The Gilded Cage - Chapter 50

Birthday Banquet (4)

“Zhao Yue, I heard that your deceased husband’s mourning period has not ended. Why did you enter the palace to celebrate my birthday? Don’t tell me that you broke the rules because of an old woman like me. If you really want to enter the palace, wait three years. It’s never too late to come again. Anyway, I have this birthday banquet every year.”

Zhao Yue understood the Empress Dowager meant that Zhao Yue should take a step back and not stand in the way of the Qi family.

……

Zhao Yue smiled respectfully, but her words carried a hint of retort, “Thank you, Your Highness. Since my late husband’s passing, I returned to my birth family. Now I’m still the daughter of the Zhao family, so I do not have to keep to the mourning period. Therefore, it is not against custom for me to come here and wish you a long life. Please be at ease.”

“That’s good to hear.” The Empress Dowager’s smile grew strained when she heard her retort. She did not give her a chance to go to the Emperor but waved her away and said, “I received you well wishes. Since you are not required to mourn, you should drink more with the other ladies. You may go down.”

Zhao Yue did not insist on staying. She only turned around and bowed to Xiao Kezhi. Then, she returned to her seat under the Empress Dowager’s gaze and began talking and laughing with a few women nearby.

…

Suddenly, the music stopped, prompting people to look to the stage. Next, the musicians began to play lively music.

A young woman ascended to the high stage before everyone and danced with the fast rhythm of the drums. It is Qi Chenxiang presenting a dance.

Her modest skirt had now been replaced with a bright gauzy skirt embedded with gems. Her make-up also became much more colorful. Her usual quiet beauty had transformed into something more mature and radiant. People could not help wanting to look at her.

She obviously worked hard on this dance for a long time. Every time she kicked and spun, she moved in time to the beat of the drums. Her posture and movements were all done with enthusiasm and joy. Although she was not as skilled as professional dancers, she was one of the best dancers among the noble ladies in Chang’an City.

The people in Great Liang loved singing and dancing. When they saw that the dancer was from the Qi family, they became even more enthusiastic and cheered, making the banquet lively.

……

However, Chu Ning was not in the mood to appreciate the dance.

She looked at Xiao Yu, who was finally unconscious next to her, and stretched out her hand to call Cui He. “Go and inform Liu, the head eunuch, and ask him to inform the Emperor that the Crown Prince is drunk. I will help the Crown Prince to the side hall to rest.”

She deliberately glanced at Cui He when she mentioned the head eunuch.

Cui He immediately understood and walked quickly towards Liu Kang. Meanwhile, two servants stepped forward to help Xiao Yu from the table and carried him to the side hall.

Yin Yang hall was located at the forbidden area and was large. Usually, only a few royal relatives could enter here. By Emperor Gaozong’s time, it gradually became a place where the royal family held banquets. Only then were other ministers gradually allowed to enter.

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

“Your Highness, please bear with it for a while. I have asked someone to prepare the hangover soup. It should be here soon,” she said softly and took the wet hand towel that the servant sent in to wipe his flushed and dry cheeks.

Xiao Yu was in a half-asleep state. He squinted for a moment before nodding.

He dazedly grabbed her wrist, pulling her into his arms with a strong tug.

…

In the main hall, Qi Chenxiang ended the dance amidst the applause of the crowd.

The Empress Dowager looked at Xiao Kezhi with a smile and asked, “Kezhi, look at my niece. What do you think of her dance?”

Xiao Kezhi smiled and said in a calm tone, “It’s a dance presented for the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, so it is good if the Empress Dowager likes it.”

Although he refused to compliment the dance, the Empress Dowager was not annoyed. Instead, she said, “Of course, I like it. Please reward her on my behalf later.”

At this time, Liu Kang quietly approached him and signalled with his gaze.

Xiao Kezhi felt his heart skip a beat. He ignored what the Empress Dowager was implying and said, “Then, I’ll reward her with gold. I’m tired, so I will be leaving to rest. Later, I will order someone to send the gold.”

Then, he did not spare a glance at the Empress Dowager and left the banquet.

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