Quick Transmigration: Survive to the End

These words had a wide reach, and Eunuch Wu was hesitant to respond.

The emperor glanced at him and said, "You dare not speak now? If I were to ask you to do something, wouldn't you be utterly defeated from the start?"

Eunuch Wu lowered his body even further: "If His Majesty has given any instructions, this servant will certainly not act like this."

The emperor chuckled softly, then stopped talking to him and pinched Yin Yin's rosy cheeks: "You're so well-behaved, you don't cry or make a fuss."

As the emperor spoke, he personally picked up Yin Yin and weighed her in his arms: "Let's go, come with me to the palace banquet."

When the emperor personally carried Yin Yin to the palace banquet, all the officials and concubines were extremely surprised, while among the princes, there were several gazes filled with either envy or jealousy.

The empress, standing nearby, asked curiously, "Your Majesty, who is this child?"

"Yinyin," the emperor said, not even glancing at the empress, his attention solely focused on Yinyin, "this is Her Majesty the Empress."

Yin Yin, being sensible, stood up and bowed to the Empress: "Your subject Qi Yin Yin greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be blessed with happiness."

Even though Yin Yin's manners weren't exactly standard, the Emperor's gentle gaze and her surname were enough to make the Empress reach out and help her up.

The Empress looked at Yin Yin carefully for a moment, then looked up at the Emperor and smiled, saying, "She looks just like her parents."

The emperor nodded in agreement and smiled at the empress.

Although the emperor wanted to keep Yin Yin by his side, there were still many ceremonies to be held, especially the congratulations from the officials. It would not be good for Yin Yin to receive the gifts. After the emperor repeatedly warned him, he finally allowed Eunuch Wu to send Yin Yin back to Lord Qi.

Among those present were many intelligent people who, upon seeing Eunuch Wu's attitude and Yin Yin's affiliation, had already guessed Yin Yin's identity.

After learning that Yin Yin was the daughter of Marquis Qi, the officials and concubines who knew about the past felt it was only natural.

This is nothing compared to the rewards and honors His Majesty previously bestowed upon Lord Qi.

No sooner had Eunuch Wu left than Young Master Qi called Yin Yin to sit at his table: "Yin Yin, were you nervous when you met His Majesty just now?"

Yinyin shook her head: "I'm not nervous. His Majesty is very kind. He's smiling at me."

The two spoke softly, but Madam Qi, who was sitting close by, could still hear a little, which put her mind at ease.

As for the more distant Marquis Qi, he never worried about this matter from beginning to end.

When it came time for everyone to offer their congratulations, Young Master Qi stood up with Yin Yin and intentionally or unintentionally blocked a small part of her less-than-perfect movements.

Whether others noticed it or not is unknown, but the emperor was clearly in a good mood.

When it's time for a banquet, the table will naturally be mostly filled with stewed and cold dishes.

Although given the Qi family's status, it's unlikely that the food would be served cold, Yin Yin still doesn't really like cold or greasy food.

However, before Young Master Qi could complain for long, he saw one of Eunuch Wu's apprentices personally bring over a bowl of beautifully steamed egg custard and place it in front of Yin Yin.

"This was specifically ordered by His Majesty."

Yinyin subconsciously looked towards the head of the table and met the emperor's gentle gaze. She immediately cupped her hands in thanks and then, without needing to be fed, happily began to eat her steamed egg custard with a small spoon.

Yinyin's hands were very steady, and she ate very cleanly. She finished a small bowl of steamed egg custard without spilling a drop on herself.

Seeing how much Yin Yin was enjoying her meal, even the Emperor couldn't help but take a few more bites.

The dances were beautiful, and at least Yin Yin enjoyed them very much. However, for all the people who came to the banquet, no matter how good the singing and dancing were, it was the same every year. How could it compare to the importance of greeting each other and connecting with each other?

So before long, even the emperor grew tired of it and ordered Eunuch Wu to bring Yin Yin back.

Young Master Qi was somewhat displeased. After Eunuch Wu led Yin Yin away, he muttered under his breath, "I was still thinking of taking Yin Yin to ask for a gift."

Madam Qi glanced at him, but decided not to say anything to him in this situation.

Although Old Master Qi didn't hear it, he could tell from his wife's attitude that his youngest son hadn't said anything nice. With a glance, Young Master Qi immediately fell silent.

In just a short while, Yin Yin had arrived in front of the emperor.

Before she could even curtsy, the emperor picked Yin Yin up and said, "I noticed you were staring intently at the song and dance performance. Was it really that good?"

"It's beautiful," Yin Yin said sweetly in her childlike voice, "The dance is beautiful, and the music is beautiful too. The two together... are a perfect match."

Yinyin thought for a long time and came up with this word.

The emperor smiled and nodded: "You're right."

Then he instructed Eunuch Wu, "The preparations are excellent, reward them."

Eunuch Wu immediately went to make the arrangements.

Seeing how much the emperor favored Yin Yin, all the concubines in the palace had their own plans, but only a few dared to speak up.

Taking this opportunity, Consort Shu brought a cup of wine to the emperor's side and said, "Your Majesty, I wish you good health and longevity."

Consort Shu's words weren't particularly flattering, but the Emperor, to save face, drank a cup of wine and said to Yin Yin, "This is your aunt."

Yinyin quickly stood up and called out in a clear voice, "Good morning, Auntie!"

"Oh," Consort Shu smiled happily, pinched her little hand, and then deliberately looked at the Emperor with a hint of sorrow, "Auntie has been looking forward to seeing our Yinyin for three years, but she didn't expect it to be on such an occasion."

The emperor said, "Then you can talk to Yinyin here first."

Consort Shu was waiting for these words, and immediately sat down next to Yin Yin.

From her vantage point, Yin Yin could clearly see that the expressions of many of the concubines below had changed, especially those of the same rank as Consort Shu, whose faces had become somewhat stiff.

Then, the concubines below also toasted the emperor.

When the emperor was in a good mood, he would drink a cup or two, just enough to moisten his lips; when he was in a bad mood, he wouldn't even bother with a perfunctory nod.

Consort Shu didn't even glance at the scene below, focusing solely on playing with Yin Yin. However, judging from Yin Yin's delighted expression, one could tell she was quite pleased with herself.

Perhaps because of this special environment, perhaps because she achieved her own goals through Yin Yin, or perhaps because of blood ties, Consort Shu truly fell in love with Yin Yin.

As the banquet was about to end and it was time to take Yin Yin back, Consort Shu was still reluctant to let go and wanted to carry Yin Yin back to her own palace.

Before leaving, Consort Shu added many more gifts for Yin Yin, and also said, "After the New Year, your aunt will ask His Majesty and the Empress for permission to invite you to the palace to play again."

Upon hearing this, the emperor was momentarily dazed.

Immediately afterwards, the emperor said, "Then I will stay in the palace for a while longer."

Consort Shu could hardly contain her joy and pulled Yin Yin to thank the Emperor.

The emperor waved his hand, telling them to leave.

Consort Shu personally escorted Yin Yin back to her grandparents, talking as they walked.

"Today's banquet was too formal. Next time you go to the palace, your aunt will take you to pay your respects to your great-aunt."