Chapter 1763: Chapter 1763
"Yes, the Big Gray Wolf originally planned to use the occasion of the imperial banquet to ask His Majesty for permission to marry Yao Hanai. But with the incident involving Princess Cuiwei, let alone permission to marry, he wouldn’t even dare to speak loudly now."
It’s not just because of the incident with Princess Cuiwei; there’s also the issue of Consort Liu being reprimanded and sent back to rest!
In short, Zhao Hongsheng really lost out tonight. He failed to set a trap for Lin Yuan and missed the opportunity to propose to Yao Hanai.
If he can’t get the Emperor’s permission for marriage today and give the Yao Mansion some respect, it’s likely that in the future, Yao Shijiang will no longer wholeheartedly support him.
Lin Yuan curled her lips, finding Zhao Hongsheng’s predicament very satisfying. Not only Xia Zheng, but even she could see that Zhao Hongsheng is not one to take risks on uncertain ventures.
Since the timing is not right today, after weighing the pros and cons, he will certainly temporarily abandon the support of the Yao Mansion in exchange for the old Emperor’s favor.
After all, Yao Hanai is already his. Even if he doesn’t get the marriage decree today, she won’t leave him in the future.
But the old Emperor is different. The affection and favor of an Emperor can change at a whim. Who can guarantee that this incident won’t lead to the old Emperor’s anger?
This year’s imperial banquet was exceptionally lively; everyone in the great hall felt like they’d watched several spectacular performances.
Finally, when the old Emperor officially declared the banquet over, Lin Yuan lazily stretched, then comfortably rested her head on the table, closing her eyes.
Xia Zheng glanced at her with amusement and, supporting his chin with his arm, leaned lazily on the table, imitating her. He laughed and said, "The banquet is over, and while everyone else is eager to rush home, here you are, not moving a bit. What—do you think the imperial kitchen’s dishes are so delicious that you don’t want to leave?"
A passerby nearby overheard Xia Zheng and couldn’t help but sputter. The idea that the imperial kitchen’s food was so good! If that were true, they’d happily never leave the palace.
Better hurry out of the palace and return home; their stomachs were growling with hunger.
Watching the eager-to-leave crowd around her, Lin Yuan rolled her eyes helplessly and turned her head to rest in another direction.
"This meal has left me anxious and exhausted; can’t I just take a break? Ah, I’m suddenly a bit envious of Su Qiuyu, comfortably lying at home. Why did I have to attend this bothersome banquet? Talk about bringing trouble upon oneself!"
Xia Zheng pursed his lips and teased, "So you’re saying you shouldn’t have come today? Aren’t you worried that those keen-eyed official daughters would have gobbled me up? Tsk tsk, I am quite the charming, handsome gentleman; in this meat-scarce Dayong, I am the object of their fierce pursuit!" Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn novᴇlfire.net
Just as Xia Zheng finished speaking, a loud, unrestrained laugh erupted.
Lin Yuan immediately curled her lips, playfully raising her eyebrows at Xia Zheng, clearly indicating: See, I didn’t even need to say anything, someone else will put you in your place!
Xia Zheng’s expression suddenly changed, and he angrily lifted his head, hurling a wine cup toward the still-laughing He Lienuo.
The cup traced an elegant arc through the air before a slender, graceful hand caught it just as it was about to land on someone.
Such a graceful and charming catch naturally made He Lienuo proudly smug.
But, alas, before he could strike a handsome pose with the cup, the remaining wine inside it spilled all over his head.
If not for a short person with quick reflexes pulling him aside, the once-dashing Crown Prince of Xiliang, He Lienuo might have become a drenched fox.
"How vile, you tricked me, there was still wine in the cup!"
Shaking his sleeves to rid them of the spilled wine, He Lienuo’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot.
Xia Zheng sneered, still propping his chin on his arm. "A wine cup is meant for holding wine, isn’t it? Did Crown Prince Helian expect some beauty to appear instead?"
Humiliated by this blatant mockery, He Lienuo huffed angrily, shook his sleeves, and prepared to leave. As he walked out, he muttered, "After all, I might be the future brother-in-law of the Second Young Master Xia. This prince will not stoop to your level."