PDLP Chapter 346 Accident
Chapter 346 Accident
With a resounding cry of "The Palace Banquet Begins," the hall erupted in activity. Rows of palace maids, adorned in magnificent attire, moved gracefully between the tables, carrying exquisite dishes. The presentation of the dishes was exquisite, each one a meticulously crafted work of art.
An Lingrong sat in her seat, picking up the exquisite dishes in front of her with her chopsticks. She seemed to be tasting the food, but in fact it was tasteless.
Halfway through the banquet, Yongzheng felt the alcohol rising.
The Queen asked with concern, "Your Majesty, are you okay?"
"Nothing, I'm just a little drunk!"
"It's a bit stuffy in this palace. If Your Majesty feels uncomfortable, why not go to the Imperial Garden at the back to get some fresh air?"
Yongzheng thought for a moment and said, "Okay."
After saying that, he helped Su Peisheng out.
Without Yongzheng's majestic gaze, everyone felt that the air in the hall had become much fresher.
A barely perceptible light flashed in Prince Guo's narrow eyes. He no longer tried to conceal it, and his gaze fell directly on Zhen Huan. The wine glass tightly held in his hand gleamed with a warm luster under the candlelight.
"I, the young prince, am here to wish the Empress Xi a safe birth of an imperial heir, and long-lasting blessings."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Zhen Huan also raised her wine glass, took a sip, and then lowered her eyes.
A quarter of an hour later, Yongzheng, who had sobered up, still hadn't returned.
At this moment, Jin Xi hurried into the hall, without any trace of her usual composure. She came straight to Zhen Huan's side, whispered a few words in Zhen Huan's ear in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan stood up abruptly. Her originally calm and gentle face was instantly stained with anger, and her cheeks flushed slightly from the surge of blood. She glanced in the direction of An Lingrong, then said to the Queen, "Your Majesty, this humble concubine..."
Almost at the same time, Jianqiu was nervously reporting something to the Queen. The Queen frowned slightly as she listened to Jianqiu's words, then looked at Zhen Huan and, before she could finish, said, "Go!"
Zhen Huan quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Queen!"
After saying this, he hurriedly left.
After Zhen Huan's figure disappeared from everyone's sight, the Queen quietly raised a barely perceptible smile at the corner of her mouth.
An Lingrong looked at their series of actions and inexplicably felt a bad premonition in her heart.
"Let's go and take a look!" The queen quickly put away the smile on her face and her expression became indifferent.
The night was as dark as ink, with only a round bright moon hanging high above the head, casting its cool light, making the palace night even more mysterious.
An Lingrong supported Shen Meizhuang, and the two walked side by side. As they walked, she lowered her voice and said, "Sister, today's situation seems unusual. No matter what happens later, you must take good care of yourself."
Shen Meizhuang nodded slightly and replied solemnly, "I understand!"
In a blink of an eye, everyone arrived at the back hall of Chonghua Palace. Turning a corner, they arrived at the Imperial Garden.
After passing the Chuihua Gate, I saw a few people.
Only when I got closer could I see clearly that Yongzheng and Yurao were standing opposite each other, one standing and one kneeling, with a distance of ten feet between them.
Zhen Huan protected Yu Rao behind her and squatted down with difficulty to salute: "Yu Rao was rude and disturbed the emperor. I apologize to the emperor on her behalf."
Yongzheng was still a little drunk at this time, his eyes were blurred, but his gaze seemed to be burning with a different kind of hot flame, falling nakedly on Yu Rao. Everything around him seemed to have turned into nothingness. In his eyes, the only person in the world at this moment was this pretty and lovely woman in front of him.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, and he murmured softly: "So this is your sister, she really looks like her!"
Zhen Huan's heart immediately went into a state of alarm when she heard this, and she forced a smile on her face: "She has been spoiled by my parents since she was a child, and she doesn't know the rules. I hope Your Majesty will forgive her."
Yongzheng took a few steps forward to Zhen Huan's side, reached out his hand, gently held her arm, and pulled her up.
Then he looked at Yu Rao who had been keeping her head down and remaining silent.
"What's your name?"
An Lingrong could see clearly that this was the look a man would have when looking at a woman, one that contained admiration, surprise, and... desire.
Yu Rao bit her lip and said nothing.
Although this was an extremely rude act, Yongzheng seemed unaware of it and continued to stare at the person in front of him. The heat in his eyes not only did not subside, but became even more intense.
The Queen took a few steps forward, came to Yu Rao's side and helped her up, with her signature smile on her face: "She is indeed a beautiful woman with a well-proportioned appearance. Her eyebrows and eyes, her demeanor, not to mention the emperor, even I, the concubine, like her so much when I see her. It reminds me of my old friend!"
After hearing her words, Yongzheng realized that he had lost his composure and looked back at the queen.
The two looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing.
An Lingrong stood aside and watched all these scenes. She felt a surge of anger rising to her head. Even she was so angry, let alone the person involved, Zhen Huan.
Looking at Zhen Huan again, her hands at her sides were already trembling uncontrollably. She bit her lower lip tightly, trying to remain calm, but her face remained expressionless. She bowed to the Queen and said in a steady voice, "Thank you, Her Majesty, for the compliment."
However, the Empress was not about to give up. A subtle smile curved her lips as she continued, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xi is pregnant and unable to serve Your Majesty, so she summoned her sister to the palace to share her care. Such deep sisterly love is truly rare. Since Concubine Xi has the heart of Ehuang and Nvying, why don't Your Majesty grant her wish?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone started talking. Several relatives and wives whispered to each other, their eyes full of inquiry and disdain. They turned slightly sideways, half covered their mouths with handkerchiefs, and whispered softly. They had already secretly guessed that Zhen Huan was trying to consolidate her favor by sending her own sister into the palace.
As soon as the Queen finished speaking, Zhen Huan quickly said, "Your Majesty, Yu Rao came to the palace only to accompany me during childbirth. She had no other intentions. Please understand."
After saying this, she raised her chin slightly and looked at Yongzheng, with a stubborn look in her eyes.
Yongzheng seemed not to understand the meaning of her words. He stared at Zhen Huan and said affectionately, "Huan Huan, I know all your feelings. I see your sincerity towards me. Don't worry, I will never let you down!"
He paused slightly, then turned his gaze to Yu Rao beside him. A glint flashed in his eyes, and he continued, "I am deeply moved by your deep sisterly love. If Yu Rao could live with you in the palace, you would not have to suffer from missing your family in the future, and I would be able to see you sisters together often. Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?"
Zhen Huan's heart tightened when she heard this. She gritted her teeth and interrupted Yongzheng, saying coldly, "Your Majesty! My father is a criminal. If the daughter of a criminal enters the palace, wouldn't that damage Your Majesty's reputation?"