vstars Chapter 321 Luminous Jade
Chapter 321 Luminous Jade
After the dance, it was time to present birthday gifts.
First, the queen and the concubines in the harem.
The queen waved her hand, and Eunuch He brought over a tray with a plate of cakes on it.
The Queen stood up and took the fruit from Eunuch He, and brought it to the Emperor, bowing and saying, "I wish Your Majesty a happy birthday. This is the fruit I made myself. May Your Majesty live forever."
The emperor was stunned for a moment, and no emotion could be seen on his majestic face.
He had no intention of trying it, and only said calmly: "The queen is thoughtful, so leave it alone."
"Yes." The queen placed the cakes in front of the emperor.
There was still no expression on her usually dignified and calm face, except for the slight trembling of her eyelashes.
Su Lingyue was watching from the audience, her heart tightened and she unconsciously clenched her hands.
In the past, when she was young, her aunt would cook it every time on the emperor’s birthday, but the emperor never ate it.
Later, after a long time, my aunt stopped doing it.
Su Lingyue knew that her aunt still cared about her.
Xiao Yu noticed Su Lingyue's mood change and gently squeezed her hand, and she withdrew her thoughts.
The second person to present a gift was Concubine Hui, and what she asked the eunuch to present was a picture of the word "longevity".
Concubine Hui bowed with Princess Changning and said, "Your Majesty, this is what our Changning practiced for a month and wrote by hand. Your Majesty, I and Changning wish you good health and a long life."
The emperor leaned sideways to accept the worship. When he heard that it was Concubine Hui who taught Princess Changning to write the word "Shou", the dignity on his face instantly disappeared.
"Haha, my Chang Ning is really amazing. Come here and let me hug you."
Concubine Hui stood up, personally picked up the three-year-old Princess Changning, and handed her to the emperor. She gently taught Princess Changning how to speak, "Changning, come and wish your father 'long health and a long life.'"
The smile on her face makes this charming face even more attractive.
Princess Changning followed Concubine Hui's instruction, clasped her fists and said softly in a baby voice, "I wish you good health and a long life."
The emperor could no longer suppress his smile, and kissed Princess Changning on her blushing face, smiling, "Changning is worthy of being my daughter, she is really smart."
After saying this, he looked at Concubine Hui who was smiling sweetly, his eyes burning with love.
"Pass on my decree. Concubine Hui has made great contributions in giving birth to the princess and educating her. She is now promoted to Imperial Concubine Hui. The Ministry of Rites will hold the promotion ceremony on an auspicious day. Queen, you will preside over this matter."
Upon hearing this, the Minister of Rites Zheng Zixu stepped forward immediately, knelt down and said, "I obey your order and congratulate the Empress Hui."
The other ministers and concubines also echoed, "Congratulations to Her Majesty Huifei."
The queen's eyelashes trembled, and there was a look of loss in her eyes.
The emperor was a little displeased because he didn't hear the queen's response.
Before the emperor turned his head, the queen suppressed all the emotions in her eyes and put on her usual dignified and gentle smile, "Yes, I obey your order."
Then he shifted his gaze to Concubine Hui's face and smiled gently, "Congratulations to Concubine Hui as well. The harem has been childless for many years. Thanks to Concubine Hui, not only did you give your majesty the princess you've been dreaming of, but you also brought her up so well."
The Queen stared at Concubine Hui with a vague smile on her face. "However, Chang Ning is so smart. I wonder if she inherited your Majesty's intelligence or Concubine Hui's intelligence?"
All the color disappeared from Concubine Hui's face in an instant. She clenched the handkerchief tightly and pursed her lips, trying her best to restrain herself from shaking.
The emperor teased Chang Ning in his arms, not noticing Concubine Hui's abnormality, and teased Princess Chang Ning and said with a smile: "Of course, she inherited the advantages of me and Concubine Hui."
Concubine Hui's expression eased slightly, and she lowered her head and said softly, "Your Majesty is right."
The Queen also turned sideways to look at Concubine Hui and smiled meaningfully, "Your Majesty dotes on Concubine Hui so much. Concubine Hui's blessings are still to come." After saying this, she chuckled again.
Concubine Hui clutched her handkerchief and lowered her head in silence.
The emperor held her for a while, then handed Princess Changning to the nanny and accepted gifts from other concubines.
Su Lingyue looked at the queen on the stage quietly, and suddenly an idea came to her mind.
There was obviously something else behind what my aunt said just now. Could it be...
Outside the Golden Palace, Han Feng's hands had white joints and blue veins bulged on his wheat-colored skin.
Liu Fang, who was standing next to him, stared at him and asked in confusion: "Brother Han, what happened?"
Han Feng did not answer, but walked straight out of the palace.
Liu Fang looked at Han Feng's back, thoughtfully.
Soon the gifts from the concubines were delivered to the emperor, and then it was the ministers and princes' turn to present their gifts.
Xiao Changshi stood up, picked up an exquisite carved box from the table and walked forward.
"Your Majesty, I wish you a long and healthy life."
The things Xiao Changshi had given in the past were all very plain, such as poems and paintings by famous artists, rare treasures, ceramics and jade, although they were all very exquisite.
But for the emperor who had seen countless treasures in the world, there was nothing new about it and it could only be considered worthy of the eye.
So the emperor didn't have any expectations this time, and just asked calmly: "What did the prince give you this time?"
Xiao Changshi was not in a hurry to open the box, but asked the eunuch to close the door of the Golden Palace and turn off all the lights.
The emperor was confused and frowned and asked, "What are you doing, Prince?"
Xiao Changshi smiled confidently, "Father, only when all the lights are turned off can this treasure be displayed."
After saying that, he waved his hand and asked the eunuch to continue turning off the lights.
Only after all the lights were turned off did Xiao Changshi face the emperor and open the box.
A light green light softly overflowed from the box.
Everyone held their breath and waited until the box was fully opened. The dark hall was completely illuminated by the fluorescent green light, soft and dreamy.
Xiao Changshi was very happy when he saw everyone's astonished expressions.
Today, no one's birthday gift can compare to his!
"Father, this is a luminous jade. The origin of this jade is extraordinary. It can be said to be a gift from heaven."
Hearing him say this, the emperor was also very curious, "Oh? Prince, can you tell me about it?"
Xiao Changshi raised his head and chest and told the emperor, "There is a Lingyu Mountain in Nanjiang, which is rich in various beautiful jades and gems. One day, a jade miner came. His wife and children were seriously ill and he urgently needed money to buy medicine. But he went into the mountain for many days and found nothing. Just when he was desperate and ready to give up, after a tremor, this luminous jade was found from the cracks in the rocks in the mountains. The worker took the luminous jade home, exchanged it for money, and cured his wife and children."
The emperor nodded happily when he heard this, "The prince is thoughtful this year."
Xiao Changshi was very happy. The emperor hadn't praised him like this for a long time.
The queen was very happy when she saw Xiao Changshi standing at the steps. She originally wanted Xiao Changshi to use the gift she prepared, but Xiao Changshi said that he had something better.
It seems that he really put his heart into the emperor's birthday this time.
Looking at the emperor's face, which was happy but slightly dull, Xiao Changshi slowly raised the corners of his lips.
His birthday gift was much better than the one given by a three-year-old girl.
Xiao Changshi said confidently, "Father, the mystery of this birthday gift from me is more than that."
His words successfully aroused the emperor's interest, "Oh? What else?"
Xiao Changshi smiled and said, "Ever since this piece of luminous jade was found in Lingyu Mountain, it is said that men, women, young and old in the nearby villages have never been sick again, and people are living longer and longer."
"Indeed!" The emperor's tone was no longer as calm as before, "Bring it here and let me see it!"
The emperor stared straight at the beautiful jade that was glowing green.
Xiao Changshi held the box and handed it to Eunuch Wan. Eunuch Wan took the box and placed it gently in front of the emperor.
In the darkness, a layer of green light covered the emperor's face. The emperor stared straight at the beads in front of him, his eyes full of surprise.
The emperor gently picked up the beautiful jade and placed it in front of him to examine it carefully.
The green light really came from inside out.
"This jade is indeed rare. It shines brighter than the night pearl!" the emperor exclaimed as he stroked the beautiful jade.
The Queen smiled and congratulated: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, for obtaining this rare treasure! Your Majesty will surely be in better health in the future!"
Eunuch Wan also took the opportunity to chime in: "Your Majesty, I congratulate you!"
Everyone stood up and saluted together, "Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
Hearing the deafening congratulations, the emperor laughed and said, "Haha, my dear ministers, please stand up!"
After saying that, he looked at Xiao Changshi again, "Among today's gifts, the one given by the Crown Prince is the most pleasing to me! Wan Baishui, pass on my decree. The Crown Prince has made great contributions by presenting treasures, and will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold!"
Eunuch Wan smiled and said, "I obey your order!"
Xiao Changshi bowed and expressed his gratitude with a proud look on his face.
Seeing the emperor's uncontrollable laughter, Eunuch Wan smiled and sighed, "Your Majesty hasn't laughed like this in a long time!"