for him from time to time. Her movements were as smooth as flowing water, showing her thoughtfulness.
The aroma of wine and food filled the air at the banquet. At this moment, Princess Helian Shu toasted the emperor and wished him a happy birthday. She walked over with a smile on her face and sat down next to Xiao Nanyue again.
"Brother Yan, I heard that the Nanrui Camp has newly practiced the Ice Armor Formation?"
Helian Shu's voice was gentle and melodious, and she gently shook the gilded wine cup in her hand: "Can you tell Shu'er about it?"
Xiao Nanyan smiled lightly and nodded, responding to a few words. His eyes never left the food and wine on the table. His long fingers tapped lightly on the table, and an aloof air emanated from his body.
Xiyan silently placed a crystal shrimp on Xiao Nanyan's plate, secretly complaining in her heart:
Is this guy reincarnated as a hungry ghost today? Normally, the maids in the mansion serve him meals, but he never has such a good appetite!
However, Xiyan was keenly aware that there were always a few gazes falling on her, making her feel like a thorn in her back.
The moment she raised her eyes, her gaze met that of Crown Prince Helian Feng, whose eyes showed undisguised admiration; Chu Jin, who was standing beside her, narrowed his eyes, his gaze scrutinizing her as if he wanted to see through her.
Xiyan felt a little startled and lowered her eyelids calmly, catching a glimpse of Xu Jingzhen, the envoy of Nanzhao, out of the corner of her eye.
Today, Xu Jingzhen was wearing the crimson official uniform of Nanzhao. Sometimes he chatted and laughed with Helian Feng and Chu Jin, sometimes he toasted with Emperor Helian Cong, and sometimes he admired the dance of the beauty Tianqi in the hall with a look of fascination, his face full of admiration.
The flickering candlelight made his face glow.
Xiyan thought to herself, there are guards everywhere in the palace, and various forces are surrounding him. In addition, Prince Helian Feng and Chu Jin are always by his side. How can she find an opportunity to kill him?
While he was thinking, the sound of string music suddenly changed its tune, and the dancers' spinning skirts raised layers of fragrant mist.
Then, the palace servants brought up several bronze ice jars, and the people in the hall were suddenly dazzled.
At the bottom of the ice mirror, a fairy mountain carved from a whole piece of ice rises from the ground, with clouds and mist shrouded in the mountain. Looking closely, it is actually a misty fairyland created by ice.
On the fairy mountain, auspicious beasts like snow lions and white deer, carved from ice, come alive. Surrounding the mountain are a variety of chilled fresh fruits: agate-like cherries, suet jade-like snow pears, plump and rosy southern lychees, and exotic tribute fruits from foreign countries, all shimmering like stars, surrounded by ice.
Xiyan's sight inadvertently caught sight of the ice peaks carved from the fairy mountain, which looked like sharp swords piercing the sky. Her fingertips trembled slightly...
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