noffsinger Chapter 544 Something happened at the banquet
Chapter 544 Something happened at the banquet
The Plum Garden is located to the south of the Imperial Palace. Due to the terrain and the surrounding obstructions, the sunlight is not abundant, and the closer you get, the more chilly it becomes.
Some female members silently clenched the hand warmers in their hands.
Although they entered the palace today in the name of appreciating the snow, it was only to attend the palace banquet. To them, it was not important whether they appreciated the snow or saw the scenery in the palace.
Many people thought to themselves, if there is no snow, they can just drink tea and chat together, why do they have to come to Merlin to suffer the cold?
Of course, they only dared to think about these words in their hearts and would never say them in front of Xiao Yue.
Even when Xiao Yue asked about the scenery in Merlin, many people praised it.
"As expected of a palace, the plum blossoms are blooming exceptionally well."
"Yes, it is thanks to the Fifth Princess that we can see this view today."
"That's right. Although it didn't snow today, it's still a good thing that this snow-viewing banquet has been transformed into a plum-viewing banquet. I really want to thank the Fifth Princess for the invitation."
……
Listening to everyone's praises and gratitude, Xiao Yue felt much better.
Once again, he turned his gaze to Chu Jingyue beside him.
"What does Princess Chu think?"
"Very good." Chu Jingyue nodded.
Xiao Yue continued, "So it would be better for everyone to come together to see the plum blossoms, rather than staying alone in the Imperial Garden. Princess Chu, what do you think?"
Chu Jingyue was unhappy. Ever since she became pregnant, she was more afraid of cold than usual. Now standing in the plum forest, she had no intention of enjoying the scenery. She only felt the surroundings were cold.
However, she did not lose face in front of Xiao Yue and nodded again.
Xiao Yue withdrew her gaze with satisfaction, and seemed to begin to concentrate on appreciating the plum blossoms in front of her. She recited a few lines of poetry and won another round of praise.
Chu Jingyue stood beside a plum tree, looking at the scattered remaining snow on the tree, and felt that it seemed to be even colder.
The next moment, Jiang Suining came to Chu Jingyue with a thicker cloak.
"This one has just been baked over charcoal. It will be warmer if you change into this one."
Chu Jingyue took off the cloak that was already a little cold and wrapped herself in the one Jiang Suining brought. She felt a lot warmer.
"Sui Ning, I told you before that you were overthinking it, but looking at the Fifth Princess, there's something wrong." Chu Jingyue lowered her voice. After she finished speaking, she was afraid that Jiang Sui Ning might be worried, so she quickly added, "But you can put your mind at ease. She wouldn't dare to do anything to me."
"Indeed, Xiao Yue is not that impulsive, but I didn't expect that you would follow me to Plum Garden." Jiang Suining's voice was low, with a hint of surprise, but without any hint of blame.
According to Jingyue's previous personality, even if she was given face to attend the banquet in the palace, she probably would not give in again and again and come with us to the plum garden.
"Maybe I have more concerns now." Chu Jingyue sighed softly, "Sui Ning, although Changhe has been promoted recently, he comes from a poor family after all, so I always have to think more before I speak and do things now, and I can't do what I want to do as I did in the past. I don't want to affect his career because of me."
"I heard Yan Xi mention that Chu Changhe has done a very good job and has been increasingly valued recently. You don't have to worry too much. Just take care of yourself. Since he was able to come all the way to the Imperial City and become an official, he must have his abilities."
"That being said, we are a couple, so I can't help but worry about him." Chu Jingyue suddenly laughed, and looked at Jiang Suining with a hint of joking, "Come to think of it, you also insisted on breaking off the engagement with Shen Yanxi before you went to the court to file a complaint. Weren't you afraid of implicating him?"
Thinking of Shen Yanxi, Jiang Suining's face showed a gentle smile. He didn't say anything else. He was just worried that Chu Jingyue would catch a cold if she stood in the plum forest for too long. He gathered her cloak and secretly calculated the time in his mind.
After a while, the nanny beside Queen Shi walked into the plum forest.
"Fifth Princess, the Queen has not seen Princess Chu for a long time. I heard that Princess Chu also entered the palace today, so she specially asked this old servant to invite her over." The nanny respectfully stated her purpose to Xiao Yue.
Xiao Yue, who was originally enjoying the flattery, gradually lost her smile, and her eyes turned colder when she looked at Jiang Suining and Chu Jingyue.
"What a coincidence! Since it is my mother who wants to see Princess Chu, then go ahead. But Princess Chu, don't forget to have dinner with everyone later."
Chu Jingyue didn't expect that Queen Shi would suddenly want to see her. She glanced at Jiang Suining beside her and immediately understood.
"Yes, don't worry, Princess Five."
She responded, looked at Jiang Suining again, and quickly followed the nanny out of Merlin.
After this little episode, Xiao Yue's interest seemed to have faded a lot. Listening to the praises and compliments around her, she was no longer so happy.
The female guests present noticed it and the atmosphere was no longer as lively as before. After about an incense stick of time, Xiao Yue sent everyone back to the banquet area in the Imperial Garden.
Although the temperature today was not low, after staying in Merlin for a while, many women's dresses and cloaks were damp. Jiang Suining had the heaters prepared in advance placed next to each seat, and they felt better, but some still looked pale.
Xiao Yue had been in low spirits ever since Chu Jingyue left. It was not until almost time for dinner when Chu Jingyue returned to the banquet that Xiao Yue seemed to perk up again.
"Since Princess Chu is back, let's prepare the meal. Today's banquet menu was set by Lady Officer Jiang herself. She has always been thorough in her work and I'm sure she won't disappoint you."
Xiao Yue spoke, and Jiang Suining also gave orders, and soon the dishes on each seat were served.
Today, most of the meals are single, with one seat per person, so the number of dishes is not large, but they are very exquisite and attentive. Each dish has a special plating and embellishment, which looks pleasing to the eye.
Chu Jingyue had been staying at home to take care of her pregnancy and had seldom moved around. Today, she walked a lot in the Imperial Garden, Plum Grove, and the Queen's residence. In addition, she had a good appetite recently, so she felt hungry just now. Looking at the dishes in front of her, her appetite was aroused.
However, she did not pick up her chopsticks immediately. Instead, she looked carefully and made sure that the dishes in front of her did not contain anything that pregnant women should avoid before she felt relieved.
"Since all the dishes have been served, there's no need to be so polite. Just start eating." Xiao Yue raised her voice slightly and took the lead in picking up the dish in front of her with chopsticks.
Others also started to eat, and Chu Jingyue also began to eat.
Jiang Suining stood not too far away, keeping an eye on Chu Jingyue.
Xiao Yue looked at Jiang Suining while eating, and when he noticed her look, a hint of sneer flashed across his eyes.
Soon, some of the women who were dining began to change their expressions...