Chapter 84: The Gathering of the Harem Part I
Li Qujun played another piece and in the meantime, Noble Consort Luo, Luo Xingcheng also arrived. He had long heard the sound of the qin from the distance and upon seeing the Empress listening to the accompaniment, he silently gave his salutations and stood to the side. He bowed his head slightly and his entire body was obviously exuding a melancholy aura.
Liyou’s brows furrowed slightly, but she did not say anything. Using her eyes, she signaled to Li Qujun to continue playing the qin.
Afterwards, Noble Consort Yun, Yun Tailing, also arrived. Threads of haste were present in his expression and seeing that the Empress was still listening to the qin upon entering, he heaved a sigh of relief. He then went to stand beside Luo Xingchen and listen to the accompaniment.
Liyou glanced at Yun Tailing and noted that he was not wearing Imperial robes, but rather, apparel worn for an outing. It seemed that he had just returned from outside the Imperial palace. He had been in charge of running the medical academy in recent days and was extremely busy. But, among the rest of the harem, he was the most substantial one. He was also very intelligent, knew what he wanted and was a person that reassured Liyou the most.
When the piece came to an end, Liyou applauded softly and announced to everyone present, “Sit down, let us enjoy the music together.” Then, she motioned to Li Qujun to continue, she liked the sound of his qin playing.
Luo Xingchen and Yun Tailing took their seats and continued to listen to the music. The melodious and mellow notes of the qin surged and Li Qujun’s expression became even more earnest.
Feng Xue, Anhui and Sang Zixin also arrived one after another. The large Qin Palace suddenly seemed a little crowded. The banquet was arranged in the outer hall and it would still be another quarter of an hour before it was fully prepared. Only Imperial Consort Qin, Qin Ning, did not make an appearance.
“Your Majesty, this consort will go take a look.” Luo Weiqing was slightly worried and wanted to take a peek at matters outside.
“What is there to see?”
“This, this consort wants to check if the banquet has been prepared properly. It is almost time for dinner and this consort is afraid that something unsatisfactory will crop up.” Luo Weiqing felt that it would be bad to mention that Qin Ning was not present and that he wanted to check. When the Empress had been in the Imperial Palace, she seemed to be unhappy with Imperial Consort Ning.
“No need to go look. The servants will report to you when they are done. Listen to the qin with peace of mind.” She saw that Luo Weiqing had been busy with matters for quite a while and did not want him to do more work.
“Well….yes.” Luo Weiqing could not refuse but his gaze could not help straying to the door. Perhaps the servants had not delivered the invitation properly?
Liyou noticed Luo Weiqing’s gaze and looked at the door. Then she looked at everyone present and discovered that Qin Ning was missing.
“A quarter of an hour later, the banquet will begin.” The wispy image of a prideful shadow appeared in her mind. The outstanding hero was extremely proud and aloof. Weiqing was most likely uneasy since Qin Ning had not come.
Liyou disliked waiting for people and thought that one should always abide by the predetermined times. But, she had a feeling that Qin Ning would be arriving soon.
Sure enough, before the song ended, Qin Ning’s figure appeared at the entrance and his gaze swept onto Liyou.
“This consort greets the Empress, long live the Empress!” Unlike the others,Qin Ning did not wait for the sound of the qin to cease before giving his greetings, instead, directly walking in front of Liyou, using his sunny and cloudless voice to announce his arrival.
The sound of the qin stopped and everyone’s gazes turned to Qin Ning.
“Stand up. It is dinner time, let us go eat.” Liyou did not say much. It could be said that she was the most ruthless to Qin Ning. Who made Qin Ning’s temperament so that she always had the urge to torment him? To see if he could have other expressions, no longer so cold and arrogant? She was not good to him, she admitted to that, but as long as he didn’t provoke her again, she would not want to do anything to make him uncomfortable. She had thought that after leaving Qin Ning at the bottom of the precipice, he would have learned some lessons, but looking at the current situation, Qin Ning didn’t know what it meant to play with fire. But, she was in a good mood now and did not want to squabble with him.
Liyou gave the order and everyone shuffled to the outer hall. The banquet was already laid out and exquisite porcelain tableware that made one dazzled upon the sight.
“Everyone can take a seat.” Naturally, Liyou sat in the main seat and the rest were seated according to rank. Exactly ten people sat around a table.
“Serve the meals.” Luo Weiqing instructed the attendants on the side and the attendants served the prepared delicacies….
“Let’s all eat, no need to feel restrained.” Logically speaking, this banquet should be regarded as a meal between families. After all, all of these men were her men, but just looking at everyone’s cautious and restrained appearance, it was as if she had just announced she was going to eat people, no one dared to say a single word.
“Yes.” While everyone was acting like this, Qin Ning, who didn’t fit in with the others, used his chopsticks to grab a piece from the dish in front of him to eat gracefully after seeing Liyou move her chopsticks.
Naturally, Liyou was not hungry. She ate a couple of mouthfuls before setting down her chopsticks to sip at the wine in front of her. After smelling it….she was not good at drinking and she rarely drank. This concoction was really quite magical to her, because alcohol could tear away her self control and even with her high cultivation, she was powerless to it.
“Empress, is this wine not to your liking? This consort ask the attendants to exchange it for something else?”
In fact, not to mention Luo Weiqing, although everyone was eating, they were also paying close attention to the Empress every movement.
“No need.” Liyou’s words landed and she had already downed the wine in her glass in one gulp. She had not had a drink for a long time and the taste was still very stimulating, “You all can drink too, don’t just watch me drink.”
Setting down the wine glass, Liyou saw that everyone was looking at her. Perhaps Liyou was really bad with alcohol, but after drinking a glass of wine, her face was doused with a rosy flush and such a breathtaking appearance made everyone speechless. And everyone’s dazed expressions pleased Liyou greatly and her wicked grin appeared on her face. As soon as she opened her mouth, it was actually to urge the others to drink.
Everyone was still immersed in Liyou’s astonishing appearance and when they heard Liyou’s words, they did not even hesitate, picking up a glass of wine and downing it! The burning feeling scorching one’s throat made half of the people in the room cough violently and only Anhui and Qin Ning kept their normal composure while Luo Weiqing looked at everyone with a light smile. On the contrary, Li Qujun showed a hearty smile and even laughed out loud.
Liyou took in everyone’s different reactions and suddenly felt that this should be the feeling of family gathering. She had never had a family, never felt lonely, never expected anything, let alone disappointment. But now, it is different. The men here belonged to her and were her family. She did not want them to get along like strangers.
“Cough, cough, its so strong….” Murong Xuanhe, the youngest and most lively, coughed the loudest. He stuck his tongue out and panted violently. His face was flushed red. After drinking a whole cup, he was starting to feel a little dizzy.
Feng Xue’s snow-white skin had a hint of pink, exuding a lovely flavor; Luo Xingchen’s melancholy eyes were a little more spritely, and that watery look was very seductive; Sang Zixin had always been silent and at this time, his face seemed to be doused in blush and he blinked his lovely eyes, the depths filled with a smile; Although Yun Tailing feigned calmness, but he was already drunk and a little confused, staring straight at Liyou…
Liyou began to feel that this wine was a really good thing and mentioned it to the attendants waiting on the side to fill up the glasses again. Liyou raised her glass again and said, “One more drink!”
Liyou’s words fell without even considering other people’s reactions and she drank the wine in her glass again and looked at everyone with a meaningful and deep gaze.
Who could say no? Even Murong Xuanhe, who was half-conscious, knew that this was another glass of wine that couldn’t refuse!
Everyone took up the wine glass again, and toasted the Empress who seemed as if she wanted to drown them in wine, with another drink! After drinking this glass of wine, everyone’s limits of alcohol tolerance was determined. Anhui and Qin Ning had the same expressions on their faces. Luo Weiqing blushed, but was still smiling gently and obviously not drunk. The others were more or less in a muddle-headed state.
“Empress…Empress…this consort cannot drink anymore, this consort is dizzy!” Murong Xuanhe’s tone of voice was three times sweeter than it usually was and his face was completely flushed. He smirked as he spoke.
Liyou blinked and did not feel much from the alcohol. She only felt a little hot and that the voice of the person in her ear seemed a little louder.
“No matter, if you drank too much, Zhen can have someone escort you back.” Murong Xuanhe appeared even cuter, his whole body pale and tender, which made Liyou suddenly have the urge to take a bite. But, she did not like eating human flesh, how could she have such an urge? Liyou shook her head and moved her eyes away from Murong Xuanhe’s eyes.
“No, I don’t want to go back.” When Murong Xuanhe heard that the Empress was going to send him back, Murong Xuanhe felt that he would never see the Empress again and looking into Liyou’s eyes, there was indescribable grievances lurking behind.
“Zhen dislikes disobedient children.” Liyou’s face was frigid but her eyes were still gentle. She wouldn’t really bicker with someone who was half intoxicated. These words were for Murong Xuanhe and everyone present. She disliked disobedient people and if they didn’t want to bore her, it was better to adjust to her temper.
Liyou raised the third glass of wine, did not say anything, merely looking into each person’s eyes one by one, her gaze lingering on them before she slammed down the glass of wine!
Liyou’s meaning was very obvious. Everyone present, except the dizzy Murong Xuanhe, understood what she meant and they all raised their glasses and downed the third glass of wine! And although Murong Xuanhe had not discerned Liyou’s intentions, he saw that everyone had another drink. Since he still had the character of that of a child, when he saw what everyone else was doing, he naturally wanted to follow along. As such, he followed everyone to drink glasses and drink!
After three glasses of wine, everyone had mixed reactions but Murong Xuanhe had already blacked out and accidentally knocked over a plate. His personal attendant was a little flustered and wanted to help him up but was pushed away by the other in a dazed state. The attendant did not dare to make too much movement in front of the Empress and looked at the Empress as if asking for help.
“Take him to rest.” Liyou looked at Murong Xuanhe’s blushing face. She wanted to wait until tomorrow when he had sobered up. What would his reaction be like then? Wouldn’t it be quite cute….
TN: New chapter! Stay safe and happy everyone! ❤ Sorry to have posted late, I had three midterms this week and was just dying :’)))
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