Chapter 72 Her goodness should be seen by everyone
He Yun came up and said with a smile: "Your Highness, please put some on me. My face is dry and flaky."
Xiao Yanci glared at him coldly, "I'm only sparing you this head temporarily out of mercy, so why are you still concerned about your dignity?"
He Yun: ...
So many days had passed, and he thought His Highness had forgotten about it, but he didn't expect that he still remembered it.
He Yun quickly ran away holding the dog's head, lest his own prince really twist it off and kick it like a ball.
Xiao Yanci looked at the gifts he had received, and then thought of their faces filled with sincere gratitude, and his heart was moved again.
These gifts were not expensive, some were even cheap, but they were the best they could offer.
They were willing to give him the best things, which at least showed that everything he did was seen and remembered by others.
What about Lu Zhiran?
Everything she does should be seen.
As the night deepened, a unique New Year’s Eve dinner came to an end.
Xiao Yanci jumped on his horse and headed towards the city.
Tonight, there will be a banquet for all officials in the palace. He cannot miss such a grand event.
In the palace, big red lanterns were hung in every corridor, making it as bright as daylight.
The banquet had already begun. In addition to the court officials, the concubines and the officials' families also attended the banquet, making it very lively.
Because of the shelter, this year's heavy snow only caused some house collapses and a small number of deaths. The people's livelihoods were hardly affected, and Emperor Defeng was in a very good mood.
The court officials all flattered the emperor, and Emperor Defeng was very pleased, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Emperor Defeng glanced down and asked, "Where's Xiaoqi? Why isn't he here?"
A soft hum came from the side, "The emperor finally remembered that you have such a son."
The person who was speaking was extremely beautiful, and his skin was dazzlingly white under the light, as flawless as a piece of jade.
She spoke slowly and politely, appearing gentle and kind, but her words sang a sarcastic tone.
This person is Xiao Yanci’s biological mother, Concubine Rou.
She was twenty years younger than Emperor Defeng and had a naive and simple nature. Even when her son was old enough to get married, her heart was still like that of a child.
On such a great day, others might not dare to pour cold water on the emperor, but Concubine Rou was the only one who dared.
It's the New Year, and other families are reuniting, but her son is still working outside. How can she be happy?
It would have been fine if he had to work on weekdays, but he had to continue working during the New Year. In the end, he couldn't even get any gold or silver rewards - even if he did, he couldn't keep them.
She was able to hold back her tears, which was already a great favor to the emperor.
Emperor Defeng coughed lightly, with a guilty look on his face.
"Of course I've been thinking about Xiao Qi. I sent someone to summon him earlier. Feng Youcai, why don't you send someone to see where the Seventh Prince is?"
Feng Youcai bowed and replied, "The Seventh Prince is having a New Year's Eve dinner with the people at the internment camp tonight to comfort them. Judging by the time, he should be arriving at the palace soon."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Defeng was delighted. "Xiao Qi has truly grown sensible. This time, he has really helped me relieve a lot of my worries."
Concubine Rou was even more angry. It was New Year's Day, and he couldn't even see his own mother. Instead, he went to have New Year's Eve dinner with those disaster victims! How could this be right?
She doesn't care about whether it's a kingdom or a country. Anyway, the world will never belong to her son. Why should she work so hard now?
After hearing this, Xiao Yanqing felt a pang of bitterness rising in his heart.
Such a great opportunity to win people's hearts, it would be great if he could go!
Concubine Li was also very jealous, and she felt even more upset when she saw Concubine Rou looking extremely disgusted.
What a superficial and ignorant woman. All she does all day is put on makeup and tinker with spices. She has no ambition at all!
Suppressing her anger, Concubine Li forced a smile and said, "Xiao Qi has made great contributions this time and should be rewarded generously. The others who have made contributions should also be rewarded as a token of the emperor's grace."
Concubine Li glanced down and her eyes fell on Zhao Shuning.
Just as she was about to take credit for it, the Queen smiled and interrupted her.
"When Xiaoqi arrives, the emperor should indeed reward that child well."
Empress Sun was Emperor Defeng's first wife. She was already old and obvious fine lines could be seen at the corners of her eyes.
Having experienced the pain of losing a son in her early years, and then giving birth to the ninth princess at an advanced age, her health was already not very good, and even the affairs of the harem were handed over to several imperial concubines for assistance.
If today wasn't a big day like New Year's Eve, she wouldn't have shown up.
Emperor Defeng treated her with great respect, and her words carried great weight.
"Reward, of course it's due. When Xiao Qi arrives, I will reward him well!"
At the door, a voice answered in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, I'm here. What reward will your Majesty give me?"
A tall and straight figure strode towards them.
Everyone turned their heads and looked towards the entrance of the hall.
Emperor Defeng smiled, and Concubine Rou stretched her neck, unable to conceal the anticipation in her eyes.
Xiao Yanci specially returned home to wash up and change into a crimson brocade robe that suited the occasion. He tied his hair with a jade crown, and the octagonal palace lantern with phoenix wings and thin beams on his head shone brightly, making his side profile look as if it was carved with a knife and an axe, with clear edges and corners. He looked graceful and handsome.
Emperor Defeng nodded with satisfaction. After being tidied up like this, he finally looked like a prince.
During the banquet, a girl looked at the handsome Seventh Prince and her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Your son wishes you a happy new year to your father, mother, mother consort, and all the concubines. I wish your father a long and prosperous life! I wish your mother, mother consort, and all the concubines good health, eternal youth, and a long and blessed life!"
Xiao Yanqing: Flattery!
Emperor Defeng laughed heartily, "Well, well, Xiaoqi has done an errand for me and has become even more sensible."
Xiao Yanci said sternly, "Father, I can't get rid of you by just praising you for being sensible. I'm still waiting for your reward."
Probably the only one who dares to ask for a reward so openly is Xiao Yanci.
Emperor Defeng pointed his finger at him, pretending to be angry.
"You're really not polite at all."
Concubine Li smiled and brought up the previous topic again, "Your Majesty, it just so happens that Xiao Qi, the number one meritorious official, has arrived, and the other meritorious officials have also gathered here. Today is the perfect time to reward them for their merits."
"Xiao Qi's contribution goes without saying. Today, I have overstepped my bounds and would like to claim some credit for someone else. Doctor Zhao has treated me before. Her medical skills are superb, no less than those of other doctors in the Imperial Hospital."
"Doctor Zhao also performed exceptionally well at the shelter. She remained calm in the face of danger and saved the day, treating several victims with sudden medical emergencies. Such performance deserves lavish commendation."
Zhao Shuning immediately straightened his back, with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
She stepped out of the group and kowtowed, "That's all my duty as a subject, I don't deserve such favor from the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine."
Everyone could tell that she was trying to modestly decline, but Xiao Yanci didn't give her face and just continued the conversation.
"You really don't deserve it."
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