Chapter 96 Who goes and tries to grab someone's skirt?
She pulled the two of them along, and although Sheng Sheng was already moving very fast, they still had to consciously control their pace because of her height disadvantage (not really).
Fortunately, nothing else went wrong along the way, and the group arrived at the Jinyi Hall without incident.
Unlike the somewhat chaotic afternoon, the Jinyi Hall was now decorated in a magnificent manner, with golden gauze hanging from the beams, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
Those qualified to attend the banquet were all high-ranking officials and nobles. The banquet was already nearly full, with most of the guests talking to the people around them. Each table was set with exquisite appetizers and wine cups.
Sheng Sheng had already learned etiquette from the nanny beside Consort Rong in the Jinxiu Palace. Before entering the hall, Zi Juan helped her take off her windproof cloak and warm jacket, leaving her only in a palace dress of the same color. The hem of the skirt, which she had always kept inside to make it easier for Sheng Sheng to walk, was also let down and trailed behind her like a blooming pink peach blossom.
She walked in with a dignified air, her presence undeniable.
The previously noisy Jinyi Hall fell silent in an instant, and everyone bowed to the newcomer.
"Greetings, Fifth Prince! Greetings, Second Princess!"
Sheng Sheng walked in first, stepping inside first. Xie Yunqi followed behind her, somewhat concerned, lifting the train of her dress as it trailed behind her, completely ignoring them.
Xie Yunqi muttered to herself, seemingly criticizing someone: "Honestly, why wear such a long skirt? What if she trips over it? I don't know who chose this outfit for the little dumpling."
Sheng Sheng was both amused and exasperated: "Fifth Brother, be serious! You don't need to pick this up. As Sheng Sheng walks forward, the hem of her skirt follows."
Xie Yunqi remained silent, only focusing on tidying up her skirt, intending to personally throw it over the threshold.
They frantically tried to stop him.
Sheng Sheng's dazzling first appearance in front of everyone turned into chaos.
Pei Ji followed behind the two, watching them childishly push and shove each other, and couldn't help but laugh.
Afu quietly poked his head out a little, enjoying the sight of everyone bowing in respect, and said with some delight, "Hey, young master, we're getting lucky today too, being bowed to along with everyone else!"
The ministers who were bowing didn't hear any prompting to rise for a long time. Instead, they heard two people arguing over their heads, so they looked up in confusion.
"Fifth brother, stop talking nonsense."
"Don't move, step over there."
"I've already crossed that threshold!"
"Really? See? I told you it would work. You crossed the threshold in no time."
"Huh? Fifth Brother, Sheng Sheng stepped over here on her own, it has nothing to do with this dress."
"Yes, but I helped you pick up your skirt so you could step over it so quickly. Otherwise, this long skirt would have taken a long time to cross!"
Sheng Sheng: "...Alright, Fifth Brother is right."
"Yeah, right? You can't go wrong listening to your brother!"
He sighed and chuckled bitterly, his fifth brother's rebellious nature unusually prominent at this moment.
Zijuan and Chunhua Qiuyue's faces turned red; they wanted to laugh but couldn't, and it was very uncomfortable for them. Fortunately, Lao Mao and Lao Yu had given them a day off to go home and celebrate the festival with their families and weren't present, otherwise they would definitely have burst out laughing in front of everyone in the hall.
Xiao Quanzi looked utterly defeated, somewhat helpless towards his lord.
Consort Li, who was watching from a distance, felt a lump in her throat and closed her eyes to let the palace maid behind her soothe her.
Consort Li rubbed her forehead and gritted her teeth, saying, "This child, he's always been like this since he was little. When he gets stubborn, he doesn't know when to stop. And he doesn't even look at how stupid he was doing, grabbing someone's skirt!"
A palace maid massaged Consort Li's shoulders, comforting her, "Your Highness, don't be angry. Doesn't this just show that His Highness the Fifth Prince has always been so simple-minded and ambitious?"
"Ha, naivety, ambition. It must be quite an achievement for you to come up with these two words."
The palace maid lowered her head and chuckled, "But this also shows that His Highness truly loves the Second Princess. I've noticed that His Highness isn't even this attentive to himself!"
"That's true, but I don't know if his doting on this younger sister is a good thing or a bad thing." Consort Li rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.
The palace maid asked in confusion, "But just a few days ago, didn't Xiao Quanzi come to report on the matter at Changyin Pavilion, saying that the Second Princess is clever and quick-witted, and very protective of the Fifth Prince, and is worth befriending?"
“Everyone is different, and it would be too hasty to draw conclusions based on just one incident.” Consort Li looked at the little boy who was helplessly struggling with Xie Yunqi at the palace gate, wanting to get a clearer view. “Let’s see. I don’t ask Qi’er to achieve anything, I only ask that he can live a peaceful life.”
If Xie Yunsheng were just an ordinary princess, it wouldn't matter whether you befriended her or turned against her.
But Xie Yunsheng was different. Her mother was Consort Rong, her maternal grandfather was a general who protected the country, and she also had an older brother who was the second prince.
This identity destined me to be deeply embroiled in turmoil.
Seeing that she seemed lost in thought, the palace maid stopped talking and gently massaged her shoulders.
The ministers were confused, but Xie Yunxiang and Xie Yunchuan came to their rescue.
Xie Yunzhang: "No need to pay homage."
The ministers then resumed their toasts and drinking.
Sheng Sheng had finally managed to finish arguing with Xie Yunqi about the hem of her skirt. When she saw the two of them coming over, she quickly ran up to them and took the opportunity to stop talking about the hem of her skirt with Xie Yunqi.
"Brother, Crown Prince!"
Xie Yunyang smiled and nodded at her, while Xie Yunchuan lightly flicked her forehead and asked, "Why are you so slow?"
"Brother, I'll tell you later!" Sheng Sheng said mysteriously, glancing behind the two of them. "Huh, where's Fourth Brother?"
"He can't come over; he's seated here."
Sheng Sheng nodded. Just then, the eunuch who had come to announce the arrival rushed in from outside the palace. Xie Yun said, "It must be Father Emperor. Let's hurry over there."
The group then walked from the entrance of the hall to the foot of the highest point.
Below the dragon throne, to the left and right, are the positions of the Empress and Consort Rong, respectively. On the left of the next level are the concubines, and on the right are the royal children and some royal relatives. At the very bottom are the court officials, arranged from the inside out according to their rank.
Xie Yunwen sat on a cushion, having been helped to sit down. His wheelchair was not far behind him, making it difficult for him to move around, which was why they hadn't gone to greet him earlier.
The two hadn't seen each other for a while, and Sheng Sheng was quite happy to see him, especially since she noticed that his gloomy aura had faded considerably and his smile was much more genuine.
"Fourth brother, you've become more handsome!"
Xie Yunwen chuckled: "What are you saying? Hasn't my imperial brother always been like this?"
He shook his head and said, "It's different, Fourth Brother, you don't understand."
“I know, I know, it must be because Fourth Brother has become more talkative and seems more cheerful, so people feel that Fourth Brother has changed, right?” Xie Yunqi jumped out.
Xie Yunyang and Xie Yunchuan subconsciously looked at Xie Yunwen. Xie Yunwen didn't think there was anything wrong with saying it and was quite frank. He even joked, "Yes, the last time I saw the Second Princess, she was almost scared to tears by me."
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