0p0 Chapter 155 Spring and Autumn Banquet
Chapter 155 Spring and Autumn Banquet
As Jiang Lige approached, Ning Yunxiao took away the scroll and said gently, "Why are you running so fast? Be careful not to fall."
Jiang Lige placed a stack of books on the stone table. "It's boring for you to stay in the palace to recuperate anyway. Why don't you come with me to see if you can find some clues in these ancient books?"
"it is good."
If it were in the past, Ning Yunxiao would definitely say "Don't do useless work", but now Ning Yunxiao seems to have changed these days. He speaks gently, and even his eyes can drown people.
Jiang Lige often wondered if this person had been possessed by another body because of his frail body.
Just as he was silently doubting it, Ning Yunxiao ordered someone to serve tea and cakes, and poured a cup of tea for Jiang Lige, "Drink some tea and relax first."
"Okay." Jiang Lige took the tea and took a sip. Then he remembered about the Spring and Autumn Banquet. "Prince, are you going to attend the Spring and Autumn Banquet tomorrow?"
"Go." Ning Yunxiao nodded, his tone somewhat helpless. "The emperor specially sent someone to deliver the invitation. I can't refuse his kindness."
Jiang Lige jokingly replied, "I've received the invitation too. Shall we go together tomorrow?"
"it is good."
Ning Yunxiao responded gently. Thinking that tomorrow's matter involving the crown prince would probably be a silent battle, he thought that he was no longer qualified for a high position. Jiang Lige's identity was awkward. If he offended anyone, he would probably suffer at the hands of the next emperor in the future.
Thinking of this, Ning Yunxiao put down the book in his hand and whispered instructions to Jiang Lige.
"Tomorrow's Spring and Autumn Banquet will definitely not be peaceful."
Jiang Lige nodded. "This matter involves the crown prince, and the interests involved are very wide-ranging. I'm afraid many people are eyeing this position now."
"Yes. From what I heard from His Majesty, he wants to set up a test to select the crown prince."
Ning Yunxiao sighed and analyzed carefully:
"I can probably guess who the candidate will be. There will definitely be one from Prince Zhao's Mansion. Now that I'm not in good health, it can only be Ning Yongyi.
The Prince Jing's Mansion has been secluded in the South Island for many years and has always been a non-aggressive place. His son Ning Jingyan has a good reputation and is of the right age, making him the most likely to be adopted by the emperor.
The second is Ning Mingwu, the Little King Ping. The old King Ping passed away early, and he was the first person of our generation to inherit the throne. Although he was known as a playboy, he had a loyal army of King Ping left by his father by his side, and his strength should not be underestimated.
As for the other candidates, most of them are also outstanding direct descendants of the various royal palaces, but most of them are no match for these two. Therefore, tomorrow, Princess, please remember not to conflict with these two.
"Don't worry, Your Highness!" Jiang Lige quickly raised his finger as a sign of assurance, "I will definitely not cause any trouble tomorrow."
Ning Yunxiao smiled when he heard that, and suddenly raised his hand to grab hers, "I believe you."
"..." Jiang Lige's face flushed red as her hand was grabbed. She stammered and asked the question that had been bothering her for several days, "These past few days, I've felt that the prince has changed a lot. He smiles much more than before."
Ning Yunxiao smiled faintly again after hearing this, but the words he said made Jiang Lige unable to laugh anymore.
He said, "Because I don't want you to always have a cold face when you think of me in the future. I hope you will be happy when you think of me."
Ning Yunxiao's words were like a sharp knife that pierced Jiang Lige's chest without warning, causing her heart to shrink in pain.
But in this situation, she couldn't show any negative emotions, so she just drank some tea and maintained her optimistic comfort as always.
"We will definitely find the antidote, Prince."
"I believe you."
Ning Yunxiao still smiled, but Jiang Lige could see that he had never expected this.
This realization made Jiang Lige feel very uncomfortable. He was afraid that he would reveal different emotions if he was not careful, so he stood up, patted his clothes and smiled, pretending to be relaxed.
"The Spring and Autumn Banquet is a big day, and this princess will definitely be the most stunning one in the room tomorrow! I have to go back and try out some clothes and jewelry today, and the prince must dress up nicely tomorrow too!"
"it is good."
Ning Yunxiao answered with a smile, and then personally escorted Jiang Lige out of the yard. The two then said goodbye and returned to their rooms.
……
A day passes by very quickly. In the blink of an eye, it is already the Spring and Autumn Banquet.
Jiang Lige and Ning Yunxiao made an appointment to attend a banquet together, and they met in the Imperial Garden first.
As soon as Ning Yunxiao saw Jiang Lige, he knew that she was indeed the most beautiful woman at the Spring and Autumn Banquet.
Both of them were wearing lotus-colored clothes today, standing together, looking a perfect match.
Jiang Lige had no idea what was going on in Ning Yunxiao's mind. He ran over happily in two steps at a time, with a blush still on his face.
"The prince looks so handsome today!" Jiang Lige said.
Ning Yunxiao smiled and replied readily, "Nothing compares to the princess, she's more beautiful than any other."
Jiang Lige could not help but hear the joking meaning in this person's words, so he glared at Ning Yunxiao and said, "Let's go!"
"it is good."
The Spring and Autumn Banquet is a grand banquet held by the royal family to celebrate the harvest. It is intended to show sympathy for the people. Not only does it include sacrificial ceremonies to pray for good weather, but the royal family will also open the city gates and give royal meals to celebrate with the people. It is a rare annual event.
Therefore, the Spring and Autumn Banquet is naturally extremely grand.
The two of them entered the Qionghua Palace where the banquet was held, one after the other. As soon as they entered, they saw Eunuch Lu beside Emperor Shengwu coming forward with a smile, saying that Emperor Shengwu had invited Ning Yunxiao to come and talk.
Ning Yunxiao naturally had to accept Emperor Shengwu's invitation. After respectfully accepting it, he glanced at Jiang Lige and said with some concern, "Princess, if you're bored, go out for a walk. The banquet will still be a while before."
The implication was that Jiang Lige should go out and hide.
Jiang Lige smiled when he heard that, and agreed obediently, and then stuffed a small bag of snacks to Ning Yunxiao.
"If you are hungry, eat something first. Prince, please take good care of yourself."
"Okay, thank you princess."
"..." Eunuch Lu felt a toothache after seeing this and could not help but look up at the sky in silence. If someone didn't know, they would think it would take a long time before they would see him again.
After Ning Yunxiao left with Eunuch Lu, Jiang Lige left the main hall and wandered in the small garden outside the Qionghua Palace.
As he was swaying, his way was blocked by someone.
The man blocking the road was dressed in silk and satin, had a big belly, and a lewd smile on his face, but he spoke with great confidence.
"I have heard that Princess Zhaohua is an exceptional zither player. This prince has long admired her. I have come to visit her today. I wonder if Princess Zhaohua would be willing to make friends with me."
Jiang Lige thought about it and realized that the only person who could appear here, so young and still call himself the king, could be Ning Mingwu, the King of Xiaoping whom Ning Yunxiao mentioned yesterday.
Thinking of Ning Yunxiao's explanation, Jiang Lige had no choice but to swallow his anger and took a step back calmly.
"There are countless qin masters in the palace, but Zhaohua is only so-so and cannot bear the kindness of His Royal Highness Prince Ping."