Chapter 82 Lady Duan, don't drink this wine
More than an hour later.
The drama finally ended.
The sky is filled with red clouds.
Fortunately, the charcoal basin was warm enough so I didn’t feel cold.
Bai Wutong stood up again, got on the sedan chair, and walked all the way to Jiaotai Hall.
When I entered, I found that there were already quite a few people sitting inside.
The emperor and his close ministers are all here.
As for the other civil and military officials, they were in the hall outside.
For Bai Wutong's sake, Xun Mingzhi, who was originally not qualified to come in, was also there, sitting in the second row opposite, right behind Jin Zhi.
Bai Wutong glanced at him and took a seat.
Zhang Chengyan came to see it immediately.
The Bai Wutong he had seen before had never been dressed up like this. She had always been simple and clean, or playful and lively.
Only when I saw her today did I realize that her small body could actually support such a grand outfit. Not only does it not make people feel exaggerated, it is also very suitable, adding a bit of grandeur and brightness.
Zhang Chengyan retracted his gaze and led everyone in paying respects to the Queen Mother.
"Your Majesty, I wish you a long life, endless blessings, and everlasting health and peace."
"We, the humble officials, respectfully wish the Empress Dowager to remain kind and blessed with a long life, to extend her grace to the whole world, and to be benevolent and virtuous."
"Okay, okay, everyone get up."
After the congratulatory speech, the next step is to give gifts.
One by one, precious treasures were presented.
Bai Wutong felt drowsy after listening to this.
She didn't know any of these things, and they weren't hers.
The previous regulations were over and the appetizers were finally served.
The palace servant placed a plate of jade crystal silk in front of Bai Wutong, quickly retreated, and went to serve other dishes.
Seeing that she was staring at the food, Zhang Chengyan coughed lightly and said, "Mother, let's start."
"Today I am hosting a banquet for all the palace members to enjoy. You don't need to be restrained. Enjoy and drink to your heart's content!"
Seeing that the others had moved, Bai Wutong picked up a chopstick and put it under his nose to smell it.
There is no strange smell, so it should not be poisoned.
She took a bite without hesitation; it was crisp and refreshing and tasted very good.
It’s a pity that after finishing one dish of side dishes, the next one has not come yet, but the drinks have been served first.
Everyone raised their glasses to celebrate.
"May our country prosper for thousands of years. I wish the Queen Mother good fortune as vast as the East Sea and a long life as long as the Southern Mountains."
The Queen Mother took a sip of the wine and put it aside. "Okay, the wine has been drunk, everyone please feel free to do as you please."
A group of dancers entered the stage gracefully.
Bai Wutong looked at it with great interest.
The palace maids brought various delicacies and a glass of fruit wine.
Chan'er squatted beside her and poured her some wine. "My lady, this wine is made from fruit. You can have some."
Bai Wutong picked it up, took a sip and tasted it. It was indeed delicious.
Duan Chunrou's voice came from behind, "This fruit wine smells good, very similar to the one my mother made."
She waved her sleeves gently, and a rich fruity aroma wafted over.
This smell... seems a little different from my own fruit wine, there must be something added to it.
Bai Wutong pursed his lips, thinking that he had been fighting alone for a long time, and it was time to win over a few people. This beauty said a few words to me when she first listened to the opera.
He is also a steady person and has never listened to anything about her. When he was out of favor before, he did not rack his brains to show off everywhere. Now that he is favored, he does not show any complacency. He is a smart man.
Thinking of this, Bai Wutong turned around and said, "Miss Duan, you'd better not drink this wine."
Duan Chunrou was stunned. She didn't expect that Concubine Zhao would suddenly talk to her. "Madam Concubine Zhao, why is this?"
"If you trust me, don't drink."
As for others, Bai Wutong thought there would be no problem, after all, his drinks were clean.
Duan Chunrou pondered for a moment, poured the wine on the handkerchief, handed it to the maid next to her, and whispered, "Chun Xing, take it to Doctor Zhang and ask her if there is any problem with the wine."
"Yes, I will go right away."
The hall was bustling with singing and dancing, and no one noticed this little episode.
The dance is over.
There was thunderous applause.
Zhang Chengyan couldn't help but look at Bai Wutong again. She was sitting among a group of plump beauties, looking extremely petite, which made people feel pity for her.
He called Wang Decai over, "Go, bring this plate of first-class official swallows to Concubine Zhao."
"yes."
Wang Decai smiled and trotted to Bai Wutong, "Your Majesty, the emperor has rewarded you with a plate of first-grade official bird's nest."
At the birthday banquet, the emperor would reward the guests with dishes, which was a matter of great honor.
Bai Wutong thanked him and sipped the food.
The concubines around saw this and smiled on the surface, but they felt extremely jealous in their hearts.
They have never been treated like this.
Jin Weige picked up the wine glass and drank the fruit wine in one gulp, leaving it to that bitch Zhaopin to eat. She couldn't eat much anyway!
Xun Mingzhi, who was sitting opposite him, was overjoyed. The minister who was higher in rank than him also came forward with a cup to congratulate him, "Lord Xun, you really gave birth to a good daughter."
“No, no.”
This was followed by a musical instrument performance.
These were all musicians trained in the palace with superb skills. When the heavenly music sounded, the palace became more lively.
Chun Xing trotted back and squatted beside Duan Chunrou. "Madam, Doctor Zhang has checked it out and said that this fruit wine was put with Trichosanthes and Aconite. It should be a medicine to make people die."
Duan Chunrou's hands shook and the cup almost fell.
The medicine to make you sterile!
Who is so vicious!
She just saw Bai Wutong also drinking fruit wine.
Could it be that... this sterilizing drug was only given to her?
Duan Chunrou pinched the handkerchief, almost twisting it into a dough twist.
Yes, I have been going to the Yangxin Palace every day these days to serve the Emperor. There must be someone who is unhappy with me and did such a vicious thing.
She bit her lip, so frightened that she didn't dare to move anything on the table.
After a long while, Duan Chunrou calmed down and said in a cold voice, "Thank you, Madam Zhaopin, for saving me. I am very grateful."
Bai Wutong looked back and smiled, "It's okay, as long as you're okay. It's best to eat less of the food on the table. Ask your maid to get some clean food to fill your stomach first, so you don't get too hungry."
The music in the hall gradually stopped.
Zhang Chengyan ordered Wang Decai to fetch the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone, "Today is the Queen Mother's birthday, so I will write a poem to celebrate."
He picked up the pen, thought for a moment, and then started writing.
When he stopped, two palace maids turned over the white paper.
The handwriting is vigorous and powerful, the force can be seen through the back of the paper, and the pen has a strong texture.
The audience burst into applause again.
"Your Majesty is so talented!"
“Well written!”
The Queen smiled softly, "By the way, Sister Zhaopin said she also prepared a surprise. What is it?"
Bai Wutong raised her eyes. Hadn’t her birthday gift already been delivered? Where does the surprise come from? Besides, why did the topic come to her?
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