Chapter 25
Palace banquet day.
The afterglow of the setting sun gradually faded away, and the lights in the palace were lit early, stretching along the Shili Tianjie towards the Jiying Palace, a brilliant and solemn scene.
The night wind, wrapped in damp and cold air, swirled among the pavilions and towers. The palace servants hunched their necks and walked hurriedly, while the Qilin Guards in silver helmets and golden armor stood still.
Yue Mingming leaned on the car window and looked out silently all the way, not knowing what he was thinking.
"Don't worry." Zhao Congyun whispered, "You don't have to say anything later. I'll take care of everything."
His voice was different from before, a little tense.
Yue Mingming turned his face, which was red from the cold wind, and looked at him quietly for two seconds before saying softly, "It looks like it's going to snow."
Zhao Congyun looked out through the gap in the car curtain. The sky in the distance was indeed gloomier than the night.
"Things are going to change," he murmured.
Today, Zhao Congyun was dressed in a brocade robe with flying clouds and dragons, and a purple gold crown inlaid with precious stones and pearls. Even in the dark carriage, it still shone brightly, making him look more noble and more arrogant and indifferent than ever before.
His usual gentlemanly demeanor was completely gone. At this moment, he was a prince born into an imperial family, with a status second only to the emperor and unlimited honor, a true royal descendant.
Yue Mingming vaguely understood that he had armed himself like a gorgeous sword, and beneath the sharp edge lay tense nerves and a determination that would not tolerate any mistakes.
She suddenly wasn't sure if she could still joke and bicker with him so freely.
"Is it difficult?" Yue Mingming asked.
"Yeah." Zhao Congyun knew what she was asking and did not deny it.
He himself benefited from the imperial power and also represented the imperial power, so he certainly knew how difficult it was to resist it.
He said calmly, "Don't feel burdened. For so many years, I've let them make decisions for me, obediently playing the role they designed... Now I've had enough of acting... Choosing who to be the 'Princess' was just an introduction. I know what I really want."
After a pause, he added, "Whatever your purpose, I'm very happy that you are willing to accompany me on this journey."
Yue Mingming smiled and said, "I also know what I want. Since we have the same goal, let's work together."
"After this palace banquet, if it really snows, I'll treat you to a drink."
Yue Mingming looked at the dark clouds approaching and said casually, "In my hometown... there's a custom of drinking and eating fried chicken on the first snow."
"Fried chicken?" Zhao Congyun frowned, then smiled at her strange suggestion.
"Okay." He finally nodded.
Yue Mingming's lips curled up slightly. She didn't say that Chuxue still had one thing to do...to confess her love to the one she loved.
*
This palace banquet was specially held in the Purple Palace, which was the venue for the emperor and empress to celebrate their birthdays in previous years, which shows the importance the emperor attached to Zhao Congyun's selection of a concubine.
Yue Mingming got off the carriage and shuddered.
It’s so cold in the palace... Although it’s magnificent and brightly lit, it doesn’t warm my heart at all.
The palace maid led the way and brought the two into the side hall. At this time, guests were already waiting in the hall, but the emperor and empress were not seen in the main seat.
When everyone saw Zhao Congyun, they all stood up and saluted. Their eyes inadvertently swept over Yue Mingming, and their expressions suddenly changed.
They had all heard of this concubine in Zhao Congyun's mansion, the boat ride on Yuhu Lake, the heinous crimes committed by her heartless father, and the pardon that Zhao Congyun had obtained for her... Every single thing could not help but make people imagine.
Yue Mingming looked back without any hesitation. She looked at Duke Zheng, Wang Hanlin and Minister Xu mentioned by Zhao Congyun, and finally her eyes fell on the woman beside them.
These three girls should be the candidates for the princess.
Each of them looks like a lady from a noble family, with dignified manners and noble temperament. However, if you look closely, each of them has her own unique charm.
Yue Mingming thought that the emperor was quite good to his younger brother. Even if she had not interfered, Li Pingru's competitors were still very strong!
However, Zhao Congyun seemed not to notice these women at all, and led her to her seat without even looking at her.
The prince who used to be a playboy suddenly turned into Liu Xiahui, a model of male virtue. Everyone was stunned and couldn't help but cast a playful look at Yue Mingming.
Yue Mingming bit his lips hard, trying not to laugh, so as not to be more annoying.
Fortunately, there was a message outside the door, the emperor had arrived!
Emperor Zhaoming, dressed in a dragon robe, walked in slowly, accompanied by Empress Li, wearing a phoenix crown. This was slightly different from what Yue Mingming had imagined. Although Emperor Zhaoming was Zhao Congyun's biological brother, they had different mothers and shared the same father, so they didn't look alike.
Emperor Zhaoming was in his prime, with frost on his forehead and temples. His square face was firm and serious, and he looked majestic without even being angry.
Empress Li was well-maintained, had a gentle smile, and looked approachable. But the more Yue Mingming looked at her, the more she looked like Li Pingru, and he couldn't help but be on guard.
After everyone had exchanged greetings, Emperor Zhaoming looked around. The small smile on his face suddenly froze. He stared at Zhao Congyun with a stern gaze and shouted, "How dare you! Do you even know what kind of occasion this is?"
Empress Li followed Emperor Zhaoming's gaze, and the moment she saw Yue Mingming, her smile became even more meaningful.
Zhao Congyun lowered his head and said calmly, "Your Majesty, if I remember correctly, today is the day when I, your humble servant, will choose a princess."
"You still know!"
Emperor Zhaoming picked up the tea bowl and threw it over. The scalding tea splashed all over Zhao Congyun, but he didn't move.
"Come! Drag his concubine away!" Emperor Zhaoming ordered, and then said to Zhao Congyun: "We will settle your account later!"
Zhao Congyun took a step forward and stood in front of Yue Mingming. "Your Majesty asked me to choose a concubine, and I brought the person I chose. I don't know what I did wrong."
"You mean her?" Emperor Zhaoming laughed in anger, "You want to choose her as your princess?!"
"yes."
The hall was exceptionally quiet, and Zhao Congyun's answer was resounding.
"I only want her."
Emperor Zhaoming's expression changed several times, and finally he said with a gloomy face: "You are forcing me to execute her."
Zhao Congyun raised his eyes and said, "Then Your Majesty is forcing me to die."
Everyone's breath was held in their throat - Prince Jia was threatening the Emperor... with death?
"You!" Emperor Zhaoming was indeed furious. He pointed at Zhao Congyun's nose and cursed, "I blame you for being too indulgent in the past. This has led to your current debauchery and unruly behavior! How dare you say such outrageous words for a woman!"
"You want to die? I insist on keeping you alive. Today, I will make you watch with your own eyes as she is unable to leave this Purple Palace because of what you said! Let's see if you will learn your lesson from now on!"
Zhao Congyun's face turned pale.
He leaned over and picked up a broken piece of porcelain bowl from the ground. This action frightened the palace servants and they screamed, "How dare you! Quick, someone come and protect the emperor!"
However, before the Qilin Guards could rush in, Zhao Congyun pointed the sharp end of the porcelain shard at his neck and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will never lay a hand on you, even if I die! I ask for little. I only ask for my own decision and to choose the princess I desire."
His expression remained calm, but he was using all his strength in his hands. The irregular piece of broken bowl pierced his palm, and blood flowed down his arm with bulging veins, staining his gorgeous clothes red.
Yue Mingming was horrified. She had thought today would be difficult, but she hadn't expected it to be so difficult. She didn't even have the chance to exchange greetings with her brothers at the beginning, and was directly covered in blood.
She wanted to hold him back, but she didn't dare to act rashly because she couldn't tell whether Zhao Congyun was acting or serious.
Emperor Zhaoming was also shocked when he saw this, and a flash of pity appeared in his eyes. However, a king never jokes, and it is impossible for him to give in. He just pursed his lips tightly and stopped pressuring.
The situation suddenly came to a standstill.
The ministers were afraid of being implicated and no one dared to speak.
Empress Li winked at the Qilin Guards, ordering them to withdraw. Then she gently advised, "Your Majesty, calm down... You know your brother's character best. He's always obeyed you, and he only gets angry over these romantic matters. Why are you still taking him seriously?"
She took two more steps toward Zhao Congyun. "You're fooling around too! Hurry up and drop what you're holding and call the imperial physician!"
Zhao Congyun took a step back calmly and said, "Your Majesty and the Empress, please grant me your blessing."
Before Emperor Zhaoming could speak, Empress Li spoke first, "It's not impossible to fulfill your wish. Just let go first, and we'll discuss it in the long run."
Seeing that she couldn't persuade Zhao Congyun, she turned to Yue Mingming and said, "Why don't you try to persuade your prince... Can you bear to see him hurt himself like this for you?"
Yue Mingming had been wanting to do something for a long time. When he saw the Queen speak, he immediately stepped forward, grabbed Zhao Congyun's sleeve, and whispered, "Don't do this."
Zhao Congyun lowered his eyes and looked at her. Seeing the girl's frown and worry in her eyes, he finally slowly let go of her hand.
Everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Yue Mingming took out a handkerchief and clumsily bandaged him. Empress Li ordered the palace maids to fetch the imperial physician, but Zhao Congyun stopped them, saying, "Don't bother. Your Majesty just said we'll take a long-term approach. I dare to ask what you meant by that."
Everyone noticed that Zhao Congyun was aggressive today.
Imperial families have always been full of heartless, ambitious schemers, but they lack romantic ones. Is he really like this just because of a concubine?
Emperor Zhaoming's eyes were deep, as if he was thinking about something.
Queen Li smiled faintly and said, "Actually...if your concubine possesses both talent and virtue, and is kind and refined, and is worthy of being a princess, then even if your family background and status are somewhat inferior, Your Majesty and I would be willing to create a beautiful story for us."
Zhao Congyun was silent.
Queen Li's tactic of retreating to advance is even more powerful!
She didn't object directly, seemingly with good intentions, but relying on Li Pingru as her spy, how could she not know Yue Mingming's background? In the end, she only needed to use the phrase "unworthy of the position" to completely shut him up.
I'm afraid that she will attack Yue Mingming next!
Looking at Yue Mingming, who was completely unaware of the danger and whose attention was still on the wound, Zhao Congyun's back suddenly tensed up.
Emperor Zhaoming was too familiar with his younger brother. He saw through the nervousness beneath Zhao Congyun's calm demeanor and sneered, "She comes from a family like that... talented and virtuous, with a kind heart... Dream on!"
Empress Li said, "Your Majesty, this is wrong... A lotus flower can emerge from the mud without being stained. Perhaps this concubine is a good girl who keeps herself clean."
Seeing the blood on Zhao Congyun's hand gradually stop flowing, Yue Mingming came back to his senses and just happened to hear these words.
She was very sure that the Queen was plotting against her.
Haha, it turns out to be an advanced version of Li Pingru!
Yue Mingming smiled sweetly at her: "Thank you, Her Majesty, for the compliment."
Queen Li's mask-like smile froze for a moment, but was quickly covered up by her.
She poured a cup of fresh tea for Emperor Zhaoming and said casually, "It's a pity we don't know much about this concubine. The Emperor's uncle is a man of beauty, so he sees only good things in his eyes. I wonder if anyone... is familiar with this young lady?"
As if in response to her words, a howling voice suddenly came from outside the Purple Palace: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please make a decision for this servant!"
A figure stumbled in, followed by palace maids. Emperor Zhaoming and Empress Li were about to get angry when they discovered that the visitor was someone they knew.
Li Pingru, with a bruised face and a limp, pointed at Yue Mingming and shrieked, "I'm going to sue this lawless concubine. She...she assaulted me!"
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