NFBE Chapter 116 Holding Hands Under the Table
Chapter 116 Holding Hands Under the Table
She knew early on that not all parents love their children.
As Qin Jiuwei recalled the past, her originally bright eyes became misty, and her originally relaxed brows furrowed slightly.
Xie Yanli looked at the tears in her eyes, and his gaze darkened slightly.
He noticed it the first time he accompanied Qin Jiuwei on her return visit to her parents' home.
Qin's father did not love her and did not even treat her as his own daughter.
It's just a commodity that can be exchanged at any time.
Seeing him protecting Qin Le'an like this now, he must be feeling sad.
Xie Yanli pursed his lips and slowly extended his hand.
But it was his first time doing something like this, and he was quite inexperienced.
The moment they touched, his fingers first gently rested on the back of Qin Jiuwei's hand.
Then, his fingers slowly bent and gently closed, holding her small hand firmly in his.
Qin Jiuwei was lost in thought when she suddenly felt a warm, large hand grasp hers.
Her back stiffened instantly, and she glanced down at him.
Those large hands had distinct knuckles, long and strong fingers, and slightly protruding veins on the back of the hands.
His palm completely enveloped her small hand, fitting tightly together.
Immediately afterwards, a gentle and pleasant voice rang in my ears.
“You are now married and have left the Qin family. You have three children: Chun-ge’er, Jing-ge’er, and Jue-ge’er.” The voice paused slightly, then continued in an almost inaudible voice, “And… me.”
Qin Jiuwei's heart skipped a beat.
Then she suddenly realized that Xie Yanli was... comforting her?
These are actually Xie Yanli's words?
Qin Jiuwei was more surprised than moved at this moment, and turned to look at him.
He met her deep, dark eyes directly.
This gaze was not the coldness that usually kept people at a distance, but rather carried a hint of... gentleness.
Then Qin Jiuwei suddenly remembered that Xie Yanli had said something before.
His mother died during childbirth, and he grew up in a loveless family.
The Marquis is taciturn, the Marquis's wife is mean-spirited, and the old lady is frail...
Qin Jiuwei couldn't help but feel sorry for him, and pursed her lips slightly.
She slowly moved her fingers and grasped Xie Yanli's hand in return.
Upon receiving the response, Xie Yanli's brow twitched, and the corners of his lips involuntarily curved into a smile.
His thumb unconsciously rubbed gently against the back of Qin Jiuwei's hand.
This was the first time he had held Qin Jiuwei's hand, and it was just as he had expected.
Her hands were soft and boneless, her skin as delicate and smooth as mutton fat jade, gently gliding across his palm.
His fingertips slightly curled up, completely enveloping that small hand.
A wondrous sensation, unlike anything I'd ever experienced before, traveled from my fingertips straight to my heart, staining my ears red.
Xie Yanli's heart skipped a beat.
This wasn't the first time Qin Jiuwei had held a man's hand; she had held Xie Jue's hand quite a few times.
But... Xie Yanli is different.
His hands were exceptionally large, enough to completely envelop hers.
My palms were warm, and the warm touch seeped into my skin little by little.
She couldn't help but feel a little fond of that warmth.
Qin Jiuwei subconsciously moved a few steps closer to Xie Yanli, the two of them standing very close together.
Xie Jue sat behind the two of them, grabbing a grape with her small hand and stuffing it into her mouth.
Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to the commotion ahead.
Blinking and leaning closer, I wondered, "Huh? What's this?"
Upon seeing it clearly, their eyes widened immediately.
A mother's hand! In a father's hand!
At this moment, the atmosphere in the arena remained tense.
Gao Xian's gaze swept over Qin Le'an and his father, who were kneeling in the center of the banquet.
But then, without noticing, I caught a glimpse of the two people sitting to my right.
Qin Jiuwei and Xie Yanli stood close together, like a perfect match made in heaven.
The more Gao Xian looked at it, the more irritable he became.
The two people kneeling on the ground also became increasingly disliked.
Still want to beg for mercy? Dream on!
Gao Xian's gaze was sharp as a knife, and his voice was cold and carried an undeniable air of authority.
"On such a special occasion, such an act that disgraces the imperial dignity has occurred must not be tolerated lightly. Qin Le'an's public breach of etiquette in front of the palace is a grave offense of disrespect. He shall be punished with twenty strokes of the cane and ordered to copy the scriptures three hundred times as a warning to others."
Upon hearing this, Qin Le'an felt as if struck by lightning, collapsing to the ground, his face ashen.
Tears streamed down her face: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, have mercy! I'm innocent! I truly didn't mean it..."
However, Gao Xian ignored her pleas for mercy and turned his gaze straight to Qin's father.
The voice grew increasingly stern: "As a high-ranking official, you have failed to properly educate your family, raising such a daughter who knows no manners and etiquette, and who has disrupted the grand events of the palace. I hereby demote you by half a rank, deduct half a year's salary, and send you home for a month to reflect on your actions. If you commit another offense, I will not let you off lightly."
Qin's father swayed suddenly, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
Huh? He just pleaded for leniency, and now he's being demoted by half a rank and fined half a year's salary!
The Emperor wasn't always this cold-blooded and ruthless!
Although he didn't know why the emperor was so angry, Qin's father dared not beg for mercy again.
He could only force himself to stand up and say in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I... Your Majesty, I accept your decree and thank you for your grace."
Gao Xian snorted coldly.
Qin Le'an knelt on the ground, his body trembling involuntarily.
Even if she were stupid, she would realize at this moment that she had been tricked.
She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the concubines on the table.
Is it Consort Xian? Consort Lin? Noble Lady Li?
Who is it? Who exactly is it?
A chill rose up from my spine and instantly permeated my entire body.
A sense of despair gripped her heart.
She couldn't even find out who had harmed her...
Before she could react, the servants quickly dragged her away and beat her with a board.
Qin's father also returned to his position with trepidation.
The singing and dancing continued.
However, because the Empress Dowager was in poor health, she could not overexert herself.
Therefore, the banquet ended after an hour and a half.
The ministers dispersed.
Although Xie Yanli was unwilling, he slowly released Qin Jiuwei's hand.
As the warm, large hand withdrew, Qin Jiuwei felt a strange emptiness in her heart...
Mo Qingkui looked at the empty palace and pouted in dissatisfaction.
Ancient times were incredibly boring; there were no cell phones, no television, and no entertainment.
She can only read, write, and draw, but she doesn't like those things.
It's so boring...
She sighed and suddenly remembered the Mid-Autumn Festival lantern festival she had seen in period dramas.
It's quite fun, much better than staying in the palace all the time.
She turned her head and began to cling to Gao Xian, acting coquettishly.
"Your Majesty, shall we go out to see the Mid-Autumn Festival lantern festival? I've never seen what a lantern festival looks like before."
Her voice was soft and gentle.
Gao Xian loved her like this the most, and couldn't help but smile.
"Since Qingkui wants to go, then let's go and take a look."
And also, in the past few days... Qin Jiuwei has disturbed my mind.
Thinking of the promise he had made to Qingkui to be with her for life, he always felt a little guilty towards her.
"Really?" Mo Qingkui was very happy and stood on tiptoe to give Gao Xian a big kiss on the cheek.
The old palace maids standing by were used to it.
However, even the palace maids who had only recently entered the palace couldn't help but stare wide-eyed upon seeing it.
Is this the royal palace? I've learned something new...