Chapter 129
The emperor passed in front of the palace and ascended to the main seat in Qinyuan Palace.
Then, Steward Li, standing beside him, called out in a strong voice, "Gentlemen, please rise."
During the banquet, everyone expressed their gratitude before returning to their seats.
"Your Majesty, what brings you here at this hour?" Empress Sun immediately offered up the main seat and gave a signal to her attendants to bring over another chair.
"How could I not attend the Empress's birthday banquet?" The Emperor was over forty years old, but still looked radiant, and his nine-clawed dragon robe exuded a noble air.
Steward Li spoke up from the side:
"Your Majesty, His Majesty was just discussing matters with the Minister of Personnel in the Imperial Study. After finishing, he immediately came to Qinyuan Palace."
Empress Sun smiled gently upon hearing this and said with some delight, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The emperor immediately helped her up.
"Wanqing, I haven't missed anything by coming here now, have I?" The emperor sat in the main seat.
"Your Majesty, just now Xu'er gave me a rare congratulatory gift. Please take a look."
"This is a painting that Xu'er gave to me."
Empress Sun immediately ordered the painting to be presented.
After admiring the painting of fallen petals in Qin Garden, the Emperor looked directly at Yan Jingxu:
"The Sixth Prince is quite clever; he has won over your mother's heart."
"Your Majesty, I only put in a little effort; it is Your Majesty's gift that is truly rare."
The sixth prince, Yan Jingxu, had slightly upturned eyes. Although he sat upright in his seat, half of his wrist bone was visible through his sleeves, making his azure robe appear even more elegant.
When the Crown Prince heard his sixth brother mention him, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I only gave Mother a jade pendant. In terms of originality, my sixth brother's gift is far superior."
Seeing that both of them spoke in this way, the Emperor of the Min Dynasty felt much more at ease and said directly:
"Whether it's the jade pendant or the Falling Petals painting, it was both the result of your two brothers' hard work."
"I am very pleased with your mutual courtesy and consideration."
The Emperor of the Min Dynasty looked at Crown Prince Yan Dingjun and Sixth Prince Yan Jingxu with appreciation.
Yingning observed the Min Dynasty emperor's expression and felt that he seemed particularly longing for the scene of brotherly affection between Yan Dingjun and Yan Jingxu.
Thinking about the regent's secret, it's not hard to understand why the emperor of the Min Dynasty admires the crown prince and the fourth prince so much.
Even among members of the royal family, those born of the same mother often find it difficult to disregard fraternal bonds in the face of overwhelming temptations.
Both Crown Prince Yan Dingjun and Sixth Prince Yan Jingxu are sons of the Empress, and it is said that the two have a very good relationship.
Upon hearing the Emperor's praise, Empress Sun immediately echoed his words:
"I am very pleased that Jun'er and Xu'er have such a harmonious relationship."
The Emperor of the Min Dynasty noticed Ying Ning's position and spoke directly:
"Princess Zhaoning, were you also invited to the Empress's birthday banquet today?"
Yingning nodded and said, "Your Majesty, Zhaoning has been feeling rather bored lately, so I came to the Empress's place for some amusement."
With a slight movement of her forehead ornament, the dazzling vermilion water-stone caught the eye of another person.
The Emperor of the Min Dynasty exchanged a few polite words with Ying Ning and then ordered the banquet to continue.
Dancers took to the stage one after another, and melodious music flowed through the air.
In an instant, Qin Garden was once again surrounded by the sounds of zithers and lutes.
On the other side, the servants in front of the palace immediately arranged a seat for the fourth prince, Yan Qizhen.
"Your Highness, Fourth Prince, please."
Thank you.
Yan Qizhen's seat was to the side of the Sixth Prince Yan Jingxu, which was diagonally opposite Ying Ning.
Yingning sensed his scrutinizing gaze, and a hint of amusement appeared on her lips as she drank her tea.
In the original storyline, Bai Yingning did not attend the Empress's birthday banquet, though it is unknown whether it was due to some emotional distress.
Yan Qizhen was still wearing his court robe today. The gold thread embroidery on the lapel was exquisite, and the cloud pattern on the shoulder was a five-cloud dragon pattern, which diluted the misty rain in his eyes.
He knew perfectly well the purpose of the Empress's birthday banquet today.
The position of Crown Princess is still vacant; Her Majesty the Empress is making plans for His Highness the Crown Prince in advance.
At today's banquet, all the noble ladies of the capital city are seated in front of the Qin Garden Hall.
A cold glint flashed in Yan Qizhen's eyes, but he calmly raised his wine glass and turned it to the side.
"Your Highness, Sixth Brother, please."
Crown Prince Yan Dingjun also raised his cup in return: "Fourth brother, have you been keeping Father company until now?"
"Today, while reporting to the Emperor about court affairs, I happened to overhear the Minister of Personnel presenting an important memorial," Yan Qizhen said, before drinking a cup of sake.
A gentleman's demeanor, shrouded in mist and rain amidst flowers.
"Thank you for your hard work, Fourth Brother."
His Highness the Crown Prince also drank the wine in his cup.
Meanwhile, the Sixth Prince, Yan Jingxu, sat lazily in his seat, his well-defined knuckles holding a cup of sake. He gestured slightly towards Yan Qizhen and said:
Fourth Brother.
He drank it down in one gulp and said nothing more.
Yan Qizhen was not particularly familiar with the sixth prince, Yan Jingxu, and did not think there was anything wrong with his actions.
In his spare time, this sixth prince liked to go to the military camps outside the capital. He was skilled in swordsmanship and had no interest in getting involved in politics.
The Empress and the Crown Prince then went with him.
The sixth prince, Yan Jingxu, drank a few cups of wine and sat for a while before finding the performance at the banquet somewhat boring. Not long after, he made an excuse and disappeared without a trace.
......
The palace band gradually faded out, and then came the part where the ladies of the court showcased their talents and charm for the Empress's birthday banquet.
The noble ladies of the capital went to great lengths to win Empress Sun's favor, playing music, chess, calligraphy, and painting several times over.
Many women took turns going on stage to showcase their talents. While it was novel at first, it became somewhat boring after a while.
"Your humble servant Zhao Ruimin presents a sword dance to Her Majesty the Empress."
A striking figure bowed respectfully before the hall.
Zhao Ruimin was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhao. She rarely attended banquets in the capital, so few people knew about her. They only heard that this eldest daughter was unruly by nature, incompetent in music, painting, and embroidery, and had a rough and vulgar appearance.
Today, upon closer inspection, her phoenix eyes were sharp, her black hair was simply styled in a bun, and she wore a beautiful, fitted sea-colored long dress. Her lips were not adorned with vermilion, which only added to her sharp and capable demeanor.
What a beautiful woman!
The Empress granted her permission, and the beautiful woman began to dance with graceful movements.
When she wielded her sword, each move was effortless and crisp, her graceful movements were hard to fathom.
After comparing them several times, I found that Zhao Ruimin's sword dance was much more novel than the previous neon dance and the Nine Heavens Silk Dance.
A moment later, Zhao Ruimin finished his sword dance.
Just as everyone was about to applaud, and the Emperor of the Min Dynasty was about to generously reward the woman, a sudden change occurred at the banquet!
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