Chapter 109
Fu Tanghuan had long been used to this kind of process, so she could still sit still, but it was extremely tormenting for Wen Yantong.
Her heels were in pain after standing for a long time.
This so-called ‘small room’ was not that small. Used to host and entertain the female relatives of officials, everyone in here were well-clothed and well-fed, noble ladies. Some were young and beautiful, some were old and feeble, but regardless, they found it necessary to compare and compete with one another when sitting together.
Wen Yantong was tired from listening to them.
After waiting an unknown amount of time among these chattering women, a bell rang outside. The women in the room collectively get up at the same time, walk out of the small room slowly, and walk towards the main hall.
Wen Yantong also followed Fu Tanghuan out. When she left the room, she peeked up and saw many men standing on the opposite side, including Mu Yang. She glanced around several times, but she didn't see Chi Jingxi.
Then a loud voice rang from the entrance of the hall, "The Emperor has arrived—!"
Everyone adjusted their robes and knelt down to salute, "Welcome Emperor! Long live the Emperor—"
The Emperor was dressed in a bright red garment with bright gold embroidered patterns. There was a bright smile on his face, he seemed quite happy. A long line followed behind him, and Chi Jingxi was among them.
Chi Jingxi was also dressed in red. His long hair was fashioned with a white jade hairpin. His handsome face remained expressionless, but because of his pair of smiling eyes made it seem as if he was smiling slightly.
Beside him was the crown prince, Cheng Yanchuan, and behind him was a group of palace officials, there were no concubines present.
Everyone only slowly got up after the Emperor sat on his dragon chair. Wen Yantong kept her head down, not daring to make a mistake.
The Emperor said, "Every one of zhen’s beloved officials have made it to this year’s New Year's Banquet. Zhen is infinitely pleased [1]."
In such a situation, only the highest ranked officials could answer his statement, so Prime Minister Fu said, "Your Majesty is thoughtful and has arranged this for all of us humble ministers and officials. It is already a great honor for us, how dare we shirk to attend this banquet?"
His words were very hypocritical. Naturally, there were people who disapproved, but there was only one person who could outrightly oppose Prime Minister Fu’s words.
Mu Yuan snorted softly, and said, "Prime Minister Fu really loves to joke. Didn't you not make it to last year’s banquet because of ‘your illness’? Truly Lord Ye's passion for dragons [2]."
The hall fell silent for a while. The court officials knew that something had happened to Prime Minister Fu recently, so no one dared to provoke him at the moment.
The Emperor looked at Mu Yuan in surprise and suddenly laughed. When Mu Yuan first entered the court, although he was well versed in martial arts, the reckless man could not read a single word. He single-handedly lowered the cultural level of the entire Shao Jing Dynasty’s imperial court.
Later, his official position was promoted, and the Emperor pressed his head to read and recognize characters. It was only then did he get rid of the title of illiterate.
Even so, he seldom used the idiom correctly. He would usually just take the superficial meaning and use it indiscriminately, causing many to laugh at him. The Emperor didn’t expect him to actually use the right idiom this time. If it weren't for the presence of the civil and military family members, the Emperor would have rewarded Mu Yuan immediately.
Fu Sheng said calmly, "General Mu is the jokester. I was not the one who was drunk and mistakingly dragged Official Jiang's second son as if it were my own son. Why would I avoid such a lively event?"
He was talking about what happened last year after Mu Yuan got drunk. Near the end of the New Year's Banquet, he was so drunk that he grabbed Jiang Musheng's collar and pulled him straight to his carriage, while Mu Yang chased after him.
During that time, Jiang Musheng struggled to explain but Mu Yuan didn't listen and just kept shouting, "Son! I'm your father! Listen to your father and go home now!"
This matter made the court officials laugh for a long time, Jiang Musheng would also take a detour when he saw him. This incident gradually faded in time, now that Fu Sheng brought it up again, long laughter spread in the hall.
Mu Yuan blushed with anger. "I was drunk!"
Fu Sheng still had a calm expression on his face. "Oh... Then it seems that General Mu should drink less."
Even if Mu Yuan had ten mouths, he could never outspeak Fu Sheng. If only the Emperor allowed, he would like to compete with Fu Sheng with his fists.
The toughest part of an illiterate reckless man was their bones and fists.
The Emperor smiled and helped to resolve a dispute. "In zhen’s opinion, the Prime Minister is to speak less, and the general is to drink less, then everything will be alright."
Fu Sheng cupped his hands in response.
The Emperor continued, "This New Year's banquet is different from the past. All the ministers should know, so enjoy yourselves. Zhen pardons you even if you drink more than usual."
Everyone cupped their hands and complied.
The Emperor waved his hand lightly, and the palace servant by him immediately shouted, "Invite the Illusionist from the outer tribe—"
The lights in the main hall seemed to be extinguished at once. Everyone murmured in surprise, there were whispered discussions in the darkened hall.
Seeing that everything had dimmed, Wen Yantong now had the guts to lift her head and look around.
She looked across the hall, at where Chi Jingxi was stationed. He was with Cheng Yanchuan, Cheng Xin, and other imperial princes. There just so happened to be a glazed glass lantern beside him. The soft light hit his profile, highlighting his handsome but delicate jawline.
It was difficult to make out everything since the lights were dimmed. Wen Yantong vaguely saw Chi Jingxi's dark and heavy eyes, as he looked at the door like everyone else.
Almost all the young gongzis standing opposite were handsome and suave. At this moment, many maidens would use this opportunity to secretly peek at them from the other side. It's hard to imagine how many young noble ladies were now attracted to Chi Jingxi.
Maybe because the gaze was too intense, Chi Jingxi seemed to feel it as he turned suddenly. His dazzling eyes looked at Wen Yantong. In a spark-like instant, separated by a long distance, within the hazy light, and across the several people standing in between, their eyes actually collided.
Suddenly her heart started to race, almost jumping out of Wen Yantong's chest.
.
.
.
Footnotes:
[1] Zhen - it’s how the Emperor addressed himself.
[2] Lord Ye's passion for dragons - to pretend to be fond of sth while actually fearing it; ostensible fondness of sth one really fears
Chapter 109
Fu Tanghuan had long been used to this kind of process, so she could still sit still, but it was extremely tormenting for Wen Yantong.
Her heels were in pain after standing for a long time.
This so-called ‘small room’ was not that small. Used to host and entertain the female relatives of officials, everyone in here were well-clothed and well-fed, noble ladies. Some were young and beautiful, some were old and feeble, but regardless, they found it necessary to compare and compete with one another when sitting together.
Wen Yantong was tired from listening to them.
After waiting an unknown amount of time among these chattering women, a bell rang outside. The women in the room collectively get up at the same time, walk out of the small room slowly, and walk towards the main hall.
Wen Yantong also followed Fu Tanghuan out. When she left the room, she peeked up and saw many men standing on the opposite side, including Mu Yang. She glanced around several times, but she didn't see Chi Jingxi.
Then a loud voice rang from the entrance of the hall, "The Emperor has arrived—!"
Everyone adjusted their robes and knelt down to salute, "Welcome Emperor! Long live the Emperor—"
The Emperor was dressed in a bright red garment with bright gold embroidered patterns. There was a bright smile on his face, he seemed quite happy. A long line followed behind him, and Chi Jingxi was among them.
Chi Jingxi was also dressed in red. His long hair was fashioned with a white jade hairpin. His handsome face remained expressionless, but because of his pair of smiling eyes made it seem as if he was smiling slightly.
Beside him was the crown prince, Cheng Yanchuan, and behind him was a group of palace officials, there were no concubines present.
Everyone only slowly got up after the Emperor sat on his dragon chair. Wen Yantong kept her head down, not daring to make a mistake.
The Emperor said, "Every one of zhen’s beloved officials have made it to this year’s New Year's Banquet. Zhen is infinitely pleased [1]."
In such a situation, only the highest ranked officials could answer his statement, so Prime Minister Fu said, "Your Majesty is thoughtful and has arranged this for all of us humble ministers and officials. It is already a great honor for us, how dare we shirk to attend this banquet?"
His words were very hypocritical. Naturally, there were people who disapproved, but there was only one person who could outrightly oppose Prime Minister Fu’s words.
Mu Yuan snorted softly, and said, "Prime Minister Fu really loves to joke. Didn't you not make it to last year’s banquet because of ‘your illness’? Truly Lord Ye's passion for dragons [2]."
The hall fell silent for a while. The court officials knew that something had happened to Prime Minister Fu recently, so no one dared to provoke him at the moment.
The Emperor looked at Mu Yuan in surprise and suddenly laughed. When Mu Yuan first entered the court, although he was well versed in martial arts, the reckless man could not read a single word. He single-handedly lowered the cultural level of the entire Shao Jing Dynasty’s imperial court.
Later, his official position was promoted, and the Emperor pressed his head to read and recognize characters. It was only then did he get rid of the title of illiterate.
Even so, he seldom used the idiom correctly. He would usually just take the superficial meaning and use it indiscriminately, causing many to laugh at him. The Emperor didn’t expect him to actually use the right idiom this time. If it weren't for the presence of the civil and military family members, the Emperor would have rewarded Mu Yuan immediately.
Fu Sheng said calmly, "General Mu is the jokester. I was not the one who was drunk and mistakingly dragged Official Jiang's second son as if it were my own son. Why would I avoid such a lively event?"
He was talking about what happened last year after Mu Yuan got drunk. Near the end of the New Year's Banquet, he was so drunk that he grabbed Jiang Musheng's collar and pulled him straight to his carriage, while Mu Yang chased after him.
During that time, Jiang Musheng struggled to explain but Mu Yuan didn't listen and just kept shouting, "Son! I'm your father! Listen to your father and go home now!"
This matter made the court officials laugh for a long time, Jiang Musheng would also take a detour when he saw him. This incident gradually faded in time, now that Fu Sheng brought it up again, long laughter spread in the hall.
Mu Yuan blushed with anger. "I was drunk!"
Fu Sheng still had a calm expression on his face. "Oh... Then it seems that General Mu should drink less."
Even if Mu Yuan had ten mouths, he could never outspeak Fu Sheng. If only the Emperor allowed, he would like to compete with Fu Sheng with his fists.
The toughest part of an illiterate reckless man was their bones and fists.
The Emperor smiled and helped to resolve a dispute. "In zhen’s opinion, the Prime Minister is to speak less, and the general is to drink less, then everything will be alright."
Fu Sheng cupped his hands in response.
The Emperor continued, "This New Year's banquet is different from the past. All the ministers should know, so enjoy yourselves. Zhen pardons you even if you drink more than usual."
Everyone cupped their hands and complied.
The Emperor waved his hand lightly, and the palace servant by him immediately shouted, "Invite the Illusionist from the outer tribe—"
The lights in the main hall seemed to be extinguished at once. Everyone murmured in surprise, there were whispered discussions in the darkened hall.
Seeing that everything had dimmed, Wen Yantong now had the guts to lift her head and look around.
She looked across the hall, at where Chi Jingxi was stationed. He was with Cheng Yanchuan, Cheng Xin, and other imperial princes. There just so happened to be a glazed glass lantern beside him. The soft light hit his profile, highlighting his handsome but delicate jawline.
It was difficult to make out everything since the lights were dimmed. Wen Yantong vaguely saw Chi Jingxi's dark and heavy eyes, as he looked at the door like everyone else.
Almost all the young gongzis standing opposite were handsome and suave. At this moment, many maidens would use this opportunity to secretly peek at them from the other side. It's hard to imagine how many young noble ladies were now attracted to Chi Jingxi.
Maybe because the gaze was too intense, Chi Jingxi seemed to feel it as he turned suddenly. His dazzling eyes looked at Wen Yantong. In a spark-like instant, separated by a long distance, within the hazy light, and across the several people standing in between, their eyes actually collided.
Suddenly her heart started to race, almost jumping out of Wen Yantong's chest.
.
.
.
Footnotes:
[1] Zhen - it’s how the Emperor addressed himself.
[2] Lord Ye's passion for dragons - to pretend to be fond of sth while actually fearing it; ostensible fondness of sth one really fears
