Chapter 1753: Chapter 1750: A Gift of Tribute

When Emperor Xuanming entered with the Dowager Empress and Empress, the entire banquet officially began.

Emperor Xuanming gave the command for everyone to rise.

Everyone then stood up one by one.

This time, men and women were seated together, and Chu Heng sat beside her.

The advantage was that if anything happened, she could speak directly to Chu Heng. The disadvantage was that she attracted a lot of attention from the start, making her feel quite uneasy even when having a meal.

The Southern Border Princess was indeed absent.

Ye Muyu frowned even more.

However, with so many people around her, her emotions quickly calmed down, without showing any more outward signs.

After the imperial nobility presented their gifts, it was almost the turn of the lower-ranked officials.

Ye Muyu had long handed over her gift to the eunuch, who was now announcing and presenting the gift.

Finally, it was the Chu family’s turn.

Soon, a wooden sculpture covered with a red cloth was brought over.

Ye Muyu quietly observed the sculpture.

As the eunuch announced the gift, the Dowager Empress showed interest. At her request, the red cloth was removed, revealing an exquisite birthday congratulatory scene, carved from small pieces of wood. It didn’t look large, but precisely because of this, the sculpture’s intricacy could be showcased.

Ye Muyu had been watching the wooden sculpture closely, uncertain whether the Qi family might act in the palace, given Qi Zhao Yi was there, making it incredibly easy to do so.

Chu Heng comforted her, saying there was nothing to worry about, but only when things settled and the sculpture remained intact did she gently breathe a sigh of relief, noticing a momentary stiffness in Minister Qi’s smile.

This reaction already indicated that the other party had indeed been ready to make a move; just not succeeding, possibly due to Chu Heng’s intervention.

Ye Muyu couldn’t help but squeeze his finger slightly, smiling at him in gratitude.

“Do you believe in your husband?” Chu Heng smirked, asking in a lowered voice.

Ye Muyu quickly flattered and cajoled him: “I believe, I believe. I was just blind before.”

“You should continue trusting me like this. If something really happened, it would affect your husband too; otherwise, how would I fail to accomplish the task you entrusted?”

“Nonsense,” Ye Muyu immediately interrupted him. “What are you talking about? Are you saying this just to make me feel worried on purpose?”

“I just want you to worry about me a little more,” Chu Heng said without hesitation, lightly brushing his finger against her palm, causing a slight ticklish sensation. Ye Muyu did not withdraw her hand, gazing at him with a mix of annoyance and resignation.

Ye Muyu did not speak with Chu Heng for long before the Dowager Empress called her to speak.

Well prepared, Ye Muyu stood up and stepped forward to greet the Dowager Empress.

The Dowager Empress looked better than usual and indeed liked the wooden sculpture Ye Muyu made, gently asking: “Madam, it is said that you carved this sculpture yourself?”

Previously, Ye Muyu, in order to preserve the weaving workshop, entered the palace to ask for the Dowager Empress’s decree, mentioning the wooden sculpture. Although not publicized, most officials with status were aware of this matter.

Such a question from the Dowager Empress was clearly giving Ye Muyu face.

Ye Muyu answered neither humbly nor arrogantly: “In response to the Dowager Empress, this wooden sculpture was indeed made by me. I hope you don’t find it unworthy, Your Highness.”

“Of course not, it has a lot of thought behind it,” the Dowager Empress commented as she handled the sculpture, inquiring about the time it took and how she managed to carve it so intricately.

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