Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1240: Entering the Emperor's Gentle Gaze

To be frank, your Majesty's attitude towards Grand Tutor Zhuang is almost like the closeness and dependence of a son towards his strict father...

You can hear a needle drop in the hall.

All the ministers bowed their heads, with turbulent waves in their hearts.

They looked at the emperor's hand, which was tightly holding Tutor Zhuang's arm, with his knuckles slightly white, and listened to the emotional words "I miss you so much".

These people finally realized clearly that His Majesty's reliance on and friendship for Master Zhuang was much deeper than they had imagined!

Master Zhuang obviously had not expected the emperor to behave like this. Complex tears instantly welled up in his eyes, and his fingers trembled slightly under the emperor's strong support.

In the end, he simply bowed deeply, his voice choked with sobs: "Your Majesty has not abandoned you and has cared about you so much. I, this old minister... I am terrified! Even if I sacrifice my life, I will never be able to repay your grace!"

Nangong Xuanyu squeezed Master Zhuang's arm tightly, and everything was said without words.

Then he released his hand and turned to the people standing in awe in the hall. His voice returned to his usual calmness, but with a subtle hint of gentleness: "Gentlemen, please stand up and take your seats."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Everyone took their seats according to etiquette amidst the cheers of the crowd.

Shen Zhinian sat down quietly under the throne, her face still calm, as if the emperor's deep friendship for Master Zhuang did not stir up any ripples in her heart.

Because in her previous life, she knew how much the emperor valued Master Zhuang.

The late emperor was incompetent, so Master Zhuang must not be his father in his heart, but he is better than a father.

Shen Zhinian lifted the jade cup and took a sip of the warm wine, his movements as graceful as ever. Only a hint of understanding flashed across his drooping fox eyes.

Concubine Liang always had a gentle and decent smile on her face, but the light deep in her eyes that she tried hard to suppress was brighter than any palace lantern in the hall.

She straightened her back slightly, glanced at Shen Zhinian opposite her, then looked at the emperor on the throne, her mind quietly becoming more active.

His Majesty's friendship for her father is undoubtedly a very important card in her hand.

The warm lights illuminate the magnificent palace as if it were daytime.

The sounds of stringed instruments and orchestras began to play again, and the palace maids served steaming hot and fragrant delicacies to each table.

On the table, there were slices of venison as thin as cicada wings, which curled up instantly in the boiling broth.

The suckling pig is grilled using a secret method, with a golden and crispy skin and sizzling texture.

There are also traditional New Year customs that are full of the festive atmosphere.

The steamed shad, a symbol of abundance every year, has gleaming silver scales and lies on top of emerald green onions.

The dumplings, which symbolize ingots, are small and exquisite, with thin skin and rich fillings, and are served on a fine porcelain plate with gold painting.

There is also the soft, sweet and delicious crystal rice cake, which represents the rise year by year. It is cut into squares and drizzled with amber osmanthus honey.

The music was melodious, playing a festive and peaceful classical music. The tune was soothing, accompaniment to the whispers and laughter at the table, and the gentle clinking of glasses.

A warm and peaceful picture of prosperity.

After three rounds of wine, five kinds of dishes are served.

Nangong Xuanyu put down the jade chopsticks in his hand and swept his eyes over the clan relatives and important officials in the hall.

Li Changde understood and bowed, taking a step forward. "Your Majesty has a decree—bless you!"

The hall instantly became quiet, and everyone's eyes fell on the throne.

Several eunuchs in palace robes came out one after another, holding red lacquer and gold-painted trays in their hands.

The tray is not filled with gold, silver or jewelry, but with some seemingly ordinary items that actually contain supreme grace and New Year blessings.

There are bright yellow gold-sprinkled "Fu" character squares, exquisitely embroidered brocade purses with ruyi patterns, and jade ruyi that is polished to a warm and smooth finish.

"Eighth brother."

The emperor's voice was a little gentle as he gestured for Li Changde to pick up the "Fu" character square on the top of the tray and handed it to him.

The word "Fu" is written with rich ink color and vigorous brushstrokes, which can be seen through the back of the paper. It is exactly what the emperor wrote with his own hand!

What is even more eye-catching is the bright red seal printed neatly below the word "Fu".

The inscription on the seal is not the ordinary "Emperor's Treasure" or "Guangyun's Treasure", but four ancient and solemn seal characters, "Founding Ceremony"!

The bright red ink on the bright yellow gold-sprinkled paper is like a solidified flame, indicating the extraordinary significance of this item.

This is a special honor bestowed in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, far beyond the ordinary annual festival rewards!

Prince Jin immediately stood up, bowed deeply, raised his hands above his head, and respectfully took the imperial calligraphy that carried the emperor's blessings and the glory of the ceremony.

His voice was filled with gratitude and excitement: "I thank you for your grace, brother!"

"I wish my royal brother a long and prosperous life and a long and prosperous Great Zhou Dynasty!"

Under the drooping eyelashes of King Jin, his eyes swept across the seal of the founding ceremony, and an imperceptible undercurrent quietly surged.

The emperor nodded slightly, and asked Li Changde to pick up a bulging purse with a ruyi pattern and a warm white jade ruyi, and gave them to the King of Jin.

Then the emperor looked at Master Zhuang.

Following the same process, Li Changde solemnly presented the white-haired old minister with the word "Fu" written by the emperor himself and stamped with the jade seal of "Founding Ceremony", along with a purse and a jade ruyi.

The deep respect in the emperor's eyes was once again revealed.

Everyone in the hall saw this, and their understanding of the emperor's favor from the Zhuang family deepened.

Rewards are given in order.

Princes of the imperial clan, nobles from close relatives, and important officials of the third rank and above...all received this honor.

Each of the "Fu" characters written by the emperor himself is stamped with the unique "Founding Ceremony" seal.

Each jade ruyi is warm and shiny.

Each purse is embroidered with extraordinary craftsmanship and filled with gold and silver ingots that symbolize good luck.

Soon it was the turn of the concubines in the harem.

The emperor's gaze swept across everyone and finally landed on Shen Zhinian.

He picked up a reward and walked up to her personally.

Shen Zhinian left his seat, knelt down and saluted with an elegant and calm demeanor: "Your Majesty."

The emperor bestowed the same reward, and his actions were not particularly intimate.

But the reward given to Concubine Chen was bestowed by the emperor himself in public, which was an unspoken favor!

"Concubine, thank you for your grace!"

Shen Zhinian took Fu Ze with both hands and a decent smile on his face.

After this episode, Nangong Xuanyu sat back on the throne and asked Li Changde to give the word "Fu", purse and Ruyi to Concubine Liang and other main ladies in turn.

When Concubine Liang accepted the reward, she smiled gently and behaved gracefully. Her gaze lingered for a moment in the direction of Master Zhuang, with silent pride.

Concubine Dun forced herself to stand up and bowed respectfully to express her gratitude, her skinny fingers trembling slightly, perhaps due to excitement or something else.

After all the rewards were distributed, the Baohe Hall was filled with an atmosphere of being bathed in the emperor's grace.

At this time, Nangong Xuanyu, who was sitting on the Panlong throne, seemed to look at Shen Zhinian unintentionally.

His eyes were still deep, but within his solemn imperial majesty, there was a hint of indescribable tenderness, like a warm current flowing beneath an icy deep pool.

Shen Zhinian seemed to sense something, and when he looked up, he met the emperor's gentle gaze.