royal princess

Chapter 227 Recommending Newcomers 1
The investigation of Dou Fangyi's death has not stopped. Concubine Xi is still grounded in the Hall of Harmony, but after the decree that the first-year banquet will be held in the Hall of Harmony, the confinement of Concubine Xi is no longer worthy of the name.

I have never seen a concubine who loves confinement, but it can be restrained for this reason.

Si Jin was under confinement, so of course she couldn't go out, but Aunt Jiang, Yun Shang and Chen De'an clearly knew what was going on in the palace.One stone stirred up thousands of waves, such a result was not surprising to Si Jin at all, after all, such a result was also deliberately pursued by her.

Moreover, after this incident, although Si Jin failed to get a lifetime promise from Xiao Qi, but he was able to expose this matter in this way, in fact, she could also feel Xiao Qi's arrogant and lonely heart. The meaning under the heart.

Some people are so proud that they would rather die than let others see that they bowed their heads.

As soon as the inner court got the order, it started to get busy, and handed over all the regulations for the eldest prince's first birthday banquet to the Hall of Harmony.Si Jin didn't come forward to meet her, but if Aunt Jiang came forward to take over the matter.Now Si Jin also wants to understand that in her current position, if you are the same as before, with a smiling face and kindness to everyone, not only will you not get respect from others, but others will think that you are just because you don’t have a family. That's why he is so humble and gives everyone a good face.

They smile at you, but they may not think highly of you in their hearts.

In the past, Si Jin felt that she had the idea of ​​equality in her bones, but after so many things, if she was still in a cocoon, she would not be wronged if she died.

Here, in this kind of place, being close to the people will not make others fear you. Although they will say that you are a good person, there is no deterrent effect. These people will not really take you to heart. They are not afraid of you and are framing you When the time came, wouldn't there be any worries that this person could be framed like this?
The reason why Dou Fangyi's affairs can be put on her head so smoothly is also related to Si Jin's daily behavior.If it were someone else, not to mention the empress and concubine, even the concubines, they wouldn't dare to do this.

Aunt Jiang took the order from the inner court and came in, presented it with both respectful hands, stood aside and said, "Please take a look."

Only then did Si Jin take it over, opened the list and looked at it, food and drinks, hall layout, singing and dancing performances, everything on it was written clearly.Take the meal at the banquet as an example, this is not a simple matter.

When someone hosts a banquet, eating is the most important item. From here, one can see the solemnity of the banquet and the display of status.

It's that simple.

"Four dry dishes, four fresh dishes, four cold meat dishes, four green vegetables, and four sweet bowls. Eighteen dishes for the first course, dim sum for the first course and a soup dish: twenty dishes for the second dish, and three dim sum dishes for one soup dish. There are 28 dishes, three snacks and two soups. All dishes are the freshest. The meal list of the imperial dining room is sent to the inner court first, and the inner court sends back three revisions. This is the last list approved by the inner court. Read it in front of the empress." Aunt Jiang was speechless, with such a specification, it was ready for last year's banquet.It seems that those old tricksters in the inner court have seen clearly the importance of the master in front of the emperor after these incidents, and they are using the first year banquet to curry favor.

Aunt Jiang heaved a long sigh of relief. The Inner Court Mansion is a weathervane in the palace. Their handwriting this time will soon spread throughout the harem. By then, the First Prince's birthday party will definitely become the focus of attention.

Such a banquet specification was absolutely inferior to Princess Yuzhen's first birthday banquet.Although it is said that the banquet specifications of the princess and the prince are not of the same level, in fact, this matter is still a matter of the emperor's words.It depends on whether the emperor is willing to give this face. If the emperor intends to suppress the master, the order will definitely not be passed. If it is passed, it means that everyone understands the position of the eldest prince in the emperor's heart.

In this palace, many things can be seen from these things to see whether a person is favored or not.

In fact, Si Jin didn't understand it, and gave Aunt Jiang a look. After Aunt Jiang's explanation, Si Jin knew the way here.Although I knew the mystery of a banquet, but I didn't expect it to have so many meanings, and it suddenly dawned on me.

When Xiao Qi came back from court, Si Jin showed him the banquet list.

After Xiao Qi changed his clothes and sat down, he took a look at the list, then looked at Si Jin, pointing his finger at the list, "These people are really nice."

Si Jin knew that Xiao Qi knew the tricks here, so she gave him a blank look, and then asked with a smile: "Then do you agree?"

"The list was sent to you, you decide on your own." Xiao Qi smiled.

Si Jin heheed twice, she didn't think the Inner Court Mansion was really pointed out to her, these people were the most cunning.Don't dare to test the meaning of the emperor, just start from her, it is very clear.In fact, this kind of temptation is more about wanting to know whether she is a favorite concubine or not. After all, the eldest prince's first birthday banquet is held in the Hall of Harmony, and it can also be said that the emperor wants to give the eldest prince a face, so she The mother and concubine are just dipping in the light.

Seeing that Si Jin rolled her eyes unabashedly, Xiao Qi nodded solemnly, "It's barely passable, let's settle it like this."

Si Jin immediately called Aunt Jiang, and ordered in front of Xiao Qi: "You send this list back to the inner court in person, and say that the emperor has read it, and the way is barely passable, so prepare accordingly. Bar."

With a smile on her face, Aunt Jiang took the list and bowed her knees, "Yes, I'm going here, servant girl."

Si Jin nodded, and then Aunt Jiang backed out. Before going out, she quietly looked sideways at the emperor, only to see that he had a faint smile on his brows and looked at the empress with a kind of pampering eyes, not daring to say anything more. Look, step out quickly.It wasn't until she left the palace gate that Aunt Jiang breathed a sigh of relief, her whole heart was not really at ease until this moment.

Aunt Jiang went to the Inner Court Mansion in person and received a warm welcome. After Aunt Jiang passed on the word, the expressions on the faces of several stewards in the Inner Court Mansion were a bit subtle.Looking at the expressions of these people, Aunt Jiang knew that she had guessed well, and these people really tried to use this list.

Now it seems that the result is known, Aunt Jiang looked ignorant, and said with a smile: "In this way, I will have to trouble a few adults, and the eldest prince's first birthday banquet will all depend on a few of them."

"Don't dare, it's an honor for my subordinates to be able to contribute to the First Prince."

Aunt Jiang blessed herself slightly, she got up and bid farewell, and walked back to the Heyi Hall with ease.

By the time the Inner Court Palace "quietly" released the matter of the banquet list, the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was imminent.Concubine Xi was doomed not to attend the banquet, and this was also a good opportunity to stand out in front of the emperor, so everyone prepared very carefully. After all, without Concubine Xi being an eyesore, the emperor always had more eyes on others.Last year's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet had been prepared for so long, and it happened to coincide with Concubine Xi giving birth, and everything was messed up.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, although Si Jin could not attend the banquet in the palace, she still couldn't save it in the Heyi Hall.She specially asked Yue Changxin to make moon cakes with various fillings, and Si Jin also specially drew some newly cut patterns. After Yue Changxin got it in his hands, he asked the people from the inner court to rush to make the molds.

Si Jin pinched a salted egg yolk mooncake for Yu Jin to eat, but he took it in his hand and broke it into pieces. He only picked up the egg yolk inside and ate it. He didn't like to eat the dough on the outside, so he crushed it all in small plates. The shameless face was given to her mother and concubine.

Si Jin looked at this ingenious Mid-Autumn gift, and even though she didn't like noodles, she ate them happily in front of her son.Yu Qin clapped her hands happily, and Si Jin hugged her son tightly. This kid eats a lot recently, and his small body is getting heavier and heavier.It is very difficult to hold for a while.

But as a mother, no matter how heavy the son is, he still has the strength to hug him.

Although Heyi Hall is not far from Fenghuan Palace, it is not close either, so the bustle of Fenghuan Palace can't be heard, only some fragmentary music can be heard.Si Jin asked everyone in Heyi Hall to share mooncakes and wine, and promised them that they would have a good time tonight, as long as they assigned the errands well.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, these people can still see their family members in shifts, which is a great joy. These days, everyone has worked very hard on their errands.

Jinzhi Yuxiu put a small red sandalwood hollow carved table in the yard. On the table were wine and vegetables, sweet-scented osmanthus wine, and round moon cakes. Against the backdrop of chrysanthemums all over the courtyard, a strong festive atmosphere rushed over.

Si Jin had people spread a thick lichen on the floor, and Yu Qin rolled on it to be cute, kicked off her little shoes, and turned around the table with only her socks on.Now I can walk two or three laps without falling down, and my walking is getting more and more stable.

Si Jin took a sip of the wine, but she was thinking in her heart, she didn't know how lively Fenghuan Palace was at the moment, and all those beauties must try to show their faces in front of Xiao Qi.

With the Empress Dowager in charge, Qiao Lingyi would definitely not let go of this opportunity. Si Jin felt a little uncomfortable thinking about it.But on such a day, Xiao Qi can't leave the queen mother and come here to accompany her. He can only come back when the banquet is over and Xiao Qi is not seduced by any beauties.

At this time, Fenghuan Palace was also bustling, and the imperial concubine led the crowd to toast the emperor in turn.In such a lively and festive day, auspicious and festive words can be heard endlessly, even Xiao Qi would not shut everyone out with a straight face.

The country is prosperous and the harem is harmonious, such a beautiful scene in a prosperous age, of course Xiao Qi can't be disappointed, he patiently let everyone come forward to toast one by one, and he gave everyone face.

The hall is full of beauties in gorgeous clothes, and under the bright palace lanterns, it is like a beautiful picture scroll.Xiao Qi sat on top, the Empress Dowager sat next to her, and on the other side, a slightly lower seat sat the Empress, and below the Empress were the imperial concubines and others.The Queen Mother was still accompanied by Qiao Lingyi. Today, Qiao Lingyi, against the background of the palace full of fine clothes, was dressed in a plain palace attire with a unique style.

The jade hand holds the silver pot, the jade belt ties the waist, the black hair is piled up in a bun, and the steps are swaying and shining.Qiao Lingyi walked in front of Xiao Qi with a graceful figure, eyes like autumn water, with a smile on his lips, staring at Xiao Qi, "Cousin, on such a good day today, let me pour you a glass of wine, okay?"

Xiao Qi's eyes turned back and fell on Qiao Lingyi's body. Today, she is not the same as in the past, she has suppressed those unpleasant rays of light, and this appearance overlaps with the one in my memory.

"Okay." Xiao Qi replied, this face still has to be given, she is not the first in the hall, nor will she be the last, there is no need to make it ugly.

Qiao Lingyi just laughed, picked up the pot and poured wine, and said softly: "The last time I poured wine for my cousin was many years ago. As a result, my cousin was drunk for a day and a night, and my aunt gave me a hard training for this."

When mentioning the past, those memories are rediscovered, the dust is wiped off, and the original luster is gradually released.

Xiao Qi nodded lightly, his expression softened slightly, "I was young at that time, and I didn't know that the weight of this bowl of wine would be so powerful."

"Yeah, since that time, my aunt never allowed me to touch wine lightly." Qiao Lingyi withdrew his hand, and the small wine cup exuded a strong aroma of wine, "This is just a small cup, a little show for me." With all my heart, I wish my cousin a unified country, as strong as gold, always happy, and happy every year."

Xiao Qi paused while holding the wine glass, and he remembered that year when Qiao Lingyi gritted his teeth and said after he was bullied by other princes, "One day, my cousin will be unified. I can't bully you anymore." Looking at Qiao Lingyi, the smile on Xiao Qi's face paused, and he wanted to say something, but finally swallowed it back, and just picked up the wine glass and drank it down.

When others came to toast, Xiao Qi just took a sip, only the empress and noble concubine had the honor to drink it all in one gulp, and now there is another Qiao Lingyi, everyone's eyes couldn't help but hover here, paying attention.

Qiao Lingyi accepted it as soon as he saw it, and he didn't dare to push forward as before after gaining a little favor. He saluted lightly, then turned around and returned to the Queen Mother's side without hesitation.

Xiao Qi stared at Qiao Lingyi's back, and took a long time to look away.And this look has a different taste in everyone's eyes. Did Qiao Xiaoyi take the lead tonight?

Everyone couldn't help thinking that although Concubine Xi was back in favor, Concubine Xi couldn't get rid of the suspicion that Dou Fangyi's death was still pending.The Eldest Prince's first birthday banquet was held in the Heyi Hall, which was not the honor given to him by the Emperor's love for the Eldest Prince.If this is the case, Concubine Xi's position may not be as stable as before, this Qiao Xiaoyi will really look for opportunities, and she seems to be acting differently from before, so she is obviously taken into the eyes of the emperor.

Qiao Lingyi returned to his seat, seemingly unaware of everyone's gazes, with just the right smile on his brows and eyes, sitting there without any strange posture.In a place where everyone can't see, she quietly wiped the sweat from her palms with a veil. She was not uneasy, but luckily things went smoother than she expected.

(End of this chapter)