The Gilded Cage

On the night before the birthday banquet, Cuihe finally embroidered a lifelike lotus flower on the hem of the clothes.

On the second day, the official ya took a break, and Chu Ning first gave Xiao Yu all the bags he had to take with him on the second day to load the carriage in advance, and then took a few people to arrange everything in the car in front of Xiao Yu. Okay, finally check the birthday gift to be presented to the Empress Dowager Qi again, and then go back to his bedroom to change clothes in the evening.

Cuihe had re-smelled the blasphemy garment, and waited for her to wear it next to Chu Ning when she came out of the bath.

The soft and smooth silk fabric fell gently, and Ruojiruo was attached to the naked body, suddenly drawing a moving curve, seeing the red heart beating on the face of Cuihe, and even the breathing was not smooth, so I quickly took the next skirt Come and put it on for her.

The beautiful body was wrapped in layers of heavy and complicated clothing, and it became the dignified and generous appearance of the past.

Chu Ning gathered up her long hair, sat down in front of the makeup, let Cuihe wrinkle her into a high bun, and then decorated her with golden steps that swayed step by step, but the pure and flawless face was still not applied with powder, just wiped her mouth. Zhi, however, put a piece of golden flower tint on the center of his eyebrows, which complemented the swaying between the hair.

When the makeup was finished, she looked at the bronze mirror left and right, then got up and went out of the house.

Xiao Yu had also changed clothes, and when she saw her appearance, she couldn't help feeling stunned.

The sunset glow on the horizon is brilliant, covering her body, the color is magnificent, the golden step between her hair and the flower tint between her eyebrows are shining brightly. She clearly didn't look much different from her usual outfit, but when she looked back and smiled at him, she looked like a beautiful goddess.

He paused for a moment, and then approached, his fingers gently stroked her eyebrows, and then slid down her neck and chest, finally wrapped her slender waist, and whispered in her ear: "Come back early in the night."

Chu Ning's face was red, and his wet eyes glanced at him strangely, but his heart was pounding, hoping that he could drink more wine at the banquet.

In a short while, the two of them entered Tai Chi Palace together and went to the Hall of Two Instruments.

In the Hall of Two Instruments, most of the princes and nobles have already arrived, and they are gathering in groups to talk and laugh. A whole month after the national funeral, the former relaxed and happy atmosphere finally recovered.

As soon as the attendant informed that the prince and the princess were coming, everyone got up and saluted the two.

Although their courtesy are not abandoned, their attitude is still respectful, but they are far more estranged and restrained than before, and no longer have the diligence and enthusiasm of the past.

Fortunately, Xiao Yu has experienced countless times of such a gap recently, so even though he felt unhappy, his complexion remained the same. After smiling and nodding at the crowd, he led Chu Ning to the front of the case and sat down under the guidance of the servant.

Regardless of whether they are based on relatives or status, their seats must be set up close to the emperor and the queen mother, this time as well.

After the two of them sat down, naturally there were people around them who took the initiative to greet and talk, but it was much less than before.

After a while, when the setting sun had completely subsided, the emperor and the queen mother slowly entered the hall surrounded by everyone.

The Empress Dowager Qi is still in a simple dress, but her always solemn face has a little more smile than usual. On the contrary, Qi Chenxiang, who was supporting her by her side, wore a slightly lively dress, showing a bit of girlishness. While reminding the Queen Mother Qi to be careful of the stairs, he quietly looked at Xiao Kezhi on the other side.

As for Xiao Kezhi, although he entered the hall with the Empress Dowager Qi, he did not know whether it was deliberate or not. He was separated by a full distance from him. His handsome face was as expressionless as usual. Happy, it doesn't seem like coming to a birthday banquet at all.

Everyone got up and saluted again, and Chu Ning's gaze flicked across Xiao Kezhi, who was getting closer and closer, and his movements were intentionally slower than others for a moment. When he bent his knees, a corner of the white silk paw appeared from the cuffs as if unintentionally.

As they passed by, one of them had his hands behind his back and looked forward, and the other respectfully bowed his knees and kept his eyes down, as if no one was paying attention to each other.

Liu Kang, who happened to be following him, was already in cold sweat.

Others were busy saluting or knew nothing about it, and they didn't notice it. Only he could see it clearly. When the princess's cuff was exposed, the emperor's hands half-hidden by the robe with his back clenched!

These two people, I don't know how long they will scare him today!

Not long after, the Queen Mother Qi took a seat and motioned everyone to get up. Under the guidance of the ceremonial officer, everyone toasted together and toasted to the Queen Mother for birthdays. After a few times, they could be seated.

Since the birthday gifts were given to the maid in the palace earlier, after the Queen Mother Qi rewarded everyone, she ordered a banquet: "Although today is my birthday, this banquet shouldn’t be for me alone. You don’t have to be cautious and let go. Have a drink."

Suddenly, the sound of silk and bamboo sounded. On the high platform, dozens of Hu women dressed in gauze, danced enthusiastically on cheerful drums, and the maids held fresh melons, fruits and meats and fine wines and wines filed into the hall and presented them to every food table. Above.

The talk and laughter that had only subsided gradually recovered, and the atmosphere in the hall became more cheerful and enthusiastic.

In the end, it was a birthday banquet. Even if he didn't want to, Xiao Yu would have to toast the Queen Mother before Baiguan.

He didn't move, watched the singing and dancing for a moment, and after a few more mouthfuls of small dishes, he motioned to Chu Ning to get up, took her to the steps, and toasted to the Queen Mother Qi birthday.

She was not a relative of her grandchildren, and her relationship was always tense. The Empress Dowager Qi looked at the two people in front of her, only raised her hand lightly, took a sip of the wine, and cast her eyes on the musicians on the high platform below.

Xiao Yu was shameless, his face was a little ugly, but he had to refill the wine and walk towards Xiao Kezhi on the other side.

The people below seemed to be still eating, talking and laughing, but in fact they had quietly shifted their attention to the pair of uncles and nephews on the main seat.

After all, the disagreement between the Queen Mother Qi and the prince has long been known, but the new emperor has always been fascinated and unclear.

With all eyes in full view, Xiao Yu raised his wine glass and saluted respectfully, and said loudly: "My nephew, please greet your majesty, please drink a full glass."

Xiao Kezhi had just been sitting in the seat without moving. Only then, as if he had spotted him, he slowly turned his head, but still did not get up. He only moved his gaze away from Xiao Yu, who was still bowing his head in a salute posture, and fell to his side. Woman body.

The woman just smiled and stood there dignifiedly, with a few lights shining on, making her eyebrows clear.

Jin Cancan's swaying and Huatian made her skin white, and her eyes were pierced. Those two plump red lips were saying something one by one with her saluting gesture.

Xiao Kezhi didn't hear a word clearly, and only felt the blood all over his body boil.

She was clearly wrapped tightly, she couldn't see any figure or curve, but everything changed in his eyes.

"Everyone..." Seeing that he hadn't moved yet, Liu Kang couldn't help but walked behind him tremblingly, reminding him in a very low voice.

Many people underneath were staring at the movement intently. Seeing that the emperor was still there, they couldn't help but guess whether he was going to embarrass the prince in the public.

However, the next moment, Xiao Kezhi suddenly smiled.

He got up from the couch, walked directly in front of Xiao Yu, reached out his hands to support his arms and helped him up, as if he really was a loving elder.

"Well, since it's between uncles and nephews, why do you need so much courtesy?"

As he said, he raised his wine glass and drank it with his head straight up, obviously in honor of the prince's intentions.

Xiao Yu didn't expect that he would respond like this, but at the same time he was surprised, he had to toast and drink.

"My nephew seems weak, but he is also bold in drinking." Xiao Kezhi smiled and patted him on the shoulder, then he turned his gaze to the side of Chu Ning grandiosely, "As for my nephew, she is a woman after all. If she doesn't drink well, I won't force it. ."

Chu Ning looked at him directly, smiled slightly, did not speak, only raised his glasses with both hands, raised his head in front of everyone, and drank all the slowly liquor in the glass.

The slender neck was fully exposed in front of him, undulating from time to time as he swallowed the liquor.

After a while, she drank the wine, she put down the glass, a layer of powder slowly floated on her white cheeks, and her full red lips were also coated with water.

"My nephew's daughter-in-law is terrified, so she can only drink this cup to thank Your Majesty for understanding."

Xiao Kezhi squinted at her, couldn't help licking her upper jaw, barely restrained the muffled voice in his voice, nodded and said: "So my niece is also a refreshing person."

He forced himself to look away, patted Xiao Yu's shoulder again, and said, "It really is the descendant of my Xiao family."

With that, he seemed to be unaware that the prince was not good at drinking, and said to Liu Kang: "Go, get a pot of Liangzhou wine and give it to the prince."

When the words fell, Xiao Yu's face was gloomy for a moment, but Chu Ning's heart moved, and if there was anything, he glanced at Xiao Kezhi.

Liangzhou wine is a spirit that can only be drunk in the northwestern frontier. Compared with other sake and muddy wine popular in Chang'an, it is much more spicy. Xiao Yu is not good at drinking. After getting the wine, it means that when others come to toast, he will Having to drink Liangzhou wine is really embarrassing for him.

Xiao Kezhi was deliberately filling him with wine.

However, in the crowd, he could not have the slightest disrespectful words and deeds off the handle, so he had to suppress the dissatisfaction in his heart, leaned over to thank him, and returned to his seat.

After a while, the waiter delivered a pot full of Liangzhou wine.

This pot of wine was like a silent signal, telling everyone at the banquet that, at least today, the emperor gave the prince enough face.

Therefore, in the next toast, everyone did not forget to walk around Xiao Yu's table.

Xiao Yu couldn't, so he had to drink the Liangzhou wine glass by glass, but in a half hour, he had already drunk a whole pot.

"Drink more and hurt your body, so your Royal Highness can use some vegetable mats." Chu Ning knelt and sat on the side, and he arranged a few light-tasting dishes for him, and then filled a small half bowl of mutton soup to his eyes.

His eyes were loose and he was already a little drunk. He nodded when he heard the words and barely held the spoon and chopsticks firmly. After taking two bites, he rubbed his forehead and frowned from time to time.

"His Royal Highness, don't hold on for a while, if you are really drunk, let's go to the partial hall to rest."

She was worried on her face, but strangely settled in her heart.

Xiao Kezhi clearly understood her hint just now, and also used this method to tell her that he had accepted her intentions.

It's just that Xiao Yu can handle it for the time being, but he doesn't know if Xiao Kezhi is aware of it on the other side.

While everyone was talking and laughing, her gaze quietly looked towards the seat a little further away.

There, Zhao Yu'e was getting up from the couch, holding a cup and a pot and walking up the steps.

…

On the other side, the Queen Mother Qi patted Qi Chenxiang next to her, and smiled: "Okay, Liu Niang said that she wants to dance for her aunt, are you ready?"

When Qi Chenxiang heard the words, a little shame flashed across her face, and said, "Liu Niang is ready, and we will arrive in a moment. Only the Queen Mother and Your Majesty will wait."

As she said, she quietly glanced at Xiao Kezhi, who was drinking a glass of wine, as if she hoped to see encouragement or expectation in his eyes.

However, he remained unheard of and didn't even look at her.

She was lost in her heart, and it was not easy to have a seizure. She could only step aside under the comforting gaze of the Queen Mother, and when she turned around to prepare to change clothes, she matched Zhao Yu'e, who was dressed charmingly and boldly and could compete with Hu Ji on the high platform. .

"You—" She stopped and just wanted to say something, but Zhao Yu'e didn't even look at her, and passed her directly.

"Lady, let's go, it's time to change clothes." The maid carefully pulled Qi Chenxiang's sleeves, "Don't worry, lady, there is a queen mother."

Qi Chenxiang didn't speak, and after standing still for a while, he moved on.

Asking her to marry the new emperor as his wife is what the queen mother means, and the queen mother will naturally help her. But can she really rest assured?

These days, she often came to the palace by the reason of accompanying the Queen Mother, but every time he saw him, he was indifferent, as if he didn't take this matter to heart.

Whether it was her father, mother, or the queen mother, she assured her that she would definitely become the queen of Da Liang, but in her heart she always felt that things might not be what they expected.

…

In the main hall, Zhao Yu'e held a jade pot in her hand and lowered her eyebrows to offer wine to the Queen Mother Qi to celebrate her birthday.

The Queen Mother Qi took the wine glass she offered, took a sip, and put it aside. Although there was a three-point smile on her well-maintained plain face, the smile did not reach the bottom of her eyes.

Someone had previously told her about Zhao Yu'e's "random encounter" with the emperor outside the palace that day. Although she didn't think that a daughter of a military commander, or a widow who lived after losing her father, could shake her position in Liuniang's favor, she still felt that this woman was bold and did not put the Qi family in her eyes.

Before Liu Niang got married, she didn't want to see anyone live in Tai Chi Palace first. As for others, as long as the queen's surname is Qi, she can open one eye and close the other.

"Er Niang, I heard that your deceased husband’s filial piety period has not yet passed. Why did you enter the palace to celebrate my birthday? Don’t make you break the rules because of my old woman. If you really want to enter the palace, wait three. The year has passed, and it’s not too late to come again. Anyway, I have this birthday every year."

Her words were clear, and Zhao Yu'e naturally understood that she had taken a step back and told herself not to stand in the way of Qi's family.

Zhao Yu'e smiled, with a very respectful attitude, but she said with a nail that is neither soft nor hard: "The queen mother is born, after the second mother lost her husband, she returned to her natal family. Now she is still the daughter of the Zhao family. It’s not a bad rule to wish the Queen Mother today. Please relax."

"That's all right." Empress Dowager Qi heard her retort, smiled slightly, and didn't give her a chance to be in front of the emperor. She just waved and said, "I take your heart. Since you don't need to be in the funeral, I will drink more with them later. Two cups are fine, go down."

Zhao Yu'e didn't insist on staying. After turning around and bowing in front of Xiao Kezhi, he returned to the seat in the eyes of the Empress Dowager Qi and talked and laughed with several nearby women.

…

After a while, the sound of music on the high platform suddenly fell silent, causing everyone to look upwards, and then, all around, there was a sudden sound of Qiuci music that jumped brightly.

A young girl ascended to the high platform in the eyes of everyone, and stepped on the drums to dance a happy Hu Xuan dance. It was Qi Chenxiang who wanted to dance.

The undergarment on her body has been replaced with a bright colored gauze skirt inlaid with gemstones, and the makeup on her face is also much richer, which dilutes the tranquil beauty that originally belonged to a girl, and becomes more mature and gorgeous, which makes people shine. .

She obviously worked hard for this dance for a long time. Every time she kicks and spins, she steps on the drums just right. From the body to the movements, she is full of the passion and joy that Hu Xuanwu should have, although she doesn't need to jump up. The Hu girl who has danced for many years is one of the best among the noble girls in Chang'an City.

The people in Daliang love singing and dancing. At this moment, seeing the girls of the Qi family, they became more and more enthusiastic, stroking their palms and cheering from time to time, making the atmosphere in the hall very warm.

However, Chu Ning had no intention to appreciate it.

She looked at Xiao Yu, who was finally unconscious, and stretched out her hand to call Cuihe: "Go and report to Dajian Liu and ask him to tell your Majesty that the prince is drunk. I will help the prince to the side hall to take a break. "

When she said the words "Liu Dajian", she deliberately glanced at Cuihe.

Cuihe immediately understood, turned and walked quickly towards Liu Kang's position. The other two waiters stepped forward to lift Xiao Yu from the side of the food table, and carried him to the side hall one by one.

The Liangyi Hall is located in the forbidden area and occupies a large area. Only a few clan members could enter it. By the time of Gaozong, it gradually became a place where the royal banquet was held, and then other ministers could enter.

Because it is located in a forbidden area, there are many houses for rest nearby. Chu Ning found a room not far from the main hall, and asked the two servants to help Xiao Yu to lie down on the couch.

"His Royal Highness will bear it for a while. I have sent someone to prepare the sober soup. It should be here after a while." She said softly while taking the wet towel that was brought in to wipe his red and dry cheeks.

Xiao Yu was half asleep and half awake, squinting for a moment before nodding.

In a daze, he reached out and grabbed her close wrist, pulled her into his arms with a strong pull.

…

In the main hall, Qi Chenxiang's dance was frozen at the last moment amidst the cheers and applause of everyone.

Empress Dowager Qi looked at Xiao Kezhi with a smile, and asked, "Liu Lang, look, how is this dance of my Liu Niang?"

Xiao Kezhi curled the corners of his lips very quickly, and said in a calm tone: "A dance dedicated to the Queen Mother to celebrate her birthday is good if the Queen Mother likes it."

He left himself very clear, and the Empress Dowager Qi didn't get annoyed, and only said: "I naturally like it. Please give me a reward for Liu Lang later."

At this time, Liu Kang quietly approached, losing a wink at Xiao Kezhi.

With a move in his heart, he ignored the Queen Mother's meaning and said, "Then reward her with a hundred gold. When I am exhausted, I will go down and rest first, and I will order someone to send the gold back later."

As he said, without looking at the face of the Queen Mother, she straightened up and left the table.