flstandardbreds Chapter 106 Great opportunity
Chapter 106 Great opportunity
At this moment, Cui Rongrong's eyes inadvertently swept over Shen Yumian, and the expression on the other's face was just as she expected, full of frustration and unwillingness.
Shen Yumian's carefully planned plan failed, and she must have been filled with resentment and wanted to curse her with the most vicious words.
Cui Rongrong had already made plans in her mind. The time for the Shen family to present their gifts was not far away. Thinking of this, a cold light flashed in her eyes.
The music died down, and the jugglers quietly left the stage. The emperor looked at the queen mother with a smile on his face, and said, "This year, there are endless new and wonderful programs for your mother's birthday, and it is even more lively. Han'er has done a better job than I expected. What do you think, mother?"
The Queen Mother smiled from ear to ear and nodded repeatedly: "It has been a long time since we have had such a lively time. I am very pleased to be able to share such a happy time with the Emperor."
The emperor's expression became complicated, with a mixture of nostalgia for the past and some indescribable emotions.
At this moment, a eunuch hurried forward and interrupted his thoughts: "Your Majesty, Shen Jianyi presents a gift! A pair of exquisite enameled red and white coral bonsai!"
Shen Yumian's anger subsided a little. Her father had taken great pains to find this gift. Even though Cui Rong had just stolen the limelight, her father's next gift would surely make everyone's eyes light up and make Cui Rong's brilliance dim.
Shen Jianyi stood up and carefully directed the eunuchs to move the precious bonsai, whispering: "Be careful, these are rare treasures!"
He bowed respectfully to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, his voice full of pride: "I have searched all over the world and finally found this pair of enamel coral bonsai. I hope they can bring happiness, health and longevity to the Empress Dowager!"
The Queen Mother smiled, her eyes gleaming with gentleness, and she said slowly, "Master Shen, you are really thoughtful. This coral, as a sacred object of Buddhism, not only symbolizes good luck, but also implies flourishing and great blessings. Look at the bright colors and lifelike shapes of this coral. Master Shen must have spent a lot of effort and time to find such a fine product."
Shen Jianyi bowed slightly, with a humble and sincere smile, and replied: "As long as I can make the Queen Mother smile, all the efforts I have made are worth it. It's just a small matter, not worth mentioning."
Just as Shen Jianyi was about to unveil the red cloth covering the coral to show this carefully selected gift, Cui Rong, who was standing beside him, lightly hooked her fingers under her skirt, and almost no one noticed.
Shen Jianyi's feet slipped and his body swayed suddenly. In panic, he instinctively reached out and grabbed the coral bonsai. Although he managed to stabilize his body, there was a crisp and heart-pounding breaking sound.
He lowered his head and saw that the coral branch in his hand had broken. The originally vibrant scene instantly became incomplete. Shen Jianyi's face turned pale in an instant. He looked up at the empress dowager and saw that the smile on her face seemed to be frozen.
Shen Jianyi's heart tightened, and he quickly knelt on the ground, begging with a trembling voice: "Please forgive my unintentional mistake, Your Majesty!"
Shen Yumian, the daughter of Shen Jianyi, was also as pale as paper at this moment. The whispers of the guests around her were like sharp blades, and every word pierced her heart.
"Coral symbolizes longevity. Lord Shen accidentally broke it. Doesn't this indicate that it is not good for the Queen Mother's life span?" "It is really disturbing that such an ominous thing happened on such a festive occasion!"
These discussions spread rapidly like oil boiling over a raging fire, and eventually reached the emperor's ears.
The emperor was furious when he heard this and shouted, "How dare you! Shen Jianyi, how dare you do such a treasonous act at the Queen Mother's birthday banquet? Are you deliberately cursing the Queen Mother?!"
Then he gave the order: "Come here, take Shen Jianyi down and detain him immediately!"
Shen Jianyi kowtowed repeatedly and begged for mercy with tears in his eyes: "Your Majesty, please spare me! Queen Mother, please spare me! I really didn't mean to do that. I just slipped because I was careless..."
However, the emperor did not give him a chance to explain himself. His cold voice pierced through the clamor: "So many people were safe and sound before, why did Shen Jianyi make a mistake? This coral is obviously an ominous sign!"
"Get rid of this ominous thing immediately and stop it from being an eyesore!"
At the emperor's order, the eunuchs hurried forward and carefully moved the broken coral, while the guards dragged Shen Jianyi away roughly, completely ignoring his desperate cries and pleas for mercy.
The emperor snorted coldly and said dissatisfiedly: "A good birthday banquet was ruined by such an unlucky thing! My mother is blessed with great fortune, so she will not mind it, but this matter must be explained."
The Queen Mother sighed softly, with a hint of helplessness in her tone: "Now that things have come to this, I am no longer in the mood to celebrate. Let's go back to the palace first."
The nanny beside her hurried forward, carefully helped the empress dowager to stand up, and slowly left the table.
Upon seeing this, the guests stood up and saluted, and the atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became depressing and heavy.
Seeing this, the empress moved lightly, approached the emperor, and comforted him in a gentle voice: "Your Majesty, please do not be angry. The emperor's health is the most important. Let the Ministry of Justice handle the matter of Shen Jianyi according to the law."
When Shen Yumian heard the Queen's words, she hurried forward, tears in her eyes, and begged, "Your Majesty, please forgive my father! He really didn't do it on purpose!"
Cui Rong watched quietly from the side. Facing Shen Yumian's tears, there was no fluctuation in her eyes, only indifference and alienation.
All of this is Shen Yumian's own fault!
The emperor was indifferent to Shen Yumian's crying and pleading, and responded coldly: "It is your father's fault. No matter who pleads for mercy, I will not let it go easily!"
After saying this, the emperor turned away, and the banquet came to a sad end.
The guests gradually dispersed, and many of them cast reproachful and angry glances at Shen Yumian as they passed by, as if they were blaming Shen Jianyi for ruining their chance to show their loyalty to the emperor.
Originally, the Queen Mother's rare joy and the easing of her relationship with the Emperor were a great opportunity for the Shen family, which could bring glory to the family.
However, those noble women who were once close to Shen Yumian were now trying to avoid her for fear of being implicated.
Only Cui Rong took a step forward and gently helped Shen Yumian up.
Cui Rongrong tried to comfort Shen Yumian in a soft voice: "Sister Shen, don't worry. His Majesty's anger has not dissipated yet, but Lord Shen is an important minister. After His Majesty's anger subsides, there may be a turnaround."
"However, before that, Lord Shen may have to endure some suffering." Her words contained both comfort and the cruelty of reality.
Shen Yumian stared at Cui Rong absentmindedly, her eyes full of undisguised resentment, but Cui Rong seemed to ignore it and just reminded her softly: "Sister Shen, your eyes are red, you should go back and rest early."