RPAGF Chapter 266 Bad Return
Chapter 266 Bad Return
Shen Junze's fate brought the banquet to a climax. He was only five years old, so of course he couldn't drink alcohol and could only have juice.
Starting with Trass, the toasts were offered to each table in turn. Although he was only five years old, he was the Crown Prince of the Empire, the most honored person besides the Emperor and Empress.
The Crown Prince personally stepped forward to offer a toast, greatly satisfying everyone's vanity. Even some eccentric scientists couldn't help but be moved.
"My lords, please make yourselves at home. I'll take my leave now. Have a good time!" Knowing that everyone was uncomfortable with his presence, Shen Lian and his family left after his son finished offering the toasts.
"Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty, Your Highness, and His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Sure enough, once Shen Lian and his family left, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became lively. These people were all well-known in their respective fields, and they immediately began discussing among themselves.
There are quite a few foreigners who enjoy drinking, and now they're drinking to their heart's content!
"Gentlemen! Please enjoy your meal. His Majesty has specially decreed that you may 'return home'," a eunuch announced loudly.
"Huai Gui?" Although most of the foreigners had learned Chinese, they obviously didn't know what Huai Gui meant.
"The so-called 'returning home' means that His Majesty allows everyone to pack up what they can't finish. You can pack up any food you can't eat and take it back for your families to try! This is a blessing from the wise rulers of our Tang Dynasty." Among the crowd, there were many learned people who immediately spoke up to explain.
"His Majesty has been so kind to us; your imperial grace is truly immense!" someone said, bowing respectfully.
"Yes! Yes! His Majesty has thought of us in every way and has rewarded us so generously. How could we not be willing to die for His Majesty?"
"Yes! Yes!" everyone exclaimed.
“Sir, I read in a book that during the Tang Dynasty, the emperor allowed people to return home with their families, and sometimes even their tableware could be taken home! I wonder if His Majesty has made any explicit statement?” A Han Chinese scientist in his forties asked, bowing respectfully.
"That wasn't specifically mentioned!" The eunuch scratched his head.
"Of course it's permitted! Our Emperor's achievements and magnanimity surpass those of all previous emperors. Surely the rules are no less strict than theirs!" As he spoke, the man began to clear away his own tableware.
Seeing this, the others didn't lag behind and quickly gathered up their used tableware. Of course, everyone was mindful of boundaries, only taking their own bowls, chopsticks, and wine glasses. They dared not take the large platters of food from the table.
Seeing this, the eunuch dared not stop them and hurriedly ran to the inner palace to report.
It's important to know that this tableware is no ordinary item; it's all from the imperial kilns. Even the chopsticks are ivory inlaid with silver. If sold outside, each piece would be incredibly valuable.
Shen Lian shook his head upon receiving the report, surprised that there were such adorable scientists.
"It's alright! Let them take it back! It's our fault for not saying so beforehand!" Shen Lian didn't care about the little thing.
Shen Lian was unaware that this had set a precedent. Later, at palace banquets, ministers followed suit, each preparing bundles to pack their own tableware. This resulted in the palace incurring a significant annual expense for custom-made tableware.
Because returning home was permitted, the palace even prepared a large silk handkerchief for each person. These people forgot all about eating and drinking, and each filled a large bag to the brim. Such fine food, of course, was meant to be taken home to share with family.
The palace maids and eunuchs, who had been serving the servants, exchanged bewildered glances at the spotless plates. They had been in the palace for many years, but this was the first time they had ever witnessed such a scene.
The scientists, each carrying a large bag, walked out of the palace in small groups, completely satisfied.
Shen Lian is staying at Yue'er's place tonight. Currently, he has three women with official titles in his palace. The women he brought back from Japan have also been settled in the palace, but they haven't been given official titles yet.
Shen Lian abolished the Qing Dynasty's custom of having the emperor reside in the Qianqing Palace and choose a concubine each night. Except for the empress, the woman chosen had to be thoroughly cleaned, wrapped naked in a brocade quilt, and carried to the emperor's bed by a eunuch.
And every time he had sex with her, he made the woman crawl into the covers herself from where she was standing. That's incredibly disrespectful!
Each session could not exceed half an hour; once the time was up, the eunuch would shout, "Time's up!" If the emperor did not respond, the eunuch would shout three more times. By the third time, even if the emperor was unwilling, it had to end.
The eunuchs would come in directly, drag the concubine from under the emperor's feet, wrap her in a quilt, and send her back to her palace.
What kind of ridiculous rules are these? Shen Lian was completely stunned when he heard them!
Abolished! Abolished! How can you not share a bed with your woman until dawn? I don't know which bastard made this rule, it's ridiculous.
With so many women in his life, why would he sleep alone? Is that something a human being would do?
So Shen Lian can now go to whichever palace he wants, though he naturally spends more time in Nie Xiaoqian's palace. The three women get along quite well, and so far, there's no sign of any palace intrigue.
"Father!" Upon seeing Shen Lian enter, Princess Xiaoman immediately ran over on her short legs.
"Hey! Slow down, you're a grown woman now. How can you be so impetuous!" Consort Xiao shook her head.
"Oh! My dear daughter, have you missed your father?" Shen Lian squatted down and picked up his daughter.
"I miss you! I miss you so much! Father, you haven't come to see me for three days." Shen Xiaoman leaned on Shen Lian's shoulder, held up three fingers, and said in a childish voice.
"Father is busy! Father has work to do too!" Shen Lian kissed his daughter.
"Father, can I not learn the rules? Granny Su is so fierce, Xiaoman is so scared!" Shen Xiaoman said pitifully.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Upon hearing this, a middle-aged palace maid standing to the side turned pale with fright and immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness.
Shen Lian now has only one daughter, Shen Xiaoman, who can be said to be the apple of everyone's eye. From the emperor, empress, and imperial concubines to the princes and concubines in the palace, everyone dotes on her.
The palace maids and eunuchs all knew that if they made a mistake in the palace and offended the emperor and empress, they would at most get a beating. But if they made the princess cry, they might lose their heads.
"Get up, get up! Don't be afraid, what does a child know!" Shen Lian waved his hand.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Granny Su quickly bowed and rose. The Emperor's family treated everyone with kindness, making life much easier for everyone in the palace.
"Xiaoman, you are a royal princess. When you grow up, you will be a role model for the world. There are certain etiquette rules you must learn!" Shen Lian said solemnly.
Although Shen Lian was a doting father to his daughter, he wouldn't neglect her education. He didn't want to raise a spoiled princess like those in the Tang Dynasty. That would not only be a laughing stock but also cause endless trouble.
"Alright!" Seeing her father's stern face, Shen Xiaoman felt wronged, but still obediently nodded.
"Hmm! That's my father's good daughter! Go apologize to Granny Su."