The dinner begins.
Different from the past, the person sitting next to Emperor Qin Ming was not Queen Han Rongxue, but Princess Dongling Mingzhen.
Everyone was quite dissatisfied. After all, it was a New Year's Eve family reunion dinner, and it was unbecoming to see a Dongling woman in the chair.
Looking at the commotion of the concubines, Qin Zhiruo poured the wine from the cup into his mouth again.
This can't be entirely blamed on the father. The mother and concubine were heartbroken because of the eleventh wedding and were unwilling to attend the dinner.
The angry father took advantage of the situation and arranged for Mingzhen, who was being favored by the Holy Spirit, to sit next to him.
Prince Dongling and the Crown Prince also benefited from Mingzhen's favor and had the honor to witness Qin's New Year's Eve banquet.
However, when they entered the venue, they bumped into Qin Shuihan.
Qi Renji unconsciously rubbed his chest. The power of that palm frightened him, and he almost became a ghost under the palm.
This guy is so powerful in martial arts!
Although he couldn't swallow this breath, he could only admit defeat.
Qin Shuihan looked cold and ignored Qi Renji, only saying hello to Qi Jue behind him.
Qi Jue also returned a faint salute, but did not see Yi Mu and couldn't help but ask: "Your Highness, Prince Han, is Miss Yi okay?"
"She is fine. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Qin Shuihan said this thank you from the bottom of his heart.
This was the first love rival he recognized. If it hadn't been for him, I don't know what Lin Yi would have gone through that day.
He thanked him for silently protecting Lin Yi.
The two of them passed by, and Qin Shuihan whispered in his ear again: "I will remember the prince's kindness."
Qi Jue raised the corners of his mouth slightly, but did not stop and turned around to walk to his seat.
He was not for Qin Shuihan, but for Yi Mu.
If he did do something to her, he knew he would lose her forever.
Following Jinglan's "banquet" call, a row of servants took turns serving the palace banquet.
A few plates of appetizers were served first.
Roasted goose, flower tripe, assorted soy sauce plate, rabbit breast, vegetable python and smoked chicken tripe.
Qi Jue and Qi Renji looked at each other. The portion of each dish was very small, no more than two mouthfuls. The presentation was indeed very exquisite.
The dishes in front of them were the same as everyone else's, but the wine bottle was different from the white porcelain plum vase on other people's tables. The one standing in front of them was a celadon shochu bottle.
Qi Jue picked up the bottle and drank it all in one gulp. He smacked his lips gratefully. It tasted like Dongling!
Unexpectedly, the great country Yoyo would take care of Dongling in these details.
Qi Renji gave him a helpless look.
"You're not afraid of them poisoning you either."
"Why wait until now if you want to poison me?"
This was Qi Jue's first time spending New Year's Eve in a foreign land. Although he felt homesick, he knew that as Dongling's envoy, his mission had not yet been completed. He didn't expect that the Emperor of Qin would actually marry Princess Eleven to Dongling, and he couldn't help but cast his eyes on Eleven opposite.
Gentle and pleasant, although he is still young, his eyes reveal composure and determination beyond his years.
Qi Jue took another swig of wine. She remembered that the eleventh princess seemed to have two cute dimples when she smiled.
Eleven seemed to feel Qi Jue's eyes passing over her, and she also looked at him. Unfortunately, Qi Jue had already turned her gaze to Mingzhen.
Will his father agree to his request?
Eleven was a little worried, she really looked down on Qi Renji.
But if my father insists on marrying me to him, what should I do?
Qin Zhiruo found that his sister next to him was looking at the Dongling envoy, and he also stared at them fiercely.
It was all because they came to Dongling to get married, which led to this result. He wanted to drive the two people opposite him out of the hall.
Qi Jue put down the wine bottle leisurely, and suddenly realized that King Ruo was staring at him fiercely across from him.
This look really makes me want to eat myself!
He was a little confused, he didn't have any special thoughts towards the eleventh princess, why should he be so resented.
"Renji, is the King Ruo opposite him the brother of Princess Eleven?"
Qi Renji also noticed Qin Zhiruo's fierce eyes. Anyway, Emperor Qin Ming had promised to betroth the eleventh princess to him, so who cares about his brother.
"It's okay. I believe that the Emperor of Qin is true to his word. There should be no variables in the marriage."
Qi Jue sighed, that princess was also pitiful and had to be taken to Dongling at such a young age.
The servant took away the plates and immediately served the next round of dishes.
Steamed eight-treasure pig, glutinous rice stuffed duck, braised fresh mushrooms, stuffed winter melon, braised wild rice, eggplant sun-dried pork, three fresh osmanthus soup, braised white mushrooms and braised shrimps.
Looking at the delicacies on the plate, Qi Jue thought that Dongling also had these dishes.
But when he picked up a piece and put it in his mouth, he found that the taste was completely different.
How did Qin keep food fresh?
Many ingredients are not in this season’s dishes!
He didn't know that the Qin State had already collected ingredients from all over the world for this New Year's Eve banquet. Although most of them had been lost when they were delivered to the capital, it was still more than enough to cater to the guests present.
After a while, singing and dancing started on the stage.
It's just that the artist has been performing for a long time, and no young lady is willing to perform on stage.
In previous years, the eleventh princess was the first one to dance on stage, but this year she wore dignified and gorgeous palace clothes and sat on the seat quietly enjoying the dishes.
The princess who had been favored by three thousand people did not come on stage, and others did not dare to take the stage. After all, the atmosphere was a bit depressing.
Qin Shuihan looked at the dishes on the table, thinking that the dinner would be over after two more rounds.
Objectively speaking, the dishes at this year’s New Year’s Eve banquet were very good.
The braised crab meat and stewed mutton were both cooked to the right level. It was worthy of being an imperial chef. Even the cooks at Prince Han's Mansion sometimes overcooked the meat.
Qin Shuihan drank the plum blossom wine absently, thinking that the plum blossom wine in his house was still delicious.
They are both brewed with plum blossoms, but why are the tastes so different?
The music and dance changed one wave after another, and the music style returned to the original melody.
Qin Yi looked at the silent fifth brother and knew that he was eager to return home, so he sat next to him and drank with him.
"Fifth brother, there is still the last round of dishes. Let's eat and run. It's so late, fifth sister-in-law won't fall asleep waiting."
Qin Shuihan picked up his filled wine glass and drank it with a slurp.
In order to go back quickly, he rode a horse specially today because the carriage was too slow.
It's a pity that the palace banquet has to go through the entire process.
He looked at his father at the main table. Although he didn't care about the public's attention and was flirting with Princess Dongling, Qin Shuihan knew that his father's heart was like a mirror and everything was just an act.
Thinking about what his father said to him, he frowned again.
The atmosphere of the banquet was always somber.
Suddenly, Eleven stood up and walked to Emperor Qin Ming.
"Father, Eleven wants to dance with the Dongling envoy. I wonder who Father will appoint to dance with Eleven?"
Emperor Qin Ming put down the wine glass in his hand and looked at his daughter quietly.
The atmosphere in the whole place also fell silent, and everyone waited silently for him to speak.
This daughter is truly a woman, and Emperor Qin Ming is not willing to let his daughter marry far away, but after all, she is a pawn in his hands.
Thinking of the love he once had for her, Emperor Qin Ming also felt a little reluctant to give up.
But he knew that although Dongling was small, once they went to war with Vala, their choice should not be underestimated.
Since you have chosen the crown prince, let her fulfill her wish!
Emperor Qin Ming looked at the Dongling envoy and said in a stern tone: "My daughter is willing to marry Dongling, but she wants to marry the Crown Prince Qi Jue. What do you think of the envoy from your country?"
Qi Jue and Qi Renji were both stunned. They instinctively glanced at Mingzhen next to Emperor Qin Ming.
Although Mingzhen knew that Eleven wanted to choose Qi Jue, she didn't hear Emperor Qin Ming's reply, so she didn't dare to speak nonsense.
She blinked innocently, showing that she really didn't know.
Qi Renji reacted quickly. He immediately pulled Qi Jue to his feet and knelt down.
"It is my great honor in Dongling that Your Majesty is able to marry Princess Eleven to Dongling. The prince will definitely be willing, but I was just too happy to recover for a while. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Qi Jue really didn't calm down. He raised his head and looked at Emperor Qin Ming, and then glanced at Eleven beside him. He didn't know how it could be like this.
Qi Renji knocked on him again, and Qi Jue finally reacted.
"Thank you Lord for your grace."
Eleven glanced at Emperor Qin Ming and showed a meaningful smile.
Since you can't choose your own destiny, strive for the best result within your capabilities.
She walked up to Qi Jue and stretched out her delicate hands.
"Prince Qi, would you like to dance with Shiyi?"
Looking at the gentle and pleasant Eleven, Qi Jue's head was still a little confused.
He felt his cheeks were hot, and in fact his ears were also red at the moment.
Eleven still extended her hand to invite him.
Qi Jue no longer hesitated.
Since a woman is so generous, how can a man embarrass her?
He immediately stood up, grabbed her little hand, and said with a serious face: "Xiao Wang is willing to dance with the princess. It's just that my dancing skills are not good, and I hope the princess will forgive me."
Eleven smiled and said to the artist: "Play the song "Shadows Among the Flowers"."
Qi Jue didn't know the Central Plains Dance "Shadows Among Flowers", but Shiyi patiently pulled him to dance.
She was wearing palace clothes today, so she couldn't move forward or dance vigorously.
Originally, he just wanted to take this opportunity to confirm whether his father agreed to his conditions, and also wanted to contact Qi Jue to see if he had picked the right person.
But when she saw his red ears, she suddenly seemed glad that she had made the right bet.
The cooperation between the two seemed very awkward.
However, Qi Jue is also a person with extremely high understanding. He is also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, sports, singing and dancing.
He seemed to feel Eleven's affection for him and tried hard to respond.
The two of them understood each other better and better, and seemed to be immersed in their own world.
When the song ends, let’s stop dancing.
Qi Jue held Eleven's hand and didn't know what to say. He finally understood why Qin Zhiruo was hostile to him.
I am just a prince, so I feel really flattered to be lucky enough to marry the princess of a big country.
He whispered in Eleven's ear: "Princess Eleven...Thank you for your love!"
Eleven smiled sweetly and lowered his head.
She held his hand, squeezed his palm gently, then let go and returned to her seat.
Qin Zhiruo looked at her puzzled.
"Eleven, why did you force your father to propose marriage in public? Do you really want to marry Dongling?"
"Brother, Shi Yi is an adult now and doesn't need anyone else to protect her. I hope that my brother will take good care of his mother. The Crown Prince Dong Ling is a good man."
Qin Zhiruo laughed to himself and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.
My sister is really smart, and she has fulfilled herself and her mother in her own way.
Although her mother is the queen of the court, she has no say in her sister's marriage, and she is just a good-for-nothing prince who has just returned to the court after wandering around for many years.
Qin Zhiruo felt sad in his heart. If he had not come back and continued to travel around, would his father not have married Shi Yi far away?
Finally, the last seasonal fruit was served.
This year's peaches, apricots and dates are all good, but I didn't expect that there are also rare peaches.
Looking at the delicate peaches on the plate, Qin Shuihan felt that Lin Yi had not tasted them yet, and he wanted to send someone to get some to take home.
"Fifth brother, my concubine bought some peaches from the imperial chef and will send them to you tomorrow."
Qin Shuihan grinned.
It's not that mother is like mother, nor is brother like brother.
This year's New Year's Eve banquet has finally come to an end, and everyone has moved to Jinling Pond, preparing to enjoy the fireworks show.
Qin Shuihan could finally run away. He was about to go find Xuanfeng, but Eleven grabbed his sleeve.
"Brother Shuihan, can you lend me a moment to speak?"
Qin Shuihan was a little surprised. He was not familiar with his half-sister, but he had no ill feelings toward her.
"good."
The two of them walked in the opposite direction of Jin Lingchi.
Qin Shuihan noticed that Qin Zhiruo and Qi Jue were following him secretly, and felt funny.
He took Eleven to the next corner and stopped.
Seeing that there was no one around, Shiyi asked straight to the point: "Brother Shuihan, I want to ask you something. Shiyi thinks Prince Dongling is a gentleman. Am I right to choose him?"
Qin Shuihan looked at this unfamiliar sister with some curiosity.
"Why did Sister Eleven come to ask me?"
Shiyi did not go around the bush and replied directly: "Because I can see that Prince Dongling likes Miss Yi, brother Shuihan must know him better than me. But the emperor's order cannot be violated. Instead of choosing Qi Renji, I might as well choose a more valuable one." The affectionate Prince Qi Jue."
Qin Shuihan suddenly choked up. He didn't expect this sister to be so smart.
He also gave a fair evaluation of Qi Jue.
"Prince Qi Jue is a gentleman, and I think Sister Eleven has chosen the right person."
Eleven smiled.
"I knew it!"
She rubbed her hands and continued: "At the wedding banquet, I was moved by his act of pleading for Miss Yi. Brother Shuihan and Miss Yi are more in love than each other, and outsiders will definitely not be able to get involved."
As she spoke, she laughed again, but a trace of loneliness flashed in her eyes.
"I guess I will have to go to Dongling after the new year. I won't be able to see the scene of brother Shui Han and Miss Yi getting married. Say hello to her for me. Miss Yi is also someone I admire. She gave me the opportunity to defy my father. courage."
Qin Shuihan showed a sincere smile.
He had never found this sister so cute, and he regretted that he had not taken care of her.
"Eleven, I have something to tell you."
Eleven looked at Qin Shuihan curiously, feeling that there was a strange look in his smile, which was not at all like his usual stoic self.
"What words?"
"Although Crown Prince Qi Jue is an honorable man, at this moment he is hiding in the dark and eavesdropping like a gentleman on the throne."
Qin Shuihan said to the pillars of the corridor: "Prince Qi Jue, why don't you show up quickly?"
Qi Jue clutched the edge of the cloak tightly and walked over sheepishly.
"I didn't mean it, I just... didn't quite understand... the princess's thoughts, so I couldn't help... following her..."
Qi Jue was very nervous and did not dare to look into their eyes at all.
He couldn't believe that Princess Eleven had noticed him so early.
Shiyi saw that he was so nervous that he didn't even dare to look at her. She even felt that this prince was a sweetheart.
"I would like to formally introduce myself. I am the eleventh princess of the Qin Kingdom. I wonder if Crown Prince Dongling would like to watch the fireworks with me?"
Eleven revealed a pair of dimples.
Looking at the cute and lively Eleven in front of him, Qi Jue's heartbeat quickened and his breathing became short.
"Thank you for the invitation, princess!"
Eleven walked towards Qi Jue, blinked, and then turned back and waved to Qin Shuihan.
"Brother Shuihan, let's go."
Qi Jue took a few deep breaths. Although everything happened too fast, looking at Eleven in front of him, he must have lived up to her affection for him.
"Your Highness, King Han, I will take good care of Princess Eleven and I will not let her down. I also hope that you can protect Miss Yi and grow old together with her."
Qin Shuihan looked at him for a few seconds.
With one look, they reached an agreement between men.
"Okay, I'll leave it to you, Sister Eleven, and I will definitely protect Yimu."
Watching the two people leaving, Qin Shuihan jumped onto the eaves of the corridor with a quick move.
"Second brother, you heard me, we are not as good as Eleven."
Qin Shuihan felt this. He didn't expect that Eleven was so exquisite and clear.
Qin Zhiruo sighed, but upon hearing Qi Jue's promise, the stone in his heart fell.
He glanced at Qin Shuihan and found that he was looking up at the starry sky.
"Is there anything in this night sky?"
Qin Shuihan raised the corners of his mouth and landed on the snow with a light jump.
The starry sky is beautiful, but without Yiyimei, he has to return home quickly.
"It's freezing cold. Second brother, hurry up and put on some more clothes."
