Chapter 94 Mid-Autumn Festival Family Banquet
At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in the palace this year, everyone dressed up in their own unique style, and they were in high spirits and ready to go.
The target is directly aimed at King Zhao.
After just a few days of fermentation, all the women in each hospital received the good news.
The concubine was sent to the farm by the prince!
In the corner, several women who were on good terms with each other were talking quietly.
Concubine Zhou's cheeks were filled with joy, and she couldn't suppress her smile.
"I've said it before, that concubine Zeng is too beautiful to be a mortal. She might be a vixen from some deep forest!"
Seeing that Concubine Jian's belly was getting bigger and bigger, and even Concubine Gao and Concubine Qian, who were not as good as her, had been pregnant, Concubine Zhou couldn't help but feel anxious.
She was counting on this opportunity today to step forward.
It just so happened that the vixen had annoyed the prince, which showed that God was helping her!
"Sister Zhou, be careful with your words"
Even though Concubine Liu tried to stop her, "It's better not to talk nonsense about ghosts and gods."
Concubine Zhou was annoyed and quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, "Sister Liu, I won't say anything more."
Concubine Liu is the oldest among them, and she used to be the prince's personal maid, so she has some respect among them.
Seeing that the atmosphere was a little stagnant, Wang Shiqi smiled and said, "Why are you so nervous? There are only a few of us here, and the sisters are just whispering to each other."
As soon as Wang Shiqi spoke, everyone turned their eyes to her, and their eyes lit up.
Her arms were covered with gold bracelets and on her head she wore a heavy gold headpiece, occasionally dotted with pearls and agates. Anyone who was not a fool could tell that it was of extraordinary value.
She was wearing a light pink dance dress that she had asked a master craftsman to make half a year ago. It was just completed in the past few days after she had worked hard on it. Although it was pink, it did not look gaudy, and she looked rich and lively.
Seeing this outfit, someone praised her: "Sister Wang, this outfit really suits you today."
Concubine Wang was also very satisfied with her outfit, but she was very modest: "Don't talk nonsense, compared with Sister Zhao, I am still far behind."
The concubine Zhao who was mentioned raised her head.
The outfit she wore today was specially prepared. The light purple embroidered skirt highlighted her gorgeous temperament and she would use it for dancing performance later.
"Sister Wang, you are joking. My performance is not worth mentioning. I am not as outstanding as Sister Gao's."
Concubine Gao was wearing a simple light blue dress. Unlike the other concubines Wang and Zhao, who were dressed in rich and gorgeous clothes, her hair was simply tied into a bun and she held a pipa in her arms.
When she heard her name mentioned, Concubine Gao said in a gentle and amiable tone: "Let's not flatter each other. If outsiders hear us, they will laugh at us."
Hearing this, several people couldn't help but laugh together.
At this time, Concubine Liu couldn't help but frown and looked at Concubine Zhao: "It's getting late, why hasn't Sister Ji come yet?"
Hearing this, Concubine Zhao looked around blankly, and indeed there was no such figure.
"She hasn't arrived yet? She's so slow."
When they heard about Concubine Ji, everyone's eyes sparkled.
He came late on purpose. Did Ji have any tricks to win favor today?
Just a few days ago, with the departure of Concubine Zeng, a secret message quickly spread to the ears of all the courtyards.
The prince said himself that Concubine Ji is more talented than Concubine Zeng.
Does this mean that... Ji Shi secretly used some means to frame Zeng Shi?
The more I thought about it, the more frightened I became.
It seems that they underestimated Ji family before!
Now she even wants to shine at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Is she worthy of that?
Everyone has his or her own plans.
After a while, several concubines came in one after another, and after that, Concubine Wen came in with great fanfare.
The scene fell silent.
Even the pregnant Concubine Li stopped whispering with Concubine Lou. Concubine Xu was still dressed brightly and seemed to be sipping tea.
Concubine Wen ignored those people and just glanced at the seat at the top.
The seat in the middle is naturally the prince's seat, slightly next to the left is the princess' seat, and there is another seat a little further to the right.
That's hers.
She glanced at the first two seats and walked straight to the seat on the right.
The maids immediately took out the prepared towels and ran to wipe the table and chairs, checking around the tables and chairs to make sure they were clean without any omissions.
Then he carefully helped Concubine Wen to sit down.
Seeing Concubine Wen, the concubine rolled her eyes and took advantage of the fact that the prince and princess had not arrived yet to move forward.
"Sister Wen..."
Concubine Wen didn't even raise her eyelids: "Why are you calling me sister?"
Concubine Wang choked before she even started talking, but she remained calm and continued talking.
"Concubine Wen, do you know? Recently there are rumors in the palace that the prince seems to treat Concubine Ji differently!
After hearing this, I really felt sorry for you, Concubine. You are obviously the prince's cousin, the real favorite of the mansion. I really don't know how this rumor came about?"
Concubine Wen glanced at her and said, "If you hadn't spread the rumors, there wouldn't be any such ridiculous rumors, would there be no such rumors?"
Wang's concubine's heart skipped a beat, and she smiled awkwardly, "Concubine, you misunderstood. How could I spread rumors? Isn't it that the servants in the mansion have been talking about this recently? I just heard it."
"Don't talk about such nonsense in the future!"
After Concubine Wen finished speaking, she picked up the small and exquisite cup with grape pattern in front of her and admired it carefully.
Doesn't Concubine Wen extremely hate people pestering the prince?
Why is there no movement this time?
Concubine Wang almost tore the handkerchief in her hand. Her chest heaved several times before she managed to calm down.
No, that little witch was finally sent away, she would never allow anyone to compete with her for the prince, she would try again.
Try again, maybe she will be the next pregnant person in the mansion.
"Concubine, you don't know yet, right? It is said that Concubine Ji has been practicing the piano all day long recently. Maybe it is just for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet today, so that she can step on her sisters and make a splash!"
Concubine Wen keenly caught a word: "Practice piano?"
How come she didn’t know that Yun Qing could also play the piano?
"Yes," although Concubine Wang didn't know that Concubine Wen focused on this, she still deliberately continued in a bewitching tone.
"By then, maybe Concubine Ji will become a concubine. When she has another child, there is no guarantee that the prince will not ask for her to be a concubine."
In this way, her status would be equal to that of Concubine Wen in front of her.
She just didn't believe that Concubine Wen, who always looked down on others, would allow a mere county magistrate's daughter to hold the same position as her.
There is malice in Wang Shifei's eyes. Go ahead and fight, go ahead and grab. You are all so busy that you can't take care of her!
As she expected, Concubine Wen's face darkened as if she was thinking of something.
When she came back to her senses, she looked up and saw Concubine Wang, frowning: "Why are you still here?"
Without waiting for the concubine Wang to respond, she waved her hand casually: "Okay, go back!"
The concubine bowed lightly: "Then I won't bother you, Concubine."
After turning around, she raised the corners of her lips, reached out to tame the hair on the side of her face, revealing her beautiful profile.
I don't know how Concubine Wen will react, it's really making me impatient!
Passing by Concubine Li, Concubine Wang glanced at her and saw her whispering with Concubine Lou. She paused for a moment and then went straight back to her seat.
After she left, Concubine Li glanced at the figure casually and then looked away.
Continue chatting with Concubine Lou about how to take care of a newborn baby.
Concubine Lou, who was about to become a mother, was very interested in this topic.
After Wang Shiqi returned, Liu Shiqi looked anxious and pulled her over with concern: "What happened? I didn't see you at first glance, but you actually ran to the concubine. Did she embarrass you?"
When the other concubines heard the noise, they hurried over.
Concubine Wang smiled, her peach blossom eyes were particularly attractive: "Don't worry, Sister Liu, I didn't embarrass me."
"That's good"
Concubine Liu also found that Concubine Wang was not injured, not even her skin was scratched, and her complexion was okay, so she felt relieved.
She pretended to fight and scolded, "Why did you suddenly run to the concubine?"
"I wanted to go there, it was Concubine Wen who signaled me to go there," Concubine Wang complained, "I was scared too, luckily nothing happened."
Concubine Qian tilted her head in confusion: "Hey, why did Concubine Wen ask you to come over? Doesn't she never like to talk to us?"
"How would I know?" Concubine Wang was furious. "I just asked Concubine Ji why she didn't come. I said maybe she was delayed by something, and then she was sent back."
"That's it!"
Concubine Qian subconsciously felt that she must not be telling the truth.
I wanted to ask more, but I heard Wang Shiqi lower her voice and continue to explain: "It should be like this. When I was here, the prince only went to Shouzhuyuan a few times besides Mingxiang Garden.
Now that the one in Mingxiang Garden is gone, doesn't it show that the one in Shouzhuyuan is the one? Concubine Wen is very likely to want to..."
Several people immediately took a breath of cold air, "No way?"
In fact, everyone had the same thought: what a good target!
It would be better to send another one to Zhuangzi.
In this atmosphere, everyone finally waited for the prince and princess to arrive.
The two of them came together, followed by three children, and behind them followed a long string of maids and servants.
The eldest lady in the mansion naturally followed the princess, while the only young master lived with the prince in the front yard and was brought here by the prince.
Therefore, Concubine Xu Shu sent the second daughter who was raised by her knees to the princess's main courtyard in advance, and now the three children came together.
Everyone saluted in unison and then continued to sit in their seats.
King Zhao first said some polite words, and the princess echoed a few words, but there was no need to listen to them further.
After the whole process was completed, everyone could feel more relaxed.
The princess asked the concubine with concern how she was doing recently.
Concubine Wen answered selectively and dealt with it casually.
The princess had long been accustomed to her perfunctory attitude, and immediately went to gently inquire about the two pregnant concubines.
The two lived in her yard for nearly half a month, and only moved back after they were sure there was no problem.
Concubine Li's attitude was always gentle and virtuous: "Thank you for your concern, Princess. I am fine. Recently, I often feel that the baby in my belly will kick me."
She spoke in a gentle tone, stroking her towering belly with one hand, as if her tone contained infinite tenderness.
The little boy, who was sitting on the other side with his sisters, stared blankly at his mother whom he hadn't seen for a long time. His mother hadn't been so gentle to him for a long, long time!
The princess's gaze involuntarily fell on Concubine Li's abdomen, and then she forced herself to look away and look at Concubine Lou, who had a less noticeable presence.
After asking a few questions with concern, the princess also reminded: "You still have half a month, you must always pay attention and never leave anyone by your side."
"Thank you for your concern, Princess. I know." Concubine Lou agreed obediently.
The princess did not want her own child, she simply felt that there was only one boy born to Concubine Li in the palace, which was too few, and she should have more.
Anyway, she has no son, and the more children she has in the future, the better it will be for her.
Even if she has children in the future, her children will be even more valuable.
Seeing the people above greeting each other, Concubine Wang became extremely anxious.
What happened to Concubine Wen?
Isn't she very angry?
Why don't you speak?
Do we really want to let Concubine Ji shine?
After Concubine Wang looked over here several times, Concubine Wen spoke lazily.
"cousin"
King Zhao looked over.
Concubine Wen looked curious: "It is said that Concubine Ji has been practicing her piano skills for this banquet, why didn't she come out to add to the fun?"
Speaking of the word "add to the fun", Concubine Wen wanted to bite them into pieces secretly.
At the beginning, he said that being with the prince was just a casual act and should not be taken seriously. Meeting her was true destiny.
Pooh!
Not a single word of truth!
Inexplicably, Concubine Wen recalled that there was a time when Ji did not come out of the princess's main courtyard until late at night.
Traveling in a hurry.
Even his clothes were wrinkled.
At this time, the princess smiled and said, "Concubine, you don't know, Ji Shi has been unwell recently, so she asked for leave. I'm afraid you won't be able to hear her piano music."
She was still a little confused: "But, is Ji playing the piano very good?"
As she spoke, the princess looked at King Zhao and saw that he had a strange expression on his face.
When King Zhao heard Ji Yunqing's piano skills, he thought of the heavenly music that sounded like magic lingering in the air.
Especially as Ji Shi continued to study, he always had flashes of inspiration and thought about innovation.
The worst thing about cooking is for a novice chef to have a sudden inspiration, and the same goes for playing the piano.
I don’t know what she is doing now?
The princess called softly, "My Lord?"
King Zhao replied coldly: "It is better not to listen to Ji's zither!"
When Concubine Li saw this, her eyes dimmed, but her face still had that gentle and kind expression.
She smiled and said, "Everyone in the mansion knows that Sister Ji is very talented and has extraordinary skills. It's just a matter of playing the piano, and she must be able to do it easily."
Concubine Xu Shu played with the freshly painted nails on her hands. The long fingertips were bright red, the result of repeated coloring.
She said casually, "That's not necessarily true. What if it's particularly unpleasant to the ear? By then, Concubine Li Shu will be prepared to listen to it a few more times? Will it become acceptable once you get used to it?
I feel that I might as well play a few more songs for you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, I haven't played the piano for you for a long time!" At the end, Concubine Xu changed her tone, and her voice sounded coquettish and aggrieved.
King Zhao immediately agreed: "I will listen more when I have time."
This caused many women at the scene to secretly curse her in their hearts, calling her a vixen.
Zeng is a little vixen, and this one is an old vixen.
Concubine Li stroked her belly again and again. She was not in a hurry because she was pregnant with a baby.
With Concubine Xu's bold seduction, others...did not dare to take the risk of following suit and offending Concubine Wen who was eyeing her covetously.
I could only helplessly listen to the two of them fighting for the prince's ownership of the night.
Concubine Xu Shu was bold and dared to flirt with King Zhao in public. Concubine Wen called him cousin all the time, and they had a very close relationship.
It was the princess who spoke up: "It's getting late. I heard that some of you have prepared a show?"