C142

At Hong Zhong's request, she added her to the last corner of the crowd. If not for the fact that she knew she was sitting there, no one else would have even bothered to look at that corner.

Baili Yi Chen lived in the main seat, and Nangong Lingwei sat in the same seat as him, but slightly shorter. Baili Mingyue was seated on the other side.

Hong Zhong was naturally clear as to why Nangong Yimeng did not appear. At the bottom of the main hall, on one side were the important officials of the Southern Qi, including the Second Minister of the Left and the Second Minister of the Imperial Advisor, the Minister of the Sixth Division, and other high-ranking officials of the Imperial Court.

On the other side, there were also foreign envoys. Other than Dong Heng, who was more familiar with the Fourth Prince and Princess Qingyang, there were a few others that Hong Zhong did not recognize.

And on Xi Ling's side, there was supposed to be Huyan Ruijin's and Huyan Ruolan's seats, but now there were also Xi Ling's representatives. People continued to arrive one after another, and they all sat down in an orderly manner according to the order in which they came from.

The woman who was bored to death looked around. Other than realizing that the playful big radish, Murong Youqi, who was smiling mischievously at the beautiful palace maids, kept shooting glances at them as usual, causing them to blush and feel their heartbeats. He also realized that Feng Feili's gaze had never left Baili Mingyue ever since he had entered.

Damn, this woman, she really wanted to remind her. As a woman, at least pay attention to her image. Shen'er, you clearly want to throw Uncle Zhao onto the ground and drag him back into the room!

However, she knew that such an awesome birthday banquet wouldn't allow her to act willfully and recklessly.

As he thought this, he turned his head to look at Baili Mingyue, who was seated at the highest position. He muttered in dissatisfaction. Why was this fellow so good-looking when he had nothing better to do? Normally, he would only cause the girls to blush while their hearts would palpitate. But now, he even managed to get the attention of the imperial daughters of a country.

The most important thing was that she didn't completely understand her own heart and she couldn't agree to anything, yet she felt uncomfortable looking at their actions! Sigh... I'm so worried about her!

As for Baili Mingyue, who was seated atop the throne, she immediately saw the grim-faced woman. He was a bit confused. Wasn't it fine when he pulled his finger just now?

Hong Zhong did not study much about these classical musical instruments and dances, and only used one hand to prop herself up while looking at the delicacies in front of him.

Baili Yi Chen who was seated at the highest seat unintentionally swept his gaze at Hong Zhong, and could not help but be curious. This woman was usually crazy, why did she look like she was in a bad mood today! It was really hard to figure out. Just as he was thinking this, the Military Department's Minister brought a cup of wine over to toast him. Thus, he too retracted his thoughts and began to socialize.

Feng Feili looked at Baili Mingyue, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration. She found an opportunity to bring her wine cup and stand in front of Baili Mingyue, wanting to share a drink with him, but Baili Mingyue could not refuse. She could only hold her cup and drink with her.

This scene, in Hong Zhong's eyes, made her feel an indescribable taste in her heart. In fact, there were even times when she thought that it would be great if Baili Mingyue was not the Regent. If he was not that powerful, then the distance between them would have been much smaller.

All this while, Baili Mingyue had been godlike high up in front of Hong Zhong, but she had no choice but to look up at him because he stood so high up. Even though he was by her side, Hong Zhong had the feeling that she couldn't even reach him.

This was also the main reason why she didn't dare to accept Baili Mingyue.

Because two people at different heights would never have the possibility to look at each other equal, and in her opinion, the relationship between men and women would always be equal. Thus, when Baili Mingyue confessed, she did not dare to agree to his request.

He just felt that he was right and that he should just hand everything over to the time.

Hong Zhong's thoughts flew further and further away, completely absent-minded.

After an unknown period of time, Xiao Gongnv placed a plate of large prawns in front of Hong Zhong: "Third Miss, the Regent ordered a servant to deliver this to you."

Hong Zhong glanced at the plate of prawns, it was full of peeled meat. She tilted her head and glanced in the direction of Baili Mingyue, only to see that she was holding onto a wine cup, and taking the chance to exchange cups with the ambassadors, she looked towards Hong Zhong with a light smile.

This smile also caused the haze in Hong Zhong's heart to brighten quite a bit as she smiled towards Yue Yang, indicating that she was fine. Then, she picked up a pair of chopsticks and picked up a prawn and ate it.

When Baili Yi Chen turned to look at Hong Zhong, he saw her smiling at Baili Mingyue. Seeing the smile on Hong Zhong's face, he also felt unexplainable discomfort. Actually, this smile, should it not have belonged to him?

Thinking this, he waved to Xiao Shunzi who was beside him.

Not long after, another Xiao Gongnv appeared beside Hong Zhong, and she placed the tray in her hand in front of Hong Zhong: "Third Miss, this is the Lotus Leaf Chicken that the emperor has instructed me to prepare for you. Third Miss, please enjoy your meal."

Hong Zhong looked at the chicken in front of him, and was startled. What kind of tricks was this guy trying to pull off now? Could it be that her conscience told her that she had to use delicious food to reward her for her later performance? Thinking like this, she puzzledly swept her gaze over Baili Yi Chen and saw that he was looking at him.

Hong Zhong also looked at him, then looked at the chicken in front of him, using her eyes to indicate to him, what do you mean by this?

Baili Yi Chen turned his head around in slight embarrassment, no longer paying attention to Hong Zhong. He would never tell her that this chicken was because he saw that she was in a bad mood so he specifically ordered the imperial chef to serve it for her. Subconsciously, Hong Zhong should have liked to eat that dish, because not long ago, when she turned in the Thousand Words s, Hong Zhong had eaten the Lotus Leaf Chicken secretly in the imperial study.

Seeing that Baili Yi Chen was no longer paying attention to him, Hong Zhong felt a little bored. Baili Yi Chen was simply not pleasing to the eye. It would be strange if he would discover the truth of his heart. In front of delicious food, Hong Zhong's depressive mood turned into appetite. He picked up his chopsticks and devoured the plate of prawns and chicken with a 'pa da' sound.

Baili Yi Chen, who was courteously greeting the ministers, saw this scene from the corner of his eyes. The corner of his mouth slightly curled up. Clearly, he was in a better mood than before.

Baili Mingyue, who was drinking with the other ministers, also witnessed this scene. Yi Chen was indeed tempted!

… ….

The banquet lasted for about an hour. Empress Dowager finished his lunch, and with the help of the palace maids, went to Changle Palace. Because there, the birthday banquet's performance was also arranged. Of course, the performers of these programs were the young ladies of the rich families that participated in this talent show. This performance was also to prepare for the wedding banquet after the birthday banquet.

Selecting a concubine was a matter of the Southern Qi Royal Family's harem. The court officials and foreign envoys naturally had no right to participate. Thus, after the two of them finished eating and drinking, they were led to another location. With Baili Mingyue accompanying them, they watched the birthday banquet that was specially arranged for them.

Hidden Dragon Palace

Baili Yi Chen looked at the Uncle Wang before him who had once watched him grow up, had once taught him martial arts, and had also supported him with all his might. At this moment, he couldn't say what he felt in his heart.

"Chen'er, I want to talk to you." Baili Mingyue said calmly. Although he had overlooked that question before, no matter how much he overlooked it, the matter regarding that girl still existed. It was better to explain it to them as soon as possible.

After being called like this by Baili Mingyue, Baili Yi Chen's expression suddenly changed. He turned his head in embarrassment: "Uncle Wang, we have matured. It's rather strange for Uncle Wang to call me Chen'er again." Actually, when he ascended the throne at the age of eight, when Uncle Wang was sixteen, he was very intimate with Baili Mingyue's uncle and nephew. When the two of them were alone, Baili Mingyue had always called her Chen`er.

When he was young, Baili Yi Chen also felt that this form of address was very familiar. However, he didn't know when it started, but he no longer liked being called this by the Uncle Wang.

Hearing Baili Yi Chen's words, Baili Mingyue smiled, "Although you and I are uncles and juniors, in terms of age, I am only a few years older than you. When chatting, we use the terms we used when we were young."

"But, I've already reached adulthood." After Baili Yi Chen finished speaking, he paused for a moment before asking, "Didn't Uncle Wang have something you wanted to tell me?"

Seeing that Baili Yi Chen was a bit angry, Baili Mingyue didn't continue on this topic. She looked at him seriously and said, "You've fallen for her?"

This question was very sudden. It had no beginning or end, but the two of them knew who she was referring to!

Baili Yi Chen didn't say anything. Ever since he was young, he knew that the Uncle Wang's thoughts were completely clear. It wasn't strange for him to be able to see his feelings towards Hong Zhong. After thinking for a moment, he asked back, "Doesn't Uncle Wang like her?"

"Yes, I like her too." Compared to Baili Yichen's uneasiness, Baili Mingyue was even more frank and honest. Maybe it was because of the moment of warmth she felt when she interacted with Hong Zhong, or maybe it was because of the countless times she felt like she was about to die … She didn't know why, but he knew that he liked her, liked her a lot.

He knew what that girl was thinking, but Yi Chen might not. If Yi Chen knew that girl's bottom line and perseverance, what would he think?

Baili Yi Chen's words contained a trace of anger. So what if Baili Yu also liked Hong Zhong? Even if she was the Regent of Qing Dynasty, he was still just a subject. Could it be that he wanted to covet the imperial concubine?!

Baili Mingyue also felt the gunpowder smell from Baili Yi Chen's words, but he did not have much of an emotional fluctuation. His refined voice slowly leaked out, "But, Chen'er and Hong Zhong have an agreement, right?"

Baili Yi Chen fell silent upon hearing these words.

First, he was shocked how the Uncle Wang knew that there was an agreement between him and Hong Zhong. But after thinking about it, he felt that it was true. The reason the Uncle Wang was powerful and had many experts at his side, and why he could hide this from him, was only because he was interested!

Being exposed once again made Baili Yi Chen slightly angry. Since the Uncle Wang knew about his agreement with Hong Zhong, then she must have also known about the contents of the agreement. Since she knew, why did she still pretend not to know about it? Is she still toying with him like a child? She turned her head away from him and spoke with a harsh tone, "This is a matter between us, Uncle Wang need not trouble yourself!"

After he finished speaking, he walked towards the Changle Palace without even turning his head back.

The performance of the Changle Palace's beautiful lady was about to begin. Of course, amongst the beautiful ladies, he mainly paid attention to Hong Zhong, because not only did she participate, she was also requested to become the champion, otherwise, he would jump into the Huangpu River.

Today, Red War was an exception. The Red House did not have a leader and the General Zhenguo was also not in the Shengjing City. As such, as the Red House's representative, Red War sat in the beautiful woman's family area. As a man, he wasn't used to sitting amongst a group of women. However, in order to prevent Hong Zhong from being tricked during her performance, he could only restrain the discomfort in his heart.

The stage had been set up beforehand. They waited for Baili Yi Chen to arrive, and after the head judge of the Ministry of Rites gave his speech, the performance quickly began.

The first to go on stage was the direct daughter of the Military Minister. Her two pink fans in her hands were like butterflies, constantly flying around her palms, causing waves after waves of applause and praises.

After the dance, Li Chong'er shyly knelt on the ground and respectfully said, "maidservant Li Chong'er greets the empress dowager on her life, Li Chong'er's life is longer than that of Song and Fu Kang Ning, and the emperor has lived for tens of thousands of years."

"Mm, well done, reward!" Nangong Lingwei glanced at Baili Yi Chen beside him, smiling elegantly.

Li Chong'er immediately prostrated herself on the ground to pay her respects. "maidservant thanks Your Majesty, Empress Dowager Xie." After the performance, she walked off the stage with a bashful expression and obediently walked to the side of Mrs. Shang Shu.

The one who was going to act next was the direct descendent of the Right Prime Minister, Bei Chenyue.