Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Just as they reached the palace gates, Chen Yingchou heard the sound of carriage wheels approaching from a distance.

Qiao Yun stepped forward. "Your Highness, it's Prince Rui and Prince Jing."

Chen Yingchou nodded, dismounted first, then helped Jiang Mo down.

"Ah, Ninth Brother and his wife are truly deep in love!" Prince Rui's voice drew nearer. "Riding the same horse in such a conspicuous manner through the streets, with the Flying Cavalry Army as escort—hardly the low-key style of Ninth Brother's past."

Prince Rui walked up to them, scrutinized Jiang Mo from head to toe, and remarked, "Miss Wei is as elegant as ever. What a pity that such beauty cannot be appreciated by her own husband. Today, it's a feast for others' eyes."

Jiang Mo glanced at Princess Rui beside Prince Rui. Apart from the color and style, the woman wore a golden phoenix hairpin and gold-thread cloud brocade, just like Jiang Mo, though her makeup was more elaborate. Her features were plain, barely passable as slightly attractive under the embellishments of her attire.

Princess Rui was the daughter of the Grand Tutor, Zheng Yao, the head of the civil officials. The Zheng family had a legacy of integrity, and most of their disciples were known for their clean governance. Prince Rui married her for the prestige she brought.

The woman's gaze toward Jiang Mo was unfriendly. Jiang Mo, not knowing where she found the courage, met her eyes directly, not averting her gaze from the woman's face.

"Lan'er's beauty must be felt with the heart. What the eyes see is not even one ten-thousandth of her true beauty. This is a blessing that Second Brother will never understand," Chen Yingchou said with a smile, his tone full of arrogance.

"Second Brother, why bother wasting words on a blind cripple? He's just showing off to you, flaunting that he married a beauty while you married..." Prince Jing caught sight of Princess Rui, stopped mid-sentence, arched an eyebrow, and smiled awkwardly.

He thought to himself, wasn't this woman supposed to be sick and not coming? Why is she here now?

Princess Rui flicked her sleeves and entered the palace gate without waiting for anyone.

"You," Prince Rui pointed at Prince Jing, "keep your eyes open and think before you speak next time."

Chen Yingchou said, "Second Brother, Seventh Brother, we'll enter the palace first."

Jiang Mo curtsied to Prince Rui and Prince Jing. She glanced at the woman behind Prince Jing—her headpiece and attire were slightly inferior to Princess Rui's, but her appearance and figure were excellent.

Prince Jing came from a humble background and wasn't favored by the Emperor, so no one paid attention to his marriage. Few families of comparable status were willing to give him their daughters. Knowing he couldn't contend for anything, Prince Jing chose the most beautiful woman over the most influential one.

The woman gave Jiang Mo a polite smile and curtsied.

Jiang Mo whispered in Chen Yingchou's ear, "Let's go."

She supported him as they walked toward the palace. He Ji, leading the Flying Cavalry Army, waited outside the gates, while Qiao Yun and Xingchun followed behind.

Watching their departing figures, Prince Jing snorted coldly. "I really feel wronged on your behalf, Brother. With your imposing presence, few men can match your bearing and appearance, yet you married such a mediocre woman. And she's spoiled, doesn't know how to defer, and often gives you a hard time."

But Prince Rui didn't care at all. "I have more than one mansion." He glanced sideways in the direction Princess Rui had gone. "Status? I can't decide that now, but who says I won't be able to later?"

"Yes, yes, you're right," Prince Jing praised him effusively.

Prince Rui curled his lips into a smirk. "Alright, let's go into the palace quickly."

It had been over a month since she became Wei Yalan, and this was Jiang Mo's first time attending a palace banquet as Wei Yalan—and a royal family banquet at that. Even Duke Qingguo, as Prince Yu's father-in-law, was attending such a banquet for the first time.

Her heart, already uneasy, now pounded even more fiercely.

*

Not to mention that she had to perform "Spring Sunshine." What might happen was anyone's guess.

All she could say was that she was skilled and bold, determined to succeed or die trying, with no choice but to adapt on the spot.

With a nervous heart, Jiang Mo helped Chen Yingchou into the grand hall.

The previously noisy environment fell silent instantly, and all eyes fell on them.

For the past month, whether at court, in the harem, or on the streets, the most talked-about topic was their affair. Today was their first formal appearance after marriage, so naturally, everyone wanted to see the truth behind the rumors.

Jiang Mo's face burned. Every gaze felt like a flame, scorching her cheeks.

But after the burning sensation, she calmed down. Since she couldn't change it, she might as well face it head-on.

Jiang Mo raised a smile, lifted her head slightly, and met each gaze from left to right without any timidity.

She knew where she needed to go—to the highest step of the hall, the seat next to the dragon throne.

Through countless pairs of eyes—admiring, envious—she nodded and smiled back; to those cold, she responded with coldness; those arrogant and disdainful, she merely swept past them.

She helped Prince Yu across the first marble platform, then across the second. As she was about to step onto the highest platform, whispers broke out in the hall.

"According to the rules, Prince Yu should sit to the right of Prince Kang."

On the second platform sat Prince Kang, and there were empty seats behind and to the left of Prince Kang.

"He seems to be heading for the seat to His Majesty's right."

"Since this dynasty hasn't appointed a crown prince (taizi), by age and seniority, that seat should belong to Prince Rui."

"Look at the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial (Honglu Si)—not only does he not stop him, but he's even helping Princess Yu guide Prince Yu to his seat!"

"Could it be that Prince Yu's eye condition is improving, and His Majesty is about to appoint a crown prince (taizi)?"

Just as he finished, someone exclaimed in surprise, "The Princess Yu is sitting to the left of the Empress."

On the highest platform, on the Empress's side, seats were arranged by rank of consorts. The seat Princess Yu took, if not a harem consort, could only be that of the Crown Princess (taizifei).

"Vice Minister Li!"

From below the platform, Prince Jing, standing behind Prince Rui, shouted, "Li Sida, do you want to lose your official's cap? How dare you make a mistake in seating at the royal family banquet!"

Li Sida hurried down the steps and came before Prince Rui, explaining, "Your Highness, forgive me. This was personally arranged by the Empress. I dare not disobey!"

Prince Rui's eyes turned icy. "She's just a step-empress. If my late mother were still alive, there would be no place for her at this banquet!"

"But the former Empress has passed away. Prince Rui, why do you still act like a child who needs his mother's support?"

A clear, hearty voice rang through the hall. An Zeyou, wearing a deep red gold-thread robe, fluttering a folding fan, swaggered in with deliberate steps to Prince Rui's side.

Prince Jing pointed at An Zeyou. "You hostage! How dare you blaspheme the former Empress!"

An Zeyou didn't even glance at Prince Jing, only glanced at Prince Rui, then without pausing, walked straight up the steps and sat in the back row of the first platform.

"You! You! You're not part of the royal family—what right do you have to attend the banquet?" Prince Jing shouted.

An Zeyou leaned back in his chair. "Then ask Vice Minister Li. Ever since I was ten years old and was invited into the palace to live in the side hall of Kunning Palace, I've attended the royal family banquet every year. I don't know why a prince's study companion has the right to attend."

"You're a hos—"

Prince Rui raised his hand, signaling Prince Jing to stop.

Everyone knows that An Zeyou’s status is special; his father is someone even the Emperor must be wary of. As long as it’s not a heinous crime, no one can do anything about him.

Li Sida quickly said to Prince Rui, “Your Highness, please take your seat first.”

Prince Rui asked, “Where should I sit?”

Li Sida grimaced and carefully pointed to the seat below Chen Yingchou, “There!”

Prince Rui loosened his clenched fist, took a deep breath, and walked over.

Arriving at the seat below Chen Yingchou, he did not sit down but walked up to Chen Yingchou, stared at him for a long time, then reached out his hand towards his eyes, as if to remove the blindfold.

Chen Yingchou’s right ear twitched slightly, sensing something wrong, and raised his hand to grab Prince Rui’s wrist. “Second Brother, what do you mean?”

An Zeyou deliberately laughed loudly, “Even though Prince Yu is blind, his martial arts skills are still above yours. Prince Rui, don't embarrass yourself. Sit down quickly.”

Prince Rui squinted his eyes, “I merely wanted to adjust the blindfold for Ninth Brother. Young Master An misunderstands.”

Having said that, he sat down, picked up a grape from the table and popped it into his mouth, then asked Prince Kang, who was sitting beside him, “How've you been, Sixth Brother?”

Prince Kang was born to the current Noble Consort and is the only prince whose birth mother is still alive. Unfortunately, he was born with a heart condition. His maternal grandfather has passed away, and his maternal uncle is weak-willed and conventional. Prince Kang has no chance at the throne, and the Noble Consort has no other children. Thus, the Noble Consort’s maternal family has remained neutral in the court.

However, in the booklet that Hui Qing showed Jiang Mo, it was mentioned that Prince Kang is closer to Prince Rui in private.

“Thank you for your concern, Second Brother. I'm still the same.”

Prince Jing, who was sitting on the first level of the danbi platform, had his eunuch place a long box on Prince Kang’s table. “Second Brother sent this thousand-year ginseng for you, Sixth Brother. I hope it helps you get better.”

Prince Kang opened the wooden box, glanced at it, and bowed to Prince Rui beside him, “Thank you, Second Brother.”

Prince Rui waved his hand, “This is what a brother should do.”

As they spoke, Prince Rui saw someone entering the hall. His gaze only stayed on that person for a moment before he looked away, as if he hadn’t seen them.

The one entering the hall was the Tenth Prince. He walked up the steps, paused at the seating arrangement, thought for a moment, then first bowed to Prince Yu, “Ninth Brother, how are you?”

Then he greeted Prince Rui, Prince Kang, and Prince Jing in order.

After that, he stood at his own seat and bowed to the various consorts sitting opposite.

After sitting down, he then bowed to An Zeyou, who was sitting behind him.

He was meticulously polite and restrained.

In this short moment before the banquet, everyone's standing and faction in the royal family was laid bare, at least on the surface.

Jiang Mo looked around; while the princes were speaking, the consorts had all taken their seats, and the seats for the imperial relatives below the platform were also full.

“The Emperor arrives!”

“The Empress arrives!”

The eunuch at the hall entrance called out loudly.

Everyone bowed and stood, saying in unison, “Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!”

The Emperor and the Empress walked side by side, ascended the high steps, and stood before the dragon throne and phoenix seat.

The Emperor raised his arms, “Rise, my ministers.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor and Empress took their seats, and the eunuch standing aside called out, “Let the banquet begin!”

Two lines of palace maids filed into the hall and set out dishes, pastries, and wine.

The maids withdrew, music began, and dancers entered.

The Emperor and Empress toasted each other.

Only then did the others dare to eat, drink, and toast.

A quarter-hour later, the music stopped, the dancers withdrew, and the hall fell silent.

The Empress first looked toward the princes, “Have you all prepared your gifts and performances?” Then she looked toward the consorts, “And you, ladies?”

Prince Rui gave Prince Jing a glance.

Prince Jing stood up and bowed, “Father Emperor and Mother Empress, my princess is an excellent dancer and wishes to perform a dance. May the Emperor and Empress enjoy long life and prosperity, and may Great Qi be strong and its people prosperous and at peace.”

The Emperor smiled faintly, “Approved.”

Princess Jing, wearing a dark purple gown with a light purple gauze overlay, glided gracefully to the center of the hall.

The musicians were already prepared; as soon as Princess Jing struck her pose, the music began in response.

Princess Jing’s movements were light, like a bird in flight, and everyone’s attention was drawn to her.

Jiang Mo only glanced at her before looking back at Chen Yingchou. She felt a bit worried. Throughout the dance, Qiao Yun had been arranging his dishes, but Prince Yu hadn’t eaten a bite. He had only tentatively drunk two cups of wine on his own. Now he sat still, not even touching the wine.

He was probably afraid of not being able to pick up food or spilling wine and making a scene.

If she had known, she would have asked the Empress to let her stay by Prince Yu’s side to take care of him.

Seeing all this, the Emperor whispered something to his eunuch, and immediately, a palace maid brought a bowl of red bean porridge to Chen Yingchou’s table, and said softly, “Your Highness, this bowl of red bean porridge is a gift from His Majesty.”

Red bean porridge had been a favorite of his late mother.

Chen Yingchou understood that the Emperor was showing him pity.

Qiao Yun placed the bowl in Chen Yingchou’s left hand and the spoon in his right hand.

Chen Yingchou scooped a spoonful of red bean porridge, slowly brought it to his mouth, then another and another, eating without pause until the bowl was empty.