Chapter 43 043 The more people there are at a small banquet, the more drama there is.
Master Kang heard that Ciren Palace was hosting a small banquet and came here specifically to enjoy the excitement.
Although he is already a 41-year-old middle-aged man, Master Kang sometimes still has a childish nature.
For example, people who like to join in the fun are really childish.
In fact, when Master Kang was really young, he was not a child at all, but a calm and steady "little adult".
After all, as a child emperor who lost his father at the age of eight and his mother at the age of ten, who was neither loved by his biological father nor his biological mother since childhood, and who was raised and cared for by his elderly but strong and capable grandmother and his young mother who was only thirteen years older than him, calmness is his best protective color.
As the saying goes, make up for what you lack. The longer you suppress your emotions, the stronger the rebound will be when you have the chance to vent.
That’s what Master Kong is like.
Perhaps it was because he was too frustrated when he was a child, and when he finally grew up and truly took power and completely controlled the country, his childishness suddenly revived.
Whether it was the crazy trip to the south of the Yangtze River, or the various tours outside the Great Wall, the summer vacation outside the Great Wall, the eastern tour, the western tour, the southern tour, and the northern tour, in short, it was very normal to spend 300 days out of the 360 days in a year traveling around.
Of course, whether he went to the south of the Yangtze River or went on a tour, he was not going there for fun, but for serious business.
But the most amazing thing is that this big guy not only did all the important things in the end, but also had a lot of fun. Not only did he take part in various in-depth tours and maximize his experience, he also successfully strengthened his body, increased his knowledge, and broadened his horizons, truly realizing the goal of "using a lifetime to heal childhood."
Even during the short time he was in the palace, he was always busy.
When he was not studying hard in the study, or arguing with ministers or university scholars, no, he was discussing state affairs, or he was looking for concubines in the palace to build relationships and make new children...
As an emperor known for his filial piety, Ciren Palace was also one of the places that Master Kang visited most often.
The strong mother-son affection between Master Kang and his stepmother, who was only thirteen years older than him, is well-known in history.
Although they have no blood relationship, they have been a close mother and son in the deep palace, supporting each other and walking side by side for decades.
It's really touching.
Of course, this kind of deep mother-child relationship does not appear out of thin air, but requires the joint efforts of both parties.
In this regard, the practices of both sides are commendable.
Empress Dowager Inhyeon has treated Master Kang as her own child since she was Empress Xiaohuizhang.
She herself had no children in her life, but she was a person who loved to be lively and was kind to others with all her heart.
When Emperor Shunzhi passed away, Empress Dowager Renxian, who was only 21 years old at the time, still had the mentality of a half-grown child, but she still spoiled the eight-year-old Master Kang like a baby - although eight years old is still a baby, but this is Master Kang, even if he was only eight years old, he was not an ordinary baby, after all, he had already ascended the throne at that time.
There is no way, a father who died early, a weak mother, a crumbling empire, and a broken man.
If he had been an ordinary baby, he would not have been able to become Master Kang, but could only be Master Kang. After all, Ao Zhongtang had been eyeing him for a long time. If he did not work hard, Master Kang might have died after the late Emperor Shunzhi and his biological mother, Empress Xiaokangzhang.
Even the excuses are ready.
"Too much grief."
Within two years, a child who was less than ten years old lost his father and then his mother. This is not ordinary grief. If this is not called "mourning too much", then what is "mourning too much"?
One must "mourne beyond measure".
…
Unfortunately, Ao Zhongtang’s wish was not fulfilled, and Master Kong finally survived.
In this process, in addition to Master Kang's own strength, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Empress Dowager Renxian also made great contributions.
Thinking of those difficult years, Master Kang couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotions. The past was too hard to recall, because those who had fought side by side with him since then were all his closest relatives.
Unfortunately, his powerful grandmother, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, had passed away for several years, and now the only one left is his stepmother, Empress Dowager Renxian.
Then we must hurry up and take good care of her so that she can live a few more years.
As a result, Master Kang treated the Empress Dowager even more attentively. He would come to Ciren Palace to pay his respects and greet her even when he had nothing to do. Now, he heard that the Empress Dowager had actually held a small banquet to invite all the concubines in the palace to dinner just to welcome the little girl from the Wang family, so of course he had to join in the fun.
What a joke!
It was he who personally found the little girl from the Wang family for the Empress Dowager.
It was rare that the Empress Dowager liked her so much that she even held a welcome banquet for her. How could he miss such a good thing?
Must participate.
Even if no one invites him, he will come on his own.
It doesn't matter that his own Empress Dowager is a little embarrassed. He doesn't mind "entertaining his mother with colorful clothes" occasionally, as long as the Empress Dowager is happy.
It's not because he wants to join in the fun...
So, Master Kang, who had always been stubborn, quickly dealt with a batch of urgent memorials and rushed to Ciren Palace.
As the saying goes, "It is better to arrive in time than to arrive early." When he arrived, everyone had just taken their seats, the dishes had just been served, and no one had started eating yet.
This is not a coincidence.
Master Kang came in with a smile on his face. He waved his hand to ask everyone to be more informal, and then he politely greeted the Empress Dowager: "Your son greets the Empress Dowager. It's so lively in the Empress Dowager's palace today, why don't you ask your son to join in the fun?"
Empress Dowager Renxian had long been accustomed to her son in his forties deliberately trying to make fun of her, so she also smiled and said, "The emperor is busy, and I don't want to disturb him. Besides, today we women are just having fun, it's not a big deal, so I didn't call the emperor."
Master Kang sighed and said, "My son knows that once a new little girl comes to accompany the Empress Dowager, she will immediately forget about him."
His resentful expression made Empress Dowager Renxian burst into laughter, and all the concubines and palace maids also laughed in unison. For a moment, the whole hall was filled with a happy atmosphere, completely dispelling the chill of early autumn.
No matter what we say or laugh, the Empress Dowager’s meal cannot be delayed.
Since Master Kang has come in person, we have to give him an extra seat.
With his status, he must sit in the most honorable seat.
Empress Dowager Renxian and Concubine Hui originally wanted to let him do it, but they had already held them down one by one in each hand.
"How can the Empress Dowager give up her seat for her son? What is this? Will my son ever be a good man again? Please sit down and don't move."
He personally helped Empress Dowager Renxian to sit on the upper seat, then turned around and patted Concubine Hui's arm and said, "Concubine Hui, there is no need to be restrained. You have arranged this matter well today. Just sit here and don't bother. I will make my own arrangements for my seat."
While he was talking, he turned his head and looked over. Liang Jiugong had already arranged for someone to bring him a chair.
This chair is the "Dragon Throne" specially prepared for him by the Empress Dowager Renxian. It is slightly larger and wider than ordinary seats. The chair cover is made of goose yellow satin with carved dragons. It is noble, soft and comfortable, and the whole chair exudes a sense of elegance and domineering.
But if you say it's too exaggerated, it depends on where it is placed.
It would certainly be disproportionate and look strange in ordinary places, but in the main hall of the Ciren Palace, with this huge round table, it does not exceed the size.
On the contrary, it is precisely this large size that perfectly matches the "Empress Dowager's exclusive chair" sitting at the top seat, completely covering the edge of the table on the upper side without being too crowded. Everything is just right.
Thus, the most honorable table in the entire hall was finally filled.
Sitting at the top were the Empress Dowager and Master Kang.
On the left sat Consort Hui and Consort Rong, and on the right sat Consort Yi and Consort De. Xianyu and the Fifth Princess sat opposite the Empress Dowager and Master Kang, which was the most honorable seat for the guests of honor. However, their every move was seen by the two big men opposite them, which made them feel a little overwhelmed... what a big ghost.
In fact, Xianyu felt that with Master Kang's presence, the atmosphere of the entire banquet was completely different.
In fact, the Empress Dowager was the host, and all the concubines were very respectful. Even though there was some difference in status, they were all women, so it was natural for them to have fun together in a casual and joyful manner.
Now that Master Kang has arrived, not only has the Empress Dowager unconsciously picked up the food, but all the concubines have also become nervous, and Xianyu is very unhappy.
It’s not that she was afraid or nervous. After all, this was not her first time meeting Master Kang. She only felt a little bit of novelty or nervousness like she did when they first met - only a little, no more.
After all, Xianyu and this Master Kang first met in that internet-famous restaurant in Beijing, and it happened to be in the middle of a meal - so, this uncle really likes to eat. Okay, I can't think about it too much. If I think about it, that meeting was really too social, so it's better not to mention it.
The first meeting is always such a dramatic scene with chaos and confusion, which lowers the bottom line too low, and there is nothing special after that.
It's just that this evil-minded old man wanted to capture her and bring her into the palace to be used as a slave.
Sometimes she was asked to be the Fifth Princess's reading companion, and to accompany the Empress Dowager to entertain her, and sometimes she was asked to serve in the Imperial Study... To be honest, even cows and horses have to take turns to rest, but she basically works all year round.
Oh, there are public holidays, and there are still a few days off for the Mid-Autumn Festival. So, Master Kong's boss can't be considered too unscrupulous, right?
Okay, to be honest, she was quite unscrupulous, if the reward wasn't so generous... Okay, okay, let's be frank, let's be frank, he really gave too much, she just liked the money he gave, so what?
I like money, not shabby.
What's more, this is a good opportunity to go out and stroll around openly - "leaving the palace by order" or "entering the palace on official business". It's not a big deal to take a walk and have a look somewhere on the way home after finishing the errands, right?
Although Xianyu's adoptive father Wang Ziteng did not restrict Xianyu from leaving the house, her adoptive mother Madam Liu would nag her for a long time every time, and it was obvious that she did not like Xianyu to go out and show up in public.
Xianyu couldn't say much about this matter. If she said too much, her eyes would turn red again and tears would come down again. It was really a headache.
I just want to ask you if you feel uncomfortable?
But you still have no solution.
After all, this Madam Liu is a native of the country. She was born in the Duke Liguo Mansion in the capital, and she is a legitimate daughter. She was strictly educated according to the highest standards of aristocratic families and ladies from aristocratic families since she was a child, and she has long developed a well-behaved character.
It can be said that the word "rules" has penetrated into her bones and blood and engraved into her gene pool.
By the time she married into the Wang family of Jinling and became the daughter-in-law of the second son, and especially after she began to manage the household, she had mastered the rules to perfection.
This perfection is not only reflected in Mrs. Liu's own words and deeds, but also in her attitude towards her children.
Wang Yao is her eldest son. Like other aristocratic families, the Wang family has always had its young masters raising their children.
Even when he was a child, he had wet nurses and nannies to take care of him. Even as Wang Yao's biological mother, Madam Liu could only do limited things for him. It was nothing more than greeting him in the morning and evening, meeting him a few times, and exchanging a few words with him.
But Xianyu is different.
She is Madam Liu's biological daughter and her only legitimate daughter, so all of Madam Liu's rules come in handy.
You can imagine what a terrible nightmare it would be for an innocent and lively little girl to have a mother who is full of rules and who talks about "dignified", "gentle", and "what a girl from a big family should be like" all the time.
How cruel it is for a little girl to live under various rules, requirements and orders every day.
If a normal person lives like this for a few years, he will either die or go crazy.
Unfortunately, the original girl Wang Xianyu spent the previous eleven years of her life like this. Then she passed away quietly at the age of twelve, leaving behind a soul from another world, Xianyu.
I have to say, it's really sad.
Every time she thought of this, Xianyu felt that she must enjoy her future life well, so as not to let down the perfect body left by the original little girl... To be honest, the little girl's hardware was really good. Whether it was her appearance or her figure, they were all top-notch, and could be called Nuwa's graduation design.
Moreover, the Wang family’s wealth is truly enormous.
Besides, whether it was the old lady of the Wang family, Feng Jieer, Wang Ziteng, or Wang Yao, they all treated her, the second daughter of the Wang family, very well. So what was there to complain about?
She's just a Mrs. Liu, just ignore her nagging.
This was the measure Xianyu took at the beginning, and it actually worked. All her contacts with Madam Liu in the first one or two months were clearly limited to greeting each other in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and having meals together.
This level of contact can be fully handled with the muscle memory left over from the original little girl - it is really not easy for children, whether they are eating or drinking tea, or even their daily gestures, movements, sitting and lying, they are all as precise as if measured with a ruler, smooth, graceful, and elegant, just like a fairy concubine.
In short, it is so excellent that even Mrs. Liu, who is so picky, could not find any fault with it. You can imagine how difficult it is.
Originally it would have been nice to continue like this, at least I would have had a lot of peace and quiet, but unfortunately, starting from this month, everything has changed.
Mrs. Liu didn't know what stimulated her, but she suddenly started to be "extremely attentive" to Xianyu - to say "extremely attentive" is not accurate enough, the key point is that it was too embarrassing for this lady to do it.
It was as if she was forcing herself to do something she simply couldn't do - in fact, at the beginning, Xianyu thought she was unwilling and was pretending to be close to her, but after a few contacts, she found out that she really couldn't do it.
How sad it is that a mother cannot express affection to her own daughter.
Obviously, no matter whether it was her grandmother, her cousin, or even her stepfather and stepbrother who were of the opposite sex, they were all very kind and natural to her, just like real family members. Only Madam Liu, her biological mother, always treated her own daughter as if she was meeting a guest, politely and distantly.
The rules are very strict and the elegance is also quite elegant.
That is, the relationship between mother and daughter is not close at all, let alone intimate. They are no different from strangers.
The scary thing is that it had been like this for the past twelve years. It would have been fine if it had continued like this, but the key point was that Madam Liu suddenly didn't want to continue like this, and she had to learn from the other members of the Wang family and have a "deep mother-daughter relationship" with Xianyu.
This is really a headache.
Xianyu made several polite remarks, which actually implicitly expressed her intention of "declining". However, she found that Madam Liu would only feel uncomfortable for a while, and then she would continue to hang around her every day, chatting awkwardly, and trying to show her presence. She would not listen to Xianyu's various hints, and even seemed to be "getting more courageous with each setback", which really annoyed Xianyu.
Xianyu was originally worrying about how to reduce her contact with Madam Liu without being too obvious and making her cry and sad, and then Master Kang's order came.
This is what it means to be "sleepy and hit by a pillow".
Just for this, even though Master Kang would occasionally act like a demon, the Empress Dowager spoke Mongolian faster and faster, the Fifth Princess began to treat her more and more like her own sister, and Xianyu was willing to enter the palace every day.
What's more, Master Kang gave money to the people.
Gave a lot more.
All right, let's do it. She said it as if she could refuse if she didn't want to.
The situation is the same now.
Isn't it just having a meal with the big guys? Small scene!
As long as she doesn't think about socializing and just wants to eat, then these are not a problem.
What? Do you think it would be embarrassing?
How could that be?
As long as she is not embarrassed, others will be embarrassed. Xianyu knew this principle when she was in the present world, and she was very familiar with it, so everyone just had to be embarrassed, anyway, she ate first as a sign of respect.
So, Master Kang greeted everyone with a smile, repeatedly asked everyone to be more relaxed, and took the initiative to raise his hand to pick up the first piece of food for the Empress Dowager. After announcing the official start of the meal, he was surprised to find that the little girl from the Wang family sitting opposite him actually started eating.
She was really eating. Although her movements were elegant and dignified, her hands were very fast. She could see the big bowl of rice and many dishes in front of her disappear quickly...
Master Kang was stunned, but the Empress Dowager was overjoyed - although the Empress Dowager was not too old, only 54 years old this year, she was no longer young after all.
When she was young, she was a princess of the Mongolian tribe. She rode horses across the prairie every day. She was free and consumed a lot of energy, so naturally she ate a lot and fast.
Besides, they don't care about rules, manners, or those kinds of nonsense on the grassland.
Therefore, until the imperial edict for her to enter the palace was sent to the Korchin grassland and she was forced to be "taught" the rules by the housekeeper nanny sent from the palace, the empress dowager, as a young Mongolian princess, was also a bold girl who drank and ate meat with big mouthfuls.
Then she left the prairie and entered the Forbidden City. From then on, she was locked up in this square harem for the rest of her life and never went out again...
The way this child eats looks much better than when she was young, but the energy she uses is exactly the same as when she was young.
Oh, it’s great to be young.
Her youth has long gone like a bird, never to return.
The Empress Dowager was filled with emotion, reminiscing about the past while cherishing the present. Her expression became softer and more loving when she looked at Xianyu. She even asked the housekeeper who served her personally to give some of her favorite dishes to Xianyu.
The dishes personally gifted by the Empress Dowager were rare delicacies and a rare honor. Xianyu, who was originally slightly affected by Master Kang, felt much better. She couldn't help but smile sweetly at the Empress Dowager and expressed her gratitude to her sincerely.
As expected, compared to Master Kong, the Queen Mother is better. I mean, she is pleasing to the eye. She is also a senior foodie. She is my confidant! It’s delicious! Let’s see her continue to eat.
Xianyu ate so heartily as if no one was around that the Empress Dowager and Master Kang gradually joined in. With these two giants taking the lead in eating, the whole hall was filled with the sound of chewing food - after all, they were all respectable people, and even though they were eating voraciously, no one made too much noise.
However, everyone's face was filled with happy smiles and the atmosphere was much more relaxed.
Xianyu soon ate and drank her fill, her mood reached its peak, and she finally had time to continue the gossip she had just shared.
Feeling a little sick of eating too much, Xianyu picked up the expensive, premium Mingqian Longjing tea on the table and took a sip. Then she quietly opened the two-way information exchange function with System 003 in her mind.
The people in the hall were completely unaware of this and continued to eat, drink, and gossip. Then, all of a sudden, three lucky people heard Xianyu's thoughts at the same time.
[By the way, this year is the 33rd year of Master Kang's reign, right? Is there anything major happening in the harem? ]
[Oh? What? You said the prince has been involved with that concubine of Master Kang? They were having a secret meeting in the rockery of the Imperial Garden? The concubine's bellyband... No way? No way? It can't be that exciting, right? I suddenly want to watch the live version or something. Would it make me look a little too vulgar and perverted?]
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