That night, the palace concubines, princes and ministers gathered together in the Qianqing Palace, making this originally deserted palace suddenly become extremely lively. People acquaintances could be seen gathering and talking everywhere in the inner and outer palaces. The palace people shuttled between them, serving tea and drinks from time to time. Various snacks.
Yehenara held the palace attendant's hand and came over. After signaling Zhang Guiren and others who were saluting him to stand up, he said casually: "Hey, Wei Guiren hasn't come yet?"
Zhang Guiren leaned forward and said, "I'd like to express my gratitude to you, Wei Guiren, who is suffering from wind and cold. The imperial concubine is concerned about her health, so she asked her to rest well in Yimeixuan and not to come to the banquet."
Yehenara said with a half-smile but not a smile: "I see, the imperial concubine really cares about noble Wei."
Ning Guiren snorted softly and said: "Yes, she is too concerned. It is just a minor illness, but she is not allowed to attend the annual New Year's Eve banquet. When I went to see her before, Wei Guiren was very worried. It’s a feeling of loss and sadness.”
Yehenara sighed and said: "Who told her not to get sick sooner or later? But she got sick at this time and was picked on. She can only blame her bad luck."
Ning Guiren asked tentatively: "Your Majesty, can you talk to the Emperor and ask Guiren Wei to come over?"
Yehenara shook his head and said: "It's not that I don't help noble Wei, but that I have no way to help. You all know how much the emperor loves the imperial concubine, and there is nothing I can influence." Jian Ning The noble wanted to speak, but she took the first step and said: "I know that you care about Mr. Wei, but... let's stop this matter. If you continue, I'm afraid that if you don't tell Mr. Wei, you will harm yourself instead of helping Mr. Wei." .”
Hearing what she said, Zhang Guiren quickly advised: "Sister, forget it, don't bother with this matter anymore. As the empress said, we can only blame Guiren Wei for his bad luck."
Ning Guiren nodded silently. After Zhang Guiren was taken to admire the flowers, she walked to Yehenala and said softly: "Do you think that the imperial concubine will always be able to cover the sky with one hand like this?"
Yehenara smiled slightly and said: "There is no such thing as forever in this world. There will be ups and downs, ups and downs. It's just a matter of time. Do you understand?"
After hearing her words, Ning Guiren showed a smile on his face, nodded and said: "I understand, thank you for your advice."
Yehenala stretched out her sleeves and said: "Okay, let me go with you to enjoy the flowers. The camellias are blooming very well this year, especially the eighteen bachelors."
Ning Guiren was about to agree when he suddenly smelled a strange fragrance at the tip of his nose. He raised his head and glanced at her, and said softly: "Your Majesty, Concubine Rong is here."
"I know." Yehenala responded with a gloomy face. Her disgust for Qiluo was not much less than that of Xianyue; the appearance of this woman with a strange fragrance and good singing and dancing diluted her original Not much grace.
However, she would not show her hatred so openly. On the contrary, when she raised her head, she walked up to Qiluo, who was wearing a white Hui dress, with a gentle smile and called out: "Sister Rong Bin."
Qiluo quickly called out: "Sister, am I late?"
"It's not too late before the Emperor and the Queen Mother arrive." After saying this, Yehenara held her hand and said, "It's your first time celebrating the New Year in the palace. How does it feel?"
Qiluo nodded repeatedly and said: "Very good, although it is different from where I was, it is still very lively. When I came here just now, the lanterns were already lit, reflecting the darkening sky. It was really beautiful." As she said that, she He looked around and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, this is the first time I've seen so many people."
"New Year's Eve is certainly lively, but it's even more lively later." Yehenala's words made Qiluo very curious, and asked: "Behind? Is there anything else behind?"
Chuntao chuckled and said: "I don't know what I know, but every year in the first month of the year, the emperor will hold an ice-playing ceremony in Sanhai, Xiyuan. At that time, soldiers from the Eight Banners will perform ice-playing, which is lively and beautiful."
"Really?" Qiluo said in surprise: "What day will that be? Tomorrow? I have never played Bingxi before. And where is Xiyuan Sanhai? I have never heard that there is such a place in the Forbidden City.
place?"
Yehenala smiled and said: "The emperor will tell us when he has set a date. What are you anxious about? Will your share be missing? As for the Three Seas of Xiyuan, they are not in the Forbidden City, but to the west of the Imperial City.
, you will know the specific location when you go there."
Qiluo nodded repeatedly, and then asked many questions about Bingxi. It was not until Hongli and Xiayue arrived supporting Lingruo that they saluted with everyone.
After helping Lingruo sit down, Hongli glanced at Sixi, who nodded, walked to Xianyue and pointed to the first seat on the left and said, "Your Majesty, please take a seat here."
Xianyue's eyelids twitched slightly. This is the queen's seat. Since Mingyu passed away, this seat has been vacant every New Year's Eve. Now Hongli asked her to sit here, and his intention is obvious.
Xianyue cast a grateful look at Hongli, but did not sit down. Instead, she came to the second table and sat with Concubine Yi. Seeing this, Sixi quickly said: "Concubine Huang, your seat is..."
Xianyue interrupted him and said: "Tell the emperor that I don't dare to sit on the position of queen. It is better to be more stable here to avoid anyone gossiping."
Sixi nodded helplessly, returned to Hongli and repeated Xianyue's words. Although Hongli didn't take it seriously, he didn't force it and let Xianyue sit there.
While the palace servants were serving the meal, Mrs. Huang said softly: "Only the empress would refuse. If it were someone else, I'm afraid she wouldn't give in no matter what."
Xianyue shook her head and said: "That position is good, but it is not that easy to sit in. There have been enough things inside and outside the palace recently, and I really don't want to cause any more trouble."
Mrs. Huang nodded and said nothing. The banquet began amidst laughter and laughter. After the food was taken away, the palace officials rearranged the food and wine. Hongli brought in the wine, and then the princes and ministers in the outer palace entered, and then the concubines.
Everyone needs to kneel down and thank you for the wine.
Qi Kuan whispered in Xianyue's ear: "Mother, it's almost time to set off the fireworks."
"Well, let's go down and make arrangements." Soon after Qi Kuan withdrew, extremely bright fireworks were set off in the night sky, covering up the brilliance of the stars and the moon, becoming the only ones in the night sky.
Yongzhang and his elder brothers stared at the fireworks outside the window, all fascinated by the brilliance of the moment. Taking advantage of the interval of the fireworks, Yongxun turned around and said: "Third brother, can we also go to set off the fireworks?"
Yong Zhang said: "You ask the same question every year. I have told you a long time ago that Huang Ama and Huang Guifei will not agree."
Yong Rong also said seriously: "Yes, fourth brother, setting off fireworks is very dangerous."