Chapter 31: Night Banquet Disturbance

Feng Bao shuddered.  Could a mere servant like him casually answer such a life-or-death question?

Why Prince Qin was assassinated, didn’t you have any idea? Every official in the court knew the truth; anyone who could swallow this would be a coward.

“Prince Qin has grown up now. He will naturally understand His Majesty’s painstaking efforts and certainly won’t put His Majesty in a difficult position.”

Feng Bao inwardly grumbled, but outwardly he was extremely respectful, smiling obsequiously. The Emperor, however, coldly snorted: “If he truly thinks so, then I’ll be relieved.”

Seeing the Emperor’s displeasure, but also that his mood had improved, Feng Bao finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was truly a near-death experience.

The first Spring Festival after the establishment of the Dazhun Dynasty arrived quietly under the watchful eyes of various factions. Inside and outside the palace, bright red lanterns hung high.

A touch of festive cheer was added to the bleak winter.  The palace’s rewards flowed into Prince Qin’s residence like water, even surpassing the liveliness of the Eastern Palace.

At the New Year’s Eve banquet, the Emperor and Empress sat at the highest position, followed by the Crown Prince. To the Crown Prince’s side were Prince Qin, Xiao Jinyu, and Prince Zhao, Xiao Jinian.

“Bring that roasted mutton to Prince Qin. I remember when Jinyu was young, he loved roasted mutton. Every time he ate it, he would be so happy he’d dance with joy. Later, at a young age, you went to the army, sharing food and sleep with the soldiers, and never ate roasted mutton again. Now that the country is stable, you have contributed to it.”

In front of the entire court, the Emperor, bypassing his Crown Prince, who had only recently been appointed, incessantly praised Prince Qin, Xiao Jinyu, who had only returned to the capital two days ago. The ministers lowered their heads, understanding that the Emperor knew he owed Prince Qin, using familial affection to make amends for their father-son relationship.

Prince Zhao, Xiao Jinian, looked disdainful, while Crown Prince Xiao Jinshu’s face was gloomy. Even with great merit, Prince Qin’s title and treatment were sufficient. The Emperor’s actions were overly generous to his second son, causing him, the Crown Prince, to lose face.

The Empress, seated high above, looked at Xiao Jinyu below with a loving expression, having a servant bring the foreign tribute fruit from in front of her to Xiao Jinyu.

“This is a tribute from a foreign country. The winter in the North is very dry, and there isn’t much fruit this year.  This is for His Majesty and Prince Qin to moisten their throats. When summer arrives, everyone will have plenty to eat.”

The Empress looked at the numerous court officials filling half the courtyard, smiling gently. She acknowledged the ministers while clearly showing that only the Emperor and Prince Qin had the fruit, leaving her, the Empress, and the Crown Prince aside.

The Crown Prince, sensing this, rose with some resentment: “Father and Mother are too partial.  Everything good goes to my second brother; my third brother and the other ministers don’t have such good fortune.”

Prince Zhao, Xiao Jinian, twitched his lips: “What’s so strange about that? For so many years, among the three of us brothers, whatever the second brother wanted, didn’t we all have to give way?”

When Xiao Jinian finished speaking, the ministers’ faces changed, and no one dared to respond. The Emperor frowned, coldly snorting: “There’s so much delicious food on the table, and it still can’t shut your mouth.  Everything belongs to your second brother, why didn’t it starve you to death?”

Following the Emperor’s words, the lively New Year’s Eve banquet fell into an eerie silence. Under Empress Dou’s wide sleeves, her newly applied nail polish pressed hard into the soft flesh of her palm, while her face held a doting smile: “Alright, it’s a holiday, why get angry? Look how scared you’ve made everyone.”

The Emperor glanced at the Empress, then at the people below who didn’t dare to move their chopsticks. He raised his wine cup: “On this New Year’s Eve, it’s been a long time since we’ve been so relaxed. I offer a toast to all my loyal ministers.  Everyone has worked hard these years.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” A loud voice came from below, and the banquet resumed its lively and festive atmosphere.

“Everything is getting better; we don’t have to fight anymore.”

“Who says it isn’t?”

Everyone exchanged cups, the lights reflecting off the wine. Xiao Jinshu glanced at Xiao Jinyu below, calm and composed: “Second brother, I offer you a toast. Don’t be angry. The third brother is always like this; I apologize to you on his behalf.”

*I*?  Heh, that’s right, he’s the Crown Prince now.

“Why should the Crown Prince apologize for my third brother’s mistake? Doesn’t he have a mouth?”

Xiao Jinyu didn’t turn his head, speaking coldly. The cup offered by the Crown Prince was left aside.

In a fit of anger, he slammed his wine cup heavily on the table. Seeing this, Xiao Jinian, looking unconvinced, stood up with his wine cup, attracting everyone’s attention: “It was my fault, please forgive me, second brother. Don’t make a fuss and make things difficult for the Crown Prince.”

Without waiting for Xiao Jinyu to speak, he drank the wine in his cup. Xiao Jinyu instantly received gazes from all sides.

Instead of showing anger, he looked at Xiao Jinian with disdain: “Father named you Jinian, presumably hoping you would be cautious in your words and actions.  Instead, you’re slandering your elder brother in front of the entire court.  Where is the demeanor of a prince?”

“You…” Xiao Jinian was instantly enraged, pointing at Xiao Jinyu about to berate him.

“Sit down, aren’t you embarrassed enough?” The Crown Prince sternly rebuked, and Xiao Jinian, after flicking his sleeves, sat down unwillingly.

Xiao Jinyu didn’t touch the roasted mutton the Emperor had given him.  The one who liked roasted mutton was always the Crown Prince, never him. He toasted with several generals, skillfully avoiding General Xue, who was eager to marry his daughter into the Eastern Palace, and then left the banquet.

General Xue frowned, feeling the mocking and probing gazes from all sides, and even those who enjoyed the drama specifically mentioned what everyone was avoiding: “General Xue is truly fortunate. You have a close relationship with Prince Qin in the army, and now your daughter is marrying into the Eastern Palace.  You’re truly blessed!”

Xue Yue couldn’t help but roll his eyes. If I had known he wasn’t dead, I wouldn’t have let my daughter marry into the Eastern Palace!  This blessing is for you; do you dare to accept it?

Although Xue Linger and Xiao Jinyu’s marriage wasn’t publicized, it was decided since childhood. However, the decree appointing Xue Linger as the Crown Prince’s concubine had already been issued, leaving no possibility of change. He could only favor the Eastern Palace from now on.

Empress Dou’s two sons hadn’t gained any advantage, and she was already angry. Seeing that the Emperor hadn’t left, and Xiao Jinyu had left first, she immediately started to sow discord: “Where’s Prince Qin? This child, His Majesty hasn’t left yet, why didn’t he say anything before leaving?”

A general stood up and walked to the center of the hall: “Your Majesty must have misunderstood.  Empress Wu passed away on New Year’s Eve, and His Highness doesn’t have the heart to celebrate New Year’s Eve! He went to pay his respects to Empress Wu quietly, not wanting to spoil Your Majesty and Your Highness’s mood, so he didn’t inform anyone.”

After the general finished speaking, without waiting for Empress Dou to speak, he returned to his seat. The Emperor glared at Empress Dou.  She was getting old, her mind was becoming increasingly unclear, actively looking for trouble.

The second son had been gone for a while. Empress Wu was always a thorn in his heart.  The second son left, and he didn’t dare to ask. Dou shi said it so openly, at least half of the generals below were from the Wu family, ah!