strictlysupreme Chapter 518: Drinking
Chapter 518: Drinking
Only after the emperor interrupted did the two stop arguing.
Princess Nanshang gave the Queen Mother an extremely arrogant and provocative look, then sat back in her seat.
Everyone sat down in their respective seats, and His Majesty said a few polite words symbolically, and then this so-called family dinner officially began.
The palace maids entered one after another from the side doors on both sides of the hall, their steps quick and steady. Their skirts fluttered like lotus flowers as they walked, and their gauze clothes fluttered, as if they were in a dream.
During the banquet, the musicians played music, and the music echoed in the empty hall, like the sound of nature; the sleeves of the dancers fluttered...
Different from what Jiang An had seen before, the singing and dancing at this banquet were magnificent and grand, and the women's every frown and smile seemed to be expressing the four words "peace and prosperity for the country and the people".
The little girl was fascinated for a moment, her eyes fixed on the scene.
"County Lady..."
A palace maid knelt in front of her, holding a tray with an exquisite jade bottle in her hand.
The liquid in the jade bottle was beautiful in color, and even with the mouth sealed it couldn't stop the fruity aroma.
"This peach wine is a gift from His Majesty, considering that you are still ill and cannot drink."
Jiang An didn't rush to speak, but looked at the palace maid's face carefully.
She had been to the Chenglong Palace many times, but this palace servant looked unfamiliar...
The little girl's nose moved slightly, and she smelled another scent beneath the fragrance of peach.
She frowned slightly and smiled brightly at the palace maid, "Then I'll trouble the maid to pour me a glass!"
The palace maid looked calm, "My lady, you are too kind to me."
She picked up the jade bottle and poured a cup for the little girl...
What the palace maid didn't know was that Jiang An, who was on high alert, didn't miss a single move she made.
Whoever did this is a smart guy...
Not only was there something wrong with the peach wine in front of Jiang An, but even the maid who served the dishes next to Song Shen had problems.
She took the opportunity to add something to Song Shen's wine glass while offering the dishes.
The little girl was shaking the pink fruit wine, and the fruity aroma was refreshing.
Are they trying to kill two birds with one stone?
On the high platform, the Queen and the Queen Mother glanced at Jiang An's seat inconspicuously.
It just so happened that the song and dance ended at this time...
"emperor…"
The Queen Mother suddenly spoke up, "I heard that the child from Old Nine's family is here today, too?"
"I have wanted to meet you several times, but the county master is always busy, so I have never been able to meet him. Can I finally meet him today?!"
The smile on His Majesty's face froze for a moment.
After all, Jiang An is now in his camp, so naturally he has to be protected.
"Don't blame me, mother. An An has been serving as an official in the court since she first came to Kyoto. There are so many important state affairs that she is naturally too busy to spare time. This matter is also my fault..."
"Ah…"
The Queen Mother's smile faded a little, and her tone was gloomy, "Your Majesty, that's not right. You are the ruler of a country, and it is not right for a ruler to apologize."
"In this case... it seems that I am causing more trouble."
Your Majesty originally wanted to retreat in order to advance and brush this topic aside, but he did not expect that if he took a step back, the Queen Mother would also take a step back.
"Then the county lady has no official business today. Can I see you?"
After all, she is the mother of the emperor. She is so humble just to see the younger generation...
Your Majesty and the County Princess are really wrong!
"Your servant Jiang An..."
A female voice suddenly rang out in the hall, which was originally bustling with people.
Everyone's eyes were on Jiang An.
She just smiled and looked calm.
"I've met the Queen Mother."
"Your Majesty has invited me several times when I was hearing cases, but I was unable to leave due to official duties. I hope Your Majesty will not blame me if I am wrong."
At this moment, the expressions of the adults changed again.
Why can't I meet the younger generation anytime I want? I have to wait until Jiang An is cleaning up the military department and other places before I can meet him...
Who would believe me if you say there is nothing fishy about it?
Listening to the almost inaudible whispers, the Queen Mother's face turned completely cold.
On the contrary, the queen still had a smile on her face. "I am ashamed to say this. We live deep in the harem and have no idea about the affairs of the previous dynasty. I accidentally found such an opportunity."
"An An, I didn't cause you any trouble, did I?"
She raised the wine cup in front of her and said, "Our Jiang family is not very prosperous, and now you are the only unmarried girl. This palace and the Queen Mother are so happy to see you!"
"This glass of wine is for you."
"Your Majesty, I am sorry for your kindness..."
The queen only held up the wine cup and signaled the little girl with her eyes to pick up the cup on the table.
Look...it's bound to win!
There was a flash of disdain in Jiang An's eyes. These dirty tricks again!
The only thing on her table now was a glass of adulterated fruit wine, and even the wine in front of Song Shen was problematic.
She still doesn't know the function of that flower...
Moreover, today he couldn't use his internal energy and couldn't force the alcohol out of his body.
There is no way out for Jiang An at all!
In the eerie silence, Princess Nan Shang frowned slightly.
Why did she have to drink?
Is there something wrong?!
Thinking of this, the princess did not intend to just watch the show.
Nothing can happen to the little girl!
She was just about to stand up to block it for Jiang An when she heard the loud laughter of a little girl at the next table.
The little girl gave him a reassuring look.
Jiang An picked up the cup of fruit wine under Nianniang's uneasy gaze...
"Miss..." She wanted to say that there was something wrong with the palace maid just now, and this fruit wine was not edible!
Holding the cup with slender and beautiful fingers, Jiang An chose to pour the cup of fruit wine while everyone was waiting with bated breath.
She...fell down!
Just pour it out as a way to honor the ancestors!!
“An…An…” The wife of Marquis Dingyuan was almost kneeling down to her.
The queen's determined look turned into uncontrollable rage before she could even subside!
She clenched the cup tightly and almost tore the little girl apart.
If you don't eat the toast, you will be punished with a drink!
Amid the frightened and anticipatory looks of the crowd, Jiang An strode towards the center of the hall.
"It is my honor that the Queen pays respect to me..."
An official from the Xie family's faction slammed the table and angrily said, "If it is an honor, why did you raise the wine..."
“It’s an honor!”
There was murderous intent in the little girl's eyes as she glanced at the person who was speaking. At the harsh words, the man retreated and sat back in his seat.
“Heh…” That’s all.
She smiled wildly, "Since it is an honor, how can I replace it with just fruit wine? It must be the best wine!"
"I dare to ask your Majesty for some wine..."
Jiang An winked at the emperor and said, "Don't bother the maid, I'll just ask for the wine on your Majesty's table."
The emperor's originally stiff face suddenly burst into laughter, and he pointed at Jiang An, "Haha...you little monkey!"
He waved his hand and said, "Reward!"
His Majesty sent for his personal eunuch, the one who had helped Jiang An several times in the palace.
He handed the wine to her. As he handed it to her, he whispered, "I think the county lady doesn't like that fruit wine. I'll ask someone to change a pot for you right away."
Jiang An curled his lips, it's easy to talk to smart people.
"Thank you."
The girl accepted the Queen's toast and returned to her seat.
The singing and dancing in the palace resumed...
She glanced at Song Shen's wine glass and found it was empty.
The palace maid who poured wine for her was replaced by another one, and the pot of wine disappeared along with it.
Then someone poked her.
Cui Huaixu gave her an admiring look and said, "You are so brave!"
"Scared me!"
He poured out the wine in front of the Queen and even made up such an outrageous excuse.
Look at the faces of the Queen and the Queen Mother, they are darker than the bottom of a pot~
The little girl raised her eyebrows, not knowing how to be modest, "I can't help it, who made me so smart~"
Cui Huaixu rubbed the goose bumps on his arms.
While the two of them were talking, Song Shen pulled at his collar several times, only to find that the hall, which had been somewhat cool before, was now extremely hot.
He was irritable because of the heat!
"Mother, my son is going out for a walk."
Princess: "Take the guards with you and don't go too far."
"Yes…"
Jiang An turned his head to look at Song Shen who was striding forward, and then glanced at the Queen Mother and the Empress.
Two of their personal maids are missing...
“Brew…”
Nianniang nodded and quietly left the hall.
Not long after Song Shen left, a palace servant walked quickly from outside the hall and headed straight for His Majesty who was sitting on the high throne.