Chapter 130: Full Moon Banquet.

Chapter 130: The Full Moon Banquet.

Wen Shengan's declining authority had already been noticed by many.

His age was a glaring weakness.

Even if he appeared physically robust and had managed to survive this crisis, what about the next?

With the Empress Dowager's authority blazing like the sun, how could a mere subject defy her will?

With these unspoken thoughts, the vast majority of officials who received the invitation chose to attend the banquet at the Huo residence.

The full moon celebration for the Huo family's eldest grandson was held amidst a strangely festive atmosphere.

Ji Xianshan had made plans with Huo Ze long ago to leave the palace and attend his little cousin's full moon banquet, and meet the newborn.

Before departing, he visited Shouning Palace to pay his respects to Huo Ling and asked once more, "Mother, are you sure you won't come with me?"

Huo Ling straightened his robes with a smile. "I won't be going.

"It's just a child's full moon banquet. Your attendance alone suffices. If I were to attend as well, it would seem like we're showing excessive favor to the Huo family."

"What does it matter?" Ji Xianshan dismissed the concern. "It's your mother's family home, my maternal grandfather's household. Our visit is just a normal family gathering. Would the censors even dare criticize?

"Besides, Grandfather has been stationed at Yanxi all these years, guarding against the Qiang Rong and Great Mu. He's earned merit through hardship. Now that he's finally returned to the capital, it's only right to show him some favor to reflect the royal family's regard for him."

He made his case so earnestly, but Huo Ling saw right through him.

"I think you just want to go out and have fun."

Caught out, Ji Xianshan laughed awkwardly but didn't deny it. "Then, could I stay out a little longer and return to the palace by evening?"

Huo Ling, of course, didn't refuse.

Ji Xianshan rarely left the palace; there was no need to be too strict.

As long as he brought sufficient imperial guards for protection.

"I've prepared a gift for the child. Take it with you when you go."

Ji Xianshan nodded in agreement. "I'll take a good look to see if my little cousin is as adorable as Uncle claims."

Huo Ling asked, "What did he say to you?"

Ji Xianshan replied mischievously, "A fairy child from the Queen Mother's court, without equal in all creation."

Huo Ling chuckled. "Every family dotes on their own child. When you see your uncle, don't tease him like that and spoil his mood."

Since Ji Xianshan was going alone this time, Huo Ling couldn't help but offer additional instructions.

Worried he might forget the time while out, she also gave Xiao Fuzi, who accompanied him, the same instructions.

Xiao Fuzi, like Cui Hongyi, was an adopted son of Li Man.

Li Man had served the late emperor for decades and was His Majesty's most trusted eunuch.

After the late emperor's passing, Huo Ling placed Li Man in Ji Xianshan's service, where he continued to serve as Chief Eunuch, managing all affairs related to the young prince.

As Ji Xianshan grew older, Li Man's health was failing.

Huo Ling had asked Li Man about his wishes and sent him to the imperial estate, where he could live out his retirement in peace.

Now, Xiao Fuzi was Ji Xianshan’s most trusted eunuch.

***

Ji Xianshan had left in good spirits, but before Huo Ling could finish handling her official business, Wu Mo informed her that Ji Xianshan had already returned to the palace.

Huo Ling glanced at the sky. "Has it even been that long?"

Wu Mo replied, "Not even two hours."

Huo Ling asked, "What happened? Didn’t he say he wanted to take his time and wander around outside?"

Wu Mo said, "The servant who came to report didn’t know the details—only that His Majesty didn’t look happy."

Huo Ling set her brush aside and wiped the ink from her fingertips with a handkerchief. "Check with the imperial kitchen on what pastries they have ready."

Huo Ling brought over the freshly made sweet soup from the imperial kitchen, along with a group of attendants, to the Taihe Hall.

Ji Xianshan was lounging on the couch with a book, his cheeks slightly puffed as he crunched on a candied fruit.

Hearing the announcement from outside, Ji Xianshan bolted upright and swallowed what was in his mouth.

He rubbed his face to loosen up his expression before looking up and smiling at Huo Ling as she slowly entered the hall. "Mother, to what do I owe the visit?"

Huo Ling placed the food box down and opened the lid, acting as though she hadn’t noticed his earlier actions.

"It’s sweltering today. Since you’ve been out for so long, I thought I’d bring you some sweet soup to cool you down."

Ji Xianshan patted his stomach. "I could actually use a bite."

Huo Ling smiled and handed him the sweet soup.

She didn’t ask why Ji Xianshan had come back early, instead chatting with him about the bustle at the Huo residence and the child’s condition.

Gradually, Ji Xianshan’s mood settled, and he sighed regretfully, "It’s a shame I couldn’t play with my little cousin longer."

Huo Ling said, "Don’t worry about it. After the full moon banquet, your aunt will have recovered from childbirth and will surely bring the child to the palace to pay her respects. You’ll have plenty of time to play with him then."

After Ji Xianshan finished the sweet soup, Huo Ling didn’t stay long, but before leaving, she promised, "Your birthday is coming up. Since you didn’t get to enjoy yourself today, once things calm down in a few days, I’ll accompany you out for a proper outing."

Ji Xianshan’s expression brightened. "You promised, Mother. You can’t go back on your word."

"When have I ever broken a promise to you?"

As Huo Ling’s figure faded into the distance, Ji Xianshan’s expression darkened again as he recalled his experience at the Huo residence earlier.

When he arrived, all the guests were already there.

First, he followed his grandfather to the back to see the child.

A month-old baby couldn’t even talk, spending most of its time sleeping—there wasn’t much to entertain.

After hearing some amusing stories about his little cousin from his grandfather and a few embarrassing tales about his uncle taking care of the child, Ji Xianshan accompanied his grandfather to the main hall to eat.

He was seated at the main table, placed very close to Wen Shengan.

From the moment he appeared until he took his seat, Wen Shengan wore a dark expression.

Even Ji Xianshan, with his good temper, couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

As the emperor, he hadn't even shown Wen Shengan any attitude, yet Wen Shengan was the first to give him attitude.

In the end, before he could say anything, Wen Shengan spoke up first, uttering quite a few unpleasant remarks.

Such as, "Huo Shiming has been repeatedly impeached. Your Majesty, with your noble status, should not have personally visited the Huo residence at such a time..."

Wen Shengan hadn't mentioned "impeachment," things might not have been so bad. But the moment he brought it up, Ji Xianshan's displeasure only deepened further.

Among the Three Grand Councilors, Ji Xianshan held the most neutral opinion of Wen Shengan.

This was actually quite understandable.

From as far back as Ji Xianshan could remember, in court, Wen Shengan had often clashed with Huo Ling, competing for dominance.

Having weathered life’s storms together for years, to Ji Xianshan, Huo Ling embodied both a mother’s tenderness and a ruler’s sternness.

People naturally play favorites—the affections run deeper for some than others. Even though Ji Xianshan knew he shouldn’t resent Wen Shengan for this, he couldn’t help disliking him.

Recently, the court had been in turmoil, with impeachment petitions against Wen Shengan and Huo Shiming piling up one after another. Ji Xianshan was aware that he shouldn’t easily take sides.

Even if he didn’t understand, those around him would subtly hint at this.

But first, he had long instructed Aunt Wu Mo to inform the Huo residence in advance.

Second, Wen Shengan’s subordinates had the gall to accuse his grandfather of becoming Deputy Commander of Xingtang Pass through nepotism!

Nepotism? What a load of crap!

When his grandfather was appointed Deputy Commander of Xingtang Pass, his mother hadn’t even arrived in the capital yet!

And now Wen Shengan dared to scowl at him. Ji Xianshan’s dislike for Wen Shengan reached its peak.

Given his station, if he humored his ministers, it was out of courtesy. But if he refused to tolerate them, they’d damn well better endure it.

So Ji Xianshan left his chopsticks untouched and rose to depart.

Before leaving, he made sure to reassure Huo Shiming, telling him to be at ease, saying all arrangements at the Huo residence were handled perfectly and met with his full satisfaction.

—If the Huo residence’s arrangements pleased him, then who displeased him was crystal clear.

Meanwhile, Huo Ling also learned from Xiao Fuzi about what happened at the Full Moon Banquet.

She said calmly, "This Empress Dowager is aware. Return and take good care of His Majesty—don’t let these matters trouble him."

Wu Mo asked, "Your Majesty, isn’t Minister Wen’s reaction downright undignified?"

Huo Ling replied, "Knowing he’s about to lose—and to the very maternal relatives he always looked down on—it’s only natural he couldn’t keep his composure."

No wonder Wen Shengan, fully aware it would anger Ji Xianshan, still lost his cool and spoke those words at the banquet.

The day after the Full Moon Banquet, impeachment petitions against Wen Shengan suddenly multiplied.

Officials who had previously remained neutral now picked sides.