The legitimate daughter becomes cannon fodder? Rebirth to overthrow the system's fatality

Behind Emperor Zhaolie were Concubine Xian and Concubine Chun, and after them came two equally outstanding princes.

The two imperial concubines were all dressed up. Concubine Xian had a rosy face and looked very happy. Concubine Chun still looked calm and collected.

Everyone quickly stood up and saluted, shouting "Long live the emperor" three times.

"Stand up." Emperor Zhaolie spoke loudly after sitting down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After the ladies stood up and sat down, their eyes secretly drifted towards the two princes.

Now that the crown prince has fallen, these two may take the throne.

Prince Rui was wearing a dark blue prince's suit, with a jade crown on his hair, his long hair hanging down on his shoulders, and a faint smile on his face.

The fifth prince opposite him wore a light purple prince's suit that made him look extraordinary. It made people deeply understand what it meant to be a graceful and elegant man standing in front of the wind, and you are the youngest among your peers.

However, ever since he sat down, his eyes were fixed on one place, as if they had taken root there.

When Cheng Jiuyuan looked over, the indifference in his eyes instantly disappeared, and his gaze was like the rippling water of a lake under the spring sun, so gentle that it seemed to be able to accommodate everything.

If it had happened in the past, someone would have had ulterior motives.

But now, that person is Cheng Jiuyuan, and many noble ladies can only sigh and turn their attention to King Rui.

At such palace banquets, sons and ladies from various official families would gather together, and many families with young people of marriageable age would take the opportunity to see each other.

Those who didn't want to get involved in the royal dispute turned their attention to others.

The most eye-catching ones are Luan An, who was promoted to Shangshu at a young age, and Pei Xuan, who was promoted to lecturer by the emperor after winning the top three prizes in the imperial examinations. These two are handsome and talented, with unlimited future prospects. They will not be involved in the royal disputes and are the first choice of sons-in-law for many noble families.

"Today is New Year's Eve, my friends, let's drink a cup together first!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately stood up and raised their glasses, "Cheers to the Emperor!"

After drinking one cup, Emperor Zhaolie laughed: "Everyone, sit down, no need to be restrained, just be casual."

At this point, the palace banquet officially began.

The sound of stringed instruments rang out, and even though people had argued fiercely in the court in the past, now everyone had a friendly smile on their face.

Chu Ze looked at Chu Heng opposite him and saw that his eyes were always fixed on one place, leaving only his profile visible.

Chu Ze followed his gaze and saw Cheng Jiuyuan looking up at Chu Heng and smiling with a tender look in her eyes.

Chu Ze tightened the wine glass in his hand, tilted his head back and drank a glass of cold wine, then lowered his eyelids to hide the coldness in his eyes.

He could not reveal any of his thoughts in front of his ministers, otherwise he would be shameless.

Only Chu Heng is gone...

When Concubine Xian saw him drink three cups of cold wine in a row, she glanced at the palace maid behind him.

The palace maid came forward to change the fruit wine for him, and Chu Ze realized that he almost lost his composure.

He couldn't afford to make any mistakes now.

He slowly stood up, raised his glass, looked at Emperor Zhaolie and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Last year, everything went as you wished. This year, everything will be as you wish."

"This year everything will go well for you!" Emperor Zhaolie smiled, but his eyes when he looked at Chu Ze were somewhat meaningful.

After Chu Ze toasted, everyone's eyes fell on Chu Heng.

After a long while, Chu Heng did not make any response.

Emperor Zhaolie sighed in his heart. He was lucky enough that he could give him face and attend the palace banquet. He didn't expect him to say anything nice.

Cheng Zongyang kept giving Chu Heng glances, but the boy acted as if he didn't see anything, and his eyes seemed to be glued to his daughter.

Cheng Zongyang had no choice but to stand up and toast on behalf of his future son-in-law.

Chu Ze looked at Cheng Zongyang's skillful manipulation. He knew this prime minister very well and was very good at judging the situation. Perhaps he could start with him.

The palace banquet was coming to an end, and everyone followed Emperor Zhaolie out of the palace.

"boom--"

After a loud, piercing noise, the outside of the hall suddenly became as bright as day.

Fireworks rose into the sky one after another. Everyone looked up. The lights illuminated the night, making it as bright as day. Seven fireworks bloomed like flowers.

The ladies covered their ears with their hands and looked up with bright smiles.

Cheng Jiuyuan huddled together with a few sisters, looking at the night sky.

"Sister Cheng! Look!"

"so beautiful!"

Suddenly, someone held Cheng Jiuyuan's hand. The hand was big and warm, not like a woman's hand.

She tilted her head and fell into a pair of gentle and affectionate eyes.

At some point, Chu Heng stood behind her and quietly took her hand under the cover of his wide sleeves.

The lights are dim, the world is long, and in his eyes, there is only the person in front of him.

No one around noticed, Zhu Jin pointed to the distance and said, "Look! That cluster!"

Cheng Jiuyuan turned around and looked at the fireworks in the sky, feeling very peaceful at this moment.

Yan Yu was watching the fireworks when he heard Pei Xuan's gentle voice coming from not far away, with a hint of helplessness.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Zhang, but I have no plans to start a family for the time being."

"Master Pei, my daughter admires your talent very much. You have seen her in the academy..."

"Master Pei, my niece is also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting..."

Yan Yu looked at Pei Xuan who was surrounded by several adults, and withdrew his gaze with a gloomy expression.

Pei Xuan looked up at Yan Yu's back, then turned around and continued to reject the enthusiasm of the ministers.

Emperor Zhaolie also knew that with his presence, everyone present could not relax, so he watched the fireworks for a while and then left with Concubine Xian and Concubine Chun.

Chu Ze was chatting and laughing with several court officials. He turned around and subconsciously looked for Cheng Jiuyuan, and met Chu Heng's eyes.

Chu Ze's gaze fell on the place covered by the sleeves of the two people, and a hint of coldness flashed across his eyes.

There was a hint of sneer on Chu Heng's lips, and the two of them, separated by the crowd, gradually had murderous looks in their eyes.

Cheng Jiuyuan sensed danger and looked towards Chu Ze, but quickly looked away.

At this time, Lin came over and said, "Yuan'er, I'm worried about Ji'er, so I have to go back first. Are you going back with mother or later..."

"It's getting late. I'll go back with my mother."

She calmly withdrew her hand, greeted Chu Wan and the others, and walked to Lin.

Chu Heng followed her: "I'll take you there."

Several people left amid envy.

Cheng Zongyang and Lin were sitting in the front carriage, while Cheng Jiuyuan and Chu Heng were in the back one.

There was no curfew from New Year's Eve to the 15th day of the first lunar month, but there were not many people on the streets, as most people were at home having reunion dinners.

The carriage passed through the downtown and alleys, and the sound of the wheels turning could be clearly heard in the carriage.

Cheng Jiuyuan touched her face and asked, "Is there something on my face?" Why was he staring at her like that?

"Yuan'er is beautiful."

Cheng Jiuyuan looked up and glared at him, then picked up the snow pear soup that Mu Jin had specially prepared for her.

The soup was a little hot, so she blew on it gently. Her slightly pouting lips looked as crystal clear as petals soaked in morning dew.

Thinking of the lingering kiss last time, his gaze gradually became hot, and the flickering bits of light in his eyes quickly condensed and floated.

Cheng Jiuyuan took a sip gracefully, and her lips, which were covered with the soup, looked even more rosy.

"Yuan'er, do you have any hangover pills?" Chu Heng thought that it might be because he drank too much today, and he felt a little hot.

Cheng Jiuyuan took out a hangover pill and handed it to him. Chu Heng took it and took it, but his condition didn't get much better.

He lowered his eyes and used his strong willpower to dispel those thoughts in his mind.