Snow fell on the golden tiles, covering them with white, adding a bit of solemnity to the palace.
Carriages from various families entered the palace one after another from the main road. The palace servants performed their duties and kept their clothes tight, for fear of making any mistakes.
The turret bell rang, echoing among the red walls.
The palace banquet has begun.
Ahaya closed her eyes and stood up from the dressing table.
She was actually wearing a bright red dress, with gold hairpins and pearl hairpins sent by Xie Jie in her hair. They were piled up together and made her eyes hurt.
She looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes twinkling.
After visiting the Taiping Tower that day, Xie Jie excused himself from going to Qiongzhi Palace for several days, citing government affairs.
It was not until yesterday that Zhou Zhong led someone to deliver this set of gold-embroidered palace clothes and jewelry, along with an unknown compliment from Xie Jie.
He said that she had done well in the palace of virtue.
Ahaya couldn't help but make a self-deprecating smile. She took a deep breath and her eyes gradually became firm.
For what you want in your heart, you will have no fear and no regrets, even if there are open and hidden arrows.
In Hanyuan Hall, officials at all levels and their families have been seated according to their rank.
The atmosphere of Daxu is open and open, and there are no separate tables for palace banquets.
During this festival when thousands of families are reunited, the palace concubines can briefly meet their families and exchange a few words, which is the comfort that many people look forward to all year long.
When Akhya arrived, the originally peaceful hall suddenly fell into silence.
Her red dress is like fire, the hem of her skirt is embroidered with auspicious patterns with gold thread, and her lips are red. Her facial features, which were originally biased toward bright colors, are even more dazzling under the decoration of extremely luxurious clothes and hairpins, making her look like a goddess from the Nine Heavens.
, making people dare not look directly, but they can’t help but peek at this gorgeous color.
She glanced at the empty seats in the hall and couldn't help but frown slightly.
Xie Jie hasn’t come yet?
"Miss Ahya."
Concubine De's eyes were fixed on her. If her eyes could turn into knives, Aheya might have died countless times.
She did not say anything to save her face, but the eldest maid next to her understood her master's thoughts best and spoke angrily.
"Today is a palace banquet. There are either concubines or officials' families in the palace, but there is no place for you."
"Did you run to the wrong place...or did you misidentify yourself?"
"Um?"
Ahaya paused and tilted his head, seemingly puzzled: "Is the palace banquet hosted by Concubine De today?"
"It's Concubine Shu." A woman sitting next to her spoke slowly.
Ahaya looked towards her and saw a friendly smile on her face.
With just one glance, Ahaya identified her identity.
She was from the Shu concubine line, a well-known good person in the palace, Lin Meiren. She was also Lin Heng's sister, her maiden name was Wuyue.
Ahaya nodded to her as a greeting, then turned his gaze back to Concubine De, and the corners of his lips curved into a smile that was not a smile.
"Oh -" she deliberately lengthened her voice and laughed, "Then how do you know that I don't have a place?"
"Your Majesty clearly said that he wanted to welcome the New Year with me." She curled her lips, a little bit coquettishly, but more of it was a deliberate provocation, "He also said that he wanted to sit closer to me. How could I not be in this palace?
s position?"
She thanked Jie for every word, holding her chin up slightly, as proud as a pampered cat.
However, this appearance was extremely dazzling in the eyes of Concubine De.
"The palace has its own rules." Concubine De suppressed her anger and said with a smile, "Since it is a reward from His Majesty, you can go and sit down."
She and Concubine Shu share the same concubine position, so naturally she should be closest to His Majesty.
No matter how favored this little bitch is, she can only get a place among the concubines.
When she thought of this, she felt better, but when she saw Aheya walking up to the top with brisk steps, her eyes suddenly became sharp.
"Stop! Where are you going!"
"There."
Ahaya stopped in obedience and raised her head with a finger.
"That is your Majesty's position." Concubine De seemed to have finally figured out her fault and immediately attacked, "How dare you have such thoughts? You are simply contemptuous of the king and the palace rules!"
Ahaya pursed her lips, and a bit of grievance suddenly appeared on her face. She wrinkled her nose and seemed a little puzzled: "Didn't I tell Concubine De?"
"His Majesty said - he wants me to come closer."
She raised the corners of her lips, raised her chin slightly, and motioned Concubine De to look.
At some point, Zhou Zhong had already led his men and set up a small case next to the emperor's throne.
There was silence in the hall at first, and then it became noisy.
The only one who can be equal to the emperor is the queen!
Your Majesty, what does this mean? Is it a hint to the ministers that the throne is occupied?
Concubine De had obviously thought of this incident. When she looked at Aheya's red dress, she suddenly felt something else.
Originally, I could still deceive myself. This red dress was just a bitch who didn't know the etiquette, was not among the concubines, and was not bound by the palace rules, so she wore it randomly. Now...
Her eyes suddenly became bloodshot, she gritted her teeth, and the handkerchief in her hand was almost torn.
"Who allowed you to wear clothes of this color?" Her voice was sharp, almost broken, and very harsh, "Take it off!"
A hint of coldness flashed in Ahaya's eyes, and before she could speak, she heard a familiar male voice coming from behind her.
"I promised you."
Xie Jie slowly crossed the hall and walked towards her, surrounded by a roar of long live.
However, his eyes were only dark, and they first fell on Aheya's beautiful face. After staring for a long time, he turned to Concubine De as if giving alms.
"Concubine De, whose clothes are you trying to take off?"
Concubine De was so overwhelmed by his momentum that she was speechless. After a while, she only squeezed out two words: "Your Majesty..."
"Learn from the past and learn from others." He said calmly, with an unabashed warning in his tone, "Before doing something, think more about whether you can bear the consequences."
These words were a bit heavy, like a thunder, ringing over Concubine De's head.
"Yes." Her face turned miserable almost immediately, her eyes flashed with malice, and her fingertips were almost embedded in her flesh, so she could barely keep the expression on her face from becoming distorted.
For Concubine De, who had a higher eye than her head, being humiliated by him in public was even more uncomfortable than death.
Xie Jie withdrew his gaze, held Ahaya's hand, led her to the front, sat down, and then slowly raised his hand.
"Everyone is safe."
Only then did the ministers stand up and sit down one after another, looking at each other with astonishment in their eyes.
Who is that woman in the palace who actually asked His Majesty to reprimand Concubine De for her?
That is the apple of the He family's eye, and the most popular candidate for the future queen.
Everyone chatted in a rustling manner while sneaking glances to see the reaction of He Xiang's family. Their eyes showed either pity or gloating, which made people feel like they were on pins and needles.
He Xiang's expression changed again and again. After a long while, he cast a look down his head.
Immediately, an official came out, lifted up his clothes, and knelt down towards Xie Jie.
coming.
Ahaya's eyelids twitched and she thought to herself.
His tone was firm and resounding, as if he was really admonishing without any selfish motives.
"The origin of this woman is unknown. It is really against the rules to sit with His Majesty!"
