The entire hall fell silent. Everyone stared at Murong Wei. Those who had arrived early were seasoned attendees of many grand banquets and knew their seats well. From the moment Murong Wei entered with Xuan Yuanli, many had been waiting to see her make a fool of herself!
Wasn't this one of the great pleasures of a banquet?
Murong Wei's seat was at the very end on the west side! Yet, she had foolishly followed Prince Li to the very front, and even on the east side!
So many rules, Murong Wei thought to herself, not feeling ashamed at all.
Just as she was about to speak, a familiar voice came from the side. It was Madam Gu!
"Thirteenth Prince, the Emperor never allows servants to be brought to his banquets. Why are you bringing a few servants with you today?" Madam Gu stood up and asked with a smile.
As soon as these words were spoken, someone immediately echoed, "That's right, Thirteenth Prince, why is this maid still wearing a veil? It's the first time I've ever seen one like this."
Murong Wei frowned slightly, ignoring the crowd's comments. A resolute strength shone in her calm gaze. She stepped forward, bent down, and gently pressed Xuan Yuanli's wrist to take his pulse.
Immediately, everyone fell silent, not understanding what she was doing.
Murong Wei focused intently on taking his pulse, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. She said calmly, "Your Highness, it's best to drink less alcohol. There won't be any serious problems. I'll be at the back; if you need anything, please summon me immediately."
With that, she rose, inadvertently meeting the Qi Prince's usually cold eyes. For a fleeting moment, she caught a glimpse of amusement in his gaze.
She paused slightly, but without lingering, she turned and, amidst the intense hatred of Madam Gu and Gu Xihe, and the astonished yet admiring gazes of the crowd, walked with neither servility nor arrogance to the back of the table.
"Hehe, so this is Murong Wei, clever!"
"So young, yet so composed in such a grand occasion, I admire you!"
"I've heard her medical skills are excellent, even surpassing Imperial Physician Lin!"
...
Exclamations of praise echoed from the east, fueling the growing jealousy of the women on the right.
"So it's the renowned Physician Murong!" A cold voice came from above, none other than the Empress Dowager Dong, who had witnessed everything!
Murong Wei stopped, turned, and bowed, "Your Majesty, this humble subject is indeed you."
"Aren't you working at Prince Qi's residence? What, does Prince Qi's residence lack a decent set of clothes for you? How dare you come to the Emperor's Chrysanthemum Banquet dressed like this?" the Empress Dowager Dong asked coldly, glancing at Prince Qi.
These words were an insult to Murong Wei, but a slap in the face to Prince Qi.
However, Prince Qi, who was raising his cup for a light sip, remained unperturbed. He slowly set down his cup and said calmly, "Doctor Murong left Prince Qi's residence long ago. Since he came with the Thirteenth Prince, perhaps the Thirteenth Prince should answer the Empress Dowager's question."
"When did you arrive at Prince Qi's residence? Why didn't you inform the Emperor?" the Empress Dowager retorted.
"Since my thirteenth brother has taken in someone, he naturally informed his elder brother. However, his elder brother is busy with many affairs of state; such a trivial matter doesn't need further explanation," Prince Qi replied in his usual calm tone.
The entire room fell into an eerie silence. Murong Wei secretly admired his aura and composure. Faced with the Empress Dowager's aggressive questioning, he had deftly shifted all the blame onto the Thirteenth Prince with just a few words!
Unfortunately, Xuan Yuanli was still too inexperienced; court intrigues were completely foreign to him. As soon as Prince Qi finished speaking, he slammed his fist on the table in anger, "Didn't the Empress Dowager recently order the palace to cut expenses to provide disaster relief for the northern floods? Now you're all dressed in fine clothes, mocking Weiwei's clothes for not being fashionable enough. What do you mean by this?"
His words were even more forceful than Prince Qi's, and the entire city fell silent—you could hear a pin drop!
It was the Empress Dowager who first pointed out Murong Wei's shabby clothes, and Xuan Yuanli's words were blunt, a direct slap in the face to her!
The Empress Dowager was incredibly embarrassed. Old Murong Wei bowed, not daring to say a word, and unconsciously glanced at Prince Qi, feeling for some reason that he was smiling.
What should have been her embarrassment had escalated into a confrontation between the Empress Dowager and the Thirteenth Prince and his mother. With so many people present, it was difficult for the Empress Dowager not to lose face completely.
Just then, music filled the long corridors on both sides. Except for the two empress dowagers, everyone immediately rose from their seats, knelt, and kowtowed, shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Murong Wei followed suit, knowing this banquet was far more grand and solemn than she had imagined.
Xuan Yuanlie slowly walked in, clad in a magnificent purple robe with a high collar and wide sleeves, exuding an imposing aura!
The two groups of people knelt in perfect unison, except for Murong Wei, who stood out abruptly in the middle. Upon seeing Xuan Yuanlie's scrutinizing gaze, she immediately lowered her head.
Xuan Yuanlie sat down, then raised his hand and coldly said, "All my beloved ministers, rise!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" everyone shouted in unison. Only after Prince Qi and Prince Li were seated did the female relatives of the ministers dare to take their seats.
After rising, Murong Wei immediately turned and left, naturally and gracefully.
"Who is Your Highness?" Xuan Yuanlie asked loudly.
Murong Wei stared blankly at the sky, convinced that this mother and son must have done something to her in their past life and were here for revenge!
She paused, then turned around under everyone's gaze, bowing slightly, and said, "Your humble servant, Murong Wei."
"Where are you going?" Xuan Yuanlie raised an eyebrow, as if they were old acquaintances, as if the unpleasant incident at the Qi Prince's residence had never happened.
"I've just finished taking the Thirteenth Prince's pulse and am returning to my seat," Murong Wei replied.
"Where is your seat?" Xuan Yuanlie asked again.
"The last one on the west side," Murong Wei answered, completely baffled by this emperor's intentions.
"You said you're working at the Thirteenth Prince's residence?" Xuan Yuanlie asked again.
"Yes," Murong Wei replied.
"Has Prince Qi mistreated you?" Xuan Yuanlie asked jokingly, as if this were Murong Wei's private event rather than a grand chrysanthemum banquet.
"No," Murong Wei said, offering no further explanation.
"Then why?" Xuan Yuanlie pressed.
"Seventh Brother's household has many doctors, so I invited Doctor Murong," Xuan Yuanli interjected to defuse the situation.
"Is that so? Won't we have to meet quite often in the future?" Xuan Yuanlie asked with a smile, gesturing to a nearby eunuch, "Set up a seat next to Prince Qi and invite Doctor Murong to take a seat!"
"This humble subject dares not!" Murong Wei immediately declined.
"Dare not? What are you afraid of?" Xuan Yuanlie asked, a cold glint in his eyes.
"This humble subject's status is lowly; I dare not sit on equal footing with Prince Qi," Murong Wei replied, thinking that Xuan Yuanlie was probably doing this on purpose. Why would he invite her to sit at the back? He just wanted to elevate her in front of everyone.
Those who are elevated invariably fall hard!
"I graciously grant you permission to take your seat. Do you intend to disobey?" Xuan Yuanlie said domineeringly.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager, who had been silent all along, spoke up, "Doctor Murong, do you perhaps find Prince Qi displeasing?"
Murong Wei's heart immediately raced at these words. What was the Empress Dowager up to?!
"This humble subject dares not." Helpless, she could only bite the bullet and take her seat. Xuan Yuanli sat diagonally behind her, his gaze revealing suspicion, while Xuan Yuanche merely nodded to her as a greeting, his face expressionless.
Murong Wei forced a smile, and turning her head, she was immediately met with a sea of envious and hateful gazes. The first one wasn't Prince Qi's principal wife, Yelü Lingrong, but Nangong Jingsi. A whole row of people swept over her, all harboring hostility towards her, even several women.
Xuan Yuanlie's move was so insidious!
He was making her an enemy of all the noble ladies of the capital!
Finally, everyone was seated, and the banquet began amidst lively music.
First came hot food, then wine. A group of maids, dressed in uniform and brightly colored clothes, carried exquisite silver platters and walked briskly around, circling the room until everyone was presented with fine food and wine.
Murong Wei had rushed out and hadn't had lunch yet; seeing the food before her, her stomach began to rumble uncontrollably.
However, the etiquette was quite complicated. Everyone raised their cups to toast Xuan Yuanlie, and after three rounds of drinks, that fellow still hadn't touched his chopsticks. He exchanged pleasantries with the Empress Dowager and then with the ministers.
These were nothing more than polite words, meaningless and insincere. Everyone was respectful, and their attention gradually shifted away from her. Only Nangong Jingsi stared at her the entire time.
Murong Wei initially tried to avoid her, but seeing such hostility, she simply went to meet her gaze and glared back. She didn't blame her for revealing Ye Bao, but she actually thought she had something going on with Prince Qi. It was truly inexplicable.
Xuan Yuanlie's intentions were so obvious, yet she still willingly jumped in, becoming a spectator!
After being glared at by Murong Wei, Nangong Jingsi suddenly raised her cup and stood up, saying to Xuan Yuanche, "Prince Qi, I toast you."
Xuan Yuanche didn't react much, elegantly raising his cup as well, and said calmly, "Your subject dares not, Your subject toasts Your Majesty and Your Majesty."
He then lightly tapped his cup twice on the table, drinking first as a sign of respect.
Xuan Yuanlie, still busy with pleasantries, smiled coldly upon seeing this, downing his cup in one gulp, and said, "I heard from Mother that Thirteen and Doctor Murong were late just now, hehe, what should we do?"
"Of course, three rounds of penalty wine!" Madam Gu immediately spoke up.
"Three rounds!" Xuan Yuanli blurted out.
"Thirteen is unwell, so he's exempt, but Doctor Murong must be punished!" the Empress Dowager said with a smile.
Seeing their masters being so difficult, how could the ladies below remain calm?
Yelü Lingrong also spoke with a smile, and her first words immediately made Murong Wei squint at her. She said, "I've heard that the banquet at the Xuanyuan Palace in the Heavenly Dynasty is the most grand in etiquette. The Thirteenth Prince can't go unpunished. Since you're unwell, let Doctor Murong, who came along, take your place!"
What direct connection is there between grandeur and being forced to drink a penalty shot?
Murong Wei's eyes narrowed to slits, staring dangerously at Yelü Lingrong. This wasn't a chrysanthemum banquet; not a single chrysanthemum had been seen. This was clearly a trap set specifically for her!
They were either going to make a fool of her or kill her.
"Doctor Murong isn't feeling well either. Lord Gu, you have a high alcohol tolerance, you can drink these six rounds for me!" Xuan Yuan Li said casually, personally carrying the wine pot towards Lord Li, who was not far away.
Lord Li was terrified, breaking out in a cold sweat. He stood up tremblingly, unsure what to do. He couldn't afford to offend either side!
"Lord Li, when did your alcohol tolerance improve?" Xuan Yuan Lie asked calmly with a smile.
"Thirteenth Prince, this humble servant is easily overwhelmed by three cups of wine, please spare this humble servant!" Lord Li took a step back; between the Emperor and the Prince, he had to choose the Emperor.
Xuan Yuanli, concealing his anger, scanned the room and loudly proclaimed, "Is there anyone willing to stand in my place?"
Silence reigned; for a long, long time, no one answered him. This was a public challenge to the Emperor's authority. Fortunately, he was the Emperor's younger brother; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Murong Wei watched from afar, feeling that this still somewhat immature man was both incredibly foolish and incredibly manly at this moment! She stepped forward and said, "Thirteenth Prince, Weiwei is willing!"
At the same time, Xuan Yuanche also spoke calmly, "This Prince is willing."
...
With a single "Yes," everyone was astonished.
Murong Wei was already quite conspicuous, and now Xuan Yuanli had also spoken.
A buzz of discussion erupted.
"Prince Qi spoke up!"
"Prince Qi is standing up for Murong Wei! This is incredible!"
"Prince Qi is standing up for the Thirteenth Prince, isn't he? What is Murong Wei? A shameless slut! The Emperor was just being polite and offered her a seat, and she actually dared to sit!"
"But Prince Qi rarely speaks up at banquets. He's drinking for Murong Wei! It's unbelievable!"
"I think the rumors from Yanxi Palace aren't far-fetched. Prince Qi definitely has something going on with this woman!"
"Haha, I don't know what he has with this woman, but he definitely has nothing going on with the new Princess Consort. The Princess Consort just misspoke!"
Yelü Lingrong feigned composure and elegance, but her anger was barely concealed. Since their marriage, Prince Qi had barely spoken to her.
Today, he was actually going to drink for a servant! And he only spoke after she had asked! Where was she supposed to put her face?
Amidst the murmurs, the two most sharp-tongued women remained silent, both staring intently at Murong Wei, their eyes practically burning with hatred, wishing they could devour her alive.
Nangong Jingsi downed cup after cup of wine, while Xi Fei nearly crumpled the handkerchief in her hand.
"Prince Qi, you seem to be in high spirits today," the Empress Dowager said with a cold laugh.
"My thirteenth brother is unwell, so as his elder brother, I naturally have to drink in his place. And since Doctor Murong is from my Qi Prince's residence, her tardiness today is also my responsibility; her three rounds of drinks will naturally fall on my shoulders," Xuan Yuanche said, raising his cup.
Three cups of wine as punishment and three rounds of wine as punishment are worlds apart. Three cups are just three cups, but three rounds mean everyone present has to toast each and every one of them, a total of three rounds.
Even the most resilient drinker would tremble at the sight of this.
Roughly calculated, there must have been at least thirty cups, if not forty. After three rounds, it would be no less than a hundred cups; after six rounds, it would be two hundred cups. And the royal wine is all strong liquor!
"It's rare to see Prince Qi in such high spirits, please!" Xuan Yuanlie smiled, his mood seemingly improving. If he couldn't get rid of Murong Wei, there would be another time. Prince Qi had a rare opportunity.
"Che'er, speaking of elder brothers, the Emperor is even more so. Shouldn't the Emperor drink for the Thirteenth Prince?" Empress Dowager Xi said hastily, no longer able to sit still
. She knew very well that Prince Qi's drinking capacity was the best among everyone present. But even so, after two hundred cups of strong liquor, he would still need to be helped back! Xuan Yuanche stopped, his tall figure, dressed in white, standing gracefully between the two rows of people. He looked up at Xuan Yuanlie, a faint smile appearing on his sculpted lips. So captivating, so serene, that everyone present, men and women alike, was moved.
It was not easy to see the usually aloof and indifferent Prince Qi.
He laughed, his voice clear and bright, "Your Majesty, what do you think?"
"I originally had the same idea, but since Seventh Brother spoke first, I'll let him have it." Xuan Yuanlie spoke eloquently, a smile on his face, without the slightest embarrassment!
"Then this cup, I'll toast you first!" Xuan Yuanche raised his cup high and drank it all in one gulp.
At this moment, everyone noticed the strangeness of his wine cup; it was a color-changing cup, the celadon color gradually fading to white as the wine in it decreased.
"Seventh Brother, did you bring your own wine cup today?" Xuan Yuanlie also noticed the anomaly.
"A few months ago, I acquired this cup by chance in the Han Kingdom. It's called the 'Colored Cup,' and I like it very much. From now on, I will always use this cup when drinking." Xuan Yuanche said calmly, pouring wine as he poured, the cup gradually turning back to celadon color. He turned to the Empress Dowager and said calmly, "Mother, I toast you."
The Empress Dowager drank the cup with a gloomy face.
Xuanyuan Che pretended not to see it and turned to the Eastern Empress Dowager, "Your Majesty, Eastern Empress Dowager, please."
Although he referred to himself as his subject, he always addressed her as the Eastern Empress Dowager.
After finishing a cup of wine, the Eastern Empress Dowager examined the cup and said calmly, "Such a rare item, it couldn't be another gift from Bai Wushang, could it?"
"Indeed," Xuanyuan Che replied.
"Heh, I just saw him at the Prince's residence yesterday, and I forgot to ask him for the silkworm treasure and gold thread. I won't let him off next time." The Eastern Empress Dowager said through gritted teeth. Whether it was Bai Wushang or the King of Han, they had always only recognized the Western Empress Dowager when offering tribute to Xuanyuan. The good things were gone when it came to her. In addition, after being threatened like that yesterday, her hatred for Bai Wushang was no less than that for Murong Wei.
"Then Empress Dowager, next time you encounter him, please remember him," Xuan Yuanche said, turning to toast each of the ministers starting from the eastern row. The ministers, each trembling with fear, had never been toasted by Prince Qi before in all their years in office. They held their cups very low with both hands, bowing deeply, their faces full of respect.
Almost the entire hall was silent. Everyone stared at Xuan Yuanche, except for Murong Wei and Xuan Yuanli, who were exchanging suspicious glances.
"What does he want?" Xuan Yuanli asked in a low voice.
Murong Wei shook her head directly. "Who cares? Neither of us has to drink anyway, and I really don't want to."
"Actually… me too," Xuan Yuanli said, turning to sit down.
Murong Wei chuckled softly, then looked at Xuan Yuanche. He had already walked to the very back of the eastern row. Was this guy deliberately trying to get drunk? Such strong liquor, drunk so quickly—even the best drinker would get drunk!
Soon, the first round of drinks ended, and the entire hall fell silent. Everyone watched as Xuan Yuanche returned to the center. Tall and somewhat slender, he wore flowing white robes, his long, black hair cascading down his back. His appearance remained unchanged for ten years, except for two colors in his eyes: a deep, pure white, and a captivatingly dark black.
Despite the bustling banquet, despite being surrounded by people, perhaps it was the silence that made his figure appear so lonely and desolate.
Perhaps it was an aura inherent in him, unrelated to his surroundings.
The entire room was silent except for the sounds of him pouring wine, drinking, and footsteps—everything but him.
Gradually, his handsome face, always paler than most, flushed; gradually, his usually steady steps became unsteady; gradually, his usually cool and indifferent eyes became lost. The surroundings remained quiet; the clinking of glasses was strangely silent. The celadon wine cup turned from blue to white, white to blue, cup after cup, until, after six rounds, the wine returned to Xuan Yuanlie.
At this moment, the quiet gaze of the crowd turned to astonishment. Prince Qi was drunk.
The Prince Qi, who could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, was drunk! To see the Prince Qi drunk in one's lifetime!
What would he do? What would he say?
He was completely drunk, his mind seemingly clouded. He staggered several times before finally stopping in front of Xuan Yuan Lie. His voice was noticeably louder and clearer, "Brother, the sixth round of wine is finished!"
"Good! Seventh brother indeed has a good capacity for alcohol!" Xuan Yuan Lie laughed and clapped his hands in praise, glancing at Nangong Jing Si, whose face was growing increasingly pale, and laughed even more heartily!
Xuan Yuan Che turned and staggered back to his seat, but just as he reached his seat, he suddenly stumbled and fell directly towards Murong Wei. Murong Wei had seen many drunken men and was already on guard, but unfortunately, she couldn't defend herself.
"Your Highness!"
"Your Highness, be careful!"
Opposite him, Consort Xi and Yelü Ling Rong stood up together, and Xi Feng even rose from his seat to come over. Only Nangong Jing Si watched him from afar, unable to do or say anything, biting her lips until they almost bled.
Xuan Yuan Li had no choice but to step forward to help, forcefully lifting Xuan Yuan Che up.
Murong Wei looked suspiciously at the drunken Xuan Yuanche, sensing something was off, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. She subconsciously stepped aside, making way for Xi Fei.
However, Xuan Yuanli's sudden roar made her realize what was wrong.
"Get out of my way! Stay away from me!"
Xi Feng and Yelü Lingrong were startled and quickly pushed them away, only then remembering that the Thirteenth Prince disliked people getting close.
But… he actually… offered to help Prince Qi! What was going on?!
"Oh dear, Prince Qi's alcohol tolerance has declined quite a bit these past few years. Wasn't he always able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk?" the Empress Dowager said with a sneer, completely disregarding the fact that Prince Qi was drinking for her son.
"Brother, Seventh Brother is drunk. Let's take him back to his residence!" Xuan Yuanli said earnestly, placing Xuan Yuanche back on a seat. He seemed truly drunk, unconscious and slumped motionless on the table.
Xuan Yuanlie, like everyone else, was puzzled. His younger brother was already protecting Murong Wei, but now he was even siding with Prince Qi—wasn't that betraying his own side?
Was it because Prince Qi drank in his place, or was there another reason?
Before Xuan Yuanlie could even speak, the Empress
Dowager hurriedly said, "Someone, Prince Qi is drunk! Take him back to his residence!" "Yes!" Granny Dai, who had been standing some distance away, immediately stepped forward to help him.
Xuan Yuanlie and the Empress Dowager exchanged a glance, then looked at Murong Wei, whose brows were furrowed, but did not stop them.
With Prince Qi present, the show was quite entertaining.
With Prince Qi gone, Nangong Jingsi was still there, and the real show was just beginning!
After the person was seen off, Murong Wei was left alone in the seat. A woman sitting in the front row of a group of men did feel rather awkward. She turned back to look at Xuan Yuanli, who had also taken his seat, and whispered, "Your quirk has been broken again?"
"Isn't it because I'm afraid you'll get vomited on? You're already embarrassed enough as it is!" Xuan Yuanli rolled his eyes at her.
"Why don't you sit in the front? I don't feel safe in this seat," Murong Wei whispered again.
"What are you afraid of? I'll cover for you at the back!" Xuan Yuanli almost roared again.
"Shh..." Murong Wei shushed and obediently turned around.
She saw rows of palace maids and eunuchs approaching from the east and west, each carrying a pot of vibrantly blooming chrysanthemums. The flowers were of various colors and shapes, many of which she had never seen before.
It seemed they were about to admire the chrysanthemums. She wasn't sure if Xuan Yuanlie had even touched his food, and feeling incredibly hungry, she turned back cautiously and asked, "Thirteenth Prince, can we eat now?"
Just as Xuan Yuanli was about to speak, Nangong Jingsi's calm and collected voice suddenly rang out, "I've heard that Prince Qi enjoys poetry and songs. A chrysanthemum banquet can't be complete without a chrysanthemum poem. Consort Rong comes from the Flowing Sands and isn't familiar with Central Plains poetry, so Consort Xi will compose one to warm things up."
Murong Wei turned around and immediately met Nangong Jingsi's provocative gaze. This woman was clearly talking about Consort Xi, why was she looking at her like that?
Several rows of eunuchs and palace maids, each carrying chrysanthemums in both hands, walked in unison along the east and west rows of seats. Before
all the flowers had been served and everyone had left, Nangong Jingsi couldn't resist any longer. Murong Wei, however, met her gaze calmly, without flinching.
Poetry and prose, all that literary flair—she disliked this part the most, but it was the best opportunity for all the women to show off, so she couldn't resist. She had originally thought Gu Xihe would be the one to speak, but unexpectedly, it was Nangong Jingsi.
"Does Consort Si have some masterpiece? The chrysanthemums haven't even been admired yet, and you're already asking her to compose a poem?" the Empress Dowager said calmly, her tone sarcastic, showing no respect for Consort Si.
Anyway, the old Empress Dowager's jealousy of Consort Si's favor with her son was nothing new; it was common knowledge throughout the court.
Murong Wei was amused by this. Let the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law fight it out; she needed to focus on satisfying herself first.
"The yellow flowers displayed on such a high platform are nothing but empty shells. Just now, walking with Consort Xi, we saw some withered yellow flowers by the roadside, their remaining blossoms standing tall on the branches, quite spirited. Consort Xi already composed a poem about them. I dare not keep such a masterpiece to myself; I am eager to share it with everyone." Nangong Jingsi spoke eloquently, directly mocking the two empress dowagers sitting high above her in her first sentence.
"Is that so? Consort Xi, I'd like to hear what kind of fine poem you can compose from wildflowers that can never grace the halls of elegance!" The Eastern Empress Dowager coldly looked at Gu Xihe.
Her words were even more direct than Nangong Jingsi's. Although Nangong Jingsi was favored, everyone knew that the position of empress would never be hers due to her lack of influence.
Murong Wei lowered her head and drank her soup, listening to these words and secretly chuckling to herself. Indeed, the most interesting battles between two women are always the conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law!
Xuan Yuanli tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Don't eat, the real good stuff hasn't arrived yet!"
Murong Wei turned around suspiciously, "Good stuff?" "
Idiot, the Chrysanthemum Banquet isn't just about admiring chrysanthemums, there are also chrysanthemum dishes. These dishes are for pairing with wine, and you're not drinking, so what are you going to eat?" Xuan Yuanli whispered.
Murong Wei reluctantly put down her ladle, deciding to follow the rules rather than cause trouble.
Across from them, Gu Xihe's initial enthusiasm was completely extinguished by the Empress Dowager's words, leaving him unsure whether to advance or retreat, and he couldn't help but look to his father for help.
Prime Minister Gu was far more perceptive than Gu Xihe. He glanced at Xuan Yuanlie, who was silently eating, smiled, and said, "Admiring chrysanthemums and composing poems is certainly delightful, but I presume everyone is here today for His Majesty's chrysanthemum banquet? Your Majesty, please begin the banquet! We are all waiting impatiently!"
"Hahaha, Prime Minister Gu, you're getting gluttonous with age!" Xuan Yuanlie laughed. He was here to watch the show; the Empress Dowager and Nangong Xihe's battle was essentially him being watched. How could he allow that? He
surveyed the surroundings filled with yellow flowers and nodded in satisfaction. "Guards, begin the banquet!"
Immediately, music played seven times, and soon, another group of neatly dressed palace maids and eunuchs arrived, stepping in unison to serve the dishes.
Murong Wei was shocked. It turned out that the food and wine she had just eaten were merely appetizers; the real banquet was only beginning now. Had Xuan Yuanche left before the banquet even started?
Before them lay a table laden with dishes, all adorned with chrysanthemums: chrysanthemum soup with three snakes, fried fish balls with chrysanthemums, fish dumplings with chrysanthemums, fish slices with chrysanthemums, chicken with chrysanthemums, braised pork with chrysanthemums, stir-fried beef with chrysanthemums, and so on. Each dish boasted the savory flavor of meat, complemented by the rich, delicate fragrance of chrysanthemums—truly a chrysanthemum feast!
After Xuan Yuanlie began to eat, he said, "My beloved ministers, please!"
Everyone then picked up their chopsticks. Murong Wei tasted a few bites and thoroughly enjoyed them, forgetting all about decorum, and devoured the food.
Looking back at Xuan Yuanli, she saw him eating with relish, apparently even hungrier than her!
The pleasantries resumed, nothing more than the usual formalities between Xuan Yuanlie and his ministers. Occasionally, the Eastern Empress Dowager would speak, while the Western Empress Dowager hadn't uttered a word since the Prince of Qi left.
After several toasts, Xuanyuan Lie casually picked a yellow flower, smelled it, and calmly looked at the silent Nangong Jingsi, smiling as he asked, "Consort Si, have you produced any masterpieces this year?"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately put down their chopsticks. Murong Wei, reluctant to put down hers, wiped her mouth; the poetry battle was about to begin!
"I won't present my humble work to embarrass myself. Let Consort Xi do it; she's a renowned talent in our Xuanyuan!" Nangong Jingsi said with a smile.
"I'm humbled; my reputation is undeserved, and I'm unworthy of such high praise!" Consort Xi said modestly.
"How about I compose one first, to offer a starting point?" Yelü Lingrong suggested with a slight smile.
"So Consort Rong also knows Central Plains poetry?" the Empress Dowager asked.
"My mother loves Central Plains culture and has had me taught by Central Plains teachers since I was young, so I've learned a little bit," Yelü Lingrong replied.
"No wonder, this child of yours doesn't seem like she's from the Flowing Sand Kingdom at all; she seems more like the daughter of a wealthy family in Jiangnan," the Empress Dowager said with a smile, seemingly quite fond of Yelü Lingrong.
"Thirteenth Prince, is your mother…" Murong Wei turned her head, her question abruptly ending as she saw that Xuan Yuanli's face was pale, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Thirteenth Prince, are you alright?" she asked anxiously, worried that he had fallen ill again.
"I'm fine," Xuan Yuanli said in a low voice.
"What's wrong?" Murong Wei asked again.
"Nothing, I'm going to see what Qi Xi is dawdling about; she's not here yet." Xuan Yuanli said, giving a few instructions to the eunuch behind him before hurrying off.
The eunuch quickly informed Xuan Yuanlie, who frowned as he looked over but didn't say anything more.
Over here, Yelü Lingrong stood somewhat stiffly, reciting a poem rather than composing one: "It's not that I particularly love chrysanthemums among flowers, but only the chrysanthemums of the eastern fence withstand the cold. They would rather wither on the fragrant branch than dance with the yellow leaves in the autumn wind!"
"Excellent! 'They would rather wither on the fragrant branch than dance with the yellow leaves in the autumn wind,' that perfectly captures my heart!" Xuan Yuanlie clapped his hands in approval, and the ministers also nodded in praise.
Yelü Lingrong, satisfied, said, "Your Majesty flatters me. I have made a fool of myself." She then
stepped back and took her seat. Xi Feng's lips curled into a cold smile, utterly disdainful. It seemed he wasn't just targeting Murong Wei, but also all the women in the Qi Prince's mansion. He said indifferently, "It is good, but the first two lines are too clichéd, lacking originality. The contrast between the beginning and end is too great. The biggest flaw is the reappearance of the character 'chrysanthemum' in the second line."
Yelü Lingrong's eyes flashed with anger, but her attitude remained humble. "I was merely offering a preliminary suggestion. I am all ears for Your Majesty's masterpiece."
"The most talented woman of Xuanyuan is here, Consort Xi. What do you think of my comments?" Nangong Jingsi asked.
Gu Xihe was once again placed in a difficult position. The Emperor praised her first, then Consort Si criticized her; she couldn't offend either side.
Just as Prime Minister Gu was about to help his daughter out, Madam Gu spoke first with a smile, "Doctor Murong… what do you think?"
Immediately, the entire room fell silent!
The moment Murong Wei's name was mentioned, everyone turned to look. Murong Wei, however, was staring at the dishes in front of her, pouting and looking sullen, completely oblivious to Madam Gu's mention of her.
These women had absolutely no skill in their rivalry; it was entertaining at first, but she was tired of it.
"Doctor Murong? What do you think?" Nangong Xihe also spoke up.
Murong Wei was still in a daze, wondering where Ye Bao was. Was he in Shang Kingdom?
If that brat hadn't left, he would definitely be here to join the fun. This table full of chrysanthemum dishes would surely make him unable to walk and require her to carry him home.
"Murong Wei!" Suddenly, the Empress Dowager shouted sharply!
"Here!" Murong Wei jumped up. Even after all these years, the habit instilled by her grandfather hadn't changed. She shouted loudly, standing ramrod straight, only then realizing she was at the chrysanthemum banquet!
"Doctor Murong seems to have little interest in poetry and literature!" Nangong Jingsi said with a cold laugh.
"She was just spacing out!"
"How dare she do that in front of the Emperor and Empress Dowager!"
"Doctor Murong must have a masterpiece to disdain your humble works." Consort Xi sneered, delighted that her troubles were being directed at her; thankfully, her mother was quick-witted.
Murong Wei had already snapped out of her daze, feeling like she'd been used as cannon fodder by these people, all trying to gain fame and curry favor with the master of Xuanyuan Palace by stepping on her!
She hadn't paid much attention to what Yelü Lingrong had just recited, only replying perfunctorily, "It's alright, quite good, quite good."
"Do you think my comments are better, or Consort Rong's poem?" Nangong Jingsi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course... His Majesty's comments are better, His Majesty's comments are the best!" Murong Wei admitted she was unprincipled, flattering Xuanyuan Li.
Seeing Nangong Jingsi's stormy expression, she added, "Does Consort Si think His Majesty's comments are bad?"
Even if Consort Si had immense abilities, with Murong Wei's provocation, she wouldn't dare embarrass the Emperor in front of all the ministers!
"Hehe, am I a ruler who makes arbitrary decisions? The appreciation of poetry has never been about status or rank; everyone is welcome to express their opinions!" Xuan Yuanlie laughed, truly disregarding his imperial dignity to make things difficult for her.
Murong Wei utterly despised this person who was even less principled than herself. She looked at Nangong Jingsi and said, "Since that's the case, this humble subject will share my opinion!"
Nangong Jingsi sneered and gestured for her to speak, while everyone listened attentively, assuming that Murong Wei had finally lost her patience and was about to fall into the trap.
"As for Consort Rong's poem, it is indeed as Consort Si said, there are inconsistencies between the beginning and end, and it's not entirely harmonious. However, Consort Rong is the best poet I've ever seen from the Liusha Kingdom. As the Empress Zheng Ri said, the highlight of this poem is the last two lines, displaying extremely high moral character, truly a woman who is not inferior to men!" Murong Wei spoke earnestly, head held high.
She was no less skilled at using elegant words and smooth talk than anyone else present! No one could find fault with her.
The words fell silent, many stunned. How could this woman say such a thing?
Xuan Yuanlie and Nangong Jingsi couldn't find any fault with it.
Xuan Yuanli quietly returned to his seat, unaware of what had happened. Seeing Murong Wei return, he hurriedly whispered, "What happened?"
"Nothing," Murong Wei smiled innocently. "Where did you go?"
"To find Qi Xi. That girl said she'd be coming to present a treasure later," Xuan Yuanli said, his earlier gloom gone.
"Present a treasure? What treasure could she possibly have?" Murong Wei asked.
"I don't know when Bai Wushang bribed her. She's bringing Bai Wushang to present a treasure later!" Xuan Yuanli said…
In the silence of the entire city, Murong Wei dared not speak much to Xuan Yuanli.
Inwardly, however, she couldn't help but feel happy. It was good that Lao Bai was here; she always had a feeling that as long as he was there, even the biggest problems could be solved with a few words.
Having been stared at several times, Murong Wei was already used to it, remaining calm and composed with a peaceful gaze.
"Hehe, Doctor Murong speaks quite aptly!" The Empress Dowager finally broke the silence, looking at Consort Xi, "Consort Xi, I remember you didn't compose a poem last year. It's your turn now, don't try to find excuses to avoid it!"
"Mother, you misunderstand." Gu Xihe stepped forward with a smile, "Xihe wouldn't dare to show off her limited skills in front of Consort Si."
"Hehe, Consort Xi, you flatter me so much. If I don't compose a poem, wouldn't that spoil everyone's mood?" Nangong Jingsi smiled. Composing poetry was naturally her forte; wasn't it because of poetry and prose that she had gotten close to Prince Qi since childhood?
Unfortunately, he chose Gu Xihe, the daughter of the prime minister whose talent was once renowned.
And she, with all her talent, could only be buried beneath the high walls of the palace.
She rose, raised her cup to the moon, and parted her pearly teeth, speaking softly, "Autumn's charm and feelings are hard to describe, I visit the chrysanthemums by the eastern fence. Raising a cup to invite the moon, how can it be too early? Drawing
a sword to cut water, why so late? Braving frost and cold, how lonely is she? Composing poems to express my feelings, who is she longing for? If you understand my heart, ask among the flowers, when will I hold your hand?" After reciting, she raised her cup to the person directly opposite Xuan Yuanlie and drank it all in one gulp.
From the moment he heard these words of longing, Xuan Yuanlie's face grew increasingly grim, yet he held back, for this woman still held something he needed.
The others only knew of Consort Si's deep affection for the Emperor, how could they know of her past with Prince Qi, or how many times it had happened? They all turned to look at Murong Wei, who sat in Prince Qi's seat.
Only Gu Xihe and Yelü Lingrong noticed something amiss. A contemptuous smile flashed across Yelü Lingrong's eyes as she looked at Xuan Yuanlie, her gaze full of meaning.
"Consort Xi's poems always manage to touch the heart. Such a masterpiece evokes contemplation upon first reading, sorrow upon second, and grief upon third, much like the loneliness of autumn. The imagery is exquisite!" A lady backstage spoke with a gentle smile, her praise genuine.
Murong Wei also admired her. When Gu Xihe recited the poem just now, her large, watery eyes must have been brimming with tears.
Her feelings for Prince Qi were genuine, but alas, he was heartless.
Everyone said that Prince Qi cared about her, but no one knew that Prince Qi's secret, Ye Bao's true parentage, remained a mystery to her. She was more terrified and fearful of him than anyone else.
No one could see Xuan Yuanlie's true expression. He clapped his hands silently, and then sincere, flattering praises arose.
Nangong Jingsi took her seat, looking at Murong Wei with a calm expression. That calmness sent chills down Murong Wei's spine.
A woman can go mad for love; that was true.
Amidst the praise, the Empress Dowager coldly spoke, "It's good, but a bit petty. If the women of Xuanyuan only knew how to wallow in self-pity, wouldn't they be laughed at by the Queen of Liusha? Consort Rong, don't you think so?"
"Your Majesty is right," Yelü Lingrong said earnestly.
"Consort Xi, you're always the grand finale every year. I'm waiting for your poem!" the Empress Dowager added, abruptly interrupting the appreciation of Consort Si's poem.
Nangong Jingsi didn't pay much attention. This poem was one she had written long ago, not for everyone, nor to show off, but only for one person, who had long since left.
Gu Xihe had been waiting impatiently. Once Nangong Jingsi wrote a poem, no one dared to submit another; she was always the one to finish the show.
"Your Majesty, I humbly offer my humble opinion." She stepped forward, feigning interest in the large yellow chrysanthemum before her, set against two green leaves. After a moment's thought, she slowly began to recite, "Transplanted from another garden, more precious than gold, one cluster pale, one cluster deep, one spine supporting heaven and earth, one pair of great hands encompassing the past and present!"
"Excellent!" This is truly a masterpiece, this is what it means to be a woman who is not inferior to men, possessing both tenderness and domineering spirit! "Guards, present a jade chrysanthemum stand!" The Empress Dowager clapped her hands in praise.
"Hehe, the first two lines seem plain, yet they are profound in meaning. The last two lines are like a thunderclap from a clear sky, just to my liking. Consort Xi, it's a pity that Prince Qi left first, otherwise I should have invited him to give his critique. I remember that Prince Qi's favorite style is this!" Xuan Yuanlie also praised her highly.
"Hehe, Consort Xi truly lives up to her title as Princess Consort of Qi! This talent is worthy of Prince Qi's elegance!" "
Your Highness, I've been asking for your poem for over half a year. Why not present this one to you? I'll have it framed and hang it above the main gate! 'A single spine supports heaven and earth; two large hands encompass the past and present!'"
...
This style seemed to appeal to men, and with both Xuanyuan Lie and the Empress Dowager praising it, almost all the ministers nodded in approval. Gu Xihe had undoubtedly defeated Yelü Lingrong and Nangong Jingsi with a single poem.
Murong Wei frowned, pondering, feeling the last two lines were familiar, but before she could recall them, Yelü Lingrong, who had been silenced, spoke up, "Your Highness, these last two lines...where have I heard them before?"
Murong Wei's eyes lit up; she remembered! Wasn't this an adaptation of the masterpiece of Han Kingdom's Prime Minister Ning Ran?
The original was: "A few proud bones, supporting heaven and earth; two hungry bellies, encompassing the past and present!" "
Gu Xihe is indeed a remarkable woman!"
Murong Wei truly admired her. She had once seen Gu Xihe rewrite this couplet at the Qi Prince's residence, claiming it as her own.
Now, she had actually managed to piece it together into a poem praising chrysanthemums. What was impressive wasn't her skill in piecing it together, but rather that few people knew her prized work was plagiarized.
It had to be admitted, that was a skill in itself!
Hearing Yelü Lingrong's words, Murong Wei, who had initially been uninterested, immediately perked up. She rested her chin on her hands, not forgetting to turn back and smile at Xuan Yuanli, who was also nearly dozing off.
However, Yelü Lingrong's next words nearly made her fall off her chair. She said, "Consort Xihe, isn't this just like the couplet hanging in your room?"
Consort Xi calmly replied, "Indeed, I composed that couplet when the garden of the Prince of Qi's residence was filled with yellow flowers, and it inspired me."
"If it's a couplet, how can it be considered a poem?" Yelü Lingrong asked again.
"Haha, what's wrong with it being written by Xi Feng? That's Consort Xi's cleverness. I'm curious about the original couplet
. Would Your Highness Consort Xi like to tell me?" An old minister stroked his beard and asked with a smile. Yelü Lingrong wasn't familiar with Central Plains poetry and songs; her words not only exposed her ignorance but also flattered Gu Xihe.
"Forget it, the couplet is: A few spines support heaven and earth; two hungry bellies encompass the past and present!" Gu Xihe said very modestly.
"Excellent!"
"A masterpiece!"
"Your Majesty, it's been a long time since Xuanyuan produced such a powerful and spirited work!"
"Consort Xi, it's only been a few months, yet your talent surpasses even your former self. This old man is truly humbled!"
"Haha, excellent! Guards, reward her!" Xuanyuan Lie was overjoyed. Indeed, it had been a very long time since he had heard of such a proud and spirited masterpiece.
Even the Empress Dowager Xi secretly praised him, having to admit that Gu Xihe's talent was well-deserved.
Yelü Lingrong gripped her wine cup tightly in resentment, while Nangong Jingsi, watching Gu Xihe's feigned humility despite her obvious pride, smiled coldly, utterly contemptuous, and said coldly, "I've heard that Doctor Murong served in the Han Kingdom's palace?" Upon
hearing this, the surrounding discussions ceased. Why was Consort Si asking about this?
"Yes." Murong Wei nodded, wondering what this woman was up to now.
"Then Doctor Murong must know the Prime Minister of Han Kingdom, Ning Ran, right?" Consort Si asked again.
Murong Wei was startled, but Gu Xihe was even more astonished.
"I know," Murong Wei answered truthfully.
"Then do you know the couplet that Prime Minister Ning is most proud of, the one even carved on a bow and arrow?" Nangong Jingsi asked calmly.
"Bang..." Suddenly, the wine cup in Gu Xihe's hand fell to the ground, his face ashen.
Everyone was puzzled, waiting for Murong Wei's answer.
Murong Wei frowned slightly, feeling helpless. Did this woman have to drag her into trouble?
For a long time, she remained silent.
"Doctor Murong, can Prime Minister Ning of Han also compose couplets?" someone spoke up.
"Never heard of it before. Why did Consort Si suddenly ask? Tell us about it," another person said.
Murong Wei was truly helpless. Prime Minister Ning's talent was renowned far and wide, yet these people, arrogant and self-important, never paid attention. Otherwise, how could such a famous couplet be altered twice without everyone's noticing?
"Doctor Murong, I'm asking you a question!" Gu Xihe pressed aggressively.
Gu Xihe slumped into her seat, her chest heaving violently, her breathing rapid, her forehead covered in cold sweat, staring stiffly at Murong Wei, her eyes glistening with tears, as if pleading for mercy.
Murong Wei was undoubtedly a vengeful person; the poison she had inflicted on Consort Xi still hadn't been cured—it was a slow-acting poison. However, she preferred to take revenge herself, disliked having someone else do it for her, and even more so, disliked joining forces with someone she had harmed Ye Bao.
She glanced at Gu Xihe, who had been radiant just moments before but was now filled with apprehension, and said indifferently, "Ning Ran has composed many couplets, which I am not very familiar with."
Nangong Jingsi smiled coldly, gave Murong Wei a disdainful look, and said, "Ning Ran's most famous work was carved on the bows and arrows held by a group of his archers. That couplet was written seven years ago at a banquet in the Han Kingdom Palace, when Ning Ran was only fifteen years old."
"Carved on bows and arrows, hehe, I'd like to hear it." Xuan Yuanlie spoke up, looking at Nangong Jingsi with amusement.
Nangong Jingsi stood up, about to speak, when suddenly, with a "bang," the wine cup in front of Gu Xihe's table was knocked over.
"Your Highness, don't rush, let me tell you slowly." Nangong Jingsi smiled and began softly, "A few proud bones, supporting heaven and earth; two hungry bellies, encompassing the past and present!"
These words immediately caused an uproar!
How could this be? They're so similar! One was written seven years ago, and the other this year. It's obvious! Gu Xihe plagiarized Han Guoningran's work!
...
This chrysanthemum banquet will likely be the most spectacular and complex in the history of the Xuanyuan royal family.
Since the start of the banquet, there have been several instances of complete silence followed by uproar.
Now, there's another uproar.
Gu Xihe is dumbfounded, completely at a loss. If she had known that Nangong Jingsi had this trick up her sleeve, even if she enjoyed the feeling of being praised and lauded by everyone, she would never have tried to steal the spotlight today.
Nangong Jingsi, with the air of a victor, didn't hold back, and asked with a smile, "Consort Xi, have you heard Ning Ran's masterpiece?"
"No!" Gu Xihe blurted out, denying it without even thinking.
"No? That's quite a coincidence. Are you and Ning Ran of kindred spirits?" Nangong Jingsi asked with a smile.
At this moment, the pale-faced Prime Minister Gu hurriedly rose and stepped forward, ignoring the commotion around him. He clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, "Your Majesty, this old minister has prepared a 'Yellow Flower Dance,' and is waiting outside!"
Xuan Yuanlie watched coldly, saying nothing, only waving him away.
Madam Gu rushed forward, nearly stumbling, "Empress Dowager Dong, I heard that Princess Qixi was going to present her treasure at today's banquet the day before yesterday. Everyone must be impatient; please invite Princess Qixi out quickly!"
The Empress Dowager Dong, seeing Nangong Jingsi's smugness, narrowed her old eyes. She had originally come to watch Nangong Jingsi and Murong Wei's performance, but this woman had gone after Gu Xihe first—it was completely against her wishes.
"Qixi can arrange things herself; you may step aside!" The Empress Dowager Dong said, rising and walking down the steps.
Indeed, everyone stood up, no longer daring to sit.
Xuan Yuanli walked to Murong Wei's side and whispered, "Women are really troublesome."
"If only they didn't gang up on me." Murong Wei whispered.
"What?" Xuan Yuanli didn't hear clearly.
"No, everything has its retribution. Some people just reap what they sow." Murong Wei looked at Gu Xihe, who was clenching her teeth and had teary eyes, and wondered if she had exposed Gu Xihe's plagiarism back then, would she have avoided this calamity today?
She had originally thought the Empress Dowager was after Nangong Jingsi, but unexpectedly, the old woman was walking towards her.
"Thirteenth Prince, your mother has come to see you, hasn't she?" Murong Wei whispered, maintaining a smile, but the corners of her mouth twitched involuntarily.
The Empress Dowager stopped, glanced at her, and said calmly, "Doctor Murong, you come from the Han Kingdom. Just now, Consort Si asked you, and you said you knew Ning Ran and were familiar with many of his works. How come you don't know this masterpiece?"
"Ning Ran has many masterpieces. I am clumsy and cannot remember them all," Murong Wei replied unhurriedly.
"Hehe, I've already said this is a masterpiece carved by an archer, it must be well-known throughout the Han Kingdom. Since you know so many of his famous works, how could you not know this most famous one? Is Consort Si lying, and Ning Ran doesn't even have such a work, or..." The Empress Dowager Dong said, her eyes narrowing slightly, forcing Murong Wei to retreat further, and continued, "Or are you lying, knowing that Consort Xi plagiarized, yet you didn't report it!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Murong Wei took several steps back, wishing she could roar like a lion like Xuan Yuan Lie, "Do you think I'm a garbage can, throwing all your messes here!"
Just then, Xuan Yuan Li's lion's roar came from behind, "What do you take her for, pushing all the blame onto her, what did she do to offend you!"
"Insolence! Is this how you speak to me?" The Empress Dowager Dong said coldly.
"Mother, this matter was Consort Si exposing Consort Xi's plagiarism, what does it have to do with Weiwei?" Xuan Yuan Li asked coldly.
"Then what does this have to do with you?" The Empress Dowager Dong retorted.
Xuan Yuanlie was about to roar again, but Murong Wei stopped him, "Your Majesty, allow me to think."
If she admitted it, Gu Xihe would be ruined, and the Gu family would be irrevocably offended.
If she said it wasn't true, then Consort Si would be accused of slander, and subsequently, she would be accused of perjury.
The entire hall fell silent once more, and once again everyone looked at her.
The Empress Dowager sneered, "Doctor Murong, who once served in the Han Kingdom's palace, doesn't recall Ning Ran having this masterpiece. Is Consort Si spouting nonsense and slandering Consort Xi?"
"Murong Wei, you must take responsibility for your words!" Nangong Jingsi warned coldly.
Seeing that even the Empress Dowager was on her side, the flustered Gu Xihe felt a little more confident. Seeing Nangong Jingsi's threat, he quickly spoke up, "Doctor Murong, you really must take responsibility for your words."
Murong Wei frowned, coldly staring at the two women. Actually, she was no longer hesitating about which one to choose, but rather struggling with how to answer in a way that would completely shut both women up!
"Doctor Murong, my chrysanthemum banquet wasn't specially prepared for you. How long are you going to think about it?" The aloof Xuan Yuanlie sneered.
Murong Wei looked up, her eyes narrowing, and blurted out, "Consort Si is not wrong, it is indeed plagiarism. The Han Kingdom of Ningran did indeed have such a couplet! It's a work from many years ago, carved on a bow and arrow!" That
damned emperor! He still says it wasn't specially prepared for her? Does he think it's not lively enough? Then she'll side with Nangong Jingsi and watch the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law battle. Anyway, it's him, as her son and husband, who will lose face!
"Murong Wei, didn't you just say you didn't remember? How come you remember so clearly now?"
Empress Dowager Dong asked through gritted teeth. "Didn't Your Majesty ask me to think about it? I've been thinking for so long, even His Majesty is getting annoyed. If I still haven't figured it out and anger His Majesty, I can't bear the responsibility!" Murong Wei said with a smile.
"So it really was plagiarized! Heh, the so-called number one talented woman of Xuanyuan, it's all plagiarized!"
"I'm just wondering, how can a woman have such audacity to write such a masterpiece!"
"Consort Si's poems are still the best, so authentic and tender, perfectly suited to the occasion!"
"I heard Consort Si was quite famous back in her family, but she's just a low-key person!"
"What everyone says is good may not actually be good; fame is just an illusion!"
Discussions arose, such was the fickleness of human relationships.
Nangong Jingsi coldly stared at Gu Xihe and the Empress Dowager, her tone full of provocation.
The Empress Dowager, however, sternly addressed Murong Wei, "Plagiarism, Murong Wei, you need evidence! Which line in Consort Xi's poems and lyrics is exactly the same as Ning Ran's? Poetry and lyrics have limited imagery; they're either tender or heroic. Similarities are unavoidable. There are only so many characters; does that mean that just because Ning Ran used a few words, others can't?"
Murong Wei's mind went blank. She had never seen such sophistry before; it seemed this matter was far from over!
"Indeed, Your Majesty, even if they are similar, I still think Xihe's work is a step above Ningran's! I prefer it!" Madam Gu immediately chimed in.
"Exactly, exactly! All writing is plagiarism, and there are only so many writers. You can't say that just because someone used those words, others can't use them either. Anyway, I prefer Consort Xi's work. There's no point in saying more! Consort Xi, you've been spoiled by some petty people!"
"Oh dear, what's the point of arguing? Indeed, comparing the two works, Consort Xi's is definitely a step above. The Empress Dowager is right. Doctor Murong, the word 'plagiarism' can't be used so casually. Making false accusations is a serious offense!"
"Doctor Murong, at least all the ministers have their own works. If you can't compose poems or lyrics, don't make false accusations. Just stand by and admire them!"
"Your Highness, just consider it a dog bite. Don't pay it any mind. I'd like to ask Your Highness to compose another poem so I can hang it in my study!"
The discussion was followed by accusations. This was the first time Murong Wei had ever seen a plagiarist receive such support. These people weren't so extreme as to point their fingers at her and shout, "Go ahead and sue us if you dare!"
But they were all targeting her. She wasn't the one stirring up trouble, nor was she the one seeking problems. She wasn't the one filled with jealousy or envy. Nangong Jingsi was right there; why did the blame fall on her in the end?
Or perhaps, no matter how the drama unfolded, no matter who was involved, she would ultimately bear the consequences?
Faced with this unexpected reversal, Nangong Jingsi wasn't foolish enough to step forward again. A cold smile played on her lips as she looked at her.
"I'm going to vomit! I've never seen anyone so shameless!" Xuan Yuanli said in a deep voice. Just as he was about to step forward, Murong Wei, who also had a sullen face, pulled him back and said coldly, "I'll do it!"
She strode forward, her half-hidden face full of stubbornness. Since such obvious plagiarism could be so blindly praised and protected by the rulers, what was wrong with her borrowing some Tang poems, Song lyrics, and Yuan songs?
Murong Wei stood alone, her back straight, hands clasped in a gesture of respect as she faced Xuan Yuanlie. "Who just accused me of slander? If you accuse me of slander, you need evidence. Otherwise, wouldn't that be the same as making slander yourself? If you want to know whether Ning Ran of Han Kingdom actually composed such a couplet, Your Majesty can simply send an envoy to Han Kingdom to obtain evidence on the spot! Before obtaining evidence, whoever makes a hasty conclusion is slandering others!"
Having said that, she turned to the crowd and coldly added, "And who just said I can't compose poetry or lyrics?"
"Do you?" Gu Xihe asked with a sneer. The situation had reversed so drastically that she had long forgotten her earlier fear and embarrassment, continuing to maintain her aloof demeanor.
"You want to write a poem praising chrysanthemums, right?" Murong Wei asked.
"It must be appropriate for the occasion and related to chrysanthemums!" Nangong Jingsi also spoke up.
"Picking chrysanthemums...by the eastern fence, leisurely...gazing at the Southern Mountains. The chrysanthemum's leisurely grace." Murong Wei recited softly, slowly turning to look at the yellow flowers beside her. After a moment of contemplation, her brows suddenly sharpened. "When autumn comes on the ninth day of the ninth month, my flowers bloom and all others wither. The fragrance fills Chang'an, the whole city adorned in golden armor! The chrysanthemum's heroic spirit!"
The entire city fell silent. Xuan Yuanlie, who had always sat high above, had silently risen at some point, staring intently at her.
Xuan Yuanli, closest to her, remained motionless, seemingly still listening to her recitation, his still somewhat childish face filled with a silly, unsteady grin.
Murong Wei glanced at everyone, then turned gracefully, raised her cup, took a sip, shook her head helplessly, and sighed softly, "Thin mist and thick clouds cast a pall over the long day, the golden beast incense burner burns low..." After a sigh, she continued, "The Double Ninth Festival has come again, jade pillow and gauze curtains, the chill of midnight seeps through!"
The surroundings were utterly silent, only her voice echoing softly in the air, carrying a faint sadness. She picked up her wine cup again and downed it in one gulp, "Drinking wine by the eastern fence after dusk, a faint fragrance fills my sleeves, do not say it is not soul-stirring... The west wind rolls up the curtain, I am thinner than the yellow chrysanthemum!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she slowly turned around, and saw a familiar figure approaching from afar in the silence...
"Princess Qixi has arrived!"
The eunuch's loud announcement echoed through the silence.
A man and a woman approached from afar. The woman, dressed in a bright red riding outfit, held a short whip. Her dashing figure exuded both nobility and gentleness. Though somewhat travel-worn, she showed no panic under the watchful eyes of the crowd, instead displaying a touch of aloofness.
Behind her, a few steps away, stood the man in a white robe, his long, flowing black hair held back only by a single white jade hairpin. He approached with a languid air, a nonchalant smile playing on his beautifully sculpted lips. His narrow eyes gazed straight ahead, a beauty mark a centimeter below his right eye adding a touch of melancholy to his seemingly naturally smiling face.
Murong Wei stared, somewhat mesmerized. She didn't know why, but whenever she saw Bai Wushang walking towards her from afar, she felt a profound emptiness. Everything around her seemed empty, petals scattered on the ground. He came from the other side of destiny, towards her from afar; the whole world consisted only of them.
This feeling was so familiar, as if it had happened to anyone before.
"What's all this commotion about?" Xuan Yuan Qi Xi asked as she walked over.
"Qi Xi, why so late?" Xuan Yuan Lie asked, scrutinizing Bai Wu Shang.
"Hehe, the best stuff is hidden at the very end!" Xuan Yuan Qi Xi looked around at the yellow flowers, smiling mysteriously, completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere just moments before.
"What good stuff? Servants are never allowed to enter the Chrysanthemum Banquet, have you forgotten?" Xuan Yuan Lie asked again, his words pointing at Bai Wu Shang.
Murong Wei didn't notice Nangong Jing Si's somewhat dazed eyes; she was looking at the Empress Dowager from afar, who was gritting her teeth as she spoke!
"Servants? Where did these servants come from?" Xuan Yuan Qi Xi wasn't pretending; she was genuinely oblivious, looking around anxiously. The person beside her maintained a slight smile, letting others laugh as they pleased, like a gentle breeze caressing the mountain ridge; letting others be arrogant as they were, like the bright moon shining over the great river!
"Isn't that the one beside you?" the Empress Dowager said coldly.
"This is Lord Bai Wushang, who has presented many treasures to our royal family. He now works under the thirteenth brother," Xuan Yuan Qixi explained.
"Isn't that a servant?" the Empress Dowager asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's different! Mother, if you say that, then everyone here except you is a servant!" Xuan Yuan Qixi said somewhat angrily. The person beside her, with his narrow eyes smiling, was glancing at Murong Wei intentionally or unintentionally, and winked casually. "
It's just a bunch of monkeys putting on a show. I didn't even have an excuse to leave, but he just had to join in the fun," Xuan Yuan Li said unhappily.
"It's more than just a bunch of monkeys putting on a show; I've been made a fool of!" Murong Wei muttered. She originally thought the Dragon Roar of Han Kingdom was absurd enough, but she didn't expect the most absurd thing to be Xuan Yuan!
She was really curious about how the struggle for the throne had happened, what had occurred?
Xuan Yuan Qi Xi's words left everyone present embarrassed, and even the Eastern Empress Dowager was speechless. Sometimes, the words of a silly child can be surprisingly insightful.
"Presumably, Qi Xi has brought Lord Wu Shang here with something good to offer? We haven't seen any yellow flowers from Qi Xi this year!" The silent Western Empress Dowager finally spoke up to defuse the situation.
"Hehe, that's right, that's right, Mother, Imperial Brother, Qi Xi and Lord Wu Shang have come to present a treasure!" Xuan Yuan Qi Xi clapped her hands as she spoke, and two eunuchs immediately came over with a pot of yellow flowers covered with white gauze.
Looking at it vaguely through the gauze, there wasn't anything particularly special about it. Murong Wei was suspicious. Bai Wu Shang was always generous with his gifts; could this be a gift for Xuan Yuan Lie?
Although Qi Xi wasn't the Eastern Empress Dowager's biological daughter, she had been raised by the Eastern Empress Dowager. Even if she was stupid, she would still side with the Eastern Empress Dowager!
The flower arrangement was placed on a high table in the center, and everyone craned their necks in anticipation. They had all heard of Bai Wushang's name; the gifts he presented to the Xuanyuan royal family were always exceptionally valuable and rare!
Bai Wushang maintained his usual slightly cynical smile, while Qi Xi looked delighted and said to the Empress Dowager Dong, "Mother, guess what it is!" Sure
enough, it was for the Empress Dowager Dong!
"Looking at it this way, it's just a pot of yellow flowers." The Empress Dowager Dong said, feigning composure, but still resting her hands behind her back, she slightly rose to observe. The gifts Bai Wushang presented were always what she wanted.
"Just a pot of yellow flowers!" Qi Xi was still keeping her in suspense.
"Then open it and take a look!" The Empress Dowager Dong sat down, pretending not to care.
"Hehe, Lord Wushang, please." Qi Xi smiled and took a step back.
"Yes!" Bai Wushang, like a perfect gentleman, was very polite. His wide white robe slowly swept across the table as he stood directly behind the yellow flowers.
He wasn't seated on the high golden dragon throne. He had just been mocked as a servant, yet he remained calm and composed, neither arrogant nor servile. However, simply by standing there and raising a hand, the entire city fell silent. All the heated discussions and curious questions ceased abruptly. Even the high-ranking Emperor Xuanyuan and Empress Dowager waited in silence!
Even Xuanyuan Lie's earlier arrival in his magnificent attire couldn't have evoked such a solemn silence.
Murong Wei, like Nangong Jingsi who was also facing him, looked at him with a dazed and absent-minded expression.
Perhaps it was just her imagination. How could this seemingly unserious fellow possess such an aura? He was undeniably imposing without anger, and his elegant movements exuded a domineering presence, as if he were the emperor, not Xuanyuan Lie, who stood high above, leaning forward expectantly!
He was merely a presenter of treasures, yet he had silenced the entire city without uttering a single word.
If Murong Wei had met him for the first time, she would definitely have thought that this guy must be of extraordinary birth, a dragon among men!
"Your Majesty the Eastern Empress Dowager, this humble subject remembers presenting Xuanyuan with three silk-embroidered treasures: one is the Emperor's dragon robe, the second is the Western Empress Dowager's golden feather fan, and the third is Prince Qi's golden silk purse," Bai Wushang spoke, his voice clear and melodious.
"Indeed, you still owe me one!" the Eastern Empress Dowager said hastily, leaning forward even more than Xuanyuan Lie, like a hungry wolf about to pounce.
Bai Wushang smiled elegantly and said, "Today, I've come with Princess Qixi to present the fourth piece of silkworm-gold thread!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire audience gasped. The yellow flower hidden beneath the white veil... it was unbelievable!
How much silkworm-gold thread would it take to make it? How much effort would it take to carve it?
The Empress Dowager exclaimed, her breathing quickening, completely disregarding her image, "Quickly! Present it!"
"Your Majesty, please don't be hasty," Bai Wushang smiled, his long, beautiful hand slowly covering the white veil.
"I command you to open it!" Xuan Yuanlie also spoke up, impatiently.
"Yes!" Bai Wushang replied with a smile, but his movements were still very, very slow, causing the entire audience to hold their breath!
Slowly, slowly, the white veil was pulled down, revealing a yellow flower bud about to bloom! It had three extremely large buds; without careful observation, one would never guess that these buds were made of silkworm-gold thread, with sandalwood supporting the branches and jade-inlaid leaves.
The Empress Dowager hurriedly rose and descended the steps, her face filled with joy and amazement. She gazed at the golden-threaded yellow flowers, speechless, and cautiously reached out to touch them.
"Your Majesty, please wait a moment," Bai Wushang said calmly, turning and slowly walking towards Murong Wei. Looking at her, his narrow eyes were filled with deep affection.
Murong Wei was startled, and couldn't help but wonder what this guy was planning.
His carefree smile faded, and the tenderness in his eyes deepened. He approached slowly, stopping before her table, gazing at her with deep affection.
Her heart pounded wildly; unease and panic overwhelmed all her doubts. Her small hands gripped the wine cup tightly, unable to look away, feeling as if her face and hair were burning.
Suddenly!
Under everyone's gaze, he leaned down!
She instinctively stepped back, snapping back to reality, fearing he might do something earth-shattering.
He smiled, a wicked smile playing on his lips, and their eyes met for a long time. Seeing her trembling like a rabbit, he burst into laughter, "Haha, Weiwei, what's there to be nervous about? I'm just here to borrow this cup of wine from you. Look at you, your face is all red."
Murong Wei lowered her head in embarrassment, slamming her foot down on the table.
He still laughed heartily, continuing his public flirtation. He covered her small hand, which was tightly gripping the wine cup, with his smooth chin against her forehead. "Be good, let go. I'm busy. The banquet will be over soon. If you like me to hold your hand, I'll definitely grant your wish."
Finally, whispers and murmurs arose again, this time about his ambiguous relationship with her.
"Isn't Murong Wei at the Thirteenth Prince's residence too? Could she be having an affair with Bai Wushang?"
"Look at her, how could there be nothing going on? Huh? That slut, she must have seduced Lord Wushang!"
"It's good that Prince Qi and Prince Li are completely bewitched, she even went after Lord Wushang! This woman is too fickle!"
"Fickle women always end up with nothing. I want to see what her fate will be!"
"Exactly! Lord Wushang is a notorious playboy. Does she really think she can capture his heart? No way! I bet he'll get tired of her in a few days and throw her away. A used flower, let's see who wants her then!"
...
Amidst the murmurs, only Nangong Jingsi remained silent, her face filled with sorrow, her lips tightly pressed together, tears welling in her eyes.
"Smack!" Murong Wei, furious, stomped down hard again, just like when she carried Ye Bao back to Prince Li's residence, stomping extremely hard!
This guy must have done it on purpose! He must have!
Bai Wushang smiled brightly, "Weiwei, don't be angry, don't be angry, I promise I won't abandon you!"
With that, he suddenly snatched the wine cup from her hand and turned to leave.
The Empress Dowager, who had been waiting impatiently, asked hastily, "What are you doing with the wine?"
"Your Majesty," Bai Wushang replied with a smile, "the craftsmanship of these golden-threaded yellow flowers comes from Nanzhao. The artificial flowers are just like real flowers; they can open and close. Look." He then slowly poured wine from the large flower bud.
Instantly, the aroma of wine transformed into a delicate floral fragrance. Amidst the gradually intensifying fragrance, the large yellow flower bud slowly bloomed. Seeing a flower open was already incredibly rare, let alone an artificial flower that was supposed to remain still.
The impossible always became possible in Bai Wushang's hands.
After the flower bloomed, there was silence; after the silence, there were gasps of surprise. Even Xuan Yuanlie couldn't sit still and got down.
Bai Wushang handed the wine cup to the Empress
Dowager Dong, asking her to water the flowers herself. Sure enough, after a drop of wine, the golden chrysanthemums from the other two countries gradually bloomed, beautiful and grand, yet retaining the noble purity of chrysanthemums. "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, I recently acquired a piece of precious golden silk. Considering the upcoming chrysanthemum banquet in the palace, I specially sent someone on horseback to Nanzhao to ask an old flower craftsman to create these three chrysanthemums before the banquet. The green leaves also come from Nanzhao, carved from old mine icy jadeite. And look at this branch, Your Majesty, smell it, doesn't it exude the fragrance of sandalwood?" Bai Wushang introduced. Empress
Dowager Dong smelled it and was delighted. "Hehe, it not only has the fragrance of sandalwood, but also the scent of flowers, with a hint of wine in the floral aroma—truly a masterpiece! Only you, Bai Wushang, could have come up with such an ingenious design!"
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. Only Your Majesty is worthy of such a flower. Your Majesty can place this flower in your bedroom and water it with three or four drops of wine every morning. The stronger the wine, the more it will last longer," Bai Wushang said.
"Really?" Empress Dowager Dong asked.
"Really, Your Majesty might as well try it," Bai Wushang said with a smile.
"Hehe, since you're so enthusiastic, I'll reluctantly accept it. Someone, take it to Yuhua Palace!" Empress Dowager Dong laughed, eager to hide the treasure!
"Mother, I didn't bring the wrong person, did I?" Xuan Yuan Qixi smiled, helping Empress Dowager Dong to a seat, then sitting beside her.
Bai Wushang entered uninvited, walking naturally and confidently towards Murong Wei, taking the seat that Prince Qi had previously occupied.
Upon sitting down, he was met with Nangong Jingsi's mournful gaze, which he ignored, maintaining his smile as he said, "I came from afar and heard someone reciting poetry. I only caught one line, 'The west wind rolls up the curtain, the person is thinner than the yellow chrysanthemum.' Such talent! I wonder who wrote it?"
"It was Doctor Murong. Everyone was appreciating the poem when Lord Wushang interrupted us," the Empress Dowager said with a smile.
"Is that so? Then please continue, lest you disturb everyone's enjoyment. I have known Doctor Murong for many years, and this is the first time I've heard her compose poetry. It's truly unexpected!" Bai Wushang also said with a smile, personally ladling a bowl of soup for Murong Wei.
"It's just some doggerel, Your Majesty. It's getting late, and I'm tired. Excuse me!" Nangong Jingsi said coldly, rising to take her leave.
This wasn't the first time she'd left the banquet midway, and it was perfectly normal in everyone's eyes, who simply assumed it was Xuan Yuan Lie's way of spoiling her. But the coldness in Xuan Yuan Lie's eyes was terrifying. If it were
n't for the fact that she still held leverage over Prince Qi, he would never have tolerated her like this again! Prince Qi was gone, and Nangong Jing Si was gone too. Murong Wei composed several poems in succession, each one receiving applause. If she continued like this, the chrysanthemum banquet wouldn't only fail to embarrass her, but it also wouldn't be able to find any flaws in her; it would only make her even more famous!
The Empress Dowager was completely focused on the golden chrysanthemum. Heaven knows how many years she had coveted the golden silk, the most prestigious symbol of the Xuanyuan royal family. Now that she finally had it, she could be on equal footing with the Empress Dowager in everything!
She had no time to bother Murong Wei anymore, and quickly made an excuse to leave with Xuanyuan Qixi.
Below, many ministers were still savoring Murong Wei's poem, whispering amongst themselves. Xuanyuan Lie wasn't in much of a mood either; after a few pleasantries, he ordered the banquet to end and summoned Xuanyuan Li to the imperial study…
After the banquet, before Murong Wei even reached the palace gates, she was surrounded by a group of ministers, all asking her for the poem. Fortunately, Bai Wushang cleverly defused the situation, pulling her away via a side path!
"Hey, why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Murong Wei questioned, shaking off his tightly gripped hand.
"I told you, is that a surprise? Hehe." Bai Wushang chuckled.
"Presenting a treasure is a surprise, it's not like it's a gift to me!" Murong Wei said unhappily.
"What I'm giving you... is the truth." Bai Wushang laughed.
"The truth?" Murong Wei was puzzled.
"How could the silkworm's golden silk have a floral fragrance?" Bai Wushang asked.
"It must have been the gardeners from Nanzhao who added the fragrance." Murong Wei said, walking quickly forward, not towards the palace, but towards the imperial study.
"But I spent three days and three nights making this, my lord. Where would I find a gardener from Nanzhao? Hehe." Bai Wushang chuckled, a sinister glint in his eyes.
"You made this?" Murong Wei was immediately shocked.
"The branches are purple wood wrapped with sandalwood, and the fragrance is a blend of yellow and light summer violet. Watering it with wine every day masks the real fragrance and helps the scent dissipate faster." Bai Wushang narrowed his eyes, smiling innocently. "The Empress Dowager will definitely like it very much."
Murong Wei was dumbfounded, completely stunned. This guy... is too amazing!
Along the forest path, the ministers' chatter faded into the distance. Bai Wushang walked ahead, with Murong Wei hurrying behind. She felt his pace was odd, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"Hey, can you slow down a bit!" Murong Wei said impatiently. A tense banquet had just ended, and she hadn't even had a chance to catch her breath before he dragged her towards the Imperial Study.
Xuan Yuanli had been summoned to the Imperial Study to find out whether the assassins who kidnapped Ye Bao were Xuan Yuanche's or Xuan Yuanlie's men. Going there would surely provide the answer.
Bai Wushang, on the other hand, hadn't offended Xuan Yuanlie, but she had offended the Empress Dowager, who had just been bribed with a pot of poisonous yellow flowers. Yet, the Chrysanthemum Banquet had only fueled her resentment. Xuan Yuanlie would likely not allow Xuan Yuanli to take her in again.
"We're too slow. They've already finished talking." Bai Wushang walked with his head down, his narrow eyes constantly glancing to his left and right, as if he had noticed something.
Murong Wei didn't notice and asked again, "You went to such lengths just to poison that old empress dowager? She poisoned Prince Qi, she didn't do anything to you. When did you become so generous?"
"My lord, I want to! Can't I dislike her?" Bai Wushang turned around and smiled, pulling Murong Wei in front of him, saying, "You go first, hurry up!"
Murong Wei had no choice but to walk quickly forward, completely unaware that Bai Wushang was on guard behind her, repeatedly deflecting countless silver needles and hidden weapons with a flick of his sleeve.
"Hurry up!" Bai Wushang urged again.
Murong Wei's steps were so fast that she almost stumbled several times, and she couldn't help but frown and stop abruptly. Just as she was about to speak, Bai Wushang suddenly pulled her into his arms, pressing her face into his chest with one hand and holding her waist with the other. He spun around in mid-air and rushed towards the imperial study. In that one spin, his narrow eyes suddenly sharpened, looking directly behind him.
Behind them, a dense forest stretched out, devoid of any sign of human presence. However, a closer look revealed a ground strewn with silver needles!
Who was it, relentlessly pursuing them without making a show of force?
In the backyard of the Imperial Study, Bai Wushang gently landed, carrying the bewildered Murong Wei.
"Someone's there?" Murong Wei frowned.
"Don't worry, it's Eunuch Liu. I've gotten rid of you, sir," Bai Wushang said.
"Eunuch Liu, when did you start looking for us? Ye Bao said that old fellow is no ordinary person!" Murong Wei quickly said.
"I didn't see him. He hid far away!" Bai Wushang said, carefully cutting a hole in the back paper window of the Imperial Study. He listened intently and could faintly hear the voices of Xuan Yuanli and Xuan Yuanlie, seemingly arguing.
"I can't hear anything," Murong Wei frowned, pointing to the roof.
"That was a bit risky," Bai Wushang murmured.
Murong Wei pointed to the half-open back and chuckled softly, "They can definitely hear it even more clearly inside."
Bai Wushang gave a thumbs-up, squinting and smiling, "Good idea, even more dangerous."
"You stay here, I'll go," Murong Wei said.
Bai Wushang smiled, turned to look behind him, and took Murong Wei's hand, "Come with me!"
The two walked along the stone wall, reaching the far right end. Bai Wushang then pointed upwards, saying, "Climb the tree, to the second floor!"
"You know the terrain better than Ye Bao!" Murong Wei looked at him suspiciously.
"I checked, I checked!" Bai Wushang explained.
Murong Wei didn't believe him and stood still.
Bai Wushang sighed helplessly, leaning close to her ear, "My lady, I've stolen things too. I'm just telling you, don't tell anyone!"
Murong Wei chuckled, finally satisfied. Just as she was about to take out the all-purpose hook she always carried, Bai Wushang disdainfully pressed her hand down, gently pulling her waist, and soaring upwards while lamenting, "My lady, I must find time to teach you martial arts as soon as possible, otherwise it'll be truly embarrassing to bring you out like this!"
Under Murong Wei's glare, the two finally climbed through the window and entered the house. They didn't have to go far before sitting at the tea table in the attic, brewing tea, and could hear everything clearly from downstairs.
Downstairs, a huge argument broke out!
"I'm going to keep Murong Wei here!"
"You dare keep Qi Wang's people?"
"She's not!"
"She is, and her son is very likely Xuan Yuanche's! Xuan Yuanche is an old fox, Thirteen. You've been away from the capital for so long, your Seventh Brother is no longer the same Seventh Brother he used to be! Even now that I'm firmly on the throne, I still have to be on guard day and night!"
"How can Seventh Brother not be the same Seventh Brother he used to be? Tell me, it's always been you and Mother who's been scheming against him. What has he done to you? Huh? None of the children in his household have lived past ten years old. Don't think I don't know who did it! You're not the same person you used to be, and Mother hasn't changed at all. She's just been lying to me all along!"
"What do you know?"
"Zi Mu and Qian Xia Zi Luo, Mother used them when Seventh Brother was three years old. In Mother's heart, the throne has always belonged to you. You know that, don't you? Because Father loves me, you've been using me all along, sending me out as a hostage!"
"Thirteenth, there's no fundamental difference between me being emperor and you being emperor. Whatever you want, I can give you. If it weren't me or you sitting in this imperial study today, but Xuan Yuanche, your dead brothers would suffer the same fate, including your mother!"
"If… hahaha, there are no ifs in this world! What do I want? I want you to immediately send troops to crush the Quicksand. Are you willing? Can you do it? I want you to take the head of the Quicksand Queen and hang it high in front of my Prince's mansion. Can you do it? You can't! Back then, you fought for the throne not with your wisdom, not with your domineering spirit, but with your treachery, your cruelty, your cruelty towards your brothers!"
"Thirteenth, enough! It's precisely because of your indecisiveness, your childishness, that your mother chose me! You are simply not fit for the throne!"
...
The argument grew louder. Murong Wei, halfway through her tea, was about to get up to scout when Bai Wushang stopped her. "What!"
"I need to pee," Murong Wei replied with a smile.
"The truth!" Bai Wushang frowned.
"Xuanyuan Li is too... too childish. If this continues, the dog emperor will surely silence him!" Murong Wei said, worried about Xuanyuan Li. Admittedly, continuing to listen would reveal many secrets, but Xuanyuan Li would also be in increasing danger.
"Don't worry, if the Thirteenth Prince didn't have a trump card, how would he dare to speak so loudly? Haven't you seen how respectful he is to the dog emperor?" Bai Wushang said.
Murong Wei was suspicious. "What do you know?"
"Keep listening, and perhaps I won't tell you." Bai Wushang still smiled, a barely perceptible pain hidden in his eyes.
Murong Wei was stopped and turned back. Listening to the commotion downstairs, she looked at Bai Wushang suspiciously. How did this guy know so much?
Xuan Yuanlie's voice was almost a roar, "Whatever you want to do, either send Murong Wei back to the Qi Prince's Mansion, or end this operation. You don't need to look for the Xuan Yuan Military Manual anymore!"
"Then end this operation! If you think you still have anyone you can trust, you'd better go find them right now! I'm leaving the capital!" Xuan Yuanli was also quite angry.
"Hand over the hostages from Liu Sha first!" Xuan Yuanlie's voice was deep.
Hearing this, Murong Wei's eyes widened as she looked at Bai Wushang. Bai Wushang only smiled slightly and didn't speak.
"Heh, brother, what are you worried about? Are you worried that even your own brother will betray you?" Xuan Yuanli said with a cold laugh.
"Otherwise, why have you handed over the hostages to me all these years?" Xuan Yuanlie retorted.
"Hostage, haha, brother, you only got this throne by stepping on the blood and flesh of your own brothers, and with the support of Nanzhao and Shang. What real ability do you have? You say I'm not suitable for this position, but what about you? You held the Nanzhao prince hostage, and the Shang princess hostage. You were the one who instigated the war between the four vassal states. Han has always been weak and confined to a corner of the country. Back then, when Father was critically ill, the three states besieged my Xuanyuan. Liusha was the real enemy, and I was the one who dealt with Liusha for you. Can't you say that this throne was something I plotted for you from beginning to end?" Xuanyuan Li laughed loudly.
"Enough!" Xuanyuan Lie was furious, like a wild beast, ready to tear Xuanyuan Li to shreds at any moment.
But Xuanyuan Li was not afraid at all. He had taken someone with him when he escaped from Liusha, and that person was still his trump card!
"You pushed all the princesses and noblewomen who came for political marriages to the Prince of Qi, partly to appease the vassal states, and partly because you're afraid, aren't you? Afraid that one night you'll die in the arms of a beautiful woman!" Xuan Yuanli asked with a cold laugh.
Xuan Yuanlie's face had turned completely pale, and he slumped heavily onto the table, never expecting that his usually childish younger brother would see through him so clearly!
"What have you accomplished in the court? When Father Emperor was on the throne, the national treasury was full and the people lived in peace and prosperity. But since you ascended the throne, besides being ambitious and wasteful of resources, and shifting all the blame onto Consort Si, what else have you done? You seem enlightened, but in reality, you are tyrannical towards all the ministers in the court. Prime Minister Gu is a veteran of three reigns. Gu Xihe married Prince Qi and was relegated to the position of Left Consort because of Yelü Lingrong. She dared not speak out against it. Why? It's not because your throne is firmly established, but because you used the Gu family's secrets to threaten them. Oh, and you're also like a madman, constantly on guard against Prince Qi, trying to get the gunpowder formula from him. Oh, and recently you've been harassing a widow and her child like the women in the harem. Do you think that by obtaining the Xuanyuan Military Manual, you can dominate the land?" Xuanyuan Li questioned him repeatedly, his slightly childish handsome face flushed red. He had no childishness, but rather the stubbornness and obstinacy of a child.
Murong Wei had already stood up, muttering to herself, "So, this is how the throne came about. Years ago, the three vassal states besieged Xuanyuan, and it was Xuanyuan Lie who instigated it?"
"Exactly. Liusha really did mobilize troops. Shang and Nanzhao were just bluffing. The war lasted only three years. The late emperor fell seriously ill, but Liusha suddenly withdrew. I heard the empress also fell ill, and her son disappeared innocently." "
Disappeared innocently? Was he taken away by Xuanyuan Li?" Murong Wei asked .
Bai Wushang shook his head, indicating he didn't know either.
"Tell me!" Murong Wei urged.
"Do you think Xuanyuan Li from years ago had the ability to take the prince of Liusha away?" Bai Wushang asked.
"Then what happened? He said he wasn't in the capital when he was young; he was a hostage! How did he return?" Murong Wei asked urgently.
"They say he escaped by taking a hostage, but that differs from what the Liusha royal family said. Judging from the later events—Xuanyuan Lie ascended the throne, and Liusha surrendered—it should be true," Bai Wushang added.
"One minute you say you didn't escape, the next you say you did. What are you trying to say?" Murong Wei frowned and asked.
"I want to say..." Bai Wushang murmured, a hint of pain flickering in his bright eyes. He smiled and said, "I just want to say that Xuan Yuanli didn't escape so easily. There must be some secret inside."
"What secret!" Murong Wei blurted out.
"My lord, I'm not an expert. Go ask him." Bai Wushang rolled his eyes at her and turned to leave.
Murong Wei rolled her eyes at him again and turned to listen.
Xuan Yuanli said resolutely, "You have repeatedly made things difficult for Seventh Brother. However, even though the Qi Prince's Mansion is a gathering place for many powerful forces, Seventh Brother still lives a carefree life, only attending banquets and not participating in court affairs. If the Qi Prince's Mansion can do that and still not gain your trust, how can my Li Prince's Mansion put your and Mother at ease? I only wish to withdraw from the court from now on, emulate Seventh Brother, travel and enjoy life, and no longer concern myself with the affairs of the inner palace and the court. As for the Quicksand hostages, I must say I have nothing to say!"
After he finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Xuan Yuanlie, turned around and left without looking back. Murong Wei could not see Xuan Yuanlie's expression, but she heard an eerie silence fall over the entire study.
Would Xuan Yuanlie let Xuan Yuanli leave with the Quicksand hostages?
Nobody believed it!
"Thirteenth Prince is in danger." She whispered, looking intently at Bai Wushang.
"At least he's safer than Prince Qi." Bai Wushang smiled and jumped out of the window first.
Murong Wei followed closely behind. As soon as they stepped off the tree, several silver needles shot out of the grass one after another.
"You go first. There's a bend ahead leading to the palace wall. The defenses are weakest there. Go through the Azure Dragon Gate, and you'll encounter the Thirteenth Prince!" Bai Wushang said sharply, shoving Murong Wei forward.
"Careful, to the right!" Murong Wei said hurriedly, finally seeing the silver needles.
"Go! Don't keep getting in my way and causing me trouble!" Bai Wushang's voice was stern and terrifying; he was serious.
Murong Wei was startled, knowing he wasn't joking. A strange pang of sorrow suddenly welled up in her heart, and without another word, she left.
There was no sign of Bai Wushang blocking her path. His narrow eyes were terrifyingly gloomy as he hurled several golden butterfly darts, which pierced the flowerbeds with a series of whooshing sounds. Without lingering, he turned and headed to the right.
At that moment, a woman emerged from the flowerbed, dressed in white gauze, her face veiled. She held a silver-white longsword, its shape peculiar, resembling an enlarged silver needle. A string of silver needles dangled from the hilt!
She didn't chase after Bai Wushang, but rather followed Murong Wei's direction. Her beautiful eyes were brimming with tears, enough to evoke pity in anyone who saw them. However, these tears held no sorrow, only hatred!
Murong Wei stomped forward angrily, not knowing what she was angry about, just feeling choked up and regretting not yelling at Bai Wushang a few times. What did she mean by always getting in his way? What did
she mean by causing him trouble? Had she ever caused him any trouble?
Suddenly, she stopped abruptly, finally noticing someone approaching from behind.
She only realized it when he was right behind her—could it be Eunuch Liu?
She stood warily, one hand reaching for the pistol hidden in her sleeve, the other gripping a dagger.
Hearing the footsteps getting very close, she decisively decided to use the pistol. However, before she could turn around, the person behind her moved with lightning speed, grabbing her neck with their wrist.
She was no less swift; with a twist of her wrist, the pistol was pressed against the man's abdomen. However, before she could even remember to fire, two silver needles pierced her neck, and instantly, she felt powerless.
"Bang..." The heavy pistol fell to the ground. Her vision went black, and before she could even look down, she was unconscious.
Beside the black pistol lay a pair of dark black boots with gold trim, understated yet luxurious and exuding unparalleled nobility.
The man didn't move, simply stepping on the pistol to shield the unconscious Murong Wei in his arms. Then, someone else caught up from behind; all of this happened in the blink of an eye.
"Why?" came the questioning voice, a woman's voice thick with sobs.
"Why what?" he replied, his voice soft and cold.
"Why her?" the woman behind him asked again.
"There's no need to tell you," he answered, tightening his embrace, kicking the object he was stepping on into the flowerbed, and lightly leaping away.
The person behind him gave chase, silver needles raining down upon him. He quickly dodged, heading towards the palace gates.
Throughout the pursuit, her silver needles couldn't harm him, let alone the person in his arms.
Having entered and exited the capital, they faced a cliff. He slowly descended, never looking back, just as he had always done for years, always with his back to her.
"Xuanyuan Che! Why did you do this to me! Why did you lie to me!" she cried out angrily as soon as she landed. Silent silver needles, seemingly in slow motion, shot out in a flurry with her outburst.
But before they could get close, he suddenly clenched his fist behind his back, shattering all the approaching needles into dust, which scattered in the air and quickly drifted away with the wind.
"I never promised you anything, so how can you say I lied?" he said calmly, his tall figure standing on the cliff, one hand behind his back, the other holding the unconscious woman in his arms, as if he were the only person left in the world, still so lonely.
"But I've helped you so much, don't you understand? You've never refused!" she roared, suddenly tearing off her veil. It was none other than Xuanyuan's most favored concubine, Nangong Jingsi!
"Help me? When have I ever asked for your help? And what do I need to help with?" he retorted calmly. Since she entered the palace as a concubine, he had never actively sought her out again. Asking her for Bai Lu was the only time.
Youlelou was a restaurant he had loved since he left the palace as a child. She was always the one who came to him, telling him who Xuanyuan Lie had arranged to be by his side, to the Qi Prince's residence, and to Yanxi Palace.
He had always been forced to accept it. He had told her more than once not to leave the palace, not to go to Youlelou again. In fact, he himself hadn't been there for more than half a year.
"But I have helped you, haven't I? Over the years, if I hadn't told you so much about Xuanyuan Lie, would the Qi Prince's residence have been able to gain a foothold until now? Could you have so easily avoided all his traps?" Nangong Jingsi retorted sharply.
"I told you, I don't need to, did I?" His voice was almost devoid of warmth, terrifyingly ruthless.
"You need me! Che, you need me! Do you remember when we were little, we hid from Xuan Yuanlie and the other princes together? You dragged me all over the streets. Do you remember telling you then that I was willing to follow you for the rest of my life, even if it meant hiding forever?" Nangong Jingsi stepped forward, tears streaming down her face.
"You know, that was when we were little," he said calmly. Back then, Xuan Yuan wasn't the Xuan Yuan of today, the royal family wasn't the royal family of today, and the people of today weren't the people of today.
"It's the same! Che, I didn't say anything. I didn't say a word to Xuan Yuanlie, including your other identity. I kept quiet. Really, Che, please turn around and look at me. We still have a chance, Che!" She stopped, pleading with tears streaming down her face, noticing a silver needle hidden in his hand behind his back, pointed directly at her.
"Is that so?" He suddenly sneered. How could he not hear the threat in her words?
"I only told you, I told you a lot about my identity as a spy, I didn't tell you anything else, Che, I didn't mean to, I had to say it, otherwise I'd be useless, and Xuan Yuanlie wouldn't let me go!" Nangong Jingsi hurriedly explained.
"Would he? He's been the sole favorite in the harem for so many years." He said calmly.
"Yes! Che, don't you understand your brother? He married me, he doted on me, just to provoke you! Che, even in Xuan Yuanlie's eyes, they are a match made in heaven. Che, kill Murong Wei, come back to my side, okay? I'll fight Xuan Yuanlie with you, I'll help you reclaim the throne, I'll do anything!" Nangong Jingsi pleaded excitedly.
Back then, if Xuan Yuanlie hadn't seized the throne, she would be his concubine, or even his empress! Could
this bond she'd shared since childhood really be worth less than a stranger?
"I have told you this more than once: childhood playmates are not the same as childhood sweethearts. I have told you this countless times: do not come to Youle Tower. The consequences are not something you can afford." He said coldly as he slowly turned around.
"What price do you want me to pay? Che, I've said it before, I haven't told Xuan Yuanlie anything. Don't you understand my feelings for you? If I had told you, even just revealing your other identity, all your efforts over the years would have been in vain. But I didn't. Che, I haven't said anything. As long as you throw that woman down, I can pretend nothing happened. I can tell you more, I can even find the hostages Xuan Yuanlie is holding!" Nangong Jingsi shouted, backing away step by step. She didn't know what she was afraid of. Wasn't she always hoping he would turn around? Why was she still afraid? Wasn't she threatening him with his most fatal weakness? Why was she still backing down?
He finally turned around. His stunning face wasn't there, but his usual cold expression remained. A tear-like beauty mark hung a centimeter below his narrow eyes, so incongruous with his slightly aloof expression, yet it only added to his desolate chill. He said, "There's a way to make you believe that I don't need your help."
Nangong Jingsi frowned abruptly. It was the first time she'd seen him with such a cold expression, besides his usual indifference, and she immediately became wary.
He placed Murong Wei aside, drew his long sword, and had no intention of wasting any more words. "This way is your death."
"Xuanyuan Che! You dare!" Nangong Jingsi was shocked. Since being discovered by Xuanyuan Lie, she had imagined many ways he would be angry, but she had never imagined he would kill her.
She never thought he would kill her!
"In this world, there is nothing I wouldn't dare to do," he sneered, his sword flashing brightly.
"Ungrateful! Xuan Yuanche, you're ungrateful! How could you do this!" Nangong Jingsi roared, drawing her sword as well.
He remained silent; anything he said to this unreasonable, self-righteous woman was futile. He pointed his sword, his cold eyes fixed on her.
"It's all because of her, isn't it? Ye Bao is your child, isn't she!" Nangong Jingsi went berserk, hurling handfuls of silver needles at Murong Wei.
Xuan Yuanche swung his sword, unleashing a dazzling display of light. Several clanging sounds rang out as the silver needles fell to the ground. By then, Nangong Jingsi had already leaped into the air, drawing her own sword.
He had practiced martial arts since childhood, and she had always relentlessly followed him, secretly learning everything he knew, knowing all his weaknesses.
Today, she would kill Murong Wei, this treacherous woman who had stolen his love, right before his eyes!
With one hand wielding her sword, she swept it horizontally towards his feet. His weakness lay there; his feet had been severely injured during training, especially the instep, where a deep scar rendered them completely immobile.
As she swept the sword, several silver needles shot fiercely towards Murong Wei. If he wanted to protect Murong Wei, he could easily flip over her or dart past her feet—either way, it would be easy for her to injure his legs!
She smiled coldly, but her smile froze in an instant. He didn't flip over her, nor did he dart past her feet. With lightning speed, he charged directly at her, his attack aggressive, as if he intended to pass right through her to rescue Murong Wei!
"Xuanyuan Che!" she wailed, completely stunned. Even in her anger, she hadn't intended to truly harm him, yet he, with a single move, aimed to kill her. "Xuanyuan Che, why is this happening? Xuanyuan Che, I hate you, I hate you!"
He didn't stop, forcing her to dodge his sword. As they brushed past each other, she reached out to embrace him, but instead, she caught his sword as it rose from below
, blocking her path! "Ah..." A bloodcurdling scream filled the air as she fell heavily to the ground. A sword wound slashed from her abdomen upwards to the top of her head, cleaving her stunningly beautiful face in two. Blood slowly seeped along the straight gash.
She lay on her back, her eyes unclosed, frozen in hatred and, more than anything, in utter shock.
He didn't even turn his head, preoccupied with the other woman.
A pile of silver needles lay beside Murong Wei. Even though he arrived in time, it was too late. A single needle pierced her heart. A seasoned user of concealed weapons, he understood the severity of the injury to her heart acupoint! His
narrow eyes, besides their dark expression, betrayed his panic. He didn't dare remove the needles easily, hastily picking her up and turning to leave, but then turned back.
He gave Nangong Jingsi a cold look, showing no lingering affection or sentimentality, and with a sudden kick, shoved her into the abyss!
He knew she wouldn't tell Xuan Yuan Lie anything before threatening him.
But Nangong Jingsi didn't know that the Xuan Yuan Che she knew wasn't the real Xuan Yuan Che. For so many years, she thought she was the only one in the world who truly understood him, knew all his secrets. But in the end, she was still the one who understood him the least. He had truly attacked her, and killed her with a single sword strike!