frightfiction Chapter 313 Birthday Party
Chapter 313 Birthday Party
The banquet was very lively at this time. People were constantly being brought in, and those who knew each other at the seats were whispering to each other.
"There are so many people here today. I haven't seen such a grand birthday banquet in a long time. Empress Xian is really favored."
A woman couldn't help but click her tongue as she watched people keep coming in.
"This is the birthday banquet of Empress Xian. Everyone knows that Empress Xian is the apple of the Emperor's eye. There are so many beauties in the palace, but she is the only one favored by the Emperor in the harem. Can you see that..."
The person who was speaking raised his chin slightly, motioned the woman to look at the furnishings of the Snowfall Pavilion, and said very attentively and perceptively:
"This Jiangxue Pavilion has obviously been newly painted, and the furnishings are all exquisite. It looks glorious and magnificent. I heard that it is because the emperor attaches great importance to the birthday banquet of Empress Xian and repeatedly instructed the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Ministry of Internal Affairs must make good arrangements."
He lowered his voice and said:
"Last year, the birthday banquet of Imperial Concubine Niuhulu was also held here. I was lucky enough to attend it. The grand occasion that day was just like this, or even slightly less than that. You have to know that Imperial Concubine Niuhulu is the Imperial Concubine!"
"Really?"
The woman couldn't help but widen her eyes when she heard this, and couldn't help but say:
"My goodness, the birthday banquet for the imperial concubine was held according to the imperial concubine's regulations, and even better. The reputation of Empress Xian as the favorite concubine is really well-deserved! But aren't you afraid that Imperial Concubine Nianhulu will be dissatisfied?"
After all, if you exceed the limit, even with the emperor's favor, your reputation will never be good.
"What do you know?" The speaker glanced at the woman.
The woman was confused by the look on her face. What did she understand?
Seeing this, the speaker had to lower his voice to remind:
"So what if Concubine Niuhulu is unhappy? After this birthday banquet, there may be more than one concubine in the palace."
The woman covered her lips in shock.
There was a lot of discussion below, and the concubines above were also discussing the specifications of the birthday banquet.
"Look at this birthday banquet for Concubine Xian. The emperor is really biased. It's even more lively than the birthday banquet for Concubine Gui last year."
After Rong Fei took her seat, she looked around, and when her sight passed over Concubine Nianhulu, she rolled her eyes and spoke in a deliberately sour tone, and of course she really felt a little sour in her heart.
When Concubine Guo Luoluo heard this, she also glanced at Concubine Niuhulu and continued with a smile:
"The Emperor has been partial to Concubine Xian for a long time. It is indeed lively, but not as lively as Concubine Gui's birthday party last year. It is just as lively."
It's better not to say this. What does "equally lively" mean? One is the birthday banquet of the imperial concubine, and the other is the birthday banquet of the concubine. The fact that these two are equally lively speaks volumes about the problem.
Concubine Nianhulu had an impeccable smile on her face, but the handkerchief on her knees was crumpled into a mess.
Bitch, bitch, everyone is a bitch, and the bitchiest one is Concubine Xian!
It was all because of her that she seduced the emperor. The emperor used to be a very rule-abiding person!
I'm afraid everyone in the audience is mocking and laughing at her in their hearts!
Thinking of this, Concubine Nianhulu could no longer hold back and lowered her head to hide the momentary distortion on her face. The next moment, after raising her head, she looked magnanimous and forgiving again.
"Since Concubine Xian is young, it's inevitable that she prefers more fun. It was the same when I was young. The Emperor was not partial to the sisters at that time."
"Sister Imperial Concubine is right. When we were young, who among us had not been favored by the Emperor? Now that Sister Imperial Concubine Xian is young, it is reasonable for the Emperor to be partial to her."
Sitting slightly below, Concubine Wu listened calmly to the conversation among the concubines without interrupting them. Her current situation required her to be very low-key and not draw attention.
However, even though she wanted to keep a low profile, some people didn't want to let her go. For example, Concubine Hui, who was innocently implicated by her last time, glanced at Concubine Wu, her eyes flickered slightly, and suddenly she pointed out the name:
"Sister Wupin, why haven't you said anything today? How do you think today's birthday banquet for sister Xianfei compares to last year's birthday banquet for sister Guifei?"
The word "Wu Bin" was deliberately emphasized, and everyone immediately looked at Wu Bin.
Everyone knows that Concubine Wu has lost the emperor's favor and was demoted by him. She had been reflecting on herself in the palace before. Today's birthday banquet for Concubine Xian is the first time she has come out since being demoted.
It was obvious that Concubine Hui had no good intention in asking this.
Wupin was still as considerate and gentle as ever, even after being demoted. When she heard Huifei's words, she replied softly:
"In reply to Concubine Hui, I was so absorbed in listening to what you sisters were saying that I have not spoken. As for which birthday banquet was more lively, Concubine Gui's or Concubine Xian's, I was unable to attend Concubine Gui's birthday banquet last year because the twelfth princess suddenly had a fever, so I cannot compare today."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Hui remembered that Concubine Wu did not attend the Imperial Concubine's birthday banquet last year because of the sick Twelfth Princess, and she was speechless for a moment.
Watching this scene, the corners of Concubine Guo Luoluo's mouth pulled down imperceptibly. Last time, she used the matter of the crown prince and Shi Rongyue to severely fight back against Uya, but even if this person was demoted, she still should not be underestimated.
"Sister Wupin is still so gentle and modest, just like before!"
How could it be the same as before!
In the past, Concubine Wu was Empress Defei, but now she is the lowest among the concubines, after all, she has no title.
The people in the palace are best at kicking someone when he is down, and when others see this, they follow suit and say hurtful words under the guise of complimenting him.
However, Concubine Wu was gentle and decent throughout the whole process, without showing any anger, dissatisfaction or resentment, which made everyone feel like they were punching cotton.
Time passed little by little, and at this time, Shi Nanxi and Kangxi came over together. Everyone hurriedly saluted and then sat down.
Regarding seating, this was Shi Nanxi's birthday banquet and she was considered the hostess, so the Ministry of Internal Affairs specially arranged for her to sit next to the emperor, and the two of them shared a seat.
The reason why the Ministry of Internal Affairs dared to do this was because the emperor had taken the initiative to do so at Mulan Paddock, otherwise he would not have dared to make such an arrangement.
Kangxi was indeed very satisfied, and Shi Nanxi was also quite happy. As for those who were unhappy, such as Concubine Niuhulu, they could only curse in their hearts.
"Today is Empress Xian's birthday banquet. I am very happy and would like to enjoy it with all of you. Let's begin the feast!" Kangxi looked around and said with a smile.
After that, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony began to follow the procedures.
"It's time for the birthday gift."
Soon someone presented gifts, the first of which was the Empress Dowager.
The second one is Kangxi.
Everyone is curious about what gift the Emperor will give to Concubine Xian!
Shi Nanxi was also quite curious. She didn't ask Kangxi privately, "What about birthday gifts?" If she knew in advance, there would be no surprise.
Kangxi just smiled and said nothing.
The next moment, a faint ding-dong sound was heard from the door, and a little eunuch walked in holding a jade plate covered with a red cloth in his hands.
As the little eunuch got closer, the ding-dong-dong music became louder and louder.
Shi Nanxi was surprised at first, then she thought of something and looked at Kangxi beside her. Kangxi raised the corner of his mouth and said with a smile:
"See if you like it?"
As Kangxi finished speaking, the young eunuch stopped in the center of the hall, gently lifted the red cloth, revealing the true appearance of the gift.