freenovelworld Chapter 180 Flirting and Confrontation before the Banquet
Chapter 180 Flirting and Confrontation before the Banquet
The next day, Shi Nanxi got up early, which was rare for her, and helped Kangxi wash and dress. Kangxi looked down at the little girl who was tidying up his clothes, and couldn't help but joked:
"The sun is really rising from the west today. Why is our Empress Xian so considerate?"
In fact, Kangxi's clothes were washed and ironed by special people, so there were no wrinkles at all. Shi Nanxi just smoothed the lapels with her hands.
Hearing Kangxi's teasing voice from above her head, she paused stroking her collar and looked up, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed.
"I wanted to be considerate in the past, but my body is not good at all..."
Thinking of something, she bit her lip, put down her hand, turned her head away and ignored Kangxi.
Kangxi looked at the little girl with red ears, and quickly hugged her from behind. He leaned close to her ear and chuckled softly. His voice was low and magnetic.
"Nanxi, don't be angry. It's me who doesn't know how to be gentle with women. But don't blame me. My little girl is so delicious!"
"Your Majesty, stop talking~"
Shi Nanxi's cheeks turned red. She struggled to escape from Kangxi's arms, but how could Kangxi let the little girl escape? Not only did he not let go, but he tightened his grip, hugged the little girl tighter, buried his head in her neck, and begged for mercy in a low voice:
"Okay, okay, I won't say any more. As an apology, I will accompany you to Hui Fei's Yunya Pavilion to appreciate the lotus after I leave the court. Is that okay?"
"Really? Your Majesty?" Upon hearing this, Shi Nanxi stopped struggling and turned to look at Kangxi in surprise.
When Kangxi met the little girl's sparkling eyes, his expression softened and he lowered his head and kissed the corner of her eyes.
"I keep my word."
……
Today is the day when Concubine Hui holds a lotus viewing banquet, and flowery notes have been sent to various places a few days ago.
The place to appreciate the lotus is the water pavilion outside the Yunya Pavilion. The water pavilion is quite large, with a small water pavilion connected to it. It is surrounded by clear lake water, with lotus leaves reaching the sky on the lake, pink lotus flowers in full bloom, butterflies and bees flying on the flowers, and birds flying over the lake. It is a beautiful picture at a glance.
Red lanterns were hung on the four corners of the eaves of the waterside pavilion, and Concubine Hui had sent people to clean and decorate the interior early in the morning.
Because there was ice in it, it was not hot at all. There were several rows of long tables on the left and right, and on the tables were precious and rare fruits, including lychees, cantaloupes, and watermelons as tribute.
There are also snacks, which were also made with great care by the kitchen. They are exquisite and beautiful, and smell delicious.
In addition, there are also cool sour plum soup, tea, etc.
In the corners of the small pavilions, there are musical instruments such as the guqin and guzheng, which are used to provide music for the dancers. It can be said that all aspects are taken into consideration.
When the time came, concubines arrived one after another and were led by servants to the seats arranged in advance.
Gradually, everyone was almost there. At this time, Concubine Rong arrived. As soon as she came in, she looked around and secretly pouted her lips. Concubine Hui would pretend to do so, but she would praise her enthusiastically on her face.
"Sister Huifei is really capable. Look at this lotus viewing banquet. It is really elegant and lively. It lives up to the emperor's words to handle it well. If the emperor sees it, he will definitely praise sister."
"Sister Rongfei is right. Sister Huifei is really thoughtful and meticulous." The gentle voice of Concubine De sounded from behind.
Concubine Hui looked at the two people who came in, with a dignified and virtuous demeanor, and said angrily:
"My two sisters are here. Come in and sit down. I just asked the servants to arrange it. It's just a few words. It's not worthy of the emperor's praise."
As he said this, he asked Yun'er beside him to personally welcome Concubine De and Concubine Rong to their respective seats.
The others quickly stood up, bowed, and sat down again.
Concubine Rong continued the previous topic.
"Sister Huifei is so modest. Who among the sisters here doesn't praise you for your ability when they come in? I just wonder if the emperor will come today?"
Hearing the emperor coming, the concubines present pricked up their ears. Since the emperor returned to Changchun Garden, they had not seen the emperor except for the two times when they came to receive him and pay their respects.
Concubine Hui looked around, then looked away with a proper smile on her face.
"How can a mere concubine know the whereabouts of the emperor?" Everyone was disappointed when they heard this, but the next moment they heard Concubine Hui say:
"But I asked the emperor for permission this morning, and he said he would come over after court."
The waterside pavilion suddenly became lively.
"It is true that Concubine Hui is valued by the Emperor. On the first day of his return to Changchun Garden, the Emperor went to Concubine Hui's Yunya Pavilion. Today, he has honored her by attending the Lotus Appreciation Banquet. I really envy her."
"That's right. The lotus banquet hosted by Concubine Hui was elegant and lively. The lotus flowers outside the waterside pavilion were also very beautiful. I really made the right decision to come today."
Hearing everyone's flattery and praise for Concubine Hui, Concubine Rong curled her lips obscurely. The emperor just came to join in the fun, so he should be given more weight? Why haven't I seen the eldest prince suppress the prince?
Concubine De just smiled to win people's hearts. At this time, Concubine Nianhulu arrived.
"Oh, it's really lively. Am I late?"
Seeing the arrival, everyone, including the host of the banquet, Concubine Hui, stood up and saluted. Concubine Niuhulu looked down at the people who bowed their heads and knelt, her eyes revealing arrogance, but she said anxiously:
"My dear sisters, please get up quickly. Today is a day for gathering to enjoy the lotus. You should relax and not be too formal."
"Thank you, sister Guifei. Please take a seat."
As the host of the banquet, Concubine Hui stood up first and asked Nanny Jiang beside her to personally invite Concubine Niuhulu to sit down.
After sitting down, Concubine Niuhulu asked, "What were the sisters talking about just now? They looked so happy?"
As a good person in the palace, Defei told Concubine Hui what had just happened. When she heard that the emperor would be here soon, Concubine Nianhulu paused with her hand holding the tea. The emperor gave face to Concubine Hui, but not to her?
The knuckles of the hand holding the tea turned slightly white. Concubine Niuhulu suppressed her shame and indignation, looked around and didn't see Concubine Xian, so she deliberately asked:
"Why didn't Sister Xianfei come?"
Then he paused:
"But the emperor didn't come either. Now it's time to leave the court. I'm afraid the emperor took a detour to Dan Ning Residence to pick up Concubine Xian? Concubine Xian must have been waiting for the emperor, so she didn't come. As expected, the emperor loves Concubine Xian very much. I thought the emperor would come directly to Concubine Hui's palace. After all, she is the organizer of today's lotus viewing banquet!"
The waterside pavilion was quiet and everyone secretly looked at Concubine Hui. Although Concubine Nianhulu's words were unpleasant to hear, they made sense. The Emperor was willing to take the time to take a detour to pick up Concubine Xian, but did not come to Concubine Hui's palace to ask about the lotus viewing banquet. This was a matter of face.
Concubine Hui put down the tea bowl, wiped the corners of her mouth, concealed the coldness in her eyes, and when she raised her eyes, her face remained unchanged, and she said in a calm tone:
"Sister Xian has always been favored by the emperor, and she is weak, so it is appropriate for the emperor to go and pick her up." Then he changed the subject:
"It's been hot lately, so the kitchen likes to make old duck soup. Old duck soup is good for relieving summer heat and nourishing the body, but it's easy to get bored if you drink too much. What do you think, Imperial Concubine?"
The waterside pavilion fell silent again. Everyone knew that Imperial Concubine Nianhulu had someone send old duck soup to the Emperor yesterday.
As a result, the Emperor returned the meeting on the grounds that he had made an appointment with Concubine Xian in advance to drink lamb chop soup. This news spread throughout Changchun Garden yesterday.
The curve of Concubine Nianhulu's mouth corners immediately stretched into a straight line, and she looked at Concubine Hui with a smile.
"This good medicine tastes bitter, and the same is true for old duck soup. Concubine Hui has more experience than my sister, so she should understand this principle better."
This is saying that Concubine Hui is old. Concubine Hui is 39 years old this year, eight years older than Concubine Niuhulu. In addition, she experienced fierce palace fighting in her early years and the loss of her son. No matter how well she takes care of herself, time has left its mark on her face, making her look obviously older than Concubine Niuhulu.
Concubine Hui's smile remained unchanged, but her eyes dimmed. At this time, Concubine Xi suddenly spoke:
"Hey, look, that's the Emperor and Empress Xian coming?"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked towards the corridor of the waterside pavilion, and indeed saw the Emperor and Concubine Xian walking towards them side by side. They quickly stood up to welcome the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, I greet you. May your Majesty be blessed."