CH 47

The Gilded Cage Chapter 47

Birthday Banquet (1)

On the night before the birthday banquet, Cui He finally finished embroidering a lifelike lotus on the hem of the undershirt.

The following day, the ministries had a break, so Chu Ning handed to the eunuchs the luggage that Xiao Yu had to bring with him the next day. Then, under Xiao Yu’s watch, Chu Ning led a few servants to arrange everything in the carriage. Finally, after checking the Empress Dowager, Chu Ning returned to her bed chamber to change her clothes.

Cui He had scented the revealing undershirt and waited for Chu Ning to come out of the bath to help her put it on.

The soft and smooth silk fabric of the undershirt flowed down gently and stuck closely to her naked skin, accentuating her lovely curves. Cui He blushed and breathed unevenly upon seeing Chu Ning, so she quickly took a skirt and helped Chu Ning put it on.

Soon, layers of heavy and ornate clothing covered Chu Ning’s beautiful figure, making her appear demure and dignified as usual.

Chu Ning gathered up her long hair and sat in front of the vanity table. She let Cui He arrange her hair into a high up-do and decorate it with golden hair ornaments. As her skin was fair and flawless, Cui He did not apply powder. She only applied colored balm to her lips and pasted a golden huadian on her forehead which complemented the golden ornaments on her hair.

After her makeup was done, Chu Ning took a good look at herself in the bronze mirror. Then, she got up and left the house.

At this moment, Xiao Yu also came out after changing his clothes. When he saw Chu Ning, he couldn't help being mesmerized.

Under the brilliant sunset glow, the colorful lights reflected beautifully on the golden huadian on her forehead and the golden hair ornaments. Although she did not dress much differently from usual, when she smiled at him, she looked like a beautiful goddess.

He remained stunned for a moment before approaching her. His fingers gently stroked her brows and eyelids and traveled down her neck and her chest. Finally, he wrapped his arm around her slender waist, and whispered in her ear, "Let’s come back early at night."

Chu Ning's face blushed, and she glanced at him strangely. Her heart was beating fast, hoping that he would drink more wine at the banquet.

Soon, the two of them entered Taiji Palace together and went to Yin Yang Hall.

Most of the royal family members and nobles had arrived. They gathered in small groups to chat and laugh. After a month of kingdom wide mourning, everyone relaxed and celebrated as before.

When the servant announced the arrival of the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. The guests got up and bowed to them.

Although they did not abandon their courtesy and were respectful, they became more distant than before. They were also less eager to talk than in the past.

Xiao Yu had experienced such treatment numerous times. Although he felt unhappy, his expression remained neutral. After smiling and nodding to everyone, he and Chu Ning followed a eunuch to a table to sit down.

Due to their status and relation their seats would always be set close to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager’s. It was the same this time as well.

After the two of them took their seats, people around them would usually take the initiative to greet and talk, but today, it was much less than before.

A while later, when the sun had fully set, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager slowly entered the hall.

The Empress Dowager wore a simple gown as usual, but her usually solemn face was more cheerful than usual. In contrast, Qi Chenxiang, who was supporting the Empress Dowager, wore a dress that made her seem like a lively young lady. She stole quiet glances at Xiao Kezhi while reminding the Empress Dowager to be careful of the stairs.

As for Xiao Kezhi, while he entered the hall with the Empress Dowager, he seemed to deliberately stay more than three meters away from her. His handsome face was expressionless as usual, with no hint of cheer. It did not seem like he was attending a birthday banquet at all.

Everyone stood up and bowed.  Chu Ning glanced at Xiao Kezhi who was getting closer. She intentionally moved a beat slower than everyone. When she bent her knees, she revealed the corner of the white silk scarf from her cuffs as if unintentionally.

Xiao Kezhi walked past with his hands behind his back, and his gaze focused ahead. Meanwhile Chu Ning curtsied with her gaze down. It seemed as if neither paid attention to the other.

However, Liu Kang, who was following Xiao Kezhi, already broke out in a cold sweat.

Everyone else was busy bowing to notice anything or know the inside story. Only Liu Kang could see it clearly. When the Crown Princess exposed the silk scarf in the cuff, the Emperor tightened his grip.

He wondered how much anxiety these two people were going to put him through today.