Chapter 199 Takes a Bit Off-Limits
Emperor Xiao Jing did not return for a long time.
The King of Qin, too, has yet to return.
Furthermore, some people have noticed that several young ladies and gentlemen from various families have also gone missing from Linde Hall.
This included Zheng Mengdie from the Duke of Anguo's mansion.
The old lady of the Duke of Anguo seemed to have thought of something. She first glanced at Shangguan Jin, and then turned back to ask Zheng Mengli, who was sitting behind her, something.
Zheng Mengli simply shook her head slightly and didn't say anything.
Everyone was starting to feel uneasy.
At the palace banquet, the emperor and a prince went out together, but they never returned. What does this mean?
Does this mean the imperial family dotes on this prince? And they took him to the imperial garden to chat and relax?
No, that's not true. Just now during the banquet, the Emperor and the Crown Prince had a lot of conversation.
No one knows what the Crown Prince said, but the imperial family was overjoyed.
Besides, today is a palace banquet, and the emperor is not a foolish ruler. How could he possibly abandon all the civil and military officials and their families to go and chat with the princes?
Could it be...?
The courtiers were filled with apprehension and exchanged glances.
There shouldn't be any palace coup or anything like that!
No, they need to scout out a good spot first, so they can hide if any rebels break in later.
The families of the court officials also exchanged glances.
As for palace coups or anything like that, they didn't think it would happen; everyone has family members here.
The world is at peace now, who would be so bored as to stage a palace coup?
Shangguan Jin, in particular, leisurely sipped her fragrant tea.
There will be no palace coup!
However, divorce is possible!
I just don't know which family that Miss Zheng wants to change into?
The King of Qin? Or perhaps a prince from another family?
Anyway, there are no young masters or ladies in their Duke Dingguo's mansion, so it's perfectly safe.
"You're so carefree! I've been waiting for this show for ages and haven't seen a thing!"
Look, the Empress Dowager is getting impatient; she's looked towards the back of the Linde Hall more than once.
She probably planned to grant the marriage as soon as the emperor returned!
"Why don't you excuse yourself? It's not easy for her to perform alone without you."
Shangguan Jin wasn't in a hurry, but Madam Huangfu beside her was.
Taking her leave? Absolutely not! She was waiting to see the Empress Dowager's reaction!
"It's okay. I'll just pretend to faint whenever she brings it up later. Remember to sit tight!"
"I'll just dump it on you, and you have to shout right away that someone has fainted," Shangguan Jin said with a smile.
When Lady Huangfu heard this, she also thought it was a good idea and decided to stall for time.
Then Lady Huangfu waited for Shangguan Jin to fall onto her...
Just then, one of Wu Youde's apprentices, who had been following Emperor Xiao Jing, rushed in.
The moment he appeared, everyone's eyes followed him.
Although his steps were a little hurried, his expression remained calm and composed...
The court officials breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed there hadn't been a palace coup...
The families of the court officials immediately became excited.
The emperor hadn't returned yet, but the head eunuch had already sent back the junior eunuch who had accompanied him...
Could it be that the imperial family and the King of Qin were held back by something?
The young eunuch quickly walked to Empress Xu's side and whispered a few words.
Empress Xu listened and nodded, a polite smile on her face.
After the young eunuch finished speaking, Empress Xu smiled and replied with a couple of words, as if to say that she was serving him well and that it was fine for His Majesty to relax a bit today since His Majesty was in a good mood.
The young eunuch agreed and then left.
Empress Dowager Zheng looked at Empress Xu, about to ask what was going on, when another eunuch hurriedly entered Linde Hall.
However, many people discovered that this young eunuch was from the Empress Dowager's palace.
After he whispered a few words to the Empress Dowager, her expression suddenly changed.
Although the Empress Dowager quickly regained her composure, the families of the court officials continued to watch.
The Empress Dowager's changing expression was noticed by the families of the court officials who were nearby.
The old lady of the Duke of Anguo was especially uneasy.
Because the Empress Dowager had just given her a fierce look...
"Now that the Emperor has someone to serve him, let's continue!" the Empress Dowager said slowly.
Empress Xu smiled and nodded in agreement.
Then came another scene of singing and dancing...
Although the guests had many questions in their hearts, they all put on flattering smiles and began to support the event.
Shangguan Jin and Madam Huangfu exchanged a glance.
Okay, no need to pretend to be dizzy anymore!
However, Shangguan Jin was even more curious: the King of Qin hadn't returned; he must have been held up by Zheng Mengdie.
So, who was holding back Emperor Xiao Jing from returning?
Shangguan Jin glanced into Linde Hall and saw that all the young masters and ladies who had left had returned!
All that's missing is Zheng Mengdie...
Did Empress Xu prepare other beauties for Emperor Xiao Jing?
Is this a bad idea?
Shangguan Jin looked over at Empress Xu, who was sitting above, and saw her nod slightly at her.
Shangguan Jin quickly raised her wine cup and toasted Empress Xu.
Then Shangguan Jin and Huangfu continued watching the song and dance performance together.
Not long after, the Empress Dowager got up, saying that she was a little tired, and took Consort Zheng with her.
Everyone rose to respectfully see the Empress Dowager off.
With the Empress Dowager gone, Shangguan Jin felt even more relaxed and would occasionally discuss the professionalism of the palace's song and dance performances with Lady Huangfu.
The palace banquet ended quickly.
Shangguan Jin ate to her heart's content.
As for how the others ate, Shangguan Jin didn't care.
Anyway, when we get back today, everyone in the various mansions will definitely be talking about who held back the King of Qin and who has gained special favor from the imperial family.
Later on, the Seventh Prince stopped sitting in his own seat and would either go to sit with Shangguan Jin or with Madam Shangguan.
Originally, the Seventh Prince wanted to return to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion with Shangguan Jin.
But considering that he still had to pay his respects to Emperor Xiao Jing the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, he had no choice but to give up!
The next day, as soon as Shangguan Jin got up, Dongmai and the maids were helping her with her washing and dressing when Aunt Xin rushed in.
"Madam! Madam! Something exciting has happened!" Aunt Xin exclaimed as soon as she entered.
Seeing that Aunt Xin was panting heavily from running, Shangguan Jin quickly asked Dongmai to pour her a cup of tea.
"Drink slowly, don't choke! What's wrong?"
After taking a couple of sips of tea, Aunt Xin said, "I just went to Chunbuwan, and Miss Wanli pulled me aside and told me to come back and tell you."
The emperor favored a beautiful woman last night.
Shangguan Jin responded with an "oh".
Isn't this normal? When you've had too much to drink, everyone seems to have a hazy, indistinct beauty in their eyes...
"Aren't all the women in the palace from the imperial family? What's the big deal?"
Aunt Xin quickly shook her head.
"The emperor's favor is not directed towards the beauties in the palace!"
"It's... Zheng Mengdie, the second young lady of the Duke of Anguo's mansion!"
Shangguan Jin's eyes widened instantly...
"Who? Zheng Mengdie?"
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