Chapter 48 The Useless Shen Nanzi

Chapter 48 The Useless Shen Nanzi

Shen Nanzi's face showed relief as she picked up the child's bow.

The bow is made of poplar wood, painted with light brown lacquer, carved with small animal patterns, and painted with gold powder.

It is both exquisite and playful.

There are a few places with some wear and tear, but that doesn't prevent it from being used.

Then look at the wooden arrowheads, with rounded, blunt tips to prevent accidental injury to oneself or others during practice.

"That's wonderful," Shen Nanzi said happily. "Who sent this over?"

Eunuchs all have masters behind them, so Shen Nanzi needs to find out the details so she can return the eunuchs later and thank them in person.

“My master said that this bow and arrow are useless, so they should be given to the young prince for emergency use and need not be returned.”

After the eunuch finished speaking, he turned and left, not giving Shen Nanzi a chance to ask any more questions.

"Could it be Tu Xinya from earlier?" But Xie Chengze only told her that after she left!

That child wouldn't eavesdrop; it couldn't be her.

Shen Nanzi really couldn't figure out who it was.

I thought I'd ask Liefeng later to see if anyone else knew that Cheng'er didn't have an archery competition today.

When she found Xie Chengze with her little bow and arrow, he was already practicing in a secluded spot with a toy bow and arrow that had been sent from the mansion.

Seeing the small bow in Shen Nanzi's hand, he was naturally overjoyed.

Upon learning that someone had given it to him, the little guy became even more enamored with the small bow and arrow.

Looking up at her mother, she exclaimed, "Mommy, the little animals on these are so cute!"

"Mmm! So cute."

"Mother, you go first. Cheng'er will practice here for a while, so that I won't be unable to hit the target later. That would be embarrassing."

"It's alright, participation is the most important thing. It's okay to lose the game," Shen Nanzi reassured him.

This child sometimes takes after her, being stubborn and unwilling to admit defeat.

Anyway, with Lie Feng teaching, she was happy to have some free time.

Before leaving, she asked Lie Feng, only to find that Cheng'er hadn't brought a bow and arrows. She had to go and thank him in person.

Lie Feng shook his head, indicating that no one knew about this.

Filled with doubt, Shen Nanzi wanted to find the eunuch from earlier and also check on his master.

And so she arrived at Chongde Hall.

This is the venue for the Emperor's birthday banquet. Although the banquet has not yet started, many members of the royal family, officials, and foreign envoys have already arrived in advance.

Shen Nanzi then searched inside the hall.

She still hadn't found the eunuch's master by the time the birthday banquet was about to begin.

So he had no choice but to give up and sit down at the dining table on the west side of the Prince Jing's residence.

As soon as they sat down, Xie Yan arrived and took his seat on the east steps. Across the open space in front of the hall, the two could see each other.

Before, Shen Nanzi might have glanced at Xie Yan a few more times, but now, she felt she wouldn't live long enough to even look at him once more.

Looking at Xie Yan's handsome face used to make me feel relieved, but now it only makes me angry.

Thinking about Tong Gong, she didn't want to give him a kind look at all.

His gaze slowly swept around, only making a brief eye contact with Xie Yu opposite him before looking away, awaiting the arrival of the Emperor and Consort Wei.

She never expected that her glance with Xie Yu would fall into Xie Yan's eyes.

"Second Imperial Consort, this is your seat." A palace maid led Xue Qingning to sit at the head of the table.

Xue Qingning sat upright before the table. Ever since Xie Yan had earned her a good reputation, she not only participated in the New Year's Day sacrificial ceremony, but also sat in the seat that originally belonged to her at the Emperor's birthday banquet.

After that, the Second Imperial Concubine truly stepped into the public eye.

Xie Yan has truly made outstanding contributions!

...

With the Emperor's arrival, the birthday banquet officially began.

His Majesty was in a very good mood today, and his opening remarks were quite lengthy, mostly reflecting on the past and present.

His life was so difficult, and the current prosperous era is so magnificent.

He also showed consideration for the meritorious officials and rewarded them.

Next came the gift-giving segment.

First came the foreign envoys offering their congratulations, then the court officials offering birthday wishes, and finally the imperial family members presenting their gifts.

After the relatives of the emperor had finished their farewells, it was Xue Qingning's turn.

She stepped forward, knelt on both knees, held a brocade box in her hands, raised her hands high, and bowed her head respectfully.

"On the occasion of Your Majesty's birthday, I wish Your Majesty good health, peace and happiness year after year, and may you live ten thousand years!"

Unlike the day he pretended not to see her while ice skating, the Emperor did not punish her by making her stand on the ice and ignoring her.

Today, the Emperor nodded slightly, his tone neither warm nor cold, and said to her, "Get up!"

Immediately, a eunuch stepped forward, picked up the brocade box, opened it, and announced loudly, "The Second Imperial Concubine respectfully presents a Kunlun jade ruyi."

The Emperor glanced at it and nodded again.

The officials sitting in the hall had all sensed something amiss. Could it be that the Emperor had already forgiven the two imperial concubines?

It seems that using the sale of dowry to supplement the pension is a brilliant idea!

In the future, these two imperial concubines and the imperial grandson will probably no longer be sidelined.

Xue Qingning stood up and respectfully said, "Your subject is of limited talent and learning, but wishes to play a piece to celebrate Your Majesty's birthday and wish Your Majesty continued good health and longevity."

Consort Wei understood the Emperor's thoughts and whispered to him, "The Second Imperial Consort's stunning pipa performance was truly breathtaking. I would like to hear it again."

The Emperor nodded slightly. "In that case, let's play another piece, the 'Stunning Swan' Pipa Music."

A faint smile appeared on Xue Qingning's face, and then her maid immediately presented her with a pipa.

She sat gracefully to one side, her fingers plucking the strings of the pipa.

Immediately, dancers appeared and began to dance gracefully to the tune of the pipa.

Many people had heard of the "Stunning Swan" pipa piece, but none had ever heard it before, and they all immediately looked toward the center of the hall.

As the pipa began to play, a beautiful melody flowed out gently.

The dancers began to dance gracefully, like lotus flowers in full bloom, elegant and pure, accompanied by the lively and gentle pipa music.

It's truly intoxicating.

Xue Qingning wore a silver-threaded moon-colored wide-sleeved dress and held a pipa in her hand. Coupled with her aloof temperament, she was even more beautiful.

As Shen Nanzi looked around, she also caught a glimpse of Xie Yan across from her.

He sat upright behind the food table, keeping his eyes lowered the entire time, and never looked at Xue Qingning.

The jade cup twirled between his fingers, it was unclear whether he was appreciating Xue Qingning's music or concealing his emotions.

Shen Nanzi thought that since he cared so much about Xue Qingning's reputation, he certainly wouldn't dare to look at her too much in public.

Just as she was looking at Xie Yan thoughtfully, Xie Yan's eyes seemed to sense her gaze and met hers across the distance.

His eyes held a hint of indifference, and a touch of mockery.

Shen Nanzi realized that he hadn't told her about Cheng'er's participation in the shooting competition.

She didn't want to look away, but stared intently at him, deliberately looking back and forth between him and Xue Qingning with ill intent.

This move indeed angered Xie Yan. His jawline tightened instantly, his fingers gripped the cup tightly, and the mockery in his eyes turned into rage.

If it weren't for the fact that today is the Emperor's birthday banquet, he would definitely have picked her up and thrown her out of Chongde Hall.

However, after doing something bad, Shen Nanzi lowered her eyes nonchalantly, happily picked up a piece of chestnut cake, and put it in her mouth to take a small bite.

She can't do anything to him, but she can infuriate him to death at any time.

The thought that he had no interest in appreciating her at the moment and only wanted to strangle her made her inexplicably happy.

I couldn't help but pick up my wine cup, thinking of celebrating with a toast.

As she looked up, her eyes met Xie Yu's.

He subtly shifted his gaze, gently picked up his wine glass, and casually raised it.

Shen Nanzi received his toast, picked up her wine cup, and swirled it in her hand.

A satisfied smile played on his lips as he drank it down in one gulp.

Xie Yan watched her and Xie Yu's unbridled behavior, his face as dark and gloomy as the clouds before a storm, as if they could drip water.

When the music ended, the Chongde Hall was filled with praise.

Instead of praising Xue Qingning, the Emperor looked at Yan and asked, "What's wrong with Prince Jing tonight?"