The little prince Xiao Xingche's Zhouzhou banquet took place on a sunny day in late spring.
The banquet was held in the imperial garden, and most of the guests were dignitaries, princes, nobles, and their relatives.
Xiao Langyan held his daughter Xiao Xincheng in his arms, and held Shen Dingzhu, who was holding his son, in his right hand. The moment the family of four got off the carriage, the courtiers knelt down quickly and gave greetings like a mountain roar and a tsunami.
"Without courtesy, all my dear friends will attend my son's birthday party today. I hope you will witness it together and hope that my son will grow up healthily."
After saying that, Shen Dingzhu placed the little prince on the long table.
The ceremony began, and the table was filled with items for catching the Zhou Dynasty. From bottom to top, there were writing brushes, scrolls, soldiers and horses, wooden swords, abacus, etc. The top one was the jade seal Xiao Langyan ordered to put on it.
Shen Dingzhu saw Cui Lianfu in the crowd looking forward to it, holding the cloth tiger she had sewn in her hand.
Cui Lianfu looked at Xiao Xingche with unnoticeable affection and reluctance.
Shen Dingzhu felt pity, so she whispered a few words to Xiao Langyan. Xiao Langyan nodded to Xu Shou and gave simple instructions for a moment. Xu Shou then went to put the cloth tiger in Cui Lianfu's hand on the long table for the little boy. Prince capture.
Cui Lianfu was flattered and glanced at Shen Dingzhu gratefully.
The guests stood at both ends of the long table, while Xiao Langyan and Shen Dingzhu were at the front of the long table.
I saw Xiao Xingche, dressed in a red dragon robe with golden claws, slowly crawling forward on the table. The little guy's dark eyes were always looking at his beautiful mother.
Shen Dingzhu guided him with a warm voice: "Che'er, catch what you like."
The little guy didn't know whether he understood or not. He grinned at Shen Dingzhu, revealing his small mouth with only one baby tooth. He was babbling and saying words that no one could understand.
At this moment, he passed by the cloth tiger embroidered by Cui Lianfu, stopped, and looked at it curiously for a long time.
Cui Lianfu, who was standing in the crowd, was so nervous that her heart was about to lift.
Xiao Xincheng ran over: "Brother! You have to think carefully, you can only catch him once."
Xiao Xingche raised his little head in confusion, looked at his sister, and muttered: "Sister...sister..."
Xiao Xincheng waved: "Come on, let's keep climbing forward."
She took the lead and ran towards the front of the long table, in the direction of Xiao Langyan and Shen Dingzhu. Xiao Xingche immediately used his hands and feet to chase his sister, babbling.
Cui Lianfu's eyes flashed with disappointment, which was not noticed by anyone.
Xiao Xingche finally climbed up to Shen Dingzhu. The little guy didn't see those items, but he probably didn't think the jade seal was blocking the way, so he pushed it several times with his little hand.
"Go, go..." He spoke to Yuxi, wanting it to go away. The little guy frowned, much like Xiao Langyan's frown.
Shen Dingzhu couldn't help laughing, and the courtiers around him boasted: "Great, His Royal Highness has chosen the jade seal. He will be like the emperor in the future, and he will be a wise king!"
Xiao Langyan was usually stern when he went to court, but now he looked gentle and looked at his wife and children beside him from time to time.
Facing the compliments from the courtiers, his brows were filled with a hint of pleasure.
"Che'er is smart. He should be even more intelligent than me in the future." Xiao Langyan picked up his son, but the little boy secretly put his head next to Shen Dingzhu's cheek, and pulled his mother's sleeves with his little hands.
His heart and eyes are full of his beautiful mother.
Shen Dingzhu burst out laughing, bent down and kissed his little face.
At the end of Zhuzhou, a banquet was set up in the nearby Spring Court Hall, and Xiao Langyan asked his ministers to go and enjoy it.
He hugged Xiao Xingche and went with Shen Dingzhu and Xiao Xincheng.
On the way, Xiao Xingche repeatedly stretched out his little hand to hug Shen Dingzhu.
The little guy, who was showing his teeth and claws in his father's arms, was bubbling happily in his mother's arms.
Seeing Xiao Xingche resting his little head on Shen Dingzhu's shoulder, Xiao Langyan narrowed his thin eyes and sneered.
He turned to Shen Dingzhu and said, "You clearly didn't take care of Cheer, so why can't he take his eyes away when he sees you?"
Before Shen Dingzhu could speak, Xiao Xincheng said strangely: "My father is like this too. No one will look at the place where my mother is. My younger brother must have learned from my father."
Xiao Langyan raised his eyebrows and lowered his thin eyes to look at his daughter, his voice carrying a hint of threat: "Chengcheng?"
Xiao Xincheng was used to being naughty and knew that Xiao Langyan looked serious, but in fact he indulged her in everything.
The little girl stuck out her tongue: "I said something wrong. Father, don't be angry. I'll go ahead and play with Brother Chen Heng and Sister Xiucui!"
Xiao Xincheng ran away in a flash.
Xiao Langyan looked at her back and said to Shen Dingzhu: "Like you, when you realize that you have annoyed me, you can't wait to escape."
Shen Dingzhu's cheeks were soft and pink, and her beautiful eyes were full and shiny now. She glanced at Xiao Langyan angrily: "Why do you look like my concubine? Chengcheng is probably smarter than my concubine."
Xiao Langyan hummed, noncommittal.
Shen Dingzhu gave him a gentle slap.
There was no one around, and the courtiers were following from a distance. He lowered his voice, leaned into Shen Dingzhu's ear and said, "Send Che'er back to the wet nurse today. We can't let him sleep between the two of us like last night." ”
Nothing is convenient.
Shen Dingzhu's face turned red, and she finally held her son in her arms. Xiao Langyan could "let her go", but after just one night, he was unwilling?
"Didn't the Emperor just say that I don't have much time to accompany Che'er? Of course, I must fulfill my mother's responsibilities in the past few days."
Xiao Langyan raised his eyebrows, but before he could say anything, Xiao Xingche's little hand came towards his face.
When the little guy saw them whispering, he thought his father had bitten his mother's ear, so he pushed Xiao Langyan's face twice with his little hands, and he puffed out his face, looking very protective.
Shen Dingzhu's smile made her branches tremble, but Xiao Langyan's eyes darkened: "You don't even have all your teeth, so you learned how to help your mother to make me angry."
After a while, the nurse came over and it was time for Xiao Xingche to nurse.
Shen Dingzhu handed the child to the wet nurse, and when she saw two imperial soldiers escorting the wet nurse and the child to the side hall, she looked back with relief.
Spring Court Hall is a converted two-story attic. It is built near the lake and is adjacent to the rockery and white rocks in the water. It is full of elegance and interest.
The courtiers were drinking wine, and Xiao Langyan and Shen Dingzhu were sitting on the same high seat. He patiently picked out all the bones and thorns from a fish, and put all the fish meat into Shen Dingzhu's bowl.
He knew that she liked fish and meat, but she was used to being served when she was in the boudoir, so when it was too troublesome, she simply wouldn't eat it.
So Xiao Langyan was prepared for her.
Halfway through the banquet, Xiao Xincheng ran over and said, "Mom, why hasn't my brother finished breastfeeding? I want to play with him."
Shen Dingzhu raised his eyes and took a look. The wet nurse was indeed not back.
This has happened before. Xiao Xingche wanted to burp the baby after feeding, but after a while the little one became sleepy, so the wet nurse coaxed him to sleep again.
Normally four wet nurses take turns taking care of her, but today she was brought out for the Chow Chow feast, so a wet nurse was arranged to accompany her.
Shen Dingzhu said to Xiao Langyan: "I will take Chengcheng to the side hall to see Cheer."
Xiao Langyan stood up immediately: "I will accompany you."
Shen Dingzhu's slender fingers wearing rings pressed his shoulders: "Your Majesty, please sit down. The ministers and nobles are all here. Chengcheng and I will go there. Che'er may have fallen asleep again."
Then, she took her daughter and left, and Shen Bi followed.
When they arrived outside the side hall, the two imperial guards were still standing outside. When they saw Shen Dingzhu, they all held their hands in their hands: "See the Queen."
"Excuse me, the wet nurse hasn't come out yet. I'll go take a look."
"Concubine Cui De went in just now, but the wet nurse never came out." After the imperial army finished speaking, Shen Dingzhu's heart suddenly sank.
The look in her eyes became a little uneasy: "When did Concubine Cui De come? Why did you let her in?"
The Imperial Guard hurriedly knelt on the ground: "The Concubine De came in front of me with a stick of incense, holding a robe belonging to His Highness the Crown Prince, and said she was here to give her clothes."
There was no movement from inside, and the wet nurse was breastfeeding again, so they didn't stop her.
Shen Dingzhu hurried forward and opened the door. There was no one on the first floor, but when he walked around the screen, he saw that the wet nurse had fallen to the ground with a bloody hole on her head!
Xiao Xincheng followed Shen Dingzhu, screaming in fear.
Shen Bi quickly covered Xiao Xincheng's eyes.
Shen Dingzhu's face turned pale, and she said: "Shen Bi, take the princess out and call the emperor over, quickly!"
Two forbidden soldiers broke in and saw the wet nurse lying on the ground, and their expressions suddenly changed.
Oops!
Shen Dingzhu hurriedly walked towards the second floor. She walked very fast. As soon as she reached the second floor, she saw Cui Lianfu holding Xiao Xingche and sitting by the railing, coaxing him to sleep.
If she hadn't seen the sharp hairpin hidden in her hand, Shen Dingzhu would have thought she was really coaxing the child.
"Cui Lianfu! What do you want to do!" Shen Dingzhu's bright eyes trembled and her red lips angrily scolded.
Cui Lianfu raised her head and made a cautious gesture: "Shh, please keep your voice down, Your Highness is sleeping."
Shen Dingzhu looked at his son's fair and tender face. Although his eyes were closed, he could not determine his condition at all.
She took a step forward, and Cui De Fei immediately became angry and pointed at Xiao Xingche's neck with a sharp hairpin.
"If you come here again, I will kill your son and throw him into the water!"
Shen Dingzhu was frightened and stopped quickly: "No! Whatever you want, I will exchange it with you. Don't hurt Cheer."
When she said this, her voice trembled and became even more angry: "Cui Lianfu, I think I treat you well. Many concubines in the palace have suffered, but you have no influence. The emperor has given you great consideration and care. Why do you still hold grudges and seek revenge?”
Cui Lianfu's eyes were red and full of cold hatred. After hearing Shen Dingzhu's words, she sneered mockingly.
"Care? Let my mother enter the palace and make me the laughing stock of being sent out of the palace. Is this care? The emperor is just for you and can't wait to drive me out. I hate it! Shen Dingzhu, why should I get it? It’s always you, everyone? Why!”
She shouted hoarsely, tears welling up as she roared: "How can you come back? Since you have the chance to leave the palace and you yearn for the sky outside, you shouldn't come back! Why do you make me think that when I have the chance to replace you, Cruelly destroying all my hopes.”
Xiao Langyan had already led people over. He stood behind Shen Dingzhu, his aura full of murderous intent.
"Put the prince down, and I will spare the lives of your nine clans."
Hearing these words, Cui Lianfu was not afraid at all. She shed tears with a wry smile: "The emperor has destroyed them. How can the daughter of the Cui family who was driven back have any dignity in the world? I have never been born in the Cui family." Just kill these daughters who don’t live up to expectations! I don’t want to live anymore!”
Shen Dingzhu saw the imperial army quietly climbing up from the railing on the first floor, waiting for an opportunity to snatch the prince from Cui Lianfu's hands.
At this moment, if Cui Lianfu turned her head slightly, she would definitely be able to see the imperial army.
Shen Dingzhu calmed down and took two steps forward, attracting all the attention of Cui Lianfu.
"Don't come here!" Cui Lianfu was extremely vigilant and turned towards Shen Dingzhu, exposing her entire back to the imperial army.
What Shen Dingzhu wanted was for her to relax her vigilance behind her back. She stepped forward little by little, and Cui Lianfu's hairpin was pressed against Xiao Xingche's white and tender neck.
The child has not woken up after being tortured like this, so he must have been given medicine.
Shen Dingzhu was heartbroken, but he pretended to be calm while trying to negotiate with her.
"Don't you just want to stay in the palace? I will help you and put the child down. He is innocent."
Cui Lianfu laughed and cried: "Stay in the palace? Do you think I am stupid? I have done such a thing. As long as I let the prince go, I will lose my life immediately."
After saying that, she looked at Shen Dingzhu fiercely: "I want you to pull out the hairpin and ruin your face. As long as you do it, I will let go of your son!"
Xiao Langyan's black eyes were filled with overwhelming anger: "How reckless!"
Shen Dingzhu had already pulled out the hairpin and pointed it at the side of his face: "Do you really mean what you say?"
Cui Lianfu's eyes burst out with a vicious sneer: "Of course, Queen, you have to take a closer look. If you lose this face, will the emperor still love you? How strong is your love without the support of beauty?"
The people present took a breath. Chen Heng calmly picked up a stone from outside and looked at Cui Lianfu's knees.
When Shen Dingzhu saw that the imperial army was ready, she said solemnly: "Okay."
With the hairpin pressed against her cheek, Cui Lianfu urged in an extremely manic manner: "Stab it! Stab it in! I won't let the prince go until there is blood!"
Sudden!
The Imperial Guards behind her suddenly rose up, strangled Cui Lianfu's evil hand from behind, and pinched her mouth, causing her to let go of the sharp hairpin.
Almost at the same time, the stone in Chen Heng's hand suddenly flew towards her knee, and it was bound to hit her knee. Cui Lianfu screamed and felt the pain as if her bones were broken.
The moment she knelt on the ground, Cui Lianfu threw the child over the railing in a flash of lightning.
Shen Dingzhu was the closest, her face suddenly turned pale, and she hurried over: "Che'er!"
Xiao Langyan moved and strode over. Seeing Shen Dingzhu hugging the child, he grabbed her sleeve with his big palm.
But there was a "Zila" sound, and the brocade sleeves were torn. In just a short moment, Shen Dingzhu fell into the water with the child.
Xiao Langyan's eyes were about to burst: "Shen Dingzhu!"
He immediately turned over and jumped into the water to save his wife and children.
There were too many rockery white rocks standing in the water, and he almost ran into them.
Seeing the emperor diving into the water, everyone present was in chaos: "Save him! Help him quickly!"
Fortunately it was late spring and the lake was not cold.
Xiao Langyan was carrying the unconscious Shen Dingzhu in one hand and holding the child in the other hand. He staggered from the shore and was dragged up by the imperial army.
Dr. Cen rushed over immediately and checked Xiao Xingche's pulse first. Fortunately, there was nothing serious!
"Come and show the queen!" Xiao Langyan urged in a cold voice. He laid Shen Dingzhu flat on the ground and felt that her face was extremely pale.
However, when he took his hand out from behind her head, he saw blood in his palm.
Xiao Langyan's pupils tightened.
