Rebirth of the High Family's Beloved

Recalling the palace banquet last year, they were both of the fourth rank and sat next to each other.

In terms of family background, one of them is a widower and the other is single, but they are in similar circumstances, which is rare.

But now, only one year has passed, and he is still a fourth-rank official, while Yan Tonglin has been promoted to the third-rank official, so his rank has also risen.

It seemed that Yan Tonglin not only had a successful career and a beautiful wife, but even his daughter was able to become an official in the court, while his six-foot-tall son not only achieved nothing, but also became a laughing stock in the entire Dongdu.

In this comparison, he is really not even a little bit inferior.

Han Qi lowered his head, poured a glass of wine and drank it.

Yan Tonglin, who was envied by Han Qi, was thinking about going out for some fresh air.

His position was really too forward, and all the people around him were first-rank officials in the court. As a third-rank official who was promoted out of turn, he really couldn't sit still.

Before he could think of a solution, he saw everyone standing up. Even Prime Minister Xiao and Hua Yingchou stood up and bowed slightly towards the door.

Yan Tonglin stood up in a panic, and without even raising his head, he followed the crowd and saluted towards the door.

All I heard was everyone shouting, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Shen Zhaoyong and Jiang Yun walked hand in hand in front of the officials and sat down at the first table below the dragon throne.

He took off his dark cloak, revealing the four-clawed dragon robe that belonged only to the prince. His slender body sat upright, and his gentle and elegant temperament made people feel as if they saw the shadow of Emperor Tianqing.

Since Shen Zhaoyong fell ill, he rarely appeared in public in such a high-profile manner.

He would occasionally come to large palace banquets like today, but he would always come quietly, send his congratulations to Emperor Tianqing, and then leave quietly.

Once a child of destiny, the center of attention, he has become accustomed to being ignored.

But today's Shen Zhaoyong made everyone's eyes light up. His confidence and unrestrained attitude made them see again the talented young man from ten years ago.

After seeing the Crown Prince take his seat, the civil and military officials took their seats one by one.

But his eyes kept looking at the prince.

Among Emperor Tianqing's three sons, the one who is most like Emperor Tianqing is undoubtedly Shen Zhaoyong. Not only is he the eldest son, he also inherited Emperor Tianqing's kindness and generosity.

But unlike Emperor Tianqing, he has a swift and decisive approach and principles in dealing with things.

He had great ambitions, but died before he could realize them. His frail body was not enough to support him in achieving the goals he wanted to achieve.

During these ten years, there had not been a single day when he had not missed his mother and himself in good health.

If his mother were still alive, would he have a different life?

Unfortunately, things are unpredictable and the past will never come back.

The past ten years have already taught him to be strong, to forget and to go with the flow.

Not long after Shen Zhaoyong arrived, Prince Xiang Shen Zhaoyan also came. With him were the third prince Shen Zhaoyi, Xiao Dingyan and Xiao Yizhen.

Shen Zhaoyan and Shen Zhaoyi sat at two empty tables on the same level as Shen Zhaoyong, while Xiao Dingyan and Xiao Yizhen sat at the table behind Shen Zhaoyan.

It is obvious who the Xiao family belongs to.

Before anyone could figure out what was going on, a shrill and feminine voice shouted, "The Emperor has arrived!"

Then a steady, firm and powerful step came from outside the door, and the palace maids walked in one after another on both sides.

All the officials stood up and followed the steps of Emperor Tianqing. After Emperor Tianqing sat on the dragon throne, everyone shouted, "Welcome, Your Majesty."

Emperor Tianqing waved his hand and said in a low and gentle voice: "All the ministers, please stand up."

After everyone thanked him and sat down, they heard Emperor Tianqing say, "Today is New Year's Eve, everyone don't need to be restrained, just treat it as a family dinner, if you want to eat or drink, just eat and drink as much as you want."

Yan Ci stood behind Emperor Tianqing, and listened quietly to his speech with a group of palace maids, and promptly refilled his empty glass with wine.

It can be seen that Emperor Tianqing is really happy today.

She shifted her gaze away from Emperor Tianqing and glanced among the people below, but was stunned when she saw where Yan Tonglin and Jiang Qingqing were.

She had seen the list of names and seating arrangements for the palace banquet on Emperor Tianqing's desk. In her memory, Yan Tonglin should be sitting two seats back.

But why is Yan Tonglin sitting in this position? Has it been adjusted?

Yan Ci thought about it carefully and realized that the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs had only come to Mingyi Palace once, which proved that the list and seating arrangements had been finalized at that time.

Then Yan Tonglin's seat should not be at this table.

Yan Ci had some doubts in his heart, but he could not produce any substantial evidence.

If there are doubts, there must be something wrong.

Before Yan Ci could figure out what the problem was, she heard Emperor Tianqing calling her.

Emperor Tianqing was in a very good mood today. After drinking a few glasses of wine, he turned his head and found Yan Ci staring blankly in one direction.

Following Yan Ci's line of sight, Emperor Tianqing saw Yan Tonglin and his wife looking over here from time to time.

Yan Ci walked up to Emperor Tianqing and asked, "What do you want, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Tianqing smiled and said, "Today is New Year's Eve. I see your father and mother are here too. You don't have to stand here. Go over and celebrate with them."

Yan Ci was slightly stunned, looked at Yan Tonglin and Jiang Qingqing not far away, and said gratefully: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Thinking of Yan Tonglin's seating arrangement, she added, "Father's seating arrangement is a bit excessive. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Emperor Tianqing continued to smile, and a sharp light flashed in his lazy eyes. He then said, "It's okay. It's just a trick of some people. I understand. You can go now."

Although Emperor Tianqing did not say much, the sharp-eyed Yan Ci noticed that Emperor Tianqing's eyes lingered on the place where the concubines were, and she understood instantly.

These little tricks were undoubtedly the work of the harem.

There were not many people at the banquet for the concubines. Sitting at the front was Empress Xiao, followed by Concubine Qiu and Shen Furong, and behind them were a few low-ranking concubines and Zhaoyi whose titles could not be mentioned.

Among these people, not many were capable of changing the seating order of officials, and after the change, Emperor Tianqing did not get angry or punish them.

From this we can see that the most likely person is Empress Xiao.

Yan Ci couldn't think of any grudge between himself and Empress Xiao. The only conflict was the quarrel that occurred during the Crown Prince's wedding.

If this is really the case, then Empress Xiao is too petty.

After figuring out the crux of the matter, Yan Ci stopped worrying about it. His Majesty had already said that he would not pursue the matter, so why should she bother herself with it?

He immediately left Emperor Tianqing and walked to Yan Tonglin's desk.

Jiang Qingqing was very happy to see Yan Ci coming. She immediately ordered the palace maid to add a stool and pulled Yan Ci to sit next to her.

"Have you been okay in the palace these past two months?"

The mother and daughter have not seen each other for two months, and Jiang Qingqing is always thinking about Yan Ci.

Yan Ci smiled and said, "I'm fine. Your Majesty treats me very well."

"That's good."

While Yan Ci and her daughter were talking, Yan Tonglin had already toasted with Hua Yingchou and Hua Cishu who were sitting next to them.

Hua did not drink alcohol during social events, but only had two cups of tea instead of wine.

Seeing Yan Ci, Yan Tonglin introduced her to Hua Yingchou: "General, this is my daughter Yan Ci."

Only then did Yan Ci notice the person who had been talking to Yan Tonglin.

Hua Yingchou's jet-black hair had suddenly started to show strands of white hair. Although her face remained the same, the vicissitudes in her eyes suddenly made her feel a little sad.

I called out silently in my heart: Father.