Chapter 86: A Presumptuous Request
Dinner started officially after the performance, and it was ti to present the emperor the gifts.
Mu Chaoyang went first, “Father I found the best embroiders in the south and asked them to embroider this painting of Tianqi Country, happy birthday father, and the whole world joins in the jubilation!”
With that two eunuchs carried a roll of paintings and unfolded it, it was such an exquisite piece of art.
The emperor nodded repeatedly in approval, “What a great present! Good job Yang.” with that he signaled Eunuch Cao to take care of the storage of the painting.
Of course a king would love a present like this, a painting of his country to remind him of what he owned.
Seeing how happy the emperor was, the empress chid in, “It’s Yang’s duty to find the perfect present for you, Your Majesty. I only wish my present was half as good as Yang’s, see, I searched all over the country and found this Dragon Fish, hopefully you will like it.”
The emperor’s eyes sparkled when he heard the na of Dragon Fish for that creature wasn’t easy to co by.
With it the empress clapped her hands, her maids presented a golden Dragon fish which had enormous symbolic significance for imperial power. The Dragon Fish looked so shiny under the candlelight, swaying and glittering in the water.
The ministers rose to their feet and kowtowed in unison, “Dragon Fish is such an auspicious sign, congratulations, Your Majesty, this is such a blessing for you and Tianqi Country.”
Luo Qianqian was curious why everyone was saying the sa thing, she was almost sure they had so secret rehearsal behind her back.
The empress was happy to see how cooperative the ministers were and she looked at the Imperial Noble Consort, “My good sister, I’m curious to see what present are you going to give to His Majesty.”
The Imperial Noble Consort’s face reddened, she floundered, “Your Highness… I… I”
As a matter of fact, she had also prepared a Dragon Fish for the emperor but she dared not to say it at this point for the empress might consider this as great disrespect to her.
Seeing that, Luo Qianqian rose to her feet and chid in, “Your Highness the empress, Your Majesty, the present that Imperial Noble Consort has prepared for the emperor is right here, it’s an elixir which will help the emperor beco immune to external poisonous attacks or influences.”
Luo Qianqian turned her hand and a little jade bottle appeared on her palm.
The Imperial Noble Consort turned stiff, and she cast Luo Qianqian a grateful look.
Master Lingtian took a glimpse at her, he knew Luo Qianqian was helping the Imperial Noble Consort out.
The emperor was intrigued by this elixir, “Eunuch Cao, let have a look.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” with that Eunuch Cao walked to Luo Qianqian and got the little bottle.
The emperor fondled the pill in the bottle admiringly and asked, “Qianqian, is it true this little pill can help beco immune to external poisonous attacks or influences? Such a small pill?”
‘Of course it is! This little pill costs as many as ten points in the space. But how can I prove that to you without giving you a heart attack and say I’m from a different ti and space and I have a little animal called Xiao Bai who sold this pill?’
‘Should I poison myself and take that pill? No way! That’s my last pill, I cannot afford to buy a pill from Xiao Bai any more, well, I can, but I don’t want to, it’s so expensive!’
Luo Qianqian was so torn, she didn’t know how to reply.
“Your Majesty, I can prove it’s true.” Master Lingtian’s voice rang.
Luo Qianqian turned her head in delight, “Master Shifu~”
The emperor asked, “Oh? Have you taken the pill before, Master Lingtian?”
“I haven’t, but my wife has. It’s a known fact that my wife had been bedridden for a long ti until she took the pill from Qianqian, Doctor Lin said my wife at least gets twenty more years.”
That had set the whole hall in an uproar, and everyone stared at Luo Qianqian, wishing she had more.
Luo Qianqian shrugged, “Sorry everyone, that’s my last pill. The two pills are the result of serendipity, so I cannot promise anyone that I will find more.”
Everyone’s eyes dimd, how they wish they could also acquire such a pill.
The emperor put the pill back in the little bottle, “Great job, my Imperial Noble Consort and Qianqian girl.”
The Imperial Noble Consort and Luo Qianqian exchanged a aningful look and replied, “This is all Qianqian’s suggestion, you should give credit where credit it due, Your Majesty, Qianqian will make a perfect daughter-in-law, I know it.”
Yue Qiqi turned green with envy when she heard the way the Imperial Noble Consort spoke highly of Luo Qianqian.
“Yes, I agree, Qianqian is a good girl, just the right girl for our Yun.” the emperor smiled.
The empress and Mu Chaoyang looked crestfallen, they exchanged a look and Mu Chaoyang changed the subject, “Brother Eighth, it’s ti to see your present, isn’t it?”
The emperor was curious too, “Yes, I want to see what surprise has Yun prepared for .”
“Ten barns of army provisions.” Murong Yun said with indifference.
The emperor was stunned, this was such a tily help! The situation on the front line was tense, army provisions was crying needs!
“Yun, let say thank you on behalf of our soldiers on the front line!”
And then it was the ministers and the young childes and young ladies’ turn, so presented paintings, so presented curios, and so presented performances.
Luo Yuyan played zither and won critical acclaim.
“Pri Minister Luo, good job on raising two beautiful and elegant daughters, you must be very proud.” the emperor was full of praise.
“Your Majesty, I’m so flattered.” Pri Minister Luo bead.
Yue Qiqi took advantage of this timing and said, “Your Majesty, I’ve also prepared a performance.”
“Is that General Yue’s daughter?” the emperor was a bit tipsy.
General Yue nodded and smiled, then she looked at Luo Qianqian provokingly, ‘See? The emperor knows .’
Too bad Luo Qianqian missed it for she was busy eating.
“What performance?”
“A swordsmanship show.” Yue Qiqi replied with pride.
“Oh? You learned from your father General Yue I assu?” the emperor was intrigued, he had watched enough dancing and singing now.
“Yes, Your Majesty. But I have a presumptuous request, I want to invite soone to perform with together.”
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