nycdaug Chapter 135 Palace Banquet: The Empress Dowager arrived, and then she was carried away again.
Chapter 135 Palace Banquet: The Empress Dowager arrived, and then she was carried away again.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The year-end is approaching.
Before dawn today, the palace was already bustling with activity.
Many people also started getting up to dress up.
This grand palace banquet is held only once a year, and everyone attaches great importance to today's banquet.
All officials of the fifth rank and above in the imperial court were invited.
However, this year's event is different from previous years; it is much larger in scale.
The sons and daughters of court officials and their concubines were all allowed to attend this palace banquet, and military officers were even permitted to bring their concubines.
It can be said that the emperor's grace was truly boundless.
You should know that in the past, not to mention illegitimate sons and daughters, even concubines would never be able to attend such palace banquets.
It was only after the destruction of the Southern Qi that the Emperor of Eastern Qin showed him exceptional mercy.
Just as the hour of Chen (7-9 AM) arrived, officials entered the palace with their families. At this time, those who came were officials of the fourth or fifth rank and their families.
These people all wanted to come in advance to talk to others, and even to see if they could get closer to Shangguan.
To pave the way for their future.
Many officials have spent a great deal of money to provide their children with fine clothes and jewelry in order to achieve their current status.
They wanted to see if their children could catch the eye of the powerful and wealthy, even if it meant becoming their concubines, which would be of great benefit to them.
At the beginning of the hour of Si (9-11 AM), officials of the second and third ranks, along with their families, began to enter the venue.
At the end of the Si hour, first-rank officials and dignitaries arrived one after another, and the first thing they did upon arrival was to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress of Eastern Qin.
Today, the Emperor of Eastern Qin, the Empress, and the four concubines are all chatting in the Imperial Garden.
They awaited the arrival of the princes and officials of the first and second ranks, along with their families, to pay their respects.
By the time almost everyone had arrived, it was already early noon.
The entire Imperial Garden was filled with extraordinary irritation, arguably the most irritating incident the Eastern Qin Emperor had ever caused since his ascension to the throne.
"The Divine Martial King and the Divine Martial Queen have arrived..."
An announcement rang out in the Imperial Garden.
Everyone stopped talking and immediately bowed.
There was no way around it; this man's power was simply too great, which was why he led troops to conquer the Southern Qi and now held the power of regent.
He can be said to be the most powerful person in the entire Eastern Qin Dynasty besides the Emperor of Eastern Qin.
After the announcement, Qin Wu was seen leading Jiang Pingle and the other women slowly into the Imperial Garden and walking towards the center of the garden.
"Greetings to King Shenwu and Queen Shenwu."
Wherever Qin Wu went, everyone knelt down and paid their respects.
The group soon arrived at the pavilion in the middle of the lake in the Imperial Garden.
"Greetings to the Emperor and Empress."
Qin Wu clasped his hands in a salute.
This is also Qin Wu's privilege; currently, only Qin Wu's family in the entire Eastern Qin has such a privilege.
"Greetings to King Shenwu and Queen Shenwu."
The others also bowed to Qin Wu.
"Xiao Jiu, you're always the last one to arrive. Don't stand on ceremony, come and sit down."
The Emperor of Eastern Qin was in a good mood and beckoned Qin Wu and Jiang Ping to his side.
"There's nothing I can do. The palace banquet starts early, and I have to cultivate every day, so it took up a little of my time."
Qin Wu has been in a good mood these past few days, and he even offered a rare explanation.
After all, his mother has finally gained a title; as an Imperial Noble Consort, she is essentially a secondary wife, and she is no longer seen as a lowly maid in the eyes of others.
This can be considered as clearing his mother's name, and for Qin Wu, this is the greatest joy in recent years.
“You! You can cultivate anytime. You’ve been busy all year, so you should take a good rest during the New Year. You need to balance work and rest.”
The Emperor of Eastern Qin said with a smile, his words full of concern.
Qin Wu's explanation put him in a good mood, as this was the first time Qin Wu had explained anything to him since returning to the capital.
This also indicates that his relationship with Qin Wu has eased.
"I know, but I've gotten used to it over the years."
Qin Wu said with a smile.
Those present were surprised to see Qin Wu chatting with the Eastern Qin Emperor, as the Eastern Qin Emperor had never spoken to anyone in such a tone before.
The fact that he is speaking to Qin Wu in such a gentle voice now clearly shows that Qin Wu holds an extraordinary position in the heart of the Eastern Qin Emperor.
But thinking about it again, who wouldn't love such an outstanding son? Aren't you my darling?
A 20-year-old grandmaster who helped him conquer a country—anyone would love and cherish such a son.
"By the way, didn't the Duke of Chengen and the old lady come with you?"
The Emperor of Eastern Qin inquired.
He has not yet met the parents of the Noble Consort Rende and wishes to meet them.
Ever since Qin Wu sent someone to ask him for a title, he knew that Qin Wu valued his mother's clan. He wanted to continue to ease tensions and get closer to Qin Wu, and the Duke of Cheng'en was a good candidate.
"No, my maternal grandparents said they went to the palace on their own."
Qin Wu said with a smile, then looked around but didn't see anyone.
Logically speaking, as the parents of Imperial Noble Consort Rende, they should be seated in the pavilion in the lake.
But now there is no one to be seen.
"Yongfu, go find my maternal grandfather and the others, and invite them over."
Qin Wu, not seeing anyone, directly gave instructions to Eunuch Yongfu, who was serving nearby.
He was probably the only one in the entire Eastern Qin who dared to order Eunuch Yongfu to do things.
"Alright, this old servant will go and invite the two elders over right away."
Without hesitation, Eunuch Yongfu immediately accepted the order and hurried off to find the person.
The surrounding concubines and ministers were once again shocked by this scene.
Who is Eunuch Yongfu? He is an old man who grew up with the Emperor of Dongqin. In Dongqin, whether it is the court or the harem, no one does not give him some face.
Who but the Emperor of Eastern Qin would dare to order him to do such a thing?
Now, not only are there people doing the work, but they seem to be doing it very well, and Grandpa Yongfu is quite happy about it.
This naturally surprised everyone.
"The Empress Dowager has arrived..."
Just then, an announcement rang out.
Then they saw the Empress Dowager arrive in a sedan chair.
"Why is that old man here?"
Just as everyone was quietly welcoming the Empress Dowager, a discordant voice rang out.
Everyone was taken aback, wondering who was so bold, and looked in the direction from which the voice came.
As it turned out, Qin Wu was still sitting there sipping tea, showing no intention of getting up to greet him.
"What are you looking at? Isn't that right? He needs to be carried to the Imperial Garden. He obviously won't live much longer. What are you doing here?"
When Qin Wu saw everyone looking at him, he simply snorted coldly.
Then came another sentence, which terrified most of the people present.
That's the Empress Dowager! The Emperor's nominal mother, and Qin Wu's grandmother.
Qin Wu uttered such treasonous words...
However, the shock didn't last long before everyone immediately bowed.
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager (Mother, Imperial Grandmother)..."
Everyone bowed in greeting.
However, there are always exceptions.
Sure enough, the people from the Divine Martial Prince's Mansion didn't even bow to the maids serving them, continuing to do as they pleased.
"Qin Wu, how dare you! You don't even bow to me!"
Upon seeing this, the Empress Dowager flew into a rage.
"Old man, shut up. If you want to sit down, then sit down. If you don't, then die."
Seeing you during the Lunar New Year brings bad luck.
"what."
Qin Wu slammed his fist on the table and started cursing.
That shows absolutely no respect for the Empress Dowager.
During this period, he was quite dissatisfied with the Empress Dowager's maternal clan.
If he displeases him, how can he please the Empress Dowager?
To everyone's surprise, Qin Wu was so audacious as to dare to point his finger at the Empress Dowager and curse her.
Everyone knelt down and buried their heads, hoping they wouldn't be noticed.
The Empress Dowager never expected that Qin Wu would dare to curse her and tell her to die in front of so many people.
Enraged by Qin Wu, he clutched his chest and gasped for breath.
"Look at you, half-dead, what are you doing out here? Are you planning to die honorably and spectacularly, so everyone can witness your death?"
Qin Wu's mouth was truly venomous; seeing the Empress Dowager's expression, he launched into another tirade.
These nobles and royalty now wish they could stay far away; this kind of scene was truly not something they should be witnessing.
They are praying that they won't be killed to silence them.
This caused the Empress Dowager to faint from anger.
She originally thought that with so many people around today, and it being the New Year, she could take the opportunity to make Qin Wu's cousin Liu Caiwei his maternal grand-nephew's second wife, thus binding Qin Wu to their boat.
Unexpectedly, when she arrived, Qin Wu showed her no respect whatsoever and even pointed his finger at her and cursed.
Who will respect her as Empress Dowager in the future?
Qin Wu saw that the Empress Dowager had fainted from anger.
"The Empress Dowager has passed away. Quickly prepare the coffin."
Qin Wu was known for his outrageous remarks, and the Empress Dowager was simply driven to the brink of madness.
The Empress Dowager died as soon as he heard it, and judging from his appearance, he was preparing to bury her immediately.
Everyone was once again baffled by Qin Wu's move.
"No...no, the Empress Dowager has just fainted. Quickly...quickly summon the imperial physician."
The old nanny beside the Empress Dowager checked the Empress Dowager's breath and quickly explained.
She was genuinely afraid that if she explained too slowly, the Divine Martial King might actually put the Empress Dowager in the coffin and bury her alive.
"Send it to the imperial doctor quickly."
The Emperor of Eastern Qin finally realized what was happening.
He truly hadn't expected that Qin Wu would anger the Empress Dowager to the point of fainting.
"What a pity! I thought we could have a banquet. Oh well, it'll be later if we have to!"
Qin Wu looked regretful and sighed.
Upon hearing Qin Wu's words, everyone secretly thought, 'You really are a living devil.'
“My husband, we are already having a feast today because it is the New Year. If we eat at the Empress Dowager’s feast next time, we can have another feast.”
Jiang Pingle spoke earnestly from the side at this moment.
"That's true, maybe next time!"
Qin Wu nodded seriously.
His expression seemed to say that his queen was right.
Upon hearing the couple's conversation, everyone was speechless once again; they truly didn't know how to describe the couple.
It's true what they say, birds of a feather flock together; both of them are living devils.
"Your Highness, how about I poison the Empress Dowager? I guarantee I'll be eating at her banquet tomorrow."
"So that when I'm on a diet after the New Year, my sisters and I won't be able to eat at the banquet."
At this moment, Jordan Xue also spoke up.
But her words stunned everyone once again.
What did they hear? Was this a plot to poison the Empress Dowager? To say it so openly? Was this really a good idea?
Who are these people in the family?!
"Forget it, the materials you used for those poisons are too expensive, don't waste them. I'm too young to wait."
Qin Wu waved his hand, as if to say that giving those poisons to the Empress Dowager was a waste.
"Alright, Xiao Jiu, all of you, say less. She is, after all, your imperial grandmother. Next time, don't speak so directly. If you anger the Empress Dowager to the point of causing her death, what will the people think of you in the future?"
Emperor Dong Qin quickly stopped Qin Wu and the others, lest they continue speaking.
He feared that even if the Empress Dowager were revived, she would faint from anger.
"Grandmother? We're related by blood? Should we do a blood test to prove our kinship?"
Qin Wu said nonchalantly.
Blood test for kinship?
The ministers were stunned once again.
Everyone in the world knows that the Empress Dowager is not the biological mother of the Eastern Qin Emperor. How could a blood test possibly prove her identity?
Finding a distant relative for a blood test would be closer than their relationship with the Empress Dowager.
"Forget it, forget it. It's the New Year, so let's send the Empress Dowager back to the palace for treatment. Don't spoil my enjoyment."
Qin Wu waved his hand to interrupt the Eastern Qin Emperor when he saw that he was about to say something.
"Send the Empress Dowager back to the palace."
The Emperor of Eastern Qin also hurriedly ordered people to send the Empress Dowager back first.
In fact, he also disliked the Empress Dowager and did not want to disrupt today's grand banquet because of her.
The palace servants then carried the Empress Dowager away.
It can be said that the Empress Dowager arrived in a hurry, and was then hastily carried away.
It really came fast and left fast.