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Page 208
Chen Qingfeng prepared a private birthday gift for the Empress Dowager: a small, crystal-clear bottle.
The head eunuch presented Chen Qingfeng's birthday gift to the Empress Dowager.
"This is?"
The Empress Dowager took the small bottle and examined it closely. The bottle contained a clear, amber-colored liquid.
Chen Qingfeng said with a smile, "Your Majesty, this is a perfume specially made by your subject."
"Oh?"
The Empress Dowager was slightly surprised. She opened the bottle cap and took a gentle sniff. She was immediately attracted by the refreshing fragrance and looked very pleased with it.
"Lord Chen is very kind."
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager turned her gaze to Haitang Duoduo, who was sitting next to Chen Qingfeng.
No matter how you look at it, Haitang Duoduo was a saintess of Northern Qi.
But now that she's sitting next to Chen Qingfeng, it seems a bit inappropriate.
But considering Chen Qingfeng's martial arts prowess, the Empress Dowager changed her mind.
Today is her birthday banquet, so it's best not to cause any trouble.
Meanwhile, a woman was sitting in a seat on the right side of the hall.
The woman had a fresh and sweet face, with gentleness in her eyes and brows.
It was Shen Zhong's younger sister, Shen Wan'er.
From the moment Chen Qingfeng led the delegation into the main hall, her gaze never left him, watching his every move.
"What a handsome young man, as elegant as a jade tree standing in the wind!"
“Every move he made was so graceful.”
Shen Wan'er sighed softly, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Chen Qingfeng.
She particularly enjoys reading Chen Qingfeng's version of Dream of the Red Chamber.
In addition, they were incredibly enthusiastic about Chen Qingfeng's poems.
Upon hearing that Chen Qingfeng was also coming to attend the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, the little girl secretly slipped away.
As Shen Zhong's younger sister, the court officials naturally dared not do anything to her, and even set up a special seat for her in the palace.
As for Shen Zhong, upon noticing something amiss at the border, he went to investigate personally, thus missing the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
Zhan Doudou would steal glances at Chen Qingfeng every now and then, her gaze quite strange.
"Master Chen."
"Today is the birthday banquet of our Empress Dowager."
"Lord Chen's poetic talent is unparalleled. Would you be so kind as to present a poem to the Empress Dowager?"
Midway through the birthday banquet, a Northern Qi court official smiled at Chen Qingfeng and said...
Chen Qingfeng smiled slightly, and without delay, stood up and immediately presented a poem:
“Auspicious clouds surround the painted beams of the palace, and the spring colors of the nine heavens reflect in the wine cup.”
"The peaches of immortality have been growing for three thousand years, and the pines and cypresses have remained evergreen for eight hundred years."
"Jade palms stir the soup to serve the imperial meals, and the golden goblet is forever secure to guard the border."
"I wish to pour the finest liquid from the Big Dipper, so that its benevolent light may shine as long as the sun."
As Chen Qingfeng recited a poem to celebrate a birthday, he was immediately met with thunderous applause.
The Empress Dowager was very pleased and kept nodding and smiling.
Even the Grand Tutor of Northern Qi couldn't help but nod and praise, "What a fine poem!"
Seeing this, Fan Xian silently drank a cup of wine and muttered to himself:
"I, as the older brother, have gotten away with it again!"
Chapter 116: Chen Qingfeng VS Lang Tao! Catching a blade barehanded! Defeating him with a flick of the finger!
After listening to Chen Qingfeng's poem, Shen Wan'er's eyes lit up, and she looked at Chen Qingfeng with even more admiration.
"Young Master Chen is truly a man of unparalleled talent and learning."
"No wonder he was called the Poet Immortal of Southern Qing."
"Who wouldn't love such a dashing and handsome young man?"
Shen Wan'er muttered to herself, her eyes fixed on Chen Qingfeng.
The first couplet uses the imagery of phoenix palaces and auspicious clouds to evoke the scene, while the second couplet uses peaches of immortality and pine trees as metaphors for longevity.
"The phrase 'The golden goblet is forever secure' in the middle couplet subtly reflects the power of our Northern Qi state, while the phrase 'The Big Dipper pours out jade' in the final couplet not only shows nobility but also implies blessings."
"How wonderful!"
Zhan Doudou couldn't help but admire him, and her heart fluttered even more for Chen Qingfeng.
Seeing this, Haitang Duoduo, who was sitting next to Chen Qingfeng, was also filled with emotion.
"I just can't understand how he could write such poems?"
"Speaking poetry fluently?"
"Could it be that the immortal poet has descended to earth?"
Thinking of this, Haitang Duoduo couldn't help but shake her head, not believing that there was any poet immortal descending to earth.
The birthday banquet then continued.
The sounds of string and wind instruments filled the hall, and amidst the clinking of cups, the officials of Northern Qi toasted each other in a harmonious atmosphere.
Just then, a figure slowly entered from outside the main hall.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a burly man stride into the hall.
The man had dark circles under his eyes comparable to a panda's, two braids on his head, scars all over his forehead, and a beard on his chin.
His clothes looked somewhat tattered, and he had two barbed daggers tucked into his waistband!
This very person actually walked directly into the main hall.
Moreover, it also comes with weapons.
It should be noted that today is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, and all those who come to pay their respects are not allowed to bring weapons into the palace.
In addition, the man exuded a fierce killing intent, which sent chills down one's spine upon slight perception.
"Big Brother!!"
Upon seeing the man, Haitang Duoduo instinctively gasped in surprise.
At the same time, all the court officials of Northern Qi recognized the man.
"Lord Langtao!"
"Why is he here."
"..."
The courtiers whispered among themselves, all knowing that Lang Tao was a guest minister of the Northern Qi royal family and the tutor of the young emperor Zhan Doudou.
Besides these 15, Lang Tao was also the eldest disciple of Ku He, the Grand Master of the Northern Qi State.
Upon seeing this, Chen Qingfeng glanced indifferently at Lang Tao before looking away.
He was naturally familiar with wolf peaches.
Aside from Grandmasters, this person is said to be among the top three martial artists in the world.
Of course, for Chen Qingfeng, it was nothing to worry about.
"Is Wolf Peach very powerful?"
Fan Xian glanced at Lang Tao and muttered something under his breath.
Upon hearing this, Wang Qinian quickly explained:
"Young Master Fan, this Wolf Peach is the first disciple of Grandmaster Ku He."
"In addition, he was also the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards in the Northern Qi Palace."
“In recent years, I have mainly been in charge of the emperor’s martial arts training and have not managed affairs much.”
Fan Xian nodded in understanding, then turned his gaze to look at the crabapple blossoms:
"So this is Miss Haitang's senior brother. No wonder he has such a distinguished status."
Haitang Duoduo glared at Fan Xian, too lazy to talk to him.
At the same time, Lang Tao's two calm yet meaningful gazes were already fixed on Chen Qingfeng's face.
Upon receiving Lang Tao's gaze, Chen Qingfeng smiled calmly, not caring at all.
I could guess it in my mind.
The fact that Lang Tao appeared at the birthday banquet at this time suggests that he had ill intentions.
Then, Lang Tao stepped forward and bowed to the Empress Dowager and the young Emperor Zhan Doudou.
"Wishing the Empress Dowager a long and healthy life, and that every year brings her happiness and good fortune!"
The Empress Dowager smiled slightly and said:
"Thank you for your kind words, Lord Langtao. Please take your seats!"
Lang Tao nodded slightly, and as she turned around, she did not immediately sit down. Instead, she glanced at Haitang Duoduo, who was sitting next to Chen Qingfeng.
Earlier, Haitang Duoduo was ordered by Kuhe to assassinate Xiao En.
But they never returned.
Afterwards, Lang Tao also learned that Haitang Duoduo had fallen into Chen Qingfeng's hands.
In addition, Lang Tao also knew that Shangshan Hu and He Daoren had been defeated by Chen Qingfeng with a single sword strike.
After glancing at Haitang Duoduo, Lang Tao turned her gaze and fixed it on Chen Qingfeng.