Chapter 94

The Funing Hall was filled with music and dance.

Consort Yu Zhao danced with passionate fervor, stirring the hearts of the onlookers. However, the Emperor’s attention seemed to wander as he watched.

Just a garden away from the Funing Hall, she had once danced gracefully by the Yuhua Lake. But her dance was gentle and graceful, captivating anyone who watched.

Though there were many who resembled her in appearance, none could match her charm.

Thinking of this, the Emperor suddenly found the dance before him tasteless.

Consort Yu Zhao’s gaze wandered to the west as she danced. She was performing well until she saw something that distracted her, causing her to lose her balance for a moment.

Outside the hall, Liu Lu watched this scene, her heart almost jumping out of her throat!

Fortunately, Consort Yu Zhao’s dancing skills were solid enough that she managed to cover up the misstep in such an important occasion.

After the dance, Consort Yu Zhao gracefully thanked everyone.

The Emperor’s initial enthusiasm faded, and he merely praised her lightly before casually rewarding her with some gifts.

Consort Yu Zhao expressed her gratitude, but her eyes were red when she returned to the side chamber to change her clothes.

As Liu Lu helped Consort Yu Zhao change, she couldn’t help but say with concern, “Your Highness, you mustn’t ruin your makeup by crying.”

Consort Yu Zhao felt aggrieved. “I’ve been rehearsing this dance for today’s palace banquet for a long time. I’ve worn out several pairs of shoes. But, Liu Lu, am I not beautiful enough? Am I not dancing well enough? Why does he only have eyes for someone else?”

Liu Lu gently wiped away the tears from Consort Yu Zhao’s eyes and said soothingly, “Our Highness is as beautiful as a celestial being. Who wouldn’t be delighted to see her? It’s just that with so many eyes at today’s palace banquet, it’s inconvenient, that’s all.”

Liu Lu’s words finally comforted Consort Yu Zhao. After a moment of contemplation, she smiled through her tears.

“Liu Lu is right. Is everything arranged as we discussed?”

Liu Lu nodded. “Your Highness, rest assured, everything is arranged. I emphasized it very seriously, so it should be taken seriously.”

Consort Yu Zhao’s face was full of anticipation. “Good, Liu Lu, you’re always the best to me. I’ve been waiting for this day for too long.”

When Consort Yu Zhao returned to the palace banquet, she once again displayed her charming demeanor.

By now, it was time for lunch. Delicious dishes were served continuously, and palace attendants were ready to pour wine and serve food at any time.

Liu Yun stood behind the Second Prince. When a young eunuch passed a dish to Liu Yun, he took the opportunity to whisper something quietly.

Liu Yun’s face suddenly changed, but after a quick realization, she quickly pretended as if nothing had happened.

She approached the Second Prince and whispered something as she served him food.

As the music played and the wine flowed, the Third Prince, who was closest to them, had already left the table early. Otherwise, Liu Yun wouldn’t dare to take the risk of passing on the message at this moment.

The Second Prince didn’t know what he heard, but his eyelids flickered briefly before quickly lowering.

His expression darkened, revealing a hint of coldness, before he nodded slightly.

Qiao Jiaojiao had already been sent back to Mrs. Qiao’s arms. Since she couldn’t prepare her own food at the palace banquet, Mrs. Qiao could only pick some soft and bland dishes to feed Qiao Jiaojiao.

Qiao Jiaojiao enjoyed the food with relish. She wasn’t picky, and the food at the palace banquet was surprisingly delicious!

However, while she was eating, her big eyes were not honest, rolling around.

This time, she happened to see the Second Prince’s maid and the young eunuch who brought the food muttering and acting suspiciously.

Qiao Jiaojiao’s heart tightened. Although she didn’t know who harmed the Crown Prince, it was definitely right to pay attention to the male lead!

In the original story, this part of the Dragon Boat Palace banquet mainly served as a golden opportunity for the female lead, Meng Guxue, to shine and enter the view of the royal family.

As for the other twists and turns, they were not mentioned at all!

At least from Meng Guxue’s perspective, the Dragon Boat Palace banquet went exceptionally smoothly. However, as the palace banquet was drawing to a close, news arrived of the Western Prince drowning…

[As expected, there’s something fishy about the male lead! Although I don’t know if his involvement in the dumb white sweet’s death, it’s never wrong to catch him and bite him!]

The Qiao family members, upon hearing this, all tensed up.

Today was also the Western Prince’s birthday. Although the Emperor didn’t care, Huang Pei was considerate and had prepared a gift for the Emperor early on.

Now that the timing seemed right, Huang Gonggong quietly reminded the Emperor.

The Emperor, who had been preoccupied with thoughts stirred up by Consort Yu Zhao’s dance, only wanted to return to his study and have a chat with Yuliu, so he casually said, “Little Xi, today is also your birthday. His Majesty hopes that you will ponder carefully and behave virtuously, striving for perfection, diligently, and become a good child who is eager to progress.”

Upon hearing this, the Western Prince couldn’t help but feel pleasantly surprised.

He immediately stood up from behind the desk and walked in front of the Emperor, performing a formal bow.

“The child dare not forget His Majesty’s teachings. Thank you, Father Emperor!”

The five-year-old child knelt there respectfully. Even though he had experienced sadness and disappointment, he still couldn’t suppress his filial piety and admiration for his father.

Seeing this, Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

[If the Emperor knew that this was his last conversation with the dumb white sweet, would he still be so official and emotionless?]

Huang Gonggong respectfully approached and handed a square brocade box to the Western Prince, smiling and saying, “Your Highness, this is the birthday gift prepared by His Majesty for you.”

Upon hearing this, despite his efforts to appear dignified and proper, the Western Prince couldn’t help but crack a sweet smile.

“Thank you, Father Emperor!”

The Empress looked at the Western Prince sitting below, her heart soft and sour.

This child was actually very smart. He probably understood everything but still looked forward to His Majesty’s approval.

“A gift every year. Little Xi, this is Mother Empress’s gift, hoping that Little Xi will be happy, safe, brave, and healthy in the future.”

A mother’s blessing was always gentle and inclusive, not seeking wealth and glory for her child but only wishing for “peace.”

The Western Prince’s face blushed slightly. Mother’s words were still treating him like a child!

“Thank you, Mother Empress!”

The Crown Prince walked up and personally hung a piece of jade on the Western Prince’s waist seal.

His eyes were gentle, full of indulgence.

Little Xi was the joy of his and Mother Empress’s life, the most precious treasure in the world.

“Brother hopes that Little Xi will become a magnificent and outstanding young man soon!”

The Crown Prince knew that this was Little Xi’s wish.

But in his heart, as an older brother, he hoped to protect Little Xi forever, so that he could live his life worry-free.

The Western Prince looked at the jade pendant around his waist, recognizing it as the one his brother often wore. It was his brother’s favorite jade pendant!

Thinking of this, joy filled the Western Prince’s heart. If it weren’t for the public setting, he would have rushed into his brother’s arms long ago.

“Thank you, Brother Crown Prince!”

Next came the Second Prince and the two princes presenting gifts, while the courtiers delivered eloquent speeches.

With that, lunch was also over.

The Emperor concluded his remarks and, like the arrival, led the palace attendants away.

The Empress stayed behind to chat with the other noble ladies.

At this moment, the Western Prince happily approached Qiao Jiaojiao.