Birthday banquet gift giving
Everyone here has something on their mind, but they don't show it on their faces, maintaining a semblance of propriety.
Li Yin was only thinking about how to enter the royal academy. From the Empress's words just now, she couldn't guess whether Wen Youqing's relationship with this person was good or bad. To be on the safe side, it was best to sneak in secretly.
She lowered her eyes, concealing her thoughts, and waited quietly for the auspicious day.
After everyone had been sitting for a short while, the bell rang again. The sound was clear and the lingering notes were mixed and layered, pumping into everyone's ears. Everyone couldn't help but raise their heads and look towards the red wall with red branches reaching over it.
The three clear sounds stopped, signaling the start of the banquet. Everyone rose slowly and gracefully, lifting their skirts.
The Empress was the first to stand up and stand in the front row, followed by the others. They walked silently and deliberately maintained a proper posture.
Li Yin and Qi Xue walked together. Qi Xue gently tugged at Li Yin's sleeve, then glanced at the seats they were about to sit in, gesturing with her eyes for them to sit together.
Li Yin raised an eyebrow at this and smiled. Qi Xue took it as her agreement, but before she could be happy for long, Li Yin shook her head again.
Qi Xue frowned slightly, her eyes showing a hint of complaint. She wanted to meet Li Yin's gaze, but Li Yin turned his head away and looked in one direction.
When she saw Li Yin turn his head, she followed his gaze and saw Wen Youqing.
The man was staring straight at Li Yin, and Qi Xue immediately turned her head away in embarrassment.
Wen Youqing sat casually, dressed in a green robe with shimmering silver threads, her well-defined knuckles tapping the table at a leisurely pace.
Seeing that Li Yin was looking over, he stopped tapping and slightly raised his hand to tap the table next to him.
Li Yin understood immediately; this was to ask her to sit down. She was indeed feeling sleepy, so someone handed her a pillow. She was just about to ask Wen Youqing how to get to the Royal Academy.
Therefore, she walked over to Wen Youqing's side, lifted her skirt, and sat down.
Wen Youqing stared straight at Li Yin. When she saw him sit down beside her, she smiled and looked at an empty seat that should have been occupied by Qi Shixu.
Li Yin sat down and gently moved closer to Wen Youqing, but before she could speak, she felt a barrage of gazes directed at her, so she had to retreat.
Li Yin retreated, but Wen Youqing moved closer. He leaned in close to Li Yin, and still feeling it wasn't enough, he reached out and pulled up the stool Li Yin was sitting on.
Li Yin knew what kind of occasion this was. She grabbed Wen Youqing's wrist, glared at her, and gave her a fierce warning look.
Wen Youmo let go of Li Yin's hand upon seeing this, but then turned around and grabbed Li Yin's wrist, gently stroking it with his fingertips.
Li Yin immediately let go, but Wen Youqing did not.
Their gazes fell upon Li Yin and their intertwined hands. Annoyed by Wen Youqing's touching, Li Yin raised his hand and slapped Wen Youqing's hand away.
The blow was very light, and no sound was heard, but Wen Youqing looked aggrieved, as if she was in great pain, and her eyes even showed some resentment.
For a moment, Li Yin also wondered if she had really used a lot of strength. But as soon as she thought of this, she laughed. Was it because Wen Youqing was acting too well, or did she really fall for Wen Youqing?
She preferred the first option; she lowered her eyes and sat down.
This scene, as seen by others, presented a different kind of flirtatious spectacle. In the grand hall, among the dignitaries, engaging in playful banter was truly unrefined.
Zhao Lianying, who was sitting in the princess's seat to the side, stared straight at them, her handkerchief in her hand twisted together. She gritted her teeth and thought to herself, "Li Yin, you vixen, you have no shame."
By this time, most of the people had taken their seats. Once everyone was seated, a voice announced, "His Majesty has arrived."
Immediately, everyone stood up, stepped aside, and bowed respectfully.
Emperor Yingzong of Ming wore a yellow robe embroidered with dragon patterns. The embroidery was exquisite. He had a beard, his black hair was mixed with white, his face was covered with wrinkles, and his brows were solemn, revealing a strength and resilience like bamboo. One could vaguely see the spirit of his time.
Behind this person followed a woman in a red dress. Li Yin recognized her; she was Zhao Yuemu. The woman was dressed in fiery red, carrying a soft sword, and walked slowly behind Emperor Ming Yingzong.
After only a few steps, he had fallen far behind. The man paused slightly, turned around to look at the person following behind him, and said softly, "Moonlight, keep up."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuemu looked up at Emperor Yingzong and smiled, saying, "Father, I am a little scared."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone perked up their ears.
Emperor Yingzong sighed, walked over, and gently took Zhao Yuemu's hand in his, like an old father. He led her to her seat in full view of everyone.
Seeing this, Li Yin became somewhat curious. What was the emperor up to? Why was he being so unusually kind to his usually uncaring daughter today?
As soon as Zhao Yuemu sat down, she saw Li Yin. Her expression brightened, and she smiled sweetly at Li Yin, saying, "Sister Li."
Upon hearing this, everyone, though still kneeling, turned their heads slightly and all looked over. Emperor Yingzong also looked over, his expression first showing surprise, then he slightly raised his hand.
The eunuch beside him immediately understood and shouted in a shrill voice, "His Majesty has given the order. Please rise."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately looked away, lowered their heads, and listened attentively until the speaker finished speaking. Only then did they stand up and return to their seats.
Emperor Yingzong glanced at Wen Youqing, then slowly walked to his seat, sat down, coughed lightly a few times, and frowned. No one present dared to utter a word.
Wen Lan looked on with concern, her hand holding the handkerchief hanging in the air. Only after Emperor Ming Yingzong finished coughing and looked up at her did she dare to raise her hand to wipe away the blood from his mouth.
Emperor Yingzong looked at Wen Lan with a slightly indifferent gaze. He reached out and took the bloodstained handkerchief from Wen Lan's hand. He glanced at it and then casually tossed it into a wine cup filled with wine.
The clear liquor was instantly stained red, the red hues spreading and crisscrossing like blooming flowers.
Dressed in a red gown with a skirt that flowed to the floor like a flower, Zhao Yuemu looked directly at Li Yin. She smiled gently, and Li Yin looked over as well. Zhao Yuemu immediately blinked and made a heart shape with her hands.
Li Yin watched for a while, wondering what Zhao Yuemu meant by this.
Seeing that Li Yin was just looking and didn't understand the meaning, Zhao Yuemu pointed to herself and then slightly pointed to Zhao Lianying's position.
Does Zhao Yuemu like Zhao Lianying?
Li Yin was still confused. Zhao Yuemu blinked, as if she was about to say something, when she heard a sharp voice say, "Let the banquet begin."
A eunuch dressed in black, wearing a black hat and a jade pendant made of Hetian jade, with carved patterns and pure white color, stood not far from Emperor Yingzong of Ming, holding a whisk in his hand, and shouted sharply.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuemu immediately straightened her posture, but her eyes kept glancing at Li Yin, and she seemed somewhat anxious.
Li Yin frowned slightly and felt a light touch on her hand. Wen Youqing gently touched her hand and then whispered to her, "I'll take care of everything."
Li Yin was even more confused upon hearing this, wondering why he would suddenly say such a thing.
Singing and dancing filled the air, sleeves fluttered in the breeze, and everyone lingered, carefree and without a worry in their hearts.
Raise your glass and sip lightly, forgetting your worries. Observing your courteous manner, I lower my wine cup slightly to show my respect.
The one who was the lowest of the ten thousand was Wen Youqing. Everyone else was three points lower than him, and he was one point lower. The emperor was not angry about this, but simply turned a blind eye. Others also kept quiet about it.
Li Yin was wondering what role Wen Youqing and the Wen family played in the imperial court when she saw Wen Youqing smile at her and hand her a jade pendant.
The jade pendant was entirely green, with a pure and distinct color. She gently rubbed it with her fingertips and felt a warmth. This was... a warm jade. Why should she give it to him?
Just as Li Yin was wondering what was going on, Zhao Lianying, who hadn't been quiet for long, jumped out again. She raised her head, lifted her pink skirt, and walked to the center of the hall. After bowing, she smiled at Emperor Yingzong and said, "Father, for the birthday banquet, I have something to present. However, this place is not spacious enough. I would appreciate it if Father could lead everyone to the flower garden."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yingzong's expression remained unchanged. However, before he could respond, Zhao Yuemu stepped forward, presented the soft sword in her hands, and knelt in the hall. Her skirt fluttered slightly, revealing a splash of crimson. She smiled and said, "Father, your subject respectfully presents this."
Seeing this, Zhao Lianying chuckled slightly. She covered her mouth and said, "Royal sister, are you perhaps thinking of sending away this ordinary soft sword? Have you forgotten that Father has long since lost interest in martial swords?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuemu still had a smile on her face. She tilted her head and said to Zhao Lianying, "Was I blind just now, Royal Sister? I was carrying it the whole time I came. If it was being delivered, why would I have carried it? Wouldn't that have meant missing out on the surprise?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Lianying gritted her teeth. These words made her lose face. She sincerely felt that Zhao Yuemu had deliberately kept holding the sword to lure her into saying these words. It was truly disgusting, despicable, and shameful.
But despite these thoughts, she still had to play the role of an obedient daughter in front of Emperor Yingzong, and she had to be sensible and not speak bluntly and without restraint like Zhao Yuemu.
Therefore, she smiled awkwardly and said, "That's because I didn't observe carefully enough. Did my younger sister give Father some rare treasure?"
She spoke sincerely, but this put Zhao Yuemu in the spotlight. She knew Zhao Yuemu couldn't possibly produce such rare treasures, so she used this as a way to mock her.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuemu replied truthfully, "Father Emperor cares for the people and saves money throughout the country. He certainly doesn't love rare treasures. Sister, have you forgotten?"
These words, spoken softly, put Zhao Lianying in the spotlight, branding her with an accusation of extravagance—a serious offense. She panicked and quickly said, "Your subject has not forgotten, but I feel that as the ruler of a nation, Father's expenses must be the best."
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