Falling with heart, Phoenix shocking heaven, Phoenix shocking heaven falling, Falling words 053, Do you know?

  Mrs. Liao patted Liao Qingyun's hand: "Mother will go to the side hall to greet the ladies, you accompany Mr. Gu to take a walk, it's still some time before leaving the banquet." She knew that what he disliked most was attending these banquets, but for ordinary banquets, she would let him be, however, every year at the palace's grand New Year's Eve banquet, she would still force him to come; this year Qingyun had Mr. Gu as a friend, so she felt relieved.

  Liao Qingyun nodded, turned around and walked towards Gu Ling who was sitting in the corner with a cold expression. He sat down beside him, looking around at the elegant young men and beautiful women in the hall. Like them, as children of officials, they could avoid other banquets throughout the year, but today's banquet was unavoidable, unless they were bedridden with illness, everyone had to attend.

  Although it was also hard to get through in previous years, it's not like this year. Sitting in the corner and looking around, I see everyone putting on a brave smile.

  And they were like watching a play on stage at this time, only to see the stage coming and going, flowers red and green, brocade sleeves flying, it was indeed lively.

  Gu Ling played with the white jade cup in his hand, looking at it lightly and didn't make a sound.

  About half an hour later, a group of eunuchs and palace people entered in a line, the originally lively atmosphere in the great hall became silent, and everyone's back involuntarily tensed up.

  "The Emperor has arrived!"

  Everyone present stood up and knelt down, shouting "Long live" with deafening cheers.

  The emperor's majestic figure walked in, closely followed by the harem of concubines and imperial consorts, then came the princes and princesses.

  Looking at the people kneeling in the court, Emperor Qing waved his large sleeves and raised his hands: "All rise."

  Everyone took their seats, the music started, and the palace maidens danced elegantly, a scene of song and dance filled the air.

  Although they were restless and uneasy, everyone was showing signs of joy and delight.

  Looking at the crowd in the grand hall, the emperor who was pretending to be peaceful and the corrupt officials, Gu Ling's mind kept echoing the words of the Crown Prince before his death. Was such an emperor really successful?

  As usual, the banquet will officially start after the singing and dancing. If there is anything to report, it must be done before the banquet starts. In previous years, when the emperor was in a good mood, some people would gain a lot of benefits, but today no one dares to open their mouth.

  The emperor saw that no one spoke up and didn't think much of it, raised his hand to wave when he saw Tong Shen, the eunuch, coming in with a flustered look, and the waving motion stopped.

  Shi Ze looked at the eunuch who came in and saw his flustered facial expression, and his eyebrows wrinkled slightly.

  "What's wrong?" Emperor Qing said calmly.

  Eunuch Gong knelt down on the ground, his sharp voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty, Wei Zhong, the manager of the Cold Palace, requests an audience."

  As soon as the three words "Huang Gong" came out, the entire hall fell silent, everyone lowered their heads and eyes, and no one dared to raise their head to peek at the emperor's face.

  Listening to Huang Leng Gong, Emperor Qing's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, and the concubines on the side looked at each other in dismay, not even daring to breathe.

  Shi Zhi's heart skipped a few beats, and he felt that today's New Year's Eve dinner might not go as smoothly as expected.

  The emperor's silence made the kneeling eunuch's face turn even paler, fearing that he would be ordered to be executed. He trembled and said: "Your Majesty... I came with Wei Gonggong... and also... Gu Taifei's personal maid."

  Everyone was shocked, and Xu Ren, who was standing behind Liang Gui, was even more shocked, with his eyes wide open.

  Gu Ling's eyes suddenly opened wide. If it wasn't for Liao Qingyun's quick reaction in pressing down his movement to stand up, he would have probably already gotten out of line.

  He clenched his fists tightly, and his whole body tensed up. Had something happened to Aunt?

  "Xuan." Emperor Qing's thin lips opened lightly, and he uttered a single word.

  The eunuch hastily retreated, and soon after, Wei Zhong led a palace maid in her 40s into the room.

  "This humble servant (slave) pays homage to Your Majesty, may you live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, and ten thousand more!"

  The emperor sat upright on the throne, his face unreadable, looking down at the two people below the steps. His gaze swept over them and stopped on Lan's nanny: "Lift your head up."

  Wei Zhong's hunched body deeply prostrated on the ground, listening to this command, stiffly raised his head, but his eyes only dared to stare at the front steps, cold sweat constantly seeping from his forehead, facing the ruthless and emotionless current emperor, he was extremely frightened.

  Beside him, Lan's nanny listened to the emperor's order and slowly raised her head, facing Wei Gonggong beside her, looking much calmer.

  "What does Empress Dowager Gu need to report?"

  The old lady took out a folded paper from the wide sleeve and held it high: "The Empress Dowager requests that His Majesty grant permission for Princess Worry-Free to be adopted by Prince Huai."

  One stone can stir up a thousand layers of waves, which is probably not enough to describe the atmosphere in the great hall. The great hall was full of people, but it was eerily quiet, a deathly silence!

  Wei Zhong's eyes widened in horror, he couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at Lan Niangniang. He thought...thought that Imperial Consort Gu had taken out the golden pardon plaque to beg for mercy from the Emperor, but unexpectedly—

  The emperor's expression changed slightly, seemingly uncertain and probing: "What?"

  The old lady's heart skipped a beat, but she repeated her affirmative answer: "Her Highness the Grand Princess requests that His Majesty grant permission for Princess Worry-Free to be adopted by Prince Huai as his daughter."

  Listening to Lan's affirmative reiteration, some people in the audience who had poor endurance couldn't help but take cold breaths.

  Almost everyone's eyes were fixed on Lan Niangniang, who was holding a folding fan and saying astonishing words, while they also carefully and stealthily glanced at the expression of Emperor Qing.

  Gu Ling was shocked and his eyes widened in astonishment, with a momentary blankness in his mind. Liao Qingyun beside him also stood there dazed.

  Shi Ze was quietly taking in the cold air, blinking his eyes in disbelief again and again. At this moment, if someone told him that there were ghosts on the Golden Throne Hall, he would absolutely believe it. Wasn't he looking at a fearless ghost right now?

  The Emperor looked down: "If the Empress Dowager is worried that Prince Huai has no descendants, I can arrange a marriage for Prince Huai."

  "Reporting to Your Majesty, the imperial physician has said that Prince Huai's body is weak and he finds it difficult to have an heir to inherit his lineage. Her Ladyship worries that Prince Huai will not have a successor to continue his ancestral line. Princess Worry-free is very much liked by Empress Dowager in the Cold Palace, so she especially requests an audience with Your Majesty, hoping for your gracious approval. I, a humble servant, beg on behalf of Her Ladyship for Your Majesty's benevolence."

  "Does Taifei know that Princess Worryfree is a sinner?"

  The old lady took a deep breath, knocked her head on the ground and then raised it again: "In addition to asking Your Majesty to allow Princess Worry-free to be adopted by Prince Huai, Her Highness also asked me to ask Your Majesty to pardon Princess Worry-free from being banished to the Cold Palace."

  The emperor's face sank, and the strong aura of dominance and cold, ruthless eyes that emanated from him unconsciously made the entire grand hall surge with a chilling atmosphere that sent shivers down people's spines, giving them a feeling of being choked.

  Everyone present felt that the sky had changed, and even they couldn't understand it. For five whole years, no one dared to speak up for Princess Worry-Free, but today, a cold palace concubine who didn't even have freedom herself dared to beg for mercy in front of the entire court, asking for Princess Worry-Free to be pardoned?

  Aunt Lan was afraid in her heart, but she also knew that no matter how afraid she was, she still had to face it.

  The emperor's eyes deepened, staring tightly at Lan: "A concubine living in the Cold Palace, what virtue does she have to dare ask me for a favor?"

  Gu Ling's gaze wandered back and forth between Lan Niangniang and Qing Di, his heart hanging in his throat, his tightly clenched fists never relaxing. Why did his aunt have to do this?

  Old Mother Lan slowly opened the folded paper, and inside was a pardon gold plaque.

  "The princess uses this gold pardon plaque given by the former emperor to beg for mercy from the emperor, asking him to release Princess Worry-Free from the palace."

  The grand hall was so quiet that it was beyond description. Everyone present was as silent as a cicada in winter, not daring to breathe loudly, and even their breathing was unconsciously held back, with sweat dripping down their backs.

  "The princess said that this gold plaque of pardon was created by the great ancestor emperor, and for over 200 years since the founding of the Great Yuan Dynasty, two princes had been pardoned with it. The late emperor passed down this gold plaque to the princess, hoping that one day she could reunite with Prince Hui's mother and son. However, the princess said that in these eighteen years, she has devoted herself to Buddhism, studying and understanding the Buddhist scriptures, and is no longer suited for worldly life. Yet, she cannot bear to part with her attachment to Prince Hui, so she implores Your Majesty to fulfill her last wish, letting Princess Worry-Free take care of Prince Hui in her place."

  As soon as the old lady finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Emperor Qing. Although it was too unexpected, after careful consideration, Empress Dowager Gu's request seemed reasonable, but... why did it have to be at this critical moment? And why did it have to involve Princess Worry-Free?

  At this time, what Emperor Qing was thinking about, no one knew, and the atmosphere in the grand hall became inexplicably tense again.

  Gu Ling took a deep breath, stood up and knelt down behind Lan Tai Fei, saying: "Your humble servant requests that Your Majesty grant the Empress Dowager's wish. The Empress Dowager has been living in the palace for a long time, practicing Buddhism and understanding the Tao, and has already detached herself from worldly desires. This is her last concern as a mother to her son. Please, Your Majesty, show mercy."

  The dead silence in the grand hall was broken by Gu Ling, and the officials seemed to have come back to life, but no one dared to speak out easily until...

  Liao Da Ren stepped forward and knelt down to plead: "Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager has a gold plaque of pardon bestowed by the late Emperor, but she has no intention of leaving the palace. It seems that what the Grand Empress Dowager said is true - she has devoted herself to Buddhism and has already detached herself from worldly affairs. The only thing that still ties her to this world is Prince Wang, which is why she has made a request. I humbly beg Your Majesty to grant the Grand Empress Dowager's wish."

  Liao Daren spoke up, and all the officials looked at each other in dismay.

  Isn't it possible that the Emperor actually wants to pardon Princess Worry-Free, but is forced by his previous words and can't swallow his pride, so he uses such a roundabout method? Otherwise, why would Lord Liao speak up to plead for her?

  Qing Di didn't know what he was thinking of, although his expression remained unchanged, the terrifying aura emanating from his body had slightly dissipated.

  This subtle change spread out, and those courtiers thought of the massacre two days ago, and everyone knew the truth.

  The emperor's overbearing dominance is indeed intimidating and has earned him a reputation for cruelty.

  If he pardons the Princess Worry-Free at this time, it will have a soothing effect on both the imperial court and the harem. Moreover, if he adopts the Princess Worry-Free as his daughter to Emperor Hui, then she would no longer be called Princess Worry-Free but rather Duchess Worry-Free. In that case, Your Majesty would not be suspected of going back on your word.

  Then, Inspector Yu knelt down: "Please have mercy on us, Your Majesty."

  The Da Li sect's Zheng Zong prostrated himself: "Please, Your Majesty, show mercy!"

  The Duke of Protecting the Country knelt down: "Please have mercy on me, Your Majesty!"

  The officials of the Imperial Academy knelt down: "Please have mercy on us, Your Majesty!"

  Shi Zhi looked at the crowd in the great hall with some surprise, glanced up at the expression of Emperor Qing, hesitated for a moment, and then knelt down: "Please have mercy on us, Your Majesty!"

  Shi Ji knelt down, and the cautious and hesitant officials all knelt down in a swarm, calling out to His Majesty to show mercy.

  The seats of the imperial consorts and princes and princesses were also all filled.

  Ning Fei, Shan Fei and Liang Gui Ren all knelt down, only Mei Fei sat in her seat, dazed and distracted, as if she hadn't seen the scene before her.

  The three princesses and four princes all knelt down: "Please, Your Majesty, have mercy."

  The old lady looked at the situation beyond her expectation, was very surprised in her heart, but also knew that this was the best opportunity. She held up the amnesty gold plaque and begged: "Please, Your Majesty, have mercy."

  The terrifying aura on Emperor Qing's body dissipated a lot, and he spoke in a light tone: "Shi Ji."

  "I'm here."

  "Go to the Cold Palace and bring Princess Worry-Free to the main hall."

  "Yes, sir!"

  ……

  When they learned that the Shigong had personally come to declare the Gongzhu's ascension to the throne, Yu Zhu and Yu Cui were overjoyed. Today was the grand New Year's banquet in the palace, the most important day of the year, and the Emperor had actually declared the Gongzhu's ascension! How could this not make them ecstatic with joy?

  Xiao Hua, who followed Fu Gonggong to report, was also excited and tearful. The princess was finally going to leave the cold palace, he was truly happy for the princess.

  Yu Zhu came to her senses from the excitement, thinking that Shi Gonggong was still waiting outside the palace, and hastily said: "Princess, I'll help you change your clothes and comb your hair..."

  "It's all right, it's fine like this. Shi Gonggong is still waiting for us outside the palace, let's go." Yuan Wuyou said lightly.

  "But princess, you haven't combed..." Yu Zhu looked at the princess's long black hair scattered behind her with difficulty.

  The princess had never liked to dress up her hair, and they didn't dare force her. Besides, it was in the cold palace, and no one cared. But now... She took another look at what she was wearing, thinking that the emperor was still waiting for the princess, and the princess always had her own ideas. She didn't dare to force her again, so she went back to the house, took out a red brocade cloak, and put it on her. Then she followed behind her, walking nervously.

  Following Yuan Wuyou, I thought that after five years, I could finally step out of this desolate and cold palace gate. Yu Zhu and Yu Cui both had tears in their eyes.

  She looked calmly at the road in front of her, the same road she had walked into five years ago.

  From seven to twelve years old, she spent five years in this desolate and cold palace, where she came with bloody footprints and left with bloody footprints.

  The heavy palace gates slowly opened, and the world outside also appeared in front of my eyes. Although there was no sunlight, although it was a snowstorm, the sky above my head was vast and endless.

  As the sound of the palace gate being opened was heard, Shi Ji, who was standing outside the cold palace, turned his head and widened his eyes, staring blankly at the stunning beauty in front of him, a peerless woman with a celestial appearance and a captivating aura that could topple cities!

  Is this... Princess Peach?

  Yu Wu had a dazed expression as she stared at Shi Zhi, lightly nodding her head: "Lord Shi."

  Shi Zhi came back to his senses from his daze, and respectfully stepped forward to pay his respects: "Your humble servant pays his respects to Your Highness." He thought to himself, how many people would be shocked and infatuated when the carefree princess ascended to the throne?

  ……

  The eunuch who made the announcement looked far away and saw Shi Gonggong walking over, his heart skipped a beat, and before he could even approach, he suddenly shouted out loud: "Princess Wuyou has arrived!"

  As soon as this voice was heard, everyone's eyes focused on the main gate of the grand hall, but no one saw anyone coming.

  It had been a long time since he saw anyone, Emperor Qing's face was slightly cold, his eyes were impatient to move away but in the next moment stopped in mid-air, and slowly returned to the gate of the main hall.

  Ignoring the stunned gaze of the eunuchs, Yuan Wuyou stepped into the grand hall.

  The entire venue was once again shrouded in an atmosphere of deathly silence! But this time, the silence wasn't one of fear or terror, but rather one of stunned amazement.

  As expected by Shi Zhi, everyone could only watch with their eyes wide open as that slender figure slowly walked towards them.

  My mind went blank and I thought I saw a fairy from the Jade Pool descending into the mortal world.

  A moon-white underskirt with a peach-red satin skirt, the wide skirt trailing behind her, wearing a red brocade white fox fur-lined jacket, shiny black hair without any adornments or ties, almost reaching her feet, letting it flow freely down her back.

  She walked over as if no one was around, naturally and calmly approaching, her slender figure, slightly thin frame making people naturally feel a sense of pity.

  Exquisite beauty, without a hint of makeup, snow-like skin, cherry-red lips, dense eyelashes, captivating the city and country, as if floating like an immortal.

  Beautiful eyes are clear and bright like water, emitting a warm and transparent warmth, making people feel like they are in the spring breeze.

  Even if she hasn't even glanced at you, you can still feel that kind of soul-stirring temptation, making you want to get close to her, hoping for her, hoping that as long as she looks at you with a straight eye, it's worth dying!

  But as she walked closer and closer, she didn't look at anyone, but instead slowly lowered her eyes and bowed her head.

  "Rest assured, I shall see the Emperor!"

  As she knelt, the enchanting red brocade, snow-white fox fur, and her raven-black hair flowed like the most beautiful light in the world, gently pouring onto the white jade floor. It had a careless, soul-capturing beauty, as if a legendary black lotus was blooming in absolute beauty.

  Gulps could be heard clearly in the silent grand hall, breaking the spell.

  Everyone only then discovered that they had unknowingly held their breath, causing a slight stinging sensation in their chest due to the lack of fresh air. Silently gasping for air, their eyes uncontrollably fell on Princess Worryfree once again.

  The Emperor looked at the person kneeling on the ground and suddenly wondered what he would see in his daughter's eyes. Was it hatred or detestation?

  "Look up."

  Yu Worry looked up at him with a very obedient gaze.

  Eyes seem to be stained with a faint coldness that doesn't understand worldly affairs, yet seems to see through everything.

  No resentment, no hatred, only calm and transparent clarity.

  Lian Qingdi's expression eased, his thin lips pursed slightly as he gazed deeply at the person kneeling in the hall: "Wu You, Wei Zhong said you've been learning to play the guqin from Empress Dowager Gu?"

  "Yes, Father Emperor." Yuan Wuyou replied in a low voice.

  "How is your zither art?" Emperor Qing asked indifferently.

  Yu Worry's red lips rippled with a faint shallow smile: "Replying to His Majesty, it can't be said to be good."

  The emperor's eyes flickered slightly, and he seemed to ask casually: "Empress Dowager Gu presented the gold plaque of pardon granted by the previous emperor, asking me to pardon you and let you be adopted as a son of Prince Huai. Do you know about this?"

  Everyone present held their breath in anticipation, fearing that Princess Worry-Free's response would displease the Emperor.