Before long, all the dishes were ready, and Xu Yuehuai finally breathed a sigh of relief; at least everything was done now.
She finally had a moment to catch her breath.
However, she seemed to be celebrating too soon, unaware that a sinister gaze was watching her.
Zhao Min was sitting in the palace when her spy at the palace gate came to report that Qi Guze had brought Xu Yuehuai's people in and they were already cooking.
Zhao Min was furious upon hearing this. Why was Xu Yuehuai able to escape danger and have so many benefactors helping her? Why?! Zhao Min was indignant.
She would definitely not let Xu Yuehuai succeed. Since the people below were so useless, she would have no choice but to let Consort Min make the trip herself.
Zhao Min disguised herself and quietly went to the place where Xu Yuehuai was cooking.
Seeing Xu Yuehuai's happy expression, Zhao Min couldn't stand it and came up with a plan.
Let's see how you laugh now!
Zhao Min stopped a young palace maid who was about to deliver vegetables.
"Stop!" Zhao Min emerged from the corner, startling the young palace maid.
"Miss Zhao Min." The young palace maid, holding a plate, found it inconvenient to perform a proper curtsy.
Zhao Min coldly ordered, "Leave the food here, and leave."
"Miss Zhao Min, this is against the rules." The little palace maid couldn't help but tremble.
Zhao Min was not one to show mercy, so she slapped him across the face and sneered, "What? Do you not respect me, or the Imperial Concubine?"
The young palace maid couldn't refuse, so she obediently did as Zhao Min asked.
Seeing that no one was around, Zhao Min took out a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve.
He poured all the white powder into it.
"Let's see how you can laugh!" Zhao Min said viciously as she administered the drug.
After administering the medicine, Zhao Min strode away, instructing her people to return the food.
As night fell, the birthday banquet began, and guests arrived at the palace from all directions.
Xu Yuehuai was a little nervous, afraid that something might go wrong.
She kept an eye on the food delivery line, and only took her seat after all the dishes had been served.
After the singing and dancing ended and several rounds of drinks were finished, everyone had eaten their fill.
When the Emperor saw Xu Yuehuai appear, his eyes were full of admiration. This girl is truly capable!
The Emperor was very pleased with the birthday banquet prepared by Xu Yuehuai and said with a smile, "Duke Zhenguo! You are so lucky to have such a goddaughter. Today is your birthday, what kind of gift would you like?"
When the Duke of Zhenguo was mentioned by the Emperor, he immediately stood up and said respectfully, "I dare not, I dare not ask for anything. I only ask that my daughter find a good husband."
"If the child is happy, I will be content." The Duke of Zhenguo's words showed his great favoritism towards Xu Yuehuai.
Zhao Min, standing to the side, became even more jealous. Why was Xu Yuehuai favored by others and able to find a good husband?
But she could only marry this old emperor who was fifty years old.
After hearing what the Duke of Zhenguo said, the Emperor nodded: "Marriage is indeed of utmost importance for a girl."
"I wonder if the Duke of Zhenguo has any promising young talents in mind? I can ask him today if he would be willing to become your son-in-law." The Emperor was very happy to act as matchmaker for Xu Yuehuai.
"In my opinion, it's enough that A-Yue likes it. It doesn't matter if I like it or not! As long as we're attracted to each other, that's enough," the Duke of Zhenguo replied with a smile.
The emperor thinks highly of Xu Yuehuai, and his father is also happy.
"Indeed, but the imperial examinations are currently underway, and many talented young men are busy with them. Once the results are in, I will certainly introduce the top scholar to Xu Yuehuai," the Emperor said with a smile.
But those words shut up what the Duke of Zhenguo was about to say.
The Duke of Zhenguo originally wanted to say that since the Regent and Xu Yuehuai were in love, it would be a great joy to discuss their marriage today, as it was also his birthday banquet.
He could only think these words in his heart. Since the Emperor hadn't paired Gu Ze and Xu Yuehuai up, he didn't need to ask and invite such displeasure.
Duke Zheng forced a smile, but it soon faded. He quickly knelt down to express his gratitude and covered his face.
He even dragged Xu Yuehuai into the conversation, saying, "Why don't you thank His Majesty?" The Duke of Zhenguo reminded Xu Yuehuai.
Xu Yuehuai then came to her senses and knelt down with her godfather.
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
Xu Yuehuai originally wanted to tell Qi Guze that she had been in love with him for a long time.
But the Emperor actually wanted to introduce a complete stranger to her. Xu Yuehuai was wondering if the Emperor's reason for doing this was because he was afraid that the Duke of Zhenguo and the Regent would join forces.
Could it be that the Emperor is already wary of their Zhenguo Duke's Mansion? Xu Yuehuai wondered.
She felt uneasy.
Zhao Min, who was standing to the side, was a little happy when she heard that the Emperor was going to introduce a complete stranger to Xu Yuehuai. She knew that Xu Yuehuai must like Qi Guze, and she was quite happy that the old man could break them up. It was rare for the old man to do such a good thing.
So she spoke up, "Princess Heyue is truly blessed to marry a top scholar. In the past, it was always princesses who married top scholars."
Xu Yuehuai looked towards Zhao Min, watching Zhao Min gloating as she laughed at him.
Xu Yuehuai even suspected that Zhao Min might know some inside information.
She could only be angry, but could not speak.
Zhao Min, being someone close to the emperor, was trying to trip him up, so he had to endure it. Only Qi Guze had the strength to stand up to the Prime Minister's mansion.
When the opportunity arises in the future, she will definitely teach her aunt and niece a lesson. The two of them are really too much. First, they made all the chefs in the imperial kitchen sick. Second, they prevented her from getting help from outside the palace. Third, they wanted to marry a man she didn't love. Zhao Min really hates them so much that she came up with so many tricks.
But today is a birthday banquet. All I can do is respectfully reply to Zhao Min, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Zhao Min."
But who knew that Zhao Min would take such a big step?
"No need to thank me. Your father is a meritorious official of this dynasty, and you are his daughter. It is normal for you to receive such treatment."
Xu Yuehuai was furious about this, but he could only respectfully thank Zhao Min and could do nothing else.
Qi Guze also liked Xu Yuehuai, and when he suddenly heard that the emperor was going to arrange a marriage between this year's top scholar and Xu Yuehuai, his heart skipped a beat.
The Emperor has spoken; who knows if this matter will succeed?
Qi Guze was somewhat worried. He worried that Xu Yuehuai wouldn't wait for him, and that she would agree to the emperor's request to be with this top scholar. This was something Qi Guze dared not think about.
But he couldn't step forward to stop it, since it was the Emperor's order.
If one were to rashly express liking for Xu Yuehuai, it would only put the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and the Regent's mansion in danger.
Qi Guze could only endure it, and he could only endure it with a smile.
Upon hearing that it was Zhao Min who was causing trouble again, Qi Guze could only smile and silently hold a grudge in his heart.
Zhao Min has repeatedly picked fights with him and Xu Yuehuai; he can't tolerate it without teaching her a lesson.
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