Chapter 194 The most watched couple at the palace banquet
Chapter 194 The most watched couple at the palace banquet
Ye Tang and Xiao Jingxuan were carried into the palace banquet along with Emperor Yuanwu, the Empress, and the Queen Mother. When they arrived, all the civil and military officials and royal relatives had already arrived.
These people sat at the banquet in an orderly manner according to their status, and when they came over, they all stood up and saluted respectfully.
"Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, long, long live the emperor!"
"Long live the Queen, long live the Queen, long live the Queen, long live the Queen!"
"Long live the Queen Mother. Long live the Queen Mother. Long live the Queen Mother!"
"..."
Such loud shouts made Ye Tang and Xiao Jingxuan's ears numb.
As the emperor shouted "Stand Up", Ye Tang and Xiao Jingxuan felt many eyes staring at them.
Ye Tang appeared with a smile on her face, following the emperor, which attracted a lot of attention!
Instantly became the focus of the audience.
"Is that Princess Pingshan? It's actually her?" Among the crowd, Gao Yuman, who was beside Gao Yi, couldn't help but reveal a look of shock, looking at Ye Tang and Xiao Jingxuan in disbelief at the high position.
Gao Yi heard her voice and asked calmly, "Yu Man, what's wrong?"
Gao Yuman lowered her voice and said, "Grandfather, I have met the King of Pingshan and the Princess of Pingshan at Jueyifang. Princess Pingshan had the Supreme Member Card given by Princess Xian in her hand. I didn't know their identities at the time and had a conflict with them..."
When she saw Xiao Jingxuan in Jueyifang that day, she only thought that he was stunningly handsome and never imagined that he would be the son of the old King Pingshan.
I knew so...
No wonder they had things given by Princess Xian, it turned out to be because of this identity.
Gao Yumen gritted her teeth secretly and glanced at Ye Tang again.
This country woman is so lucky.
She first became the eldest daughter of the Duke of Huguo's Mansion, and later became the Princess of Pingshan.
However, no matter how good her life was, it could not change the fact that she was a country peasant woman who knew nothing and might not even be able to read or write.
There is also the King of Pingshan, a prince in name only, without military power. Although he has the title of King of Pingshan, he does not have the real power and ability of the old King of Pingshan.
Gao Yi frowned slightly, and glanced at Jamel Xiao's face calmly: "They have known each other for a long time."
Prince Duan attacked Xiao Jingxuan more than once, but was stopped by Prince Xian every time.
Gao Yi lowered his eyes and thought deeply. When did Prince Xian and Xiao Jingxuan know each other? How much did they plan?
How did Xiao Jingxuan escape and survive until now?
Gao Yi was in a low mood and couldn't help but recall many things from the past, those past events that he would never forget.
Gao Yuman and Gao Yi were not the only ones attracted by Ye Tang and Xiao Jingxuan. Most of the people present were paying attention to the couple.
The news about Prince Pingshan and his wife spread everywhere in the capital, and the most common rumor was that they were rough people from the mountains and had done menial jobs before.
After sitting down, many people were whispering about Ye Tang and the other person.
Ye Tang and Xiao Jingxuan seemed unaware and focused on enjoying the food in front of them.
The delicacies at the palace banquet were arranged according to rank. The higher the status of the person, the more exquisite the food placed in front of them.
The delicacies placed in front of Ye Tang and the others were almost the same as those in front of the emperor, the empress dowager, and the queen, and better than those in front of the crown prince and other princes.
Such treatment is really enviable.
The prince looked at the food in front of him, then raised his eyes to look at Jamel Xiao. His eyes gradually became gloomy, and his fists under his sleeves were clenched tightly.
My father is so biased.
He is the emperor's eldest son!
The Crown Princess looked at the food in front of her and felt very upset. As the future queen, her food was not even as good as Princess Pingshan's.
And this Princess Pingshan, isn't it said that she is ugly and has no beauty? How come she looks so stunning and charming?
How could a peasant woman from the countryside have such a good appearance?
The Crown Princess was extremely jealous.
The other princes and princesses had smiles on their faces, but they were very angry in their hearts.
The emperor first gave an impassioned opening speech, and then the palace banquet officially began, with singing and dancing and stringed instruments filling the ears.
After the dance, the crown prince was the first to step forward and present the gift that had been prepared long ago, followed by other princes and vassal kings.
There were three vassal kings in the Yuan Dynasty. They were the remnants of the countries that were defeated when the Yuan Dynasty was unified. Those who refused to submit were all destroyed, and no royal family was left. Those who surrendered became vassal kings of the Yuan Dynasty.
The vassal states had the right to manage their own internal affairs independently, but were subject to certain restrictions on diplomacy, economy and culture, and had to pay tribute every year. In addition, the vassal states also had the task of guarding the local area and defending the country against foreign invaders, that is, they had to go to Beijing to defend the country and protect it with force when there was change in the world.
After the emperor's sons presented their New Year gifts, Jamel Xiao also stepped forward and presented several cans of chili peppers, including chicken chili peppers, crispy chili peppers, pickled peppers, green pepper sauce...
"Uncle Emperor, I came from the countryside with inadequate preparations. I can't bring any real money or precious treasures. When I came to the capital, I brought a lot of peppers. These peppers were grown by me personally. They are a local specialty of the place where I grew up. They are spicy and delicious. I wish the people of the Yuan Dynasty can live as prosperously as peppers. In the new year, everyone will have a successful career, a happy life, and a prosperous country!"
Xiao Jingxuan spoke passionately, his whole body radiating brilliance. He was completely immersed in his own words and didn't notice the surprised looks of the people around him at all.
"chili?"
"The gift from King Pingshan was pepper?"
"Is it appropriate to give chili peppers as a New Year's gift?"
"Of course it's inappropriate. Chili peppers are very precious. We only saw chili peppers once last year, and we haven't seen any this year."
This year all the peppers were sent to the palace, and there weren't many.
"There's no one selling chili peppers in the capital. I can't buy any even if I want to. How could King Pingshan afford so many?"
"Didn't you hear what King Pingshan said? He grew the peppers."
"It's incredible that he actually grew such a delicacy!"
"Prince Pingshan's gift has touched the emperor's heart."
The people below were talking in low voices.
Emperor Yuanwu on the high platform laughed out loud.
"Prince Pingshan is very thoughtful. I like these peppers very much!"
Xiao Jingxuan said: "Uncle, there are many ways to eat chili peppers, mix them with noodles, eat them as vermicelli, make them into snacks..."
Emperor Yuanwu swallowed his saliva and said, "After listening to you talk so much, I want to try it."
"Then try it!"
Jamel Xiao strode over, took a can of crispy chili peppers, poured some into the small plate in front of Emperor Yuanwu, and said, "Uncle, try it, it's delicious."
The Queen Mother asked the maid to bring a bowl over: "Pour some for me to taste."
The Queen also said: "I want to try it too."
Jamel Xiao poured a small bowl for each of them.
The three of them tasted it carefully.
Emperor Yuanwu was amazed and said, "It's a little spicy, but not too spicy. It tastes very fragrant. This fragrance is very unique."
The Queen Mother praised it highly: "The more I eat it, the more I want to eat it."
The queen also liked it: "It's different from the chili made in the palace. This one is more fragrant."
Jamel Xiao looked proud: "Of course, this is the pepper made by my wife. I planted it and she cooked it into a delicacy. Her cooking skills are extraordinary!"
Princess Mingzhu curled her lips and said, "Isn't it just chili peppers? I tried it last time and it was so spicy that my stomach ached. What's so delicious about it..."
Jamel Xiao glanced at her: “Then don’t eat it.”
Princess Mingzhu was angry: "Why? I want to eat it."
Jamel Xiao hid the jar behind him: “No, this is for my uncle, I won’t give it to you.”
His words and actions were like those of a childish child, and he started fighting with Princess Mingzhu.
Everyone was stunned for a moment.
This King Pingshan is indeed from the countryside, he really has no manners at all.
He's twenty-one years old, but he's still like a child.
The old King Ping Shan's son is such a disappointment.
And there is also the eldest daughter of the Duke of Huguo’s Mansion.
Many people glanced at Ye Tang.
Ye Tang was only focused on tasting the exquisite snacks in front of him, without even looking at Jamel Xiao.
These people shook their heads and sighed.
This Princess Pingshan has no other redeeming qualities except her appearance and background.
He has no manners when sitting or eating...
Although chili pepper is just a crop, it is extremely rare and is deeply loved by Emperor Yuanwu. Emperor Yuanwu was so happy that he rewarded Xiao Jingxuan with a jade ruyi.
Xiao Jingxuan presented the jade ruyi to Ye Tang as if to seek credit.
"My dear, do you like it?" Xiao Jingxuan asked with a smile.
Ye Tang nodded: "I like it."
"As long as you like it, it's yours." Xiao Jingxuan casually stuffed the extremely precious jade ruyi into Ye Tang's hand.
All the women present were envious.
That’s a jade ruyi!
The jade ruyi bestowed by the emperor!
How could King Pingshan just give the Jade Ruyi to this woman in front of so many people?
They wanted to see the emperor blame Jamel Xiao, but they never thought that when the emperor saw this scene, instead of blaming him, he laughed happily twice: "Hahaha, you are worthy of being my good nephew, and you are a man who loves his wife."
Everyone: "..."
The Crown Princess stole a glance at the Crown Prince and sighed inwardly. The Emperor had rewarded the Crown Prince with many good things, many of which she liked, but the Crown Prince didn't even let her look at them and just hid them away.
The Crown Princess felt jealous and even more jealous of Ye Tang.
Princess Duan was also secretly glancing at Prince Duan, and her jealousy towards Ye Tang was no less than that of the Crown Princess.
The same goes for the other princesses.
Princess Mingzhu, who finally got to taste two crispy peppers, glared at Jamel Xiao hatefully.
Just wait, my future prince consort will definitely be more handsome than you and know how to pamper his wife better.
Ye Tang didn't care about the looks of others. She happily took the jade ruyi and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xiao Jingxuan sat back in his seat, took a fish, picked out the fish bones, and then fed the fish meat into Ye Tang's mouth.
"Is it delicious?" he asked gently.
"It's delicious." Ye Tang answered happily.
People present: “…”
Could you guys tone it down a bit?
Following Xiao Jingxuan, envoys from three vassal states also presented New Year gifts and tributes.
Then came the civil and military officials. After the gift-giving session, the talented men and women began to show their talents.
There were people dancing with swords, competing in chess, and playing the piano... The performances were varied, with talented men and women competing with each other for beauty. Everyone worked hard for this palace banquet.
Ye Tang could hardly bear to watch it.
"My dear, that lady has a very thin waist."
"Wow, her hair is so pretty."
"Ms. Zhou's dance costume is so unique."
"Miss Zhao's dance is so beautiful. Her body is soft and her movements are smooth and flowing. She is as light as a swallow, as if she will fly away at any time. She is cheerful and festive... Wonderful, so wonderful!"
"That young master has really beautiful fingers."
"Wow, this young man is so tall, with a body like a pine tree and a face like jade. What a handsome man!"
"..."
Jamel Xiao could still listen to the previous comments, but when it came to the latter part, he couldn't help it.
"My lady, I am the most handsome! Didn't you see so many girls peeking at me?" Xiao Jingxuan really wanted to stretch out his hands to cover Ye Tang's eyes.
Ye Tang blinked his eyes: "Their eyes are on their faces. I can't do anything if they want to peek at you! I can't dig their eyes out!"
"When I told you to dig out their eyes, I meant that none of the men here can compare to me. Just look at me, not at them."
"Everyone's beauty is different." Ye Tang said seriously: "No matter how handsome you are, I'm tired of seeing you every day. I need to see some fresh beauty."
Jamel Xiao was struck by lightning: "...Are you tired of watching?"
Will his appearance make my lady feel disgusted?
Seeing that he looked like he had suffered a huge blow, Ye Tang hurriedly coaxed him: "Husband, you heard me wrong, that's not what I meant. I wanted to say that I'm tired of you... No, I'm tired of your face, not you as a person... That's not right either... Let me give you an example, meat is delicious! If you eat it every day, you will get tired of it... Uh, that doesn't seem right..."
Jamel Xiao was about to break.
The party went on with singing and dancing, during which time people would kick out for sparring and place bets.
At the beginning, the daughter of this minister was sparring with the daughter of that minister. After three matches, Princess Ningkang, the daughter of the King of Wei, one of the three vassal states, suddenly proposed to spar with Gao Yuman.
Princess Ningkang was seventeen years old, about the same age as Gao Yuman. When she spoke, she would always glance towards the Ninth Prince intentionally or unintentionally.
It is obvious that she is interested in the Ninth Prince.
But the Ninth Prince and Gao Yuman had already been engaged, and they would get married in March after the New Year.
"Little Princess Kang Ning has not given up yet. She still wants to marry the Ninth Prince. She lost to Gao Yuman last year, and this year she humiliated herself again."
Gao Yuman is both talented and beautiful, and is the most talented daughter in the capital. She is best at playing the zither, and she worships the zither fairy as her teacher.
Ye Tang felt bored after hearing the discussions around her. The palace banquet was becoming more and more boring. So many people were sparring with each other, but no one wanted to spar with her.
She is so famous, why doesn't anyone bother her?
She also wanted to demonstrate how to farm so that these powerful people could broaden their horizons!
boring.
Gao Yuman accepted the challenge from Princess Ningkang, and they each took out their own zither.
Ye Tang heard the discussions around him again. Everyone was talking about how precious Gao Yuman and the other's zither were. Gao Yuman's zither was a gift from the Zither Fairy and was one of a kind in the world.
Ye Tang walked up to Princess Mingzhu and asked, "Cousin, who is Qin Xian?"
Princess Mingzhu gritted her teeth: "Who are you calling cousin? Who is your cousin? Qin Xian doesn't even know. You are such a..."
Ye Tang took a spicy strip and stuffed it into her mouth
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