Chapter 92

Chapter 92

The New Year’s Eve palace banquet was a tedious affair. Not only did one have to gauge the Emperor’s mood with every sip and bite, but also constantly be on guard against unforeseen dangers.

These covert schemes were especially evident among the consorts and court officials. Compared to them, the noble sons and daughters who had been starved in the side hall earlier had a moment to eat.

With performances ongoing in the hall and Emperor Rénshòu casually chatting with key officials, Róng Táng ate a few dishes to fill his stomach, then turned to Kē Hóngxuě, "How did you end up sitting here?"

The seating in the main hall was divided into east and west, according to one's status, seniority, and rank.

Due to the banquet for court officials, not many of the consorts in Emperor Rénshòu's harem attended, except for the Empress who occupied the main seat, and a few other consorts who had borne princes.

Though only a concubine, Lady Fang held a seat on the eastern side due to her young son, the Seventh Prince, who needed his mother's care.

The seating was arranged in two rows. Endui, being an elder, sat next to the Empress Dowager for ease of conversation, at the forefront of the consorts' section.

Four imperial consorts occupied the first two rows, followed by the princes, with the older ones seated at the front and the younger ones behind, taking up three rows in total.

Among the officials, the front row was reserved for top-rank ministers, while the back row was for their accompanying sons.

Ke Hongxue and Mu Jingxu, a National Academy Vice Minister and a Minor Minister of the Court of Judicial Review respectively, did not have the rank to sit at this table.

Upon hearing this, Ke Hongxue curved his eyes and flicked his folding fan even in the cold weather, tilting his chin forward: "Do you know the ingredients used for this meal?"

Rong Tang looked at him, puzzled.

Ke Hongxue listed: "Abalone from the Western Sea, sea cucumber from the Northern Sea, mushrooms from Lingnan, snow lotus from the Northern Border... even the 1,100 wild chickens used for the soup are supplied by my family. So, how could I not be seated here?"

Rong Tang was speechless.

He silently sipped the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup, savoring the rich flavors.

Ke Hongxue chuckled. Mu Jingxu rolled his eyes at him, then explained to Rong Tang, “Don’t mind his nonsense. It was Ke Taifu who was invited, but due to his old age and the cold, and with Ke Bobo still in Jiangnan, he took his place.”

Ke Hongxue, noncommittal, continued to serve soup with a smile.

Su Huaijing casually inquired, “Then why is Mu Daren here?”

Mu Jingxu hesitated, sensing he was being set up by Su Huaijing.

Sure enough, Ke Hongxue chuckled, “The eunuch delivering the invitation mentioned bringing family. Is there a problem with bringing my school brother?”

Su Huaijing smiled subtly, shaking his head without responding or objecting, focusing on serving dishes to Rong Tang. Meanwhile, Ke Hongxue's arm was pinched into a bruise by the usually aloof Mu Jingxu.

"Ouch!" Ke Hongxue winced in pain but still managed to smile at Mu Jingxu, "How's the meal? Why not visit my place tonight? The kitchen is stocked with enough ingredients to last you the whole winter."

Rong Tang sipped his soup, feeling that one more glance in that direction might land him in the Dali Temple for questioning.

Midway through the banquet, toasts were made to the Emperor's long life, Empress Yi's safe pregnancy, Marshal Xia's health, and Minister Zhang's continued vigor.

After a round of pleasantries, the conversation finally shifted towards their side.

Emperor Renshou set down his wine cup, his piercing gaze sweeping the hall, and asked loudly, "Isn't the young Ke also here today? Why don't I see him?"

Ke Hongxue promptly set down his utensils and stood up to greet the Emperor, "Your Majesty, I am here."

"No need for formalities," the Emperor waved his hand dismissively, "How are your grandfather and father?"

"My grandfather and father are well. Before entering the palace, my grandfather repeatedly reminded me to pay respects to Your Majesty. He is deeply regretful for not being able to attend due to his health and begs Your Majesty's forgiveness."

"Forgive what?" Emperor Renshou replied with a smile, "Taifu is getting on in years and used to worry over my studies. How could I punish him for something so trivial?"

Rong Tang, losing his appetite, put down his utensils and sat quietly. Su Huaijing gently grasped his hand, silently massaging it.

Rong Tang glanced at him but didn't see any displeasure on his face.

— He always hid his feelings well.

Rong Tang lowered his gaze, suppressing his sense of pity.

After tonight, the year would turn to Qingzheng 10th year, and those enjoying the feast would face their fates.

In spring, the Third Prince, Sheng Chengxing, would host another flower folding event, and the Fifth Prince, Sheng Chengli, would leave the palace to establish his residence; in summer, Empress Yi would give birth, be promoted to Noble Consort Yi, and within half a month, the Fourth Prince would succumb to summer heat; in autumn, the Duke of Wukang would plot rebellion, leading to the Second Prince's exile, Minister Zhang retiring to his hometown, Consort Yi demoted to Imperial Concubine, and the Eighth Prince adopted by the Empress; in winter, the southwestern commander Zhang Baoshan would be beheaded for embezzlement, crippling Marshal Xia Jingyi, affecting the Third Prince's faction severely.

After this year, the Second Prince would be reduced to a commoner, the Third Prince's influence would wane, the Fourth Prince would pass away, leaving the Fifth Prince, Sheng Chengli, as the sole focus of the court.

That autumn, Su Huaijing joined the Imperial Censorate, and by winter, his exceptional handling of the Zhang Baoshan case earned the Emperor's favor.

As the drama of Qingzheng 12th year concluded, the struggles of the previous year were laid bare, leaving only the deep and unseen currents of the capital's politics in Qingzheng 10th year, where a single misstep could drag one into a maelstrom.

Returning to their seats, the feast continued amidst music and fragrance of wine, with the imperial consorts in high spirits and the officials diligently observing decorum. Ke Hongxue, composed and respectful, thanked the Emperor for his graciousness.

Emperor Renshou interjected, "Don’t be hasty in thanking me. I heard from the second prince about your significant efforts during the recent flood in Jiangnan?”

At this statement, the hall quieted down a bit. Rong Tang raised his head, glancing briefly at Sheng Chengming.

Having not met since their last encounter in Suzhou Prefecture half a year ago, this impetuous prince had matured, his face now bearing a sense of stability and depth.

As their eyes met, Sheng Chengming seemed startled at first, then he nodded in greeting to Rong Tang.

Rong Tang returned the nod and was about to look away when he caught a glimpse of a deep gaze.

He frowned, about to return the gaze, but Su Huaijing whispered in his ear, “Tangtang.”

So, Rong Tang immediately diverted his attention.

His intention was to meet the protagonist, but with Sheng Chengli probing so much and Rong Tang revealing nothing, there was no need to rush into discovering his true state. Someone would reveal themselves eventually.

Su Huaijing squeezed his hand, speaking in a light and casual tone, “Don’t look at him, I’ll get jealous.”

“……”

Rong Tang was almost speechless. He shouldn’t have mentioned that damned dream!

How could he have known that the antagonist would take a dream so seriously!

Feeling aggrieved, Rong Tang stared at a sea cucumber in his bowl, unwilling to engage with Su Huaijing or let him play with his hand.

Ke Hongxue smoothly shifted the conversation to them, “It was merely a coincidence that I passed through Jiangnan and encountered the disaster. As a subject of the Emperor, it’s my duty to share His Majesty’s worries. Compared to me, Mu Qing and Rong Tang have worked much harder.”

Rong Mingyu, sitting at the front table, stiffened upon hearing this and followed the gaze of the crowd, scrutinizing his eldest legitimate son whom he had never taken seriously.

Rong Tang felt somewhat dazed, sensing Ke Hongxue’s trap, yet remained calm and quiet, maintaining his frail demeanor.

Emperor Rénshòu fell silent for a moment, then asked, "I am aware of Jǐngxù's hard work, but what has Táng done in the flood relief that you praise him so?"

Kē Hóngxuě feigned surprise, glancing at Shèng Chéngmíng with an expression of uncertainty, as if unsure whether he had let something slip, "Hasn't Your Highness reported to His Majesty?"

Shèng Chéngmíng stood up, apologizing to Emperor Rénshòu, "Forgive me, Father Emperor. My cousin is kind-hearted but physically frail, unable to endure too much travel and toil. He did not wish to claim credit for his actions, hence I kept it concealed."

With the music and dance having ceased, Sháohuá Hall was unusually quiet. Their back and forth, unknown to those unaware, seemed like Kē Hóngxuě was subtly criticizing but was actually intending to acknowledge Róng Táng's contributions.

Emperor Rénshòu’s expression darkened as he asked in a low voice, "What exactly did he do?"

Kē Hóngxuě quickly stepped forward, kneeling down to report, "It was nothing significant, Your Majesty, please do not be angered. The flood in Jiangnan began in mid-June, but I only arrived in Sūzhōu Prefecture in early July. Although the relief funds from the capital were rushed to Jiangnan, the distance is far, and they were only distributed to the various prefectures after mid-July. Therefore—"

He paused, making sure his voice reached every corner of the hall, "In truth, from the start of the heavy rains until early July, for nearly half a month, most of the relief funds and food for the flood victims in Sūzhōu Prefecture and neighboring counties were actually donated by the Crown Prince of Níngxiān!"

Róng Táng: "..."

He turned his head towards Sù Huáijǐng, catching a fleeting look of surprise in his eyes, feeling slightly more balanced in his heart.

Unspoken yet evident, Kē Hóngxuě would have been a cunning businessman had he not been an official.

He could utilize anything, even half a year later!

Having been an advisor for two lifetimes, Róng Táng was rarely pushed into the limelight like this. Counting to three in his mind, he then heard Emperor Rénshòu call out solemnly, "Róng Táng."

Róng Táng sighed inwardly and stepped forward. Just as he was about to kneel, Emperor Rénshòu, as if suddenly remembering something, said, “Your health is poor, and the ground is cold. You need not kneel.”

Queen Wáng’s face showed surprise, her eyes carrying a hint of emotion.

Emperor Rénshòu asked him, “Is this true?”

With the Emperor’s spies spread throughout the kingdom, Róng Táng had no doubt that Emperor Rénshòu was aware that Shèng Chéngmíng and others stayed in his property while heading south. However, regarding the relief grain and the money spent, perhaps the spies deemed it unworthy to report, or maybe the Emperor himself didn’t care. Thus, half a year passed without anyone questioning how, during those ten-plus days from late June to early July, the people of Jiangnan survived the collapse of homes and displacement.

Róng Táng coughed softly, appearing overwhelmed by the Emperor’s aura, and said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, forgive me. It is true.”

“Why did you not report it?” asked Emperor Rénshòu.

Róng Táng replied, “As a member of the royal family, serving the monarch and being loyal is my duty. Being loved by the people, taking from them and using it for them is only right. Your Majesty manages myriad affairs daily; how could I, for such a minor matter, bother you and divert your attention?”