"Well, let's talk about the Mid-Autumn Festival Palace Banquet." An Qingran smiled, "Did you do something outside?"
"What?" Dongfang Jin raised his eyebrows.
"Why else would you feel guilty?"
"How could I?" Dongfang Jin said with a smile.
"Really not?" An Qingran stared into his beautiful eyes and laughed secretly in her heart.
"certainly!"
"You've never lied to me?" An Qingran continued to ask. She was just being naughty today.
Dongfang Jin's expression changed, and he soon smiled: "I lied to you."
"What?" An Qingran's heart skipped a beat and felt a little painful.
"I said, I fell in love with her at first sight when we were at the Prime Minister's Residence. I lied..."
An Qingran glanced at him sideways, waiting for him to tell the truth, but her mood had improved a lot. She was really afraid of hearing any other answer. She asked for nothing but for him to treat her wholeheartedly. It was rare for her to meet such a sincere person in this life.
"Actually, when I first saw you at the General's Mansion, I..." Dongfang Jin rarely spoke so seriously, so he felt embarrassed. "Well, my father wants to ask me something, I'll go take a look."
Looking at his hurried back, An Qingran smiled. How could this guy be embarrassed?
As Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, there was a festive atmosphere in the palace because the Empress Dowager had returned to court and the Crown Prince was getting married. Therefore, Empress Yun specially discussed with Emperor Yun Qi to hold a grand palace banquet, and all officials above the fifth rank could enter the palace to participate in the royal celebrations.
An Qingran knew that this banquet was different from usual ones, so she didn't dare to take it lightly.
Finally, the scent of autumn is flowing in the air, and Mid-Autumn Festival has arrived.
That night, the bright moon was high in the sky, and a few stars did not dare to compete with the moon's brilliance. Only one or two thin clouds passed by unintentionally, like gauze or fog, adding a touch of mystery to the moon.
Dongze Palace.
The palace maids were all dressed in fluttering colorful clothes, busying about, like fairies in the Rui Palace, with a few wisps of fairy spirit in their steps. The various palace lanterns were dotted with stars, as if the starry sky was reflected on the earth. For a moment, people felt as if they were in the Milky Way, not knowing whether it was heaven or earth...
An Qingran supported Ren Dong's arm and walked slowly forward. Ren Dong whispered, "Miss, I have done what you asked. Miss Shen is waiting in the pavilion in front."
"Okay, I understand. Let her follow us in. With the palace invitation, someone will naturally greet her. It's not convenient for me to talk to her too much right now..."
"Yes, I will go and arrange for her right away, Miss... Oh, it's the Crown Princess, are you waiting for me here or..."
As he was talking, a tall and straight figure walked over. It was the prince with a jade face and a golden crown. He had a smile on his face: "Why didn't you wait for me? You came first. Who are you anxious for?"
"Who are you meeting?" An Qingran heard the sourness in his words, but she didn't know why, and couldn't help but look at him in confusion.
Dongfang Jin suddenly pointed at the Begonia lamp and said, "Look, how about that lamp?"
Why did he suddenly change the subject?
An Qingran felt a little strange, but didn't think about anything else. Dongfang Jin looked to the other side and saw the graceful figure passing by. Then he held An Qingran's hand and walked forward, leaving An Qingran confused and at a loss.
That figure was Dongfang Run.
Dongfang Jin still had some grudges against his cousin. Although he was married to An Qingran, he could not rest easy after hearing what he heard. He heard that his cousin got drunk every night and sometimes even neglected his appearance. This was hard for him to imagine, so he had to be on guard.
An Qingran, who was unaware of what was going on, walked into the hall side by side with him. At that time, all the ministers, princes and nobles in the court had already taken their seats. They walked to their seats and sat down quietly.
An Qingran sat there quietly looking at everyone. Everyone had a happy look on their face. Because the emperor, empress, queen mother and other important figures had not arrived yet, everyone was relaxed and chatting with close friends. As her eyes moved, she met a burning gaze, it was Dongfang Run. When her eyes met his, the gaze avoided her again, as if she was dazzled. An Qingran raised her eyebrows slightly, but saw Rendong and Shen Zhiyun move to the small table at the back. The table was in the last corner, but two rows away was Dongfang Ye's seat. Shen Zhiyun could see Dongfang Ye as soon as he raised his head. To be honest, among these princes, no one could compare to him in terms of romantic temperament. Of course, she was also attracted by his appearance back then... Thinking of this, the corners of An Qingran's mouth twitched, but the cold smile was hidden under the veil and no one could see it.
Soon, the eunuch's shrill voice sounded, and then the empress dowager's figure appeared at the door of the hall. She was naturally graceful and dignified. The black and red Shu brocade dress made her look even more majestic and luxurious, even outshining the Empress Yun behind her. Naturally, Empress Yun would not think of stealing the empress dowager's limelight at this time. She was just dressed in an ordinary phoenix dress, gentle and quiet. The emperor followed beside the empress dowager with a festive expression on his face. In his heart, the empress was in good health, his mother returned to the court, and the prince was married. Of course, nothing could make him more comfortable than this.
Everyone knelt and the Queen Mother took the seat. The Emperor and the Queen sat on both sides of her. Slightly below them, everyone else took their seats. Looking around the hall, there were probably more than a hundred people, but it was completely silent. The Queen Mother had a kind smile on her face as she looked at the ministers below. With such a grand ceremony, her smile became even brighter. After a few simple words of blessing, the ministers toasted her. The Queen Mother raised her glass and smiled: "If you toast one by one, I can handle the alcohol. The day is almost dawning. Today is Mid-Autumn Festival. Everyone should enjoy themselves on such a festival. I am happier watching you drink than drinking myself..."
Everyone returned to their seats. Queen Yun's eyes could not help but fall on the seats of An Qingran and Dongfang Jin. Her smile was full of kindness. She felt that her son was unusual no matter how she looked at him. Just looking at his smug look, she wondered in her heart how sad he would be when she was gone. Fortunately, An Qingran was there. Although the girl was young, her demeanor, her scheming, and her dignified and graceful appearance made people feel at ease.
His son was handed over to her.
At this time, Dongfang Ye stood up, holding a wine glass and approaching, smiling brightly: "Grandmother, father, mother, I am here with a glass of sake, wishing the grandmother good health, and wishing father and mother a long life..."
Emperor Yunqi and Empress Yun were not so good, but the Queen Mother looked unusually happy: "Okay, it's rare that you are filial. I will drink this cup..."
An Qingran was disdainful in his heart. The Queen Mother had just said that there was no need to toast, but he still wanted to show off. Fortunately, no one pointed out this bad luck at this moment. Even if he wanted to show off, it was the prince who should have stood up at this time. Unexpectedly, Dongfang Jin had no expression at all, as if he saw nothing.
When everyone heard the Queen Mother's praise, they also felt worried for the Crown Prince.
Queen Yun suddenly spoke up, "Mother, you didn't celebrate with us on this day last year. This year, your daughter-in-law has prepared a program for you. We have been rehearsing the songs and dances intensively these days. How about having them come up and dance for you?"
The Queen Mother nodded slightly and put down the jade cup in her hand, without showing any obvious joy on her face.
A group of dancers came up, their long sleeves like clouds, and their light pink clothes seemed like the clouds in the sky. Soon, everyone's attention was attracted by the dance, and they couldn't help but forget what happened just now. Dongfang Ye sat back in his seat, and nothing could be seen in his eyes. An Qingran looked at Rendong, who was still serving Shen Zhiyun by his side. Shen Zhiyun's eyes were really on Dongfang Ye as An Qingran imagined.
The whole hall was filled with music. After the dance, the sound was still lingering. Everyone was immersed in the song and dance. The hall was silent. Suddenly, a voice rang out: "Crown Princess, I didn't attend your wedding with the Crown Prince. This glass of wine is my token of my appreciation..."
An Qingran came back to her senses and saw Murong Lanxin in a white dress walking slowly towards her and Dongfang Jin from the high platform. She was particularly bright and charming today, and her eyes were like autumn water, so deep and calm that it was impossible to see through her.
An Qingran only knew a little about Murong Lanxin. She was someone close to the Queen Mother and also Murong Shu's sister. In their previous life, they didn't have much interaction. In this life, she didn't know what attitude she should take towards her.
An Qingran raised her glass: "Thank you for your kindness, Princess..."
Murong Lanxin just raised her glass indifferently to Dongfang Jin, as if she was not interested in him at all. She was only celebrating for An Qingran.
An Qingran gently lifted her veil and drank the wine.
Murong Lanxin also took a sip, then stood there and said with a smile: "Crown Princess, although I didn't attend your wedding, I have long heard of your reputation. It is rumored that the Crown Princess is the best of the four beauties in the capital, with unparalleled talent and beauty. I really admire her. On the way, I thought that if I had the chance to meet her, I would definitely get close to her..."
An Qingran heard her speak like this. She was obviously praising her, but for some reason, a shadow passed through her heart...
When An Qingran heard Lan Xin's words, she just smiled politely and said, "My Lord, you are too kind. Qingran is just an ordinary person. The title of the Four Great Masters is just a compliment from everyone."
Murong Lanxin smiled: "How could that be? I heard that the Crown Princess has become a role model for all the daughters of the capital, with both virtue and beauty... I'm sorry, I forgot that your appearance has been damaged, what a pity..."
When Princess Lan Xin said it was a pity, she shook her head and sighed. That expression really made people feel no hatred towards her. They just thought that she really felt sorry for An Qingran. But then she suddenly spoke to the Queen Mother: "Queen Mother, I suddenly remembered that the appearance of the Crown Princess is really related to national affairs. It is not just her business. Although it is a bit inappropriate for me to say this here, the Queen Mother should also think about her. Her originally beautiful appearance has become like this. Even if the ministers in the court dare not comment on it, the people’s mouths cannot be stopped. So I would like to ask the Queen Mother to order famous doctors from all over the world to treat her, so as not to be criticized and damage the prestige of the Dongze Dynasty..."
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