Chapter 73: Wedding Banquet
Eastern Palace.
Lai Fu took the food box from a palace maid from the Imperial Kitchen Bureau and opened it to take a look.
A three-tiered sandalwood food box, filled with pastries that the Crown Prince loved to eat.
He nodded, “Thank you for your hard work, Imperial Kitchen Bureau official. You’ve been working hard these past few days.”
The palace maid curtsied slightly and said softly, “Eunuch, you are too kind. The Minister of the Imperial Kitchen Bureau said that if there is anything unsatisfactory, please send someone to inform us, so that our Imperial Kitchen Bureau can find a solution as soon as possible to ensure His Highness is satisfied…”
After speaking, seeing that no one was around, she quietly took out a small money bag from her sleeve and handed it to Lai Fu.
Lai Fu extended his arm to block her, wearing a perfectly fitting smile, neither embarrassing her nor being overly firm.
“We don’t do things like this here. We are all serving His Highness, and doing our best is enough. As long as His Highness is satisfied, that is our good fortune.”
He turned and entered the room, closing the door.
These past few days, the palace and the outside world had not been peaceful.
The people’s grievances were widespread, and official complaints were as numerous as ox hair.
Not only was the atmosphere in Hua Yi Palace tense, but the Eastern Palace was no different.
Rumors in the palace were increasing…
Some people were already saying that Princess Ping Le had intended to poison the Crown Prince’s wine that day, but for some reason, she had accidentally consumed the poisoned wine herself, leading to such a ridiculous incident…
Everyone in the Eastern Palace felt a sense of impending danger.
He did not want to make things difficult for his subordinates; he would take care of whatever he could for them.
–
In Chongwen Hall, today’s lecture had just concluded.
Across from Li Zhao’s desk sat E Xu, the Crown Prince’s attendant, and Mei Ruhui, a guest of the Crown Prince.
When Lai Fu entered with the food box, he heard E Xu’s voice.
“The matter of the Gold Department was already tricky, and now it’s escalating, involving the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Personnel. The entire Imperial Court is in turmoil.”
“This morning during the court session in Chongzheng Hall, Grand Censor Zhou Zhongping again brought up the people’s petitions, wanting to investigate the hundreds of acres of fertile land occupied by the Princess in the suburbs of the capital. Isn’t that like inviting trouble? Who doesn’t know that the Princess is unwell and His Majesty is worried and agitated?”
“Indeed, Grand Censor Zhou’s words angered His Majesty. The Emperor flew into a rage, and after a scolding, ordered a thorough investigation into corruption and fraud in this year’s imperial examinations. I heard that Zhou Zhongping has a nephew who achieved first place in this year’s examinations. This is truly a case of being unable to explain oneself even when innocent. When the city gate catches fire, the fish in the moat suffer!”
Mei Ruhui glanced at the Crown Prince and smiled slightly.
“His Majesty is a ruler, and also a father. Cherishing the Princess is a natural human sentiment.”
Hearing him say this, E Xu shook his head in disagreement.
“The people are the foundation of the nation; a stable foundation ensures peace. The people’s support is crucial for the rise and fall of the state. Occupying fertile land is not a private matter for His Majesty. You can silence the censors, but how can you silence the public? I admire Grand Censor Zhou’s integrity for daring to point out the ills of the time and speak up, for advocating for the people and upholding righteousness. He is indeed a worthy official, deserving of the title ‘Iron-Faced Censor’…”
Some things were not suitable to be said openly.
Mei Ruhui looked at Li Zhao again.
He showed no expression.
So he smiled and said, “Eunuch E’s uprightness also earns my admiration.”
He stroked his beard and then leaned forward to pour tea for E Xu.
“However, when navigating officialdom, one must learn from Minister Xue. A memorial requesting to resign to avoid suspicion is a way to protect oneself.”
E Xu chuckled, “Marquis Jingyuan’s lifelong reputation has been ruined by his son.”
Mei Ruhui nodded and said, “The Marquis Jingyuan’s mansion is now deserted. All those flattering sycophants and opportunists from before have disappeared without a trace, revealing the fickleness of human relationships. Marquis Jingyuan gritted his teeth and sold off his assets to raise funds, even selling his ancestral property in Qingzhou, yet he did not beg for mercy from His Majesty.”
E Xu pondered.
“Marquis Jingyuan is a tough man! Knowing that the matter of the Gold Department was not something Gu Wulang could have done alone, he didn’t implicate anyone else. It’s just that His Majesty has become increasingly unwilling to listen to loyal advice these past few years.”
He dared not say the Emperor was getting senile, because the Emperor was not old.
Emperor Chong Zhao had reigned for many years. When he ascended the throne at a young age, he was diligent and determined, reforming corrupt practices. Although the prosperity of Daliang and the peace of the people were based on the virtue of the founding emperor, Emperor Chong Zhao also played a part in maintaining the empire. However, it was clear that in recent years, the Emperor had become increasingly autocratic.
But as a subordinate of the Eastern Palace, some things were not convenient to say too much.
E Xu was also observing the Crown Prince’s expression.
Very calm.
Very peaceful.
For years, it had been said that the Crown Prince’s virtue was lacking and he would never amount to much, and would eventually be replaced by Prince Duan.
But it was strange, the Crown Prince remained steadfast, subtly rivaling Prince Duan, yet always falling short by two or three points…
As the Crown Prince’s attendant, it was not convenient for him to inquire about the mystery behind this.
He was only responsible for lecturing and interpreting scriptures for the Crown Prince.
“Eunuch E, you may leave now.”
Li Zhao suddenly spoke, his gaze falling on the exquisite food box, then shifting away as he waved his hand.
“Take this back for your young son.”
E Xu was overjoyed and rose, cupping his hands repeatedly, “Thank you, Your Highness, for your generosity.”
Lai Fu watched E Xu happily leave with the food box, sighing inwardly.
The Crown Prince had no appetite.
He found no taste in his food.
Others did not know why, but he, as his attendant, knew a little.
The Crown Prince appeared calm, but his heart was filled with bitterness.
Li Zhao wanted to know if Xue Liu had any abnormalities, any signs of “Love Silk Lure” or “Love Silk Gu” acting up, and if she, like him, had moments of uncontrollable emotions.
However, how could a scout discover the affairs within a young lady’s chambers?
The Crown Prince could not explicitly state it, so the scout reported no abnormalities each time.
Sixth Miss Xue woke up every morning, took walks, and admired flowers. At night, she practiced calligraphy and looked after the child. During her recovery period at the mansion, she did not go out and remained as calm as usual.
How could the Crown Prince be reconciled to this?
Of course, this was Eunuch Lai’s private speculation, and he dared not utter a single word.
Li Zhao and Mei Ruhui sat down and played chess for a long time, then sent for Zhang Huaicheng.
“I have a matter to entrust to you.”
Zhang Huaicheng was very respectful, cupping his hands in a salute.
“Please instruct me, Your Highness.”
Li Zhao slightly pursed his lips, gazing intently at the chessboard. He wore a moon-white brocade robe with cloud patterns, which accentuated his tall and straight posture, making him appear cold and profound. The black chess piece he was turning between his fingers seemed alive, a unique posture he adopted when deep in thought.
Mei Ruhui and Zhang Huaicheng did not disturb him, waiting quietly.
After a while, Li Zhao looked up and gave Lai Fu a look.
“Bring me the name cards on my desk.”
Name cards?
Lai Fu was stunned for a moment, then remembered the pieces of paper with names written on them.
After Lai Fu respectfully presented them, Li Zhao drew one out and placed it on the chessboard.
Zhang Huaicheng understood immediately.
This was the list of current Imperial Physicians.
Although Zhang Huaicheng belonged to the Eastern Palace’s Medicine Storage Bureau, he often interacted with the Imperial Hospital. They were all colleagues, and they would often discuss medical skills and consult each other on difficult cases.
Zhang Huaicheng asked, “What does Your Highness want me to do?”
Li Zhao tapped his fingertip.
“Among the people on this list, who is most at odds with Hu Qifang?”
Zhang Huaicheng thought for a moment and pointed to a man named He Yuanzhi.
“This one. He Yuanzhi, Imperial Physician He.”
Then, without waiting for Li Zhao to ask, he smiled and recounted the gossip he had heard.
“The two were originally fellow disciples. It is said that they shared a close bond, but in the Imperial Hospital, they were outwardly polite and secretly competed. I heard that their initial feud stemmed from the 《Medical Classic of Apricot Grove》. They both put in a lot of effort to compile their master’s difficult medical cases from years of practice, but after the book was compiled, they disagreed on whose name should be listed first.”
“Hu Qifang believed he was the senior disciple, with more seniority and a greater contribution to the collection of medical cases. He Yuanzhi, however, believed he had invested more effort. In the end, Hu Qifang won the dispute and thus obtained the position of Dean…”
Li Zhao listened quietly, a half-smile on his face.
“Then it is him.”
Zhang Huaicheng accepted the order and left. Li Zhao looked at Mei Ruhui and instructed Lai Fu.
“Go find the Director of the Imperial Household and send more musicians and singers to Shao Yang Hall…”
Not only did Lai Fu freeze in surprise, but even Mei Ruhui was astonished.
When the Crown Prince returned from the Spring Flower Banquet, he had been in so much discomfort, yet he had not asked for any women and had endured it.
He had improved after taking the medicinal soup for the past two days, so why would he do something so reckless?
Li Zhao’s brow furrowed slightly. He picked up his teacup and took a sip before smiling gently.
“E Xu’s words have reminded me. His Majesty is merely biased towards Ping Le, not foolish.”
Since he was not foolish, he would surely discover that Ping Le was behind this scheme.
The Emperor might not punish Ping Le, but he would definitely suspect him—
If the Eastern Palace did not show some unusual signs of the Crown Prince being poisoned, it might unsettle the Emperor’s heart.
–
It was already mid-March, and the sun was getting hotter.
The warm sunlight poured down early in the morning, casting a faint golden halo over everything in the world.
The injury to Xue Sui’s Tanzhong had long since healed, but her body felt a bit lazy in the spring.
She didn’t know if it was the lingering poison of the Love Silk Lure, but she occasionally felt restless. However, taking the medicine given by Yuheng, she didn’t overthink things like Li Zhao, and was completely unaware that the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace was in a state of extreme anxiety.
Xue Sui was making final preparations to leave the Xue Mansion and go to Prince Duan’s Mansion.
That day, the Old Madam had called Xue Ji to speak with her, and it was indeed about raising her status.
With Qian Shi and Jinshu instigating, this matter became a natural progression, and Xue Qingzhi had nothing to say about it.
So Qian Shi arranged a few tables for a lively banquet to celebrate Xue Ji.
Xue Ji had long lost her youthful bloom, and the affection Xue Qingzhi had for her years ago had long since vanished.
This wedding banquet was merely a formality for him, but Qian Shi and Xue Sui did not want to make it easy for him. The wedding attire, the wedding quilt, and the bridal chamber were all meticulously prepared. A group of people came to congratulate them on their happy occasion. Xue Qingzhi was put on the spot and had to play the role of the “groom” once again, feigning a happy expression even if he was unwilling.
The Old Madam now valued Xue Sui, and consequently paid more attention to Xue Ji.
She specifically assigned several maids and old women to serve Xue Ji in her room.
On the auspicious day, firecrackers sounded throughout the Xue Mansion, crackling incessantly, making it extremely lively.
Fu Shi in Qing Lan Courtyard could not block out the sound even with her head covered.
She looked annoyed and reprimanded her maid.
“Hurry up and see which damned servant is making such a racket. Are they trying to anger me to death!”
Xiugu stood by the bed, looking helpless.
“First Madam, the mansion is holding a wedding banquet today…”
Fu Shi only knew that the Old Madam wanted to elevate Xue Ji to the status of a concubine, but she did not know that the mansion was holding a wedding banquet for them.
The servants in Qing Lan Courtyard had kept it a secret, not daring to report it.
Upon hearing this, Fu Shi sat up abruptly.
“A wedding banquet? Didn’t we just have one? What is the occasion for another celebration?”
Xiugu lowered her eyes and sighed.
“First Master is welcoming Xue Ji into the household. The Old Madam asked Third Madam to organize it, saying they should have a lively celebration to dispel bad luck…”
Check again at the second watch or dinner time, that would be better~~
