Traveling through ancient times: daily life on the run

Chapter 402 New Year's Eve Banquet

New Year’s Eve is the busiest day in the palace.

The banquet was held at noon. The Queen Mother and the Empress sat in the main seats, and on the left of the Empress were two imperial concubines.

The most important east-facing seat below the main seat was Zhu Jinyou's. Luo E sat next to him out of respect for Zhu Jinyou. The rest were arranged according to the rank of concubines, princes, and officials. The room was full of people, and Luo E could only recognize a few faces.

The banquet was more luxurious and grand than expected. There were more than 300 palace maids and eunuchs serving the masters. Luo Yu looked around and saw that everyone was whispering. If he didn't listen carefully, he couldn't even hear what others were saying clearly.

It was her first time attending such a large-scale banquet. Although she didn't know many people, everyone present knew her.

Zhu Jinyou was afraid that she was not used to this kind of occasion, so he kept picking up delicious snacks from the plate for her to taste.

Luo Yu ate while glancing around. Zhu Jinyou thought about how they hadn't seen each other for a few days and was about to ask if she was getting used to life recently when Luo Yu pointed at a few little princes and princesses not far away and asked, "Zhu Jinyou, can you introduce them to me? These little princes and princesses all look a bit alike. I only know their names but not their faces."

Zhu Jinyou smiled and said, "They are ranked by age. How can you, being so smart, not be able to tell who is who?"

Luo Yu curled his lips and said, "That's not the case. Look, the Fifth Prince is small and sits at the front. I saw the others secretly switch seats."

"When you entered the hall, did you look at everyone?"

"Are they only allowed to peek at me? Can't I look back at them one by one?"

Zhu Jinyou laughed dumbly: "Yes, of course! Miss Luo Yu will not only read it back, but also write it down one by one. If anyone dares to disrespect you, you will have to pay double in the future."

Luo Yu didn't care what the Queen Mother, the Empress, and Concubine Wan on the stage thought of her. She gently tilted her head on Zhu Jinyou's shoulder and said coquettishly: "I'm not so petty. Anyway, with you here, who dares to disrespect me!"

Zhu Jinyou put a hawthorn cake into her mouth, showing great affection.

"That's right, you will soon be my princess. Anyone who dares to disrespect you is disrespecting me."

As they were talking, the noon bell rang and the banquet quietly began.

A group of beautiful women in brightly colored and gorgeous clothes slowly swam into the dance floor and danced to the rhythm of the music. They fluttered like willow catkins, kicked like swallows, and leaped lightly in the air, which was both enchanting and spectacular.

Luo Yu was stunned. It turned out that the happiness of the royal family was something that ordinary people could not experience!

After the dance ended, a group of palace maids of similar builds arrived, carrying trays of food and serving dishes. A rich array of dishes lay on the tables before each of them. After the dishes were served, the dance continued, this time with a new group of dancers, whose movements were even more stunning. The first performer, Luo Yu, looked familiar, but upon closer inspection, she realized that Concubine Wan, who had been sitting next to the empress, had disappeared.

As the saying goes, one should not talk while eating. Seeing that everyone was eating quietly, Luo E did not ask any questions. He ate while admiring the food. "Hmm, Concubine Wan has a great figure. Her dancing is enchanting but not coquettish, delicate but not vulgar. It is really pleasing to the eyes." The food in the imperial kitchen is really not to be underestimated. Luo E could not help licking the bowl of braised shark's fin at the end. It was delicious, but why only these two mouthfuls?

Zhu Jinyou watched carefully from the side and whispered to her, "I'll ask someone to go to the imperial kitchen and leave a few bowls for you later."

Luo Yu lowered his head and smiled: "I couldn't eat these delicious things in the past. It's really a blessing to be with you royal family."

"Starting tomorrow, I will have the imperial kitchen prepare the finest bird's nest and shark's fin for you every day."

Seeing that they were chatting happily, Concubine Wan danced and landed gracefully in front of their table.

"Your Highness, the Queen Mother asked Lian'er to pour you some wine!"

Her technique was both skillful and beautiful, and with the Queen Mother's prestige, the Prince would surely not refuse.

Zhu Jinyou looked up at the Queen Mother, who actually nodded at him. Luo Yu also looked over, and the Queen Mother and she also wore a kind smile, completely unable to tell what they were thinking. The Queen next to him, however, glanced at Luo Yu with a look of deep concern, but she said nothing, and made no big gestures. Luo Yu felt as if his heart had been stabbed. It seemed something was wrong.

There are hundreds of cunning people in this palace. No one can survive without some tricks. Luo Yu thinks that he is just a child, so whether he can escape this time depends entirely on God's will!

As expected, after Concubine Wan poured wine for Prince Ning, she also specially poured wine for Miss Luo Hong.

Luo Yu quickly covered the cup and said with a smile: "You are the Imperial Concubine, I am just a commoner, I dare not trouble the noble Imperial Concubine."

"Now I am just a dancer. I have just obtained the Queen Mother's permission and would like to offer a toast to you two as a token of my appreciation."

Luo Yu was stunned. She was bringing up the Empress Dowager again. The old man on the stage was staring at her. Wouldn't refusing her be a clear violation of the old lady? This Concubine Wan had previously worked as a maid beside the Empress Dowager. Since neither of them liked her, the possibility of them joining forces was very high.

Zhu Jinyou was very tactful and exchanged his cup with Luo Yu's. He smiled and said, "No problem. Please fill this cup for Concubine Wan."

Luo Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, her man was still more skilled.

Without any hesitation, Concubine Wan poured wine for Prince Ning, smiled, and slowly retreated to continue her enchanting and unconventional dance.

Seeing Prince Ning finish the wine in one gulp, Luo Yu thought, "This wine glass was Zhu Jinyou's, so he couldn't have been poisoned after drinking from it. And since the wine came from the same jug, it couldn't have been poisoned." So, how else could the wine have been poisoned? She knew the Queen Mother's eyes were fixed on her, and if she didn't drink the wine, she would be in a difficult position to explain.

Seeing her so cautious, Zhu Jinyou knew she was worried, so he whispered, "Just don't drink it, it's okay!"

"If I don't drink, the Queen Mother will dislike me even more in the future."

"You've already burned her chambers, are you afraid of a glass of wine?"

"Then do you think you will have peace in the future if you marry me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Queen Mother suddenly spoke.

"Miss Luo Yu, do you not like the cup of wine I gave you? Or is it because I didn't come down to pour the wine for you personally?"

After hearing these words, the banquet, which had been lively just now, suddenly became quiet, and many people stared at Luo Yu.

Luo Yu glanced around secretly and thought to himself, let him die, the wine has been replaced by Zhu Jinyou, so he should be fine. But if he doesn't drink this wine, his life will probably be even more difficult in the future. He can't let Zhu Jinyou be caught in a dilemma.

Thinking of this, she glanced at Zhu Jinyou, only to see him take her cup, take a sip, and then hand it to Luo Yu. He said to the Queen Mother, "Your Majesty, Miss Luo Yu doesn't drink much. I'll drink half of this glass of wine for her. The rest should be enough for her."

Luo Yu didn't expect that he would use this trick. Was he telling her that they should die together?

The Queen Mother was stunned. She didn't expect Zhu Jinyou to be so devoted to Miss Luo Yu. Even the Queen beside her was slightly surprised.

Luo Yu raised the glass with both hands and saluted the Queen Mother and the Empress in the hall, then drank the remaining wine in one gulp.

The Queen Mother's eyes were dim, but a very satisfied smile appeared on her face. She said to everyone, "I didn't expect my son to be so fond of the future princess. Good, very good!"

The Queen nodded and praised: "You two have a very good relationship. Tan and Xie are a perfect match!"