Xie Ruzhuo chatted with Jiang Qinglan for a while, then saw Jiang Zhu trotting over. After saluting the two of them, he smiled and said, "Miss, Madam is looking for you everywhere. The banquet is about to start. Let’s go back.”
Hearing this, Jiang Qinglan said with some regret, "I wanted to talk to you for a while, but I forgot that this place is wrong. That's all, let's go back."
Xie Ruzhuo looked at her with a smile and said, "It doesn't matter, we will have plenty of time to get together during the Chinese New Year."
After hearing this, Jiang Qinglan smiled sincerely and took Xie Ruzhuo's hand to the main hall of the banquet.
Sitting at the head of the main hall is a woman in her thirties, wearing a gold and silver silk court dress embroidered with Luan birds and phoenixes, a dragon-coiled bun, and an eight-treasure golden silk walking rocker on it, and it is decorated with rubies and pearls. Decorating it, she wore a pendant of filigree white jade inlaid with coral on her ear, and her face was exquisitely made up. His eyes seemed to contain peach blossoms, but they were still fierce. The lips were dotted with rouge, which was bright but cool. It was none other than the Concubine Xian.
Concubine Xian was talking affectionately to Zhang Xiuyan beside her, and did not notice the two of them sneaking back to their seats. Zhang Xiuyan, however, had sharp eyes and sneered immediately, "Where have the two sisters gone? How could they sneak in like thieves? Could it be that they did something shameful?"
As soon as she said these words, Concubine Xian noticed the movements of the two people and frowned imperceptibly. When she came, most of the family members were there, but these two girls arrived so late. Could it be that they were trying to save her face
Xie Ruzhuo was about to sit down. After hearing this, he stood up straight and said with a smile, "The scenery of this villa is charming. Miss Jiang and I were so immersed in it that we forgot the time for a moment. I asked the Concubine Xian to punish me."
After she finished speaking, Jiang Qinglan immediately echoed, "Isn't that right? Speaking of which, I have participated in the Thousand Gold Banquet twice, but I didn't feel this way in previous years. Only this year's layout is really exquisite and breathtaking. My dear concubine, don’t be offended.”
When Jiang Qinglan spoke, two dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth, making her look pretty and charming.
This Xianyun Villa was decorated by the eldest princess in previous years. This year the eldest princess went to the border, so all the affairs of Xianyun Villa fell on Concubine Xian.
Now the two girls said that it was because of the scenery that they came late, which immediately made Concubine Xian feel extremely comfortable. Coupled with the background behind these two people, Concubine Xian's expression became more and more cheerful, "Well, the banquet hasn't started yet, and it's not too late now. Now that you're here, take your seats."
After the two thanked Concubine Xian, they sat down again. Zhang Xiuyan glanced at Xie Ruzhuo hatefully. Just when she was about to say something, Concubine Xian pinched her from behind. Zhang Xiuyan felt the pain and sat down unwillingly.
After Jiang Qinglan sat back in her seat, she stuck out her tongue at Xie Ruzhuo. Seeing this, Xie Ruzhuo smiled slightly.
Although it was a winter day, the two of them were trotting all the way, and now there was a thin layer of sweat on their faces. Mrs. Qiao took the handkerchief and wiped it carefully for her, then asked softly, "Where did you go just now? I've been looking for you for a long time and I haven't seen you."
Xie Ruzhuo took the handkerchief and chuckled softly, "Don't mind, mother, if you were dragged by that wild girl Qinglan to see the plum blossoms." She had always had a good relationship with Jiang Qinglan, so it was natural for her to be her backer at this time.
Mrs. Qiao didn't doubt that he was there and just smiled and said, "Next time, remember to tell me first so that I won't worry."
Hearing this, Xie Ruyue on the side sneered and said, "Don't worry, mother, she will definitely not tell you next time. This girl, if she doesn't know anything else, is very playful."
"Go, go, Xie Ruyue, why is your business everywhere?" Xie Ruzhuo rolled his eyes at her, and then behaved next to Mr. Qiao, "Don't worry, mother, Zhuo'er promises to report to you first next time!"
Seeing the two sisters bickering, Qiao's previous worries disappeared. She smiled and sighed, "You two sisters are easy to worry about, but you are both unforgiving."
Just as he was talking, he suddenly heard the sharp voice of the eunuch coming from outside, "The emperor is here, the imperial concubine is here!"
Everyone immediately knelt on the ground and said in unison, "Long live my emperor, may your concubine be safe!"
Xie Ruzhuo knelt in the crowd and looked up at the people coming.
The leading emperor was dressed in bright yellow. Even though he was over fifty years old, he did not look old at all, but showed that he was shrewd and capable after going through ups and downs.
Looking at Concubine Ye Guifei next to him, she is wearing a colorful golden fur coat and a long skirt with 12 tatters. Smiling before opening a mouth, hibiscus powder noodles have their own power.
Concubine Ye's hand was firmly held by the emperor. The love between husband and wife is evident.
However, Xie Ruzhuo suddenly remembered that scene in his previous life.
The emperor at that time was getting older and was no longer as smart and powerful as before. At this time, the case of witchcraft and poison occurred. It turned out that the emperor was not poisoned, but was poisoned! In the end, all the evidence pointed to Concubine Ye.
The emperor was so angry that he deposed her with an imperial edict and demoted her to the cold palace. She was ordered to seal the palace gate so that she would never be able to leave. Unexpectedly, she lit Nagato Palace with fire, stood in the middle of the sea of fire in Nagato Palace, looked at the emperor and said, "The king is as ruthless as flowing water, and the concubine is as ruthless as a falling flower. The king does not believe it, and I do not need to explain." Today you and I meet for the last time, and we will never meet again in life or death!"
Then, they saw the red lacquered door closing with all its might, cutting off her figure.
Xie Ruzhuo would never forget the fire. Every time he dreamed about it at midnight, he would wake up from nightmares.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile bitterly. She was in such a miserable situation in her previous life, and it was actually her own fault. After all, if you owe someone else, there will always be someone else to claim it back!
Yes, in her previous life, she did all kinds of bad things for Xiao Junhan. Even the witchcraft that harmed people was put into Concubine Ye's palace by Xie Ruzhuo when no one was prepared!
And that crime, before she was tied to the city wall, was written into the edict and promulgated to all people. So that everyone in the world knows that she, Xie Ruzhuo, is a vicious woman who has sinned so much that even the Nine Nether Hells despise her!
However, she was still on the city wall and saw Xiao Junxi who came to rescue her.
Xie Ruzhuo lowered his head and held his hand tightly, but he still couldn't stop trembling all over. In her previous life, she had been working for a tiger all her life, but in the end she was torn apart by a tiger. In fact, she deserved it, right
Suddenly a hand stretched out from beside her, transferring warmth to her palm.
Xie Ruzhuo looked back and saw Xie Ruyue holding her hand tightly, prying her clenched fingertips apart one by one, holding them in the palm of her hand with great care, and then wrote two words on it .
There is me.
A drop of water suddenly appeared on the white Persian carpet, and disappeared in an instant.
Xie Ruzhuo wiped away the unexpected tears and held Xie Ruyue's hand tightly. Since she made too many mistakes in her previous life, she will correct them one by one in this life. Xiao Junhan, in this life, I will make sure that everything does not go as you wish! As for those who owe money, I thank Ruzhuo for devoting my whole life just to atone for my sins!
Concubine Xian knelt at the front and tried her best to ignore the hands they were holding. She looked dignified, saluted the emperor and said with a smile, "Sister, did you come with the emperor?"
A smile appeared on Concubine Ye's lips, and she said, "It's just a coincidence of timing."
The emperor personally helped the concubine up, and without being greeted by everyone, he said, "I wonder if I'm late today?"
Concubine Xian immediately smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you have come at the right time. This rich banquet is about to begin."
Hearing this, the emperor suddenly laughed and said, "It seems that I am blessed to be able to appreciate the grace of the ladies from my famous family today."
As soon as he said these words, Xiao Junhan, who was holding a wine glass at the side, smiled and asked, "Father, as the king of a country, wouldn't you lose your grace if you come here just for a look?"
"Oh? What do you mean, I want to add some rewards?" The emperor glanced at Xiao Junhan with a smile. He was quite satisfied with this son. Young and promising, strategizing. However, his only shortcoming is that he plans too much.
Xiao Junhan evoked a smile and said, "This depends on whether the noble ladies here are worthy of your reward."
As soon as Xiao Junhan finished speaking, the seventh princess spoke first and said softly, "All of you here are daughters trained by a century-old noble family. How can we be incompetent? I'm afraid that my father will be too soft on the rewards and I will regret it in my heart."
As soon as she opened her mouth, the emperor laughed suddenly, nodded her forehead and said, "You are such a ghost, are you trying to provoke me with these words so that I won't regret it?"
Concubine Ye Guifei on the side quickly and quietly winked at the Seventh Princess, but the latter seemed to have not heard anything and just said with a smile, "Ah, I was discovered by my father. In fact, I have another request today, and I will also play today. , I will sing a song for my father, and I hope my father will not hesitate to reward me when the time comes!"
Seeing her cunning look, the emperor said happily, "She is indeed my daughter. Well, as long as you perform well enough today, I will give you whatever you want!"
Concubine Ye accidentally agreed, "Your Majesty, please don't spoil her too much. This girl is spoiled."
"My daughter, of course, must be pampered." The emperor patted Concubine Ye's hand before sitting on his seat.
After the emperor sat back, people from each family sat back one by one.
Everyone present was very aware of the relationship between the Zhang family and Concubine Xian. Therefore, when Zhang Xiuyan was the first to take the initiative to perform her talent, everyone had no objection.
Zhang Xiuyan chose a dance called Dielianhua.
As the melodious music played, Zhang Xiuyan waved her sleeves and danced like a butterfly.
She had been preparing for this dance for a long time, just to catch Xiao Junhan's attention today. However, halfway through the dance, Xiao Junhan still looked at him so casually.
Zhang Xiuyan felt a little depressed, even her dancing steps became a little unsteady, and her familiar dance steps were also a little messed up. She didn't care about the missed dance steps and only fixed her eyes on Xiao Junhan. However, she was surprised to see Xiao Junhan's eyes staring at Xie Ruzhuo!
There was only a sound of "ah" and Zhang Xiuyan fell straight to the ground!
The clever girl saw it and hurriedly ran over to help her, but Zhang Xiuyan pushed her away. She lay on the ground and glanced hatefully in Xie Ruzhuo's direction. Just as she was about to curse, she saw the warning in Concubine Xian's eyes. look.
She shuddered, stood up immediately, and said in a trembling voice, "I saw the holy face for the first time, and I was nervous. I lost my temper in front of the emperor. I hope the emperor will punish me!"
Hearing this, the emperor put away the faint displeasure in his heart and asked, "Do I make you so afraid?"
"No, no, I..." Zhang Xiuyan wanted to defend, but she stuttered after seeing the emperor's majestic eyes.