The Phoenix is Back - Chapter 44

Chapter 044 Needle Threading And Begging
In the Imperial Garden, the palace maids and eunuchs were like fireflies. They lit up wherever they went. Five-horned plum lanterns and apricot gauze begonia lamps gradually lit up, illuminating the Imperial Garden as bright as day.

When Xiao Xiwei returned to the garden, the long table was already filled with people.

On the long table on the right sat the Crown Prince, Chu Jingzhi, the Fourth Prince, Chu Yanzhi, the Seventh Prince, Chu Xizhi, and the Eighth Prince, Chu Muzhi. To be honest, the princes beneath His Majesty’s knees were all extremely outstanding. However, she only took a glance and her gaze fell on the man in the moonlight golden brocade robe. She could no longer move her gaze away.

Aiya, I remember where I saw you! I saw you in Brother Qi Huang’s study!

It’s true! There is a painting in his study. The woman in the painting looks exactly like you! He carefully hid it in the drawer and found it when I was looking for a snack! Haha, at that time, Father Emperor also saw it.

Ninth Princess Chu Zuizhi’s voice suddenly rang in her ears.

She forced herself to return to her seat calmly.

Xiao Xi Le saw that Xiao Xiwei had returned and changed into a moonlight golden embroidered dress. Compared to the previous dress, this dress took advantage of her elegance and beauty. Especially her face, which was fair and clean without any flaws. Seeing that her chest was burning with anger, she coldly snorted and angrily turned her face away.

Almost! She almost ruined her face!

Xiao Xiwei looked at her with a faint smile and whispered, “Sister, you dropped something.”

Xiao Xile lowered her head. As expected, she saw a jade pendant lying at her feet. She was stunned. Just as she was about to say that the jade pendant was not hers, Xiao Xiwei bent down and picked it up.

“This is a good Hetian jade. Although it’s only half a piece, it’s worth a lot of money. I don’t think I’ve seen my sister wear it before.” Xiao Xiwei turned to look at Xiao Xile.

Xiao Xile’s chest froze.

What did she mean by that! You mean she doesn’t deserve it?

“Who said that this jade pendant isn’t mine!”

“Really?” Xiao Xiwei still looked at her suspiciously.

“Big sister, are you suspecting me? This jade pendant is under my feet. Isn’t it mine or yours?” Xiao Xile stared at Xiao Xiwei with a gloomy face.

Xiao Xi smiled and said, “How could that be? I only asked a few more questions.” After saying that, she bent down and tied the jade pendant for Xiao Xile with her own hands.

Although Xiao Xile felt that it was inappropriate, if she refused at this time, wouldn’t that prove that she was lying? Thinking of this, she could only let Xiao Xiwei tie the jade pendant to her.

The Ninth Princess, Chu Zuizhi, sat bored at the table. She rolled her eyes a few times and suddenly left her seat. She smiled and walked to the opposite seat. She whispered something in Chu Xizhi’s ear. At first, Chu Xizhi had a cynical smile on his face. Then, his face darkened a bit and he looked straight at Xiao Xiwei with his deep eyes.

Xiao Xiwei seemed to have noticed and turned her face. She just happened to touch Chu Xizhi’s gaze. Her heart beat violently twice. She did not understand why Chu Xizhi looked at her with such a gaze. When she saw the evil smile on Chu Zui’s face beside Chu Xizhi, she suddenly understood something. Ninth Princess, did she tell Chu Xizhi that she had taken Chu Yanzhi’s jade pendant? However, even so, he shouldn’t be so angry …

“Your Majesty has arrived” The eunuch’s shrill voice rang out as he was in an awkward situation.

Xiao Xiwei heaved a sigh of relief and followed everyone up to salute.

Nowadays, the Emperor wore a bright yellow dragon robe and calmly sat on the first seat, while Consort Shen and Consort Yan sat on the left and right beside him.

“Get up!” The Emperor waved his hand.

Everyone got up one after another, and then sat down. Xiao Xiwei secretly raised his eyes to look at Consort Yan. She was dressed in peach-colored embroidered paeoniflora robes, and under her slender crescent moon eyebrows was a pair of watery autumn eyes. They were really bright and beautiful, and her appearance was unparalleled. No wonder His Majesty ignored the objections of the officials and Lun Chang Gang Ji insisted on making her his imperial concubine. Any man would not be tempted by a woman like her.

She was Chu Xizhi’s mother!

Seemingly sensing Xiao Xiwei’s gaze, Imperial Concubine Yan suddenly looked at her with a faint smile on her lips.

Xiao Xiwei withdrew her gaze awkwardly, as if she had done something wrong and was caught by a child.

“Ladies and gentlemen, on Qixi today, the Emperor and the two Empress decided to hold a needle fitting test. If any of the ladies win, the Emperor and the two Empress will receive a heavy reward.” The eunuch next to the emperor smiled at the people below.

Soon, the palace servants came over with needles and threads, and the young ladies at the table were eager to try.

“Your Majesty, it’s rare for the Qixi banquet to be so lively this year. Why don’t we try something new this year?” Imperial Concubine Shen turned around and smiled at the Emperor.

The Emperor looked at her with a faint smile on his face, “How do you want to play?”

Imperial Concubine Shen smiled, “Eunuch Zhang, have the palace maids turn out the lights.”

Soon, the palace lanterns in the Imperial Garden were all extinguished, and only the crescent moon overhead shone with faint moonlight.

“Ladies and gentlemen, use this trickle as a gauge. When the trickle is turned around, please stop, ladies and gentlemen.” Eunuch Zhang stood up again, holding an exquisite gold-plated drip in his hand and placing it on the long table, “Ladies and gentlemen, please take the needles.”

As soon as Eunuch Zhang finished speaking, the young ladies at the banquet all picked up needles and began to wear them enthusiastically.

Xiao Xiwei glanced sideways at Xiao Xile and saw that her eyebrows were tightly knitted. She stared at the needle and thread in her hand without blinking. Tonight, on the seventh day of the first month, the moonlight was faint, and the thread was light golden. This thread was really difficult to wear in such a night. Xiao Xile had to work hard for a long time to wear one, and her forehead was so anxious that a layer of fine sweat oozed out. Xiao Xi smiled and calmly put on the needle.

Which young lady at the banquet was not spoiled, so she would only pretend to embroider with needles. When the drip turned and Eunuch Zhang shouted to stop, almost all the young ladies were secretly annoyed.

The palace lantern quickly lit up again.

The palace maids came down one after another to count all the ladies. Finally, after counting, the one who wore the most clothes was Xiao Xichun, the fourth young miss of the Marquis of Loyalty.

“Your Majesty, you see, they are obedient and clean children.” Imperial Concubine Shen said with a smile.

The Emperor nodded, “What reward do you want?”

“I … I don’t want any rewards.” Xiao Xichun lowered his head and whispered.

This was the first time someone had said that he didn’t want his reward!

The unperturbed Emperor raised his eyebrows slightly. His dark eyes stared at the thin figure and said, “Zhen Jingyu said that I want to reward you. Naturally, I want to reward you.”

Xiao Xichun’s body trembled slightly as he subconsciously looked at Xiao Xiwei.

Xiao Xiwei did not expect that Xiao Xichun would actually take the lead in this needle-piercing trial. She had never thought of this situation.

Following Xiao Xichun’s gaze, the Emperor also turned his gaze to Xiao Xi Wei.

Seeing this face, the emperor’s eyes suddenly moved, carrying a trace of inquiry and a trace of indiscernibility.

“I want to give you a reward. Why are you looking at her? Could it be that you want to give her your reward?”

Xiao Xichun pursed his lips, clenched his teeth and nodded.

The emperor on the high seat obviously did not expect this answer. He looked at the two young ladies of the Xiao Clan, his cold and solemn eyes were bottomless, unable to see clearly what he was thinking.

Xiao Xiwei did not expect Xiao Xichun to push her out at this time. At this time, it was difficult for her to pretend to be stupid. She had no choice but to stand up and salute the emperor on the high seat. “I greet the emperor.”

“Yes.” The emperor on the high seat replied coldly.

“Your Majesty, Chun’er knows that I have always had a wish. That’s why she gave me this reward. I wonder if Your Majesty can fulfill it?” Xiao Xi smiled as he looked at the emperor on the high seat.

As soon as Xiao Xiwei said those words, there was a gasp from below.

This Second Miss Xiao is really bold. She actually dares to say these words in front of the Emperor.

Xiao Xiyang couldn’t help but pinch a cold sweat for his sister.

Imperial Concubine Yan looked at Xiao Xiwei, then turned to look at her son without any trace. However, seeing that he was calm and composed, with a faint smile on the corner of his lips, she couldn’t help but feel curious about Second Miss Xiao.

The Emperor’s eyes twitched slightly, “Speak.”

“I often hear from my father that the Emperor’s regular script is square in shape, straight in brush strokes and extremely good in writing. I am a genius. I have loved to practice calligraphy since I was young and have always wanted to see the Emperor’s authentic works. Can the Emperor give me the word” Your Majesty “?” Xiao Xiwei paused for a moment, blinked his eyes, and then continued, “Your Majesty, I’m not greedy. I only need one word.”

The Emperor was stunned for a moment, and then laughed loudly, “You’re a little interesting, no wonder …” The Emperor didn’t say anything else.

“Your Majesty has agreed to my daughter’s words.” Xiao Xi raised her eyes slightly, and a bright smile curled up at the corner of her mouth.

“It’s not difficult for you to ask for the word ‘Zhen’. However, now is not the time.” The emperor on the high seat smiled, as if he was unfathomable.

When Xiao Xiwei heard this, a trace of pity flashed through his eyes.

“Someone, bring over the jewelry prepared by the Consort.” The Emperor looked sideways at the eunuch’s main conduit.

“Yes.” Zhang Shichang replied, and the palace maid handed a box of jewelry to Xiao Xichun.

“It’s rare to see the Emperor so happy. This Second Miss Xiao is really a wonderful person. Not to mention the Emperor, this concubine also feels happier the more I look at this Second Miss Xiao. Since Second Miss Xiao has not won the Emperor’s name, why don’t the Emperor give her something else?” Imperial Concubine Shen said with a smile.

Imperial Concubine Yan, who was standing beside him, frowned slightly.

The Emperor glanced sideways at Consort Shen. Before he could speak, Xiao Xiwei’s voice came to mind once again.

‘”Your Majesty, you have already promised me the word’female’. Although this is not the right time, I have received your reward. However, fourth sister and I both have rewards, but third sister has nothing. Why don’t you give another reward to third sister?” Xiao Xiwei raised his eyes and said.

Being suddenly interrupted by Xiao Xiwei, Imperial Concubine Shen’s face was somewhat unhappy.

“Second Miss Xiao is really considerate and generous. Since that’s the case, the Emperor should also reward Third Miss Xiao with something.” Imperial Concubine Yan looked at the Emperor warmly and said.

“Then give her some begging fruits!” The Emperor said.

Hearing this, Xiao Xile hurriedly walked out to thank him.

Just as she received the begging fruit from the palace maid, a crisp voice suddenly sounded.

“Eh, why are you wearing my Fourth Emperor Brother’s jade pendant?”