Chapter 422 Easing
The Empress Dowager acted as if nothing had happened and warmly invited everyone to enjoy the fruits.
The others responded in turn, their complexions gradually returning to normal. With two children laughing and playing nearby, the banquet soon became lively again.
Only Consort Chen's cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were filled with shame and indignation.
As she lowered her head and sobbed, she swallowed the mouthful of blood she had just vomited.
The Moon Palace is as beautiful as a fairyland. Every time she comes here, she feels a little unsatisfied. Now, she just hopes that the banquet will end soon so that she can leave this shameful place as soon as possible.
Just as she was feeling extremely uneasy, the eunuch's announcement of "The Emperor has arrived" instantly brought her back to her senses.
The Emperor is known for doting on the Empress. If he knew that she had just been disrespectful to the Empress, he would probably be even angrier than the Empress Dowager and would take even more ruthless measures.
Only then did she realize how foolish she had been. The family was enjoying a happy holiday together.
The Empress bestowed a reward upon her daughter-in-law, but she insisted on making a sarcastic remark, poking at her sore spot.
Now look what's happened! At such an advanced age and with such a noble status, he was slapped in the face in public by a servant and offended everyone.
Consort Chen quickly pretended to be nonchalant, forced a smile, and bowed to the Emperor with her son and daughter-in-law.
"Welcome, Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities," Wen Zhiming said, his gaze still fixed on Consort Chen's face.
"Does Consort Chen look unwell?"
Everyone looked up at Consort Chen. Her face was still swollen, her eyes were bloodshot, and her complexion was indeed unpleasant.
The group hesitated, unsure how to explain the conflict that had just occurred.
The Empress Dowager's ambiguous smile, her disdainful yet slightly mocking gaze sent a chill down Consort Chen's spine.
"Your Majesty, I have indeed been feeling unwell these past few days, but I am much better now. Thank you for your concern."
"It's good that you're alright." Wen Zhiming replied calmly, then sat down next to Meng Lingge. "I'm late, you must all be hungry."
Anyone could tell that he had just asked casually, but Consort Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Your Majesty and I have only just arrived. Prince Zhong and the others came from outside the palace and have been waiting for a while. Now that Your Majesty has arrived, please instruct that the meal be served." Meng Lingge said calmly.
"Alright. The Empress can make the arrangements."
When Wen Zhiming looked at Meng Lingge, his expression softened considerably.
The fruits and snacks at the banquet were removed, and delicious dishes were replaced one after another.
After the dishes were served, several ceramic lamps lit up the lake in the distance, illuminating the area. Then, beautifully dressed palace maids entered one by one and began to dance gracefully.
This is the newly built Shuixintai (Water Center Platform) a year ago, which can accommodate dozens of people at the same time.
The Empress Dowager loved lively celebrations, so Meng Lingge specially built a pavilion for her called Yishou Terrace.
It was initially intended for use in celebrations of the Empress Dowager's birthday, but later, to make full use of its function, it was repurposed for stage performance.
On the simple, flat stage, sometimes it's the graceful figure of a young palace maid, sometimes it's a top-notch opera singer and actress, and sometimes it's a variety show troupe invited in from outside that has an amazing talent for performing.
These performances were a source of great pleasure and enjoyment for the Empress Dowager, who lived deep within the palace.
The group enjoyed a feast while watching the singing and dancing.
Seeing that Wen Zhiming treated her the same as before, the Empress Dowager knew that Meng Lingge had not told Wen Zhiming about their conversation that afternoon. Seeing the singing and dancing on the stage opposite, she couldn't help but recall the harmonious relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in the past.
He sighed inwardly.
Well then, after today, I doubt Consort Chen will come to her to show off anymore. She shouldn't push too hard and should wait a few more years to see.
Anyway, she's not too old yet, she should be able to live to see her grandchildren.
Besides, she also has Woyu.
This child is extremely good-looking, intelligent and sensible. Even at such a young age, he can read people's expressions and will surely be a capable person in the future.
Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager took the initiative to speak.
"I am very pleased with the Empress's preparations for this Longevity Terrace. The dance today was excellent, and the wine was also very good. The Empress manages all affairs of the inner palace in an orderly manner and is extremely filial to me. She truly has the demeanor of an Empress. Come, Empress, let us drink a cup together."
Upon hearing this, Meng Lingge realized that the Empress Dowager's actions were intended to ease the tension between the two. In fact, when the Empress Dowager stood up for her earlier, most of her resentment had dissipated. Now that the Empress Dowager was taking the initiative to make peace, she certainly wouldn't let the Empress Dowager lose face.
She quickly picked up her cup and rose, saying, "Your Majesty is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise. Your Majesty is kind and generous, and I admire you greatly. It is only right that I offer you this toast. I wish Your Majesty happiness every day and good health every year."
The two raised their glasses and drank them down. Wen Zhiming was very satisfied to see that his mother and wife were courteous to each other and got along harmoniously.
He looked at Wen Kehao and his wife and said.
"Let's not stand on ceremony at this family dinner. Come, let's all drink to this together."
Everyone laughed and stood up together, even the two children picked up their fruit juice and drank it all in one gulp.
The scene was joyous and lively, but when Consort Chen lowered her head to drink, a flash of anger appeared in her eyes.
She doesn't understand.
What's so special about an empress who can't bear a son? She deserves to be protected by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor like the apple of their eye.
But she dared not show it on her face, and even if her eyes looked a little off, no one would notice.
She was always the least noticed person at family dinners, and this was even more true today.
She was unaware that Wen Kehao already regretted bringing her to the palace today and planned to exclude her from future palace banquets.
The banquet lasted for two hours. Seeing that the Emperor had no intention of ending it, Su Leyan stood up and said to Wen Zhiming, "Your Majesty, I shouldn't spoil your mood at this time, but it's almost 9 PM and the Prince must return to his residence for confinement."
Wen Kehao's aftereffects from taking the Gu King's medicine have not been fully resolved. Every Hai hour (9-11 PM), he goes into a qi deviation and kills indiscriminately. He can only be imprisoned until he regains his senses at Zi hour (11 PM-1 AM) before being released.
Over the years, with Su Leyan taking meticulous care of her, there has never been a mishap.
Wen Zhiming had known about this all along, and upon hearing this, he nodded and said, "It was my oversight. We've almost finished eating, so let's call it a day."
Wen Shaochen hadn't had enough fun yet, and tugged at Wen Woyu's sleeve, unwilling to leave. Wen Woyu personally helped him up and said to him.
"Shaochen, be good. Tomorrow I will ask the Emperor for permission to summon you to the palace so you can play all day."
Wen Shaochen then beamed with joy and happily left the palace with his parents.
After Prince Zhong's family left, the Empress Dowager said, "I should also go back to rest. Your Majesty and the Empress should also rest early."
Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge said in unison, "Respectfully seeing off the Empress Dowager."
After seeing the Empress Dowager off, only Wen Zhiming, Meng Lingge, and Princess Wen Woyu remained at the banquet.
Wen Woyu looked up at Wen Zhiming with a serious expression and walked up to him.
"Father, Third Imperial Aunt said that there is only one antidote for the poison that Aunt Chunhong was poisoned with. It is in the royal family of Lanyu Kingdom. Can you send someone to buy it? I don't want Aunt Chunhong to die."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
