Chapter 509: Chapter 509: King Rui Presents a Gift_1

“No, it’s right for the Ninth Sister-in-law to abstain from drinking while taking care of her husband. As an elder sister-in-law, I of course can understand and empathize.” The gentle and generous Qi Shijing answered with a smile on her face.

“Thank you for your understanding, Your Royal Highness of the King Rui. However, the double relation that you mentioned may not be entirely accurate.” Wei Ruo said.

Hearing these words, Wei Qingwan’s heart tightened. Not waiting for Qi Shijing to ask, she pre-empted Wei Ruo and said, “Sister, let me drink a toast to you.”

Wei Ruo did not respond to Wei Qingwan, but continued to speak to Qi Shijing, “Your Royal Highness, regarding your elder brother’s condition, Divine Doctor Xu once told me, it wasn’t that he didn’t want to treat your brother, but that the opportunity for treatment had been missed. Even he lacks the ability to turn the situation around.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Shijing was surprised, “So that’s what happened. No wonder my father has never blamed the Ninth Brother and his wife, thinking that Divine Doctor Xu was too busy with other matters to pay attention.”

After speaking, Qi Shijing glanced at Wei Qingwan once again. Noticing Wei Qingwan’s embarrassment due to being ignored by Wei Ruo, she detected something amiss.

Wei Qingwan’s heart was thumping wildly at this moment. Holding a wine glass in her hand, she was unsure whether to withdraw it or not.

Wei Ruo still ignored Wei Qingwan, continuing to speak to Qi Shijing, “Actually, Divine Doctor Xu originally wanted to treat the Third Master Qi. It’s a pity that someone obstructed him from treating him properly on that day. It was the Xiu Family’s son, Xiu Fengyuan. Even when Divine Doctor Xu tried to re-attach his severed arm, he was also obstructed, and blamed for using his rustic martial arts to harm people.”

“Who obstructed the Divine Doctor’s treatment?” Qi Shijing asked.

“The official from the Imperial Institute of Medicine, Mister Xing.” Wei Ruo replied.

“Was such a thing happened?” Qi Shijing was taken aback.

“Many people at the scene saw it that day, including the imperial physicians who went to treat Young Master Lu.” Wei Ruo answered.

Hearing these words, a hint of coldness flashed in Qi Shijing’s eyes. But soon, her expression was again one of elegant and gentle smiles.

Then, she sighed with a sense of helplessness, “My Third Brother is just unfortunate. It’s not anyone’s particular fault. Now that he is safe and sound it’s already a blessing in disguise.”

Wei Ruo narrowed her eyes, unable to determine whether Qi Shijing was actually magnanimous or deeply calculative.

No matter what Qi Shijing’s intentions were, neither King Rui nor the Qi family would genuinely treat her second brother well, as they were the ones who had caused the death of the Xiu family. When King Rui ascends the throne, he would inevitably root out her second brother.

After chatting casually for a while, Qi Shijing excused herself and left. Wei Qingwan cautiously followed Qi Shijing back to her own seat.

Due to her nervousness, Wei Qingwan hadn’t paid any attention to the appearance of Wei Jinyi who was sitting not far away.

After taking her seat, Qi Shijing turned to her and said, “It seems that your relationship with your elder sister is not very good.”

Wei Qingwan lowered her head slightly and explained carefully, “There’s been a misunderstanding between my sister and me. She is still angry at me.”

“It’s normal for sisters to have some conflicts. But remember that blood is thicker than water. It’s best to resolve conflicts sooner rather than later.”

“Yes, when I find the opportunity, I will discuss this with my sister.” Wei Qingwan hurriedly agreed.

“I’m not rushing you, I just want to say that you are all daughters-in-law of the royal family, not ordinary people. It’s best not to let conflicts arise.” Qi Shijing gently advised.

“I understand.” Wei Qingwan quickly assured.

In the far end section away from the main seats, Elder Master and Madam Wei sat at their seats.

In the past few years, the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence did not have the privilege to attend such palace feasts. Their presence here this year exemplified the significant change in the Wei Family’s standing within the court.

Elder Master and Madam Wei, who were advanced in years, were seated quietly without initiating any conversation with others.

Elder Master Wei appeared a bit constrained, as it had been many years since he last attended such an event.

When people took the initiative to propose a toast to him, he was somewhat taken aback.

Soon Elder Master Wei discovered that more than one or two people took the initiative to toast him, which once again made him realize the true change in their family’s status within the court.

During a moment of respite, Elder Master Wei looked towards the main seats and found his two granddaughters sitting at the positions closest to the Emperor’s throne.

He was well aware that these two granddaughters were part of the reason he was sitting here today.

However, he had no chance to talk to them today.

The banquet reached its climax, the music stopped, and the dancers also withdrew.

Several ministers took turns standing up and saying blessings to the Emperor, and the princes did the same.

The blessings they spoke were more or less the same—first, they wished for the dynasty to flourishes for hundreds of years; second, they wished for the Emperor’s longevity to match the heavens; third, they wished for the people to have plentiful food and clothing.

All the princes and the Emperor’s sons had expressed their blessings, and in the end, only King Rui was left.

King Rui was in poor health, and it was normal for him not to stand up and speak at this moment without anyone questioning it.

However, at this time, Wei Jinyi slowly stood up with the support of Wei Ruo.

So all the attention was focused on him.

This time Wei Qingwan also turned to look with the crowd, and her face turned pale with shock.

“Father Emperor, your son has something to offer.” Wei Jinyi slowly said, his voice was not loud, but those close by could hear clearly.

“Oh? What does Yiyi want to give me?” The Emperor’s face held curiosity and delight.

Wei Jinyi turned his head and signaled to someone beside him.

After a while, someone from below was carrying something along the red carpet towards the Emperor’s seat.

The object seemed heavy and required four people to push it.

There was a red cloth covering the top, unclear, only the two wheels below could be clearly seen.

Behind them, two people carried a large box.

The ministers all craned their necks, curious to see what good thing King Rui was presenting to the Emperor.

“Yiyi, what have you prepared for me?” The Emperor asked, his tone affectionate.

Before Wei Jinyi could speak, he wavered, luckily Wei Ruo was beside him for support or he might have fallen.

The Emperor promptly said, “I allow you to sit down and answer me.”

“Thank you, Father Emperor.” Wei Jinyi replied, then slowly sat back down with Wei Ruo’s support.

Then Wei Jinyi gently raised his right hand, signalling his people to lift the red cloth and open the box.

When they saw the contents of the box, the ministers were horrified.

“It’s, it’s a Thunderbolt Bullet!”

Someone gasped, which made the other people far away who couldn’t see the contents of the box panic.

If it wasn’t for the fact that they were at the Mid-Autumn banquet hosted by the Emperor, some people would have already fled.

It must be remembered that the last time Assistant Minister Liang Dong of Yu Heng’s Clean Official Department used a Thunderbolt Bullet, it severely injured the sons of the Qi and Lu families, and killed several people, including some skilled martial artists.

If a whole box of Thunderbolt Bullets exploded now, could anyone on this square survive?

The Emperor did not seem nervous, he asked Wei Jinyi, “Yiyi, are these Thunderbolt Bullets?”