ETERNAL LOVE : A LOVE STORY Chapter 137 - Banquet ( 4 )

As the Banquet started, all the guests came one by one to give their wishes and gifts to the Empress Dowager. 

Seeing all the expensive gifts, Zhao Ming was stunned and surprised as well.

Liwei was the richest and the most powerful business tyc.o.o.n in the 21st century but compared to this wealth, he was nothing.

Many times, when the expensive gifts were presented Zhao Ming's mouth opened in awe. But for others, it was 'normal'. 

Xiao Li was noticing Zhao Ming and chuckling inwardly. Compared to Xiao Li, Zhao Ming came from a lower background. 

But she was not greedy like other consorts. Even after getting married into the palace, she never showed her greed towards the expensive gifts and clothes. 

Every time, this kind of Banquet was held, her expressions remain the same for the whole time. 

But.. This was not Zhao Ming. 

It was Xie Ming, who came from the 21st century. She loves to spend money like water while shopping. 

When she saw all the expensive gifts made from gold and jade, her eyes were twinkling with brightness.

Seeing Zhao Ming's expressions, Xiao Li snickered.

Now it time for the Royal family to present their gifts to the Empress Dowager.

It started by the consorts under Xiao Li. They placed their gifts in front of Wen Xu one by one. 

Some gifted were ornaments of gold, a dress, a jade stone, or a ring. There are so many gifts that many of them were repeated many times.

Wen Xu was also tired by now from receiving the same gifts. 

Even Zhao Ming was also getting tired and bored from all the gift session. She started to yawn, when suddenly she felt a gaze on her.

It was Ji Cheng. 

She froze when she realized she was in the palace, that too she was the Empress. 

She felt his gaze on her when she was in the middle of yawning. She froze. 

Her mouth kept open in shock. She hesitantly closed her mouth. And turned to Ji Cheng giving the awkward smile to him. 

Ji Cheng knows that the gifting session was boring. Even he was feeling tired of it. 

But he was the Emperor, so he can't show his tiredness. He was still sitting straight and strict. 

But then he felt a movement beside him. 

He saw Zhao Ming yawning. He unknowingly stared at her. 

Then suddenly he realized, that he stared at her for so long. She turned to look at him and smiled awkwardly. 

At that time he thought, ' She... is cute.'

He never saw any other consort, to behave this carefree in front of him or the public. 

Even Zhao Ming wasn't like that... Before. He found her carefree behavior, adorable. 

After that, he sat straight and watched people presenting their gifts to Wen Xu

Soon it was, Xiao Li's turn to present her gifts to Wen Xu. 

Xiao Li stood up from her place elegantly and walked towards in front of Wen Xu. 

Wen Xu smiled at her.

Xiao Li gestured towards her maid to bring her gift.

The maid brought the gift and placed it carefully on the table in front of Xiao Li. The gift was covered with golden colored cloth. 

It was something round in shape, not too big and small in size. But everyone was curious what was inside it. 

Wen Xu was also curious about it. 

Before removing the cloth from it, Xiao Li looked at Zhao Ming and gave her a mocking smile. 

Zhao Ming raised her eyebrows at her. 

' What's her problem? Why she kept giving me those creepy smiles? Ahh, I got gooseb.u.mps.' she rubbed her arms together. 

Ji Cheng looked towards her and asked, " What happened? Do you feel cold?" 

Zhao Ming looked at him, 'Seriously? Not again, dude. But wait, this time I think it was me who gave him the wrong idea.' she coughed at this thought. 

At this, Ji Cheng grew more worried, he was ready to call the imperial doctor but Zhao Ming stopped him by holding on his arm and said, " I am fine. It just.. see Xiao Li is going to reveal her gift."

She suddenly shook him to see in Xiao Li's direction. 

She tried to change the topic when she didn't get any excuse. She sighed in relief when looked towards Xiao Li and didn't ask her again.

Xiao Li's face darkened when she saw that JI Cheng was more interested in Zhao Ming than her gift. 

She took a deep breath and prepared to remove the cloth from the gift.

When she removed the golden colored cloth, a dark green colored stone came into their gazes. 

The stone was not s.h.i.+ny but was dark and vibrant green.

With a look, anyone can say that it was a jade stone but it was not like others. It was somewhat different but don't know why. 

Wen Xu looked at Xiao Li with curiosity waiting for her to explain.

Before Xiao Li could say anything, an old man reached to the jade started looking at him. 

Xiao Li and Ji Cheng didn't stop him, because he owns a jewelry shop and he was the one who makes all the ornaments of the royal family. 

And as most of the jewelry were of jade, so he was the Master in this field. 

He looked at the jade with interest and after keenly observing the jade stone he turns to Wen Xu and said, 

" Your majesty, Consort Xiao Li is very filial to you. She has gifted you, this precious gem. As anyone could say that it is a jade, but it is not just any jade." 

" It is a very precious gem which is very rare to find. Even we also didn't have this kind of quality jade in our treasury," he said with a brightness in his eyes.

Hearing his words, everyone in the palace Hall started whispering. Wen Xu looked at Xiao Li with a feeling of proud and love. 

Xiao Li also turned to look at Wen Xu and said," Master, please don't say like this. This stone is nothing in front of my mother." she said with a modest smile on her face. 

Then she said to Wen Xu, " Mother, I especially asked my father to get this stone as a gift for you. This jade stone has ornamented the treasury of country L. "

" This stone was given to my grandfather by a great man, there is a saying that this stone will cure your insomnia if kept under your pillow before sleeping. "

" And you were experiencing insomnia for a few days because of stress due to Sister's health. So I asked him to send me this jade, so that I can give you in a present. This gift is not only for your birthday but also for your long and healthy life. "

She said with a humble smile on her face. 

Wen Xu looked at Xiao Li and smiled in appreciation. 

Hearing Xiao Li's words, Zhao Ming raised her eyebrows at her, ' Why the h.e.l.l, she was involving me in their drama? And when did this old hag was worried about me?' she narrowed her eyes at Xiao Li.