Chapter 41

Not only were Tao Sheng and the ministers paying attention to the King of Chu, but even the emperor frequently looked at him. Tao Sheng calculated that the emperor glanced at the King of Chu seven times in the time it took to burn an incense stick.

The King of Chu felt a cold sweat gradually forming on his forehead. Why was it that even though he tried so hard to be low-key, his father and brothers were still staring at him?

Is this really what it feels like to be a true child of destiny? No matter where you go, you will be noticed and observed.

The emperor really didn’t understand what the eldest son of the King of Chu was thinking. Was it simply because his family life was difficult or because his taste had declined?

But today was the Beginning of Winter Banquet, and so many people were watching, including foreign envoys, so the emperor could not pay too much attention to such an unpromising son.

He could only wave his hand and say, “Everyone, take your seats.”

After everyone was seated, attention shifted to the emperor’s speech, the food, the singing, and the dancing, and fewer people looked at the King of Chu.

Such a banquet is undoubtedly tiring. Tao Sheng and the other logistics staff cannot take their seats and must wait at the back. If anything goes wrong, they need to step in and fix the situation quickly.

After about an hour, the emperor said, “Please enjoy yourselves, my friends,” and went back to rest.

As the emperor left, he winked at the King of Chu.

The King of Chu understood, looked around, then quietly stood up and followed the emperor to the Xuanzheng Hall.

When the emperor saw the King of Chu arrive at Xuanzheng Hall, he scolded him, “Don’t you have any decent clothes at home? Are the people following you crazy? What are you wearing when you go out?”

The King of Chu did not expect that his low-key strategy would annoy his father. He explained a bit sadly: “I haven’t been able to come to the palace for a banquet with my father in many years. I just want to keep a low profile and not embarrass him.”

“Won’t you make things difficult for yourself?” 

The emperor felt like slamming the table. He wanted to avoid making things hard for himself, but it was embarrassing for him!

The King of Chu’s staff had meant well by advising him to keep a low profile, but he was too slow to think flexibly. Being low-key actually drew more attention than being flashy.

It can be said that he raised this son himself. The emperor had scolded him in the past, but now that he was nearly sixty and the King of Chu was almost forty, he really couldn’t scold him anymore.

He sat down, drank a cup of tea tiredly, and waved to Gao Zhen, saying, “Ask the inner court to quickly find two sets of winter clothes made for the King of Chu this year and bring them over. Let him change quickly before he leaves.”

The King of Chu wanted to make more excuses, but Gao Zhen noticed the emperor’s fatigue. He knew the emperor was old and low on energy. After attending such a banquet, he had started to feel weak and didn’t have the energy to argue with the King of Chu.

Gao Zhen signaled to the King of Chu to stop talking and just obey.

The King of Chu stopped talking and quietly waited for the chief steward of the inner court. He then changed into the clothes as the emperor requested.

Since the King of Chu had been favored by the emperor recently, the Inner Court had received the news and paid special attention to making clothes for him this winter. The clothes were made in the classical and gorgeous style that the King of Chu loved most, making him look more energetic when he wore them.

The emperor nodded to the King of Chu.

After changing into all his new clothes and accessories, he finally looked like a prince of the prosperous age. His expression eased a little, “That’s better. You can go back now.”

After kneeling in greeting, the King of Chu confidently left Xuanzheng Hall.

The emperor had looked extremely upset just moments before and had called the King of Chu to Xuanzheng Hall, leading many princes and relatives to guess that he had angered the emperor. They thought the emperor couldn’t even wait for the banquet to end to lecture him.

Most people present were waiting to see the King of Chu make a fool of himself.

But who would have thought that after going to Xuanzheng Hall, the King of Chu not only didn’t look dejected but returned in a brand-new set of gorgeous clothes, changing everyone’s perception.

Before the banquet began, people had imagined many things when they saw the King of Chu’s simple attire, and all eyes had been on him.

Now that the King of Chu returned in glory as the only prince the emperor called for a discussion, the situation became delicate.

Everyone’s attention shifted back to him, and when he nearly slammed the table with an unhappy look, they calmed down a bit.

The King of Chu happily sat down, enjoying the admiring gazes of everyone.

Although the events leading up to this palace banquet were quite eventful and unexpected, the overall outcome was still happy and rewarding.

After the emperor left, the banquet entered the second stage, allowing everyone to leave their seats to toast and chat freely.

With the main seats empty, the song and dance performances seemed less important now.

Lord Qiu, the Grand Music Master, told Tao Sheng that Liuyun Palace had prepared soup and food for them, so they should go home quickly after eating, as a girl shouldn’t stay out too late at night.

The colleagues in the Taile Office had always taken good care of Tao Sheng, and Taile Ling was no exception.

After the beginning of winter in the capital, the weather had started to get colder. Without a charcoal fire to keep warm in the back hall, it became even chillier at night.

Tao Sheng had been busy all day and hadn’t eaten much, so she was indeed feeling a bit hungry.

After hearing what Tai Le Ling said, Tao Sheng planned to eat something first, drink some hot soup to warm herself, and then take a bus home.

Tao Sheng had a solid plan, but she didn’t expect to run into Guan Muyun, the son of Duke Lingguo, just a few steps out.

Prince Guan was not attending the banquet in the palace. It seemed he had come out to meet someone, likely from the Eastern Palace.

When Guan Muyun saw Tao Sheng, he quickly understood why she was here.

This banquet was particularly grand compared to previous ones because it hosted several envoys from other countries. Not only were people from Jiaofangsi and Changle Palace busy here, but the Taiyue Bureau also had to send people for preparation and guidance.

However, it was late, and the weather was cold. Tao Sheng, being a girl running around here, made Guan Muyun feel sorry for her.

He wondered what the people in the Taiyue Bureau were thinking. There were so many middle-aged men who weren’t being used, yet they wanted a young girl to do these hard tasks.

Guan Muyun thought that since Tao Sheng was Ruojin’s family, it would be unreasonable for him to leave without expressing any concern.

Guan Muyun walked toward Tao Sheng.

When Tao Sheng saw Guan Muyun, alarm bells rang in her heart.

For a cannon fodder female supporting role like her, nothing good typically happens when she encounters important male and female protagonists.

This might be the legendary conflict of fate.

Guan Muyun approached Tao Sheng with concern: “I’ve already told Mr. Shi from the Imperial Music Bureau that it’s not easy for a young woman like you to be out here. Please ask him to take good care of you…”

Before he could finish speaking, Tao Sheng walked away without looking back, without pausing at all. It was as if she didn’t consider herself a person but merely a pillar supporting the corridor roof.

The last word, “you,” that he said floated away with the evening breeze, its echo fading quickly, showing just how unwelcome he felt.

Tao Sheng quickly made her way to Liuyun Palace, where she found a midnight snack prepared for them, just as Lord Qiu, the Grand Music Master, had said.

Although the food at Lingyun Hall was not as varied as the banquet, it had more depth in flavor. Even simple, homely dishes had unique tastes. For example, an ordinary flower roll had layers of flavor, showcasing the level of imperial cuisine.