Courtyard was hung quietly, without disturbing anyone. It was only when the plaque was being retrieved that Ye Xing gave it a glance. He didn't think much of it, perhaps he was just happy that Chang...As soon as she mentioned it, people also reacted and realized that they hadn't seen Li Tai attend this palace banquet.
At such a grand banquet, all the nobles in the palace should be present, even the empresses left behind by the previous emperor had gathered two tables, but why was Empress Dowager Xi absent Some people were reflecting, today they were truly blinded by the brilliance of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress, not even noticing that an Empress Dowager was missing. 。The host's status was simply too high, making even the Empress Dowager insignificant in this setting. 。Night Wind spoke to Lian Shi: “Could it be that the Empress Dowager of Xigong doesn't look down on Yanhuagong, thinking that Yanhuagong can't afford her” Lian Shi laughed: "It should not be that she looks down on us, but that we forgot to send a post to the one in Xigong." 。After all, she was not the emperor's biological mother. Although she sat on the position of empress dowager, she relied on the residual prestige of the late emperor. 。"The saying isn't pleasant, but it's just a nominal title. In reality, who would take her seriously" At this point, he turned back to the guests below and asked, "Don't you agree"
What could the guests say This was Yan Huagong's attitude, and they naturally had to echo what pleased him!
So everyone chimed in: "Right, right, even the Grand Duke is right."
"The Empress Dowager Nishiki is not the emperor's biological mother, how noble could she be Calling her Empress Dowager is also because of the late emperor. If there were no late emperor, who would know who she was!" Lian Shi was very satisfied with this answer and nodded several times in a row. 。Those people were also a bit excited by his words, and under the influence of alcohol, they started to say some bad things about Empress Dowager Li. Some even said: "Actually, she shouldn't live in such a good palace. When the Emperor comes of age and takes the throne, the Empress will also enter the palace. Who wants to serve two grandmothers No girl would be willing to do that." 。Why not have Lady Li move in with the other Imperial Dowagers from now on Just call her Dowager Empress, and that'll do. 。The Regent's face was very unsightly. Quan Qingyun just glanced in his direction, then let out a cold snort. 。Ye Wenyan then told Lian Shi, "Go and invite the Dowager Empress of Xigong over. Since it's the occasion of my meeting with His Majesty, she, as our matchmaker, naturally shouldn't be absent." 。Please ask her to come sit down and listen, and share in our joy. 。"
He listened with delight and ran all the way to invite someone. " 。Not long after, Empress Dowager Li arrived. Perhaps she had climbed the 199 steps a little too quickly, for her face was now pale and she was panting heavily, walking unsteadily. 。< Lian Shi was still beside her, reminding her: "Your Majesty, please be careful. Don't lose your composure in front of His Majesty the Emperor." > 。To show disrespect to the Emperor is a grave crime, even if you are the Empress, you would be unable to avoid punishment. 。“ Empress Dowager Li took a deep breath, trying her best to even out her breathing and walk more steadily. 。Only when he knelt down in the middle of the main hall did he feel a little better. 。She thought, "Being on my knees is just like resting." 。But when she came in, a dance had not yet ended, and he did not lead her to the front of the dancers. He only led her to the middle of the dancers and stood still, gesturing for her to kneel down. 。At that time, she just wanted to kneel down and rest for a while. After kneeling, she realized where she had knelt. 。The dancers were still performing, their long skirts and wide sleeves sweeping over her, now here, now there. She felt like someone was slapping her face, *slap*, *slap* again and again. 。But she dared not stand up, because the hour had come: “Your Majesty the Empress Dowager should just remain kneeling here. Once this dance is finished, His Imperial Majesty will be able to see you.” 。Then you bow your head and ask for peace. When to get up is when the Emperor Zun has finished. 。"
Li Taizhi recalled the scene from half a year ago when she knelt in Yanhuadang. At this moment, it seemed like the same situation, truly a reenactment of yesterday.
" 。But this time the Imperial Majesty should not burn down the Duke of Su's residence again, right She turned her gaze to Quan Qingyin, the dancer flitted back and forth in front of her eyes, whenever there was a gap she could see the child 。Though the child was hers, born from her own body, and looked just like her, she felt a strange distance from him. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't truly her son. 。She really missed the child she had raised, but until now Quanji didn't tell him where the child was. 。Finally, this dance was over. The dancer took her leave, and there was a pause before the next dancer appeared. 。Empress Dowager Li quickly kowtowed to Shi Liyuan and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty." 。Then, Lian Shi's voice was heard again from the side: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, from now on, only ask about the Emperor's age, not the Empress's." 。Don't you believe me Just look up, the Emperor and Empress are sitting right at the front! What are we celebrating today at this palace banquet You must know. 。"
Empress Dowager Li shuddered and didn't dare to raise her head. She just kowtowed again and said, "Your Majesty the Empress, your birthday..." 。" Night Wen Yan nodded, "Please sit." 。A simple command to have her sit beside him, and Empress Li suddenly felt as if the late emperor had come back to life. 。How long had it been since she'd experienced such a humbling day She thought being the Empress Consort would bring peace of mind, but life turned out to be even worse than before. 。
A palace maid led Empress Dowager Li to a spot and they sat down. That place was quite far from the Emperor and Empress, and also not close to the current Emperor and Empress Dowager. It was closer to the empresses dowagers of the previous emperor. Those elderly ladies greeted her: "Sister, you're here too!"
Just like during their daily morning and evening court visits, they politely addressed each other as sisters.
Li Taizu's face turned red, but she dared not get angry, so she could only endure it, and the suffering was unbearable.
The women left behind by the previous emperor were not all old ladies, some were young, and even some were younger than Empress Li. 。Young people are always more lively than the elderly, and their minds are more active. They never looked up to the Empress before, and now they even look down on the Dowager Empress. 。Having finally gotten this chance, how could I possibly not give her a taste of her own medicine 。Then Empress Dowager Li heard someone ask her, “Elder Sister, do you know why you were invited here today Oh right, when Your Majesty went to invite Elder Sister just now, it must have already passed…” 。Oh, sister, you're here now. Could it be that you've come to share your joy with the Emperor and Empress Don't tell me you think there's truly any joy to share Please don't go from extreme happiness to extreme sorrow. 。“ Empress Li was so angry that her hands trembled. She wanted to retort, but she really didn't have the heart. 。Because she knew that the acquaintance between the Emperor and Ye Wenyan had the most direct relationship with their wedding on the second day of the first lunar month. 。When the Yanhuagong summoned her at this time, it couldn't possibly be to share in their joy. This was clearly a reckoning. 。She had sweat on her forehead, dripping drop by drop. 。It was then that Ye Wenyan spoke again. 。Then she smiled and addressed the guests below: "Someone just asked me how I met His Imperial Majesty..." 。This is the beginning of our acquaintance. Empress Dowager Li has to be considered a matchmaker for both me and the Emperor, because if she hadn't resisted the late Emperor's imperial decree for marriage and instigated her son, the Sixth Prince, to marry another, I wouldn't have ended up being left for dead in the snow outside the city. 。Yes, I met the Emperor in the snow. 。There's actually another, little-known story behind this. That is... I actually died once. 。She curled her lip into a smile, but it was a cold one. 。"That's true death, a piercing blow to the heart, taking one's last breath." 。But I was fortunate. After death, I met the Great Emperor. He saved me casually, and we also settled our romantic relationship. 。If that day the Imperial Lord hadn't passed by that place, hadn't met me, then there wouldn't be this engagement banquet today, nor would I have the identity of future Empress. 。This is also why my mother insisted on avenging me, to the death against the second branch of the Ye family, and even against the Empress Dowager. 。Because for her, her daughter was as good as dead. The revenge of killing one's child is a deep and unforgiving one; this debt must be paid. 。"Empress Dowager!" she suddenly exclaimed to Empress Dowager Li, "Shouldn't you avenge this" Empress Dowager Li trembled and for a moment didn't know how to answer. 。At this time, the regent who had been silent all along suddenly said: "In this world, everything that happens has a cause and effect, one link after another. The Empress Dowager wants revenge, but this king thinks that she should also thank the Empress Dowager of Xi Palace, after all, she indirectly helped you and the Emperor's hundred years of good fortune." 。One accomplishment, one passing, it can be considered as compensation. 。"
Ye Wen nodded, "Well, the Regent King is right. It's settled." 。So I didn't make things difficult for the Empress Dowager anymore. 。Otherwise, think about it, given my temper and my relationship with the esteemed Emperor, if I were to kill her, who could possibly stop me She may have been able to counteract some of my karma, but she couldn't touch my mother's. 。I am grateful to her, but that doesn't affect my mother's hatred for her. And I've always been unable to control my mother, so on this matter, let's just speak our own minds. 。I repay my debts of gratitude, my mother avenges her wrongs, and none hinder another. 。"Regent King, is my train of thought clear"
“You……” Quan Ji almost choked with rage. He couldn't understand; was Ye Wenyan's sharp tongue inherited from someone in the Night family He had met so many members of the Night family before, from General Ye Lao to General Ye Da, including Ye Zesheng, and none of them possessed such a venomous tongue. 。Ye Wen asked, "Is she a monster in disguise Where did she learn to talk like that" Mu Shi glared at Empress Li with venomous eyes. 。People strangely found that apart from the Mu family, the second sister of the Ye family also looked at Empress Li with a very unkind gaze, and even that unkindness was more intense than the Mu family. 。They were truly perplexed, each lost in thought trying to analyze the reason, when they heard Ye Erjie speak— Her words were directed at the Regent King, her voice clear and bright—“My younger sister is perfectly fine! The matchmaker's kindness can wait until she marries the Emperor. At that time, we can give Li Xiaohuan a few pieces of wedding candies.” 。But when it comes to an eye for an eye, Li Xiaohan also needs to make a stand!
The Regent King slammed his fist on the table— "Bold woman! How dare you utter the Imperial Empress Dowager's name directly! What crime have you committed!" Hang's concubine.She'd heard the saying "when disaster strikes, everyone flees for themselves," but why was this concubine in trouble What had Chiang Hang done The two people in the courtyard were st...