Chapter 23 Tea Giving
The palace banquet officially began.
Yan Yu arranged for Ning Yunxi to sit next to him as a guest of Prince Di Jin's mansion.
In the main seat, as usual, Gu Mengzhen and Yan Yu were competing against each other.
Sitting next to Gu Mengzhen was today’s birthday girl, Mu Yan.
Seeing that Ning Yunxi was on an equal footing with him, Mu Yan was secretly dissatisfied, but he looked happy on the surface.
"Xi'er is getting better and better."
"She was originally at the age of marriage, but she became an official and a minister to King Dijin."
"She is truly a heroine."
Ning Yunxi was dignified and polite, smiling slightly.
"Thank you for the compliment, Auntie Royal Concubine."
"The Yuesheng Dynasty allows women to participate in politics."
"There are many people who have passed the imperial examinations and made great achievements on the battlefield."
"I am a rookie, and I am not worthy of being called a heroine."
"I am just keeping in mind the words of His Majesty."
"The country and the world belong to the Yan clan."
"All living beings are loyal to Emperor Yan."
"People like you and I will always be Yan's subjects."
When Gu Mengzhen heard this, he reacted immediately.
"Xi'er is absolutely right."
"Um……"
Gu Mengzhen was unable to react for a moment. He pondered for a moment before gritting his teeth and continuing to express his opinion.
"The Yuesheng Dynasty encourages women to enter the government."
"Those who are resourceful and prudent should assist King Dijin."
"All the people in the world are loyal to the Yan clan."
"I am also a minister of Yan."
"Xi'er's actions are truly worthy of being a role model for the world."
"Instead of assisting me, it is better to assist King Dijin directly. This is how the relationship between the monarch and his subjects should be."
Gu Mengzhen felt a little embarrassed, and tentatively turned his gaze towards Yan Yu.
Yan Yu understood and gave him a glance, giving him this face.
"Is my royal brother going to bring up the matter of abdication again?"
"At every palace banquet, my brother always wants to abdicate to me."
"My royal brother is loyal, and I admire him."
"But please forgive me, my brother. My ability is limited and I am not able to handle it alone."
"Let's put the matter of abdication on hold for now."
"As for recruiting talents to assist the king, that is even more difficult."
"It's good to be a leisurely prince."
"I would like to ask my Royal Brother to share more of the concerns regarding the affairs of the court."
Gu Mengzhen smiled and stared at Yan Yu, his dragon eyes filled with love and affection.
"In that case, fine."
"But my royal brother, please do not neglect your important work any longer."
"It is inevitable that there will be years when I am unable to take care of myself and am unable to do what I want."
"When the time comes, the Yan clan will still rely on you."
Yan Yu responded simply.
"understood."
After saying this, Gu Mengzhen turned around and pretended to chat with Mu Yan, ending the topic naturally.
As soon as their conversation stopped, everyone present began to laugh happily.
For a moment, the chaotic voices drowned out the conversation between Gu Mengzhen and Mu Yan.
Ning Yunxi looked at the food on her table and discovered a clue.
"Brother."
Yan Yu turned his gaze towards her, showing a hint of concern.
"Ok?"
Ning Yunxi lowered her eyes and glanced at him as a gesture.
"look."
Yan Yu followed her gaze and looked away quietly.
"Is this, Heyin grass?"
Ning Yunxi nodded, feeling slightly worried.
"All the food and drink on my table was covered with grass."
"Brother, you know very well that there is nothing wrong with He Yincao."
"But if it is used together with nightshade grass, both men and women will be moved."
Yan Yu nodded and sneered.
"So this is what they were planning."
As he spoke, he gazed at her, gentle as water.
"You don't have to worry. In the medical space, there are all kinds of Chinese and Western medicines."
"It's no problem to remove the effects of He Yin Ye Lan's medicine."
Ning Yunxi frowned slightly.
"But how can I save myself?"
"How do I stay conscious once the drug takes effect?"
"But if we don't eat a single bite, I'm afraid our plan won't be able to proceed."
"I'm also afraid they will take advantage of this issue to cause trouble."
Yan Yu smiled gently, as gentle as jade.
"Don't worry, I will save you."
Ning Yunxi's worries gradually disappeared and she smiled knowingly.
"Thank you for your care, brother."
Halfway through the palace banquet, the consul eunuch loudly announced that they would have wedding tea next.
The so-called Heytea is when the person hosting the banquet designates one person to serve Heytea, with the intention of conveying good luck and sharing happiness.
The guests soon quieted down.
The people hosting the banquet today, as the name suggests, are Gu Mengzhen and Mu Yan.
Because it was Mu Yan's birthday, she was the first to designate the people who would drink Heytea with her.
The palace maid poured two cups of tea and served them with both hands.
Mu Yan took one of the cups, smiled, and turned to Ning Yunxi.
"Xier."
"This year's HEYTEA will be yours to drink."
Ning Yunxi had expected this when she saw He Yincao.
But according to the plan, she still pretended to be surprised and prepared for rejection.
"In previous years, the imperial concubine aunt either gave the tea to the eldest brother or the second brother."
"Why did you suddenly choose a minister this year?"
As she spoke, Ning Yunxi lowered her eyes and sipped her tea.
Sure enough, someone had planted nightshade in the tea.
She pretended to have her pupils tremble, then she pretended to be calm and cooperated with Mu Yan in the performance.
"I am a humble servant, and I am afraid I cannot bear the attention of my aunt, the Imperial Concubine."
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ning Yunxi had to drink, otherwise she would be disrespecting the royal family.
Mu Yanyu smiled and persuaded that it was just a formality.
Thinking of this, Mu Yan smiled proudly.
"It is precisely because I have neglected you in previous years that you must drink this tea this year."
Ning Yunxi put on a show, with resistance written all over her face.
"My mother has been in charge of the family for many years and it has been very hard."
"She has never had Heytea either. Why don't you, Auntie Noble Concubine, give Heytea to my mother?"
Mu Yan expressed helplessness.
"Heytea can only be given to subordinates or to younger generations."
"How can I let your mother have wedding tea on my birthday?"
"Xi'er, don't refuse. Even the emperor said that you are worthy of being a role model for the world."
"You definitely deserve this happy tea."
After saying this, he signaled the palace maid to serve tea.
The palace maid responded respectfully and walked quickly towards Ning Yunxi.
"Miss Ning San, please have some tea."
Ning Yunxi continued to act, looked at the teacup, and glanced at the guests.
Hesitantly, he took the tea and bowed formally to express his gratitude.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the tea."
After saying that, she took a few sips of tea before putting the cup back.
The drug took effect very quickly, Ning Yunxi felt dizzy and almost couldn't sit still.
Yan Yu supported her in time and reminded her softly.
"I've put something cool on your left sleeve. Smell it to wake you up."
Ning Yunxi did as he was told.
"it is good."
Then, Yan Yu handed her a cup of tea with a calm expression.
"While you are serving tea, I have already prepared the antidote and dissolved it in the tea."
"Can you drink it yourself?"
Ning Yunxi nodded drowsily.
"can."
After saying that, he calmly picked up the teacup and drank the antidote.
After a while, she regained consciousness and felt much better.
Then, it was Gu Mengzhen's turn to serve tea.
Gu Mengzhen still used the same pot of Heytea.
After the palace maid served tea, Gu Mengzhen looked at Xie Mao who was sitting at the table.
"Thank you, my dear."
Xie Mao stood up and saluted.
"Wei Chen is here."
Ning Yunxi and Yan Yu looked at each other.
It turns out that the other person chosen by Mu Rong and Yao Ruopian was Yin Sicheng Xie Mao.
Ning Yunxi then noticed that the food on Xie Mao's table was also stained with Heyin grass.
Gu Mengzhen smiled and served tea.
"A few days ago, you assisted King Dijin and found out that Xian Shuyi Zhong was planning a rebellion, which was a merit that was not rewarded."
"I will give you this cup of tea."
Xie Mao was still in a state of confusion and thought it was just an ordinary gift of tea, so he bowed and expressed his gratitude.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"