In such settings, seating arrangements reveal a person's status and position, demonstrating a strong emphasis on hierarchy and respect for superiors.
Emperor Mingde, of course, sat high on the dragon throne. To his left was the Empress Dowager, and to his right, the first position after the Empress Dowager's, should be the Empress.
However, Zhao Shu did not see the Empress arrive, and Consort Hao sat next to Emperor Mingde, pushing the Crown Prince to the next seat.
Position is a trivial matter, so there's no need to worry about it. But if we don't worry about it, some people will become too smug.
Zhao Shu sat next to the Empress Dowager, and Prince Yong sat next to Prince Hui. At Emperor Mingde's command, everyone sat down in turn. Zhao Shu glanced at everyone.
The officials, both civil and military, lined up on either side of the main wife according to their rank, while their children sat behind them.
Zhao Shu saw Sun Yun, but not Huo Danlan. However, Huo Baichuan brought Huo Guxian with him.
He smiled at Sun Yun from afar, which was considered a greeting.
Liuli, Xie Jinhuan, Lin Xiuxue, and Guan Yurong also arrived. There was also a young lady who gestured to Zhao Shu from afar. Zhao Shu knew this person in her previous life; she was the fourth young lady of the Zhiyuan Marquis's mansion.
When her gaze swept over Yang Zhong, she was somewhat surprised to see that Yang Shixuan was also there. It seemed that he was quite capable.
Great, everyone who was supposed to be there has arrived.
Having seen enough, he turned his gaze away and said to the Empress Dowager in a coquettish tone, "Grandmother, Xian'er is sitting too far away. Shall we let him sit here?"
The Empress Dowager was quite satisfied with Huo Guxian, so when she heard Zhao Shu say this, how could she disagree? She immediately had Granny Zhong set up a small table next to her and sent Zhang Chu to personally invite Huo Guxian.
Miss Huo was no longer a five or six-year-old boy, but an eleven or twelve-year-old young man, though he still had a boyish face, extremely cute, especially when he was serious, he was even more adorable. Zhao Shu always wanted to pinch his cheeks, but he could now say, "Princess, men and women should not touch each other. What you are doing is improper."
Huo Guxian was invited over by Zhang Chu. He bowed very respectfully before sitting down at the small table like a little adult. The Empress Dowager was more and more satisfied with him and was thinking about when to talk to Huo Baichuan to prepare for the marriage.
When Consort Hao saw that Zhao Shu had actually invited Huo Guxian over, she sneered. What could a wild child raised in the countryside know about propriety and shame? They were openly flirting with each other!
She flashed a seductive smile and said sarcastically, "The princess and young master Huo are really close." Of course, she didn't dare to offend the Huo family too much, and then she added, "There are so many young masters in this hall, but I haven't seen you invite them over."
Her voice was clear and bright, and everyone heard it as soon as she spoke. They immediately looked at Zhao Shu with mockery, especially Lin Xiuxue and the others. They had not forgotten the infamous Zhao Shu of the past and were extremely dissatisfied with Zhao Shu's transformation into a person of great virtue. Now, hearing what Consort Hao said, they gloated.
Huo Guxian's expression changed, and he immediately wanted to speak up in defense, but Zhao Shu spoke first. Before the Empress Dowager could get angry, she smiled and said, "It is true that we are close, but Ah Jun did not invite Young Master Huo here for herself, but for the sake of the Emperor."
Hmph, just wait and see your arrogant attitude. Although I can't tell Emperor Mingde about your infidelity, I have plenty of ways to make you die a hundred times over.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingde couldn't help but ask, "Hmm, tell me about it."
Zhao Shu smiled, stood up, curtsied to Emperor Mingde, and said, "This matter must be asked of Miss Sun."
Emperor Mingde was even more bewildered, and everyone became curious as well. Some wanted to see Zhao Shu make a fool of herself, while others wanted to see her true colors exposed. In short, most people hoped that she would be embarrassed.
"Ah Yun, come here," she said.
Sun Yun stood up, came before Emperor Mingde, curtsied, and looked at Zhao Shu.
All eyes were on Huo Guxian, Sun Yun, and her. Zhao Shu kept everyone in suspense before smiling at Emperor Mingde and saying, "Uncle, today is your birthday. If Ajun can make you smile, could you please grant Ajun a favor?"
"Reward her." Emperor Mingde was used to her audacity; after all, what Zhao Shu wanted was always insignificant, such as going back to her residence to sleep.
Zhao Shu curtsied to express her gratitude, then turned to Sun Yun and asked, "Yun, did Young Master Huo solve the riddle you asked him last time?"
Upon hearing her mention it, Sun Yun immediately remembered and looked at Huo Guxian. Huo Guxian blushed instantly. The riddle was too difficult. He racked his brains but couldn't come up with an answer. He had originally planned to ask Sun Yun, but then he realized he was too old and shy to ask again.
Huo Baichuan is a genius, as everyone has witnessed over the years. Huo Guxian looks cute and upright. Judging from his appearance, everyone's first reaction is that this boy must be very intelligent. What kind of mystery can he not solve?
However, he was just a child. Back then, Sun Yun was also quite young. Some people were curious, while others ignored him, and still others scoffed at him.
Sun Yun shook his head. "No."
Huo Guxian's face was as red as a persimmon.
Emperor Mingde, in perfect cooperation, asked, "What is the riddle?"
"Why doesn't the egg break when you throw an egg at a stone?" Zhao Shu's eyes darted around, and she blurted out a riddle she had seen online before.
Sun Yun and Huo Guxian were both stunned, but they both kept their heads down and did not let anyone notice anything unusual. They were both startled just now. What if the Emperor was furious if they revealed the riddle?
However, Zhao Shu was merely using the two of them to create a lively atmosphere. With them around, no one dared to say anything too harsh, and the situation was easy to control. But afterwards, she would definitely have to find a way to ask the two of them to forgive her.
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone racked their brains to think about it. The wise ones had naturally already figured it out, but people like Lin Xiuxue couldn't come up with an answer no matter how hard they tried.
After all, what was popular in Dayong was a riddle like "Wanting to visit Mengchang but unable to"
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