Chapter 25: Palace Banquet, in a Secluded Place, He Firmly… p1
A man slowly walked in. He was dressed in a Daoist robe the color of a bicheng, his hair bound in a high topknot, his wide sleeves hanging low. His figure was incomparably tall and sturdy, his features strikingly beautiful. He looked like a celestial being.
He was the Daoist Xuanyan from Yunlu Temple… No, he was the Prince of Huai, Zhao Shangjun.
A musician plucked a konghou. Through the curtain, the sound was indistinct, the notes faint, as if from beyond the heavens.
The spring night was warm. In Penglai Hall, ambergris ointment was lit, and white sandalwood burned in the purple-gold beast-shaped censers, filling the room with a cozy warmth. But Fu Tangli felt her hands and feet turn ice-cold. She lowered her head, pretending to see nothing, and gripped the wine cup in her hand tightly to stop her fingertips from trembling.
Zhao Shangjun was dressed as a Daoist, in a plain, wide-sleeved robe, his features cool and aloof, appearing completely out of place amidst the lavish banquet. He went forward, knelt before the Empress Dowager Feng, and kowtowed three times with impeccable etiquette.
“Your son has arrived late. Please forgive me, Empress Dowager. Your son has been a monk for many years and has no worldly possessions to offer for your birthday. I can only offer three sticks of incense before the gods and pray for Your Majesty’s health, happiness, and long life.”
The Empress Dowager Feng had been putting on an air just moments before, but now, seeing Zhao Shangjun, the excitement on her face was unconcealable. Her eyes reddened as she said, “Last time, we barely spoke two sentences before you left. Aijia‘s heart was heavy, and I was angry for several days. Aijia asks for nothing else, only that you come back often and let aijia see you more. I don’t want any other gifts.”
Zhao Shangjun was silent for a moment, then replied stiffly, “The Empress Dowager is my mother. Your son naturally thinks of you.”
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager Feng couldn’t help but shed a tear. She raised her sleeve and pressed the corner of her eye. “You finally remember that aijia is your mother. Good, that is good.”
It was Emperor Yuanyan who consoled her. “Today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and the Fifth Prince has returned. We should be happy.”
Only then did the Empress Dowager Feng hold back her tears and reveal a loving smile again.
A short while later, Zhao Shangjun took his seat, below Emperor Yuanyan.
Emperor Yuanyan was indeed, as the rumors said, very fond of this younger brother. He kept turning his head to speak with him, a smile on his face, his words warm.
Zhao Shangjun replied with a few brief words, his expression ordinary. His gaze swept around the hall, and he asked coolly, “Today is a family banquet, yet there is a stranger present. Who might that be?”
Fu Tangli’s heart trembled. Pretending to drink, she raised her sleeve to cover her face and buried her head.
Over there, Li Huai’en heard this, brought his wine cup over, bowed to Zhao Shangjun, and said respectfully, “This servant is Li Huai’en, Linchuan’s husband. My father is Li Yan, the Military Governor of Fanyang. I have long admired Your Highness, the Prince of Huai’s, reputation. It is a great fortune to meet you today. This servant toasts Your Highness.”
On the table was a white jade cup. Zhao Shangjun’s fingers tapped twice beside it. The Chief Eunuch behind Emperor Yuanyan, Eunuch Song, understood and quickly called for a palace maid to bring a pot of tea. He personally went over and filled Zhao Shangjun’s cup.
Zhao Shangjun did not rise. His posture even held a hint of languor as he simply raised the white jade cup.
Li Huai’en had sharp eyes. He looked at the white jade cup in Zhao Shangjun’s hand, his tone holding a deeper meaning. “Your Highness, tonight is the Empress Dowager’s birthday. To drink tea instead of wine, how can one fully enjoy oneself?”
Zhao Shangjun toyed with the teacup in his hand and said flatly, “I am a man of the cloth, a cultivator of the Dao. I do not touch meat or wine.”
A look of ridicule appeared in Li Huai’en’s eyes. He quickly glanced at Emperor Yuanyan.
Emperor Yuanyan gave an imperceptible nod.
Li Huai’en laughed. He had been docile and kind just now, but at this moment, he was like a wolf, baring his snow-white teeth. “On our grasslands, only a man who can ride a fast horse and drink strong wine is considered a true man. I had thought Your Highness, the Prince of Huai, was like us. I never thought you would be so refined.”
The sound of conversation and laughter around them quieted down again. The various princes and dukes looked at each other, all showing surprise, not expecting this barbarian to be so bold as to provoke the Prince of Huai to his face.
Princess Linchuan stood up nervously.
Zhao Shangjun’s expression did not change. He didn’t even look at Li Huai’en. He took a sip of his tea and uttered two simple words: “Get out.”
Li Huai’en, instead of retreating, took a step forward, his manner aggressive. “I have heard that Your Highness is peerlessly martial and have long admired you. On this trip to the capital, I had intended to ask for your guidance. But now it seems Your Highness is a man of letters, and it would be inappropriate to be so presumptuous.”
Zhao Shangjun suddenly looked up, his eyes meeting Li Huai’en’s.
A killing aura, like the edge of a blade, stabbed straight at his face. Li Huai’en’s heart trembled, but he had no time to react. In an instant, Zhao Shangjun had risen, reached out, and, as swift as the wind, seized him by the neck.
Li Huai’en’s wine cup fell to the ground. He opened his mouth wide but could not make a sound.
The veins on the back of Zhao Shangjun’s hand bulged. With a sudden exertion of force, he slammed him downward. With a loud bang, he smashed Li Huai’en to the ground. The dining table before him shattered into pieces, scattering everywhere.
Li Huai’en’s face turned blue, and his legs twitched convulsively. His eyes bulged as if they were about to pop out. He grabbed Zhao Shangjun’s wrist, desperately trying to pry it open, but that hand was like cast iron, unmoving.
Zhao Shangjun pressed down on Li Huai’en. He leaned over and looked at him, a killing aura sweeping over them, and the brilliant lights of the hall seemed to dim.
“Fifth Prince!” Emperor Yuanyan suddenly barked.
“Imperial Uncle!” Princess Linchuan stumbled forward and knelt before Zhao Shangjun, pleading in a trembling voice, “Huai’en is drunk and did not mean to offend. I beg Imperial Uncle to be merciful and spare him this once.”
A flash of bloodlust crossed Zhao Shangjun’s eyes. He glanced at Princess Linchuan, slowly released his hand, stood up, and swept his gaze around with a proud indifference.
Everyone in the hall was silent, just looking at each other.
Princess Linchuan hurried to help Li Huai’en up. Li Huai’en pushed her away and struggled to his feet, clutching his throat and gasping for breath.
The Empress Dowager Feng’s expression changed drastically. She complained, “What is this? Why are you two fighting for no reason?”
Zhao Shangjun brushed off the non-existent dust from his lapels. “A barbarian child, arrogant and unruly. If it were not for the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, wu would surely have killed him.”
His tone was calm, but Li Huai’en shivered.
Emperor Yuanyan’s brows furrowed. He looked at Princess Linchuan with displeasure and scolded, “Withdraw at once.”
Princess Linchuan apologized in a low voice and, with tears in her eyes, helped Li Huai’en away.
Emperor Yuanyan turned back, shook his head and sighed, and said to Zhao Shangjun, “You have been a monk for many years. How has your temper grown worse? He is just a junior. Even if he was rude, there is no need for such violence. Today is a family banquet, and the Empress Dowager is watching. Isn’t this a damper on the mood?”
Although his words were a reprimand, Emperor Yuanyan said them casually and even patted Zhao Shangjun’s shoulder, the very picture of a benevolent and loving elder brother.
In front of Emperor Yuanyan, Zhao Shangjun, as a subject or a younger brother, showed no sign of presumption. He shed his killing aura and bowed slightly. “Yes, this subject was impolite.”
A little later, the palace servants cleaned up the mess, and the music and singing at the banquet resumed.
Zhao Shangjun sat there, perfectly composed. He picked up his white jade cup again and said nonchalantly, “It seems there is another stranger here?”
Hearing this, Empress Shen called out, “Crown Prince.”
Zhao Yuanjia immediately stood up and gestured to Fu Tangli.
Fu Tangli’s legs felt weak. It took her several tries to stand up. She gritted her teeth, took a long, deep breath, and followed Zhao Yongjia forward. She bowed gracefully to Zhao Shangjun. “This child pays respects to Your Highness, the Prince of Huai. May Your Highness have ten thousand blessings.”
The lights in the hall were blazing, as bright as day. Her features were graceful and beautiful, her bearing proper and composed. The expression on her face was also just right—a faint smile, gentle and elegant.
Emperor Yuanyan was probably still satisfied with Fu Tangli. He pointed at her and said to Zhao Shangjun, “This is of the Fu clan. Her grandfather is the Minister of State, and her father is the Libationer of the Imperial Academy. Her family background is clean, and she possesses both virtue and beauty. She is the Crown Princess that Zhen and the Empress have betrothed to Yongjia.”
Although Zhao Yuanjia was not fond of this marriage, he had to go along with Emperor Yuanyan’s words at this moment. He added with a smile, “The Ministry of Rites and the Court of the Imperial Clan have already decided. The grand wedding will be in the first month of next year. Imperial Uncle must come for a cup of wedding wine then. You must not refuse.”
Eunuch Song ordered a palace maid to serve tea to Fu Tangli.
Fu Tangli took the teacup. “This child toasts Your Highness, the Prince of Huai.”
Zhao Shangjun slowly stood up. He was extremely tall, and in the bright lights, he cast a deep shadow that pressed down.
Sweat trickled down her back, making her shiver. Fu Tangli didn’t dare to look at him for more than a second. She lowered her eyes, straightened her back, maintained a proper posture, and raised her cup to drink.
The teacup was taken from her.
Fu Tangli was slightly taken aback and looked up.
She looked straight into Zhao Shangjun’s eyes.
His eyes were a light color, like a deep night covered with a layer of snow, cold and profound. When he looked at Fu Tangli, there was no emotion. “Wine is used for rites. Does Lady Fu know the rites?”
Fu Tangli was at a loss for words.
This time, even Emperor Yuanyan couldn’t help but say, “You were the one who didn’t want wine, and now you’re the one who wants wine. Isn’t that making it difficult for people?”
Zhao Shangjun’s tone seemed ordinary. “Yuanjia is different from Linchuan. His new wife, I will naturally regard with a little more importance.”
I don’t know if it was an illusion, but he said the last few words particularly slowly, as if each word were being spat out from the tip of his tongue.
Fu Tangli immediately lowered her head. “This child was unruly. It is this child’s fault.”
Eunuch Song was quick-witted. He deftly had the wine changed and served it to Fu Tangli.
Fu Tangli raised her cup, bowed again, and drained it in one go.
At the palace banquet today, Jade Scallion Spring was served. This wine was strong and mellow, its aroma piercing to the bone. With one gulp, the fiery liquid slid down her throat, burning her chest and making her heart beat even faster.
But Zhao Shangjun said nothing, just watched, his gaze cool, with a detachment from the mortal world that made it impossible to guess his meaning.
Zhao Yuanjia tried to defuse the situation, calling out sheepishly, “Imperial Uncle.”
Fu Tangli was silent. She poured another cup of wine, bowed again, and drank again, and so on for three times.
Zhao Shangjun finally smiled, a very faint smile, like the passing of a cold blade. He brushed his sleeve and said only one word: “Good.”
What was good? No one could tell.