Eavesdropping on Fu Bao's inner thoughts, emptying the stored grain and fleeing the famine

The next day, all the princes, princesses, princes, princesses, and ministers of the third rank and above, along with their families, arrived at Yong'an Palace early.

Yong'an Palace was a special venue for royal banquets, whether it was for the emperor and empress's birthdays or to receive envoys.

As the Empress Dowager, she was certainly entitled to have her birthday banquet held at Yong'an Palace.

This time, in addition to the royal family, high-ranking officials of the third rank or above in the court were also invited to participate.

This has provided an opportunity for some noble ladies to make their mark. Although both princes already have principal wives, neither brother has yet taken a concubine.

Regardless of which one they climb into, it would be a tremendous boon for these noble ladies and their families.

Originally, many officials in the court had placed their hopes on Li Yuanyi, but after the eldest prince returned, he rectified the long-standing problems of the Ministry of Revenue in less than a month.

Furthermore, it was obvious to anyone with discerning eyes that the old emperor favored Prince Qi, so many people at this banquet harbored the idea of ​​betrothing their daughters to Li Yuanqi.

However, what no one knew was that both of these gentlemen's hearts were tied to Lian Rongrong.

The singing and dancing began, and the banquet commenced. Joy was on everyone's face.

The Empress Dowager looked down at everyone with a loving expression. The old emperor sat in the main seat, occasionally raising his cup to drink with the Empress Dowager.

The mother and son were polite and respectful, but there was absolutely no intimacy between them.

"Fu Bao, I feel like there's something strange about the relationship between your grandfather and that old hag."

While watching the song and dance performance, Lian Rongrong mentally gossiped with her son.

[My mother has such a sharp eye; of course it looks strange when we're not even blood relatives.]

"Not biological mother and child?"

"Yes, my grandfather died young and was later raised by the old witch. It is said that the old witch was once banished to the cold palace."

It is unknown why she was able to raise her grandfather, but it was precisely because she raised him that she later attained her high position.

Lian Rongrong glanced at the kind-looking old woman on the upper level and couldn't help but think to herself: I didn't expect this old witch to have some tricks up her sleeve.

While Lian Rongrong was busy eating melon seeds, Yan Mingyue had already begun to take action.

The younger generation presents their gifts during the middle of the banquet; before that, all the gifts are placed in a side hall of Yong'an Palace.

The gifts were placed in a side hall for two reasons. First, for convenient storage; second, for verification.

After all, the items sent to the Empress Dowager had to be carefully examined.

Ping'er came to the side hall of Yong'an Palace under the pretext of checking the princess's gifts again.

The guard recognized Ping'er and didn't think much of it, since everyone was just as nervous every year when celebrating the old emperor's birthday.

Taking advantage of the guards' inattention, Ping'er switched the positions of Lian Rongrong and Yan Mingyue's gifts.

Next, all Yan Mingyue needs to do is present the gift before Lian Rongrong so that the Hundred Longevity Scroll can fall into Lian Rongrong's hands smoothly.

Ping'er returned to the banquet hall, stood next to Yan Mingyue, and gave the latter a "it's all settled" look.

Yan Mingyue was immediately in a good mood; now it was time to see her performance.

Halfway through the banquet, the younger generation began presenting gifts to the Empress Dowager. No one was allowed to present gifts before His Majesty.

After His Majesty comes Prince Ling, and then it's Li Yuanqi's generation's turn.

But before Li Yuanqi could speak, Yan Mingyue suddenly walked to the center of the hall, curtsied, and interrupted:

"Grandmother, Mingyue really can't wait to present you with a gift. I hope my brother and sister-in-law won't mind."

Something unusual must be going on. Even Rongrong knew that Yan Mingyue must have something to do when she saw her rushing out like this.

However, she really wanted to see just how stupid this woman could be.

"Of course I don't mind, right, Your Highness?" Lian Rongrong looked sweetly at Li Yuanqi, who nodded in response, letting Yan Mingyue do as she pleased.

The maid who was in charge of presenting the gift came forward carrying a box about sixteen inches in size on a tray.

Upon seeing the box, Li Yuanqi knew that it was the very thing he had ordered to be made yesterday. He looked at Lian Rongrong with some worry, but she gave him a reassuring look.

Since Lian Rongrong was so calm, Li Yuanqi naturally had nothing to worry about.

The maidservant who presented the treasure stood in the center of the hall, and everyone couldn't help but be curious about the huge box.

Even the Empress Dowager, sitting on the throne, couldn't help but say, "Wow, such a big box, even I'm a little curious."

In fact, Yan Mingyue was also curious, as she had no idea what was inside the box.

However, in order to seize Lian Rongrong's gift and force her to accept the painting of longevity, Yan Mingyue had no choice but to improvise.

"Grandmother will surely love the things in here."

Yan Mingyue walked to the box with a bright smile. She opened the box herself, only to find that there was nothing inside!

Yan Mingyue glanced at Lian Rongrong in a panic, only to see that the woman was looking at her like she was an idiot.

"Princess Consort of Yi, what exactly is this you have sent me?" The Empress Dowager's face gradually showed displeasure.

Yan Mingyue's actions were undoubtedly a mockery of the Empress Dowager; such behavior was simply audacious.

Yan Hui, who was also present at the banquet, was instantly drenched in cold sweat upon seeing his daughter's recklessness. Just as the hall was filled with an awkward silence, Li Yuanyi walked to Yan Mingyue's side.

"Grandmother, the Princess Consort was getting a little bored with everyone presenting their treasures so seriously, so she wanted to lighten the mood. Actually, the real gift is with your grandson."

Li Yuanyi raised his hand and opened his palm, revealing a high-quality luminous pearl in the center.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the sight. Such a large luminous pearl, of such quality, was something that even a fortune wouldn't be enough to buy.

“Grandson knows that Grandmother does not like the dark. This luminous pearl can emit a faint light at night, but it is not too bright. It is most suitable to place it in Grandmother’s bedroom.”

Li Yuanyi placed the luminous pearl on the tray, and the maid who presented the treasure stepped forward to offer it to the Empress Dowager.

"Very well, very well, the King and Queen are so kind."

Yan Mingyue looked at Li Yuanyi with emotion, but Li Yuanyi did not give him a second glance.

Even so, a glimmer of hope rose in Yan Mingyue's heart: he still cares about me, otherwise why would he have helped me out of this predicament?

Li Yuanyi ruined a good show, leaving Lian Rongrong somewhat annoyed. But just then, Yan Mingyue, the "clown" from before, suddenly unleashed a powerful attack right in front of her.

"Sister-in-law, what surprise have you prepared for Grandmother?"

Since I've been called out, it would be impolite not to do something.

Lian Rongrong stood up, and Li Yuanqi immediately followed. The two walked to the center of the hall and bowed together.

“Grandmother, my gift is certainly not as valuable as that of the Prince and his wife. But there is one thing I think the Prince is right about.”

Offering a gift in such a plain and unremarkable manner is indeed uninteresting. I humbly request to borrow that wooden box.

The Empress Dowager smiled, but her eyes were cold. She waved her hand, instructing a maid to deliver the wooden box to Lian Rongrong.