Drunk Bamboo

Family dinner in the palace.

Orioles were singing and dancing, and wine was flowing.

The emperor and empress sat in the highest seats, smiling and talking.

Sitting at the table in order were his son, daughter-in-law and the pillar of the nation, Xiao Zhong.

"Listening to songs, watching dances, eating and drinking, the whole family is together, this is a family dinner."

The emperor held the cup in one hand and the pillow in the other, leaning back on the dragon throne, looking very comfortable.

On his left and right were his queen and imperial concubine.

The queen picked up some food for him and said with a dignified smile:

"Yes, Feng'er is here too, and now there are Yuzhu and Qi'er. It won't be long before Your Majesty has a grandson to take care of him, and it will be even more lively."

The Imperial Concubine smiled faintly: "Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune."

With beauties on both sides and delicious food and wine, the emperor was in a very good mood.

The tipsy eyes saw a pink little figure and smiled like a father: "Yier is here today."

When the imperial concubine heard the name, her eyes couldn't help but droop.

The Yi'er the emperor was referring to was his eighth princess, Hua Qinyi.

When his eyes fell on her, they were filled with pity and heartache.

Then he glanced at Hua Qinfeng and Hua Qinming again.

The only one missing was his eldest son, Hua Qinyu.

"Only the Crown Prince is away, busying himself for the people. This saves me a lot of worry."

The Queen smiled and said, "It is the Crown Prince's duty to share His Majesty's worries."

The emperor asked again, "Why aren't the Crown Princess and Lin'er here?"

The queen replied, "Lin'er caught a cold this morning, and Du Ruo is taking care of him."

He sighed softly, "The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are in good health, but Lin'er was born with asthma. I don't know why. Let the Crown Princess take good care of him."

It is obvious that the emperor is dissatisfied.

Is he blaming the Crown Prince and Crown Princess for not giving birth to a healthier child?

The queen replied softly, "Yes."

The little pink figure at the banquet looked around, shaking its little head, its eyes curious and lively.

Nanny Li reminded her, "Princess, today is a family dinner. Be good and don't lose your temper. His Majesty and the Queen are here."

Apparently, Nanny Li's words were of no use, as the next second, the little pink figure jumped up.

"Princess, where are you going?!" Nanny Li chased after her in horror.

Hua Qinyi rushed directly to Hua Qinfeng.

He turned his head and glared at Hua Qinyi, who stepped back in fear and almost fell down.

Hua Qinfeng was quick-witted and quick-handed. He stretched out his long arms and held her in his arms.

Hua Qinyi was first frightened by Hua Qinfeng's untidy face, and then was amazed by his agility.

In his arms, I wasn't afraid at all and instead felt quite safe.

His big eyes were wide open, not blinking, just staring blankly at Hua Qinfeng.

Xie Yuzhu thought she was frightened by Hua Qinfeng, and hurriedly scolded Hua Qinfeng:

"My Lord, why are you so fierce? You scared the little kid."

He smiled gently and brightly, gently held her little hand, and praised her: "Where did you get such a cute doll? Whose baby are you?"

When she heard someone praising her, her dark eyes finally blinked and a blush appeared on her fair and tender face.

Hua Qinfeng looked at Nanny Li and asked, "Is this how you take care of her on a daily basis?"

Nanny Li was so frightened that she was shaking all over: "Forgive me, Lord Feng and Princess Feng, I didn't take good care of the Eighth Princess!"

She waved to the princess, "Princess, come here quickly. I will take you back."

Hua Qinyi pouted and immediately turned into Xie Yuzhu's arms.

The little hands tightly hugged Xie Yuzhu's waist, and she lay in her arms, refusing to let go.

Xie Yuzhu stared at the little pink ball in her arms in surprise and asked Hua Qinfeng: "Eighth Princess? Your Majesty, is she your sister?"

With a straight face, he seemed to have no feelings for his younger sister: "Yes. Hua Qinyi, ten years old this year."

Nanny Li's forehead was covered with sweat. She didn't want to stay with King Feng anymore. It was scary.

Begging Hua Qinyi: "Princess, be good and go back with me and sit down. I will peel the fruit you like to eat for you."

Hua Qinyi shook her head and pursed her lips.

Suddenly, he was attracted by the light pink sachet hanging around Xie Yuzhu's waist, and he grabbed it with his little hands and played with it.

The peach blossoms on the sachet were embroidered by Yunling herself, and they are delicate and beautiful.

"Do you like this?" Xie Yuzhu asked with his head down.

Hua Qinyi nodded, but still said nothing.

Xie Yuzhu discussed with her, "Then I'll give it to you. You can just follow Mammy back to your seat, okay?"

He raised his little head and stared at Xie Yuzhu with his round eyes for a while, then looked down at the sachet, and finally made up his mind and nodded.

Xie Yuzhu took off the sachet and handed it to Hua Qinyi.

She took the sachet, smelled it, and it seemed that she also liked the scent. She smiled happily, revealing a row of cute little teeth.

He stood up and bowed to Xie Yuzhu, then jumped and followed the nanny.

Xie Yuzhu turned around and saw Hua Qinfeng with a blank expression, taking a sip of wine.

"Your Highness, the Eighth Princess seems to be different from other children?" From beginning to end, there was not a single word.

"You can see that she can't speak." Hua Qinfeng said truthfully.

"Is it innate or acquired?" Xie Yuzhu asked immediately.

It’s a pity that such a cute and smart child can’t speak.

Hua Qinfeng took another sip of wine. "I also heard from Nanny that she and the seventh brother fell into the water two years ago. After being rescued, she lost her memory and could no longer speak. They are twins, a boy and a girl, and they probably have a telepathic connection."

Xie Yuzhu looked around and felt a chill in her heart: "I didn't see the Seventh Prince at the banquet today. He..."

There was no trace of sadness or joy on his face: "He died instantly."

"After seeing her brother die with her own eyes, the Eighth Princess must have suffered a psychological trauma, so she can't speak." Feeling regretful, she looked up to find that touch of pink again, and she jumped to the emperor's side again.

The emperor smiled very kindly and let her little hand touch his beard.

"Father dotes on her very much. Look how happy he is smiling."

Following Xie Yuzhu's gaze, Hua Qinfeng said, "Father, I think you feel sorry for her."

Who wouldn’t feel sad?

But Hua Qinfeng didn't seem to feel that distressed.

Xie Yuzhu: "It's good for her to be carefree like this. Maybe this is a blessing."

Hua Qinfeng placed Xie Yuzhu's favorite dishes on her table and exchanged them with the snacks in front of her.

He said calmly, "I am not close to her and have not met her many times. Whether it is a blessing or a curse, my father will make the arrangements in the future."

And his small action was seen by several pairs of eyes.

Xiao Bingxin, who was sitting diagonally opposite, happened to see Luo Qi carefully peeking at Hua Qinfeng.

Even if it was just a casual glance.

The emperor sat up, raised his glass, and said loudly:

"Today's family dinner is to celebrate King Wen's wedding and to see General Xiao off. We are all family, so let's have fun!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Bingxin suddenly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, on this day of celebration, I would like to ask Your Majesty to let me do my best to perform a show for you to express my gratitude."

Xiao Zhong's deep eyes trembled slightly, but he didn't say anything.

The emperor was in a good mood: "Okay, what talent is Bing Xin going to show?"

"Last time I saw King Feng's sword dance, it was so agile and stunning, Your Majesty liked it very much. Although I am not talented, I also want to dance with a sword."