Chapter 203: The Demon Lord Princess's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 203: First Meeting with the Eastern Empress

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Yan Si said with a smile, "Yes, today's matters are settled, the hour is indeed not early, we had better return early. After all, we promised your Huangdi to dine together this evening."

Shangguan Xingyan nodded slightly in reply, "Then let's go, return to the palace!" Having spoken, the two boarded the luxurious carriage; wheels rumbled, horse hooves rang crisply in the air, and they sped toward the Imperial Palace.

Before long, the carriage came to a steady halt at the Palace Gate. Yan Si and Shangguan Xingyan alighted and walked side by side into the Gongdian. They reached the Qin Dian and, without the slightest pause, immediately continued discussing tomorrow's final preparations in detail.

The palace maids, quick-eyed and swift-handed, had long since prepared fragrant tea, placed it gently on the table, then quietly retired.

The two sat around the table, sipping tea while heatedly discussing every detail. Time slipped by unnoticed; just then a young eunuch came running with a message: "Reporting to Your Highness and Adult, the evening meal is ready, please proceed to Yangxin Hall to dine together." Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xingyan and Yan Si rose at once and walked toward Yangxin Hall without hesitation.

Because they had hurried, when they arrived at Yangxin Hall they discovered they were actually the first to arrive. The two exchanged a smile, casually chose a seat, sat down, and rested briefly.

However, not long after, a light footfall sounded — it was Shangguan Xingyu arriving. Yan Si looked toward the sound and was instantly captivated by the sight before him, freezing completely.

He saw Shangguan Xingyu clad in a stunning red palace attire, embroidered with exquisite patterns in gold thread that shimmered entrancingly in the candlelight.

Perhaps because this was a family banquet, she had not applied heavy makeup, only a light touch of powder and rouge, yet her already delicate little face now appeared even more radiant, charming and dewy, like a peach blossom in full spring bloom, utterly endearing.

And the hair ornaments atop Shangguan Xingyu's exquisite head were all crafted of pure gold; moreover, each ornament was meticulously adorned with long, dangling tassels.

Yan Si stared at Shangguan Xingyu just like that, dazed, momentarily forgetting what he had originally intended to say. Yet Yan Si's burning gaze made Shangguan Xingyu blush to her ears, shy and flustered.

At this moment, Shangguan Xingyan at his side, seeing this, couldn't help but teasingly give Yan Si a light push and quip, "Hey, snap out of it!"

That one push and one shout jolted Shangguan Xingyu and Yan Si as if waking from a dream; both blushed simultaneously and hurriedly lowered their heads. The atmosphere at this moment was exceptionally subtle and ambiguous.

Just as this subtle mood permeated the air, a sudden, unusually sharp and piercing male voice shattered the tranquility — "The Emperor arrives, the Empress arrives!" Hearing this, the three people present leapt to their feet as if shocked, all turning their heads toward the Men Kou.

They saw Shangguan Peilin, wearing a magnificent bright Minghuang Dragon Robe, striding ahead with head held high, while the stately and elegant Empress followed close behind, only about a single step's distance from Shangguan Peilin.

As the two slowly approached, Shangguan Xingyu, quick-eyed and swift-handed, immediately called out crisply, "Huangdi, Mother!" Immediately after, Shangguan Xingyan hurriedly echoed from behind her.

Upon hearing her own little daughter's clear, sweet call, the Empress's face instantly bloomed with a doting yet slightly reproachful smile; she laughed and scolded, "You little monkey, you finally know to come back! A girl, running around all day following your Elder Brother everywhere!"

Shangguan Xingyu wore a coquettish pout, moved with light lotus steps, quickly reached the Empress, extended her jade hand and gently took the Empress's fair, tender arm, parting her vermilion lips to say, "Mother, your daughter missed you!" Her voice was clear and melodious, like an oriole leaving the valley, stirring pity and affection.

Hearing this, the Empress's face bloomed with a gentle smile; her beautiful eyes gazed at this daughter, lovely as flower and jade, filled with doting affection.

Just then, a low, magnetic voice reached their ears, instantly drawing both their attention. Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a tall, handsome man striding quickly forward.

The man drew near, first bowing respectfully to the Emperor and Empress, then said evenly, "Subject Yan Si pays respects to the Emperor, pays respects to the Empress." His movements were graceful and proper, his etiquette impeccable, compelling admiration.

Only now did the Empress get to carefully examine this man named Yan Si. Previously, she had heard the Emperor speak of this person's deeds many times. The Emperor praised Yan Si incessantly, calling him exceptionally gifted in commerce, a rare commercial genius.

The Empress herself held no prejudice against merchants, nor did she consider their status lowly. On the contrary, hearing the Emperor repeatedly praise Yan Si, she couldn't help but feel curious, wanting to see just what kind of figure he was. She never expected to encounter him today at a family banquet.

The Empress smiled faintly and said softly, "Today is a family banquet, no need for excessive ceremony. Please rise quickly!" The Emperor, seeing this, also nodded in agreement: "Right, since it's a family banquet, there's no need to cling to these cumbersome formalities. Let's just take our seats quickly!"

With that, the Emperor moved first to the Zhuo Wei and sat down. Then the Empress, with myriad grace, seated herself beside the Emperor. Immediately after, Yan Si and the others took their seats in turn.

Once everyone was seated, the Emperor picked up his chopsticks, took the first dish from the table, put it in his mouth, and savored it carefully. Seeing the Emperor had started, the others all picked up their chopsticks and ate heartily.

And Shangguan Peilin was never one to be rigid or hidebound; he didn't much care for the so-called rule "no talking while eating, no speaking while sleeping."

Thus, amid the exceptionally lively banquet with cups interchanging, Shangguan Xingyan excitedly reported to Shangguan Peilin in detail the latest progress of the shop management. She spoke incessantly of every detail, from the initial planning to the remarkable results achieved now, her words unable to conceal her pride.

The Emperor sat above, listening attentively to Shangguan Xingyan's account, a satisfied smile appearing on his face from time to time. After she finished, the Emperor nodded repeatedly, praising unstintingly, "Xingyan, well done! Didn't expect you to have such talent and ability in commerce." Hearing the Emperor's praise, Shangguan Xingyan was overjoyed, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.

However at this moment, the Empress sitting to the side smiled gently; she looked at Shangguan Xingyan warmly and said, "Younger Brother, it's been so long since this palace has seen you so invested in something like this. Never before have I seen you so proactive; now not only are you interested, but you do it so outstandingly — truly remarkable."