NFBE Chapter 116 Palace Banquet
Chapter 116 Palace Banquet
Ye Qingyan entered the hall. She was wearing a long moonlight gauze dress, flowing and free, with a restrained waist and a graceful demeanor like orchid.
Her black hair falls down like flowing clouds, and there is only a plum blossom jade hairpin inserted in her bun, which is simple yet elegant.
Her skin is whiter than snow, her eyebrows are like light smoke, and her long eyelashes flicker like two black butterflies.
His eyes were like autumn water, revealing a bit of coldness, and his whole body exuded an indifference that kept people at a distance.
Compared with those women with their hairs full of pearls and jades, her extraordinaryness is further highlighted, like a fairy who has strayed into the mortal world.
Several young ladies from official families began to whisper to each other.
A woman in yellow said, "Look, she's wearing moonlight gauze, which is priceless. I envy her so much. Who is she? Do you know her?"
Princess Changle is the emperor's sister. Her daughter, Princess Lanqi, said with a smile, "She is the divine fortune teller Xiaoqi. I know her."
The purple-robed woman glanced at Ye Qingyan with disdain. "A lousy fortune teller is unworthy of standing beside the War King. He really overestimates his own abilities."
Princess Lan Qi warned: "Xie Ning, you'd better be quiet and don't mess with Xiao Qi, otherwise you will die an ugly death."
Xie Ning's father was the governor-general of Liangjiang, and she had just returned to the capital with her mother not long ago.
Xie Ning curled his lips, "I'd like to see what she's capable of."
Princess Lan Qi stood up and said, "Sister Xiao Qi, come over here."
Ye Qingyan came to the seat with her name on it and sat down.
Xie Ning glanced at her and said to the person next to him, "I don't know what the Queen is thinking. She even invited a fortune teller. It's really embarrassing."
Another pink-dressed woman echoed, "Exactly, and she came with the War King. Only Sister Xie Ning is worthy of standing beside the War King."
Hearing this, Xie Ning felt very happy.
Ye Qingyan has very good hearing, but she felt helpless: This is my first time here, did I offend you?
It turns out that it was Peach Blossom who had a crush on Jiuyuan. Just don't bother me and let each other be happy. If you don't know how to live or die, don't blame me for being ruthless.
Everyone was present. They stood up and knelt together, saying, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! A thousand years of life for the Empress! May the Empress be blessed with blessings as vast as the East Sea and a life as long as the Southern Mountains!"
Emperor Xuancheng said with dignity: "All the nobles, please stand up and take your seats!"
There were cakes, fruits and tea on the table.
Crown Prince Leng Xiaoran clasped his fists and said: "I wish my mother a long and prosperous life.
This is purple jade coral from the East China Sea, a rare find in the world, and I present it to you, the Queen Mother.
The Queen smiled and said softly, "The Crown Prince is thoughtful."
A palace maid took the gift and walked towards the side hall.
Then the prince and princess presented gifts.
At this time, a maid in charge shouted, "Xiao Qi presents a gift!"
Ye Qingyan came in gracefully. Fengjiu heard her master's name being called and walked in with a large box in her hands.
Ye Qingyan clasped her fists and said, "Qingyang Sect's Xiaoqi wishes Her Majesty a happy birthday. I have specially presented you with a beauty instrument. May Her Majesty remain youthful forever."
The Empress smiled and said, "Xiao Qi, I'm so happy that you're here. I'm sorry to have you spend money again."
Ye Qingyan's dimples slightly opened, and her voice was gentle: "The Queen has been very kind to Xiao Qi, this gift is nothing."
When Xiang Fei heard the word "beauty instrument", she asked curiously, "Xiao Qi, what can this beauty instrument do?"
Ye Qingyan said calmly, "It can remove wrinkles, make your skin more delicate and smooth, and restore your youth.
Just place it in the sun for a few hours and it will last for a month."
Xiang Fei was very fond of this item. She said, "Empress, for the sake of beauty, I will have to visit your palace more often in the future to drink some dewdrops."
The Queen glanced at Concubine Xiang and teased, "Come on, I'm really helpless when I meet you. Concubine Xiang is good in every way, but this is the only thing that's really bad about her."
The emperor laughed, and everyone started laughing too.
The Queen said, "Thank you all for coming today. I have prepared some wine and food for you all to enjoy.
All the noble ladies can show off their talents. I have prepared three gifts, and I hope you can win first place."
Three palace maids presented the gifts to everyone.
Xiang Fei stood up and said, "Look, the Queen reluctantly gave up these three things, they are all very valuable.
The first prize is a pair of purple gold phoenix hairpins with wings spread, the second prize is a pair of white jade peony bracelets inlaid with gems, and the third prize is a filigree gold phoenix hairpin.
You ladies, please work hard to see who will win. If you are willing to perform, please stand up."
All the women waited and watched.
The daughter of the Grand Marshal came out first and said, "Your Majesty, your servant Su Ruyuan would like to present you with a dance. I wish you eternal youth."
The Queen said gracefully: "Yes!"
Then a musician came up and started playing. Su Ruyi's eyes were as bright as autumn water, and she looked around with a bright look, and swayed her arms gently.
She gently stretched out the two long blue ribbons in her hands, and the ribbons swayed gently with the music, like a swimming dragon and a fluttering swan.
The enchanting body moved faster and faster with the rhythm. Suddenly, with a wave of her jade hand, a silk ribbon fluttered out, and the hall seemed to be filled with blue waves.
Su Ruyi lightly stepped on the water and leaped into the air, landing on the blue silk like a fairy floating on the water.
Everyone cheered: "Good!"
As the sound falls, the song ends.
Everyone was still not satisfied.
Su Ruyi bowed and said, "Ruyi, I'm sorry for showing off!"
The Queen smiled and praised repeatedly: "Ruyi, you danced with real heart, very good, very good."
"Your Majesty, thank you for your praise!"
She bowed again and returned to her seat.
The fifth prince's eyes widened. Now he only had one concubine, and he didn't know whether the commander-in-chief could marry his daughter to him.
Such a beautiful woman is a pleasure to look at. I heard that she just came back from learning some skills, and it seems that her martial arts skills are pretty good too.
Compared with Ximen Caidie, one is a phoenix and the other is a pheasant.
I miscalculated. I never expected that Concubine Die's parents would be expelled from Qingyang Sect. She thought that this prince didn't know about it. After returning home, he demoted her to a concubine and she was no longer qualified to be a concubine.
Xie Ning came out and said, "Your Majesty, Xie Ning would like to play a song to wish you a long and happy life."
"Okay!" The Queen agreed with a kind look.
Xie Ning came to the guzheng and began to play "Clouds and Water Zen Heart".
Ye Qingyan had no intention of listening to the music and just drank tea.
Ladies: The tune is so melodious, it is truly a gift from heaven. This tune should only exist in heaven, how many times can it be heard in the world?
Ye Qingyan: Alas, this tea is not as delicious as the tea in my shop.
Ladies: Xie Ning will definitely be in the top three this time, maybe that pair of bracelets will be hers.
Ye Qingyan: Oh! Banquets in ancient times were so troublesome. Why bother with performances? It would have been much easier to just start the meal.
Ladies: The Ninth Prince has been staring at us. Could it be that he has taken a fancy to me?
Ye Qingyan: Leng Jiuyuan, I really regret coming here, it’s so boring.
After the song, the Empress praised: "Xie Ning played really well."
Xie Ning bowed, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I've met the divine fortune teller Xiao Qi. I wonder what she'll perform for you."
Everyone's eyes turned to Ye Qingyan.