After rebirth, the Queen of Madness has gone against the will of Heaven

Chapter 153 Birthday Banquet

"Well done, Feng'er. Since you already have someone you like, I will mention it to His Majesty. Perhaps I can take advantage of this birthday banquet to help you get married."

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

Murong Feng felt relieved. With his mother's support, he believed that there wouldn't be any major problems in his marriage.

On the second day, the day of His Majesty's birthday banquet, the palace was busy with noise early in the morning. Because a state banquet was to be held today, people were dispatched from all over the palace early to come to Yanqing Hall to help.

The Yanqing Hall is located in the center right of the imperial palace and is connected to the emperor's bedroom. On the other side, it is connected to Murong Yanhui's bedroom. Because the hall is very spacious, it is usually used by His Majesty to receive ministers or hold large banquets.

The banquet didn't start until noon, but in the morning, the princes and concubines in the palace were ready to present their gifts to show their respect.

The palace was bustling with people.

Yu Qingli and the others also got up early to prepare. Although according to the program arrangement, their music troupe's performance would not start until the evening, it was their first time to perform in the palace in front of the emperor, which made everyone in the music troupe still a little nervous.

So in order to avoid mistakes during the performance, they decided to seize the last chance to practice again. Only Yu Qingli didn't seem to want to practice with them. She just sat there, gathering her strength. She had an air of "keep away from outsiders" and didn't say a word, which made people feel a little scary.

Liu Manwu couldn't help but mutter, "So mysterious, I don't know what they're doing. I hope they don't mess up the performance later.

While everyone in Jinghong Music House was practicing seriously, Murong Shiling's bedroom, Wolong Hall, was already bustling with people.

Murong Shiling sat in front of the hall, wearing a golden brocade robe with a giant dragon circling up into the sky. Because of his good maintenance, he looked no more than forty years old. His gentle face had a more mature taste due to the passage of time, and he was extremely similar to Murong Feng.

Murong Shiling had a chair placed on each side. On the right was the Concubine Lin, who had been very favored in recent days. Concubine Lin was only in her thirties, with a pair of beautiful eyes that were captivating and particularly moving, adding a lot of brilliance to her face, which was not particularly outstanding among the many concubines. She was wearing a red long dress today, with elegant peony flowers embroidered on the bottom of the skirt.

On the left is Queen Li. Today, Queen Li is wearing a dark golden palace dress. The phoenix embroidered with red silk thread on the bottom of the robe is lifelike and noble. It contrasts beautifully with Murong Shileng's dragon robe. Even when she is sitting, one can still feel her unshakable aura.

Sitting next on the left was Murong Yanhui, followed by Crown Prince Murong Cheng, Murong Feng, and some other members of the royal family. Opposite them sat some concubines from the palace, arranged in order of status.

Murong Shiling looked around before speaking, "Today is my birthday banquet. It's a rare occasion for all of you to gather together, so this can be considered a family reunion."

Just as he finished speaking, he heard a slightly dissatisfied voice coming from outside the palace, "Father is partial. How can we be considered to be gathered together when they haven't returned yet?!"

Everyone looked towards the source of the voice and saw a young girl outside the hall. She was no more than eighteen or nineteen years old, with a beautiful face. She was wearing a peach-colored double-breasted long skirt with gorgeous azalea flowers at the bottom, which showed off her charming and pretty appearance to the fullest.

This girl is Murong Shiling’s only daughter, Murong Yuan.

Murong Yuan came to the front of the palace and saluted Murong Shiling, "Father, I am late today. I hope you will forgive me."

Murong Shiling laughed and said, "Yuan'er, I thought her temper would calm down after she went to Tianfu Temple to pray for the Queen Mother, but it seems there's no change."

Murong Yuan pouted and said coquettishly, "Father, you're really something. You start scolding me as soon as I come back."

"Okay, okay, let's not talk about it today. Besides, you're not too late to come back. The birthday party hasn't started yet! Hurry and find a place to sit down."

Murong Yuan finally put on a smile again. She looked around and saw Murong Yanhui was also present. Her eyes lit up and she pointed with her delicate hand, ordering the eunuch, "Go and bring me a chair. I want to sit between my mother and my young uncle."

The eunuch was a bit embarrassed. This might not be against the rules, but Murong Yuan insisted, "Father, I came all the way back for your birthday party. Can't you agree to this little request? I want to sit next to the little uncle!"

Although there is not much difference in age between them, this princess who is loved by everyone since she was a child has been closest to Prince of Yan Murong Yanhui. This is an open secret in the palace.

Due to Murong Shiling's relationship, Murong Yanhui did not say anything, but just declined the princess's invitation. He followed Prime Minister Yu to Jiangnan some time ago, partly because he wanted to avoid the princess so that she would not drag him to Tianfu Temple.

As soon as Murong Yuan sat down, she didn't care about the strange looks in front of her. She dragged her chair next to Murong Yanhui, put her arm around Murong Yanhui, and said coquettishly, "Little Uncle, I haven't seen you for a long time. I missed you so much!"

Murong Yanhui pulled her arm back awkwardly, "Today is the Emperor's birthday banquet. As his daughter, the person you should be thinking about is your father, right?"

"No, I just miss my little uncle the most. Little uncle, you don't know that without you accompanying me to Tianfu Temple this time, even the journey has become a bit boring."

Murong Yanhui frowned and raised her voice slightly, "Princess, please pay attention to the occasion!"

Murong Yuan immediately looked aggrieved, "Little Uncle, you are so mean to me..."

Seeing Murong Yuan's aggrieved expression, Murong Shiling changed the subject and said, "Okay, Yuan'er, stop making a fuss. Now that everyone is here, let's start eating.

At Murong Shileng's command, the eunuch in charge of serving the meal quickly gave instructions, and in just a moment, the exquisite pastries were brought in.

In the royal family, opportunities for the whole family to sit together and have breakfast were rare. On weekdays, the concubines and princes in each palace ate in their own palaces. Murong Shileng also ate in whichever palace he visited.

Therefore, such scenes are rare in the imperial palace.

A few exquisite pastries, a bowl of lily and barley porridge, and a few side dishes specially made by the imperial kitchen. This breakfast is not much different from that of an ordinary wealthy family.

Murong Yuan picked up a piece of mint snow cake and brought it to Murong Yanhui's mouth, "Little uncle, try it quickly, it tastes good."

Murong Yanhui frowned, "This prince hates sweets the most."

"Then try this new side dish. The color looks very refreshing."

Murong Yanhui put down his chopsticks and said, "Your Highness, I am not a three-year-old child. If I want to eat something, I will do it myself."

Murong Shiling smiled and said, "Prince Yan, you are the one my daughter has been closest to since she was a child. Even I envy her for their good relationship."

Murong Yanhui lowered his eyes and said, "I am terrified."

"Why are you so reserved today, Prince Yan? In the past, you were so fearless every time I saw you, which was a headache. But I'm a little uncomfortable with your behavior today."

Since Murong Shiling had spoken, Murong Yanhui's face lit up with joy as he said, "This is exactly what I've been waiting for, my brother. Today is His Majesty's birthday. When I went to pay my respects to the Queen Mother early in the morning, I was warned not to act too recklessly and cause His Majesty any annoyance. That's why..."

"So it was your mother's good intention, but forget it. Seeing you so restrained, I can't stand it either. Just act like a normal person."

"Thank you, brother."

With the amnesty, Murong Yanhui became truly unscrupulous. The first thing he did was to knock Murong Yuan on the head with his chopsticks and scold her, "You little girl, eat your meal properly. Don't you know that you shouldn't talk while eating or sleep?"

Murong Yuan was a little dazed after being beaten, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she obediently picked up her bowl and started eating.

Murong Yan finished his meal in a few bites, stood up from the table, and bowed to Murong Shiling and the ladies. "Royal brother, Royal sister-in-law, ladies and gentlemen, I have finished my meal, and the gifts for His Majesty have been delivered. So, I will not delay any longer and will take my leave for now. I have important matters to attend to in the palace."

Murong Shiling thought to himself, what's the big deal? He had already heard that Murong Yanhui had selected two beautiful palace maids to serve in the palace these past few days. It was said that they were having fun every day. But this was also a good thing, as it saved him a lot of trouble.

Then he raised his hand and said, "Okay, then you can go back first."

Murong Yanhui secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Before he even reached the outside of the hall, Murong Yuan's voice rang out, "Father, I've finished eating too. Can I go play with the little uncle?"

"Go!"

Murong Yan thought to himself that something was wrong, and immediately tapped his feet, his steps becoming even lighter. As soon as he walked out of the hall, he flashed and hid in the shade of a tree next to him. He watched Murong Yuan come out of the hall, looked left and right for a long time, and then ran towards his bedroom.

Only after the figure walked away did Murong Yanhui come out from behind the tree, with a cold look in his eyes, and walked in the opposite direction.

It may not be easy to follow him. It’s still early, so I’ll find a place to check the latest news about Yu Qingli.

The news inside and outside the palace has been almost the same these days, which makes him want to go out of the palace to see what is going on. However, there are always many eyes staring at him, making it almost impossible for him to move. It would be great if he could find a way to bring Lili into the palace.

The most dangerous place is also the safest place.

Murong Yanhui found that every time he was in the palace, there were fewer spies around him. Perhaps it was because Murong Shiling felt that Murong Yanhui could not pose any threat under his nose, so he was so relieved.

I can't help but find it ridiculous. If he really had the intention of rebellion, his location wouldn't be a problem at all. It seems that my brother the emperor still underestimated him.