The singing and dancing in the main hall were leveling, although occasionally some people still set their eyes on Nalan Ye and Luo Qingluan, but the distance was too far, and they deliberately lowered their voices, so no one knew what they were talking about.

Although he was only angered by Han Xun's arrogance for a while, this Emperor of Western Chu also eased up. Looking at the beautiful palace maids dancing below, the ministers were respectful, and all kinds of flattering words came out in a row, he smiled on his face, and the residual ignition was quickly gone.

When the music stopped, the palace ladies retreated, and it was the turn of the ministers to congratulate. At this time in previous years, Emperor Xichu would issue a special order to allow the harem concubines to come to perform and have a lively time. After all, it is a happy event, and the atmosphere of the royal family and the people of the four countries is quite open, and there will not be too many restrictions when there are special times.

When the queen Wang, who was already a little pregnant, was supported by Song Guifei and appeared first, after the ministers got up to say hello, the other concubines who followed sat behind the queen according to their positions. There are also the family children of the ministers, etc., all of them are in good spirits, dignified in appearance, and the palace maids behind them are also preparing all kinds of musical instruments, including pipa, guqin, jade xiao, flute and so on. There are also those holding painted paintings and calligraphy, waiting to celebrate with Emperor Xichu one by one.

Many dignified and beautiful concubines and daughters appeared, and the atmosphere in the hall was even more celebratory, and Emperor Xichu was full of smiles, and he liked this lively and peaceful atmosphere very much, and even drank two more glasses of wine.

"This year is Your Majesty's 50th birthday, and everyone is waiting to perform for Your Majesty." The dignified and graceful Queen Wang glanced at Emperor Xichu, turned her gaze to His Royal Highness, and said with a smile: "This first show, I don't know which Qing family is willing to come first?" ”

The ministers were enthusiastic, although it was not good to stand up directly and play, but their eyes looked at Queen Wang and Emperor Xichu, and they couldn't wait to call themselves. Some daughters who have other ideas are even more eager to come first, so as to leave a good impression in front of the emperor and empress, and the target is naturally the crown prince Nangong Qing, who has not yet married.

Although there were rumors that the queen had already had a favorite candidate for the crown princess, after such a while, the matter had not yet been decided, and the nobles who were looking forward to marrying the prince were moved again. As long as there is no definite news, no one is willing to lose the election, and this birthday of Emperor Xichu is also a good opportunity to show himself.

"Today is my father's birthday, and my son should be the first to congratulate him."

During the banquet, a man in a gorgeous suit with a long figure and clear eyebrows immediately stood up. The dark red python robe embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns seemed to exude dazzling light, with black hair and shawl, and the hem of the clothes moved slightly, which immediately attracted the attention of the whole hall, and many golden ladies let out a cry of surprise at a glance: "It's His Royal Highness the Prince!" ”

Queen Wang laughed: "Qing'er, what program did you prepare for your father?" ”

Nangong Qing strode to the hall with a smile on his lips, and everyone realized that he had a long sword hanging from his waist. Originally, in the inner palace, except for the forbidden army, it was forbidden for the rest of the people to carry weapons, but it was obvious that this long sword was different. The scabbard is inlaid with all kinds of multicolored gemstones, scorching and gorgeous, and the sword spike is also made of gold wire, which is very valuable, and it is indeed a long sword for decoration.

After pulling it out, everyone saw that this long sword had not been opened, and it was purely used for sword dancing, even if Nangong Qing had not yet spoken, everyone had guessed a few points in their hearts.

"Erchen learned a set of swordsmanship not long ago, and practiced diligently for a while, just to practice it for his father today, and wish his father a better life than Nanshan and happiness like the East China Sea." Nangong Qing shook his long sword, and the tip of the sword pointed down and hugged his fist at Emperor Xichu and said, "I beg my father to allow it." ”

"Hahaha!" Emperor Xichu saw that he was his favorite son, and immediately nodded: "I can't imagine that the emperor is so hearted, okay, you can show your father." ”

"Yes!"

After speaking, Nangong Qing shook his wrist and was already dancing in the hall.

Luo Qingluan could see at a glance that Nangong Qing was also not weak, and he was worthy of being able to lead troops to kill the enemy at such a young age. The sword light in front of him is like snow, Nangong Qing's posture is vigorous, like a swimming dragon between advance and retreat, there is both the sharpness of the sword in his gestures, but there is no murderous aura at all, as if the snowflakes are falling, and the eyes that reflect are shining and reflecting each other.

There was a whirlwind in the hall in an instant, and the courtiers who were closer couldn't help but squint their eyes, and the ladies who didn't have thousands of gold looked at Nangong Qing obsessively, and some of them were full of stars, holding a silk in their hands, nervous and excited, and their white jade-like cheeks were already flushed.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is so powerful!"

"Oh my God, His Royal Highness the Prince's swordsmanship is so beautiful."

"This is swordsmanship...... "A woman was fascinated by it, and said longingly: "Only His Royal Highness the Crown Prince dances so beautifully, and heaven and man descend to earth." ”

Listening to the whispers around him, Luo Qingluan was not too excited. I have already experienced Nalan Ye's more outstanding skills, flying high in the air like walking on the ground, that is the real top master, it is difficult to find. Although Nangong Qing is not bad, this sword dance is also gorgeous, but after all, it is still not half a star. It's good for ordinary people, but in the eyes of real masters, it's just the art of embroidery.

After half a cup of tea, Nangong Qing finally withdrew his hand and arched his hand: "Father, the son is ugly." ”

Emperor Xichu nodded, glanced at Queen Wang, and couldn't hide the admiration in his eyes: "Queen, how did you see Qing'er's performance?" ”

"Okay, Qing'er dances so well." Queen Wang's smiling eyes narrowed into crescents, and she nodded again and again: "Athletic and flexible, it's really good, I'm afraid that Qing'er has worked hard to practice, right?" It's really hard, and it's really filial piety. ”

"Thank you for your praise." Nangong Qing was respectful.

Emperor Xichu laughed, his mood seemed quite good, and after Nangong Qing retreated, he looked at the courtiers below and took the initiative to ask: "Which other Qing family has a show?" ”

As soon as the words fell, everyone became more enthusiastic, and Xuanping Hou stood up first, arching his hand and said: "Your Majesty, in order to congratulate Your Majesty on your birthday, the little girl has already prepared a program, please enjoy it." ”

Yu Chi Lianqing also stood up, dressed in a lotus-colored palace dress, slightly powdered, and deliberately decorated with a pink peach blossom makeup on her forehead, reflecting the delicate skin like jade. The rings between the heads jingled, and the pearl earrings next to the ears swayed and shining, which was already beautiful, and now the dress was even more stunning and moving, which immediately attracted countless people to be stunned and stunned, and they couldn't take their eyes off it.

"The county lord of Yiyang is really getting more and more marked, and Xuanping Hou has a good daughter!" Emperor Xichu smiled kindly, and looked at Yu Chi Lianqing with the eyes of his daughter-in-law.

Ying Yingyi leaned over, and Yu Chi Lianqing said softly: "Your Majesty, the courtiers have a song to dedicate, I wish your Majesty long live, long live, long live!" ”

I had long heard of Yu Chi Lianqing's talented female name, and Queen Wang also expressed great interest and asked her to perform immediately. A moment later, a guzheng was placed on the main hall, and the melodious sound of the piano sounded, attracting everyone's attention.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet before, Luo Qingluan had already heard the sound of Yu Chi Lianqing's piano, which was indeed good, although Yu Chi Lianqing competed with her to steal the limelight last time, but after the incident, she didn't care about it. She didn't have a heart for Nangong Qing in the first place, how could she take such a thing to heart? Since Yu Chi Lianqing likes Nangong Qing, she wants to use her piano skills to attract his attention again at today's birthday banquet, and she doesn't want to put up one more opponent, so it is better for Yu Chi Lianqing to be in the limelight.

As long as she doesn't make a move, Yu Chi Lianqing must be the most shining of the girls tonight.

Sure enough, after playing the song, the scene was silent, and the needle drop could be heard, and even Emperor Xichu could listen to it. Xiao Yuqi, who was sitting in front of the hall, also stared at Yu Chi Lianqing without blinking his eyes, his eyes flashed with a luster that seemed to be absent, and Lin Xiaochen who was not far away was also interested, even Nangong Chen seemed to have lost his mind, and he didn't come back to his senses for a long time.

After that, seven or eight noblewomen performed in turn, and said all kinds of respectful words to Emperor Xichu to congratulate him on his birthday, but they were far less than Wei Chi Lianqing.

Seeing this, Luo Qingluan could see that these noble daughters were ostensibly coming to congratulate Emperor Xichu on his birthday, but they all put their minds on Nangong Qing. After almost every performance, he cast a loving and shy gaze at Nangong Qing, and retreated shyly and timidly.

"Father, the son has also prepared a congratulatory gift." At this time, Nangong Chen stood up and immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Emperor Xichu was happy, and immediately said when he heard this: "Okay, well, the emperor has a heart, is the emperor also ready to perform?" ”

Nangong Chen smiled slightly, and was about to speak, but Luo Qingshuang next to him had already stood up and said first: "Father, the fifth prince and I have prepared a congratulatory gift for you, you will definitely like it." ”

Although Luo Qingshuang interjected at this time, Nangong Chen still didn't say anything, his face sank, and then he smiled with relief: "Yes, father, Qingshuang originally wanted to play a song for her father to show her heart, but she is now pregnant, and her son is reluctant to let her be tired, and she asks her father to forgive her." The son discussed with Qingshuang and drew a picture for you, hoping that his father would like it. ”

"Paintings?" Emperor Xichu laughed, "I don't know what the emperor painted?" ”

Queen Wang liked Luo Qingshuang for being with her for a while ago, and she was also a little curious: "Come up and take a look." ”

Nangong Chen took the brocade box handed over by the palace people, sent it to Emperor Xichu and Empress Wang, opened it respectfully, revealing the picture scroll inside, and said, "This is it." As he spoke, he pulled open the strap on the scroll and unfolded it, which was a foot long and three feet wide.

I saw that the mountains on the picture scroll were stacked on top of each other, the clouds and mist were shrouded, and a stream flowed downstream, meandering to the front, and gradually converging into a surging river. The river flows endlessly, the river bank is lined with green trees, countless buildings, pavilions and pavilions can be seen on the embankment, and a round of red sun shines in the sky, the atmosphere is majestic and lifelike.

"The name of this painting is thousands of miles away." Nangong Chen said loudly: "This painting is painted by Erchen himself, and now I will dedicate this picture of thousands of miles of rivers and mountains to my father, and I wish my father to rule the world and future generations." ”

The last eight words, he said with extra stress, and the ministers in the hall could hear them clearly. The eyes of many officials in Xichu lit up and they nodded one after another, but they didn't notice that Dao Lin Xiao Chen, Xiao Ningyu and a few others had changed their faces.

Emperor Xichu was stunned at first, and then laughed: "Okay, good, the emperor's painting is very good." ”