Lin Jinyan watched the undercurrents surging in the seats, and then stood up with everyone to bid farewell to the Queen Mother.
After some discussion, the emperor, empress and others distributed their respective prizes, and most of them were given to Lin Jinyan's brother and sister.
The two stood up several times to thank each other and stole the show.
After the performance, the singing and dancing started again, and the maids and chambermaids filed in with wine and food. Everyone in the hall exchanged cups with each other and smiled again and again.
The emperor was very happy and praised the queen and concubine Rou for a well-organized palace banquet.
The queen smiled dignifiedly and raised her glass to clink with the emperor.
Concubine Rou smiled and said: "Your Majesty, you just promised the Queen Mother to drink less."
The emperor smiled and nodded: "Okay, okay, drink less, drink less, lest you complain to your mother."
When Concubine Rou heard this, her voice became even more charming:
"It's such a huge injustice. How dare I accuse you? I'm not worried about your health."
The gentle words made the emperor laugh out loud again.
The empress and Concubine Xian were all smiling. They listened to the emperor and Concubine Rou talking and looked at each other. It was rare to find a common emotion in each other's eyes:
A vixen who cannot stand on the stage.
The palace maid came to the table and brought sweet soup. Bai Zhi helped Lin Jinyan fill a bowl and whispered:
"Miss, be careful of the burn."
Lin Jinyan agreed and spoke to Bai Yiran with a smile. Her peripheral vision stopped in the direction of the prince for a moment before moving away.
After half a cup of tea, she felt a line of sight falling on her frequently. Lin Jinyan pretended to raise her head casually, and just met the little princess's gaze.
The little princess didn't expect Lin Jinyan to look over suddenly. She was stunned for a moment and immediately looked away as if she accidentally looked away.
Lin Jinyan looked away, picked up the sweet soup in front of her, and took a sip. As soon as she put down the bowl, a maid from the Longevity Palace came in and reported that the Queen Mother had rested for a while and felt much better. She asked Lin Jinyan to go to the Longevity Palace to talk.
When the emperor heard this, he waved his hand for Lin Jinyan to follow.
Lin Jinyan did not dare to refuse the orders of the Queen Mother and the Emperor. After standing up and saluting, Bai Yiran gave a few instructions. Lin Jinyan cast a reassuring look at Gu Lin's family, then took Bai Zhi and Hong Jiu and followed the palace maid out of the hall.
Looking at the back of the palace maid who led the way, Lin Jinyan was full of suspicion, secretly thinking about the Queen Mother's intentions.
When they arrived at the gate of Changshou Palace, the palace maid stopped Bai Zhi and Hong Jiu:
"Happy Queen Mother, I feel a headache from the noise just now in the palace. I only want to see Miss Lin now. You guys wait here."
Hong Jiu said nothing and looked at Lin Jinyan.
Bai Zhi said worriedly: "Miss."
Lin Jinyan: "What are you worried about, Queen Mother? Just wait here and I will come back."
After speaking, he glanced at Hong Jiu and followed the palace maid into the Palace of Longevity.
The Queen Mother reclined on the beauty's couch and closed her eyes to rest. Yuzhi was half-kneeling at the edge of the collapse, holding the Queen Mother's legs.
After hearing Chen Momo whisper that someone is here, the Queen Mother raised her eyes slightly and waved her hand to Lin Jinyan who was saluting:
"Get up and sit down, give this girl some tea."
After speaking, the Queen Mother squinted her eyes again, showing no sign that she wanted to talk to Lin Jinyan.
Lin Jinyan thanked her and sat down, waiting obediently without saying a word.
When the palace maid brought tea, she nodded her thanks, picked up a small piece of hibiscus cake, and ate it.
The Queen Mother didn't hear any movement for a long time. She raised her eyes slightly and saw Lin Jinyan eating by herself. She couldn't help but laugh:
"You are as bold as you were when you were a child."
Lin Jinyan turned to look at the Queen Mother, swallowed what was in her mouth, and said with a smile:
"It would be a shame not to eat the pastries you gave me."
(End of chapter)
