Chapter 31 The Empress Dowager's Birthday Banquet
Countless gazes came from all directions, focusing on Xie Sangning.
A white jade statue of the God of Longevity holding a peach?
It barely qualifies as a lucky charm.
But... there's only one?!
You must know this is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet!
Which of the royal family members, nobles, and civil and military officials present wasn't sending boxes and bundles of rare treasures to the palace?
This Miss Xie, whose extravagance surpassed even that of a princess and shook Jinling, only gave him a white jade ornament.
The Empress Dowager's smile froze instantly.
As expected, she's a wild girl raised in the desolate lands of Xihan, ignorant of manners and lacking in common sense.
Princess Pei Mingyue, who was standing to the right of the Empress Dowager, was furious when she saw Xie Sangning. She was looking for a way to vent her anger, and now it was like a pillow for her when she was sleepy!
"Oh!"
Pei Mingyue straightened her back and raised her chin high: "Xie Sangning! Did I hear that right? Aren't you usually so extravagant and wasteful? What? On the Empress Dowager's birthday, you've become so stingy?"
"What? Your Xie family's mountains of gold and silver are only for your own use? Is this all the respect you have for the Empress Dowager?"
Pei Mingyue's eyes flashed, eager to convict her of disrespecting the Empress Dowager!
Everyone's heart was in their throat.
Oh no, the second princess is about to cause trouble again!
This Miss Xie is probably doomed today...
However, Xie Sangning, at the center of the storm, didn't even flinch.
Instead of directly replying to Pei Mingyue, she bowed deeply and impeccably to the Empress Dowager on her high seat, conveying just the right amount of apology:
"May Your Majesty the Empress Dowager enjoy peace and prosperity. Today is your birthday, and Sang Ning should have done everything in her power to show her loyalty. However, I have only prepared this small gift, which is indeed my fault. I beg Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's forgiveness."
She lowered her head slightly, her attitude respectful.
The Empress Dowager's expression softened slightly—after all, she knew how to admit her mistake.
At least she has some brains.
But the punishments that are due must be imposed, otherwise if everyone only sends such cheap goods in the future, how will the emperor's private treasury be filled?
Before the Empress Dowager could speak, Xie Sangning's apologetic expression instantly turned into confusion. Her brows furrowed slightly, her red lips parted, and her voice carried utmost sincerity and bewilderment:
"only..."
"The Second Princess's reprimand just now has left Sang Ning somewhat... confused."
"His Highness's words are law. Just a few days ago at the flower-viewing banquet, he publicly reprimanded Sang Ning for his lack of modesty, extravagance, and excessive waste."
“Every word and phrase was like thunder in my ears. Sang Ning dared not forget them and kept them in mind at all times. He dared not do such a shameful thing again, for fear of ruining the reputation of the General’s Mansion and displeasing Your Highness.”
Her tone was gentle, and every word she said made sense.
"But today, Sang Ning has followed Your Highness's teachings, restrained his mind, and dared not be extravagant. He only offers a white jade statue of the God of Longevity, a treasured possession of his family for many years, as a small token of his sincerity..."
"How did it become evidence of His Highness's stinginess and disrespect for the Empress Dowager?"
Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Pei Mingyue, clearly reflecting the other's face, which had turned deathly pale and then flushed red.
“Your Highness, I am foolish and truly do not understand... Didn’t you say that the palace should set an example, and that I, Sang Ning, must never disgrace the imperial palace…”
Xie Sangning sighed softly.
"Do you want Sang Ning to live a more extravagant life?"
"Isn't it better to avoid extravagance?"
"you!"
Pei Mingyue's lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word.
An awkward silence filled the air; everyone lowered their heads, wishing they could disappear on the spot.
Miss Xie is really too outspoken.
This is just telling everyone that the Second Princess criticized Xie Sangning for being extravagant because she was jealous of Xie Sangning, and now she's criticizing Xie Sangning for being stingy because she can't gain any advantage and is getting angry, thus contradicting herself.
Most people at the banquet thought that the second princess was simply unreasonable.
Many people looked at Xie Sangning with admiration, including Pei Yi, who was staring blankly at Xie Sangning, even though the person who had the conflict with Xie Sangning was his own sister.
The Empress Dowager, high above, had a somber expression on her face.
"Enough!"
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's anger, Pei Mingyue immediately fanned the flames, saying, "Grandmother! How dare she..."
The Empress Dowager interrupted sharply: "I told you to shut up! Enough!"
Pei Mingyue looked on in disbelief!
Xie Sangning openly provoked her, and her grandmother actually sided with her!
"Pei Mingyue! Where is your decorum?! A princess, of noble birth, dares to question the daughter of a meritorious official at this grand birthday banquet?! What kind of behavior is this?!"
"I think you've really been spoiled rotten! You're lawless! Miss Xie's words are all reasonable! Last time you criticized its extravagance, and today you mock its frugality. You change your mind constantly, contradicting yourself, making us all laugh at you!"
The Empress Dowager's rebuke was scathing, but she had no choice.
It was obvious that Pei Mingyue was deliberately picking a fight. Even if she was dissatisfied with the congratulatory gift, she couldn't question it directly in front of everyone, lest she lose face for the royal family.
Besides, if Xie Sangning were reprimanded today, it would discourage many people.
People will then think that this is how the royal family is, that they want everyone to send their money into the palace!
Pei Mingyue was so badly scolded that she was on the verge of collapse, and tears finally welled up uncontrollably.
She knew that her grandmother was truly angry, and that she was protecting Xie Sangning!
This is to stand up for Xie Sangning!
She was so heartbroken she seemed to be on the verge of collapse, as if nothing had gone smoothly for her since Xie Sangning returned to Jinling.
This is exactly what Xie Wuyou agrees with.
Pei Mingyue felt a surge of resentment in her heart, but she knew she had to back down now.
The Empress Dowager spoke up: "Sang Ning, today's events were Mingyue's fault for being insolent. I apologize to you on her behalf."
"Your father defended the country's borders with great merit and hard work. As the legitimate daughter of a meritorious official, you are virtuous, polite, tolerant, and restrained. You have suffered injustice. This gift may be simple, but it comes from your sincere heart, and I appreciate it."
These words were both a reassurance and a statement of fact: Xie Sangning was not wrong; it was the princess who was being unreasonable.
Xie Sangning's face showed just the right amount of respect and a hint of being flattered. She bowed gracefully and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. I dare not accept such praise. Your Highness is straightforward and a person of strong character."
"Today is Her Majesty's birthday, and Sang Ning would never dare to disturb Her Majesty's enjoyment or spoil the fun of all the guests for such a trivial matter."
Looking at Xie Sangning's impeccable and composed demeanor, the Empress Dowager felt a complex mix of fear and admiration.
The incident was seemingly resolved on the surface thanks to Xie Sangning's sensible concession.
Only Pei Mingyue was injured at the scene.
She secretly resented Xie Sangning; he was truly cunning!
Just then, Emperor Pei arrived.
The banquet began with music and delicacies being served one after another.
The eldest prince, Pei Yi, who prided himself on his deep affection and said he would only marry Liu Meimei, now had his gaze fixed on Xie Sangning.
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