Chapter 436 - 415: One More Update
Prince Duan dropped his chopsticks onto the table with a clatter, then watched as they fell to the floor, but he didn’t bother to pick them up and instead, he grabbed Zheng Nianru’s arm next to him. However, Zheng Nianru quickly took hold of Prince Duan’s hand instead.
"Father, let the palace maid bring a new pair of chopsticks," Zheng Nianru said softly, her voice carrying the unique tenderness of a young girl in the otherwise silent space, providing a significant buffer against the previous, piercing scream, instantly calming everyone’s nerves.
Prince Duan was stunned for a moment before nodding his head. The palace maid had already brought a new pair of chopsticks, and by this time, Prince Duan had regained his composure. Even amidst the tension, he knew he could not afford to show even the slightest bit of it and thus picked up a dish in front of him.
"Nian Ru, you should eat more."
Empress Dowager Yan Ping had been somewhat satisfied with Zheng Nianru before, but her approval had increased at this point, especially in such a situation where she had timely intercepted Prince Duan’s reaction.
"Nian Ru, you’ve been in the palace for over a decade. Although you’ve returned to Prince Duan’s Mansion now, you should still come and visit often, keep this old lady company with some conversation," Empress Dowager Yan Ping said.
"Mother is absolutely right. Even though it’s winter, the scenery in the palace is still quite pleasant. Once the snow falls and the plum blossoms bloom, then..."
"Your Majesty, your son offers you a toast," Zheng Congyuan interrupted Emperor Jingzhi’s words, raising his glass without any hint of inappropriateness, despite cutting the emperor off.
"Very well, very well," Emperor Jingzhi said, lifting his glass as the music outside the window slowly resumed, adding a touch of lingering melancholy, with the sun now behind the clouds.