eurekapd Chapter 219 Good Chapter
Chapter 219 Good Chapter
A few days passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, we arrived at the Mid-Autumn Festival, which symbolizes family reunion.
As night fell and the lights came on, Jiuzhou Qingyanli, unlike its usual bustling atmosphere of laughter and joy, was unusually quiet tonight. Without the melodious sounds of stringed instruments lingering in the ears, without the graceful singing and dancing, the banquet felt rather cold and deserted. The elaborately arranged banquet and fragrant dishes lost their luster in this silence.
The emperor and the empress at the top were silent, and the rest of the people were even more silent, not daring to make a sound, for fear of accidentally angering the emperor. The atmosphere of the whole scene was depressing and weird.
The Queen smiled slightly, raised the wine glass in her hand, and said softly: "Your Majesty, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I wish Your Majesty good health and long-lasting blessings."
Her voice was clear, pleasant and melodious, but it seemed a little out of place in the silent environment.
Hearing the Queen's words, the concubines stood up as if awakened from a dream, their movements chaotic and they said in unison: "I wish the Emperor good health and long life."
Yongzheng raised his eyes slightly, with a hint of fatigue and laziness in his eyes. He casually glanced at the concubines below him, then nonchalantly picked up the wine glass in front of him, gently brought the rim of the glass to his lips, and took a sip. There was no joy on his face, and he still looked gloomy and cold.
Seeing that the emperor was not in high spirits, the queen pondered for a moment before speaking, "Today's banquet is indeed a bit deserted. I am really sorry for the emperor and my sisters!"
After saying that, she glanced at Shen Meizhuang and Feng Ruozhao meaningfully.
The two of them immediately understood what the queen meant, knowing that she was actually blaming them for not organizing the banquet well enough and failing to make it lively.
Tsk, the emperor is in a bad mood, what can we do!
Yongzheng waved his hand nonchalantly: "It's okay! Imperial Noble Consort Dunsu passed away less than a hundred days ago, and the Empress Dowager is not in good health, so I don't have any thoughts. It would be nice to have a drink with you!"
Sitting next to Yongzheng, Zhen Huan said with a smile, "Your Majesty is right. I also think today's banquet is excellent. Without so many rules and etiquette, it is more friendly to dine quietly with Your Majesty. I ate a lot more today! I toast to Your Majesty!"
Her face was filled with a sweet smile, her eyes were full of tenderness and love, she held the wine glass in both hands and leaned forward slightly.
"You are really considerate." A smile appeared on Yongzheng's face.
The Queen suggested, "Since the Emperor doesn't like crowds, why not have Concubine Wen sing a song to liven up the Emperor's mood?"
When she heard her name, An Lingrong, who was concentrating on eating crab meat, put down her chopsticks and wanted to stand up.
However, before he could even leave his seat, he heard Shen Meizhuang stand up slowly and say, "Your Majesty, Consort Wen has contracted a cough and her throat is uncomfortable. I'm afraid she won't be able to sing for you. If you're interested, why not summon the vocal music department?"
Shen Meizhuang looked calm and composed when she said this, but she had already rolled her eyes inwardly, secretly complaining: "It's fine if you say I'm incompetent, but you even want Rong'er to sing. Rong'er is a concubine, not a singer. Can't you see Rong'er is eating? How tactless!" Anyway, the atmosphere today is already cold, so it doesn't matter if it gets colder.
Her eyes casually swept over the queen, with a bit of subtle dissatisfaction and stubbornness, like a mother hen protecting her chicks.
After hearing this, An Lingrong cooperated very well and began to cough softly. Although the sound was not loud, it was enough to make people feel that she was indeed unwell.
Seeing this, Yongzheng waved his hand and said, "The weather has been a bit chilly these days. You should all take good care of yourselves!"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Seeing Yongzheng's listless appearance, the Empress understood and said gently, "Your Majesty, there are not many concubines in the palace now. If Your Majesty feels lonely, why not select a few more sisters with good character and appearance to enter the palace? First, they will help Your Majesty expand his family, and second, your sisters will have more people to talk to and relieve their boredom!"
The queen had a gentle and virtuous smile on her face, and her eyes were full of sincerity for the emperor.
Yongzheng had been feeling rather listless, but upon hearing the Queen's words, he suddenly became interested. His lips curled up slightly, a smile filled with surprise and anticipation, his gaze fixed on the Queen: "The Queen is truly virtuous!"
The Queen humbly bowed her head and replied, "It is my duty to relieve the Emperor's worries. As long as the Emperor is happy, I am willing to do anything."
Listening to the queen's words, Yongzheng nodded with satisfaction, with admiration in his eyes, and secretly thought that the queen was indeed worthy of the reputation of being virtuous and generous.
Then he said slowly, "I know your temper. Let's talk about this tonight!"
Today is the night of the full moon on the fifteenth day of the lunar month, and as usual he should go to accompany the queen.
Zhen Huan, who had been sitting silently beside Yongzheng, heard this and her smile froze instantly, her eyes dimming. But after just a moment, she quickly adjusted her mood, forced a smile, and sat up straight as before.
But even though Zhen Huan concealed it very well, this subtle little action still could not escape the Queen's sharp eyes. She couldn't help but sneer in her heart, "The Emperor's favor? What a joke!"
An Lingrong, who was sitting in the seat below, was leisurely eating the delicious crab on the plate with a small spoon, completely unaware of the undercurrent above.
This crab is fresh and delicious. It’s really tasty.
Seeing her eating happily, Shen Meizhuang frowned, picked up her handkerchief and coughed lightly.
An Lingrong turned her head upon hearing the voice and her eyes fell on her.
Shen Meizhuang pointed at the crab on the table with her index finger and waved her hand gently. The gesture was gentle but carried an unquestionable meaning, and then she touched her belly.
Although she didn't say anything, An Lingrong already understood what she meant from her expression and actions.
Don’t eat it anymore, or you’ll have a stomachache!
An Lingrong first pointed at the peeled crab meat on the plate, her eyes revealing reluctance, then playfully pointed at herself, pouted, and finally waved at the other crabs on the table.
I won’t eat anymore after eating these!
Shen Meizhuang nodded and made an "OK" gesture.
An Lingrong threw her a coquettish glance, her eyes full of intelligence, then she raised her wine glass and smiled happily.
Shen Meizhuang also raised her wine glass and clinked it with hers in the air.
Feng Ruozhao, who was sitting across from them, watched the two of them exchange glances with a smile. Noticing her gaze, An Lingrong raised her glass towards her and mouthed "cheers."
Feng Ruozhao also raised his glass and nodded slightly.
On the other side, Qi Yuebin gently held the young Princess Wen Yi in his arms, his eyes full of love and doting. Holding a small spoon in one hand, he patiently fed the little princess porridge, "Wen Yi, you must eat more. Only when you are full can you grow tall and plump!"
Princess Wen Yi seemed to understand what she said and smiled brightly.
"Wen Yi is so cute!"
In another seat not far away, Concubine Xin patted her daughter helplessly and said, "Shuhe, bear with it, it will be over soon!"
Princess Shuhe yawned loudly, like a lazy kitten, and snuggled into Concubine Xin's arms, mumbling, "Mother, I'm sleepy!"
"Hey, we'll be back soon!"
What, the emperor wants to hold a beauty contest?
Just choose!
What does it have to do with them!