Luo Yechen was a man with well-developed limbs and a simple mind. Since he liked gold himself, he thought everyone else liked gold too, so he had specially ordered people to craft a Buddha statue out of pure gold to present to Empress Qin.
As a result, Empress Qin did not offer even a single word of praise and sent him away cursorily.
Luo Yechen was extremely disgruntled in his heart, but he did not dare to show it, so he could only suppress his anger and go back to sit down properly.
Next, the other princes stepped forward one by one to present their gifts and wish her a happy birthday.
As a minor Virtuous Consort of the Crown Prince, Xiao Xixi was not qualified to present gifts in person on this kind of occasion. The birthday gift she brought had already been handed over to the managing governess by Empress Qin’s side, and it was presumably mixed in with the congratulatory gifts sent by everyone else by now.
Maintaining a kneeling and sitting posture for a long time made Xiao Xixi feel that her calves were getting a bit numb.
She quietly reached out to rub her calves.
She thought she made this movement very covertly, but it was still noticed by Luo Qinghan.
He turned his gaze back to look at her and asked, “Tired?”
Xiao Xixi nodded, looking pitiful.
She thought he would comfort her with a few words, but in the end, he only said four words.
“Get used to it.”
Xiao Xixi: “…”
If you weren’t the Crown Prince, with this temperament of yours, you would definitely be destined to be single for life!
With great difficulty, they finally waited out the gift-presentation phase, and the dishes could finally be served.
When the mouth-watering delicacies were carried up one by one and placed in front of Xiao Xixi, her waist instantly stopped aching and her legs no longer hurt!
She picked up her chopsticks, speared a piece of chicken, and was just about to stuff it into her mouth when she saw Luo Qinghan looking at her.
His face was still as handsome as ever, and his temperament was still as cold as ever.
Xiao Xixi understood in a second.
At the dining table, she had to let the boss eat first; this was the rule!
She took the initiative to place the chicken into his bowl and smiled like a sycophant.
“You eat first.”
Seeing this, Eunuch Chang at the side wanted to say that His Highness the Crown Prince did not like to eat chicken.
But before the words could leave his mouth, he saw the Crown Prince pick up that piece of chicken and put it into his mouth.
Eunuch Chang: “…”
Fine, as long as you are happy.
Xiao Xixi asked expectantly, “Is it delicious?”
Luo Qinghan actually did not like to eat chicken, but facing the woman’s clear gaze filled with anticipation, he suddenly felt that the chicken in his mouth did not taste all that bad.
He replied indifferently, “Not bad.”
“Do you want more?”
“Mm.”
In order to make the boss eat happily, Xiao Xixi worked hard and uncomplainingly acted as a tool, serving him dishes and pouring him soup, attending to him perfectly.
Seeing this scene, Baoqin was so gratified she almost shed tears.
Her silly daughter had finally grown up and knew to please the Crown Prince.
After three rounds of drinks, the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress left the banquet one after another.
Without the big figures sitting in power, the atmosphere instantly became much more relaxed and natural.
The Eldest Prince, Luo Yechen, holding a wine flagon in one hand and a wine cup in the other, walked over to stand in front of Luo Qinghan.
Luo Yechen appeared to have drunk quite a lot; his cheeks were flushed, his body was covered in the smell of alcohol, and his speech was a bit slurred.
“Third Brother, come, let us brothers have a drink!”
Having said that, regardless of whether the other party was willing or not, he filled the other party’s cup to the brim with wine.
Luo Qinghan did not like to drink.
His face was cold and indifferent, with no expression on it.
“Eldest Brother, you are drunk.”
“I am not drunk, drink up quickly!” Luo Yechen’s temper was not very good to begin with, and under the influence of alcohol, he became even more impatient.
Seeing that Luo Qinghan did not move, he reprimanded in irritation, “I am your eldest brother. When I ask you to have a cup of wine, are you still unwilling? Or is it that you feel that since you became the Crown Prince, you no longer acknowledge me as your eldest brother?”
His volume was not small, drawing the gazes of the other princes.
Yet not a single person came out to dissuade him.
Everyone was watching the show.