0p0 Chapter 169 Banquet
Chapter 169 Banquet
As night fell, the magnificent palace bustled with activity. In the Cultural Hall, bright lights hung high, illuminating every corner. Palace maids bustled about, busily preparing for the banquet.
There was a lot of traffic at the entrance of the palace. Shen Rou slowly got off the carriage. A gust of cold wind blew over her and she shivered. She quickly tightened her mink coat to keep warm.
It is the end of October now and I don’t feel that cold during the day. But at night the wind is so cold that I shiver. Fortunately I put on a cloak to keep warm, otherwise I would be shivering with cold.
Shangguan Yunting saw her shiver and quickly said, "Are you cold? Let me warm your hands."
"With so many people here, what are you thinking?"
"We're already an engaged couple, so there's nothing wrong with holding hands. We'll get married sooner or later anyway."
"You know you're single, not married! Holding hands in public is so shameless! If this gets out, I don't know how many people will criticize me."
"I feel sorry for you. Hurry up and go in. It won't be cold once you enter the main hall."
"Walk."
At this time, many officials came forward to greet Shangguan Yunting.
Leading the way was Censor He, who came with his female relatives. "Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness Prince Mu."
"Excuse me, Censor He."
He Qinghuan, who was standing aside, glanced at Shangguan Yunting. Although he was talking with his father, his eyes fell on Shen Rou from time to time, making her jealous.
Such a powerful man actually fell in love with the plain-looking Princess Furong, who had neither family background nor looks. Since the Emperor personally arranged her marriage as the future Prince Mu, and the Empress Dowager tacitly agreed, the entire capital was puzzled.
Whether in appearance or family background, I am far superior to Princess Furong. Why doesn't Prince Mu see me and insists on marrying a wild girl from the countryside?
The Queen Mother had already chosen herself and three daughters from official families as the candidates for Princess Mu. She was confidently waiting to become the future Princess Mu, but who knew that this woman would get there first.
Now, in order to consolidate the eldest prince's status, her father and elder sister actually want her to marry Prince Mu as a concubine, which makes her feel unwilling and hate Shen Rou from the bottom of her heart.
Shen Rou noticed He Qinghuan's hateful gaze and asked bluntly: "Miss, do we know each other?"
"Princess Furong is now a celebrity in the entire capital. Who wouldn't want to meet her? It's just that they're not as lucky as me!"
"Since you want to get to know me, why are you looking at me with such disdain? I don't understand your intentions."
He Qinghuan didn't expect Shen Rou to expose her directly. She quickly glanced at Shangguan Yunting, but Shangguan Yunting didn't even look at her. She was burning with anger in her heart.
Madam He quickly addressed the entire audience, saying, "Princess, I have admired you for a long time. I just told me how happy I was to meet you today."
"Really? You people in the capital are really special. When you like someone, you look at them with contempt. It seems that this princess is really ignorant."
The expressions of the people present changed instantly. Shangguan Yunting said sternly, "Anyone who dares to disrespect my future princess will be offending me. What do you think, Censor He?"
Censor He's entire family was furious, but their faces remained expressionless. "Your Highness Prince Mu, you are absolutely right."
He Qinghuan looked at Shen Rou angrily. She dared not speak out in front of Shangguan Yunting. After all, she had to create the image of a lady in front of Shangguan Yunting in order to gain his favor.
After seeing the situation, the ministers took their leave one after another.
Shangguan Yunting glanced at Censor He coldly without saying a word.
Then he turned to Shen Rou in a gentle tone, "Xiao Rou, you must be cold! I'm going to the palace."
"Let's go!"
He Yushi and his family of three looked at Shangguan Yunting and Shen Rou as they walked away, and said angrily: "A wild girl from the countryside really thinks she is a phoenix. She is too self-deprecating."
"Dad, how can such a wild girl be worthy of sharing a husband with me? She really lowers my status."
"My daughter, Prince Mu holds military power and is deeply trusted by the Emperor. If you marry him as a concubine, it will help the eldest prince enter the gate of Prince Mu's mansion. Even if she is the principal wife, what can she do? She still has to act according to your mood."
"The Queen Mother has promised to help you secure an opportunity to perform a dance at the banquet. I hope you will seize this opportunity to win the favor of King Mu."
"Dad, I understand."
He Qinghuan understood that as a young lady from a prominent family, she was born to live for the benefit of the entire family, and she had no right to decide on matters of marriage by herself.
Although she was unwilling to become Prince Mu's concubine, after entering Prince Mu's Mansion, what could she, a powerless Princess Mu, do? She was still suppressed by herself, and the position of the principal wife would be hers sooner or later.
But what they didn't know was that Shangguan Yunting had no intention of marrying a concubine, it was just their wishful thinking.
As night falls and the lights come on, the hall is richly decorated and brightly lit.
Many officials dressed in gorgeous court robes, brought their families, gathered together, smiling and asking each other about their well-being. The scene was particularly warm and harmonious.
Officials chatted with one another, sharing their recent experiences and interesting anecdotes, while their families chatted softly, most importantly praising each other's children's excellence.
In this warm and harmonious atmosphere, forget the troubles and worries of the outside world.
However, behind this seemingly peaceful scene, there are some unknown stories: some officials have ulterior motives, secretly calculating their own interests; some family members are secretly observing others, trying to find opportunities to curry favor with the powerful.
"I just felt that Miss He looked at me with hatred. Could she be your admirer again?"
"Xiao Rou, you have a really rich imagination. I went to the military camp when I was a teenager and haven't been back for several years. They haven't even seen me, so where do the admirers come from?"
"I know that I'm handsome and handsome, and you feel insecure about me, but I'm very loyal and I won't go out and mess around with other women. If you really don't trust me, you'll have to follow me every day."
"Your Highness Prince Mu, I'm talking about you when I brag about my melons."
"Rou'er, am I ugly?"
"It's not ugly, it looks okay."
"Is this okay? There aren't many men as handsome as me in the entire capital."
"If they all look exactly like you, I'm afraid I'll recognize the wrong person."
"It's okay. I just know you."
Several guards followed behind and listened to their conversation, and they all found their bickering very interesting.
Soon they entered the main hall, and Shangguan Yunting said worriedly, "If you have something to say later, ask Su Mo and Su Xi to come over and pass on the message."
"Don't worry! I'm not a hothouse flower. Although I've never attended such a luxurious banquet, I already know the procedures and I will definitely not embarrass you."
"I'm not worried about you losing face, I'm worried about you falling into someone else's trap."
"It's like a den of dragons and tigers."
"You see these people smiling and asking about your well-being, but in reality, they are hiding daggers, ready to stab you in the back without even drawing blood. This is the officialdom, a battlefield without the smoke of gunpowder."
"That sounds a bit creepy."
"That's why I told her not to get too close to them."
"I see."
"Su Mo, you two must always follow the princess."
"I obey my orders."
At this time, the eldest prince came over with the eldest princess, "Greetings to the Ninth Uncle."
"Your Highness, please excuse me."
"My dear prince, this is your future Ninth Royal Aunt. Let's meet the royal family in advance so that family members don't get to know each other."
The eldest prince and his wife stood there with smiles on their faces, but they cursed Shen Rou countless times in their hearts.
Seeing that they didn't move, Shangguan Yunting quickly reminded them, "Prince, Princess Furong is your future Ninth Emperor's Aunt. Why don't you greet your elders when you see them?"
The eldest prince and the princess were unhappy, but they didn't show it. They bowed slightly and said, "Greetings to Princess Furong."
Shen Rou praised Shangguan Yunting in her heart and said deliberately: "How can this princess be worthy of the eldest prince and the princess's greetings?"
"Xiao Rou, we will be married soon and you will be the eldest prince's elder. You are worthy of this respect."
The eldest prince had cursed Shangguan Yunting and Shen Rou countless times in his heart, and asked him to pay his respects to her when he knew that they had not yet gotten married.
How can a wild girl from the countryside like her be worthy of a prince to pay her respects? This is too much. I want to see how long you can be so arrogant. We will wait and see.
The Crown Prince's Consort was resentful of Shen Rou for hitting Chu Yanchen because she did not give face to the Chu Palace and the First Prince. She hit not Chu Yanchen but the Chu Palace and the First Prince's Palace, and she had to salute her when they met today, which made her hate her even more.
Just as he was about to speak, he was stopped by a look from the eldest prince.
The Second Prince and Shangguan Rui walked to the door of Shangguan Yunting at the same time and said, "Greetings to the Ninth Prince."
"Second Prince, Third Emperor, please excuse me."
The two princes bowed and said, "Greetings, eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law."
"We brothers, no need to be polite."
Shangguan Rui bowed to Shen Rou and the Second Prince saw him saluting and had no choice but to bite the bullet and condescend to salute as well.
When he saw Shen Rou, he was stunned for a moment, muttering to himself that she must be Princess Furong. This world is too small!
Shen Rou was also stunned when she saw the other person, and they recognized each other.
The eldest prince was not afraid to take advantage of the situation and asked, "Second brother, do you know Princess Furong? Where have you met her?"
"Back then, when I was traveling among the common people, I met Princess Furong in Bingzhou. I never expected that we would meet in the Imperial Palace more than two years later. And she is my future elder. It is simply incredible."
"This princess also feels that this world is too small."
Following a loud shout: "The Emperor has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived, and Concubine He has arrived."
Everyone knelt down and saluted.
The Emperor, dressed in his dragon robe, walked steadily into the hall and sat down on the dragon throne. The Empress Dowager and Concubine He sat beside him.
The emperor glanced at everyone and smiled, "Today is an important day for our two countries, Great Qi and Northern Yan, to shake hands and make peace. Everyone, please don't be restrained and enjoy this feast to your heart's content!"
Everyone shouted in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Everyone took their seats. At this time, the envoys from Northern Yan slowly walked into the hall, led by Rong Zhang, the third prince of Northern Yan.
"The Third Prince of Beiyan pays homage to the Prince of Daqi, wishing the Emperor good health and prosperity for the country."
"Your Majesty, the Third Prince of Beiyan, please excuse me."
"Everyone, please take your seats."
Afterwards, the Northern Yan marriage delegation took their seats, and everyone wondered why the princess was not present.