Chapter 291 The flattery hits the horse’s leg!
The Mid-Autumn family dinner was held in the Bigui Pavilion.
The area surrounding Bi Gui Pavilion is full of osmanthus trees. It is autumn now and the osmanthus trees are fragrant.
One can smell the fragrance of osmanthus before reaching the Bigui Pavilion.
To suit the occasion, the Shaofu specially moved many chrysanthemums from other places and placed them in the Bigui Pavilion. There were chrysanthemums of various varieties and colors.
Looking around, it almost looks like a sea of chrysanthemums.
When Xiao Xixi saw this scene, she couldn't help but think of a song.
The chrysanthemums are withered and the ground is full of wounds.
…
The main seats are still occupied by three big guys, the emperor, the queen, and the queen mother.
The prince sat on the right, and his concubines sat behind him.
There were six people in total, four concubines and two concubines, with two people at each table, occupying exactly three tables.
Below the Crown Prince is the Eldest Prince and his family, followed by the Second Prince, the Fourth Prince... and so on.
Sitting opposite them were the emperor's concubines and princesses.
No outsiders were invited to this family dinner. All present were royal family members, which totaled more than sixty people.
Concubine Jing had secretly vowed not to talk to Concubine Xiao again, but she was soon slapped in the face.
Because she was assigned to the same table with Concubine Xiao.
Concubine Jing had a gentle and generous smile on her face, but she just wanted to curse in her heart.
Who arranged this position for them?
Why did they arrange her to be with Concubine Xiao, a poisonous woman? !
Xiao Xixi didn't have any thoughts on this arrangement.
For her, eating is the most important thing, and everything else is trivial.
Sitting at the table to their left were Concubine Li and Concubine Bai, and sitting at the table to their right were Concubine Duan and Concubine Qin.
Concubine Li's mood at this moment was similar to that of Concubine Jing. Everyone in the entire Eastern Palace knew that Concubine Li and Concubine Bai did not get along. Now the two of them sat together, no one spoke, and the atmosphere was very awkward.
Duan Liangdi and Qin Liangdi are slightly better.
The two of them would occasionally exchange a few polite words.
But Duan Liangdi was absent-minded the whole time, and her mind was full of what the prince said about fried eggs.
Damn fried eggs!
The gorgeous clothes and beautiful skirts she carefully selected looked like fried eggs in the eyes of the prince!
She didn't dare to blame the prince for having a bad taste. She could only blame the palace maid who helped her choose the dress for being so incompetent. There were so many beautiful dresses, why did she choose such a dress for her? !
Everyone present had different thoughts.
The palace maids came in one after another carrying fine wine and delicious food, and soon the tables were filled with delicious food.
As was customary in previous years, the emperor first made a few opening remarks, and then everyone raised their glasses and toasted the emperor.
After this formality is over, tonight's family dinner will officially begin.
Since it is Mid-Autumn Festival, crabs and osmanthus wine are indispensable on the table.
The crabs that were tributed to the palace were all big and fat, and just looking at them made people's mouths water.
There were eight crab dishes on the table. The concubines, who came from aristocratic families, were very familiar with this set. They picked up the tools and began to peel the crabs skillfully.
Only Xiao Xixi ignored those tools.
She simply picked up a big crab, broke it open with her bare hands, and then ate all the crab roe inside in one go.
Concubine Jing standing next to her was simply stunned.
How can anyone eat crabs like this? It's too unsightly!
After Xiao Xixi finished eating the crab roe, she began to bite the crab's claws and legs. After breaking the shell, she sucked out the crab meat inside.
The crab meat tastes extremely delicious, and it is still tasty even without the sauce.
She noticed that Concubine Jing beside her had been staring at her, and asked curiously, "Why are you looking at me?"
Concubine Jing spoke with difficulty: "Why don't you use tools to peel the crab shell before eating it?"
Xiao Xixi answered confidently: "Because it's too troublesome."
There were only a few crabs on the table, so she had to eat them quickly.
Concubine Jing did not agree with her behavior. As a concubine, how could she eat so rudely?
But Concubine Jing would not express these thoughts aloud, nor would she remind the other party to be more restrained.
She wished that Concubine Xiao would embarrass herself in public.
Concubine Jing put away the surprise on her face and said with a smile: "Is that so? This is the first time I've seen someone try something new like you."
As she spoke, she cut the crab legs with small scissors and scooped out the crab meat with a small spoon.
The movements are skillful and graceful, and are a pleasure to watch.
Concubine Jing quickly peeled a crab, but she had no intention of eating the crab meat. Instead, she wiped her hands with a silk handkerchief and said to the palace maid beside her.
"Dong Ling, help me deliver this bowl of crab meat to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for his taste."
"Yes."
Dong Ling held up the small white jade bowl in both hands and walked forward a few steps.
She knelt down beside the prince and whispered respectfully.
"Your Highness, this is the crab meat that Concubine Jing peeled for you. Please enjoy it."
The commotion here immediately attracted the attention of the other two concubines and two concubines. They all stopped what they were doing and stared at the prince.
Concubine Li cursed in her heart, this Concubine Jing is really petty, it's just a little crab meat, is it worth her to send it to the prince to please him? !
At the same time, Concubine Li was a little annoyed. Why didn't she think of sending some food to the prince? !
Concubine Jing seemed to be tasting wine, but her eyes were always looking at the prince's back.
She wanted to know the prince's reaction after accepting the crab meat. Would he have any feelings for her?
Luo Qinghan looked at the crab meat that was sent to him and said calmly, "Take it away."
Dong Ling didn't expect the prince to react like this.
She felt bitter.
If the crab meat was returned, Concubine Jing would be embarrassed.
Concubine Jing certainly wouldn't dare to do anything to the prince, but as a palace maid, she would inevitably be punished.
Although Concubine Jing always appears gentle, generous and virtuous in front of outsiders, she is actually very strict with people in private.
Dong Ling pleaded in a low voice: "Your Highness, this is a gift from Concubine Jing. Even if you don't want to eat it, you can just leave it aside. At least give Concubine Jing some face."
Luo Qinghan didn't say anything.
He is the crown prince, why should he give face to a concubine?
Mo Hua, who was waiting nearby, came over.
She said to Dong Ling in an unquestionable tone.
"You should go now."
Dong Ling had no choice but to bite the bullet and return to Concubine Jing.
She placed the small white jade bowl containing crab meat on the table and knelt down.
"My lady, it is my fault for not doing my job well. Please punish me."
The two concubines and two concubines nearby wanted to laugh when they saw this scene, but as the prince was sitting right in front of them, they were afraid of leaving a bad impression on him, so they had to hold it back.
Look, the flattery hit the horse's leg! She deserves to be embarrassed!
Concubine Jing pursed her lips, looked at the crab meat in the bowl, and couldn't say a word for a long time.
If she didn't express her opinion, Dong Ling wouldn't dare to move and could only kneel there.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
