Ping Zhao Lu

The day of the banquet.

Xu Zhouye got up very early.

He sat leisurely in front of the dressing table, combing his hair with a focused expression.

Just as she put down the comb in her hand, Qinghe and Su Ming sent someone to deliver the dress she needed to wear to the banquet today.

Xu Zhouye stood up upon hearing the sound. Just as he was about to call someone to help him change his clothes, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of the dress that the palace maid was holding steadily in her hands.

"The craftsmanship of the Shangfu Bureau is truly exquisite!" Xu Zhouye sighed softly, and couldn't help but reach out and gently stroke the exquisite dress.

The fabric feels silky smooth to the touch, and the embroidery is lifelike and intricately crafted.

"I think you look very beautiful too. Your Highness, please try this dress on and see if it fits you!" Qinghe said with joy on her face.

Xu Zhouye nodded slightly in agreement, then said, "Let's get started."

Before he finished speaking, he waved to the palace servants, signaling them to come forward and change his clothes.

Suddenly, the room became busy, everyone doing their job, some adjusting their clothes, some tightening their belts...

After a while, it was finally done.

Xu Zhouye looked completely refreshed, as if he had walked out of a painting.

"It looks great!" Qinghe exclaimed immediately.

Su Ming, who was standing not far away, also smiled and nodded frequently, his eyes full of admiration.

Looking at Xu Zhouye now, a flawless white jade crown crowned his head, making him look even more heroic. He wore a moon-white, wide-sleeved, woven gold robe, the right side of his torso meticulously embroidered with gold threads, creating a flowing, natural flow. A white jade pendant, as smooth as jade, dangled from his waist, gently swaying with his steps, adding a touch of refined elegance. His overall outfit was both simple and elegant, yet still retaining a touch of nobility and grace.

Xu Zhouye lowered his head and looked at the gorgeous clothes on himself. He was very satisfied and a happy smile appeared on his face unconsciously.

"Your Highness, there is another set." Su Ming said as he waved his hand, signaling the servants behind him to present it.

A young eunuch approached, carefully holding a set of gorgeous attire. Su Ming then introduced it, "This formal dress was meticulously made for Your Highness by the Shangfu Bureau. Each palace has one, and usually, it's used as a temporary replacement."

Xu Zhouye narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze settling on the gorgeous indigo-blue brocade dress. After examining it from head to toe, a faint smile played on his lips, and he said softly, "The style and workmanship are quite to my liking."

Hearing this, Su Ming quickly responded, "It can be changed during the meal. If Your Highness likes it, you can take turns wearing it."

However, Xu Zhouye shook his head lightly, smiled slightly, and declined politely: "No need."

At the same time, he was thinking to himself: If I change into this set of clothes, I will not be able to wear the same style of dress as Chu Yunxiao.

"Then Your Highness, are you ready to attend?" Su Ming asked.

Xu Zhouye nodded.

At this time, the palace maid standing nearby saw that Xu Zhouye didn't seem to want to eat, so she gently reminded him, "Your Highness, you should eat something first. I'm afraid you won't have time to take care of food when you get to the banquet later."

After hearing this, Xu Zhouye nodded slightly in agreement and said, "Well, then have someone bring the food up."

The maid quickly responded, "Yes, Your Highness."

Not long after, the palace maids brought the meals in one after another. Xu Zhouye slowly moved to the table and sat there lazily, his eyes a little blurry, as if he was in a daze, or as if he was thinking about something.

At this moment, a sudden shattering sound broke the original tranquility in the house.

Immediately afterwards, a stream of boiling hot soup spilled down without warning, splashing right onto the hem of Xu Zhouye's clothes.

Xu Zhouye was suddenly shocked back to his senses by this sudden change.

There was a loud thump, and the maid who had accidentally broken the bowl and cup fell to her knees, trembling all over, begging for mercy: "Your Highness, please spare me! This servant did not mean to do this. Please forgive me!"

I saw a palace maid with a terrified look on her face. She knelt heavily on her knees and kowtowed repeatedly to beg for mercy.

Xu Zhouye lowered his eyes and his gaze instantly fell on the soiled hem of his clothes at his feet. His originally calm eyes gradually became gloomy.

Seeing this, Qing He raised her eyebrows and shouted angrily, "How could you do such a thing? You even dared to destroy His Highness's formal attire! How audacious!"

The maid was so frightened that she trembled all over, banging her head against the ground like pounding garlic, and pleaded tremblingly, "I am guilty, Your Highness, please have mercy!"

However, Xu Zhouye just uttered three words coldly with an expressionless face: "Drag him out." His tone was extremely cold, as if without any emotion at all.

Hearing this, the palace maid became even more terrified and cried desperately: "Your Highness, please spare me! Your Highness, please spare me..." But Xu Zhouye ignored her pleas for mercy and still stood there with a cold face, motionless.

At this time, Su Ming, who had been standing by, showed a worried look on his face and gently advised, "Your Highness, please change your clothes first."

Xu Zhouye nodded slightly and replied, "Okay, go get a set of casual clothes. After dinner, change into the spare formal clothes." After that, he turned and walked towards the inner hall, leaving behind a chaotic and tense atmosphere.

*

Shi'an hung his head and followed Chu Heyuan weakly.

At this time, with still half an hour until the banquet began, the two of them were strolling along the shores of Yingliu Lake, a relatively secluded and quiet spot.

The willows by the lake are swaying, their reflections on the mirror-clear lake surface. The breeze blows, creating ripples on the lake.

The surrounding area is shaded by green trees and colorful flowers, which is a beautiful sight. It is indeed a perfect place to escape the summer heat and cool down.

Chu Heyuan walked to the shore and wanted to feed the koi in the pond.

However, at this moment, he suddenly heard a strange sound.

At the same time, Shi'an, who has always been extremely alert, also quickly noticed the movement coming from nearby.

The two men's eyes met, and they understood each other instantly. Then, they both restrained their voices and carefully approached the source of the sound.

Soon, they came to an area with dense shade and trees, and the sound became clearer and clearer at this moment.

Shi'an couldn't help but frown slightly, thinking to himself: "This noise..." Before he could figure out what was going on, he subconsciously reached out to cover Chu Heyuan's ears and pulled him into a corner behind a big tree.

Chu Heyuan, whose ears were suddenly covered and dragged aside, was full of confusion. He looked up at Shi'an in confusion.

At this moment, Shi'an's ears had been quietly stained with a light pink, and his eyes were even more erratic, as if he was a little embarrassed.