Chapter 224: Feeling Utterly Humiliated

Chapter 224: Feeling Utterly Humiliated

News quickly spread throughout the Upper Capital that the Emperor was to hold a banquet in the palace to select an adoptive child for Prince Xiao Yao, and all officials of the third rank and above were required to attend with their families.

Recently, Tang Shuyi had not been in contact with the seventh prince from the palace and was unaware of his current situation. However, she believed that the child would seize this opportunity. She even visited the Duke of Tang's mansion; the Duke assured her that as long as the seventh prince cooperated, there should be no significant issues, easing half of her worries.

Before the banquet, Tang Shuyi summoned Xiao Yuzhu, Tang Anle, and Xue Ying, reiterating her instructions that even if the sky were to fall outside, they must not leave the banquet or lose sight of their elders.

When the three attended the banquet, they often sat together, so Tang Shuyi called them together for instructions.

Xiao Yuzhu and the others nodded earnestly; the memory of the chaos at the last palace banquet was still fresh in their minds, and they certainly didn't dare to run off again.

However, even with their promises, Tang Shuyi wasn't entirely reassured; on the day of the banquet, she kept a tight hold on the three of them. Not just her, but the Lady Tang, the second Mrs. Tang, and Xue Ying’s mother, Lady Xue, also kept a watchful eye on them.

The near disaster involving Xiao Yuzhu at the last palace banquet had truly terrified them.

This morning, a eunuch from the Emperor’s side came to oversee the seventh prince as he dressed in neat and fitting clothes. However, as he was too thin, the fitting clothes only accentuated his gauntness.

The eunuch frowned even more upon seeing him, but there was nothing to be done; if he wore loose clothing, it would appear as if he were wearing someone else's, which would only make it more evident that the Emperor neglected the seventh prince.

"This will have to do," said the eunuch.

What else could be done? They certainly couldn't pad him with flesh, and besides, he wasn't capable of gaining weight quickly!

The seventh prince fiddled with his clothing, looking lost and unsure. The eunuch approached him, bowed slightly, and said, "Your Highness, today the Emperor is selecting a child for adoption by Prince Xiao Yao. You are just there for appearances; just don’t move around or speak out of turn."

This was what Jiao Kangsheng had instructed him to convey to the seventh prince before coming. The Emperor found this son embarrassing and didn't want him to show his face in front of everyone. However, he had already told the court officials to involve all his sons. The Emperor was a man concerned with saving face; he couldn’t go back on his word.

Upon hearing his words, Li Jingyi pursed his lips and remained silent. Seeing this, the old eunuch hastily reassured him, "Don't worry, our Seventh Prince is the most obedient."

The eunuch glanced at Li Jingyi again, noticing his downcast, simple-minded appearance, he sighed inwardly. Despite being a prince, he had ended up like this. Waving his hand, he said, "Your Highness, please follow this servant."

"Yes," the old eunuch responded, then pulled Li Jingyi to follow the eunuch.

After a short walk, they saw from afar the Empress and several consorts’ procession approaching. They promptly stopped to wait for the Empress and her entourage to pass. However, as they approached, the Empress instructed her retinue to halt and then looked at Li Jingyi, asking, "Is this little Seventh?"

The eunuch in the Emperor's service quickly responded with a smile, "Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, it is indeed the Seventh Prince."

The Empress turned and scrutinized Li Jingyi for a moment, then beckoned him, "Come, let this palace have a look at you."

Li Jingyi, with his head bowed, appeared hesitant to approach. Left with no choice, the old eunuch pulled him closer to the Empress and whispered, "Your Highness, please pay your respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

Li Jingyi paused briefly, then performed a half-hearted bow, and in a voice as faint as a mosquito's, said, "Paying respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

The Empress sighed, "Such a pitiable child."

"Min Consort," Liang Consort spoke up at this moment, "I remember that you were quite close to Jiang... to little Seventh's mother. Why don't I see you looking after him occasionally?"

Min Consort, mother of the crown prince, was always at odds with Liang Consort. Irritated by the sarcastic remark, she retorted with a cold huff, "I recall you being quite amiable with her as well. Why haven't I seen you taking care of little Seventh?"

"Enough," the Empress interjected, silencing them both, "Today, the Emperor is selecting an heir for the carefree prince. Behave yourselves."

With a wave of her hand, the procession resumed. Only after they were far away did Li Jingyi and his company continue. Less than a quarter of an hour later, they arrived at the banquet hall, which was already filled with many guests. The eunuch serving the Emperor found a corner for Li Jingyi to sit.

The Emperor's other princes were seated at the front, except for the Second Prince, who was still under house arrest. The crown prince sat slouched, pale, and hollowed-out in appearance.

The Third Prince stood beside the Empress, head bowed, appearing very well-behaved. After his mother had passed away, he was raised under the Empress's name. The Fourth Prince, seventeen or eighteen, radiated hostility as if ready to quarrel at any moment.

The court officials observed these princes, shaking their heads internally. Some even pondered whether they should urge the Emperor to make more effort in producing a more capable heir.

"The Emperor arrives, accompanied by the noble and gracious Dowager Consort Jia Shu."

A sharp voice rang out, silencing the banquet hall. The Emperor and Dowager Consort Jia Shu entered. Once seated, the Emperor began, "My brother, the carefree prince, passed away at a young age, leaving neither son nor daughter. It pains my heart each time I think of him."

With a sigh, and even a hint of moisture in his eyes, he continued, "After consulting with the Dowager Consort, we decided to adopt an heir for my brother from our royal kin. Come forth, let the Dowager Consort have a look at you."

He gestured with his hand, and around twenty children in their teens came out, lining up in front of the Empress Dowager. The Emperor glanced at them, his eyebrows furrowing slightly, before he turned to the Fourth Prince and said, "Jingyang, come here as well."

Fourth Prince Li Jingyang, upon hearing the Emperor's call, walked reluctantly to stand amidst the children.

Seeing this, the Emperor's brow furrowed again, and then he added, "Jing... Jingyi, come here too."

At the mention of Jingyi, many court officials couldn't recall who it was for a moment, until a frail child, seemingly vulnerable to a gust of wind, stepped forward, eliciting a sudden realization from the crowd.

The Emperor, looking at his seventh son's clueless demeanor, felt a loss of face, yet maintained a calm facade and said to the Empress Dowager, "Please have a look, see which one catches your eye."

The Empress Dowager nodded, her gaze sweeping across the faces of each child, eventually resting on Li Jingyi. She said, "I met this child in the palace a few days ago. Who is this?"

"This is my seventh prince," the Emperor replied.

The Empress Dowager smiled and gestured to Li Jingyi, "Come, let me have a look."

Li Jingyi looked around, making sure the Empress Dowager was indeed summoning him, then walked forward with his head down. After stopping, he remained silent, standing there blankly. The Emperor felt utterly embarrassed but was in no position to show his frustration.