Ci Jinzhi

Chapter 336 In the Pavilion

 It’s so similar.

 This is the thought that arises invariably among all those who see Xin You for the first time.

“Your Highness, please come this way.”

There are small tables on both sides of the long pavilion. There are two tables side by side in the middle at the end. One table is for Emperor Xingyuan and the other is for the Queen Mother. At this time, both desks were empty, and neither Emperor Xingyuan nor the Queen Mother had arrived yet.

The palace attendant led Princess Zhaoyang all the way inside and stopped at the first desk in the Queen Mother's room: "Your Highness, please take a seat."

Princess Zhaoyang sat down quietly. Kong Fu was young and did not need to sit in another place, so he sat next to his mother.

King Xiu was already in the pavilion, sitting at the second table on the left. Sitting at the first table was Concubine Xian, the mother-in-law of the third prince who was now in charge of the harem. She was opposite the eldest princess Zhaoyang.

The third prince was eleven years old and sat at a table alone. Kong Rui's seat was between King Xiu and the third prince. This shows how much Emperor Xingyuan valued his only nephew. As for the other princes and princesses, they all sit together with their mothers and concubines, even Princess Xuan is no exception. Several childless but favored concubines sit further away.

 “Miss Xin, please take a seat.”

When they saw the palace servants leading Xin You to the table next to Princess Zhaoyang, everyone's expressions changed slightly.

According to the unwritten rules, the higher the status of the person at the banquet, the later he comes. At this time, the concubine Xian is already there, and other people in the palace have naturally arrived long ago. Although I had some guesses about the second table where the Queen Mother sat, it was still a little hard to accept when I saw Xin You sitting down.

You must know that the banquet seating itself is a reflection of status, and this girl Xin, who has not yet been recorded in the royal family tree, is actually sitting opposite the eldest prince who has been named a prince.

 Looking at Princess Xuan who was still sitting with her mother and concubine, many people were even more emotional. I heard that this girl Xin is the same age as Princess Xuan, but her status in the emperor's heart is very different.

 Princess Xuan soon received all kinds of looks.

Normally, the thoughtful Princess Xuan would be very concerned about these looks, but at this moment she was staring at Xin You intently.

He looks so much like his father. When he saw "Miss Kou" at the eldest princess's residence last year, she only thought of being like her aunt.

I heard that Miss Xin is older than her, so the name of the eldest princess should have been Miss Xin...

Thinking of this, Princess Xuan suddenly felt uncomfortable, and her hand holding the tea cup tightened.

Li Bin’s hand placed under the table gently patted her daughter.

 Princess Xuan withdrew her gaze, lowered her eyes and silently lowered her sense of presence.

 In the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Xingyuan asked Sun Yan: "Has the eldest princess arrived?"

Sun Yan knew clearly that the emperor was asking about the eldest princess, but in fact he was asking Xin You. He hurriedly said: "Her Royal Highness the eldest princess has just arrived."

Emperor Xingyuan's eyes widened: "Then let's go."

At this moment, the chamberlain came in and reported: "Your Majesty, someone is coming from Cining Palace."

 “Pass it in.”

Soon a palace servant next to the Queen Mother walked in and said, "The Queen Mother is not feeling well. She ordered her servants to come and report to Your Majesty. We will not go to the palace banquet today."

When Emperor Xingyuan heard this, he guessed that the Queen Mother's discomfort was just an excuse, but he had to go to Cining Palace.

 “How are you feeling, Queen Mother? Have you sent the imperial doctor to see you?”

The Queen Mother lay crookedly on the beauty's couch and said calmly: "I have an old headache, so there is no need to call the imperial doctor."

 “It’s better to let the imperial doctor see it before you feel relieved.”

 “Looking at it again, it’s the same as before. It’s just to make the Ai family think less and worry less.”

Emperor Xingyuan smiled and said, "Mother, please worry less."

The Queen Mother glanced at Emperor Xingyuan: "The Ai family also wants to worry less, but things have kept happening this year..."

Emperor Xingyuan listened to the Queen Mother's words for a long time, and finally waited until the Queen Mother said: "It's time to have a banquet. Emperor, don't stay with the Aijia all the time. Come over quickly."

“The Queen Mother, have a good rest, and your son will come to see you after the banquet is over.”

Her son's thoughtfulness made the Queen Mother calm down: "No need, you have so many things to do in a day. After the banquet is over, go back to the palace and have a good rest." Over in the Changting Pavilion, Emperor Xingyuan and the Queen Mother had not been seen, and the atmosphere gradually became delicate.

Princess Zhaoyang did not have much contact with the concubines in the harem. On such occasions, she would chat with the concubine Xian without a word.

The concubines, who were sitting in an orderly manner, began to talk in low voices, glancing at Xin You from the corner of their eyes from time to time.

 “Ayou.”

Xin You raised his eyes and looked at King Xiu: "Is there something wrong with His Majesty King Xiu?"

As soon as the whispers stopped, everyone's attention turned to him.

King Xiu didn't seem to notice this. He held a sweet white porcelain tea cup in his slender jade-like hand and said in a gentle tone, "Are you back to live in Xinzhai now?"

"Um."

“I’ll take you back after the banquet is over, just in time to check the door.”

Xin You stared at Xiu Wang for a moment. There was a slight smile in his eyes, neither too enthusiastic nor too cold, as pleasant as the spring breeze.

Under the gaze of many pairs of eyes, Xin You refused without hesitation: "After the banquet is over, I have to go back to Qingsong Bookstore, and I will invite Prince Xiu to come to my humble residence another day."

King Xiu was not embarrassed by the rejection at all: "Okay, then I'll wait for my sister's post."

  King Xiu’s statement in front of everyone surprised many people.

If he were still Mr. Xin, some people would think that King Xiu's unabashed closeness was a smile hidden in a smile, but now there are fewer people who think so. The reason is simple. Mr. Xin has become Miss Xin, and he no longer poses any threat to King Xiu.

 It seems that the rumors are true. After traveling south, the eldest prince recognized this sister very much.

But it seems that Miss Xin’s attitude toward the eldest prince is average.

When everyone had different thoughts, a childish voice sounded: "Is it the bookstore that sold "Journey to the West"?"

Xinyou heard the sound and looked over.

 It was the third prince who spoke.

The third prince still looks like a child. He is small and occupies a table to himself. His lips are red and his teeth are white. His eyebrows and eyes are somewhat similar to that of Emperor Xingyuan.

Xinyou's face remained normal, but her eyes tightened.

The third prince in the picture picked up something from the fruit plate and put it into his mouth. He quickly stood up with a painful look on his face and knocked over the dishes on the table. Then many people gathered around him.

 The scene disappeared, and the outcome of the third prince became a matter of suspense.

Xin You's eyelashes trembled, and she smiled slightly at the curious third prince: "Yes, it's Qingsong Bookstore, which released "Journey to the West". Do you also like "Journey to the West"?"

 “I like it, I like Sun Wukong the most—”

Concubine Xian spoke up, interrupting her son's excitement: "You'er."

 The third prince had no choice but to shut up.

“Youer still has a childish temper, which makes Miss Xin laugh.”

 “How come, someone likes Mr. Songling’s story, I’m very happy.”

Upon hearing this, the third prince looked at Xin You with a more friendly look.

Xin You thought quickly: What happened to the third prince? Someone poisoned the food? Got an emergency? Or choked on food?

At this moment, a loud announcement came: "The Emperor has arrived -"

 Everyone in the pavilion immediately stood up and saluted: "I have met your Majesty."

Emperor Xingyuan walked over and took a seat. He glanced around and landed on Xin You: "Without courtesy, please sit down."

 (End of this chapter)