When Consort Jing saw Ming Jiuxiao, even though she had prepared herself mentally, her heart still skipped a beat.
This nephew of hers, dressed so eccentrically, was not as unreliable as he appeared on the surface. His methods were quite ruthless. She wondered what his purpose was for attending the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration this time.
After all, these organizations from the martial world were always unwilling to have any dealings with people from the imperial court. Yet, she couldn't understand why Ming Jiuxiao would personally show up to offer birthday wishes to the Empress Dowager.
Back then, she was able to marry into the royal family by using the name of a certain official’s daughter, marrying into the Prince Rui’s manor (the manor of the current Emperor before his ascension).
In reality, her true name was not Luo Yulan, but Ming Yulan. Her original identity was the biological sister of the former Grand Elder of the Remnant Moon Tower. Later, she was manipulated by Lin Zhenfan to betray her brother and escape from the Remnant Moon Tower. By chance, she impersonated Luo Yulan, who shared the same given name but a different surname, to enter the palace for the imperial selection. Lin Zhenfan, upon learning of this, told her to go along with it, making her his highest-ranking pawn within the imperial family.
Hmph!
Thinking back, she was truly foolish back then. She had given her all to Lin Zhenfan, and he had only been with her to use her. It was truly pathetic!
When Lin Zhenfan saw Ming Jiuxiao appear, his expression immediately turned grim. He couldn't fathom this fellow's purpose for attending the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration.
"Ming Jiuxiao offers birthday wishes to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager live for ten thousand years and become younger and younger!"
Ming Jiuxiao bypassed the Emperor and directly paid his respects to the Empress Dowager.
"Haha, Jiuxiao, it's been a few years, and I never expected you to grow up so much. Your appearance hasn't changed; you're still as handsome as you were when you were little," the Empress Dowager said, looking at Ming Jiuxiao with smiling eyes.
Hearing the Empress Dowager's warm words towards Ming Jiuxiao, everyone present was stunned. The Empress Dowager actually knew this Ming Jiuxiao, and their relationship seemed quite good. What was going on?
"Empress Dowager, you haven't changed either. You're still as young and beautiful as when I first saw you," Ming Jiuxiao said with a cooing voice.
"You child, your words are so sweet! Several years ago, I sent you many letters asking you to visit me in the capital, but you always refused, citing busyness. You've finally deigned to visit me today."
Hearing Ming Jiuxiao's words, the Empress Dowager's eyes narrowed into crescent moons with a smile. Then, she chided Ming Jiuxiao playfully.
"Haha, Empress Dowager, Jiuxiao has always thought of you."
Ming Jiuxiao said with another sweet, coy tone, raising his hand to lightly cover his nose with his fan. Then, he swayed his slender waist a couple of times, almost making everyone present burst out laughing. However, Ming Jiuxiao paid no attention to the gazes of others.
"Empress Dowager, today is your birthday. Jiuxiao doesn't have many good things to present as a birthday gift, so I'll offer you a painting of 'Peaches of Immortality for Longevity'."
After speaking, he snapped his fingers in the air. Two young women holding a scroll walked to the center of the grand hall and slowly unfurled the scroll, facing the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
A lifelike painting of 'Peaches of Immortality for Longevity' was presented before everyone, astonishing even the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
"Empress Dowager, I obtained this 'Peaches of Immortality for Longevity' painting unintentionally during my travels in the Western Regions a few years ago. Jiuxiao presents it to you as a birthday gift. I hope you won't dislike it," Ming Jiuxiao said with a smile.
"Jiuxiao, how could I dislike such a precious and beautiful painting of 'Peaches of Immortality for Longevity'? Come, someone, quickly escort the Grand Elder of the Remnant Moon Tower to a seat!"
The Empress Dowager replied very courteously and then instructed the palace servants to guide Ming Jiuxiao to a seat. However, before taking his seat, Ming Jiuxiao suddenly turned sideways and winked at Leng Ruoli, infuriating Jun Mohan to the point of wanting to kill.
Fortunately, everyone had become immune to Ming Jiuxiao's flirtatious gestures and extravagant behaviors. Otherwise, this wink at Leng Ruoli would have undoubtedly led to gossip among everyone present.
"Next, we invite the heir of the Five Hundred Year Reclusive Family, Xie Yichuan, into the hall!"
At this moment, Eunuch Li called out again.
The appearance of Xie Yichuan, the heir of this mysterious five-hundred-year reclusive family, immediately piqued everyone's curiosity.
All eyes turned towards the entrance of the hall.
After a moment of waiting, a man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with silver lotus patterns on a dark background, holding a landscape ink painting fan, walked into the hall with steady and unhurried steps.
He had thick eyebrows, slightly upturned at the edges. Beneath his long, slightly curled eyelashes were a pair of piercingly bright eyes, as clear as morning dew. His nose was aquiline, his lips were perfectly shaped, and his fair skin... everything about him exuded nobility and elegance.
The lotus patterns on his white robe were faintly visible, and a white jade pendant hung from his waist. A white silk cord tied back more than half of his ink-black hair, pulling it high up at the back of his head, further highlighting the man's nobility, gentleness, and refined demeanor.
Behind Xie Yichuan followed a guard dressed in dark, close-fitting attire, carrying a flower pot covered with a red cloth.
Seeing such a strikingly handsome man, everyone was mesmerized. Especially the young married women and maidens, their hearts fluttered, and their faces blushed.
"My heavens! This Xie Yichuan is too handsome! He's like a celestial god descended from heaven."
However, upon seeing Xie Yichuan's appearance, Leng Jinyu not only felt a sense of déjà vu but was immediately reminded of the stranger who had saved him that night. Especially Xie Yichuan's familiar eyes. He was certain at a glance that the man who had saved him that night was Xie Yichuan.
Leng Ruoli also felt a mix of emotions upon seeing Xie Yichuan's face, as she felt a strange sense of familiarity towards him. However, after searching her memories carefully, she was certain she didn't know this person. But she failed to notice that Jun Mohan, sitting beside her, became jealous due to her inexplicable expression.
"Xie Yichuan greets the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, wishing the Empress Dowager fortune as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity like the Southern Mountains!"
Xie Yichuan cupped his hands in a salute towards the Emperor and the Empress Dowager seated at the head of the hall, then offered a congratulatory remark to the Empress Dowager.
"Young Master Xie, you are too kind! I never expected that I, an old woman, could invite a descendant of the Xie family to my birthday banquet. This is truly a great occasion!"
Xie Yichuan smiled upon hearing this.
"Empress Dowager, Yichuan has also prepared a birthday gift for you today."
Saying this, he turned around and lifted the red cloth covering the flower pot. A blooming ghost orchid was immediately presented before everyone. The flower's shape was ethereal and peculiar, and its color was pale white, but no one recognized it.
"Young Master Xie, could this orchid be a ghost orchid?" the Empress Dowager asked uncertainly.
"Yes, Empress Dowager. Yichuan's birthday gift to you today is a potted blooming ghost orchid. I once heard that the Empress Dowager enjoys collecting all sorts of rare and exotic flowers, so I have sought out the ghost orchid for you as your birthday gift," Xie Yichuan explained faintly.
"Young Master Xie is truly thoughtful. From what I know, ghost orchids rarely bloom. It is truly rare that you have found a blooming one," the Empress Dowager said gratefully.
"Yes, the ghost orchid's shape is ethereal and peculiar, and its color is pale white. The entire plant gives off a graceful feeling, like a wandering spirit in the air, which is why it is called a ghost orchid. Because it is rare and seldom blooms, it has become very precious," Xie Yichuan introduced to everyone in a faint tone.