allonlinenovel Chapter 346: Palace Banquet Seeking Grace
Chapter 346: Palace Banquet Seeking Grace
Wang Po, the gatekeeper of Yiqiu Courtyard, quickly ran into the small kitchen and asked,
"Mrs. Liu, what delicious food have you made? It smells so good!"
"Your nose is so sharp! But the master said tonight that we should have a meal together to relax.
They said that we have all worked hard to stay at our posts during this period, so they asked me to cook a few more delicious dishes to reward everyone.”
"Oh, that's great. Master, can I have a couple of drinks?"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liu burst into laughter and kept busy with her hands.
"I knew you would ask. The master specifically told Xiaodouzi that the Lihuabai buried under the osmanthus tree is drinkable."
When Mrs. Wang heard this, she smiled so hard that her teeth showed, as if the clouds had finally cleared and the moon appeared.
"Ever since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Concubine Fang returned safely, I've been so happy that I've been wanting to raise a glass and get drunk! Let's go!"
After saying that, he happily twisted his old waist and went to guard the gate.
There is no need to describe the joy and bustle in Yi Qiu Courtyard.
*
Because the prince returned safely. Especially this time, the prince completed his mission successfully.
Although the people of Jiangnan City experienced two disasters, with the court's unremitting assistance, they were able to settle down and recuperate and slowly recover.
Because of the prince's vigorous propaganda, the people were grateful to Emperor Kun, and the emperor's prestige among the people rose to a new level.
After receiving the secret report, Emperor Kun waved his hand happily and instructed Eunuch De,
"Dezi, the Crown Prince has made great contributions and has made great contributions. Go and convey my oral instructions to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Rites and other relevant departments to prepare a grand celebration banquet."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
When Eunuch De heard this, he ran to pass on the message with a grin on his face.
This time, Emperor Kun also agreed to Concubine Xiao's suggestion that all ministers must bring their families to attend that night.
*
A few days later,
The palace banquet began.
The concubines and princes from various palaces also showed up.
Prince Rui came with his youngest son Changger, as well as Concubine Yin Ruyi and Concubine Li.
The protagonist, the prince, made a grand appearance with only Fang Liangdi, Fang Qingge and two babies.
The three people in the inner court of the Eastern Palace were so angry that they tore the handkerchief into pieces, but it was of no avail.
Because the Crown Princess was deposed, her father, Lord Zhao, took sick leave and did not come. Queen Qin was absent-minded throughout the banquet.
At the lively banquet, the beautiful Concubine Xiao, contrary to her usual sickly appearance, dressed up for the occasion.
She was smiling and talking beside Emperor Kun, and for some reason she was particularly eye-catching.
*
After three rounds of wine and five kinds of dishes, the music of stringed instruments, singing and dancing brought the joyful atmosphere of the palace banquet to a climax.
After a few drinks, Prime Minister Xiao raised his glass and said loudly,
"Your Majesty, I offer a toast to Your Majesty. Your Majesty's grace is so great that it protects the common people.
In the face of natural disasters and man-made calamities, the two high princes, the Crown Prince and the King of Rui, have not been afraid of danger and have led the way to protect the people, bringing peace and prosperity to our country. This is cause for celebration!"
The drunken ministers nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, and stood up with their families, raised their glasses and shouted,
"Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Majesty."
"The emperor's grace is immense. Long live the emperor!"
For a moment, the entire hall was filled with passionate and generous shouts.
"Okay, my dears, let's drink together. Hahaha..."
Emperor Kun happily drank three cups in a row.
*
At this time, Concubine Xiao also stood up, raised her glass and said with a smile,
"Your Majesty, the prince's safe return is truly a blessing from God. I am extremely excited.
You don’t know that those days, when I heard that the prince was seriously ill and his life was in danger, I almost fainted from fright.
From that day on, I have been fasting and chanting Buddhist scriptures every day, kneeling in the Buddhist temple for a long time and praying to the Bodhisattva to protect the prince's safety.
God will not let down those who work hard, the emperor's grace is great, and the prince is safe. On behalf of all the sisters in the harem, I would like to toast you and the queen today."
When Concubine Xiao said this, she covered her face with her wide sleeves and wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.
The concubines who were suddenly called out hurriedly stood up and raised their glasses,
"Long live the emperor! Long live the empress!"
Emperor Kun was even happier. He turned to Queen Qin and clinked his golden cup with hers.
"Queen, this cup of wine should be drunk by you and me as husband and wife!"
Queen Qin smiled stiffly and nodded.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you, sisters, for your kindness to the Crown Prince."
After saying this, she watched the emperor drink the wine in one gulp, and she also drank the wine in the glass in one breath. She felt mixed emotions.
*
Emperor Kun put down the golden goblet and watched Concubine Xiao drink up the wine in the cup. She even coughed a few times because of the choking.
Emperor Kun smiled and patted her hands.
"My dear, you are fine!"
Concubine Xiao, with a blush on her face, looked at Emperor Kun and said coquettishly,
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has done a great deed this time. You can't just send him off with a palace banquet. You must reward him handsomely."
"Hahaha...! My beloved concubine is absolutely right. Prince, Concubine Xiao's suggestion is very good. If you have any request, please feel free to ask.
Father is happy today, and I will agree to all your reasonable requests."
"Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is wise!"
All the ministers raised their glasses to flatter the emperor.
*
The prince's purpose today was to ask for something. But he obviously didn't expect that it was Concubine Xiao who handed him the ladder.
The staff that had been arranged were not used.
The prince was somewhat surprised and suppressed his doubts, deciding to take one step at a time.
So he raised his wine glass high, walked to Emperor Kun and bowed.
"I thank you for your kindness, Father. I will drink first to show my loyalty."
After the prince finished speaking, he drank the wine in the glass generously.
After Emperor Kun drank a few more cups, his usually stern expression softened a lot and he laughed,
"Prince, please excuse me. What do you want?"
The prince bowed again and said,
"I beg Your Majesty to appoint Consort Fang Liangdi of the Eastern Palace as the Crown Prince's concubine. Fang Qingge is kind, thrifty and modest, and she has given birth to a son and a daughter for me. She has made great contributions and has worked hard. Today, I beg Your Majesty to grant me a favor."
Emperor Kun paused for a moment.
After all, so many things happened in the inner courtyard of the East Palace, and he had been trying his best to suppress them so that there would not be too much chaos.
At this critical juncture, he obviously did not expect that the prince did not listen to his earnest advice.
*
"Prince, we will discuss this matter later."
Queen Qin woke up from her daze and said in a lost voice,
"Absolutely not."
Prince Rui Liang Hengrui, who had been secretly watching Fang Qingge's every move at the table, obviously did not expect that the prince loved Fang Qingge so much.
He actually cut the Gordian knot so recklessly.
The wine in his glass accidentally spilled out.
But Yin Ruyi beside him clenched his fists, huddled to one side, and lowered his head.
No one noticed that her lowered brows contained a gloating and expectant light.
*
The prince seemed not to have heard Emperor Kun's displeasure. He lifted his brocade robe with one hand and knelt down to pay his respects.
"I beg the Emperor to grant Fang Liang Di a favor."
Emperor Kun looked at his ministers in the hall and felt a bit stuck in a dilemma after all, his words had already been spoken.
**