eurekapd Chapter 280 Special Gifts from Southern Xinjiang
Chapter 280 Special Gifts from Southern Xinjiang
The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that the child was alright, but given the strict royal rules and his concern for the child, he still said to Zhao Quan beside him without hesitation, "Quickly summon the imperial physician." Zhao Quan bowed and responded swiftly with a "Yes, Your Majesty," before preparing to leave quickly.
Seeing this, Ye Qingchen quickly stepped forward, a gentle yet firm smile on her face, and said, "Eunuch Zhao, there's no need to call the imperial physician. The child is fine. You can stay here with Father Emperor." Her voice was clear and melodious, very approachable. Upon hearing this, the Emperor was slightly taken aback, his gaze falling on Ye Qingchen, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which instantly turned into approval. He waved his hand, signaling Zhao Quan to stay. Zhao Quan bowed slightly and returned to his original position, his eyes full of admiration for Ye Qingchen.
As everyone took their seats, three tables were set with delicacies due to the large number of guests. The dishes were dazzling, each one a feast for the eyes and the palate. Surprisingly, all the dishes were Ye Qingchen's favorites. This was thanks to Eunuch Zhao's thoughtful preparation. He had noticed Ye Qingchen frequently creating new dishes and had silently noted down every one she praised. Today, he had specially arranged for the imperial kitchen to prepare these.
Looking at the familiar dishes on the table, Ye Qingchen's eyes flashed with surprise and emotion. She turned her head slightly and met Gu Mochen's gaze. Gu Mochen's eyes were full of love and pride for his wife. He gently squeezed her hand, as if to say, "I've got you covered." Ye Qingchen smiled back with a tender smile.
Everyone raised their glasses, while the children toasted with milk tea to celebrate the gathering. The Emperor picked up his wine cup, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and remarked with emotion, "It is truly a rare occasion for everyone to gather here today. Mo Chen, Qing Chen, you have worked hard in the Southern Frontier. This cup of wine is a toast to you." With that, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. Gu Mo Chen and Ye Qing Chen quickly rose and respectfully returned the Emperor's toast.
During the meal, the children remained lively and active. They carried small bowls, moving between tables, occasionally grabbing a piece of pastry, their mouths smeared with crumbs – they looked incredibly cute. Empress Ji Xiaofu watched the children with loving eyes, gently calling her own children over and carefully wiping their mouths.
The adults enjoyed their food while chatting about recent events. King Wen laughed as he recounted everyday family matters, eliciting laughter from everyone. King Qi shared his observations of building the post station this year, giving everyone a better understanding of the outside world. Ye Qingchen also occasionally shared her experiences in the southern borderlands, her witty remarks transforming the hardships of her journey into engaging stories that captivated everyone.
Gu Mochen sat quietly beside Ye Qingchen, listening attentively to her words, occasionally placing a piece of food on her plate, his eyes never leaving her. Whenever Ye Qingchen finished speaking, he would respond appropriately; their interaction was natural and sweet, making onlookers envious.
In Yi Cui Garden, laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air, the aromas of wine and food mingling together. The Emperor, watching this lively scene, was filled with joy. Such moments of reunion were the most precious to him in the palace. He silently prayed that this peace and happiness would last forever, and that the palace would be filled with more such heartwarming scenes. Everyone was immersed in this wonderful atmosphere, enjoying this rare time together, forgetting the conflicts of the court and the troubles of daily life.
After everyone had finished their meal, Ye Qingchen rose gently, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She walked lightly towards the pile of gift boxes that had been prepared beforehand. At that moment, everyone's attention was drawn to her, curious about what surprise she had prepared.
The eldest princess sat to one side, her eyes filled with longing and anticipation for Ye Qingchen. She hadn't seen Ye Qingchen for a long time and knew that he was thoughtful and meticulous, so the gift he prepared would surely be unique.
Ye Qingchen first picked up an exquisite wooden box and slowly approached the Emperor. She curtsied slightly, her demeanor graceful, then gently opened the box and said, "Your Majesty, during this trip to the Southern Frontier, I was fortunate enough to find several precious medicinal herbs. These herbs are extremely rare and will greatly benefit Your Majesty's health. I have kept enough for the medicine needed for this trip, and the remainder has been placed in the national treasury's medicine warehouse. I hope Your Majesty will accept them." The Emperor nodded slightly, his eyes full of appreciation. He took the box, his gaze falling on the herbs, and nodded gently, "Qingchen is very thoughtful. Such precious items are truly rare."
Next, Ye Qingchen picked up a brocade box and walked to Empress Ji Xiaofu. She opened the box, revealing a string of reddish-brown, fine-textured Southern Red Agate beads. Each of the 108 beads was round and full, radiating a captivating luster under the light. "Your Majesty, this is a Southern Red Agate bracelet that I specially prepared for you. May Your Majesty be blessed with good fortune and all things go smoothly," Ye Qingchen said with a smile. The Empress's eyes flashed with delight. She gently picked up the bracelet, examining it carefully, her eyes filled with affection: "Such an exquisite item, I greatly admire it. Qingchen, thank you for your thoughtfulness." Ye Qingchen then presented the Empress with a jade Guanyin statue. The statue was carved with lifelike detail, its lines flowing smoothly, every aspect showcasing the craftsman's exquisite skill. The Empress looked at the statue with eyes full of piety and love, repeatedly expressing her gratitude.
Then, Ye Qingchen approached the Princess. She presented a small box containing an exquisite statue of the Princess. The statue, sculpted by Ye Qingchen herself, perfectly captured the Princess's spirit in every line. The Princess's eyes lit up the moment she opened the box. She gasped in surprise, her eyes filled with emotion: "Qingchen, you little rascal, you have such thoughtfulness! This gift is just what I wanted!" She clutched the statue tightly, admiring it dearly, and repeatedly praised Ye Qingchen's craftsmanship.
Finally, Ye Qingchen handed the two small hand-held jade pieces to Grandpa Lu and the Medicine King respectively. “Grandpa Lu, Medicine King, these two hand-held pieces, though small, are rare and beautiful jade pieces. Their texture is warm and smooth, their shapes unique, and some parts even have small bumps. Playing with them in your leisure time will help relax your muscles and improve blood circulation.” Grandpa Lu and the Medicine King took the pieces, examining them carefully, their eyes filled with delight. They gently stroked the pieces, feeling the warmth of the jade and its unique design, nodding in praise. The Medicine King remarked, “Qingchen, your thoughtfulness is truly admirable. These hand-held pieces are not only precious but also practical.”
Of course, there were also gifts for the two little princes and princesses, the eldest grandson, and Xiaoyue'er, as well as gifts for the Wenwang family and the Qiwang family. All of these were unique gifts brought back from the southern border.
Everyone sat together, sharing the joy brought by the gifts. The entire Yi Cui Garden was filled with laughter and joy. At this moment, kinship and friendship deepened through the exchange of gifts, and Ye Qingchen's thoughtfulness made this gathering even more unforgettable. The Emperor, watching this lively scene, was filled with satisfaction. He knew that such harmony and beauty was the ideal image he longed for in the court and palace.