Everyone stood up one after another and saluted Emperor Zhaoming and Concubine Shu: "See you, Your Majesty, Concubine Shu."
Xiao Lingyue blended in the crowd obediently and was inconspicuous at all.
Emperor Zhaoming's smiling voice sounded: "Today is the birthday of the imperial concubine. You are all gathered in the palace to congratulate the imperial concubine on her birthday. There is no need to be so restrained. Please get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Everyone then stood up.
Xiao Lingyue raised her head and took a look.
Concubine Shu was dressed extraordinarily gorgeously today, with exquisite makeup on her face and a gold ring of pearls and emeralds, which was extremely dazzling. Standing next to the majestic Emperor Zhaoming, she was as beautiful as a blooming peony, and her country was fragrant.
"Your Majesty personally came to wish me a happy birthday. I am so grateful that I burst into tears."
Concubine Shu smiled sweetly and said: "Your Majesty, please stop standing and please take a seat."
"Okay." Emperor Zhaoming was in a good mood and took his seat, while Concubine Shu sat next to him.
All the guests in the hall returned to their seats, and the banquet officially started.
Singing and dancing teams poured in from both sides of the waterside pavilion, silk and bamboo instruments intertwined and played, dancers flew and twirled, and teams of palace maids presented various wines and delicacies in turn, filling the table and looking dazzling.
Xiao Lingyue glanced at the table and twitched the corners of her mouth slightly.
The so-called palace banquet means that it looks good.
Don't even think about eating it.
Because all the food was prepared in advance by the imperial kitchen and delivered in food boxes. Given the size of the palace, it would take half an hour to walk from the imperial kitchen to deliver the food. Even if there were food boxes to keep the food delivered,
It's basically cold.
There is a layer of grease solidified on the beautifully shaped dishes, which makes people lose their appetite.
certainly.
It's different for people with status like Emperor Zhaoming and Concubine Shu. There are special palace staff to escort the food, and the food is still hot when it is delivered to you. It can only be served after being tested by a personal eunuch for poison.
Xiao Lingyue was prepared to be hungry before entering the palace. She took two bites with her chopsticks and put them down.
On the main seat, Concubine Shu held a glass of wine in honor of Emperor Zhaoming. Emperor Zhaoming was also very considerate and drank it all with a smile.
Seeing this, the ladies below all stood up with wine in hand to pay respects to Concubine Shu. They gave one toast after another, praising and complimenting her to the fullest, making Concubine Shu smile continuously.
Afterwards, Prince Xiang, the Ninth Prince, the Thirteenth Princess and others stood up to congratulate them on their birthday, and the other princes, princes and grandchildren also did not leave behind.
The banquet officially entered its climax, and the atmosphere was extremely lively.
Xiao Lingyue sat quietly on the seat, squinting her eyes slightly, looking at Concubine Shu, whose cheeks were red from drinking and whose face was like a peach blossom, but she was thinking in her heart, what exactly did she plan to do when she invited her to come?
The banquet was almost halfway through, and Concubine Shu didn't seem to think of her at all.
No one came to trouble her.
Could it be that she is really too worried? Today's palace banquet is just an ordinary birthday banquet?
Xiao Lingyue was thinking about it in her heart.
After three rounds of drinking, the singing and dancing had just ended.
A lady stood up on her own initiative and said that her daughter had specially prepared a piece of piano music for Concubine Shu's birthday, and she hoped to play it herself to celebrate Concubine Shu's birthday.
Concubine Shu smiled and praised a few words, then looked at Emperor Zhaoming: "I would like to hear what your majesty thinks?"
Emperor Zhaoming smiled: "Then let her try."
The noble lady was overjoyed to express her gratitude, her face flushed with excitement, but the smiles of many ladies beside her were a bit forced, as if they were annoyed at being overtaken first.