My wife has a secret

Chapter 150 The Ceremony Begins

Princess Danyang is famous, and as the little emperor's elder sister, she was not implicated in the turmoil in the palace a few days ago. This incident shows that the empress dowager likes her much more than ordinary people.

Huang Sheng felt that although Xu Qing was a member of the Xu family, he did not behave like those high-ranking officials and nobles, and was a good person to make friends with.

"Brother Huang is from Yunnan?"

Huang Sheng hesitated for a moment and replied yes.

He felt a little uneasy. After all, the people of southern Xinjiang were cautious about their own affairs and in previous dynasties did not like to get close to the people of the Central Plains. Therefore, their living habits were very different from those of the Han people.

Apart from some caravans that went to the dense rain forests of southern Xinjiang to search for treasures, most Han people did not have a very good impression of the people of Yunnan. After all, there were basically no cities there, only villages.

"I heard that the leader of your Southern Xinjiang is called King Yundian?"

"Yes."

Huang Sheng didn't expect Xu Qing to ask about this, so he felt relieved and just said whatever he knew.

Although the King of Yunnan and Dian was a vassal king recognized by the imperial court, he was a local king elected by the tribes of Yunnan and Dian. He only expressed his submission to the current Great Qi and paid tribute every year.

"I wonder why Brother Xu asked about this?"

Xu Qing originally wanted to ask about the mysterious southern Xinjiang witchcraft and listen to the legend about the golden silkworm love witchcraft, but before he could say anything, the fat man Liao Yue, who was surrounded by everyone, turned his gaze over.

When Liao Yue first saw Xu Qing's figure, his expression changed and he thought he was dazzled.

After rubbing his eyes and confirming that it was Mr. Xu himself, Liao Yue quickly pushed away the crowd in front of him and walked quickly to greet Xu Qing.

Huang Sheng and other officials around him were all stunned when they saw Liao Yue walking towards them quickly.

After a young official tried to approach and talk to him without success, Liao Yue stood upright in front of Xu Qing, bowed to him and performed a great salute.

"Who is this person?"

"I don't know. He looks unfamiliar. Could it be that he has done a favor to Lord Liao?"

"Oh, I should have said a few words to him first."

"..."

While the people around were guessing, Princess Danyang, who had the largest crowd around her, moved her eyes slightly and noticed Liao Yue's actions.

She knew that Liao Yue was a shrewd and tactful person, and would never rashly abandon several court officials around him unless it was an urgent matter.

When Princess Danyang's eyes fell on Xu Qing, it was as if a flower had blossomed on her beautiful smiling face, and her facial features were as delicate and charming as an elf.

"My Lord, I wonder when the next Paradise Banquet will be held? Does He have a chance to attend?"

"Master He, what do you think?"

Princess Danyang turned her head, her eyebrows curved and her smile became even sweeter and more lovely.

After leaving the second-rank official in front of her with endless reverie, she winked at the pretty maid following behind her, and after the maid cleared a path through the crowd, she walked slowly in the direction of Xu Qing.

Princess Danyang's dress today is extremely gorgeous and bright. She wears a light gauze shawl and her long skirt is embroidered with gold thread and dotted with various gems, like stars in the night sky.

The skirt sways with every step she takes, and the layered decorations are charming and dazzling.

Coupled with the special makeup that Princess Danyang had spent an hour preparing today, she had become the undisputed heartthrob in the square before the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven even began, and was coveted and sought after by countless people.

"My Lord, my mansion has just received two bottles of the finest Bamboo Leaf Green."

"My Lord, I..."

As Princess Danyang walked towards Xu Qing, many people appeared around her who wanted to get to know the princess or chat with her because they had attended the Paradise Banquet, but they were all ignored by her.

Princess Danyang, who usually accompanies others and has a cheerful personality, seemed to have seen a toy that she loved very much, and her eyes could no longer accommodate anything else.

When she came in front of Xu Qing, she walked past Liao Yue and hugged his arms with both hands, and shouted in a tender and sweet voice: "Jin'er knows that a grand event like the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony will definitely require your brother's presence."

When saying this, Princess Danyang's eyes were like autumn water, showing a joyful smile and full of tenderness.

Moreover, her body, which was pressed against him, was red, tender, and boneless, exuding the subtle fragrance of a young girl.

It was just because of the night breeze that it felt a little cool at first.

"Xu... Brother Xu, what are you doing..."

Huang Sheng, who was standing opposite Xu Qing, was dumbfounded. At first, he was surprised that Liao Yue came over to pay his respects, but he didn't expect that even Princess Danyang would come over on her own initiative and be very friendly with this person.

Xu Qing suddenly felt a headache. He was feeling comfortable in the corner. Liao Yue was fine, but why did Princess Danyang also come over?
This guy is so conspicuous, isn't he telling others his identity?

As expected, after Princess Danyang's unusual behavior, many officials and generals in the square turned their attention to Xu Qing, trying to identify the origins of this young man.

After a while, some smart people had guessed Xu Qing's true identity.

"Get down quickly."

Xu Qing's reprimanding tone shocked those who knew and witnessed Princess Danyang's character.

As the most dissolute lady in the capital, Princess Danyang relies on her status and identity and never tries to reason with others.

Anyone who offends this princess will have his family destroyed and his wife and children separated.

Fortunately, Princess Danyang focused all her energy on eating, drinking and having fun, and never interfered in the court or political parties. This made it impossible for anyone in the capital to offend this young lady.

"Brother doesn't like to get close to Jin'er in front of others, so Jin'er just do as you are told."

Princess Danyang said this in a resentful tone, then moved away slightly and looked curiously at Huang Sheng opposite her.

Huang Sheng saw Princess Danyang, who was standing in front of him and was being flattered by numerous high officials who were trying their best to get acquainted with her, and he did not bother to think about Xu Qing's identity and bowed quickly.

"Greetings, Princess. I am from the Huang family, a famous medicinal herb family in Yunnan."

"Giggle."

Princess Danyang chuckled, and gently touched her cherry red lips with her white and flawless fingers, and said in a delicate voice: "So you are a herbal medicine family from Yunnan. I heard that the Gastrodia elata, Panax notoginseng and the rarest Cordyceps in the palace are of much better quality than the tribute in previous years. Are they all supplied by your family?"

Huang Sheng did not dare to look up at the charming Princess Danyang, and said sincerely: "Princess, you have a good eye for talent... Gastrodia elata, Panax notoginseng and Cordyceps sinensis are indeed specialties of Yunnan and Yunnan. My home is near the plateau."

Xu Qing listened to the conversation between the two and glanced at Princess Danyang who was standing next to him with complicated eyes. Princess Danyang seemed to be careless, but why did she remember such an inconspicuous Yunnan medicinal material so clearly? The other party only reported her name, and she could accurately tell the name of the medicine supplied by the Huang family.

"What a pity! Although the medicinal herbs supplied by your Huang family are good, there is not much supply of my favorite Pu'er tea. All of it was given away as a state gift."

Princess Danyang raised her lips and chuckled, "Isn't Pu'er tea a treasure of your southern border that only the King of Yundian is qualified to drink?"

"Don't dare!"

Huang Sheng, who had a keen sense of smell, understood the meaning of Princess Danyang's words and quickly said, "Since the princess likes it, Huang Sheng will send a pigeon to his family when he returns, asking them to prepare Pu'er tea and send it to the princess's residence."

Huang Sheng originally came to the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony to get to know the powerful and influential, hoping to reduce or exempt tariffs through this relationship.

If his caravan could enter the capital under the name of Princess Danyang, then who would dare to collect customs duties from his Huang family at the city gates along the way?
However, Princess Danyang did not respond to his words. Instead, she turned her gaze back to Xu Qing.

She asked in a coquettish tone, smiling, "Brother Qing, what do you think? Whatever tea you like, Jin'er will make it for you... Even if you like the moon in the sky, Jin'er will help you pick it."

Princess Danyang spoke with such sincerity that others were envious.

Especially her pair of beautiful eyes, which were filled with halos and colors, as if countless stars were shining in them, forming a perfect galaxy.

Someone quietly asked, "Princess Danyang has met so many people. Who is this person and how could he win the heart of the princess?"

There were many officials and generals who had such problems. The princess seen at the Paradise Banquet was at the top, unattainable. With her almost perfect dress, she became the object of secret love in the hearts of countless people.

But how could such a noble girl throw herself into the arms of a man of unknown origin and offer herself to him...it's like she's throwing herself at him.

"Didn't you hear what the princess said just now?"

After hearing someone's reminder, the group of people thought about the word carefully and then understood it one after another.

Although Princess Danyang did not say Xu Qing's full name, just by hearing the word "Qing", these people instantly realized that the other party must be the Queen Mother's favorite nephew, Xu Qing.

As the destined husband of Princess Danyang and the apple of the Queen Mother's eye, this man is qualified.

At the same time, Huang Sheng also reacted.

He originally thought that Princess Danyang was already the most distinguished and noble person in the entire square, but he did not expect that the empress dowager's only nephew was right next to him.

What's even more ridiculous is that he mistook the other person for someone from the Xu family's branch.

"Brother Xu Qing..."

Huang Shengnian suddenly realized what was happening after he was named, and changed his words and saluted, "Mr. Xu, it was Huang who was rude just now..."

"It's okay. I don't have any friends in southern Xinjiang or northern Yunnan. Don't worry about it."

Huang Sheng was so moved that he burst into tears of gratitude upon hearing Xu Qing was so considerate. The officials around him who looked down on Xu Qing's appearance regretted not coming forward to talk to him earlier and taking the place of the drug dealer.

Fortunately, the awkward atmosphere at the scene did not last too long. As soon as the conversation ended, Lianhua Jun appeared as the empress dowager's personal female official.

The moment Lord Lianhua appeared on the platform of Qifeng Palace, many officials hurriedly dispersed and returned to their seats, straightened their clothes, and bent over to wait with the jade tokens issued when they entered the palace.

Lianhua Jun, who was always extremely humble in front of Xu Qing, had an aura of majesty just by standing on the stage with a calm expression.

"Brother, Jin'er's seat is in the front. I'll come and play with you when I have time!"

"You'd better not come."

Xu Qing spoke from the bottom of his heart, but fortunately the seats in the square were arranged according to merit and official position. Even though Princess Danyang seemed reluctant to leave, she had to obey the rules and brought her palace maids to the side and rear of the dragon and phoenix carriages.

On the other hand, Xu Qing had neither an official position nor a title. He was ranked at the back of the ranks of military generals just because of his merits in suppressing the remnants of the rebellion in the previous two days, and was not too far away from Huang Sheng.

Seeing the crowd arranging themselves in an orderly manner, Lord Lianhua turned away his scrutinizing gaze and said quietly to Yu, "The auspicious time has arrived."

Following behind her, the eunuch in charge of delivering the message did not dare to be negligent and hurriedly shouted, "The Queen Mother has arrived."

Under the burning gazes of the ministers, Empress Dowager Xu slowly walked out of the candlelight of Qifeng Palace.

The gorgeous clothes she used for offering sacrifices to heaven were gorgeous and complicated, with a long silk skirt of extremely gorgeous train. Six palace maids accompanied her and held her up, which could show off her slender and graceful figure.

"The Queen Mother is a thousand years old."

Standing on the stage, Empress Dowager Xu looked down from above and looked down upon everyone. Her eyes were as clear as water and her temperament was cold and refined.

She opened her hands and responded in a very calm tone: "My dear ministers, please stand up."

Although Empress Dowager Xu's words were those of a saint, no one dared to raise any objections here, because those who had brought the empress dowager to power were already dead.

"I am deeply saddened by the death of Emperor Xuan, but a family cannot be without a master, and a country cannot be without a ruler... After thinking for a long time, I decided to personally preside over this ceremony of offering sacrifices to the heavens to prove the will of heaven."

The ministers below the stage all bowed and saluted, and shouted in unison: "The Queen Mother is wise."

The entire square was filled with the echoes of the crowd, like the echo in a valley, continuous and endless.

Queen Mother Xu opened her beautiful red lips and said, "In this case, I will present my greetings."

Before Lianhua Jun could turn his cold gaze away, the eunuch in charge shouted familiarly, "The ceremony begins, the music begins."

A light sound came from the stage. Empress Dowager Xu glanced at the side of the stage, and for the first time tonight her expression changed.

"Jin'er, come here."

Princess Danyang stepped forward with a smile on her face, took Empress Dowager Xu's arm, walked down the stage with her, and entered the dragon and phoenix carriage.

Just when Xu Qing thought that the carriage had started to move and the ceremony in the palace would come to an end, the eunuch in charge continued to shout loudly: "The Queen has arrived."

"The Queen is a thousand years old."

While Xu Qing was looking a little dazed, a beautiful figure appeared on the stage.

The other person had a little makeup on her face and wore a bright red loose dress embroidered with exquisite phoenix patterns and bordered with gold thread, showing an extremely noble temperament.

There is no doubt that it was Empress Gongsun herself.

As Emperor Xuan's legal wife and the nominal head of the harem, Empress Gongsun should indeed participate in the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven.

But Xu Qing always felt that something was strange. He was standing at the farthest distance from the stage, so it was difficult for him to see Empress Gongsun's appearance and expression clearly.

(End of this chapter)