nycdaug Chapter 232: Longyue's Birthday
Chapter 232: Longyue's Birthday
"I think she also has the innocent side of a little girl at home, but after leaving home she can't help but show some shrewdness and self-protection." The emperor said as he pondered.
Huanbi felt her head swell, and with the little bit of rationality left, she replied, "Well... my lady has always had her own ideas. When she was young, she thought the word 'Yu' was vulgar and insisted on removing it. The master agreed, and from then on, she was called Zhen Huan."
"It turns out that you have had a stubborn temper since childhood, probably because of Zhen Yuandao." The emperor touched his chin, and couldn't help but recall the cool breeze that day and Zhen Huan's gentle care.
Seeing Huanbi's consciousness gradually fading, Cui'er quietly appeared at the door with a dark medicine. The familiar bitter fragrance hit the emperor, and his nostrils shrank. "Okay, I should go now. You should have a good rest."
Huanbi's eyelashes trembled and she was still a little unresponsive.
As soon as he left the side hall, the emperor subconsciously glanced at the main hall and asked in confusion, "The sun is shining brightly, why aren't Concubine Wen and her attendants around here?"
"To answer your Majesty, today is Princess Longyue's birthday. Concubine Duan has borrowed the Suiyuxuan to reopen the stage to celebrate Princess Longyue's birthday." Su Peisheng said.
The emperor nodded. "It's a pity that Zhen was too rebellious in the past, and Concubine Duan really loves Longyue. You didn't even remind me, you dog slave."
Su Peisheng complained bitterly. He had just had sex with Zhen Huan yesterday, and Concubine Duan even sent someone to bring him soup this morning. He didn't expect that the emperor simply didn't remember it, so he could only beg for mercy.
As soon as he left Qixiang Gate, he saw Xiao Xiazi standing guard beside the dragon chariot. The emperor chuckled and got on the chariot, saying, "Xiao Xiazi is even better than my master."
Xiao Xiazi bowed hurriedly and said, "Master, it's all thanks to your teaching. I dare not take credit for it."
Although Su Peisheng was flattered by Xiao Xiazi in front of the emperor, he was still full of doubts.
The Yanx Palace was just behind the Yangxin Palace, so the emperor naturally walked here leisurely.
Su Peisheng calmly pushed Xiao Xiazi aside and followed the dragon chariot with a normal expression.
Xiao Xiazi didn't get angry either. He quietly moved closer to Su Peisheng and said, "What's going on? Isn't today Princess Longyue's birthday?"
Su Peisheng turned his head to look at him, and saw that he had a puzzled look on his face, which did not seem fake. He was doubtful in his heart, wondering if he was really overthinking it.
So he said indifferently, "Maybe Miss He is sick."
"Oh." Xiao Xiazi didn't ask any more questions and followed Su Peisheng obediently.
Today, Suiyuxuan is more lively than before. The sedan chairs of the concubines are leaning against the palace wall, and the palace servants are coming in and out, accompanied by the singing of operas, which is very noisy.
The large stage at the entrance, which had been abandoned for a long time, was newly decorated. Several actors with heavy makeup were performing a play about Bao Gong's case.
"Longyue is so small, can she see clearly?" The emperor spoke without informing anyone, attracting everyone's attention.
After patting Longyue gently, Longyue looked away and timidly followed Concubine Duan in paying her respects.
The emperor waved his hand and called out, and Hongli said with a smile: "Your Majesty, you don't know, this play was suggested by Sister Longyue herself."
"Oh? Really?" The emperor became interested and walked to the main seat and sat down.
Concubine Duan smiled gently and looked back at Hongli calmly.
Hongli lowered his head respectfully.
"Longyue, is this play good?" Concubine Duan asked Longyue in a gentle voice.
Longyue was unfamiliar with the emperor. She tugged at Concubine Duan's sleeve tightly, blinking her large, watery eyes. "Longyue admires Justice Bao!"
The emperor patted her head cheerfully and said, "Okay, I will allow you to come to Suiyuxuan to listen to operas from now on."
"Your Majesty is not afraid of spoiling Longyue." Concubine Duan curled her eyes.
The emperor waved his hand, his eyes falling on the stage. "Let the children watch if they want. It's not a big deal."
Seeing that the emperor was no longer looking at her, Longyue breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her mother who had just pushed her with some surprise.
These were all things he had heard before, and after watching for a while, the emperor became a little bored.
As soon as she turned her head, she saw Nian Shilan leaning on a rosewood armchair. Xinhe, who was sitting next to her, was growing very fast. Hongning, who was sitting behind her, had a bad voice but was in good health. He was one year older than her but shorter than her.
The emperor was amazed at how close the mother and daughter looked. He nodded involuntarily, feeling that Nian Shilan had indeed changed her personality and was no longer as clingy to him as before.
The emperor smacked his lips and turned his head again, "Why aren't the empress and Concubine Fang here?"
Su Peisheng was a little frightened. The emperor paid too little attention to the queen. He couldn't help but worry that the queen would know what happened today and punish him later.
Concubine Duan responded gently, "The Queen has had a headache these past two days, and Concubine Fang..."
"Sixth Prince is very attentive in his studies and did not ask for leave today. Concubine Fang also stayed with him for a while. It seems that the time will be up soon." An Lingrong suddenly spoke.
The emperor nodded to An Lingrong, and neither of them said anything more.
Concubine Duan glanced at An Lingrong lightly.
The stage was transformed into a scene of three strange romances. Just as the emperor was about to find an excuse to slip away, Jiang Ruyin arrived belatedly with Hongxuan. She wore a deep purple palace gown, topped by a rust-red brocade blouse. A faint golden cloud pattern adorned the hem, adding a touch of elegance. Her hair, adorned with gold and jade, was exquisitely eye-catching, yet shimmered with a gentle brilliance. From her ear dangled a long, shimmering white pearl tassel, terminating in a single southern pearl encased in two lotus-shaped gold holders.
It was rare for her to dress up and she walked slowly and steadily.
The emperor had an idea and took the initiative to help Jiang Ruyin bow down.
"Yin'er, get up quickly, your hands are a little cold." After squeezing her delicate hands, the emperor whispered and led Jiang Ruyin to his seat.
Hongxuan, who was standing aside, looked haggard with his eyes half closed, not caring at all that he was ignored by his royal father. It was not until he followed Jiang Ruyin to the main seat that he revealed a confused expression.
Hongning had been waiting for the whole morning and couldn't wait to wave his hands slightly in front of his chest, and only then did Hongxuan get a seat.
The opera continued. Jiang Ruyin had intended to take this opportunity to let Hongxuan relax, but unexpectedly, she was brought up by the emperor to a position that everyone was paying attention to.
Xiao Xiazi quickly brought over a square stool. Jiang Ruyin was careful to only sit close to the edge, thinking in her mind when to sit back down.
The first row from left to right are Jiang Ruyin, Nian Shilan, the Emperor, Concubine Duan, and Concubine Qi.
Behind the emperor was Concubine Yu's seat. The emperor pulled Jiang Ruyin aside to talk to him, and Jiang Ruyin's peripheral vision just happened to capture the expressions of Concubine Yu and her son.
"I remember that Yin'er rarely wears such gorgeous and eye-catching clothes." The emperor looked up and down at Jiang Ruyin's outfit, his eyes full of satisfaction.
Jiang Ruyin clasped her hands on her knees and smiled at him, "A few days ago, I wore a rust-red vest. Shuhe and Wenyi both said it looked good. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
The wrinkles at the corners of the emperor's eyes wrinkled, and he clapped her hands in delight. "Wen Yi is right. You look very good in gorgeous and solemn clothes."
It happened to be a scene change, and Nian Shilan rolled her eyes in disdain when she heard it.