Noticing Qi Qi's gaze, the man raised his wine glass and gestured towards Qi Qi from a distance, across the dancers at the table.
The crowd's gazes darted back and forth between the two, but no matter how much gossip they harbored, they all maintained a calm demeanor.
As expected! The Seventh Prince has publicly declared war on the Ninth Prince?!
Heh heh heh, the Ninth Prince didn't even glance at him. Was it because he didn't care, or did he simply not take the Seventh Prince seriously at all?!
While out of everyone's sight, Qi Qi quietly hid behind the Ninth Prince, took the snack he was offered, and quickly stuffed it into his mouth.
"Cough cough... cough cough cough..."
Qi Qi covered his lips, his face turning red from coughing.
The Ninth Prince turned to the side, his cold and handsome expression unchanged. When he spoke, he mocked, "Didn't I tell you to eat before the banquet started? Why are you in such a hurry now? You deserve to cough it up."
"What are we going to eat? There's no time at all. We've been busy tending to the yard since we arrived, and we rushed over as soon as the banquet started."
Ninth Prince: "You arranged this? Where's Dongmei?"
Qi Qi: "Aunt Dongmei got seasick and her stomach hurt from vomiting, so I told her to rest."
"Where are Xiao Fuzi and Xiao Xizi?"
Qi Qi said speechlessly, "These two didn't eat well on the ship, so they ate a big meal as soon as they got off the ship, and then they got diarrhea."
No wonder.
The Ninth Prince added, "No wonder you came in all sweat earlier. I told you to learn more about management in your spare time, otherwise you'll be all flustered when it comes to actually doing it."
Qi Qi said aggrievedly, "Your Highness, you weren't like this before. Instead of comforting me, you're making fun of me."
Ninth Prince: "...Is this your reason for pinching me?"
Qi Qi pulled his hand back from his waist: "You were the one who made fun of me first."
Ninth Prince: "You really can't stand even the slightest scolding."
As she spoke, she naturally took the plate of pastries from the table and placed it next to Qi Qi. Because it was so natural, few people noticed that behind the Ninth Prince, who was at the center of the conversation, there was a little eunuch stealing pastries.
It was Qi Qi's first time handling miscellaneous tasks, and even just giving orders exhausted him. He was so hungry that he ate half a plate of snacks before he felt much better. The snacks were still too dry, and he kept pounding his chest while eating. The Ninth Prince poured him a drink and handed it to him.
It has a slightly alcoholic taste, like a sweet peach juice.
After finishing his meal, Qi Qi moved forward a little and watched the dancing girls with great interest. They were all beauties gathered and presented by officials from Jiangnan. Their clothes were in accordance with Emperor Yongping's preferences and were very revealing, attracting the attention of many men at the table.
As the dance ended, the dancers stood in four corners, and a large drum appeared on the stage in the middle. A beautiful woman in red, with a veiled face, stepped forward with light steps. Her feet were bare, and there was a layer of transparent gauze on her strapless dress. This kind of wanting to reveal but not revealing made her even more eye-catching.
An official introduced that this is the top courtesan of Jiangnan Wuyuelou this year.
Emperor Yongping stared intently, no longer glancing at the beauties he had on either side of his arms, his gaze fixed on the woman on the drum.
The beauty's eyes curved into a smile, and as the drums and instruments of the other beauties around her began, the lanterns around the guests dimmed, leaving only the warm, ambiguous light emanating from her. Her graceful and charming dance began, her gauze skirt fluttering, a single point of light illuminating the eyes of the lecherous men in the darkness, who were eager to devour her whole.
The emperor sat on the throne, while princes and ministers sat below. Decadent music filled the air, a scene that vividly demonstrated the collapse of social order and morality.
Qi Qi didn't want to watch the old man. He figured he might as well watch the young lady's dance. Her waist twisting was excellent. No wonder she was the top courtesan. In modern times, she would at least be a great dancer.
"It's so beautiful! Shall I give you one as a reward later?"
"Oh, I forgot, don't you still have that girl, Xiao Cui'er or Xiao Die'er, waiting for you? If you bring her back, she might cause you trouble."
The Ninth Prince snorted lightly, his gaze sweeping contemptuously over the seat of honor and those around him, it was unclear whether he was referring to Qi Qi or someone else.
The marriage season in the Great Xia Dynasty was already early. In addition, the current situation was turbulent and the conscription had almost wiped out the homes of the people. With fewer able-bodied men, how would they survive in the future? Having a son was of paramount importance. As a result, the age at which people got married was as low as possible.
Emperor Yongping did not bestow titles upon his sons, so he placed great importance on these matters. The princes began to betrothed at the age of fourteen, and they were married when they left the palace to establish their own residences.
The fourth prince, for example, began to understand human affairs at the age of thirteen...
The Seventh Prince has quite a few people in his household now. His princess consort has not yet been decided, but he has two concubines and at least seven or eight maids and servants.
The Seventh Prince is young and strong. In less than two years since he established his own residence, he has already had three children, one boy and two girls. With another concubine becoming pregnant, the Empress will have to compete for the throne no matter what.
Recently, two palace maids were arranged to serve the Ninth Prince. Everyone knows what they're up to.
He's only thirteen years old; he's still just a child!
Qi Qi was both surprised and amused. He didn't dare to explain the issue of age and the best age for childbearing to the Ninth Prince. People in ancient times matured early, so we can't judge them by modern standards... right?
In ancient times, it would be normal for Qi Qi to have a child at his age.
The two palace maids were sent out by the Empress, hoping to help the Ninth Prince relax and perhaps... well, you know.
The Ninth Prince, as always, disliked others getting close to him. His unhappiness today was mainly due to the matter of the new palace maid, and of course, he also took the opportunity to seek a sense of existence from Qi Qi.
Because... he caught Qi Qi of some historical issues related to his romantic luck.
The story of that palace maid named Xiaodie is actually a tragic one.
As everyone knows, eunuchs are all rootless...men. But men seek women not only for physical reasons but also for psychological ones. The eunuchs and palace maids, who were lonely in the deep palace and could not leave, would find someone they liked to keep them company in order to comfort each other.
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