Yun Qianyu didn’t expect the empress to take note of her. Even though she was stunned, she did not show it. Leading Hua Mei and Little Bell, Yun Qianyu took a step forward and greeted the empress.
“Your subject greets the Empress.”
The empress nodded and saw that Yun Qianyu had covered her face. Not putting any blame on her, the empress just asked, “How’s your face?”
“Your Highness, thank you for your concern. This subject is alright.”
“That’s good. If you were unwell, Ninth brother would surely pester me and the emperor.”
The empress laughed after saying that and the crowd also laughed with her.
Everyone there looked at Yun Qianyu and then toward Xiao Jiuyuan.
No one could see Yun Qianyu’s expression because of her veil. However, Xiao Jiuyuan was obviously annoyed as his face darkened.
When the empress saw him like this, an obviously unhappy expression plastered on his face, she immediately stopped laughing, lest Xiao Jiuyuan do something out of the ordinary. After all, it was a celebration for old madam Chiang. If Xiao Jiuyuan acted out, it would definitely ruin the whole event.
The empress looked into the crowd once more and asked, “Did the second young miss of the Yun family come today as well?”
Immediately, Yun Qianxue came out and greeted the empress with respect, “This subject greets the Empress.”
After looking carefully at Yun Qianxue, the empress felt that there was nothing special about this woman. Even though the empress felt that Xiao Tianyi was strange for liking this woman, she didn’t mind encouraging this marriage.
Thinking about this, the empress said, “As expected, you are beautiful. No wonder Xuan Prince likes you and wants to marry you wholeheartedly.”
Blushing red, Yun Qianyu bowed and said, “This subject thanks the Empress for her praise.”
The empress then looked toward Liu Shi and said, “The Yun family sure have some great daughters. One of them will soon marry Li Prince while the other will marry Xuan Prince. This is an incredible honor for you.”
After the empress finished speaking, Liu Shi quickly got up and respectfully replied, “This is all the emperor and the empress’s will.”
Feeling pleased with Liu Shi’s attitude, the empress let out a smile and said, “You don’t need to be so courteous. Today is just a simple celebration, please feel at ease.”
Even though the empress said that, no one there dared to relax.
Seeing that Liu Shi and the young misses were respectful toward her, the empress was very satisfied. She thought that maybe she could give something to Yun Qianyu and Yun Qianxue at a later date,
a gift for Yun Qianyu because of Xiao Jiuyuan and a gift to Yun Qianxue because of Liu Shi’s manners.
However, before the empress could say anything, she heard a noise outside the hall. It seemed that something was going on outside. With a concerned look on her face, the empress immediately ordered a eunuch by her side to go out and see what had happened outside.
At this time, all the people in the hall looked out of the door. Many people were in a panic as they didn’t know what was going on.
Right at that moment, Hua Mei, who was beside Yun Qianyu, felt a numbness in her legs. Unable to help it, Hua Mei suddenly fell forward toward Yun Qianyu. Xiao Jiuyuan, who was not far away from Yun Qianyu, instinctively pulled Yun Qianyu to the side.
In the blink of an eye, without anyone seeing what had happened, Hua Mei suddenly fell forward, hitting a redwood table. On the table was none other than the jade Guanyin statue which the emperor had gifted to the old madam Chiang.
With a loud crashing sound, the jade Guanyin statue fell to the ground and broke into several pieces.
