However, the thought of the Yun family's people fighting bravely on the front lines, resisting the Xiliang army, while they themselves were feasting and celebrating a birthday happily in the rear, made her unable to remain calm in the Jinhua Palace.
Therefore, even if they couldn't divorce her now, she wouldn't let them have a peaceful birthday banquet.
Yun Xiao's eyes darkened, and she opened her mouth to bite. Wanwan's hand was instantly bitten by her, causing her to jump up in pain, shake her hand repeatedly, and cry out loudly.
"Ah, ah, Your Majesty, why are you biting this servant? This servant did not intentionally cover your mouth."
Wanwan's high-pitched scream startled everyone again.
At the banquet, all eyes were drawn to them. They saw the foolish empress with her hands on her hips, glaring angrily, looking as if she were about to go mad, which terrified everyone into silence. They turned their gazes towards the main seat in the center of the banquet.
The Emperor's and the Empress Dowager's expressions became even more unpleasant. Their dark pupils were filled with stormy waves, and they glared grimly at Yun Xiao, as if wishing they could swallow this detestable fool whole.
Yun Xiao, while feigning anger, observed the reactions of everyone at the banquet with a cold eye.
Under the bright palace lanterns, the guests trembled as if walking on thin ice, afraid to breathe. Each of them cautiously watched the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, fearing that any displeasure would lead to their own disaster.
The night wind blew gently, caressing their cheeks with its cool, thin air. Suddenly, a clear, mellow, and low voice sounded.
"Interesting, very interesting."
It was Yan Yu, the Crown Prince of Bei Chao. His previously gloomy face now showed a slight smile. He clapped his hands lightly and looked directly at the Emperor and Empress Dowager, who were about to lose their temper.
"Today is the Empress Dowager's birthday, a joyous occasion. Why bother with a fool?"
As soon as Crown Prince Yan Yu of Bei Chao finished speaking, many people nodded in agreement, murmuring their assent.
"Indeed, the Empress is still foolish. No need to pay attention to her."
At this moment, a minister stood up. It was Grand Tutor Ye, who spoke in a magnetic, deep voice, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, today is still a day of great joy. Why should His Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress Dowager be angered?"
As soon as Grand Tutor Ye finished speaking, many powerful ministers beside him nodded in agreement.
The Empress Dowager, seated at the head, softened her expression slightly and casually glanced at Shuyuan Ye Su Xue.
Ye Su Xue, understanding her aunt's intention, seized the opportunity. She quickly stood up and walked gently to Yun Xiao's side, speaking softly.
"Sister, come, sit down. Let's watch the singing and dancing together."
Her demeanor was incredibly intimate, and her words were exceedingly gentle.
Yun Xiao felt a chill run down her spine, raising goosebumps all over her body, almost making her vomit.
This woman was a true hypocrite. She was clearly plotting against her at every turn, yet she could now appear gentle and lovely in front of the entire court and the Crown Prince and Princess of Bei Chao, all to gain a reputation for virtue.
Good, very good. Since she was being used, could she perhaps get a little revenge? Yun Xiao's eyes flashed, and a smile appeared on her lips, making her look exceptionally cute.
However, a slender finger fiercely pinched Ye Su Xue's arm, and a foot seized the opportunity to step on Ye Su Xue's foot, twisting it forcefully. Ye Su Xue immediately bit her lip in pain, a look of disbelief flashing in her eyes.
She quickly stared intently at Yun Xiao, trying to see if this woman was doing it on purpose, but all she saw was Yun Xiao's adorable smile.
Ye Su Xue's face turned somewhat pale, but she dared not cry out.
The appearance of the foolish empress today had already angered her aunt and the Emperor. If she caused further trouble, she feared she would truly be surpassed by Ye Yuyun in the eyes of the Emperor and her aunt. Therefore, despite the pain, Ye Su Xue gritted her teeth and endured.
Only after Yun Xiao had safely returned to her seat did she, still enduring the pain, walk back to her own.
The banquet fell into a lull. Due to the foolish empress's disruption, the atmosphere in the hall became chilling and somber.
Originally, Shangguan Yao had another purpose for this birthday banquet: to arrange a marriage alliance with Bei Chao.
One possibility was that a daughter of a first-rank official of the Eastern Qin would be favored by Crown Prince Yan Yu of Bei Chao, enfeoffed as a princess, and married to Bei Chao.
Another possibility was that a princess of Bei Chao would marry into Eastern Qin, which was why the Emperor had issued the decree that even the usually low-profile Ye Wuyun attended.
But who knew that it would be disrupted by a fool? The subsequent singing and dancing performances were met with listless efforts from everyone, lacking the enthusiasm of before.
Seeing the situation and his mother's dejected expression, Shangguan Yao's resentment surged again. The coldness in his eyes shot out fierce glints, and he glared directly at Yun Xiao on the side.
Unfortunately, this fool not only remained oblivious but was also quite happy. While others were dispressed, she seemed unaffected. She ate with joy, pointing and gesturing incessantly at the noble ladies in the performance.
Shangguan Yao's chest heaved with anger, but he could do nothing about her.
He couldn't possibly punish this fool in front of the Crown Prince of Bei Chao, simply because she had disrupted the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
If this matter got out, everyone in the world would laugh at him. Thus, he could only swallow this frustration, becoming more agitated the more he thought about it.
In contrast to Shangguan Yao's misery, Yun Xiao was the opposite. She enjoyed the talents of the noble ladies while feasting on delicious food, and she could also take the opportunity to admire Shangguan Yao's gloomy expression.
However, she furrowed her delicate brows, secretly wondering how Liu Xing was doing.
As she was thinking, applause erupted from below. It turned out another noble lady had finished her performance. Yun Xiao did not forget to join in the applause, smiling exceptionally happily.
She knew that Shangguan Yao was constantly observing her, and in his heart, he must wish he could cut her into a thousand pieces. The thought of his current anger made her smile even more heartily, and her applause became even more enthusiastic.
The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet this time was not solely for celebrating her birthday; it seemed to have the added implication of a marriage alliance.
The Crown Prince and Princess of Bei Chao had specially come to attend the Empress Dowager's birthday.
Eastern Qin had also spared no effort in presenting the daughters and sons of the first-rank officials of the court. It was obvious to anyone with discerning eyes that there was an intention for a marriage alliance between the two countries.
Yun Xiao's gaze swept across the hall. It seemed many women were interested in Yan Yu, the Crown Prince of Bei Chao.
Naturally, Yan Yu, the Crown Prince of Bei Chao, was tall and slender, with charming features and an imposing demeanor. He carried an air of royal dominance and nobility in every gesture. How could such a man not appeal to women, especially with his distinguished status?
As for the Princess of Bei Chao, her beautiful, sharp eyes were fixed directly on Shangguan Yao, the Emperor of Eastern Qin.
Shangguan Yao, a dragon among men, being fancied by Princess Yan Ling of Bei Chao was not unusual.
However, the moment Yun Xiao thought about Shangguan Yao being drugged, her mouth spread into an even wider grin.
If the Princess of Bei Chao knew that the man she fancied was incapable of intimate relations, she wondered how annoyed she would be. xxs壹贰
The banquet was nearing its end. What remained were guessing lantern riddles and the matters of alliance. The Empress Dowager was already somewhat tired and yawned before standing up.
"I am tired. The subsequent lantern riddles are for you young people to enjoy."
"We escort Your Majesty."
Shangguan Yao stood up, and everyone below also stood, including Crown Prince Yan Yu of Bei Chao. They all respectfully saw off the Empress Dowager.
Throughout the entire banquet, only Yun Xiao sat boldly and naturally in her seat, not moving at all.
Of course, no one paid attention to her rudeness. At this point, everyone felt a sense of disregard towards her; otherwise, they would surely have been infuriated.