MTLNOVEL Chapter 725 - 725: Hundred-Day Feast
Chapter 725: Chapter 725: Hundred-Day Feast
Liu Zhi’er was particularly curious, “Sisi, who is that? Are you playing some kind of charade?”
“I’m not sure how to explain this to you. Let’s go over there first, I will explain it to you later when I come out.”
Liu Sisi didn’t dare be vague, she quickly followed Di Yelei and walked hurriedly.
The guests outside had already begun dining, and the large garden and the front and back living rooms were already filled with tables and chairs, seated densely with relatives and friends.
Di Yelei led the three of them with a fist greeting to thank everyone.
“Everyone! Today is my son’s hundred-day feast, the food and wine may not be sufficient, please don’t dislike it and feel free to help yourselves! Please enjoy and join in celebrating my son’s hundred-day feast!”
The guests nearby also quickly greeted with their fists, “No problem at all, Lord Di, you’re too courteous!”
“The table is already filled with food, if this is considered insufficient, then what is sufficient!”
“Lord Di, please also come over and have a few drinks! Today, none of us shall return until we are drunk!”
“…”
There was endless laughter and merriment among the many guests.
“Everyone, everyone! Ye Lei thanks you all for coming.”
Di Yelei quickly thanked the many guests with a smile and a fist greeting, “Everyone can go ahead and start eating and drinking. Give me a moment as I have some elders and other guests in the other room. Excuse me, excuse me!”
It was understandable that he needed to accompany some elders, so everyone laughed and replied: “Sure, go ahead, Lord Di.”
Taking this opportunity, Di Yelei led the three of them through the hall filled with guests towards the inner hall. They walked along the corridor all the way to the waterside pavilion where they discovered it was surrounded by a dense crowd of imperial guards, completely blocking it off. These guards were armored from head to toe, holding long spears, their eyes sparkling with restrained energy, a sight that immediately conveyed a palpable sense of menace.
Liu Sisi and Di Yelei exchanged a glance, apprehensive.
Last time this visitor came, there wasn’t such a grand display. Why the sudden change today?
At this moment, Ms. Gao brought Ms. Yao over.
Upon seeing Liu Sisi, Ms. Yao quickly asked, “Sisi, Ms. Gao said you wanted to see me?”
“It’s not me who wants to see you, but that person wants to see us.”
Liu Sisi shook her head gently and spoke softly.
“That person?”
“Yes, that person.” Liu Sisi confirmed with a nod.
Ms. Yao realized what was happening, “Ah! That person?”
“Yes.”
Upon this realization, Ms. Yao almost collapsed to the ground, barely being held up by the three sisters.
Just as they were about to continue the conversation, a beardless old man with a pale face emerged from the room. “Prefecture Princess, Prince Consort, the Master has been waiting for a long time. Please hurry.”
Liu Sisi reached out and touched Ms. Yao’s hand, then stepping forward, she entered the room with Di Yelei.
Inside the room, Zhao Yuanlang, sitting at the head of the table, was resting with his eyes closed. Hearing their salutations, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze swept over everyone, finally resting on Ms. Yao.
“So, you are Ms. Yao? Lift your head!”
As Ms. Yao’s body trembled, she forced herself to raise her head to look at Zhao Yuanlang. Then she quickly lowered it again.
“Young Master Yuan…”
“Young Master Yuan? Hehe, no one has addressed me like that for many years.”
Zhao Yuanlang felt immensely nostalgic: “I still remember when I went to the Drunken Moon Restaurant to see Xin’er and introduced myself as Young Master Yuan. You were always standing behind Xin’er, shyly lowering your head. If you hadn’t shared such a striking resemblance to Xin’er, I would’ve almost failed to recognize you. I really didn’t expect the passing of time has aged you so, and that your child has grown so much!”
Ms. Yao shuddered for a moment, then had a sense of calm and quietly replied: “It’s surprising that Young Master Yuan remembers a lowly woman like me. Back then, my mistress was as beautiful as a flower, and I was really nothing but a firefly in her light. It would be understandable if Young Master Yuan had forgotten me.”
“Those are old things now. You have done a great service by raising Ruyu over the years. If there is anything you wish, just ask and I will make it happen!”
Zhao Yuanlang waved his hand happily, clearly excited to see his old acquaintances.
Liu Sisi was genuinely happy. If Ms. Yao asked for a favor, the other party would surely not refuse.
Ms. Yao was obviously taken aback, her eyes wide. After a while, she once again bowed and said: “I was only fulfilling my promise to the young lady. I didn’t do anything particularly worthy of merit and I dare not take any credit. I hope Young Master Yuan will retract his statement.”
Ms.Yao actually refused his offer, causing everyone present to gape in surprise. They hadn’t expected this.
Zhao Yuanlang couldn’t help but praise her: “Very well! You have done well. No wonder Xin’er thought so highly of you. Since you refuse, I will make you a Fifth-Rank Decree Lady and grant you a yearly salary of 500 Dans to ensure your comfortable living for the rest of your life.”
Ms. Yao’s face expressed neither joy nor sorrow. She quietly gave thanks: “I thank Young Master Yuan for his gracious reward.”
“Very well! Having seen you today, I have finally put one of my worries to rest. Are you two Ruyu’s good sisters? Very good, I will reward all of you later. You may leave now.”
“Yes.”
Once Ms. Yao and the others took their leave, Zhao Yuanlang pounded the table and looked at Di Yelei and Liu Sisi.
Liu Sisi stood there unmoving, her eyes focused straight ahead.
After a long while, Zhao Yuanlang spoke again: “Ruyu, come here, sit beside your Father Emperor.”
Liu Sisi felt an indescribable feeling inside her, one that she couldn’t express to others. She silently took two steps forward and gently sat down beside Zhao Yuanlang.
Zhao Yuanlang looked at her carefully, his eyes glowing with excitement.
“At the end of this month, your Father Emperor will return to the capital. You should come back with me. You are my princess. It’s not right for you to live among the civilians. At least you should come back to the capital with me to recognize your ancestral roots.”
“Recognize my ancestral roots?” Liu Sisi softly responded, “You can’t tell others about my identity and origin. Besides, now that Ruyu is married and has a child, it might be better to maintain the status quo and avoid complications.”
“All women are bound to be married. How is this related to you recognizing your roots? If you are willing to return to the capital with me, we will leave at the end of this month. Take your time to ponder, you don’t need to reply to me immediately.”
A subtle smile played on Liu Sisi’s lips. She lowered her eyes modestly and replied: “Yes, Father Emperor.”
While everyone was chitchatting inside, the hall outside was bustling.
Hearing countless praises and congratulations from the various guests, Elder Di couldn’t stop his laughter from flowing. His heart was filled with sweetness and joy.
However, not long after, someone approached him and whispered a few words into his ear. The smile on his face froze in place.
Fortunately, he was an experienced old man. After a moment, he recovered and continued to chat with others, although his thoughts had flown far away.