bookcurios Chapter 1084: Looking at her appearance today, it seems that she has restrained her temper
Chapter 1084: Looking at her appearance today, it seems that she has restrained her temper
Only in this way can she deliver a fatal blow to Shen Zhinian at the moment when he least expects it and avenge her unborn child!
Shen Nanqiao and Shen Maoxue followed the eunuchs leading the way through the palace gates and walked along the long palace road.
All I saw along the way were palace servants working in an orderly and busy manner, carrying precious delicacies, beautiful vessels, exotic flowers and plants, and their steps were hurried but silent.
The sound of music and ceremony came faintly from the direction of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. It was solemn and festive, like a blunt knife rubbing back and forth on Shen Nanqiao's heart...
Looking at this grand scene, Shen Nanqiao couldn't help but imagine Shen Zhinian's gorgeous and superior face!
That vicious woman must be riding on a sedan chair at this moment, walking towards the brilliant Hall of Supreme Harmony amid the kneeling crowd, to accept everyone's worship and envy, right?
But she, Shen Nanqiao, was like a shadow that could not stand the light, and she struggled forward under her father's warning gaze.
The overwhelming hatred was like a poisonous vine, instantly wrapping around Shen Nanqiao's heart and almost crushing her!
The excruciating pain of losing flesh and blood and the humiliation of being trampled in the dust all surged violently at this moment, burning Shen Nanqiao's sanity!
She clenched her hands tightly under her cloak, her nails almost digging into her flesh, and she was able to barely suppress her emotions.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is already filled with splendor.
Huge golden pillars with coiled dragons stand tall, and the caisson ceiling on the top of the hall is brilliantly painted.
Due to the frugality, there were not too many colorful silks hung in the palace. However, the imperial desk and the tables were all decorated with the best seasonal chrysanthemums. There were golden cups and silver stands, jade feather tubes, purple dragons lying in the snow, etc., all competing for beauty and fragrance.
The palace lanterns were hung high, and the soft light illuminated the table covered with bright yellow cloth.
The golden cups and jade goblets are sparkling.
The palace maids entered one after another, carrying food boxes, their steps light and silent.
The musicians from the Jiaofangsi were tuning their instruments behind a screen in the corner of the hall. The sounds of stringed instruments and wind instruments gradually merged into a gorgeous and smooth melody, filling the entire hall.
All the officials and ladies of high rank had taken their seats one after another according to their ranks. They were talking in low voices, looking elegantly dressed, and the scene was full of peace and prosperity.
Concubine Xuan arrived early with the Sixth Prince. She was chatting and laughing with a few familiar palace concubines, but her eyes kept drifting towards the palace door, expecting to see Shen Zhinian.
Sister Concubine Chen should be here soon, right?
I wonder if my sister will like the birthday gift she gave me today.
Concubine Zhuang sat in her seat with the eldest princess. Her expression was as gentle and peaceful as usual, and she looked dignified.
Concubine Xue's expression remained cold and she just sat there quietly, occasionally whispering a few words to the Second Princess beside her.
Concubine Wang seemed a little absent-minded. She glanced at the blooming chrysanthemums, wondering what she was thinking about.
She thought that after the foreign tribute was demoted, she could do whatever she wanted.
But unexpectedly, Ba Ying said that the baby in her belly was still there.
Wangpin was also afraid that she would embarrass the other party. If the heir promised by Ba suddenly died, she would not be able to explain herself...
Thinking about how she had clashed with Ba Ying so many times but never got the upper hand, Wang Pin couldn't help feeling a little annoyed.
The other lower-ranking concubines either looked expectant or talked in low voices, all with smiles on their faces.
Among the seats for officials from the Ministry of Rites, Vice Minister Gu Jinxiao was wearing a scarlet brocade official robe, his posture as tall and straight as a lone pine tree.
He held a white jade wine glass in his hand, his knuckles turned slightly white due to the force, but his eyes passed over the noisy figures and the lingering incense mist in the hall, and looked towards the direction of the hall door.
His amber eyes were as cold and distant as always, revealing a temperament that kept people at a distance.
Princess Qingyang and Prince Jin were both under house arrest, so only Princess Yun'an and Princess Wenshu attended the banquet today.
Ever since she expressed her feelings to Gu Jinxiao last time and was rejected, Princess Yun'an made up her mind to let it go.
Today she had been restraining herself from looking at the pine-like figure.
Many people's eyes were focused on the dragon throne that stood high above the nine jade steps, symbolizing supreme honor, and they were looking forward to His Majesty's arrival!
Shen Nanqiao's eyes were fixed on the slightly smaller but equally luxurious chair next to the dragon throne.
That’s Shen Zhinian’s position!
That vicious woman is about to receive the emperor's favor, and accept everyone's worship and blessings under the watchful eyes of the public!
Why? !
Why did the concubine who used to only look up to her now sit high above her and enjoy all the honors and favors? !
Why did her child die innocently, while Shen Zhinian enjoyed this grand birthday celebration while she was suffering from the pain of losing her own flesh and blood? !
The huge sense of injustice and the bone-eating hatred wrapped around Shen Nanqiao's heart like a poisonous snake, almost making her breathless!
She could only repeat to herself over and over again, to stay calm!
Little did she know that from the moment Shen Nanqiao walked in, many eyes were on her.
Or curious, or exploring, or examining.
Even... with a subtle contempt and gloating.
After all, the fact that Shen Nanqiao and Concubine Chen were at odds with each other had long been no secret among the nobles in the capital.
Shen Nanqiao clearly felt that those gazes were piercing her like needles.
She forced herself to straighten her back, maintaining the calmness she had deliberately created, and followed Shen Maoxue with her head slightly lowered, heading towards the Shen family's location.
There were muted discussions around: "Isn't that Madam Lu Shen? She's here too?"
"I heard that she had been recuperating for a long time in the Summer Resort outside Beijing a few days ago. Today, she looked much thinner, and it seems that she is seriously ill."
"Hmph, I think it's more like she's suffering from a mental illness. The Royal Concubine Chen is so prosperous now, how can she, as the eldest sister, feel good about it?"
"Shh...keep your voice down, she's looking over here. But looking at her appearance today, it seems like she has calmed down a bit, right?"
"She's just pretending. Whether the Imperial Concubine Chen likes her or not is another matter."
"..."
Although these noble ladies deliberately lowered their voices, a few words still reached Shen Nanqiao's ears.
Every word they said, every look they gave, was like a whip, lashing at Shen Nanqiao's already tattered self-esteem!
The former Shen Zhinian was not even worthy of carrying her shoes!
Now...they have such a big gap...
God is so unfair! Since he let her be reborn, why did he let Shen Zhinian always surpass her?
It was Luoluo's first time to enter the palace. She stood behind Shen Nanqiao, so nervous that her body was shaking slightly and cold sweat was oozing from her forehead.
She felt that everything around her was full of danger, and every look seemed to be able to see through their hidden secrets...
At this moment, three crisp cracks of whips were heard outside the palace, followed by Li Changde's extremely loud voice: "Your Majesty has arrived--!!!"
"The Imperial Concubine Chen has arrived!!"
In an instant, the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony fell silent.
Everyone stood up and knelt in unison, "Your Majesty, long live your Majesty!"