mesbooks Chapter 236 Family Banquet
Chapter 236 Family Banquet
At the family banquet, there was a dazzling array of delicious food and wonderful singing and dancing performances. The princes, princesses and royal relatives laughed and talked happily, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
However, the atmosphere between Ruyi and the emperor seemed a little awkward and tense.
Ruyi knew she had to break this awkward situation. She stood up slightly, raised a glass of wine, and toasted the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, today is the Dragon Boat Festival. I offer you a toast. May Your Majesty be in good health and may your country be forever strong."
The emperor looked at Ruyi, nodded slightly, picked up the wine glass and drank it all. His eyes revealed a hint of complex emotions, as if he was thinking about something.
Then he nodded indifferently and drank the wine in one gulp.
Seeing this, Yan Wan couldn't help but feel a little jealous. She quickly picked up her wine glass and toasted the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, I also offer a toast to you. May Your Majesty be blessed with longevity, health, and all the best."
The emperor looked at Yan Wan, nodded slightly, picked up the wine glass and drank it all. His eyes revealed a hint of tenderness and doting, as if telling Yan Wan that she was the most important person in his heart.
Ruyi watched the interaction between the emperor and Yanwan, her heart filled with pain and helplessness. She knew that her position in the emperor's heart was getting lower and lower. However, as the queen, she could not show any dissatisfaction or jealousy. She could only endure it all silently, her heart filled with pain and helplessness.
During the family dinner, Ruyi tried her best to behave dignified and generous, chatting and laughing with everyone.
Meanwhile, Yan Wan continued to please the emperor and the others, showing her intelligence, intelligence, gentleness and consideration. Her eyes revealed a hint of pride and provocation, as if she was announcing her victory to Ruyi.
Ruyi sat at the head of the banquet table, thinking quietly.
She had originally thought that Consort Ling, Yan Wan, would take advantage of the preparations for the Dragon Boat Festival family banquet to meddle in the matter. After all, Yan Wan was known for her scheming and her skill at political manipulation.
However, from the time the banquet was planned until now, everything had gone smoothly. No unexpected incidents had occurred, and no news had been heard about Yan Wan's secret plot. This made Ruyi very uneasy.
She knew very well that this kind of calm was often the prelude to a storm. Yan Wan could not miss such an important opportunity, she must be secretly planning something.
Ruyi recalls her past battles with Yanwan, and becomes wary. Yanwan, in her quest for power and status, resorts to all means.
She had once plotted to frame Ruyi, putting her in a difficult situation. Now, facing the important occasion of the Dragon Boat Festival family dinner, it was impossible for Yanwan to remain indifferent.
Ruyi's brow furrowed slightly as she began to analyze the situation carefully, considering the possible actions Yanwan might take and how she should respond.
She knew that she had to remain highly vigilant and not let her guard down at all.
The emperor focused all his attention on the family dinner, feasting with his ministers in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Inside the palace, lights were ablaze, and laughter echoed. The emperor, smiling, toasted with his ministers, discussing state affairs and folk anecdotes.
However, out of nowhere, a slight commotion suddenly arose from below. The commotion was subtle at first, like an imperceptible breeze, but soon it spread like ripples, attracting everyone's attention.
Yan Wanben sat aside, enjoying the food gracefully with a proper smile on her face. Her eyes would occasionally fall on the emperor, her eyes filled with tenderness and concern.
However, at this moment, the people around her hurriedly ran over to report.
The man looked panicked and whispered something in Yan Wan's ear in a low voice. As Yan Wan listened, her face gradually turned pale and a trace of fear flashed in her eyes.
She seemed to have heard some shocking news, and in a panic she knocked over her chopsticks. The silver chopsticks fell to the ground with a crisp sound. In this originally lively banquet, the sound seemed particularly abrupt.
Everyone's eyes turned to Yan Wan, with expressions of surprise and confusion on their faces. Yan Wan quickly lowered her head, trying to hide her gaffe.
The emperor cast a very inquiring look at her.
Yan Wan took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. Her face changed from panic to calm, and a dignified look reappeared on her delicate face.
She slowly stood up, bowed slightly, and asked the emperor for instructions: "Your Majesty, I am guilty of impoliteness. I am really a little drunk at tonight's banquet. I will take the Seventh Princess back to rest first..."
Her voice was soft and gentle, with just the right amount of apology.
The emperor sat on his high throne, looking at Yan Wan calmly. He nodded slightly, his majestic face showing no emotion.
He waved his hand slightly, signaling her to leave. The emperor's eyes were deep and sharp, and he took in all of Yanwan's movements.
He knew in his heart that she was not simply unable to handle the alcohol. In this palace, every action of every person could have a deeper meaning.
Yan Wan's panic and sudden request made the emperor suspicious. However, he did not question her directly. Instead, he chose to let her leave and wait for the right time to explore the reason behind it.
Yan Wan bowed again, then turned and slowly left with the Seventh Princess. Her steps were steady and graceful, as if nothing had happened.
As the ruler of a country, the emperor sat on the magnificent throne. Even if he keenly noticed that something was wrong with Concubine Ling, he would never leave the banquet and the guests at this time.
After all, this evening banquet brought together numerous ministers and members of the royal family, and he needed to maintain the solemnity and harmony of the occasion with the airs of an emperor. However, the anxiety within him burned fiercely in his chest like an unquenchable flame.
His eyes seemed to casually sweep over the crowd, with that perfect smile still on his lips, as he chatted and laughed with the guests.
But his thoughts had already drifted to the direction where Concubine Ling had left, constantly speculating on what could have happened to cause the usually composed Concubine Ling to lose her composure on such an important occasion. The Emperor knew that Concubine Ling was not a reckless person, and her behavior today must have a special reason.
He thought for a moment, then raised his hand slightly and waved it gently, calling for Jinzhong who was waiting in front of him. Jinzhong hurried forward and bowed respectfully, waiting for the emperor's instructions.
The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a low voice, "Go and see what happened to Concubine Ling. She wouldn't behave herself for no reason today. Go!"
There was unquestionable authority in that tone.
"Yes, I'll do it right away," Jinzhong replied solemnly, fully aware of the importance of this matter. He hurried out of the banquet hall cautiously, his steps quick yet steady, fearing to attract unnecessary attention.
Ruyi had been silently paying attention to the emperor's situation, her intelligent eyes closely watching the emperor's every move.
When she noticed that the emperor's expression was not right, her uneasiness grew even stronger. She frowned slightly, wondering what had happened.