bookrandom Chapter 154 Embarrassing Scene
Chapter 154 Embarrassing Scene
The Emperor emphasized the last two words, and the Empress and Consort Liang sitting beside him both had sullen faces, while Consort Zhen had a slight smile on her lips, looking like she was enjoying the show.
Leaving the main hall, Lan Zhi felt a tightness in her chest. Xiang Xiu and A Qi knew she was in a bad mood and insisted on accompanying her to the back garden, but she refused.
She returned to her room alone, and as soon as she lay down on the bed, she called Xiaoxin out.
"Xiaoxin, talk to me."
Xiao Xin appeared after her eyes flickered a few times, and slowly spoke.
"Master, do you feel that the Crown Prince's residence is like a chicken rib to you now, tasteless to eat, but a pity to throw away?"
Xiao Xin's words revealed Lan Zhi's heartache, and she immediately breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
"Yes, although Wei Jianning promised to formally marry me after he returns, when will he be able to come back? If he doesn't come back, I'm just a person without a title or status. In the Crown Prince's residence, I'm like a steward. No matter who comes from the palace, I have to bow and pay my respects like a servant..."
At this point, she suddenly jumped up from the bed and sat up.
"Xiaoxin, this kind of life is so boring, why don't we leave here?"
Xiao Xin blinked and replied dejectedly:
"Xiao Xin can go anywhere, but not Master. All of Master's relatives and friends are in the Crown Prince's residence. What will happen to them if you leave? Do you intend to take them with you?"
Hearing Xiaoxin's words, Lanzhi deflated like a punctured balloon, leaning against the edge of the bed and wailing.
"Wei Jianning, you big liar, when are you finally coming back?"
……
next morning
Before the Emperor and the ladies-in-waiting had even gotten up, the Crown Prince's residence was already bustling with activity as officials came in droves to offer birthday greetings and gifts to Consort Liang.
The Empress was displeased, but dared not say anything.
Xiaoxia cautiously stepped forward and asked:
"Your Majesty, are you unhappy?"
"Ah!"
The Empress gave a self-deprecating smile.
"For a concubine to celebrate her birthday, the entourage is even more extravagant than that of the Empress herself. The Emperor truly favors her."
"Your Majesty, you didn't want to be extravagant when you celebrated your birthday, so you didn't allow the Ministry of Rites to make a big fuss about it. That's why you kept it simple. But Consort Liang is different. She wants everyone to know that the Emperor values her. She wanted to celebrate her birthday at the Crown Prince's residence, and the Emperor agreed and even accompanied her personally. In this way, she can not only receive a lot of gifts, but also let the people of the capital know about the Emperor's favor towards her."
When she said this, Xiaoxia's tone was a little bitter, and she also felt sorry for the Empress.
The Empress, however, smiled dismissively.
"Xiaoxia, you are still too young."
Xia looked at her, puzzled.
"Mother, what do you mean?"
"You think Consort Liang chose the Crown Prince's residence for her birthday banquet because she wanted to receive gifts? You're wrong."
"Why is that?"
The Empress's lips curved slightly, revealing a smug smile.
"We're not here today to celebrate anyone's birthday; we're here to watch a good show."
Consort Liang was determined to make Lin Yuwei the Crown Princess. Lin Yuwei had asked to come to the Crown Prince's residence to celebrate her birthday for no reason, especially while the Crown Prince was away on a military campaign. Consort Liang suspected that Lin Yuwei must have her own purpose in doing so.
So she took the initiative to suggest to the Emperor that she come and celebrate Consort Liang's birthday together. This not only impressed the Emperor with her magnanimity, but also gave her the opportunity to join in the fun and see what Consort Liang was really up to.
The main hall of the Crown Prince's residence
The Emperor sat in the main seat, with the Empress and Consort Liang on either side. Consort Zhen sat next to the Empress with a livid face and an unhappy expression.
She was an Imperial Noble Consort, and the position of Consort Liang should have been hers, but the Emperor made an exception and allowed Consort Liang to sit next to him, which really angered him.
Lin Xingliang and his wife sat below Consort Liang. Their seating arrangement revealed the Lin family's status in the court.
Zhu Kui and his wife sat below the Empress, directly opposite Lin Xingliang. He glanced at Lin Xingliang from time to time, his eyes filled with deep-seated hostility.
After the court officials presented their birthday gifts in turn, Wei Jiande, Wei Jianxun, Wei Jianye, and several royal children, including Yu Jie and Yu Min, also came forward to wish Consort Liang a happy birthday. Consort Liang's face was rosy and she was in a great mood.
After the ceremony, Yu Jie and Yu Min each performed a dance, instantly enlivening the atmosphere.
The Emperor looked at everyone, his face beaming, and said:
"Yu Jie and Yu Min's dance was absolutely wonderful, they were evenly matched! I heard that Yu Wei also prepared a performance, so why don't you give it a go for everyone!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Lin quickly nodded and smiled in agreement.
"Yuwei practiced for a whole month in order to perform a dance for Consort Liang."
Consort Liang immediately nodded with a smile, looking at Lin Yuwei with an affirmative gaze.
"That must be hard work for Yuwei. Quickly, dance for His Majesty, me, and everyone else to enjoy!"
Lin Yuwei rose shyly from her seat, walked to the front of the hall, looked at the musicians standing at the door, nodded slightly, and the musicians nodded knowingly. She then began to dance gracefully, her toes barely touching the ground...
After the dance, the crowd's praise and applause were endless. Lin Yuwei bowed to everyone with a proud expression, then turned her gaze to Lan Zhi, who was sitting in the corner.
"Miss Lan, you are now in charge of the Crown Prince's residence. Lady Liang is coming to the Crown Prince's residence to celebrate her birthday. Since you come from a poor background, no one will hold it against you if you don't offer a gift. But you can't just leave without giving anything in return, can you? Why don't you perform a song and dance for Lady Liang?"
Lin Yuwei made this request because she was certain that Lan Zhi, this country woman, knew nothing about music or dance. She wanted to embarrass her in public and let everyone see who was more suitable to be the Crown Princess.
Lan Zhi looked troubled and waved her hand in acknowledgment.
"Miss Lin's dance is so graceful, she's like a fairy descended from heaven. I'm ashamed of myself and dare not make a fool of myself. Let's just forget about it!"
"How can we just let it go? Lan Zhi, you're not afraid, or you simply don't know how, are you?"
Lan Zhi smiled slightly, a look of disdain creeping across her face.
However, not wanting to stand out, she humbly nodded.
“I grew up in the countryside and have never learned any dance skills. I dare not embarrass myself in front of the emperor.”
Seeing this, the Empress seized the opportunity and said:
"If you haven't learned any dancing skills, then learn to walk like a duck, or imitate a few rooster crows. Consort Liang has been humiliated, and you are, after all, the future Crown Princess. It wouldn't be appropriate for you not to offer some talent to show your filial piety to Consort Liang!"
Even the precious one, who had been holding her breath, nodded in agreement.
"Yes, a girl who grew up in the countryside, spending all her time with pigs and dogs, could at least imitate a few pig noises or dog barks to make us all laugh!"
"Hahaha!"