Chapter 366: Respect Your Mother First
"Please, Your Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince, kneel!"
The officials of the Zongren Mansion, already well-versed in the etiquette procedures, lightly called out.
Li Chen and Zhao Qinglan took a few steps back and knelt on the ground respectfully.
"One bow, to heaven and earth, and all immortals."
Li Chen and Zhao Qinglan bowed their heads.
After rising, the officials of the Zongren Mansion sang again.
"Greetings to the ancestors."
Two people bow again.
"Three bows, Your Majesty, may your dragon body be in good health."
Li Chen and Zhao Qinglan knelt in the hall, while those outside were not idle either.
They were not qualified to enter the hall directly, so they knelt at the door and performed three bows and nine knocks according to the chanting voices.
Li Yinhu wore a blank expression, mechanically performing the grand bow. At this moment, only one thought was swirling in his mind.
How can Li Chen be killed and replaced by oneself?
After three bows and nine knocks, Li Chen stood up after the ceremony was complete.
He came before the dragon throne, looking at the great emperor, and turning his head to the imperial physician on duty who had been guarding here day and night, he asked: "Your Majesty's condition, has it gotten any better?"
The attending physician bowed and then said awkwardly, "Your Highness, there's been no improvement. I am incompetent."
"It's not your fault."
Li Chen looked at the critically ill Emperor Taishang on the sickbed and said, "I wonder if Father knows, tonight is New Year's Eve."
Naturally, no one could answer him.
Standing by the dragon throne for a while, Li Chen turned and said nonchalantly, "Let's go. We've greeted our father emperor, and it's time for our banquet to begin."
After finishing, Li Chen walked out of Qianyuan Palace. Seeing the crowd kneeling on the ground outside, he slowly approached Li Yinhu.
Li Yinhu was lying on the ground at this time. A pair of golden silk cloud brocade boots suddenly appeared on the snowy ground in front of him. He didn't need to look up to know it was the prince.

Crouching down, Li Chen said faintly, "Look up."
Li Yinhu raised his head and looked up at Li Chen.
"It seems you dislike looking at me in this posture," Li Chen said.
Li Yinhu drooped his eyelids, trying to look docile, and said, "My younger brother dares not."
"Is it that you're afraid, or just don't like it?" Li Chen asked again.
Li Yinhu replied, "Your Highness being the Crown Prince, this humble brother should look up to you."
"Good."

Li Yinhu gritted his teeth slightly, lowering his head to conceal the fierce light in his eyes. His tone was incredibly gentle as he said, “Your younger brother will keep this in mind.”
Standing up, Li Chen spoke in a loud voice: "Everyone, please stand up. Let's go to Kangtai Hall. On this New Year's Eve, our royal family should also be together."
After a brief moment, Zhao Qinglan and Li Chen took their seats in the Kangtai Hall, and the banquet officially began.
The eunuchs stood respectfully by, while maidservants served the concubines and princesses, as well as the princes and princesses, with fruits and delicacies.
Zhao Qinglan sat in the main seat, Li Chen on her side, while others were seated below.
Although it seemed lively and bustling, everyone had their own thoughts. Their eyes kept flitting between Zhao Qinglan, whose face remained cold and impassive, and Li Chen, who appeared serene. Neither of them spoke, and no one dared to break the silence.
"Everyone."
Li Chen stood up, holding his wine glass.
Seeing this, all those who were talking or lost in thought immediately quieted down and listened intently to the prince.
"Tonight, the whole family gathers together. Although father's health prevents him from presiding over the festivities, we should still be joyful and lively. After all, it's the beginning of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Tonight's reunion dinner is a time to honor mother first."
Li Chen finished speaking, raising his cup to Zhao Qinglan and then draining it in one gulp.

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