It was said that on the night Minister Liang left, Concubine Xiao whispered in Qi Zhen Emperor's ear for a long time.
She kept praising Kong Yu.
She even discussed the pros and cons with the Emperor.
Qi Zhen Emperor couldn't sleep the whole night. The next morning, he woke up early and spent the whole day in Fuyang Hall thinking.
Five o 'clock!
Carriages rushed into the palace one after another. The usually quiet south gate was now bustling with noise and excitement.
Officials and virtuous men rushed into the palace to offer their blessings, the young ladies and madams of various families happily entering the palace for the banquet, and carriages loaded with gifts of all sizes blocked the south gate.
The guards at the gate were busy unloading the gifts and pulling the carriages. They were so busy that they were seeing stars.
And this would …
Jing Rong and Ji Yunshu sat in the carriage. They were about to reach the palace gate.
He held her hand and said, "Actually, you don't have to enter the palace with me."
"How can I not go to His Majesty's birthday?" She replied.
Jing Rong sighed and shook his head.
Ji Yunshu continued in a curious tone, "Actually, I have another purpose."
"What is it?"
"I want to know what gift you gave!" Ji Yunshu frowned and leaned closer to him. "Tell me."
Unfortunately …
Jing Rong smirked and leaned to the side, keeping her in suspense. "You will know when the time comes."
Pfft!
As if I care about it.
Ji Yunshu rolled her eyes at him and pursed her lips. She lifted the curtain and peeked outside. Sure enough, the south gate was blocked by luxurious carriages.
She couldn't help but ask, "Why did you get sick all of a sudden?"
She was referring to Ji Muqing.
Jing Rong heard her and replied, "What? Are you sad that your Ji family can't produce a Crown Princess?"
Ji Yunshu glared at him. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Jing Rong smiled. "Actually, this is what people say: good people will be rewarded with good, and evil people will be punished with evil. Your elder sister is so vicious. A Crown Princess? She doesn't have the fortune to enjoy it. " Then, he suddenly realized: "Wrong, you are no longer a member of the Ji family, she is also not your eldest sister, the matter of the Crown Princess also has nothing to do with you, you are this king's person, the imperial family is your home."
When a person showed off to a certain extent, they would be like an inflated balloon.
"Bang!" There was an explosion!
Although Ji Yunshu hated his narcissism, she could not refute his words.
Indeed, she was no longer a member of the Ji family. If she married Jing Rong in the future, she would be Princess Rong. If he wasn't a member of the royal family, then what was he?
He could only swallow his anger.
When they arrived at the southern gate, the two of them got off the carriage. When they saw that it was Prince Rong, the imperial bodyguards naturally took the lead to clear the way and escorted the two of them inside without any obstruction.
The birthday banquet was held in Chengqing Hall.
The banquet was not held in the inner hall, but outside the hall. A stage was set up outside, and an opera troupe from outside the palace was invited to perform. There were also some birthday programs.
This was the procedure for the emperor's birthday every year.
At the top of the hall, lanterns were hung on thin steel wires, looking very beautiful.
Like colored lights.
By the time it was evening, everyone had already taken their seats.
Today, those who were supposed to come were all here. Old General Li was present, and even the sickly Jing Xian was present. The candidates for the Crown Prince's Concubine were also sitting together, each of them dressed up gorgeously, with makeup on, it was extremely eye-catching.
They all wanted to be the first to sit.
As for the Crown Prince's gaze, he would occasionally look at those candidates.
But strangely, Ji Li and Ji Huan did not come today, saying that they had family matters to attend to. Qi Zhen did not pursue the matter. After all, Ji Muqing was sick, and it was necessary for her two elder brothers to take care of her. Moreover, the selection of the Crown Princess had nothing to do with the Ji family. If they came here, wouldn't it be a slap in the face?
They might as well not come!
Not long after, Qi Zhen Emperor arrived and sat on the Dragon Throne on the high platform. Beside him was Concubine Xiao dressed in brocade clothes.
Everyone stood up and said, "I wish Your Majesty a flood of good fortune, a long life as long as the Southern Mountain, and long live our Emperor."
"Rise!" Qi Zhen Emperor waved his hand, a smile on his face. "Today, there is no need to stand on ceremony."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
One by one, they took their seats.
Qi Zhen Emperor knew that Old General Li was also here. He said, "I did not expect that after so many years, Old General Li would return to the capital today to celebrate Our birthday. We are very happy."
Old General Li did not speak much. He only responded with a few words, then sat down and drank wine.
The banquet was filled with songs and dances, and the performers also sang.
After the banquet, the courtiers began to present their lavish gifts.
Naturally, the Crown Prince could not restrain himself. He stood up from his seat, brushing his wide sleeves as he walked to the banquet.
He cupped his hands. "This son wishes Imperial Father happiness as vast as the Eastern Sea, and a long life as long as the Southern Mountain."
These words were like a copy of yesterday's meal.
Qi Zhen beamed with joy. "The Crown Prince is thoughtful."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Crown Prince ordered someone to bring his gift. It was a square red box placed on the ground, about a meter tall.
Everyone began to speculate in hushed voices. What was inside such a large box?
The box was slowly opened, and several eunuchs struggled to take out the item inside.
The moment the head of the item was revealed, everyone was stunned.
It was a giant piece of … Hetian jade.
Yes, they were not mistaken. It was a rare giant piece of Hetian jade, carved into the shape of a longevity tree. It was indeed very exquisite.
When Qi Zhen Emperor saw it, his smile did not fade. He seemed very satisfied.
The Crown Prince noticed his father's expression. He raised his chin proudly and pointed at the expensive gift. He cupped his hands and said, "Imperial Father, this jade was found by your son after searching all over the world. I also invited the world's best craftsmen to carve it into a longevity tree. This is a special gift to you."
Qi Zhen Emperor nodded. "Hmm. You must have put in a lot of effort to carve a tree out of jade. We like it very much."
"Actually, this son has another gift."
"Oh?"
The Crown Prince waved his hand, and several eunuchs carried over a shelf covered with a red cloth. They pulled the cloth away.
It was a Eight Immortals Screen!
Jing Rong originally wanted to give this gift, but fortunately, he dispelled that idea the moment it was born.
Otherwise, it would have been embarrassing if they met today.
However, it was enough to show that the Crown Prince had been watching Jing Rong, waiting for the news of his gift.
The Crown Prince intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Jing Rong. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he said to the Emperor, "This son knows that Imperial Father likes screens, so I ordered people to make this Eight Immortals Screen. Moreover, this Son added Imperial Father's favorite pear fragrance on this screen. It can help Imperial Father calm his mind."
Before Qi Zhen Emperor could speak, Concubine Xiao, who was standing beside him, continued the Crown Prince's words. "The Crown Prince has sent two gifts, and he has put in so much effort. One is a longevity tree carved from the finest Hetian jade, and the other is a Eight Immortals Screen. Both items are very exquisite. You must have spent a lot of money on them. No wonder His Majesty often praises the Crown Prince's filial piety in front of this concubine.
Qi Zhen Emperor's tone was eccentric.
Others might not understand the meaning behind it, but Qi Zhen Emperor was not stupid.
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