readytorunbook Chapter 205 The Difficulties at the Palace Banquet
Chapter 205 The Difficulties at the Palace Banquet
"I don't know what they're after." Li Yanche gave a helpless bitter smile and shook his head gently.
Su Yinyin winked playfully, a hint of teasing in her voice, "What else could I be after? Nothing more than your status, cousin, and the glory of the Duke's mansion."
As they spoke, the group arrived at the palace gate.
The palace gates were heavily guarded, and people entered one by one after showing their tokens.
As soon as I entered the palace, a palace maid came to guide me.
Along the way, Su Yinyin looked around at the scenery of the palace, secretly marveling at its magnificence.
Upon arriving at the palace where the banquet was being held, it was already bustling with activity.
Everyone found their seats and sat down. Soon after, the Emperor and Empress arrived, and everyone stood up to pay their respects.
The palace banquet began, with singing and dancing filling the air, and delicacies being served one after another.
During the banquet, there was singing and dancing, and delicacies were served one after another. Su Yinyin, however, had no heart to appreciate it. She felt that several strange gazes were falling on her from time to time.
Su Yinyin frowned slightly, her eyes scanning her surroundings warily.
As Su Yinyin was eating, she suddenly heard the Emperor say, "Today's palace banquet is a chance for all my beloved ministers to relax and enjoy themselves to the fullest."
The Emperor's voice was loud and majestic, yet full of approachability.
Everyone expressed their gratitude in unison.
As everyone watched the exquisite dance, they felt a surge of joy!
At this moment, the Imperial Concubine looked at Su Yinyin and said with a smile, "Princess Anguo, I have heard that you are exceptionally intelligent. I wonder if you would be so kind as to perform a song for me today?"
The Imperial Concubine's smile carried a hint of barely perceptible malice as her eyes were fixed on Su Yinyin.
Su Yinyin was taken aback. She hadn't expected the Imperial Concubine to target her so quickly, specifically asking her to perform.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor looked at Su Yinyin, thinking to themselves, "The banquet has just begun, and someone is already making trouble for Su Yinyin. It seems tonight will be quite lively!"
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor were both happy to watch these minor squabbles. After all, life was truly monotonous.
Su Yinyin quickly stood up and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. I am only slightly versed in music and I am afraid I might offend Your Highness's ears."
Everyone watched as Su Yinyin's movements were elegant and graceful, and her tone was humble and polite.
"Princess Anguo, please don't be modest. I'm really looking forward to it." The Imperial Concubine's face held a spoiled expression, and her tone left no room for refusal.
Su Yinyin knew she couldn't avoid it, and cursed inwardly, "They really don't know what's good for them."
Li Lan, who was sitting next to Su Yinyin, tried to get up to deal with the situation, but Su Yinyin stopped him.
The Dowager Consort was overjoyed to see this situation. Before she had even made a move, someone was already making things difficult for her.
It seems that there are still many people like her who dislike Su Yinyin, wish her misfortune, and even more so, wish her death.
After glancing at Su Yinyin, the Dowager Consort looked at the Imperial Consort and found her particularly pleasing to the eye today.
Su Yinyin suddenly felt that special gaze and looked in that direction.
Oh, so it was the Imperial Noble Consort Dowager! Judging from her expression, Su Yinyin knew that the Imperial Noble Consort Dowager was extremely happy at this moment.
So what? A capable person has nothing to fear, no matter where they are.
Su Yinyin's momentary disdain towards the Imperial Noble Consort was also caught by the Imperial Noble Consort.
The Empress Dowager's face turned ashen, her heart filled with rage. Her fists clenched tightly.
Su Yinyin smiled at the Imperial Concubine and said, "In terms of talent and dance, none of us here can compare to Your Highness. Why don't you perform a song for us so that we can broaden our horizons?"
Su Yinyin's smile was sweet, but her eyes held a hint of provocation.
The Imperial Concubine's face darkened. "Princess Anguo, what do you mean by this? I asked you to perform, but you kept making excuses and even wanted me to perform myself. Do you not take me seriously?"
The imperial concubine's face instantly darkened, her eyes filled with anger.
Su Yinyin replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I had no such intention. However, Your Majesty is of noble status, and if you could display your talents, it would surely add much to the splendor of this palace banquet."
Su Yinyin's tone was calm and firm, her gaze meeting the Imperial Concubine's without flinching.
At this moment, everyone around stopped what they were doing and watched the standoff silently.
The Imperial Noble Consort was even more enraged by Su Yinyin's arrogant demeanor. "You wretch, you wretch! So arrogant, all because of Yuan'er! Today I'll kill you! Let you be arrogant for a while!"
The Imperial Noble Consort has made thorough preparations today. To be precise, she has tailored three preparations specifically for Su Yinyin.
The Emperor coughed lightly, "Your Highness, Princess Anguo must be a little nervous. Please don't make things difficult for her."
The emperor's expression showed slight displeasure, and his voice carried a hint of warning.
The Imperial Concubine bit her lip. “Your Majesty, I did not make things difficult for Princess Anguo. I just felt that this was a good opportunity to let everyone see Princess Anguo’s talent so that she could marry well. After all, Princess Anguo has no parents and is raising a child.”
A hint of resentment flashed in the concubine's eyes, and her voice carried a trace of grievance.
When Su Yinyin heard the Imperial Concubine mention that she had no parents and a child, a trace of pain flashed in her eyes, but she quickly calmed down.
The Duke immediately stood up. “Your Majesty, Yinyin is the apple of our eye in the Duke’s mansion. We cherish her dearly. Whether she marries or not, the Duke’s mansion can afford to support her.”
The Duke's expression was serious, his tone firm, and full of protection for Su Yinyin.
Upon hearing these words, the Regent's face darkened horribly. Just as the Regent was about to rise...
Su Yinyin curtsied and said slowly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Although I have had a difficult life, I am fortunate to have the Emperor and Empress Dowager's favor, and I have no worries about food and clothing. As for whether I will marry or not, that is entirely up to fate."
Your Highness, you live a life of luxury and ease, you must have nothing better to do than concern yourself with my marriage?
This princess is twenty years old this year and already has a son whose father is of noble status. Your Highness's niece must be twenty by now, why is she still unmarried? Is there something wrong with her?
If she gets married, will she be able to marry a man of higher status than my son?
Su Yinyin's voice was unhurried, but every word was full of power, and her eyes revealed determination and confidence.
Su Yinyin's retort made the Imperial Concubine's face grow even uglier. She glared at Su Yinyin. "Su Yinyin, how dare you insult my family?"
The imperial concubine's voice was sharp and piercing as she pointed at Su Yinyin, her body trembling slightly.
The Imperial Concubine's niece happened to be present and wanted to get up and make trouble for Su Yinyin, but was stopped by her mother.
"Mother, why are you holding me?" the woman asked in a low voice.
"Don't get involved. If you want to deal with Su Yinyin, do it secretly." The woman nodded in agreement, but could only glare angrily at Su Yinyin.
Su Yinyin said with a laugh, "Insults? Is this what you call insults? Wasn't what I said the truth? Were the words that the Imperial Concubine just said to me also insults?"
Su Yinyin's face revealed a mocking smile, her eyes filled with disdain.
The Imperial Concubine trembled with anger at Su Yinyin's words. "You ungrateful wretch! I meant well, yet you are so ungrateful."
The imperial concubine's voice trembled, and her makeup was distorted with anger.