Chapter 662
: No Good Banquet, Zhu Gang Was Shot Even While Lying Down
Inside Kunning Palace, candles were lit brightly.
The bright yellow halo softly fell on the exquisite floor tiles, reflecting the gorgeous clothes and delicacies in the hall, creating a magnificent scene.
The melodious sound of stringed instruments lingered in the hall like the gurgling of flowing water, adding a touch of elegance to this solemn family dinner.
Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright in the main seat, his bright yellow brocade robe embroidered with gold dragons making him look majestic without even being angry.
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes slowly swept across the crowd, and finally fell on Zhu Gang meaningfully.
"Today's family dinner is closely related to your lifelong event."
His voice was deep and powerful, echoing slightly in the hall.
Zhu Gang's heart tightened and he lowered his head slightly, not daring to look directly into his father's eagle-like sharp eyes.
At this time, a breeze blew outside the hall, and the copper bells on the eaves made a crisp sound.
It seemed that in this solemn atmosphere, there was a hint of tension.
Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "Before, my sister gave Chunlan to you as a concubine, but you kept dragging your feet and refused to let her enter the Prince of Jin's mansion.
Today is a good day, so Dad will grant you and Chunlan a marriage, and will appoint her as a concubine."
Zhu Gang moved his lips as if he wanted to say something, but he held back in the end.
He just whispered, "Yes, Father."
At this moment, Zhu Gang's voice sounded a little weak in this magnificent palace, with a hint of helplessness and submissiveness.
About half a cup of tea later, Chunlan, dressed in wedding clothes, walked in gracefully from the door.
The flickering candlelight in the hall made her figure appear slender.
The wedding dress was made of bright red brocade, the color of which was as bright as blazing flames, and it was embroidered with delicate and intricate cloud patterns with gold thread.
Under the gentle candlelight, a soft and charming halo flickers, as if the clouds in the sky are gathered above it.
Chunlan knelt slightly and bowed, and said softly: "I greet His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin, His Majesty, and the Queen."
Her voice was as gentle as the wind blowing through the willows, yet it carried a hint of trembling that was hard to conceal, and it was particularly clear in the silent hall.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Chunlan and nodded slightly.
"Get up, and serve King Jin well from now on."
Although his tone was calm, it still revealed the majesty of a superior.
At this time, the incense in the hall was rising and lingering among the people.
The faint fragrance emanates from the exquisite incense burner.
It spread out as lightly as a veil, and the hall was suddenly filled with a sweet and soothing atmosphere.
Empress Ma also smiled and said, "Chunlan, this is your blessing, you must cherish it."
Chunlan bowed her head and replied, "Yes, Madam, I understand."
She lowered her head even lower, and a hint of uneasiness and expectation flashed in her eyes.
When Zhu Gang heard the sound, he slowly raised his eyes, and his gaze fell on the bright and beautiful woman in wedding dress in front of him.
At this time, the candlelight in the room flickered, and the dim light and shadow danced on Chunlan's face.
Her face was reflected like peach blossoms in March, her cheeks were rosy and she looked so beautiful.
The eyebrows are like distant ink, curved like a crescent moon.
But there was a mixture of timidity and shyness between her eyebrows, making her as pitiful as a little deer.
Zhu Gang couldn't help but sigh inwardly, as he knew very well that the emperor's order was difficult to disobey.
Even though I felt helpless and reluctant, I had no choice but to obey.
Zhu Gang raised his hand slightly, slowly and heavily, as if he was carrying a thousand-pound weight.
Then he whispered, "Someone, add a seat next to me and let Chunlan sit down."
The attendant immediately took the order and ran away quickly, and soon found a chair.
The seat is made of fine material and has fine carvings, and the patterns on the back and armrests are delicate and smooth.
The attendant lifted the chair steadily with both hands and walked to the designated place with steady steps. He carefully placed the chair properly, and only a very slight sound was made when the table and chair fell to the ground.
Chunlan was in the middle of it, feeling very uneasy.
She had high hopes for Zhu Gang, but because of the numerous rules and authority, her steps seemed to be restrained by a heavy weight, and she could only hesitate slightly.
Seeing this, Zhu Gang said softly, "Chunlan, come and sit down."
There was an imperceptible tenderness in his voice, like a gentle breeze in the silent hall.
Chunlan then slowly moved to the chair and sat down gently.
Then she turned slightly sideways, still not daring to look Zhu Gang in the face.
As the drum music played, the family dinner officially began.
A group of dancers walked gracefully from the side of the hall.
They were dressed in colorful clothes as thin as cicada wings, and the colors were as bright as the clouds in the sky.
It floats with your steps, like a flowing rainbow.
The pearls and jade on her head swayed, making a fine and crisp sound, like jade beads falling on a plate.
Zhu Yuanzhang turned to look at Empress Ma who was sitting beside him, "These dancers are the latest elites trained by the Jiaofangsi, and they are all family members of officials whose property was confiscated in the past.
Most of the wives of these officials were beautiful women who lived a life of luxury and had delicate looks.
She has a beautiful figure, outstanding talents, and an enviable status.
If the elders in their families had been able to abide by the law, these people would not have ended up like this, using sex to entertain others!"
After saying this, Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly, and a hint of coldness appeared in his eyes.
Upon hearing this, Empress Ma's originally kind face frowned slightly, and a hint of sadness seemed to gather between her brows.
"Your Majesty, although they are the descendants of criminals, they are also pitiful women."
Zhu Yuanzhang snorted, his voice filled with an irrefutable determination.
"Pitiful?
Shouldn’t their family members be punished for committing serious crimes?”
Just at this moment, the lead dancer, who was dancing gracefully, suddenly changed her expression, and a look of determination flashed in her eyes.
She pulled out a soft sword from her waist with lightning speed.
The sword flashed with cold light, like a cold lightning, and it attacked Zhu Gang's position swiftly.
This sudden change was like a bolt from the blue, and everyone's faces turned pale in an instant.
There was a dead silence at first, and then there was a burst of exclamations, and the scene suddenly became chaotic.
The guests either stood up and dodged in panic or were pushed to the ground by the people around them.
The servants were in chaos. Some tried to rush forward to stop them, but they looked afraid.
The palace maids who were responsible for serving the princes and Zhu Yuanzhang were so frightened that they turned pale and screamed continuously.
The already flickering candlelight in the hall was shaken violently by the impact of the chaotic airflow.
The dim light and shadows jumped wildly on the walls, as if they were also terrified by this sudden change. The entire Kunning Palace fell into chaos and fear in an instant.
"Come here, escort me!"
When Zhu Gang saw this sudden change, he shouted loudly like a huge bell, resounding in the hall.
In an instant, he stood up like lightning, with quick and decisive movements, and without hesitation, he protected Chunlan tightly behind him.
Zhu Gang stood as tall as a pine tree, staring at the dancer who was attacking him with a sword, his eyes full of vigilance and determination.
At this moment, he was like an indestructible fortress, protecting Chunlan behind him from wind and rain.
Chunlan's face turned pale and her body trembled slightly.
Her hands subconsciously grabbed the corner of Zhu Gang's clothes, her eyes filled with fear and helplessness.
Zhu Gang felt Chunlan's trembling behind him, and his determination to protect her became even stronger.
His feet stood firmly, as if rooted to the ground, ready to respond to the dancer's attack at any time. (End of this chapter)