Seeing the two children, so of the ministers, who had been puzzled as to how a fourth-grade official could attend a palace banquet, no longer harbored any doubts. If soone’s children could stay in the palace for so long, what was attending a banquet in comparison?
As there was approximately one hour left before the start of the banquet, Mu Shaoling checked the ti and took Ye Zi’an’s family to the place where Baili Yan and his family were resting within the palace.
Once they arrived, Baili Yan’s family was indeed there. After exchanging greetings, Ye Zi’an, Mu Shaoling, and Baili Yan headed to the study, while Yang Chuxia and the others chatted with the Third Prince’s consort.
During this ti, the Third Prince’s Secondary Princess Consort glared at Yangyang and Lele with a venomous look in her eyes, causing Yang Chuxia to involuntarily furrow her brows.
The Third Prince’s Secondary Princess Consort also learned just today why her son was punished in the Buddha Hall, and seeing Yang Chuxia and her son, she was naturally in a foul mood.
Although she had the intention to do sothing, she could not act, because Baili Yan had warned her before coming that any scheming might result in her demotion from consort to concubine, which was not impossible.
However, even though she did nothing, she still made Yang Chuxia stay on guard.
After a while, noting that the ti was about right, the group made their way to the banquet hall.
Upon their arrival at the banquet hall, it wasn’t half an hour before the Emperor arrived with the consorts. The seat of the Empress of Great Zhou had been vacant for many years, and the ones accompanying the Emperor at the mont were only consorts.
"...Let the banquet begin, please be seated!" After the salutations were completed, the Emperor followed up with a long introduction and then declared the start of the banquet.
Perhaps the Emperor had instructed specifically because the Ye Family’s seats were arranged together with the Mu Family. The Mu Family had only brought the Old Master and the married couple Mu Shaoling, and coupled with Ye Zi’an’s family, though it was a bit awkward, it did fill up the large round table.
Yang Chuxia looked at the table with so emotion, surprised that the tables used in the palace were actually provided by her family—those that could be spun around, a detail she had not been aware of.
After the banquet started, successive ministers toasted to the Emperor, with Mu Shaoling and Ye Zi’an naturally obliged to do the sa.
When the Emperor had drunk the wine from Ye Zi’an’s cup and his gaze swept toward the two children who were focused on eating, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He asked, "Ye Haoxuan, Ye Haoyang, won’t you two toast as well? You should know that ’twas I who nad you."
The two brothers exchanged a glance—they were well aware that their nas were bestowed by the Emperor.
"Mother, you never told us!" Yangyang said softly.
Yang Chuxia was also helpless, "I forgot about it."
The people seated next to the Mu Family couldn’t help but curse internally; how could one forget sothing like this? It was an honor!
"What are you two discussing?" the Emperor asked, seeing them with their heads bowed.
Lele stood up and said, "Your Majesty, my brother and I were discussing what to toast with. We are children and cannot drink wine, and it seems disrespectful to use tea."
The Emperor nodded, the glint in his eyes sparkling, "You make a good point. In that case, let your father drink in your stead."
Hearing this, Yangyang swiftly filled Ye Zi’an’s cup with wine. "Dear Father, please!"
The crisp voice echoed in the hall, prompting laughter all around.
Ye Zi’an had no choice but to lift his cup again, "This subject offers this drink on behalf of my sons to the Emperor!"
As the wine went down, the music and dance resud. After the wine had made three rounds, the dancers in the center exited, and the hall fell silent, the audience eagerly anticipating the main event to co.
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