0p0 Chapter 284: Unruly Princess 3
Chapter 284: Unruly Princess 3
Emperor Shenwu extended his hand to help Lan Qingwu up, letting her sit properly. He then sat at the head of the table and said, "Stand up!"
The concubines thanked him again, stood up and sat in their seats one by one.
The banquet became lively again, and the concubines below were chatting in groups of three or four. The winter banquet was not a formal banquet, but a family banquet in the palace, so the atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious.
Concubine Yang looked up and saw Emperor Shenwu and Lan Qingwu smiling at each other. Emperor Shenwu looked gentle, which was rare for him, and he listened attentively to Lan Qingwu's soft whispers.
Concubine Yang's heart moved slightly. From her angle, the supreme emperor was extremely handsome, dressed in a black gold dragon robe. His pair of phoenix eyes were indifferent, majestic, yet captivating. The emperor only needed to smile gently, but he was captivating and dazzling.
But this gentle smile is only for the Queen.
Lan Qingwu was asking softly, "Is Your Majesty not busy now?"
Emperor Shenwu looked into Lan Qingwu's sparkling eyes, which were filled with his image. The corners of his lips unconsciously lifted up: "Fortunately, I came to take a look. The plum branches in this hall are well chosen."
Lan Qingwu looked at the beautiful porcelain vase that was as tall as a person in the center of the hall. Inside it were large branches of plum blossoms standing proudly. Some of the plum blossoms were in bud, while others were blooming on the branches, bringing bursts of plum fragrance to the hall.
Lan Qingwu replied, "We still have to enjoy the plum blossoms in winter. The plum blossoms are solitary, proud, and pure. Only they can emit their fragrance despite the wind, snow, and severe cold."
Emperor Shenwu nodded: "Indeed, where is my palm bead?"
Emperor Shenwu doted on his little daughter very much and would hold her in his arms for a while every day.
The Seventh Prince, who was standing beside the Sixth Prince, suddenly stood up and ran to the side of the Shenwu Emperor: "Father, this son is Xiaoqi, and Yueyue is also Xiaoqi."
Lan Qingwu and the Emperor Shenwu were amused by the Seventh Prince's childish talk. The Emperor Shenwu waved his hand, and immediately two eunuchs moved the Seventh Prince's seat to his side. The Emperor Shenwu pinched the Seventh Prince's tender cheek and said, "That's right. Sit next to father. Later, we will see your sister together."
As they were talking, Ruyan, her wet nurse, and several palace maids came out from the side hall.
After Ruyan held the Seventh Princess and paid her respects, she handed her to Lan Qingwu's arms.
Lan Qingwu's heart melted when she saw her daughter's bright black eyes and the way she danced and babbled.
After a moment, Lan Qingwu handed the Seventh Princess to Emperor Shenwu: "Your Majesty, Yueyue has been sleeping soundly in the side hall. She just woke up!"
Emperor Shenwu reached out and embraced the Seventh Princess, holding her chubby little hand. His phoenix eyes were filled with love and affection. "Well, this child is in such good spirits! She holds my fingers very firmly."
Emperor Shenwu glanced at Lan Qingwu again and said, "The Seventh Princess is the most like the Queen!"
The Seventh Prince put down the fruit in his hand and asked doubtfully, "My brother looks most like our father to me. So who does my son look like?"
The Shenwu Emperor couldn't help but feel delighted: "You? You look like both your father and your mother!"
The Seventh Prince looked at Emperor Shenwu and then at Lan Qingwu, as if he didn't understand why he looked like two different people.
Lan Qingwu couldn't help but smile knowingly as he looked at the father and son.
At this moment, the abrupt voice of Concubine Wen reached His Highness: "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, yesterday I took the Third Princess and the other sisters to enjoy the snow, but the Third Princess spoke rudely, her words affecting Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager. I failed to discipline her properly, so today I have come here to apologize, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, for your punishment."
Imperial Concubine Jiang couldn't help but frown. In this situation, it was clear that Concubine Wen wasn't sincerely apologizing. In such a harmonious atmosphere, His Majesty wouldn't ask for details, and would just let it go. Concubine Wen was truly calculating.
As expected, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became quiet, and Emperor Shenwu slightly frowned, restraining the smile on his face, but still said: "The Third Princess's words were inappropriate. As her mother, you should teach her a lesson."
Emperor Shenwu looked at the Third Princess, who was kneeling behind Concubine Wen, with a look of discontent on her face. His eyes dimmed slightly. "Heshun, wait until the banquet is over and I summon you."
Ruyan had already understood the situation and took the seventh princess away from Emperor Shenwu, and quietly retreated to the side.
Concubine Wen's heart skipped a beat. Just as she was about to speak, the Third Princess muttered softly, "Father only has eyes for the Seventh Princess. When the banquet is over, will you still remember me?"
The Emperor's expression darkened instantly. He angrily slammed his palm down on the table, making a loud "dong" sound. The Qiulu Palace fell completely silent. The more timid concubines were instantly silenced.
Emperor Shenwu looked at Concubine Wen, whose face gradually turned pale, and asked with anger, "Concubine Wen, the Shi family prides itself on being a family of literature, and this is how you teach the Third Princess!"
The third princess still didn't know how serious it was and started to defend herself, "It's none of Mother's business! Father, if you want to punish me, punish me!"
The Shenwu Emperor was even more furious, saying, "You think you can get away? Look at how unruly you are! Listen to what you say! You have no respect for your elders, you are jealous of your sister, and you have no manners at all! Have you forgotten all the rules and principles you learned in your daily life?"
Concubine Wen quickly knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down! It's all my fault for not disciplining me properly! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
The third princess wanted to argue again, but Concubine Wen held her sleeve tightly, fearing that her daughter would say something outrageous again.
Emperor Shenwu watched the actions of the mother and daughter, and his heart sank even more: "Concubine Wen, take Heshun away!"
Concubine Wen shuddered, and ultimately didn't dare to stay any longer. "I'll take my leave!"
Concubine Wen glared at the reluctant Third Princess and felt a headache coming on. She hurriedly pulled the Third Princess up and slowly left the hall.