NFBE Chapter 115 Qin Le'an's Embarrassment at the Banquet
Chapter 115 Qin Le'an's Embarrassment at the Banquet
Upon opening the brocade box, Qin Le'an took out a small and exquisite jade Buddha.
This jade Buddha has a warm and delicate texture, and the carving craftsmanship is exquisite, with every line flowing naturally.
The Buddha statue has a kind face with lowered eyes, as if it is looking down on all living beings and saving them from human suffering.
Qin Le'an respectfully held the jade Buddha in his palm and presented it to the Empress Dowager.
"Your Majesty, this jade Buddha is something I have carefully sought out. Buddhism says that Buddha can dispel disasters and difficulties and protect people's peace and well-being. I wish that this jade Buddha could accompany Your Majesty, pray for your blessings and good fortune, and wish Your Majesty peace, health and longevity year after year."
The Empress Dowager's gaze fell upon the jade Buddha, a hint of surprise and satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
She gently raised her hand, gesturing for the palace maid beside her to take the jade Buddha, and then said with a smile, "It is rare for you to have such filial piety. This gift is very much to my liking."
Qin Le'an's eyes immediately lit up with joy. "To be liked by the Empress Dowager is my greatest honor."
Upon hearing this, Gao Xian looked up and glanced at Qin Le'an a few more times.
I never realized she was such a filial person.
Seeing this, Qin's father looked at Qin Le'an with eyes full of pride.
His Le'an is truly remarkable.
She was promoted from a low-ranking concubine to a noble lady in less than two months after entering the palace, and now she has received praise from the Empress Dowager.
He had painstakingly searched for this jade Buddha, but the idea was actually Le'an's.
He knew that his Le'an was no ordinary person.
At the time, Le'an wanted to enter the palace, and he was somewhat reluctant, but now it seems that he was making a huge mistake.
His life of happiness and prosperity was destined from birth, making him exceptionally noble.
Remembering the praise his colleagues had given Qin Jiuwei earlier, he snorted angrily.
If it were Qin Jiuwei who entered the palace, she wouldn't have been able to do what Le'an did.
She just wasn't meant to be!
Qin Le'an smiled, her chin held high.
Ha, she said it herself: pleasing the Empress Dowager isn't that difficult at all!
She curtsied and prepared to leave.
Suddenly, Qin Le'an's expression changed drastically. He instinctively clutched his abdomen, and his body trembled slightly.
Immediately afterwards, an uncontrollable rumbling sound suddenly rang out in the silent hall.
All eyes turned to Qin Le'an, their eyes filled with doubt and surprise.
Before anyone could react, a crisp yet extremely awkward "pfft" sound came from behind Qin Le'an.
The sound was exceptionally loud in the silent palace, and the entire scene froze instantly.
Qin Le'an's face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe tomato, and he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind. What exactly was going on?
She didn't eat anything before attending the banquet, did she? She just had some sweet soup.
Why did I suddenly get diarrhea?
The palace maids around them looked at each other, some covering their mouths to chuckle, but quickly trying to suppress it.
The eunuchs kept their heads down, but their eyes secretly glanced upwards.
The Empress Dowager's smiling face froze instantly.
She frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes.
I originally thought this Consort Qin was quite nice.
Unexpectedly, she turned out to be just as unruly as Consort Chen.
What she disliked most were these kinds of concubines, who had absolutely no manners.
Gao Xian's gaze, which had been fixed on Qin Le'an, quickly shifted away.
I only glanced at her a few more times because she was related to Qin Jiuwei by blood.
In retrospect, it was nothing more than a case of passing off inferior goods as superior ones.
Qin Le'an is nowhere near as good as her...
Upon seeing this, Qin Jiuwei smiled.
She knew the problem lay in the bowl of sweet soup Qin Le'an had just drunk.
Food served at palace banquets cannot be eaten casually.
In her past life, she had also been harmed by such tricks when she first entered the palace.
She had a stomachache at the time.
However, she used it sparingly, so she wasn't in so much pain that she lost control.
She endured the entire two-hour banquet.
Qin Le'an stayed in the Qin residence before entering the palace.
The entire Qin family mansion was under the strict control of the Li family.
She had Qin's father's concubines completely under her control.
Qin Le'an grew up in such an environment.
She had never seen any scheming or backstabbing, and all the concubines and illegitimate daughters treated her with utmost respect.
She was never scolded, nor was she ever harmed.
She was protected too well by the Li family.
Who would have thought of these intrigues and schemes hidden deep within the palace?
Previously, Qin Le'an was targeted by Consort Xian, so the other concubines in the harem naturally didn't have the time or inclination to deal with her.
But it is different now.
She gained the emperor's favor and was promoted, and soon conspiracies and schemes would come her way.
Qin Jiu chuckled softly.
I hope Qin Le'an can handle the pressure of entering the palace.
The Empress Dowager glanced at Qin Le'an, who was standing in the center of the banquet with a pale face, and a hint of impatience flashed in her eyes.
They've already made such a mess of things, why don't they just step back and stand there like idiots?
She frowned; the harem was in utter chaos these days.
If she, as the Empress Dowager, doesn't keep things in check, who knows what kind of disaster she might cause.
Perfect timing, let's use her as our starting point today.
This was a warning to others, to show the women of the harem what happens when they don't know proper etiquette.
The Empress Dowager's face was so gloomy it seemed like it could drip water, and her voice was icy cold.
"Consort Qin, it is truly unbecoming of you to behave so disrespectfully on such an occasion as this, showing a complete disregard for the dignity of the royal family."
“Drag him away, give him fifteen strokes of the cane, confine him to his quarters for three months, and make him copy scriptures a hundred times to reflect on his mistakes.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Le'an was struck dumb, his face turning ashen instantly.
She just accidentally made a fool of herself, why was she punished so severely?
Qin Le'an's knees buckled, and he fell to his knees with a thud.
Her forehead slammed heavily against the cold ground. "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong!"
Qin Le'an's voice was choked with sobs.
"What happened today was due to a sudden illness. It was by no means an intention to offend the imperial dignity. I beg Your Majesty the Empress Dowager to have mercy and punish me leniently. I am willing to pray before the Buddha day and night for Your Majesty's blessings, and I only ask that Your Majesty forgive me this time."
Being confined for three months meant that she wouldn't be able to see the Emperor for three whole months.
When she comes out, will the Emperor still remember who she is?
She has just gained the Emperor's favor and hasn't even had a chance to solidify it yet! How can she be confined to her quarters?
Things changed so quickly.
Just moments ago, Qin's father was smug and triumphant, but now he was so frightened that his face turned as pale as paper.
He strode out of the banquet hall, walked quickly to Qin Le'an's side, and knelt down with her.
"Your Majesty, my daughter has always been well-mannered and obedient. Today's incident was truly an accident. I have failed in my duty to raise her and have let down Your Majesty and the royal family. I am willing to take the punishment in my daughter's place. Please forgive my daughter this time."
Qin's father's forehead was covered in cold sweat, which slid down his cheeks, and his eyes were full of anxiety and pleading.
Qin Jiuwei watched from the side, only able to sneer.
In her past life, she was framed at a banquet and begged for mercy in the same way.
Qin's father merely watched coldly, even taking a step back, as if afraid of implicating him...
It turns out that not all daughters are the same.