NFBE Chapter 138 The fate of Yunzhu's marriage will be decided tonight...
Chapter 138 The fate of Yunzhu's marriage will be decided tonight...
A few days later.
"There will be a chrysanthemum banquet in the palace tonight. Which of you three would like to go to the palace with us?"
While having breakfast, Qin Jiu asked in a gentle voice.
Xie Jingchun and Xie Jing, the two older children, shook their heads directly.
They had absolutely no interest in such occasions.
Xie Jue, who was standing to the side, put down the porcelain spoon in his hand, his little black eyes darted around, and he immediately wanted to raise his hand.
Hehe, at the last Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, he received two whole lanterns, which he played with for a long time.
Maybe I can get some new toys this time!
Seeing Xie Jue's eagerness, Xie Yanli spoke up first, "This banquet is unusual; it's best if the children don't go."
Xie Yanli's dark eyes were deep and unfathomable.
He won't let anyone disturb him tonight.
Qin Jiuwei's eyebrows twitched, feeling somewhat puzzled.
It's just an ordinary banquet, what's unusual about it?
But seeing Xie Yanli's cold expression, he didn't ask any further questions.
Then he placed a large piece of shrimp meat on Xie Jue's plate.
Xie Jue grinned.
Even though I can't go to the banquet, it's nice to receive my mother's care, hehe.
The Imperial Palace, Chonghua Hall.
Jiang Yunzhu wore a lake-blue long dress with flowing cloud patterns embroidered in silver thread on the hem. These patterns appeared and disappeared as she walked, like flowing mist, which further accentuated her graceful figure.
She turned her gaze to the scene in the palace, her eyes curving slightly, revealing a small dimple at the corner of her lips.
This was her first time entering the palace; so this is what the palace is like.
The sudden appearance of such a beautiful woman, whom everyone had never seen before, drew everyone's attention to her.
Jiang Yunzhu looked up and glanced around.
Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure, and his smiling face instantly turned cold.
Chen Xiuming swaggered toward her with a malicious smile on his face.
"Madam, you've become even more beautiful these past few days."
He deliberately dragged out the words, making the word "Madam" sound particularly grating, his eyes full of mockery and sarcasm.
Didn't Jiang Yunzhu not want to marry him?
So he deliberately called her "wife" to disgust her.
As expected, upon hearing this, Jiang Yunzhu's face instantly turned red with anger, her eyes filled with rage and embarrassment.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Who is your wife?!"
The angrier she got, the more excited Chen Xiuming became.
He stepped forward a few paces, a smug grin playing on his lips, and said deliberately, "Is Madam shy? It's alright, I'll get used to calling you 'Madam' a few more times."
Jiang Yunzhu trembled with rage. "You bastard, I have no engagement with you, and I will never have one!"
Her hands gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.
"If you continue to insult me like this, I will appeal to the Emperor!"
"Oh, why are you angry?" Chen Xiuming said nonchalantly, crossing his arms and walking a few steps closer with a grin.
"I'm just saying it in advance; it's only a matter of time."
His gaze roamed unabashedly over Jiang Yunzhu, as if admiring an interesting toy.
A message was sent from the palace during the day today.
He must attend the banquet tonight, the Chrysanthemum Banquet.
Do I even need to explain why?
The Emperor must be going to bestow a marriage upon him and Jiang Yunzhu tonight, which is why he insisted on coming.
The maid Xiaoyun behind Jiang Yunzhu reached out and tugged at Jiang Yunzhu's sleeve.
She called out softly, "Miss."
Jiang Yunzhu felt as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water, and she calmed down almost instantly.
After tonight, she and Chen Xiuming will have nothing to do with each other anymore.
Arguing with him in public now is a waste of time and energy.
Jiang Yunzhu raised her eyes and gave Chen Xiuming a cold look.
Then he turned around and left.
I don't want to say another word.
Seeing her leave so suddenly, Chen Xiuming was stunned for a moment.
But he quickly burst out laughing.
Oh, she's being childish again.
After the marriage is arranged tonight, let's see how arrogant she can still be.
A woman is bound to her husband after marriage; she must obey him for the rest of her life!
Chonghua Hall.
"General Shen has arrived—" a shrill voice rang out.
Shen Xingjian walked in slowly with steady steps.
He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, wearing a black brocade robe, the dark patterns embroidered with gold thread on the robe shimmering faintly in the lamplight.
He wore a black jade belt around his waist, the beautiful jade inlaid on the belt was warm and translucent, which added to his noble air.
His sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards towards his temples, and his eyes were deep and bright; a single glance was enough to captivate anyone.
His nose was high and straight, and his face was as if it had been carved by a knife and axe, with distinct features. Every line exuded fortitude and strength, yet he was still handsome in just the right way.
His appearance instantly quieted the once lively banquet, drawing the attention of the noble ladies, whose eyes sparkled with admiration and anticipation.
A noblewoman dressed in a pink silk dress was slightly taken aback at first, then her cheeks flushed, and she unconsciously used the round fan in her hand to half-cover her face.
But her gaze lingered on Shen Xingjian through the gaps in the fan ribs, her eyes filled with shyness and joy.
Turning her head, she whispered to her female companion beside her, "Look, that's the young master. Seeing him today, he truly lives up to the rumors of his extraordinary demeanor."
Her female companion nodded vigorously, her heart pounding.
The two best young men in the capital, Xie Shizi is already married, so marrying him would only mean becoming a concubine.
But General Shen is different.
He was neither married nor engaged.
They are both ambitious and morally upright, making them a perfect match.
Shen Xingjian seemed oblivious to the whispers and stares of the noble ladies, walking straight to his seat without glancing to the side.
He passed by Jiang Yunzhu's table.
After he left, Jiang Yunzhu's hand holding the teacup tightened involuntarily.
I don’t know if it was her illusion.
She felt that Shen Xingjian had glanced at her as he passed by.
Jiang Yunzhu pursed her pink lips, reminding herself in her heart.
Don't be so presumptuous just because General Shen saved her once before.
She lowered her eyes, took a sip of the chrysanthemum wine in her cup, and her previously agitated emotions gradually calmed down.
At the edge of the banquet venue, four temporary small chrysanthemum platforms were set up, filled with all kinds of rare chrysanthemum varieties.
The rich fragrance of osmanthus blends with the delicate aroma of chrysanthemum.
Several huge octagonal palace lanterns were hung high around the palace, with exquisite chrysanthemum patterns painted on their surfaces, which was called the Chrysanthemum Banquet.
After Gao Xian sat down on the dragon throne, the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments began to rise.
Just like at the last Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Xie Yanli and Qin Jiuwei sat in the first seat to the right of the Emperor.
Gao Xian held the wine cup and turned his head casually to look at Qin Jiuwei.
Being so close, Qin Jiuwei naturally noticed Gao Xian's gaze.
They assumed he was asking about the Imperial Observatory, which they had previously agreed upon.
She nodded slightly to him.
It means the time is right, we can begin.
Gao Xian had only glanced at it casually.
Unexpectedly, Qin Jiuwei responded to him...
My heart trembled for a moment, and I almost spilled the wine in my glass.
His lips curved into a smile.
Eunuch Li spoke up: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Observatory has suddenly sent word that they have something important to report."
Gao Xian then remembered this; they still had a scene to perform today…
He said calmly, "Announce."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a square-faced man hurriedly entered the hall. “Your humble servant, Lin Qing, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Chief, pays his respects to Your Majesty.”
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to him.
"Your Majesty, I observed the celestial phenomena last night and found that the stars were in disarray, and the interplay of their light indicated that there were two people in this palace whose destinies clashed. This is an ominous sign, and if it is not resolved in time, it may be detrimental to the fate of the nation."
Lin Qing knelt down, his voice steady yet trembling slightly.
Suddenly, the atmosphere at the banquet became heavy and tense, with everyone looking at each other and whispering among themselves.
"Who are these two people who are in conflict? And why are they here in the hall?"
"I don't know. How can you tell from appearances? There are so many people."
Hearing the murmurs of the crowd, Qin Jiuwei and Xie Yanli exchanged a smile, both seeing the amusement in each other's eyes.
Qin Jiuwei's small hand holding the wine glass tightened involuntarily.
Tonight will determine how Yunzhu's marriage will go...