I, the one in the heavens, am here to protect my bottom line in all realms.

Chapter 355 Banquet Opportunity
Jiang Siyou touched his eyes and subconsciously asked, "Is it ugly?"

Zhang Chengyuan was immediately at a loss for words: "I care about your health, but you care about your beauty?"

The moment he said this, Jiang Siyou realized something was wrong and said embarrassedly, "I'm used to it. I'll go get some sleep."

"Well, I'll have someone bring you food. Have a good sleep."

Jiang Siyou stood up obediently and prepared to rest. He took two steps and stopped again. He turned around and looked at Zhang Chengyuan worriedly: "Yuanbao, Yu Qingyuan is too cruel. We should be more cautious."

Zhang Chengyuan walked over, held his hand, and comforted him, "Don't worry, I'm here for everything. I won't allow him to hurt you. Every time you go to see him, just follow the original owner's temperament and don't let him catch you. Leave everything else to me."

Jiang Si nodded slightly, but still a little worried: "Then try not to let your daughter come into contact with him, so as to avoid being schemed by him."

Zhang Chengyuan gently touched his face: "Okay, don't think too much. Although many of my abilities cannot be used, I still have the ability to read minds, which is enough to deal with it."

Only then did Jiang Siyou go to rest with peace of mind.

Zhang Chengyuan looked at his back and secretly made up his mind to improve his position as soon as possible so that he could better protect Jiang Siyou and his daughter and speed up the progress of the task.

In the following days, Zhang Chengyuan began to look for opportunities to improve his position in the palace.

However, the emperor was not a lustful man. Apart from the first and fifteenth days of the month when he stayed with the queen, he only came to the harem eight days a month.

Among them, there are a few days used to balance the former dynasty and the harem. She can only choose as she pleases for three days, and it is not her turn at all.

Besides, she was not prepared to serve the king with her beauty. She planned to be a non-competitive person, so she did not find a suitable opportunity for two consecutive months.

During this period, daughter Zhang Yijiang lived a carefree life every day. Although Jiang Siyou went back home once in a while after each change of face, nothing unexpected happened and she got through it safely.

Just when she suspected that the emperor had forgotten about her, the opportunity came.

It is said that the emperor is going to hold a poetry banquet and invite concubines and ministers from the court to attend.

She felt that this was a great opportunity. Of course, she was not going to rely on her knowledge to stand out at the banquet. She only needed to show up and use the medicinal fragrance to make the emperor remember her.

She revealed her plan to Jiang Siyou and Zhang Yijiang, and told them not to take any other action.

The next day, the day of the poetry banquet arrived.

Zhang Chengyuan dressed up carefully and arrived at the banquet.

The banquet venue was beautifully decorated, with red lanterns hanging high, brocade fluttering in the wind, colorful flowers blooming beautifully, and the air filled with a mixture of light floral and incense scents.

The concubines, dressed in gorgeous palace costumes, entered the venue one after another and found their seats.

Zhang Chengyuan was also hidden among them, sitting in his seat with little sense of presence, with Lu Shan and Jiang Siyou standing behind him.

The Queen hadn't arrived yet, and she was probably going to appear with the Queen Mother. Just as she was thinking about it, she heard the eunuchs singing, "The Queen Mother has arrived, the Queen has arrived."

She followed everyone else in bowing and respectfully welcoming the Queen Mother and the Empress, and only called on them after they had taken their seats. Everyone thanked them and sat down, and the Empress Dowager then began to talk to the concubines and court ladies.

People like Zhang Chengyuan, who were of lower status, had to smile and agree with them, but fortunately it didn't take long.

The emperor entered the banquet hall surrounded by the princes and courtiers. Everyone stood up and knelt down to pay their respects: "Your Majesty, long live your Majesty."

The emperor nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand: "Stand up."

Everyone thanked the emperor, and the princes and courtiers who had just knelt together stood up and followed the emperor into the room, each finding a seat and sitting down.

The banquet began with dancers performing graceful dances.

Their graceful movements and agile dance steps, as well as the waving of their sleeves like flowing water, won rounds of applause from the crowd. After the dance, the poetry presentation began.

The queen guessed what the emperor meant and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, why don't you let the sisters come first?"

The emperor smiled at the queen with satisfaction and said, "Of course."

The queen turned her head and looked down and said, "Which sister would like to take the lead?"

One of the concubines stood up, bowed and said, "Why don't I make this presentation first? Please don't laugh at my lack of talent and knowledge."

The Queen soothed him, "Yes."

Although the concubine said this, it was obviously a polite remark, and her purpose was obviously not here. She looked at the emperor with a sad look and said: "The stars are shining in the autumn night, the moon is far away in the palace, I miss you so much, I am alone facing the candlelight, feeling depressed."

The emperor simply nodded slightly with an expressionless face and motioned to the next person.

With the first one taking the lead, other concubines also presented poems in different styles, but most of them failed to impress the emperor.

Zhang Chengyuan sat quietly, with no intention of getting up to write poetry. She was not conspicuous among the many concubines who did not write poetry.

Seeing that no one among the concubines stood up, the queen continued, "Do you ladies and gentlemen have anything to show? You can come and join in the fun."

As soon as these words were spoken, the ladies and young ladies, who had been unable to contain themselves, stood up and wrote poems.

Later, the emperor also asked court officials to participate.

After the poetry session, the emperor and his ministers drank together and enjoyed singing and dancing performances.

During this period, the emperor discussed poetry and songs with his ministers, and occasionally interacted with his concubines.

Zhang Chengyuan always maintained a decent smile and listened quietly.

The banquet was drawing to a close, and the emperor was in high spirits. After looking around at everyone, his eyes fell on Zhang Chengyuan for a moment before moving away. He looked at the crowd below and said with a smile: "If you have any good prospects today, you should seize the moment."

Say it, then stand up and leave, followed by the Queen Mother. The banquet can finally end here.

Zhang Chengyuan followed the crowd to see the three important figures off, and then followed the large group back to the harem.

There were only Jiang Siyou and Zhang Chengyuan in the room. Jiang Siyou held her hand somewhat unhappily but did not say anything.

Zhang Chengyuan patted his hands to comfort him, but his eyes looked behind the screen: "Come out."

As she finished speaking, Zhang Yijiang walked out with an awkward smile: "Well, Dad and Mom, I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."

After saying that, he quickly slipped out.

Jiang Siyou's unhappiness was replaced by helplessness. When he saw his daughter leave, he looked at Zhang Chengyuan and asked, "Will the emperor really come tonight?"

Zhang Chengyuan said confidently: "Of course, mind reading is not a lie."

Jiang Siyou no longer questioned: "Then do you want me to prepare?"

"No, after all, I didn't know he would come. Go back and go to bed early."

The two looked at each other and smiled in tacit understanding.

They went back to their rooms to rest. Half an hour later, the emperor arrived before lights out. Everyone in the yard came to greet him in panic. Zhang Chengyuan and Jiang Siyou mixed in and pretended to be surprised.

The emperor was in a good mood. He gently helped Zhang Chengyuan up and took him back to the house. Jiang Siyou's eyes flickered for a moment, and he silently went to guard the door while listening to the movement inside.