Chapter 77: Royal Family
Entering Zhaoyang Gate led to the Inner Palace of the Summer Palace. In the depths of the courtyard halls, the doorways were wide open, screens and curtains enclosed the area, and Imperial Guards and eunuchs stood silently with hands clasped respectfully.
The four brothers ascended the steps from the doorway. Huangfu Zhen walked beside Huangfu Xuan and said softly, “Older Brother, don’t take yesterday’s matter to heart. If Father Emperor asks today, just admit your mistake openly and say you remembered wrong, and it will be over.”
“Thank you for your concern, Second Brother.” Huangfu Xuan replied indifferently, then said no more.
Behind them, Huangfu Shi and Huangfu Xuan made faces at each other, the latter even covering his mouth to stifle a laugh, clearly recalling Huangfu Xuan’s embarrassment from yesterday…
.
Yesterday afternoon, the four brothers accompanied the Initial Emperor and his wife on the View Wind Tower, drinking alcohol, enjoying the scenery, and escaping the summer heat. Seeing Father Emperor somewhat disinterested, Huangfu Zhen suggested a drinking game to liven things up.
The Initial Emperor was indifferent either way, but Empress Xiahou was enthusiastic, so they agreed to Huangfu Zhen’s proposal.
Empress Xiahou smiled at Huangfu Zhen and said, “Zhen’er, since you proposed it, you be the game master.”
“Your son obeys.” Huangfu Zhen smiled in response, then said to Father Emperor, Mother Empress, and the brothers, “Let’s start with something simple to warm up. My drinking game requires everyone to recite a line from an ancient poem.”
Before he finished, Huangfu Shi clamored, “That’s too easy.”
“Don’t rush, I haven’t finished.” Huangfu Zhen laughed. “My poem has requirements: the line must contain both ‘red’ and ‘fly’. Whoever can’t come up with one drinks three cups as punishment wine. Even Father Emperor can’t default on it.”
“What if everyone comes up with one?” The Initial Emperor also got interested and asked with a smile.
“If everyone does, I’ll self-punish with six cups as the game master!” Huangfu Zhen said with a laugh.
“I see you monkey are just craving alcohol!” Empress Xiahou laughed and scolded. Huangfu Xuan immediately chimed in, “Mother Empress saw through Second Brother’s little scheme at a glance!”
“Fourth Brother, I’ve doted on you for nothing.” Huangfu Zhen gave Huangfu Xuan a glare, making the Initial Emperor and his wife burst into laughter.
Huangfu Xuan sat alone to the side. Seeing the emperor and empress, father and sons all harmonious and joyful, it only highlighted his own isolation like an outsider of another surname. He felt waves of irritation, wishing he could withdraw and get as far away from this family as possible.
The Initial Emperor sat high on the couch, taking in all his sons’ expressions. Seeing him show that alienated look again, he frowned in disgust and said, “If you’re not interested, you can go back first. No need to endure here.”
With Father Emperor and all the brothers’ gazes suddenly turning to him, Huangfu Xuan hurriedly left his seat to apologize. Empress Xiahou also spoke for him, “Your Majesty, calm your anger. Xuan’er is just racking his brains for a poem line, right?”
Huangfu Xuan knew he was already out of favor with Father Emperor, so he dared not provoke the Initial Emperor further. He quickly went along with it, “Your son has an unlikeable face, but I truly have no intention of not participating.”
The Initial Emperor snorted, then ignored him. Huangfu Xuan hurriedly had a palace servant bring the command flag and said, “Father Emperor starts first.” Pretending formally, he added, “Quickly pour wine for Father Emperor.”
Without needing palace servants, Huangfu Xuan carried a tray while Huangfu Shi held the pot, pouring full three cups of wine, and grinning at the Initial Emperor.
Amused by his three sons, the Initial Emperor finally cast aside the displeasure brought by Huangfu Xuan, laughed and scolded, “You three brats won’t get to see this widower’s joke. Listen up!” He then recited a poem line: “Flying canopies shift past red steps and curtains!”
“Good!” Everyone cheered. Huangfu Zhen touched his nose with a bitter smile, “It didn’t stump Father Emperor.” Turning to Empress Xiahou, he said, “Mother Empress’s turn.”
Huangfu Shi and his brother moved the wine tray before Empress Xiahou. She frowned and pondered long, then clapped and laughed, “Got it: Dots of red mourn green, flying to pass on brocade!”
“Good!” Naturally, cheers rang out again. Empress Xiahou smugly glanced at her two sons, “You two don’t need to pass it around; this wine will probably end up being drunk by you yourselves.”
“Hehe, Mother Empress, your son thought of it long ago.” Huangfu Shi didn’t wait for Huangfu Zhen’s signal and grinned, “Lead-field tiger descends flying red lightning!”
“Third Brother, what poem is that? Made up on the spot, right?” Huangfu Xuan shook his head vigorously.
“Hehe, Fourth Brother, your knowledge is too shallow.” Huangfu Shi laughed, “This is a Heavenly Master Dao cultivation method incantation. Lead-field tiger descends flying red lightning, mercury-sea dragon sinks to form purple mud. Mountain ghost leans over railing to watch the fire timing, furnace spirit crouches on ground begging for knife measure!”
“Does this count as poetry?” Huangfu Xuan pursed his lips.
“Hehe, you’d better not let Heavenly Master Dao people hear that…” Huangfu Shi smiled smugly.
Huangfu Xuan knew he had misspoke and hurriedly shut up. Indeed, if Heavenly Master Dao found out he dared look down on their cultivation method poem, they would surely take issue with him.
“Don’t go quiet now, it’s your turn.” Huangfu Zhen said to Huangfu Xuan, whose face looked somewhat bad.
“Red sun… flying red dust…” Huangfu Xuan stammered.
“Fine, that passes.” Huangfu Zhen finally let Huangfu Xuan off and turned to Huangfu Xuan, “Older Brother, everyone’s done except you.”
Everyone’s gazes turned to the First Prince. Sweat beaded on Huangfu Xuan’s forehead. He had naturally been racking his brains for a suitable poem line, but all he could think of had been used by others. For the moment, he couldn’t think of another and stood there awkwardly.
Seeing him silent for a long time, Huangfu Shi clapped and laughed, “Haha, Older Brother can’t answer!”
“Then drink up. Come on, quick drink quick drink.” Huangfu Xuan brought the tray to Huangfu Xuan. Huangfu Shi even picked up a wine cup to shove into Huangfu Xuan’s hand. The other three watched him with amused faces, seemingly enjoying his embarrassment.
Huangfu Xuan’s face flushed red. He could lose to anyone, but he absolutely wouldn’t allow himself to lose to his three younger brothers. He raised his hand to block the wine cup Huangfu Xuan offered and said sullenly, “Who says I can’t answer?”
“Then answer it.” Huangfu Shi said gloatingly.
“Answer it I will! Listen,” Huangfu Xuan’s blood rushed to his head, he randomly pieced together a line and blurted out, “Willow catkins fly, flakes of red!”
“Hahaha!” Laughter exploded in the View Wind Tower. The Initial Emperor shook his head and frowned, Empress Xiahou covered her mouth to laugh, Huangfu Zhen couldn’t help chuckling, while Huangfu Xuan and Huangfu Shi doubled over in hysterical laughter.
“Absurd, absurd! How can willow catkins be red?!” Huangfu Xuan nearly dropped the tray, wiping tears while laughing, “Older Brother, don’t bully your little brother for being unlearned; there are plenty of knowledgeable people here.”
“Fabrication! Older Brother’s fabricating!” Huangfu Shi laughed wildly as he pushed the wine cup toward Huangfu Xuan’s mouth, “Drink, drink!”
Seeing everyone in chaotic laughter, Huangfu Xuan’s face turned beet red, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into. Glancing sidelong, he saw even the Initial Emperor seemed to be gloating, which only fueled his resentment. He swung his hand to block Huangfu Shi’s wine cup, “Get away!”
Just as his hand was about to touch Huangfu Shi’s, Huangfu Shi suddenly loosened his fingers slightly. The wine cup fell to the ground with a crash, shattering into pieces, wine splashing everywhere.
The laughter in the hall stopped abruptly. Huangfu Shi said displeased, “Older Brother, if you want to default on the debt, fine, but why smash the wine cup!”
Huangfu Xuan knew full well in his heart that he hadn’t touched the wine cup at all—it was Huangfu Shi who let go himself! His eyes blazed with fury as he glared at his good third brother!
“Alright, alright, if Xuan’er doesn’t want to drink, forget it. Shi’er, step back quickly.” Empress Xiahou hurriedly smoothed things over.
“How can that be!” Huangfu Shi’s stubbornness flared up, insisting relentlessly, “The drinking table is like a battlefield; not respecting the drinking order is like defying military law!” Glancing at Huangfu Zhen, he said, “Second Brother, as the drinking game officer, what do you say we do?”
Huangfu Zhen looked troubled and hesitated for a moment, then sighed, “It’s just a game. If Older Brother doesn’t want to drink, let it go…”
“Then later, I’ll default too.” Huangfu Xuan stood with Huangfu Shi, pouting and muttering.
“Sigh…” Huangfu Zhen looked at his two brothers, then turned to Huangfu Xuan, “Older Brother, why not just drink it.”
“I didn’t fabricate; why should I drink!” Huangfu Xuan refused to yield at this point, his face dark.
“Outrageous!” The Initial Emperor, who had been watching coldly from the side, suddenly flared up and berated Huangfu Xuan, “Ignorant and shamelessly denying, is this how you act as the older brother?!”
Hearing Father Emperor’s reprimand, tears welled in Huangfu Xuan’s eyes, but he tilted his neck back to keep them from falling.
