PFC Chapter 181: Discovering the Strange Lottery Performance
Chapter 181: Discovering the Strange Lottery Performance
Kangxi led Shi Nanxi into the water pavilion. After a round of greetings, they took their seats. Looking at the layout of the water pavilion and the endless green lotus flowers on the lake, Kangxi was in a good mood.
"Thank you for your hard work, Concubine Hui. You look very good."
As the host, Concubine Hui sat in front of Concubine Nianhulu, facing Kangxi. Upon hearing the words, she leaned forward slightly, and the smile on her well-maintained face became more sincere.
"As long as the emperor and the sisters like it."
Concubine Nianhulu didn't expect that what she said was right. The Emperor really took Concubine Xian over. Although this move slapped Concubine Hui in the face, she felt even worse.
Looking at Concubine Hui's smug face again, she clenched her handkerchief tightly, biting it secretly, and suddenly glanced at Concubine Xian who was sitting down, and suddenly said:
"When I arrived just now, I didn't see Concubine Xian. I thought maybe she would come after the emperor came back from court. I didn't expect that I was right."
Then he glanced at Concubine Hui and said to Kangxi with a smile:
"The Emperor really values Concubine Hui very much. I know that Concubine Hui's lotus viewing banquet will be well organized."
Concubine Hui's expression remained unchanged, but she sat up straight again. Kangxi slowly stroked the jade ring and glanced at Concubine Nianhulu.
"Concubine Hui has always been capable. I trust her."
I glanced at Heather Creek again.
"As for Concubine Xian, she is weak and timid. I just came back from court and picked her up along the way."
How could it be a detour? It was clearly a detour. How could they say that Empress Xian was weak and timid?
Being physically weak barely counts, but being able to seduce the emperor without telling all the concubines during the re-election, is that cowardly? Then what is courageous?
Now even Concubine Nianhulu, who had been using Concubine Xian as an excuse to make trouble, was speechless. Her palms had been pinched red. Everyone was envious, jealous and secretly hated Concubine Xian.
Sitting a little further away, Concubine Guo saw the situation and realized that Concubine Xian was indeed very favored, just as her sister, Concubine Guo Luoluo had said. A trace of solemnity flashed through her mind, and she broke the quiet atmosphere with a joking tone.
"Your Majesty, can Concubine Hui start the banquet? I am looking at the lotus flowers all over the lake, smelling the fragrant snacks on the table, and feeling the cool breeze. I feel relaxed and happy, and my mouth is watering. I can't wait."
Concubine Hui didn't want the lotus viewing banquet she was holding to be surrounded by Concubine Xian, so she immediately smiled and said:
"Look at how greedy Miss Guo is. It seems that she really can't wait. Your Majesty, what do you think?"
Kangxi nodded to signal the start of the banquet, and the palace servants served wine and dishes in an orderly manner. The place where Kangxi sat was the best place to appreciate the lotus.
At this moment, looking at the green lotus flowers stretching to the sky outside the water pavilion, a cool breeze blew, he picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip, his brows relaxed.
"The lotus flowers blooming all over the lake are truly beautiful. Just as Lady Guo said, I feel relaxed and happy."
When Concubine Guo was mentioned, she was delighted and said quickly:
"As long as the emperor is happy, I have to thank Concubine Hui for not only giving good advice on appreciating the lotus, but also decorating the waterside pavilion so well. The emperor now feels comfortable and happy."
I don’t know how Concubine Guo praised her, but Concubine Hui obviously wouldn’t ruin her performance.
"But the Emperor and the sisters have praised me for just talking, and even though I am thick-skinned, I can't help but blush!"
"Sister Huifei's face is really red."
The concubines all joined in the fun, and the newlyweds also took the opportunity to talk to the Emperor. At some point, graceful dancers came in to the music and started dancing, and the whole banquet suddenly became lively.
Shi Nanxi, who was among the concubines, watched the lively banquet, then glanced at Kangxi who was occasionally talking to the concubines. She lowered her eyes slightly, looked at the sour plum soup in her hand, with a dazed expression, and hesitated to drink it.
"Empress, what's wrong with you?" Nanny Yang, who noticed something was wrong with Shi Nanxi, came forward and asked in a low voice.
Shi Nanxi came back to her senses, clenched the sour plum juice in her hand, and whispered:
"I'm fine. Maybe I got up too early this morning and I'm a little sleepy."
However, Nanny Yang didn't believe it. The queen didn't notice that her voice was a little hoarse when she spoke.
She was a smart person. Seeing that the empress didn't look up, she glanced at the emperor and the concubines in the room. She understood a little and couldn't help feeling sorry for the empress.
The Queen is usually smart and wise, but she is still young, and the Emperor dotes on her so much, so it is inevitable that the Queen is attracted to him.
But the Emperor is an emperor, he is cold-hearted and even if he dotes on the Empress, he will never be able to return her love!
Just when Nanny Yang was worried, Kangxi had looked over here many times.
All the concubines in the palace were vying to show their faces, but that frail little girl was the only one who stayed quiet. How could Kangxi not notice her?
Seeing that the little girl was still holding the sour plum soup, he retracted his gaze and instructed Liang Jiugong:
"Go ask your mistress Xian if the sour plum soup is not to her liking, and bring the iced milk tea on my table over."
Liang Jiugong received the order and walked towards Concubine Xian's seat with the iced milk tea on the emperor's table. This scene was seen by the concubines. They remained calm on the surface but cursed in their hearts.
Liang Jiugong came to Concubine Xian, conveyed the emperor's words, and handed the ice tea milk to Hongying. After listening, Shi Nanxi looked towards Kangxi.
Their eyes met. Shi Nanxi could see Kangxi's concern for her, and she seemed to avoid Kangxi's gaze in panic.
Kangxi at the top remained calm, but his hand stroking the jade ring paused, and a trace of contemplation flashed across his phoenix eyes.
"Thank you, General Manager Liang. The sour plum soup is very good, but I ate a sour orange before I came here, and I can still remember the sour taste. That's why I can't drink the sour plum soup."
Shi Nanxi looked at the sour plum soup in her hand, pursed her lips and said:
"It's just a small matter. I didn't expect the emperor to notice it. The iced milk tea you sent is just right. Please ask Chief Steward Liang to thank the emperor on my behalf."
"Your Majesty's matter is no small matter. I will report back to the Emperor right away."
Liang Jiugong quickly went back to report to the emperor.
After Liang Jiugong left, Hongying carefully poured a glass of ice milk tea for her master. Shi Nanxi put down the sour plum soup in her hand, picked up the ice milk tea and drank it in small sips.
After hearing Liang Jiugong's reply, Kangxi fell into deep thought again. Liang Jiugong did not notice anything unusual, but Kangxi did.
Sour oranges. When I picked up the girl, there were sour oranges on her table. But those sour oranges were tribute. He also instructed Liang Jiugong to pick the best ones from the tribute. How could they be sour?
Something is wrong!
Kangxi suddenly remembered that the little girl seemed to be in a daze often and absent-minded sometimes recently. What happened? Did someone bully her?
Just as Kangxi was thinking, Concubine Guo took in the scene and subconsciously clenched her fingers.
I thought of the news that my sister, Concubine Guo Luoluo, had passed on from the palace a few days ago when she learned that Concubine Hui was going to hold a lotus viewing banquet.
The younger sister has a deep grudge against Concubine Xian. She and her younger sister are one. Sooner or later, Concubine Xian will be in trouble with them if she becomes favored. The younger sister suggests that they should take advantage of the fact that Concubine Xian has just entered the palace and has a weak foundation, and they should take action first, and they don't have to do it themselves.
Thinking of this, her eyes brightened, and she suddenly smiled and suggested:
"Your Majesty, Sister Huifei, the weather is perfect today, the lotus flowers are beautiful, and the sisters are gathered here happily. How about adding some fun and drawing lots for the sisters to perform their talents?"
As soon as these words were spoken, not only the old people but also the newlyweds were excited. They had always wanted to show up in front of the Emperor, but could not find a chance. The talent show proposed by Concubine Guo was a great opportunity!
In the corner, Nara agreed and a gleam of brilliance and excitement flashed across her lowered eyes as she thought of the agreement she had made with Concubine Guo.
Concubine Hui had been immersed in the harem for many years. When she looked around at this moment and saw the eager expressions of the concubines, she knew that Concubine Guo wanted to make trouble by taking advantage of her lotus viewing banquet.
His brain was working quickly, and he thought of Concubine Guo Luoluo who stayed in the palace, the one who had a deep grudge with Concubine Xian!
Her eyes flickered slightly, so Concubine Guo's move was most likely directed at Concubine Xian.
Well, Concubine Xian was on equal footing with her when she entered the palace at a young age. She had just been indirectly slapped in the face by Concubine Nianhulu. She was happy to watch the show when someone else took action, and she could also show her face in the talent show.
Concubine Hui made a decision in a flash. She glanced at Nanny Jiang first, then clapped her hands and smiled:
"Yes, it sounds very interesting. Your Majesty, what do you think of Sister Guo's proposal?"