Chapter 308: Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet (2) (2/2)

Qinwang Rong raised up a brocade-covered box and smiled. “This is an expression of my wishes for Esteemed Empress Dowager to be healthy and happy.”

When the empress dowager opened the box, she found a huge luminous-night pearl inside. She could only pick it up with both of her hands. Everyone was stunned by the sight. Luminous-night pearls were uncommon enough, much less one at this size.

Fully satisfied, the empress dowager held the pearl in her hands and sighed with admiration. “As warm as jade, as bright as the moon, and as lively as water. This shall be the first amongst all luminous-night pearls!”

“Indeed it is. That’s why its name is the Night Moon Pearl,” Qinwang Rong replied with a smile. Hearing this, the empress dowager felt even more delighted. She’d received two rare presents in a row. It looks like she’d have her fill of surprises tonight.

According to rank, it should be the Duke of Qin and Qin Wangfei’s turn next. Both the empress dowager and guests looked forward to their performance the most. Emperor Tianhui and Qinwang Rong had both offered up such large gifts. If the Duke of Qin didn’t prepare something equally rare, wouldn’t he be losing face? His Highness Duke of Qin had always been liberal with money, so what kind of treasure would he take out this time? Judging by Emperor Tianhui’s earlier attitude, the empress dowager might not even accept his gift even if it was some sort of treasure!

A good show was about to start!

Qinwang Rong hadn’t even sat back down before all eyes landed on Long Feiye and Han Yunxi. Han Yunxi could feel her mouth starting to twitch. She had no idea what kind of gift Long Feiye had prepared. Originally, she assumed that they’d used the Medicine Fan, but he’d told her to fan herself with it instead. When she saw the empress dowager’s anticipatory stare, Han Yunxi half wanted to take out the Medicine Fan and fan herself a bit, just to show off. She was debating whether she should take it out for real when she noticed that Long Feiye had stood up. Hastily, she made to follow.

Are we going to give our present now?

But Long Feiye simply poured two cups of wine, giving one to her while keeping one for himself.

This is?

“May the empress dowager’s phoenix body be in good health,” Long Feiye was congratulating with wine! He raised the cup in a toast, before downing it all in one gulp. Then…then he simply sat back down. All he did was offer congratulations without a gift!

In a flash, the scene grew silent. Everyone was stunned as they gaped at the pair in disbelief. How could Long Feiye do such a thing?

Emperor Tianhui and the empress dowager’s faces had both turned black.

Everyone had been expecting their gifts, including the empress dowager. She’d even prepared her words of rejection ahead of time, just so she could publically humiliate Long Feiye. Instead, he hadn’t given her a gift at all. He was even stingy with his congratulations, only wishing her phoenix body good health before dismissing the entire affair? He was simply rejecting her before she got the chance to reject him!

Since Han Yunxi hadn’t offered her congratulations yet, was he waiting to present his gift after she spoke? Now Han Yunxi had become the source of hope for many a spectator. Even the empress dowager’s fiery gaze rested on her form. She couldn’t believe that Long Feiye would dare to have the guts to make her look bad in such a large, public setting. After all, making her look bad was making the emperor look bad!

Just what is Long Feiye thinking? Can his strength really be enough to contend with Emperor Tianhui? Is he ready to spread his wings?

Hadn’t he had enough with Eunuch Xue? He still wants to make a ruckus?

Actually, Han Yunxi was just as clueless as everyone else. She didn’t know the consequences of Long Feiye’s actions, but she enjoyed his behavior immensely! It was true to form and utterly superb! He really didn’t want to give any gifts.

The fellow’s done a beautiful job!

Han Yunxi smiled brightly beneath everyone’s stares. She copied Long Feiye as she raised her cup and easily gave her congrats. “May Esteemed Empress Dowager’s phoenix body be in good health!”

How could the wife not follow her husband? As soon as she finished, she sat back down in her seat. Just like that, they presented their congrats without a single present! The silent hall turned even more quiet. A sinister look flashed past the empress dowager’s eyes as she felt humiliation from being played the fool. Although nobody dared to laugh at her here, she still couldn’t accept Long Feiye’s blatant, rude actions! The hands on her armrests had curled completely into fists. How could she continue to be the empress dowager if she left such debts unpaid? Of course she wouldn’t question Long Feiye right then and there, or else it’d seem like she was purposely asking for presents. That would shameful. She simply glanced at the emperor, telling him that it was fine to make his move.

But Emperor Tianhui was currently narrowing his eyes at Long Feiye. Long Feiye was simply here to demonstrate his strength. Still, the man esteemed himself too highly! Out of courtesy, he’d always yielded three parts before him, but if Long Feiye thought his three parts were enough to conquer the other seven, then he was too naive!

Emperor Tianhui was about to give him grief when another celebrated and illustrious figure suddenly rose to his feet…