in2ebook Chapter 165 The Banquet Begins
Chapter 165 The Banquet Begins
Before long, melodious and lively music suddenly filled the palace, like celestial music. Then, a group of graceful and beautiful dancers entered the arena, dressed in gorgeous costumes and holding flowing ribbons, dancing to the enchanting music. Their beautiful movements were like fairies descending to earth, captivating and mesmerizing the audience.
Sitting to the side, Cang Lan Jingcheng blinked his big eyes, staring intently at the neatly arranged, exquisite pastries on the table in front of him, when his stomach began to rumble. He lowered his head somewhat embarrassedly and mumbled softly in a voice only he could hear, "Mother, I...I'm hungry."
Hearing her son's words, Su Nuannuan smiled gently, reached into a small dish, and carefully picked up two delicate pastries. She first handed one to Cang Lan Jingcheng, then turned and gave the other to her well-behaved and adorable daughter beside her. After doing this, she subconsciously looked up in the direction of Consort Qin and Consort Li, only to see their children, like little gluttons, enjoying the delicious pastries with great relish.
When Consort Qin and Consort Li noticed Su Nuannuan's gaze, they both responded with friendly smiles. However, Su Nuannuan also paid close attention to Consort Qing, but unlike her treatment of the other consorts, she always felt a vague sense of unease, as if this woman was secretly plotting something unspeakable.
Just as the song and dance performance reached its climax, the palace maids from the imperial kitchen, like a school of well-trained fish, filed in in an orderly fashion, carrying trays filled with delicacies. In no time, one after another, dishes of exquisite color, aroma, and taste, and beautifully presented, were placed steadily on the tables in front of the guests.
After the palace maids had orderly withdrawn, the emperor, high above all others, slowly raised his wine cup, looked around, and with a smile, succinctly spoke a few words. He not only expressed the importance he attached to the banquet and his care for everyone, but also extended a warm welcome to the envoys from the distant Southern Stone Kingdom.
Only after His Majesty the Emperor drank the wine in his cup did the grand and luxurious banquet officially begin. All the guests picked up their chopsticks and began to enjoy the incredibly abundant feast.
Inside the spacious and magnificent hall, melodious music flowed like a gentle stream, while dancers in gorgeous costumes swayed gracefully, their figures captivating. At the same time, the hushed whispers of people mingled together, creating a unique atmosphere.
The Empress slightly turned her head, casting her gaze towards Su Nuannuan. She saw that Su Nuannuan was completely focused on carefully removing fish bones from the two children, paying no attention to Su Nuannuan whatsoever.
The Crown Prince, sitting to the side, first looked up at his mother, then turned his gaze to his grandmother, and finally fixed his eyes on Su Nuannuan.
Immediately afterwards, the five-year-old crown prince slowly stood up, his movements elegant and dignified. He first bowed respectfully to the Empress, and then bowed to the Empress Dowager, saying in his childish but clear voice, "Mother, Grandmother, your son wishes to visit his younger brother and sister."
The Empress gazed at her clever and quick-witted son, a smile playing on her lips. She knew his little scheme perfectly well. But she didn't expose him; instead, she smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Go, Yingchun, you will accompany the Crown Prince," the Empress instructed softly.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Yingchun quickly curtsied and replied.
After receiving permission, the Crown Prince's face lit up with a bright smile. He bowed to the Empress once more, then happily strode down from the high platform and ran straight towards where Su Nuannuan was.
Seeing Canglan Jingyun leave so cheerfully, the Empress Dowager turned to the Empress with some confusion and asked, "What's wrong with Jingyun?"
The Empress smiled slightly, her eyes full of doting affection, and replied, "Him? He went to Consort Zhuang's place for a free meal."
The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly, deliberately feigning ignorance, and asked in confusion, "He had food with him! Why did he suddenly go to Consort Zhuang's place?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress smiled slightly and explained, "Your Majesty, you may not know this, but Jingyun is truly envious of Consort Zhuang for being able to personally remove fish bones for Jingcheng and Jingyao."
Jingyun understood in her heart that as the mother of the nation, how could she personally pick out fish bones for him at the banquet? Such an action would truly damage the prestige of our dynasty.
However, Consort Zhuang was different. She was merely a concubine, and it was only natural for her to dote on her child. Besides, Consort Zhuang had never cared much about gossip, so she naturally had no such concerns.
It seems that Jingyun must have been longing for the feeling of being pampered and loved, which is why he ran happily to Su Nuannuan's side.
Although Jingyun is usually quite sensible and well-behaved, he is still just a child. I trust Consort Zhuang completely.”
Despite this, though the Empress's beautiful face was beaming with smiles, a deep-seated bitterness and sorrow welled up within her. It wasn't jealousy stemming from Su Nuannuan's favor with her son; rather, what truly caused her bitterness and sorrow was the very position she held as Empress.
Being in such a high position, many things that ordinary mothers can do for their children are unattainable luxuries for her, and she can't help but feel sad whenever she thinks about this.
"Your Highness." Canglan Jingyun walked steadily to Su Nuannuan, bowed slightly, and respectfully gave a salute, his voice clear and loud.
"Crown Prince, come and sit down!" Before Su Nuannuan could even respond, Canglan Jingcheng and Canglan Jingyao excitedly called out, their faces beaming with joy and their eyes sparkling with eager anticipation for their brother's arrival.
“Your Highness, have you not yet eaten? I have an untouched bowl here. If Your Highness does not mind, you may take this bowl first.” Su Nuannuan smiled and gently pushed the clean and exquisite small bowl in front of her towards Cang Lan Jingyun, her eyes full of concern and friendliness.
A joyful smile immediately bloomed on Cang Lan Jingyun's face, and he quickly nodded in response, "Jingyun will certainly not mind." After saying that, he carefully took the small bowl with both hands, as if he were holding a rare treasure, and then raised his head, his bright eyes looking at Su Nuannuan with anticipation.
Seeing this, Su Nuannuan quickly picked up her chopsticks, carefully selected a piece of tender, boneless fish from the plate, and placed it into Cang Lan Jingyun's bowl.
"Thank you, Lady Zhuang." Canglan Jingyun thanked her softly, then eagerly picked up the fragrant, boneless fish meat with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. She chewed and savored it, her face beaming with satisfaction as she ate with great relish.
At this moment, the Empress, who had been silently observing her son's actions, smiled slightly and turned to Ying Qiu, instructing her, "Ying Qiu, go and move the Crown Prince's desk to Consort Zhuang's side. Look how crowded these children are."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Ying Qiu immediately accepted the order upon hearing this, turned around and beckoned two clever eunuchs to come forward, and together they slowly moved the desk of Crown Prince Canglan Jingyun to Su Nuannuan's seat.
This action instantly attracted the attention of everyone present, with the most attention focused on the high and mighty Emperor.
The emperor's sharp gaze fell directly on the crown prince, who had quietly sat down next to Su Nuannuan at some point. He frowned slightly, then turned to the empress and asked, "Your Highness, what is this...?"