jdhmnovel Chapter 173 A Lively State Banquet
Chapter 173 A Lively State Banquet
The bright moon shone high in front of Dingkun Gate, carrying a slight chill and dispelling the heat and stuffiness of the day. At this time, carriages and sedan chairs were coming and going at the palace gate, all of them ministers who were going to the palace to attend the state banquet.
Unlike ordinary banquet palaces, the Hall of Grace is located in the middle of the front court and the inner palace. It is a semi-enclosed space. Apart from the magnificent throne and the nine dragons coiled on the wall, the other three sides of the hall are designed with openwork. One side is adjacent to the rockery of the Imperial Garden. The winding path leads to a cluster of colorful flowers. A cool breeze blows from the depths of the garden, which is refreshing. This is also the place where the royal family likes to hold summer night banquets.
At the beginning of the banquet, all guests were required to enter the main hall before the Emperor and Empress Dowager arrived. After everyone had arrived, the Emperor made a polite speech and then announced the start of the banquet. All kinds of fine wines and delicacies were served. After the main course was served, everyone was free to move around, drink and chat, except for the Emperor who had to sit in his seat and receive the worship of the ministers. The court officials and envoys from various countries could also exchange toasts and drinks.
When Xin Moyan and her brother arrived at the Chaoen Hall, Emperor Yuan and the Empress Dowager had not yet arrived. At this time, due to the arrival of envoys from various countries, the hall was bustling with activity, and officials of all ranks were busy greeting these most renowned envoys from their respective countries.
Tonight, she wore a white silk brocade dress with a front opening, embroidered with a lifelike phoenix in silver thread. Her light makeup accentuated her delicate features; she simply drew her eyebrows and applied a thin layer of red lipstick. Even without makeup, her stunning beauty could not be concealed. It was as if she were saying, "She disdains the use of cosmetics to enhance her beauty, and lightly brushes her eyebrows before the emperor."
This dress was sent over by Xuan Yuan a few days ago. Xin Moyan thought that if she had the chance tonight, she would ask him where Buyu was, and... why he was angry today.
Xin Moling was initially a little unhappy. How long had these two known each other? Yan'er was already wearing clothes he had given her; he felt he was a terrible older brother…
But who can blame me when my sister likes that dress, and it really looks good on her?
As soon as they entered the hall, Lou Shenghan spotted them first. He quickly shrugged off several newly rich nobles and rushed to them.
"Yan Yan, Brother Ling, you've arrived! Yan Yan, you look absolutely stunning tonight!"
Xin Moyan glanced around but didn't see the small figure. She asked in confusion, "Prime Minister Lou, didn't you bring Xiaobao with you tonight?"
He waved his hand and explained earnestly, "Tonight's state banquet is different from usual. There are many guests coming and going, and the atmosphere is filled with unpleasant smells. I don't want Xiaobao to be exposed to too much of this bad atmosphere, so I didn't bring him along."
She was somewhat incredulous, and a hint of admiration appeared in her eyes. "I didn't expect Prime Minister Lou to be so meticulous and to know how to pay attention to such details."
"That is!"
He spoke with an air of self-importance, then switched to a casual expression and said with a grin, "Yan Yan, we're so familiar with each other now, stop calling me Prime Minister Lou. Can you call me Sheng Han?"
"What do you think?" Xin Moling suddenly spoke up, giving him a sinister glare. She was just looking for someone to vent her anger on!
Lou Shenghan's smile froze, and he sighed helplessly.
"Greetings, Prime Minister!"
The three were standing silently when a refined and gentle voice suddenly came from behind them. They turned their heads at the same time and saw that Crown Prince Jinfa was holding the Crown Princess's hand with one hand and holding a cute little girl in the other, whose features resembled those of the Crown Princess.
Lou Shenghan immediately straightened his expression and hurriedly said with a smile, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Crown Princess. I am truly sorry for not welcoming you sooner."
He glanced again at Jin Fa's armpit. The child was wearing a pink dress, with long, thick eyelashes and two big, round, watery eyes full of spirit. The little hand was hooked around Jin Fa's neck. When Lou Shenghan was staring at him, the child timidly and softly called out, "Hello, Uncle!"
Lou Shenghan's eyes instantly lit up with pink bubbles at the call. It was the first time he had ever seen such a cute and adorable little girl, and he suddenly felt that his 'son' at home didn't seem so appealing anymore...
"Crown Prince Jinfa, this must be the young princess!"
"Yes, my daughter Cijue is three years old now."
"Oh? So he's the same age as my son!"
Jin Fa chuckled and glanced at the brother and sister behind him. He recalled that the woman had sat beneath Emperor Yuan this morning, but her attire tonight did not seem to be palace dress.
"Prime Minister Lou, the young man in white robes behind you must be Xin Moling, the Grand General of Yuanqi, right?"
He took a step back and introduced enthusiastically: "Your Highness, Your Highness, this person is Xin Moling, the youngest and undefeated General Protector of the Nation in the history of our Yuanqi Dynasty."
“…” Xin Moling was speechless. He didn’t need Lou Shenghan to be so flamboyant.
"Crown Prince Jinfa, Crown Princess, Xin Moling greets you."
When Xin Moyan saw her brother greet them, she quickly nodded back. However, she was so focused on looking at the beautifully sculpted little princess that she didn't notice that the couple were also sizing her up.
"General, there's no need for you to be so polite." Jin Fa maintained his kind and approachable smile.
At this moment, the Crown Princess, who had been standing silently to the side, suddenly spoke up, her soft voice carrying a hint of coolness, "Who is this young lady?"
"Your Highness, let me introduce you. This is Princess Danhua of our dynasty, Xin Moyan, who is also General Xin's sister."
"Princess Danhua?" Jin Fajun's brows furrowed slightly. Could this be the Princess Danhua, Xin Moyan, whom he had heard about? Seeing her today, she seemed quite different from the rumors. Besides, wasn't it said that Prince Lie and this princess had been betrothed since childhood? How could she be sitting below Emperor Yuan?
“Princess, I am Bai Xinhan, the Crown Princess of Bai Qing. Today, seeing your graceful and charming appearance, I have taken a liking to you. If you do not mind, I would like to be your friend.”
Bai Xinhan wore a golden jade ring-embroidered robe with a phoenix design, her skin as smooth as jade, her aura as delicate as an orchid, and a peaceful and gentle smile on her beautiful face.
Xin Moyan paused for a second, then reacted and smiled, "It is Moyan's good fortune to be favored by the Crown Princess."
Jin Cijue tilted her head, then suddenly raised her little face and sweetly called out to Xin Moyan, "Auntie!"
"what?"
"aunt!"
Jin Fa gently patted his daughter's little shoulder and explained softly, "Little darling, this is Her Highness the Princess, you can't call her aunt!"
Jin Cijue shook her head and pointed her little finger at Xin Moyan, "It's Auntie!"
Bai Xinhan nodded apologetically to her, "Please forgive my daughter's rudeness, Princess. My little darling may have mistaken you for her aunt."
"It's alright, it's alright. The little princess is very cute, and I like her very much too."
Xin Moyan waved her hand excitedly. This well-behaved little baby actually called her aunt!
Just as she was about to say something more...
"Sister Yan~"