Everyone around fell silent.
No one else can say this, and even if they do, it won't carry the weight of thunder.
Fengyang was older, of high generation, and had great prestige. She was also Taizu's eldest daughter and had always been favored by him.
When Taizu was alive, he often took his eldest daughter with him, whether he was on the battlefield or on a private visit. Even though Fengyang never married, Taizu still let her be and spoiled her.
Taizu often said: I have the right to do whatever I want in Fengyang.
This "qualification" not only represents that Taizu is willing to support his daughter, but also because Fengyang has abilities far superior to those of men.
Empress Dowager Yuan's expression tightened a little, the corners of her lips trembled violently, and she was somewhat embarrassed.
Even if Yuan Zhe had never held a position in the court, he was still her nephew and the future heir of their Yuan family. Fengyang trampled Yuan Zhe to the ground in public, which was simply a provocation and humiliation to their Yuan family! Empress Dowager Yuan calmed down, and her beautifully trimmed fingers stroked the edge of her sleeves, and said lightly: "Royal sister, that's not what I meant..."
However, when Fengyang's sharp gaze like a blade shot straight at her, Empress Dowager Yuan's lips trembled and her momentum weakened by three points.
Even her shoulders ached slightly, recalling the whip Fengyang had hit her with twenty years ago.
At this moment, Empress Dowager Yuan couldn't help but recall the helpless comforting voice of the late emperor: "Ayan, the imperial sister has such a bad temper. When she is extremely angry, even the emperor has to coax her. I have also been spoiled by her since I was a child... Ahem, the imperial sister is like a wandering cloud and wild crane. She can't enter the palace more than twice a year. You should just avoid her in the future."
A thick layer of gloom appeared in Empress Dowager Yuan's eyes, and even her hands in her sleeves were shaking almost invisibly, and her surging anger was about to burst out.
Feng Yang waved his sleeves casually, and his steady voice echoed throughout the pleasure boat: "This book is not good, I'll change it."
The surroundings suddenly became quiet and the air froze.
Of course the storyteller on the first floor also heard it, and he quickly shut his mouth, his face turned slightly pale, and he awkwardly tightened the clapperboard in his hand.
In the dead silence, Feng Yang continued: "My father once said that right and wrong will be judged by the public, and merits and demerits will be judged by future generations."
This sentence is also a famous saying of Taizu, and everyone present is familiar with it.
For thousands of years, emperors and generals have been proud to have monuments and biographies written about them after their death. If they wanted to be recorded in history, only Emperor Taizu left these last words on his sickbed before his death.
It became even quieter around, and you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone quietly looked up at Fengyang on the second floor, thinking of the grace of Emperor Taizu in their minds.
Feng Yang smiled coldly and said meaningfully: "My father doesn't need a 'storyteller' to comment on him."
Fengyang was certainly not really scolding the storyteller, but the storyteller was so frightened that he trembled all over and knelt on the ground in fear. The clapper in his hand fell to the ground, his lips trembled like a sieve, and he dared not utter a word.
The storyteller didn't understand, but the other people present were not stupid. It was obvious that Fengyang's words were implying that Yuan Zhe only knew how to gossip all day long and was no different from a storyteller.
“Puff.”
I don’t know who sneered, it was so harsh and so abrupt.
There were some members of the royal family and nobles present who were at odds with the aristocratic families, and they did not conceal their ridicule.
“……” Yuan Zhe’s elegant face turned blue, white, and red.
He wanted to say something, but in front of Fengyang's majesty, any words seemed like quibbling and seemed weak.
Empress Dowager Yuan pursed her lips and swallowed the blood stuck in her throat. She looked towards Chu You, but saw that Chu You's burning gaze was drifting towards the deck.
His absent-minded look showed that he was looking for Gu Yunmeng.
What kind of seductive tricks did Gu Yunyan use on him to seduce him? Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Yuan felt a sweet taste in her throat again. She tightly grasped the armrest of the armchair with one hand, and veins popped up on the back of her hand.
She held her breath, and her breathing became rapid and heavy.
These words were naturally directed at the kneeling storyteller, and could be considered as a way to save some face for Yuan Zhe in front of everyone.
The storyteller stood up with trembling feet, bowed his body, and quickly retreated.
The atmosphere became heavy and depressing, as if a storm was about to come.
But the emperor didn't seem to be affected at all. He smiled and asked for half an orange that Anle had peeled and ate it happily, as if what had just happened had nothing to do with him.
The old nanny beside Empress Dowager Yuan saw that her face was as gloomy as water, and quietly gestured in a certain direction.
Soon, the maid Liushuang climbed up the stairs to the second floor of the pleasure boat, bowed respectfully to Empress Dowager Yuan, and said, "Empress Dowager, the young men and women from various families are playing on the deck outside, it's quite lively. Didn't your Majesty keep saying these past few days that Shou'an Palace is too quiet, and you want to make it more lively?"
"Okay." Empress Dowager Yuan loosened her grip on the armrest and nodded slightly, then asked the emperor and Fengyang, "Your Majesty, sister, why don't we go outside and get some fresh air together?"
While speaking, Empress Dowager Yuan noticed that Chu You's eyes had brightened, and his soul seemed to have drifted away again. Her eyes darkened, and she restrained her emotions.
The emperor was also absent-minded. His eyes drifted from the window to Gu Yanfei on the deck. Suddenly, an idea came to his mind and he readily agreed, "It's good to go and relax."
It was not yet 3 p.m., and the sky was a little gloomy because it had just snowed.
The lake surface was sparkling, and the weeping willows and plum trees on the shore were covered with a layer of white snow. The branches, flowers and leaves were sparkling with crystal light, as if jade branches were hanging and swaying gently in the cold wind.
The cold wind was biting, but these young boys and girls were full of energy and most of them were not afraid of the cold. They gathered in groups of three or four on the wide deck and were having a great time.
Some people gathered together to enjoy the scenery, some were playing the flute, and some were playing pitch pot on the deck.
There were three iron kettles with two handles on the deck. The air was filled with the sound of falling arrows, accompanied by laughter and applause. The lively atmosphere attracted many people inside and outside the pleasure boat to look over and watch with interest.
Gu Yanfei grabbed a bamboo arrow and threw it casually. The arrow not only entered the pot, but also bounced back and fell steadily into Gu Yanfei's hands.
"Yan Fei, your 'arrow' skill is truly amazing." Wei Jiaoniang and Lu Qin laughed.
The so-called "xiao arrow" is a bamboo arrow thrown into the pot and bounces back into the hands of the person throwing the pot.
Chu Yi clapped his hands gently, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up, and the corners of his eyes that were slightly tilted upwards were warm and charming.
Anle also imitated his brother and clapped his hands several times in a row.
The palace servants on the painted boat set up tables and chairs on the deck at the stern and installed a screen to block the wind.
The emperor smiled, stroked his beard, and sat down leaning against the railing.
Empress Dowager Yuan held the nanny's hand and sat down, following the father and son's gaze to look at Gu Yanfei in front of her.
The girl stood gracefully, her face as beautiful as Shunhua. When she smiled, she was like the most dazzling and delicate flower. Her appearance far surpassed that of other girls around her, and she had a kind of stunning beauty that only the peony could truly represent.
No wonder Chu Yi cares so much about her.
These men are all greedy for beauty, even their own sons are no exception.
Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Yuan glanced at Chu You on the right again. A cold light flashed across her eyes, but a kind smile appeared on her face.
"Your Majesty, this annual feast should be held in pairs, just like the couples of mandarin ducks, to live up to Taizu's kindness." Empress Dowager Yuan said to the emperor with a smile, "The eldest prince is not young anymore. After the New Year, he will be twenty years old, and it is time for him to start a family."
"The eldest prince's marriage should have been arranged by the Queen, but his mother passed away early, and the Emperor is now busy with government affairs and cannot spare his attention. Therefore, I thought about sharing the worries for the Emperor and carefully selected several girls. All of them are well-known ladies, well-educated and well-mannered..."
"Liushuang, go and call Miss Yu over."
(End of this chapter)
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