Chapter 89: No Silver Here
Inside the Chaohui Hall, the lanterns were brilliant, illuminating the entire hall as bright as day.
The hall was filled with distinguished guests, all in formal attire, each exuding an air of grace.
Several graceful dancers were performing in the hall, their sheer skirts light and flowing, their hems fluttering like the magnificent clouds in the sky.
The musicians plucked their strings, fully immersed, their melodies pleasing to the ear.
Among them, a beautiful singer stood out. She held a sandalwood-colored pipa, her eyes full of emotion. Her red lips parted slightly, and as her fingers moved, a melodious and lingering tune flowed out.
“Immortal music gently caresses, auspicious clouds surround the vermilion gate.
Zithers and strings sing, dawn light appears, drink deeply of the celestial nectar.
Yesterday, an immortal beauty, leisurely entered your noble residence.
With spiritual grass and sweet dew, together we rush forth, to keep the human world’s spring.
Offering peaches and pouring wine, this fortune is endless,
Year after year, cycle after cycle, may your longevity be as steadfast as Mount Tai…”
“Excellent!”
As the song ended, cheers erupted one after another.
“The ‘Rainbow Skirt’ song brings joy, the immortal melody celebrates your birthday, beautifully sung.”
The lyrics and melody were truly excellent.
It not only offered birthday wishes to Prince Duan but also subtly mentioned the new beauty Prince Duan had recently taken in, implying a future filled with vitality, with words that were both reserved and elegant.
Prince Duan’s expression was joyful. He nodded slightly, his eyes filled with a smile as he raised his cup to toast with everyone.
Li Zhao returned from changing his clothes outside at this moment. He calmly adjusted his appearance and returned to his seat, gazing indifferently at the singer, his fingers tapping a gentle rhythm, as if immersed in the music.
The birthday banquet had been going on for more than half a day, and the feasting and drinking were nearly complete.
The music and dances continued, and Li Huan himself was starting to feel weary.
However, the Crown Prince, instead of leaving early with his usual impatience, seemed to become even more relaxed…
This was truly unusual.
Li Huan picked up his wine cup, a smile on his face.
“The Crown Prince has reached the age of adulthood, and it is time to consider his lifelong commitment. I heard that Imperial Mother is very fond of Grand Tutor Lu’s daughter, saying that the young lady is learned, sensible, and possesses superior talent and beauty. Even Imperial Father has given his approval. Why not finalize it soon and fulfill a happy marriage?”
Li Zhao’s lips curved into a faint smile, his tone languid.
“I observe that the Imperial Brother’s inner court is in constant turmoil, which is hardly a picture of happiness. It is better to be alone and free, rather than to be entangled in domestic disputes and gain only trouble.”
The inner courts of the Imperial Princes were no different from the Emperor’s harem. Those concubines and consorts, in their struggle for favor, would compete in beauty and talent, employing all sorts of tricks and schemes.
In reality, most of the time, the men understood what was happening, but they were simply too lazy to bother.
Prince Wei Li Yan was seated next to Li Huan.
He had always been on good terms with Prince Duan, but at this moment, he echoed Li Zhao’s sentiments, clapping his hands and laughing.
“What the Crown Prince says is absolutely true.”
Prince Wei’s Princess Consort had passed away over a year ago, and he had not remarried. He sincerely felt the joy of being unburdened and free to roam.
“To act according to one’s will and to cultivate oneself is the way for a gentleman to establish himself in the world.”
Li Huan’s expression turned serious, and he looked at him sternly.
“What you call ‘cultivating oneself’ is actually unrestrained indulgence.”
Li Yan heard this, shook his head, and smiled without speaking.
Li Zhao sat alone to the side, pouring his own wine, as if he hadn’t heard anything.
It was Prince Chun Li Jian who, with a chuckle, came over to join the fun.
“Second Brother, Third Brother, how can you understand the brilliance of Fourth Brother’s words? Think about it, if you don’t get married, you can play around without restraint. Imperial Father and Imperial Mother still treat Fourth Brother like a child, not burdening him with anything. Unlike Eldest Brother and Second Brother, who carry many responsibilities, he is very free. You simply cannot comprehend Fourth Brother’s happiness.”
The Crown Prince was ranked fourth, but his status as the heir apparent was noble.
Only the fifth brother would call Li Zhao “Fourth Brother.”
Prince Chun Li Jian was only half a year younger than Li Zhao, but his personality was as unrestrained as a youth’s. He acted without any inhibitions and was full of eccentric ideas.
The month after he came of age, he married the intelligent third daughter of the Ministry of Culture’s Vice Minister. However, even this had not curbed his mischievous nature.
Li Huan frowned and admonished, “Fifth Brother, speak with caution. Do not forget the order of hierarchy.”
Li Huan had always placed great importance on etiquette and rules.
Li Jian, however, detested these formalities and clicked his tongue upon hearing this.
“Yes, Prince Duan. My apologies, Crown Prince…”
Li Zhao smiled gently, “We brothers rarely gather. Let’s just have fun. If we were to be so particular about rules everywhere, it would seem distant.”
Li Jian nodded repeatedly and said, “I can’t remember when the five of us brothers last drank together. Now Eldest Brother is not in the capital, and it will be difficult to gather often in the future… Alas, they say the royal family is noble, but sometimes the bond between brothers is not as close as that of commoners…”
The fifth brother was straightforward.
He spoke frankly about things others would not dare to say.
Prince Wei felt extremely awkward upon hearing this.
Li Huan, however, maintained a calm expression, smiling faintly.
“Eldest Imperial Brother did not return to the capital for the New Year last year, only sending a memorial to greet Imperial Father. I wonder if he is well in Dianzhou.”
The “Eldest Brother” they spoke of was Prince Xian Li Shao.
That Prince Xian was now thirty-four years old and had been sent by the Emperor to guard the remote Dianzhou many years ago.
Prince Xian’s birth mother had originally been a maidservant in Emperor Chong Zhao’s former residence. The Emperor had him when he was fourteen. His mother’s background and age seemed to represent Emperor Chong Zhao’s youthful and reckless past, and he was not favored by the Emperor.
This also shaped Prince Xian’s honest and loyal nature. He was taciturn, rarely interacted with others, and was the least noticeable among his brothers.
However, for an Imperial Prince to be appointed outside the capital and stationed in Dianzhou was akin to being a feudal lord.
Prince Wei spoke with envy.
“I wonder when I will be able to do something significant like Eldest Imperial Brother, far from the capital, and avoid being a wealthy idler, constantly being lectured by Imperial Father.”
Li Jian teased, “Is Third Brother too idle? Then why not ask Imperial Father to assign you a task so you can display your skills?”
Prince Wei was startled and gulped down several large mouthfuls of wine, waving his hands repeatedly.
“No, no, no… Thank you, thank you.”
Dianzhou was harsh and cold; it was nowhere as comfortable as the capital.
Moreover, with the Crown Prince and Prince Duan above him, Prince Wei, despite being an Imperial Prince, never dared to covet what was not his. Being a wealthy idler was the best outcome for him.
He had spoken too quickly; he did not want to bring trouble upon himself.
Li Jian saw this and burst into laughter.
Li Huan’s expression was indifferent, as if he hadn’t understood anything.
Li Zhao’s eyes, however, showed a hint of a smile, filled with interest.
It was rare for the brothers to gather.
Especially the Crown Prince, who rarely showed himself.
Being in his presence made people feel very constrained.
Fortunately, with Li Jian, the lively one, to lighten the mood, it was quite harmonious.
Just then, a servant hurried into the grand hall. After respectfully bowing to Li Zhao, Li Huan, and the two Imperial Princes, he spoke rapidly:
“Your Highnesses, someone from the garden reported that Princess Wen Jia, while searching for the Imperial Son-in-law by Moonlit Lake, accidentally fell into the water…”
When Moonlit Lake was dug, it was made two zhang deep for scenic purposes, so the water was very deep.
Other men might hesitate to approach if a princess fell in, and most women were not skilled swimmers…
The four Imperial Princes were all half-brothers to Wen Jia. Upon hearing the news, they immediately rushed over.
The officials in Chaohui Hall, as well as Princess Consort Duan in Huashang Hall and the other female guests, also became alarmed upon hearing the news.
Not only was Princess Wen Jia missing, but Princess Ping Le had also not returned.
Xue Yuechen felt a slight unease and quickly had a maid bring a lantern. Together with the other female guests, she hurried towards Moonlit Lake—
At this moment, the water of Moonlit Lake shimmered with a faint glow under the night sky.
A crowd had already gathered by the jade railing on the lakeshore.
“The Crown Prince has arrived.”
“Prince Duan has also arrived.”
“Prince Wei and Prince Chun have also arrived.”
Everyone scrambled to bow to the noblemen.
Xue Yuechen and Li Huan arrived almost simultaneously.
But they were still a step too late.
Wen Jia had already been pulled out of the water.
She sat on the ground with a pale face, leaning more than half of her body against Xue Sui.
Xue Sui was soaking wet from head to toe, clearly having just emerged from the water.
She half-crouched beside Princess Wen Jia, still wearing her wedding attire. Her makeup was smudged, her expression solemn, her eyes filled with concern. She tenderly draped a cloak over Wen Jia, gently stroking the princess’s arm as she softly comforted the shivering princess.
Li Huan asked, “What happened?”
The servants nearby spoke in a jumble, but no one could explain the full story.
Li Huan then said, “Wen Jia, you tell me.”
Wen Jia looked up slightly, her eyes filled with terror, “I, I accidentally fell into the water…”
Li Huan glanced at her, then surveyed the calm lake surface and the railing.
“There are wooden railings and stone pillars all around Moonlit Lake. How did you fall in?”
Wen Jia bit her lower lip, looking helplessly at Li Huan and Li Zhao and the others, appearing flustered and pale.
“Crown Prince, Imperial Brother, I, I…”
Before she could speak, tears began to fall from her reddened eyes.
Xue Yuechen looked at Xue Sui and found it strange.
“Sixth Sister, why are you here instead of staying in the wedding chamber?”
Xue Sui looked up, glanced at Wen Jia’s pale face, and said in a low voice, “Princess Wen Jia did not fall into the water.”
Everyone was greatly shocked.
She calmly continued, “I just opened the window for some air and happened to see the princess looking distracted and acting strangely. She crossed the railing, seemingly with suicidal intent… It was an emergency, so I couldn’t think of anything else. Saving her was the priority. I hope Prince and Princess Consort will forgive me…”
What crime could there be for saving a princess’s life?
Moreover, she had “again” saved a princess.
Li Huan looked at her deeply, his eyes profound.
Prince Wei Li Yan and Prince Chun Li Jian also cast surprised glances at her.
So this was Sixth Miss Xue.
The Ru Ren that Imperial Brother had newly taken in today.
Under the lamplight, her skin was like jade, her demeanor cool and noble. Even though she was drenched, she did not appear in the least bit disheveled. Especially her composure in the face of adversity and her ability to rescue someone from the water…
Everyone’s gaze shifted between Xue Sui’s face, but Li Zhao seemed to not see her at all.
As if he were an outsider, he walked to the stone railing and gazed thoughtfully at the exquisite and elegant lakeside dwelling not far away.
This area belonged to the inner court of Prince Duan’s Mansion, and ordinary people would naturally not come here.
The only one who could enter and reside here so openly was Princess Ping Le.
Li Zhao asked, “Do you know why the Imperial Son-in-law came here?”
The two maids trembled with fear, lowering their heads and not daring to speak.
Li Zhao glanced at Xue Sui, who appeared unfazed.
What a vengeful woman.
He couldn’t help but curve his lips, suddenly finding himself liking Xue Liu’s damnable desire for revenge.
That day in the bamboo grove dwelling, Ping Le had wanted to trap them in the room and humiliate them.
Today, she was determined to get revenge!
This intention was excellent and suited his taste.
Li Zhao turned to look at Wen Jia, “Imperial Sister, are you sure the Imperial Son-in-law was at Moonlit Lake?”
Wen Jia did not speak.
Her face turned red, clearly having something unspeakable that she could not voice.
Li Huan seemed to sense something and looked up at the lakeside residence.
“Guards…”
Li Zhao was faster than him, his cold snort interrupting him.
“The Princess was looking for the Imperial Son-in-law and accidentally fell into the water, yet the Imperial Son-in-law paid no heed. This is simply audacious!”
Having said that, he lifted the corner of his robe and led his men to charge towards the lakeside dwelling first, pointing his hand.
“Guards, go and drag the Imperial Son-in-law out to answer for his actions. Ask him why he put the Princess in danger and abandoned her…”
The Crown Prince was Wen Jia’s younger brother.
His actions were reasonable and justifiable.
It was understandable anywhere for a younger brother to stand up for his elder sister…
Even if this was Prince Duan’s Mansion…
Li Huan was a step behind. By the time he realized the situation was dire and wanted to intervene, he had lost the initiative.
Ping Le’s maid, Lu Lian, who was stationed outside, could not stop Li Zhao’s guards.
With a loud “bang,” the not-so-sturdy door was kicked open.
Ping Le emerged with a flushed face, her clothes disheveled, and her hair slightly messy, looking as if she had just emerged from an intimate encounter. However, she deliberately rubbed her eyes, feigning an annoyed expression as if she had just woken up.
“How dare you! Who allowed you to enter my residence without announcement?”
Everyone turned to look at Li Zhao.
Li Zhao smiled slightly, “Where is the Imperial Son-in-law?”
Ping Le asked coldly, “Which Imperial Son-in-law is the Crown Prince asking about?”
Li Zhao’s smile became more playful.
If Ping Le didn’t know Fan Bing was at Moonlit Lake, this question would be unnecessary.
A normal person would usually only think of their own Imperial Son-in-law.
Li Zhao asked with a half-smile, “Imperial Sister, how many Imperial Son-in-laws do you have?”
Ping Le’s expression changed slightly, but she did not appear nervous.
“I just heard you all talking about searching for Wen Jia’s Imperial Son-in-law while I was in the room. That’s why I asked…”
As she spoke, she looked at the approaching crowd.
“What, are you suspecting that I, this Princess, have hidden Wen Jia’s Imperial Son-in-law? What a joke! I have no dealings with that Fan Bing, so why would I hide him?”
Li Zhao asked with a smile, “Then what are you doing here?”
Ping Le replied, “I had a few too many drinks at the banquet and felt a bit dizzy, so I came here to rest. I usually do this, and Imperial Brother knows that. What’s so strange about it?”
It wasn’t strange for her to come here for a short rest after drinking.
What was strange was her complexion, which looked not only like she had been drinking but also something else.
Among the crowd, any married woman would inevitably feel a pang of fear.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
It felt like a standoff.
Just then, a guard in the crowd shouted loudly.
“Found him, the Imperial Son-in-law has been found…”
“In Princess Ping Le’s room!”
The screams were deafening.
Everyone couldn’t help but look in the direction of the sound.
They saw Fan Bing being led by two guards, emerging from a side room of the princess’s residence in a disheveled state, lowering his head slightly and explaining in a low voice.
“I, I came to look for the colorful parrot…”
This was a case of protesting too much.
Who would believe it?
It’s a bit late for lunch, but thankfully there’s plenty of food. Please enjoy. The second update will be in the evening…
