Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Old Friend (1)
Ji Zeyu's expression didn't change. He said in a low voice, "The Qin Clan doesn't keep gigolos. She deserves good treatment."
"You!" Princess Royal of Anyang was so angry that her face turned purple. She stopped and stared at the man's tall figure, who was still strolling leisurely. "How dare you! I'm a princess!"
Ji Zeyu stopped and looked back. His eyes were full of undisguised mockery. "Oh. I didn't see what else Princess Royal can do other than reincarnate. "
"How dare you!"
"Princess Royal, please calm down. Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday."
Ji Zeyu continued to walk forward quickly, leaving Li Helan alone. She was so angry that her chest heaved up and down.
After arguing with Ji Zeyu, when she came back to her senses, Pang Xiao and Qin Yining had already approached Ci 'an Palace.
Li Helan scolded the palace servant beside her with a sullen face. "Why aren't you following them? What are you doing here?"
The palace servant's face turned red from the scolding. She lowered her head and cautiously followed behind Li Helan.
Qin Yining naturally didn't know what was happening behind her. At this time, she and Pang Xiao were allowed to enter the main hall of Ci 'an Palace.
Today was the Empress Dowager's birthday. She was wearing a red and gold robe and a golden phoenix crown with tassels on her head. She was dressed gracefully and elegantly.
The middle-aged woman sitting beside the Empress Dowager was also wearing a light gold robe. Her hair was tied up in a bun with a phoenix crown. Although her appearance couldn't be called beautiful, it was still very pleasing to the eye.
This was the Empress.
When the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the relatives attending the banquet heard that the Prince Zhongshun had arrived, even their voices became weaker. They all looked outside the door.
They saw Pang Xiao, who was wearing a purple robe and a purple crown, bending down slightly. He carefully helped a pregnant woman, who was wearing a light blue brocade jacket with arrow sleeves and a dark blue long skirt. She had a big belly but didn't lose her charm.
The Empress Dowager smiled.
The Empress saw that Pang Xiao, that fiend, didn't care about lowering himself to support his wife. Then she looked at Qin Yining, who was walking carefully with her hands on her waist and belly, but still looked very eye-catching and beautiful. Her heart ached.
Some women were born with good fortune. They were born beautiful and their husbands doted on them wholeheartedly.
What about her? Although she was the Empress, the imperial concubines in the Emperor's harem were all beautiful. She was already old, but she was pregnant first. It was inevitable that she would become the target of public criticism in the palace. To put it bluntly, she wished she could keep her eyes open even when she was sleeping. The thick layer of powder on the Empress' face couldn't hide her tiredness.
She then looked at Qin Yining. His complexion was good, and his skin was so delicate that it looked like it could be broken by the wind. His situation was completely different from hers.
Based on how much Prince Zhongshun doted on her, her life must be very pleasant.
While the Empress' heart was spinning, Qin Yining and Pang Xiao had already arrived.
Pang Xiao first supported Qin Yining and slowly knelt down on the brocade mattress that a palace maid had brought over. He himself knelt to the side. The two respectfully bowed to the Empress Dowager.
"Congratulations to the Empress Dowager for a long life and a thousand blessings."
"Good, good. This child, you are still so courteous in front of aijia. Your wife's body is heavy, why aren't you helping her up?"
The Empress Dowager smiled and reached out a hand to Pang Xiao.
Pang Xiao had lowered his head to support Qin Yining as he obeyed the order and didn't see the Empress Dowager's actions.
The Empress Dowager's hand was raised stiffly for a moment. Seeing that no one was paying attention to her, she could only awkwardly withdraw her hand. The smile on her face was still loving.
Pang Xiao helped Qin Yining sit down on the rose chair that the chamberlain had brought over. Because of Pang Xiao's status, the family members of the imperial relatives had to take a step back. In addition, Pang Xiao was an influential figure in the imperial court. The news that Li Qitian had ordered people to impeach Pang Xiao and failed had already spread throughout the capital. Now that the imperial relatives saw Pang Xiao again, they were naturally more respectful.
Qin Yining naturally noticed that the atmosphere in the hall had become quiet after their arrival. He sighed inwardly, but maintained a dignified expression on his face.
The Empress smiled and chatted with Qin Yining: "Looking at your month, you will be a mother in four months, right?"
Qin Yining hurriedly stood up to reply, but was gently stopped by the Empress: "We are family, there is no need to be so polite. Today is imperial mother's family banquet. We are just relatives gathered together to chat."
"Yes, thank you, Empress." Qin Yining still bowed his head in a humble and respectful manner.
At this time, they heard the chamberlain in front of the door say: "Anyang Eldest Princess and Prince Consort have arrived!"
Everyone looked back again and saw Li Helan in a gorgeous dress. His exquisitely made-up face still had an angry expression that hadn't faded. He quickly walked in. Ji Zeyu followed behind in a white robe with arrow sleeves.
These two people, one was a flower of wealth in the mortal world, the other was a cold moon in the night sky. They didn't seem to be the same kind of people.
The two arrived in front of the Empress Dowager and the Empress and bowed.
Li Helan didn't wait for the Empress Dowager's order and had already stood up. He acted spoiled and leaned over to sit next to the Empress Dowager, separating the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. "Imperial mother, did you miss son?"
The Empress Dowager helplessly tapped Li Helan's forehead and lightly reprimanded: "You wild monkey, when will you learn to be as steady as your relatives and sisters?"
Li Helan proudly raised his chin and looked around.
Immediately, some of the Li family's relatives, who believed that one person had achieved the Dao, all began to praise Li Helan. Some said that the Princess was pure and sincere, while others said that the Princess had a pure and innocent heart. In the end, it was a one-sided praise that made the Empress Dowager unable to close her mouth.
The Empress sat on the side with her eyes down and didn't say anything. She, as the sister-in-law, knew her younger sister-in-law's personality very well. The main culprit for raising Li Helan to this kind of personality was the Empress Dowager and Li Qitian's unreasonable love.
Li Helan was very happy to be praised. However, when he saw Pang Xiao and Qin Yining sitting side by side in the first row and Qin Yining with such a big belly, the smile on Li Helan's face stiffened.
"So Prince Zhongshun and Wangfei have also arrived. This one actually didn't see you, it's really disrespectful. "
Pang Xiao stood up and cupped his hands, saying: "Eldest Princess is too serious. This subject and this subject's wife have also just arrived. "
Li Helan raised his eyebrows and looked at Qin Yining who was still sitting in his original position: "I see that Prince Zhongshun's Wangfei went to a barbarian land. Not only is her belly bigger than a normal woman's six months pregnant, but she has also forgotten all the rules and etiquette. It can be seen that the environment makes a person. These words are quite reasonable."
Li Helan's harsh words made everyone frown.
Right now, everyone present knew that Qin Yining was pregnant with twins. It was normal for her belly to be bigger. Moreover, regardless of whether her chastity was still there, Prince Zhongshun didn't care. How could an outsider say anything? Today was the Empress Dowager's birthday. As the eldest princess, she was the first to come out and cause trouble. She was really too unruly.
Everyone shook their heads in their hearts.
Qin Yining, on the other hand, pretended that she had heard a dog barking.
Pang Xiao clenched his fist and looked coldly and disdainfully at Li Helan. He smiled and said: "Eldest Princess is still the same as before, ignorant and naive. The Empress Dowager has a good upbringing. This subject admires you. "
Li Helan's face immediately darkened.
The Empress Dowager also frowned.
The clan relatives were so frightened that they sucked in a breath of cold air.
Looking at all the civil and military officials in the court, from top to bottom, including Your Majesty, who would dare to say that the Empress Dowager didn't teach her daughter well?
But Pang Xiao was someone who dared to go against 33 imperial edicts. Your Majesty couldn't do anything to him. Of all the people present, there really wasn't anyone who dared to do anything to him. Moreover, Li Helan was the one who was in the wrong first.
The Empress saw that the Empress Dowager's face was green with anger and hurriedly changed the topic with a smile, "It's almost time. The stage had also been set up. Imperial Mother, how about we go to Fangting Court? "
The Empress Dowager finally didn't feel so embarrassed. She nodded and ordered everyone to go watch the play. Then she said: "It's cooler there. Let's set the banquet in Fangting Court."
"Yes, Imperial Mother, just enjoy yourself today. Leave everything to your daughter-in-law." The Empress smiled gently and walked in front while holding the Empress Dowager's arm.
Everyone followed behind her.
Li Helan watched as Pang Xiao protected Qin Yining as they walked to Fangting Court. She was so angry that she wanted to rush up and beat Qin Yining to the ground. Who wasn't married? Was she just going to show off that she was married to Pang Xiao?
Li Helan was so angry that she had a sullen face the entire time she was watching the play. Even when the Empress Dowager talked to her, she was unwilling to pay attention to her. The other clan relatives didn't know how to joke around and the atmosphere in Fangting Court was particularly gloomy.
This gloomy atmosphere continued until Li Qitian arrived.
Along with Li Qitian, there were a few officials and nobles that he trusted. Lu Heng was among them.
When Lu Heng came in, the first person he saw was Qin Yining.
She had her head down and was receiving the fruit that Pang Xiao handed to her. Her smile was gentle, especially when she gently stroked her round belly. That motherly gentleness made Lu Heng feel a bit dazed. He even fantasized that it would be great if it was his own child.
Lu Heng quickly forced himself to look away. He followed behind Li Qitian and bowed to the Empress Dowager and Empress with the other officials.
After the two sides bowed to each other, they rearranged their seats.
Li Qitian began by reciting a birthday speech in a clear voice, thanking the Empress Dowager for raising and teaching him. The scene was very touching. Some of the women with shallow eye sockets even had tears in their eyes.
After the birthday speech, it was time for the birthday banquet. Li Qitian gave the order, and the people in the imperial kitchen began to move. They brought out delicacies, fresh fruits, and exquisite snacks.
The palace servants were well-trained. Even though there were so many people, no one heard a cough or the sound of utensils being put down.
When the banquet was ready, Li Qitian raised his wine cup, stood up, and said, "This is the first cup. Zhen proposes that everyone drink together. May the Empress Dowager enjoy good health forever!"
Everyone stood up and raised their wine cups to toast. They said in unison, "May the Empress Dowager enjoy good health forever!"
The Empress Dowager was very happy.
She took a sip of wine in a dignified manner and ordered everyone to sit down and make themselves at home.
The officials and the women in the imperial household began to drink and chat.
The noblewomen went to toast the Empress Dowager in groups of three or five.
There were also officials who went to toast Your Majesty.
The atmosphere gradually warmed up, and everyone seemed to be very happy.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
