PDLP Chapter 249 As long as the emperor is happy
Chapter 249 As long as the emperor is happy
The night wind howled, bringing a chill.
Jiang Ningwan's hair was lifted up, and the light makeup on her face just covered up her pale face, but her eyebrows and eyes were a little softer and less fierce than before.
She put on a dark fox fur coat, got on the carriage, and slowly entered the palace.
The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was very lively.
The whole palace watched the fireworks together.
It bloomed in the night sky for an hour, so gorgeous.
The Queen Mother was surrounded by the Emperor and concubines, watching the fireworks outside the palace and laughing.
"The Empress prepared this birthday banquet, and we concubines also benefited from it, being able to see such beautiful fireworks."
The Queen smiled and said, "How can we not celebrate your mother's seventieth birthday with great ceremony? I am doing my best to show my appreciation, and I hope your mother will enjoy it."
Everyone liked it so much, the Queen Mother didn't want to pour cold water on it, so she nodded and smiled slightly and said, "The Queen has put in a lot of effort, and I like it very much."
"It's just a bit extravagant."
Hearing this, the emperor smiled and said, "It's my mother's birthday, so it's okay to be extravagant this time!"
Jiang Ningwan stood in the corner of the crowd, quietly admiring the fireworks, her heart calm.
Pei Xunzhi held her arm, paying attention to the movements of the Emperor and Empress, and couldn't help but say: "I wonder who they are trying to please by holding such a grand birthday banquet."
Jiang Ningwan glanced at the Queen with a cold gaze, "It doesn't matter who I please, as long as the Emperor is happy."
It was very cold in the middle of the night, and the wind blowing through her clothes made it even more biting. Jiang Ningwan unconsciously tightened her cloak.
It's so cold today, and the Queen Mother is still standing in the wind.
Sure enough, not long after, the Queen Mother tightened her clothes and slowly said, "Emperor, please take your time to look at it. I am a little tired and will go back to rest first."
Unexpectedly, at this moment, the Queen immediately grabbed the Queen Mother and said, "Mother, I haven't finished watching the fireworks I prepared for you yet. The best is yet to come."
"Also, Cheng Qian also wants to show his filial piety today and please the Queen Mother. If the Queen Mother is tired of standing, please have someone bring a chair."
The Emperor didn't notice anything unusual and said with a smile, "Yes, Mother, you are the birthday girl, so you should accompany your children and grandchildren to have some fun."
"The Queen has put a lot of effort into preparing the birthday banquet. If Mother passes away early, the Queen will be sad and blame herself."
The emperor then immediately had seats arranged.
Let the Queen Mother sit down and watch the ceremony.
The Queen Mother had no choice but to sit down, still holding on in the wind.
Jiang Ningwan clutched her sleeves tightly, feeling angry. She wanted to step forward, but Pei Xunzhi quickly pulled her back. She knew what Jiang Ningwan meant.
He looked at her nervously, "What do you want to do?"
Going forward on such an occasion would undoubtedly cause trouble.
Jiang Ningwan frowned, gave Pei Xunzhi a wink, and suddenly felt dizzy and fell to the ground.
Pei Xunzhi reacted very quickly and hugged her, "Ningwan! What's wrong with you?"
This sound immediately drew everyone's attention.
The Queen Mother quickly stood up and hurried over, "What happened to Ning Wan?"
"She fainted. The imperial physician said her body cannot withstand cold wind." Pei Xunzhi looked worried.
The Queen Mother was slightly startled, then immediately understood.
"The wind is so strong out here, how can you not feel dizzy? Quickly call the imperial physician! Send Ning Wan to Shouchun Palace to rest first."
After saying this, the Queen Mother looked at the Emperor and the Queen and said, "I am also feeling a little cold. I can't stand it any longer, so I will return to Shouchun Palace first."
The Queen wanted to persuade her to stay, but Concubine Rong sneezed at the right moment, "A-choo——"
Hearing this voice, the emperor frowned in worry, "The wind is a bit strong here, mother, please go back and rest first. I will show you the performance in the palace later."
Two eunuchs stepped forward and tried to carry Jiang Ningwan away, but it was a bit difficult.
Qin Wenli stepped forward and said, "I'll do it."
Then he carried Jiang Ningwan on his back and went to Shouchun Palace with the empress dowager.
When we arrived at Shouchun Palace, the imperial physician had already arrived.
The imperial physician examined Jiang Ningwan's pulse and said, "General Jiang is fine. Just drink a bowl of ginger soup."
After the imperial physician left, Jiang Ningwan slowly woke up.
Qin Wenli breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you're okay. I'll go back first. You should have a good rest."
Jiang Ningwan nodded slightly.
The Queen Mother quickly ordered, "Feng Chan, go make some ginger soup."
Jiang Ningwan propped herself up and sat up from the couch, looking at the Queen Mother's pale face. "Mother, you've been exposed to the cold wind for so long, can you still bear it?"
Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother's suspicions were further confirmed, and a warm feeling grew in her heart.
He held her hand distressedly and said, "I knew you wouldn't faint for no reason."
"Of all the people in this palace, you're the only one who truly cares about my health."
Jiang Ningwan could see that the Queen Mother did not like tonight's birthday banquet, but she did not want to spoil everyone's fun.
Soon, the ginger soup was served.
Several people drank a bowl.
The Queen Mother added, "If you have rested well, come back to the palace later to watch the performance, so that no one will accuse you of deliberately opposing the Queen."
"I'm old, and I don't know how long I can protect you. Please be careful."
Ever since the assassination in the Buddhist temple, she felt that her health was getting worse and worse, and she was powerless to do many things.
Jiang Ningwan nodded.
After staying in Shouchun Palace for a while, a palace servant came to tell her that the fireworks were over and asked the Queen Mother to return to the palace to watch the show.
But by then the Queen Mother had already gone to bed.
Jiang Ningwan and Pei Xunzhi returned to the hall.
"Why didn't the Queen Mother come?" the Emperor asked in confusion.
"In reply to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager has caught a cold and is feeling unwell. She has gone to bed."
Hearing this, the queen sitting on the chair looked unhappy.
Isn't this just her fault for making the wrong arrangement?
"It seems that I shouldn't have arranged the fireworks, causing my mother to catch a cold due to the wind. It's all my fault!" The queen frowned and spoke in a self-blaming tone.
The emperor patted her hand and said, "Your preparation for this birthday banquet shows your dedication. I can't blame you for any negligence."
The Queen raised her lips slightly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding."
The emperor said with some regret: "Since the Queen Mother has gone to bed, let the performance begin. Jiang Ningwan, please take a seat."
Jiang Ningwan returned to her seat, but could still feel the Queen's sharp gaze.
There is no doubt that the Queen has held a grudge against me again today, but this time is not a big deal.
Listening to the Queen and the Emperor chatting and drinking happily, Jiang Ningwan unconsciously tightened her grip on the wine glass.
He killed her child, yet now he has regained the emperor's grace.
God is so blind.
She picked up the glass and drank it in one gulp.
Looking at the empty seat next to me, I was filled with resentment and had no one to vent to, and I felt even more suffocated.
I don’t know when Qin Shuangchi will be back.
Just then, a melodious flute sound was heard, and Jiang Ningwan came back to her senses and began to enjoy the singing and dancing.
Dancers in thin clothes entered the hall with their sleeves dancing gracefully. Suddenly, a red figure danced out from behind the dancers.
Accompanied by the petals swaying and falling.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the red figure.
She was wearing a veil, her figure was soft and boneless, and every movement she made was like flowing water, so beautiful that people could not take their eyes off her.
The more Jiang Ningwan looked at the figure, the more familiar it seemed to her.