The next day, the celebration for the Empress Dowager's birthday. The hall where the celebration placed was decorated with full grandeur. One can see how much important this celebration taken as. The celebration didn't start yet, but many of the aristocrats and officials already came with their family.
This time, they heard that the Duchess of Lian would also came. But after waiting until the celebration is starting, they can't even saw her shadows. So where is she?
In the guest courtyard for the Lians, the trio escort gave their reports to the Duchess. " Master, all the preparations are completed. Do you want to go there now? ", Su Ning asked.
" Good. Let's wait until Li er wake up. It's already getting hotter here. Who would want to be in crowded place and smell those stink perfume from theirs body?! " Xuě Lian fumed while fan herself.
" Your Grace and brothers good morning. ", Li Hong greeted them while pushed himself on wheelchair. After dinner yesterday, Su Qiu already taught him how to use the wheelchair. While, Bai Li sat on his lap in dazed and Li Ming walked from behind.
" Good morning! " The trio escort replied.
Li Ming pitter patter walked to Xuě Lian, gave a small smile and tugged Xuě Lian 's sleeve. Seeing a behave and cute children really makes one heart flutter in joy! " Good morning, Hong er and you two also " Xuě Lian replied and patted Li Ming 's head who sat beside her on arhat bed.
" Aunty, hug.... " Bai Li raised her hands, trying reaching to Xuě Lian.
(づ ̄ ³ ̄)づ
" Yes, yes come here ", Xuě Lian used magic that make Bai Li floating to her, and took in Bai Li in her arm. Saw that Bai Li still in dazed, " How come you wake up so early? Now you're sleepy again "
" I'm sorry, Your Grace. When I walked here, I heard Li er calling for you, so I take her with me " Li Hong felt guilty for taking Bai Li who still sleepy.
" It's fine, you can just call me Aunty like Li er. Now get some breakfast. Then we go there. As for you guys, packs all the things and wait outside palace"
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In the hall of celebration, the guest is in bustling and whispered each other. They thought that the Duchess didn't come since she didn't show up even after His Highness the Majesty already came. But who knows, she dared came up late and even brings children?! Moreover, they are the Third and the Seventh Prince!!!
Well that's not shocking enough. She even dared to ignore the celebrated one, the Empress Dowager 's question for her late! Remained aloof, her only reply was, " I don't have any obligation to answer Your Highness, the Empress Dowager. My only master is only His Majesty, the Emperor "
Now, suddenly there was a big commotion outside! The imperial guard's reported, there's a rebellion!!! My Goodness, we only came for a celebration; how come there's even a rebellion right now?!
" Duchess of Lian! You really dare?!! This grief one ordered you to stop all of them NOW!!!! ". Infuriated, the Empress Dowager throw the tea porcelain at Xuě Lian direction.
(ノ ̄皿 ̄)ノ ⌒== ┫
Still in nonchalant. Xuě Lian just shrugged her shoulders and urged the trio kids to eat. " Come, come, come let's just eat. A good child would never waste the food. Although this is sooo unpalatable, you should eat! "
The trio nodded repeatedly while their mouth filled with cookies and sweets like a squirrel. While other official with their wives and family members just sat there, and their body shaken soo terribly. Even some accidentally splashed the tea onto their splendid clothes while trying to take a sip.
Then, an imperial guard came and gave an update. " Your Majesty, our magicians and guards can't hold the rebellion any longer!!! "
But the Emperor just said, " Well, just let them come! We want to know the reason of why there are rebelling! " .
Xuě Lian used magic to block the words from the children and stood up, " Your Majesty, this official think there's some internal affairs between in the imperial guard. Look, they even can't hold up the rebellion? Really just a quack! "
" Duchess of Lian! You dare?! If you really are powerful, just go stop them. There's no need for you to meddling in the court! ", Zhou Zhuang, the niece of the Empress Dowager stood up.
" What's that even this Duchess not dare to?! I'm just worried about our safety. Also, I'm just stating my view to His Majesty, it's not your position to question me! Scoff, to think the pig like you is the Head of the Imperial Guard, really opened my eyes! "
Then the Grand Secretary, Zhou Jing stood up, " Does my position is high enough question you, the Duchess? I think you're one of the rebellion as you still here and eating! "
" Scoffed! How am I supposed to be one of them? I'm just showed them the route that people with surname Zhou used to smuggled the goods from palace by gave them a hint! They asked, I answered. As a good citizen of Da Ming, we have to help each other. " ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Shocked and terrified, the Grand Secretary kneeled before the Emperor. " Your Majesty! Please give us justice! Us, Zhou are loyal to Your Majesty and Da Ming! How could we dare do that! "
The Emperor, Li Yuan just stared at him without a word. Then, the leader of the rebellion arrived at the hall. With humble attitude and old but clean clothes, he kneeled and slammed his head on ground.
" This peasant greets Your Majesty; may Your Majesty live in long life! Your Highness, this peasant didn't have any other way than this to meet Your Holiness, this peasant asking for forgiveness. But, Your Majesty, before that, please give us justice! Those with surnames Zhou act like a tyrant in the capital! "
Walked until nearing the kneeled scholar, Xuě Lián bowed slightly to the Emperor, " Your Majesty, this official already done my part as per your order. Since all the main characters is here, this official asking your permission to return back to Lian County with the children "
The Li Emperor nodded and waved his hand, " Go. We will give your present later. "
" Thanking Your Highness "