Chapter 262 Just some trivial matters
"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you."
Empress Zhang, who held the throne, was the first to react.
She rose gracefully and bowed deeply to the young emperor who was approaching against the backlight.
Her voice was as gentle as ever.
As she bowed, the ladies of high rank in the hall seemed to awaken from a dream, and they all knelt down, shouting "Long live the Empress!"
"Welcome, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
Zhao knelt on the ground, her heart, which had been hanging in her throat, finally settled back into place.
Meng Shilan also kowtowed deeply, her forehead pressed against the cold ground, her long eyelashes concealing all the emotions surging in her eyes.
Just as Empress Zhang was about to get up, her wrist was grasped by a warm, large hand.
She raised her head and met the smiling eyes of the emperor.
"Your Majesty, today is your birthday."
"We finally managed to host a banquet to enjoy ourselves with everyone, so why are we still dealing with these trivial matters in the inner quarters?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Empress Zhang was about to explain when she paused slightly.
She glanced subconsciously at Meng Shilan kneeling before the prince, then at Zhao Shi, whose face was deathly pale, and understood what was going on.
Your Majesty knows everything.
She felt it was inappropriate to speak at this point.
His Majesty is in dire need of capable people. One is Zhou Congxian's mother, and the other is Zhou Congxian's betrothed, who is also the granddaughter of Duke Meng.
This is a hot potato; it's not good to throw it at anyone.
It would be most appropriate to let His Majesty handle it.
"His Majesty……"
She wanted to say something more, but His Majesty gently squeezed her palm, indicating that she didn't need to say anything more.
The emperor's gaze slowly shifted from the empress's face to the vast crowd below the palace.
His tone, which had been smiling just moments before, suddenly turned somber, tinged with displeasure.
"Today is the Empress's birthday. The Empress is benevolent and has never liked extravagance. She did not intend to hold a grand celebration."
"It is I who am considerate of the Empress's hard work in managing the six palaces."
"It is also because I understand that you ladies manage the household, support your husbands and raise your children, and have no time to relax."
"That's why I thought of taking this opportunity to let you all relax and have some fun together as ruler and subjects."
His voice wasn't loud, but it resonated like a bell, striking clearly into everyone's heart.
Those unfathomable eyes slowly swept over the crowd, carrying an imposing and dignified air.
"But look at what's happening now."
"There's no trace of joy left in this Phoenix Palace."
The wrath of an emperor can cause the deaths of millions.
Even though he didn't actually get angry, the overwhelming aura of the supreme ruler was enough to silence everyone present, leaving them trembling with fear and sweating profusely.
Everyone could tell that His Majesty was giving a warning.
This banquet was originally set up for Her Majesty the Empress.
His Majesty went to great lengths, all to make the Empress smile.
But now, this perfectly good birthday banquet has become a battleground for the two of them.
Where does this leave the Empress? Where does it leave the dignity of the imperial family?!
Everyone was trembling with fear, bowing their heads even lower, afraid of angering the emperor.
Meng Shilan's face turned pale instantly.
A chill ran from the soles of my feet straight up to the top of my head.
She knew that the Phoenix Palace, and indeed the entire imperial palace, was under His Majesty's control.
He couldn't possibly be unaware of what had just happened here.
But when he arrived, he only said it was "trivial business in the inner quarters."
These six words, though seemingly light, weighed on her like six towering mountains, making it hard for her to breathe.
She used every trick in the book, taking each step with great care, and finally managed to corner Zhao, and was about to get justice.
But a single sentence from His Majesty effortlessly wiped out all her efforts.
The scheming of a duchess, the grievances of a future heir apparent's wife, and even the safety of a young child.
Compared to the stability of the court and the dignity of the royal family, these are nothing but trivial matters.
The truth she wanted to come out was nothing but a joke.
His Majesty took the Empress's hand and turned to walk towards the high Phoenix Throne.
"Get up, everyone."
He spoke softly, his voice already calm.
Everyone rose tremblingly, stood by with their hands at their sides, and dared not utter a sound.
"Serve the meal, let the feast begin."
As the eunuch announced, palace servants filed in, carrying exquisite dishes, which were served in a continuous stream.
The sounds of string and wind instruments rose once again.
The dancer's graceful figure swayed as she entered.
The almost frozen atmosphere was instantly replaced by the noisy chatter of clinking glasses.
The relentless standoff between Meng Shilan and the Zhao family was abruptly interrupted and forcibly ended.
The event ended hastily.
The justice she sought was not given.
The tear she had so painstakingly created was silently and meticulously stitched up by the emperor himself.
At the ensuing banquet, Meng Shilan had no appetite.
She watched the revelry unfold before her, the ladies' flattery and laughter deliberately hushed in her ears.
Zhao was sitting not far from her, her well-maintained face already showing its usual dignity and tranquility.
He would only occasionally cast a faint glance at her.
...
When the banquet ended, the moon was already high in the sky.
Exhausted, Meng Shilan boarded the carriage to return home.
Chunxing had already prepared calming tea in the carriage.
"Miss……"
Chunxing looked at Meng Shilan's pale face, her eyes filled with heartache.
Meng Shilan waved her hand to indicate that she was fine, but closed her eyes, leaned against the soft pillow, and her mind was in turmoil.
Just as she was drifting off to sleep...
"Whoa—!"
A sharp screech of the reins, accompanied by the coachman's panicked shouts, sent the entire carriage lurching violently!
"parking!"
A cold voice came from outside the car, devoid of any emotion.
"By order of His Majesty, Miss Meng is invited to the palace."
Meng Shilan woke up instantly and exchanged a glance with Chunxing.
Just then, another carriage slowly drove past them.
A hand wearing an emerald ring gently lifted a corner of the curtain in the car window.
Zhao saw Meng Shilan's carriage stopped in the middle of the road, and she also saw the people blocking the way.
She had intended to see a joke, but when her gaze fell upon the clothes worn by those people, the smile on her face instantly froze.
Shadow Guard!
Those are the emperor's personal guards who only obey His Majesty's orders!
Zhao's heart sank suddenly.
Then, Meng Shilan's carriage slowly turned around and sped off towards the palace.
Her heart, which had just finally settled back into her stomach, was once again gripped tightly by an invisible hand, hanging high in the air.
His Majesty……
Why did His Majesty summon Meng Shilan back?
Zhao's fingernails dug deeply into the soft flesh of her palm, sending a sharp, stinging pain through her.
Your Majesty summoned her alone.
Without me by her side, without all the noble ladies in the hall as witnesses.
How will Meng Shilan try to frame her again?
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