Chapter 56 Awakening the Dust-sealed Man
The prince's face became even gloomier when he heard this.
As the saying goes, if you lose a bet, you must accept the consequences. Since he is unwilling to bow his head and apologize to Song Shiwei, he must drink the wine as a penalty.
Otherwise, if today's incident gets out, where is the dignity of the Crown Prince and the Eastern Palace?
"My Royal Brother, you are joking. I accept the punishment!"
As he spoke, the prince grabbed the jar of wine on the table, opened the lid, and began to drink from it in big gulps.
A lot of wine spilled, soaking his clothes.
The prince had never been as embarrassed as he was today. He secretly clenched his hands and could only force himself to continue drinking.
Sun was extremely nervous and wanted to speak up to stop them, but Marquis Yongning grabbed her arm and shook his head at her.
It was the Crown Prince who proposed this bet with Prince Ling. If he lost the bet, he should accept the punishment so that he could learn a lesson.
After drinking a jar of wine, the prince was already a little staggering and unconscious.
The wine jar in his hand fell to the ground with a thud.
He looked at the people around him, only to find that they were becoming more and more blurry, and finally they fell headfirst onto the table and lost consciousness.
Sun was so frightened that she hurriedly asked someone to help the prince down to rest, and she, who was worried about him, also went to take care of him.
After this little episode, the banquet continued.
Soon, someone from the palace came to convey the imperial decree that His Majesty had graciously conferred the title of Princess Rong'an on Gu Tinglan, which was a great honor for the Yongning Marquisate.
After thanking him, Li Defu, the eunuch in charge of delivering the imperial edict, asked the Marquis of Yongning, "Which one is the eldest daughter of the Marquis Cheng'en's mansion?"
Yongning Hou was stunned for a moment, then pointed at Song Shiwei who was kneeling at the back of the crowd.
Li Defu looked at Song Shiwei, waved the whisk in his hand, and sang in a sharp voice: "His Majesty learned that Miss Song attracted hundreds of birds to sing at the banquet, adding auspiciousness to the banquet in the Marquis' Mansion. His Majesty was very pleased and granted a special reward. Please invite Miss Song to come forward and listen to the reward."
Song Shiwei was a little surprised. Her piano music actually alarmed His Majesty?
She calmed her mind, walked forward, knelt on the ground and listened to His Majesty's reward to her.
In addition to some words of praise, His Majesty rewarded her with an ancient zither that had been handed down from generation to generation, some jewelry, silks and satins, etc.
Song Shiwei thanked her.
Li Defu personally helped Song Shiwei up and said, "Miss Song, don't forget to go to the palace tomorrow to express your gratitude. Your good fortune is still to come."
He looked at Song Shiwei again with a smile, then left with the palace maids and eunuchs.
After sending away the chief eunuch in the palace, the noble ladies looked at the things that His Majesty had rewarded Song Shiwei, their eyes red with jealousy.
Who could have thought that Song Shiwei would be so lucky that she could receive the emperor's favor with just a piece of music, while they tried their best but ended up helping others.
Someone said sarcastically, "Miss Gu's coming-of-age banquet really made her the center of attention."
"If you have such ability, you can also receive His Majesty's grace."
Qin Yueyao said something to that person, then walked to Song Shiwei and pulled her away. She asked, "Do you know why His Majesty rewarded you?"
Song Shiwei asked in confusion: "Why?"
Qin Yueyao sighed and lowered her voice, "My mother told me that more than ten years ago, there was a person who attracted hundreds of birds to celebrate with a song. Do you know who this person was?"
Song Shiwei's eyelids twitched, and she suddenly had a bad feeling.
Then Qin Yueyao said, "It's the late Empress Huo, your Majesty's first wife."
She added: "Although the Huo family has a reputation of collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country, Your Majesty has deep feelings for Queen Huo.
In the past, Empress Huo's music "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" became famous throughout the world. However, since her death, no one has been able to attract birds with a piece of music again.
I'm afraid that your song of birds singing today reminded His Majesty of his deceased wife and also got you into trouble.
You have to know that the one in the Empress Dowager now hates Empress Huo to death.
Over the years, no one has dared to mention the name of Empress Huo, and you will surely be hated for awakening the forgotten person with your piano music.
Of course this is just my guess, I hope I am overthinking it, anyway you should be more careful in the future."
Song Shiwei nodded and said, "Thank you, Sister Qin."
Qin Yueyao clapped her hands, then turned and walked away.
The banquet at the Marquis's Mansion did not end until the afternoon.
Song Shiwei left the Yongning Marquis Mansion with a carriage full of rewards and two boxes of prizes she had won.
Shen Suyun sat in the carriage, looking at the gilded treasure boxes, her eyes almost popped out, she was envious and jealous.
Why wasn't she the one who received the reward?
She couldn't help but want to open the boxes and see the treasures inside.
As soon as I reached out my hand, I heard Song Shiwei say, "I advise you not to touch it.
These are gifts from the emperor. If you damage them or take them without permission, it would be a crime of disrespect."
Shen Suyun was frightened by her. She pouted and said, "Can't I even take a look?"
Song Shiwei said, "I am doing this for your own good. If you get itchy and set your eyes on someone, and you take them without asking, you will lose your head."
"you……"
Shen Suyun was so angry that she turned her head away angrily, feeling a little regretful.
If she had not taken Song Shiwei's jade bracelet, perhaps she would have had a share of these imperial gifts.
However, she couldn't lower her head to please Song Shiwei.
After an awkward journey, the carriage stopped in front of the Shen family’s gate.
Shen Suyun was the first to open the curtain and get out of the car, and saw her mother and second brother waiting at the door.
She hurried over and said, "Mom, second brother, what are you doing here?"
Old Madam Shen had already heard the news and knew that Song Shiwei had made a stunning debut at the banquet and had even received a reward from His Majesty.
She always felt that this didn't seem real.
Seeing Shen Suyun, the old lady hurriedly held her arm and asked, "Is it true? Did Song really receive a reward from His Majesty?"
Shen Suyun curled her lips: "Yes, His Majesty rewarded her with many things, but she is very stingy, all..."
Before she could finish her words, Old Madam Shen let go of her hand and rushed to the front of the carriage, shouting, "My dear daughter-in-law, you have worked so hard."
Shen Suyun looked at this scene, stomped her feet in anger, turned around and left alone.
As soon as Song Shiwei got out of the car, Mrs. Shen warmly held her arm.
His caring attitude towards her was completely different from his usual attitude.
She sneered in her heart.
This old lady is really realistic. When she was unknown, she looked down on you and acted like a mother-in-law to set rules for you.
Now that she has become famous in the capital with a song and has received a reward from His Majesty, the old lady's attitude towards her has changed drastically, and she calls her a good daughter-in-law all the time.
It's so disgusting.
The Shen family truly embodies the ugliness of human nature to the fullest.
"Miss."
Shen Linchuan had a gentle smile on his face, his eyes full of affection as he said, "My lady, you must be tired. I'll help you go back and rest."
He stepped forward to support Song Shiwei, and put his other hand around her waist.