Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 388 Witnesses to the Ceremony

When she handed it to Lin Wanyi, she was both surprised and moved.

So she received it with both hands and then spoke solemnly.

"Then Your Majesty must craft another golden dragon, just like the fireworks on New Year’s Eve back then, so it can forever remain with this green lotus."

Upon hearing Lin Wanyi say this, the Emperor smiled and nodded.

Afterward, he concentrated on the dough in front of him.

However, while the lotus was easy to make, the golden dragon was difficult to shape.

It took considerable effort to barely form the golden dragon.

Meanwhile, the invited spectators had also arrived outside.

A large crowd stood there, each with a smile on their face.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the Fourth Prince and his consort have all arrived."

In the left wing, the children played earnestly, and the Emperor focused intently, causing everyone to lose track of time.

In the blink of an eye, it was almost time for the midday meal.

So they rose, and Xia An promptly brought water for the Emperor to wash his hands.

The children also had nannies helping them wash their hands and tidy their clothing.

Once everyone was ready, they exited together.

Outside stood all those whom Lin Wanyi thought and cared about, making her nose tingle with sentiment.

The Emperor, seeing this, was unafraid of what others might say.

He directly took Lin Wanyi’s hand and walked out.

The others found it somewhat awkward, but the Fourth Prince and his consort exchanged a smile, clearly admiring the Emperor’s action while also appreciating it greatly.

"We, the ministers, (and their wives) greet Your Majesty, wishing him eternal peace, and greet Her Highness, wishing her everlasting well-being."

"Please rise, today is a family banquet, no need for formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Afterward, the Emperor and Lin Wanyi led everyone inside.

Outside came the announcement of the Empress Dowager’s arrival.

So everyone stood where they were, properly paying respects to the Empress Dowager.

Accompanying her were, of course, Consort Qian and Princess Ming Ruo.

Since the celebration for the Second Princess’s birthday last time, their relationship had evidently improved quite a bit.

However, when the main branch of the Lin Family saw Ming Ruo, there was still some discomfort on their faces.

Because, as Ming Ruo had grown up, she bore a bit of resemblance to both Lin Guifei and Princess Rongkang.

Even though everything had settled, decades of grievances couldn’t be easily erased.

The main branch of the Lin Family might not hold anything against Princess Ming Ruo, but treating her as closely as they did Lin Wanyi’s children was something they couldn’t manage.

Ming Ruo evidently sensed the discomfort from the main branch of the Lin Family but didn’t say much.

Standing beside the Empress Dowager, she maintained the demeanor befitting a Da Wei Princess.

Her maternal family had been suppressed by her for many years, so there was no real closeness.

Therefore, it was rare for her to see so many family members appear together.

She even thought about the issue of external relatives interfering in politics.

The main branch of the Lin Family, frankly speaking, only produced Lin Xingzhi.

Although he held some real power, the situation in court was stable, and it wasn’t to the extent of one person holding all sway.

As for the Dong Family, they were merely from a background of medicine merchants, even if they wished to climb higher, it wasn’t certain there would be suitable opportunities.

Thus, the Empress Dowager’s slight concerns were eased.

Just because this generation might not make big waves, doesn’t guarantee the next won’t.

Looking at Mrs. Feng’s rounded belly, along with the thriving numbers of the Lin and Dong families, there appeared a somewhat false smile on her lips.

The others didn’t notice, since it was the Empress Dowager, they dared not look directly at anything.

But the Emperor had been raised by the Empress Dowager for decades, and if he couldn’t discern this small emotion, then their mother-son bond was wasted.

Thus, he looked at the Empress Dowager, his gaze firm.

Though he said not a word, the meaning was crystal clear.

The Empress Dowager also found comfort in her heart.

The Emperor wanted to favor Lin Wanyi, and the Empress Dowager had no objection.

Even if he wished to disperse the harem for her, she had no objection.

But if Lin Wanyi’s maternal family harbored ambitious aims to use this opportunity to climb higher or even seek dominance, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t tolerate that.

The Da Wei empire’s preservation to this point was not easy.

The Empress Dowager wouldn’t allow anyone to easily destroy it.

"Let’s go inside; making the guests stand under this hot sun is our discourtesy."

This statement from the Empress Dowager eased the atmosphere quite a bit.

As the Emperor said, today was a family banquet, not about ruler and subjects.

The midday meal was still placed in the previous flower hall, but now it had two large tables and a small one there.

The Royal Family sat at one table, while the Lin Family and Dong Family sat at another.

Although a bit cramped, they felt more at ease than dining with the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

The dishes remained exquisite and delicious, Chunqi’s culinary skills were indeed commendable.

As for the children, with the help of the nannies, they all ate to their fill.

The Second Prince naturally also returned.

Today he merely went to the archery range for an hour before coming back.

He had been absent earlier because he took time to freshen up.

Otherwise, with a sweaty appearance, he wouldn’t dare show up before everyone.

Though seated at different tables, the Emperor’s table, with the Fourth Prince there, was filled with laughter and conversation.

However, the table of the Lin and Dong families seemed much more reserved.

Lin Wanyi wanted to ease the situation but was stopped by a glance from Old Master Dong.

The comforting intent in his eyes was clear, so Lin Wanyi remained silent.

For Old Master Dong, today’s meal was very worthwhile.

These days, with the main branch of the Lin Family and the Dong Family rising in status, he nearly became confused.

Seeing the Empress Dowager today and the glance she gave them made him understand.

Some matters are best extinguished when the spark arises.

Otherwise, once it gets out of hand, trying to put it out would be like trying to extinguish a wildfire.

Having managed the Dong Family for years, he had weathered many storms.

If he were to become greedy, the Dong Family might have long been at the mercy of others in the business world.

So, he was aware.

The more reserved the Lin and Dong families appeared today, the more at ease it made Empress Dowager feel.

This act of humbling themselves, being cautious in words and actions, was their lifeline.

What he pondered in his heart was how to further reassure the Empress Dowager once they returned home.

Only then could Lin Wanyi live more freely in the palace.

So, through this meal, there was indeed a sense of tension beneath the surface.

Eldest Master Dong most understood his father’s intentions; without him speaking, he could guess three parts of it himself.

Thus, he restrained much of his usual cleverness and kept a low profile, appearing discreet and smooth at this moment.

Leaders in charge didn’t stand out; naturally, others wouldn’t stir up any trouble.

However, at one point, Mrs. Feng’s belly received a kick from the baby, causing her to frown in slight pain.

Concerned about his wife’s condition, Lin Xingzhi quietly asked.

"Are you alright? Do you need Second Aunt to take a look?"

Mrs. Feng gently shook her head, taking a few deep breaths to recover.

"Don’t worry, husband, it’s nothing."