Moonlit Calamity: The Dragon Girl's Life of Idleness is Broken

Chapter 331 The Prince's Mansion New Year's Banquet

The banquet was held inside the Yinhua Hall.

Once the hour of You (5-7 PM) had passed, the sky began to darken.

Dozens of palace lanterns were hung around the room, illuminating the inside and outside of the Yinhua Palace as bright as day.

Just before the banquet was about to begin, Xiao Han came to Qiushui Pavilion, so Long Chuqing went with him.

The kitchen and the Silver Flower Palace were all ready, and the banquet could begin once Xiao Han was seated.

"See you, Your Majesty."

Amidst the welcoming cheers of the crowd, Xiao Han stepped into the Silver Flower Palace.

"No gift."

Xiao Han looked at Long Chuqing beside him: "Chuqing, you will sit with me tonight."

Long Chuqing hesitated for a moment: "Wouldn't this be inappropriate?"

Long Chuqing knew the importance of respecting hierarchy. Although she often ate with Xiao Han in private, she didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

But today is an important occasion, so the meaning is different. Apart from the guards on duty today and the kitchen staff who are preparing the food, there are still dozens of people on site!

Her status in the Prince's mansion was merely that of a guest or employee, making it inappropriate for her to sit at the main table with Xiao Han, and also against the rules.

Xiao Han said gently, "But I don't want to sit there alone. Would you like to stay with me?"

The Prince's Mansion holds its annual banquet a day in advance every year, and Xiao Han will also attend. However, apart from the two sentences he says when toasting at the beginning, there is no other interaction between them.

In previous years, he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. He had been taught from a young age not to talk while eating or sleeping. He also liked to be alone, sitting quietly by himself while eating and watching the lively scene below. He thought that was just fine.

But now his thoughts have changed. Looking at the large main table, filled with a sumptuous meal, and with only him sitting there, he felt a sense of loneliness and pity when he recalled that scene.

In certain circumstances, it might be appropriate to refrain from talking while eating or sleeping.

This single sentence can perfectly demonstrate a person's cultivation and manners, but he now believes that all of this is only true in grand occasions and in front of unfamiliar people.

Being with someone you like is different. For example, when you're eating, you can't help but pay attention to her, you can't help but put food on her plate, you can't help but ask her if the food suits her taste, and when you think of something interesting, you can't help but want to share it with her immediately.

Before going to sleep, the two of them hugged each other and talked about what happened during the day. When they talked about something funny, they couldn't help but laugh. Isn't this kind of life more vibrant?

Therefore, he didn't want to sit there alone like in previous years, and he didn't want to eat alone. He wanted someone to be by his side.

The prince invited her to dine with him in front of everyone, and she couldn't refuse, otherwise she would lose face for him.

And with his expectant, gentle, bright eyes, which also held a touch of earnestness and naivety, she couldn't bear to refuse: "Okay, I'll have dinner with you, let's go!"

Xiao Han smiled.

The two walked side by side toward the main table in the hall.

Uncle Zhong and Doctor Yuan stood below, their faces beaming with satisfaction.

Although the maids and servants all kept their heads down, they could sense that the prince was in a very good mood today, and they did not feel that there was anything wrong with it.

Many of the maids and servants present had been there since Xiao Han established his mansion, and they still vaguely remembered attending the annual banquet the first year.

At that time, the prince sat alone in the main seat. He was stern and unsmiling, exuding a cold and aloof air that kept strangers at bay. At that time, everyone had a unified understanding of this aloofness: This is the emperor's son, this is the prince who is high above! He looks so unapproachable.

After spending some time with him, they realized that the prince was a very good person. He would not mistreat his subordinates, nor would he allow those in charge to bully them. He just didn't like to smile, so he seemed cold and aloof.

During the banquet the following year, their feelings had changed. Looking at the prince sitting alone at the main table, besides his unchanging aloofness and nobility, they also saw a hint of loneliness.

Although the prince might not think that way, they hoped that he would have someone by his side so that he wouldn't be lonely.

Sure enough, since Miss Long came to the Prince's mansion, the Prince has changed a lot in just a few months. He never smiled before, but now he is different. Not only does he talk more, but they can also often see him with a smile on his face. It has to be said that the Prince's smile is really handsome.

After Xiao Han and Long Chuqing took their seats, the rest of the people also took their seats.

One after another, delicacies were carried in by the kitchen staff and placed on the main table and the dozen or so tables below.

The banquet dishes included stewed mutton soup, eight-treasure duck, crispy pork tenderloin, braised beef brisket with asparagus, braised fish, spiced beef shank, braised pork, crispy chicken, sweet and sour pork ribs, fried spring rolls, fried lotus root slices, almond tofu, and "Golden Jade Abundance" (a dish symbolizing prosperity).

The servants in the Prince's mansion looked forward to the holidays the most, because the dishes at the banquets were made with real, high-quality ingredients, without any added water. Each dish was carefully prepared by the chefs, and there was no favoritism or discrimination.

Before coming to work at the Prince of Qin's mansion, many people never imagined they would be able to eat such good food in their lives. Not only during festivals, but also on ordinary days, the food they ate was quite good.

In fact, many people have worked in other mansions, and the master family would never feed the servants so well, even during festivals.

Working in the Prince of Qin's mansion, all you need to do is conscientiously fulfill your responsibilities. Although the prince is usually stern and doesn't smile much, he's not fierce either. There's no shrewish mistress in the mansion, unlike the mistresses of other large mansions who might beat or scold their servants when they're in a bad mood.

The managers were also quite easygoing and not the type to wield power like a tiger.

Therefore, they all cherished this job.

Xiao Han stood up, holding a jade cup. He looked around and said loudly to the crowd below: "We bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. Tonight, the whole family gathers together for this banquet. May the new year be better than the old, may our homes be peaceful and prosperous, and may we enjoy good health and happiness. Let us raise our cups and share joy."

May the new year be better than the old, may your home be forever peaceful, and may you enjoy happiness, health, and well-being.

May the new year be better than the old, may your home be forever peaceful, and may you enjoy happiness, health, and well-being.

The crowd below also stood up, raised their glasses, and echoed in unison. Waves of sound reverberated among the carved beams and painted rafters of the Silver Flower Hall, instantly creating a lively atmosphere.

The dazzling light under the palace lanterns was reflected in the glass of fine wine, like shimmering gold. The glasses clinked together, creating a crisp sound, and the air was filled with smiles and warm, bustling energy.

Their eyes met, and both Xiao Han and Long Chuqing smiled as they clinked their glasses together, joining in the lively atmosphere.