Herumrennen und kleinere Rollen spielen

Kapitel 126

I reached for the letter, and the round, lustrous luminous pearl, about the size of a ping-pong ball, rolled to one side. Without even glancing at it, I tore the envelope open with extra force, separating "Qianqian" from "My Wife." Then I took out the letter inside, pinched one end, and flicked it away, inwardly fuming: You stinky fox, aren't you getting married? And you call me "My Wife"?!

"There have been many unforeseen events recently, so please be careful to protect yourself in the palace."

That was it—just two sentences. No sweet words, no expression of longing, no explanation for his wedding. It's always been like this. I don't know if he's too confident, or too trusting of me, acting like an old married couple where "everything is understood without words." Heavens are furious!

"You brat, since you received the letter, why didn't you take it out in the first place?" Is this kid unhappy about being around me? Why is he being so dishonest, irresponsible, and untrustworthy these days? Before, whenever the fox sent a letter, he would present it to me with both hands immediately. Now, it's different. He didn't even take it out voluntarily until I asked him!

"It was the Emperor's order." He said this frankly, without even a trace of guilt.

That damned, arrogant, narcissistic, and conceited chauvinistic fox! I tore the letter in my hand to shreds, gritting my teeth as I said, "Xiao Ye, I am your master now, so you must listen to me. If he wants to reply, tell him that I didn't ask anything, and that you handed the letter to me voluntarily, understand?"

"Yes." The boy, who seemed very loyal, immediately replied.

"Alright, now tell me the whole story of his wedding." Since the truth's already out, might as well get to the bottom of it. Good heavens, let the storm rage on, if that sly vixen really dares to marry someone else!

"The Second Prince volunteered to serve as the wedding envoy. He should have already welcomed the Third Princess of Tianqing back to Longzhou by now."

He explained the whole story with just one sentence. But my legs still instinctively went weak. Ye Fengming quickly reached out to support me and helped me sit down on a stool nearby. I was dizzy, dizzy! What was all this about? I originally thought my wedding partner would be that annoying fake man, Princess Qianhui, so of course I wasn't worried. Hanxing was already one of the target countries, and besides, Fox had said she was keeping her in Longyao to use her, so she wouldn't let that fake man have her. But when did my wedding partner become the third princess of Tianqing—Tian Jinyu? The third princess who defied the Tianqing King and refused the marriage arranged by him, the tall woman who always had a calm expression, never showing joy or sorrow, always silent—when did she get engaged to Fox? And this time, she agreed to travel thousands of miles to marry into Longyao?

Furthermore, Xiao Bai volunteered to be the wedding envoy? I know Xiao Bai's purpose in returning, and I also know his personality. Therefore, Xiao Bai's actions must be related to the fox. What is the fox's purpose and plan in sending Xiao Bai to the wedding? Xiao Bai's role as the wedding envoy must be the fox's idea. It seems that regarding the marriage alliance with Tian Qing, the fox, while outwardly appearing so, definitely has ulterior motives. I recall what the fox said when he barely managed to "propose" and asked me to affix the imperial seal to the decree: "So no matter what you hear, don't take it seriously, don't overthink it, I will arrange everything." I remember his always slightly narrowed peach blossom eyes, his signature lazy smile, giving off an unfathomable yet reassuring aura, as if with him around, all problems could be solved. Fox, at this moment, I suddenly feel inexplicably that this so-called marriage alliance will ultimately be nothing more than a farce. Fox, at this moment, I really want to stand before you and ask you personally if my premonition will come true?

"Night Wind, do you know where the rumors about my descendant of the royal family of the Wind God Kingdom originated?" Tian Qing? Xiu Ruo? Or Long Yao? I hope it's none of the three.

"I don't know," he replied after a slight hesitation, his eyes lowered.

"Don't know? Or are you unsure?" It's not like I just met Ye Feng; how could I not understand the reason for his hesitation at this moment? Well, since he's unwilling to say, he's probably worried that listing suspects before the investigation is clear might not be a good thing for me. "Alright, just tell me about the situation outside."

They came and went in a hurry, and entering the palace was like entering a cage. Now, apart from what I know about Xiu Ruo, I know nothing else. Besides, Yun Feng has also come to Xiu Ruo, so there's no reason to inquire about Long Yao's situation anymore. Yun Feng also doesn't want to keep mentioning the fox. Sigh.

The kid looked at me without saying a word. I shook my head. "Is 'the situation outside' too broad a scope? We've just asked about the war, and we've figured out the fox's marriage. So what else is there?"

"What happened to that fake man?" Seeing Xiaoye's blank expression, I quickly changed my words and said, "It's Princess Qianhui from Hanxing Kingdom."

My enemy! She almost killed me. This fox won't let her off so easily, will she?

"When Long Yao sent troops to Ye Cang, the Emperor sent someone to escort her back to Han Xing."

"What?" I stood up angrily. Has that stinky fox lost his mind, or has he decided to play the saint?

"However, she sneaked away halfway and even infiltrated Xiu Ruo's military camp. By now, she has probably already discovered Ye Cang and Xiu Ruo's military secrets and sent someone to inform Han Xing's army. The two sides may be engaged in a fierce battle right now."

The more he spoke, the more astonished I became. How could Xiaoye's tone of voice be so similar to that fox's—except for a calmer voice and a more respectful expression? If Xiaoye raised an eyebrow and spoke in a lazy tone, coupled with these lines, he would sound exactly like a fox!

"Did my elder brother say that? Where is he? Did he come to Xiu Ruo as well?" I said, leaning over to look behind Ye Feng.

"It was the Emperor who sent a secret messenger to deliver the message." The young man's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly, but his voice remained relatively calm as he spoke.

"Busy, busy, busy with your big wedding, you stinky fox." I muttered to myself, plopping down in a chair, pondering these words. Princess Qianhui, who had rushed to Longyao, seemed like a spoiled and willful child, but judging from Yaoyao and the later incident with the Holy Blood Chrysanthemum, it wasn't hard to see that she was not simple. So now, her return to Hanxing, and her infiltration of Xiu Ruo's camp halfway, could it really be as the fox predicted, without missing a beat? If so, combined with the fox's earlier mention of sending Xiu Ruo a gift, it's likely that the main battle between the two sides will be between Hanxing and Ye Cang. Xiu Ruo was about to break off relations at about the same time anyway. If they could take this opportunity to make Hanxing and Ye Cang both suffer heavy losses, while they themselves preserved their greatest strength, this would undoubtedly be the best strategy.

"Xiao Ye, you may leave now. Staying in the palace these days has been risky; I'm worried things might get unsettled." Even the fox wrote a letter to instruct me, likely having heard of the old man's "serious illness." Even though he wasn't here, his experience as someone "been there," made it easy for him to predict what would happen. As for me, I had already noticed the suspicious nature of the old man's "serious illness." Although my questions remained unanswered, the old man had been lying on his imperial bed for over a month, not leaving his chambers, not summoning princes or ministers, making no move during the New Year, yet he was to attend again in a few days. I had a vague premonition that this was not a simple matter, or rather, what might happen at this family banquet?

The next two days were peaceful, and preparations for the Lantern Festival family banquet began smoothly. The difference this time was that everything was simplified. The fact that the Emperor, whom everyone hadn't seen for a month due to illness, would also attend created a somewhat ambiguous atmosphere. Of course, thanks to the old man's actions, Yunfeng and I were safe. I dreaded being the center of attention in such situations, and I worried that Yunfeng would be ridiculed. Now it seemed that Yunfeng and I shouldn't have received too much attention at this banquet.

The Lantern Festival was fast approaching, and the family banquet was not held in the evening, but rather at 1-3 PM, in the Xiuyi Hall. A large golden dragon banquet table was placed facing south, with the main banquet tables for the inner court lined up on the east and west sides. When I helped the old man into the Xiuyi Hall, only the old empress was seated at the large golden dragon banquet table. At the head table on the east side sat the Crown Prince's uncle and his family, and at the head table on the west side sat the Yun family, with Yun Feng also prominently present. Below the main banquet tables on the east and west sides were several tables for accompanying guests, occupied by the old man's concubines who had not yet borne children or whose daughters had married out of the family, as well as various princes and imperial relatives.

This was the first time the old man had left his palace in over a month since his serious illness, and he had informed the Empress earlier that he would arrive later. Although everyone seemed to have already taken their seats, it was clear at a glance that the family banquet had not yet begun. As soon as the old man and I entered the hall, everyone rose and knelt to pay their respects, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" three times. It was indeed true that the old man's health had deteriorated significantly. He had traveled by imperial carriage from his palace to the Xiuyi Hall, but now I was struggling to support him. I could clearly feel that the old man's ability to walk into the hall was a testament to both his willpower and physical strength.

I walked straight to the main seat of the large golden dragon banquet table in the center, helped the old man sit down, and then secretly shook my hands behind my back, sighing in my heart: Finally, I'm free!

"Rise, all of you." The old man's voice wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet either, enough for everyone kneeling in the hall to hear clearly. "Girl, sit next to me."

I obeyed the order, and after the old empress sat down to the old man's left, I sat down to his right as instructed. Only the three of us sat at the grand banquet table, with Chen Shou standing behind the old man with his head bowed. I looked up to my right; it was rare to see the old man's official concubine, Yun, attending despite her illness. Given how seriously ill the old man was, if he could attend, then it was no surprise that everyone present, unless they were on their deathbed, would be there. To the old man's left sat Yun's concubine, and to his right, Xiu Ruo Hengsong. To the concubine's left sat Xiu Ruo Xitang, and to Xiu Ruo Hengsong's right sat Yun Feng. At a glance, Yun Feng was clearly seated at the very bottom of the main banquet table on the west side. At the main banquet table on the east side, in order, sat the Crown Prince's uncle, the Crown Princess, and the Crown Prince's uncle's two children. I couldn't concern myself with the people at the tables further down.

The so-called family banquet, in fact, showcases the majesty and nobility of royalty in every aspect. Even if everything is kept simple, it still deserves the word "luxury," and all the rules, rituals, and procedures of the family banquet are indispensable.

After everyone took their seats, the Empress Dowager signaled the start of the family banquet. As palace maids brought in hot dishes one by one, the tables were quickly filled with exquisite delicacies. The large table in front of me, in particular, seemed especially tempting due to the abundance of food and the small number of people. I had deliberately skipped lunch for this banquet, and now, well past lunchtime, my stomach was growling. However, the old man wouldn't touch his chopsticks or speak, so I could only drool over the "Manchu Han Imperial Feast" before me.

The musicians who had been waiting in the corridor of the Xiuyi Hall began to play. At this moment, two palace maids carried a large, gold-rimmed tray forward slowly. Chen Shou approached, took the large jade plate with a dragon carving from the tray, raised it above his head with both hands, bowed, and then placed the large jade plate in the center of our table. I quickly looked at the jade plate and saw something lying on it that resembled a suckling pig but was not a suckling pig; it looked completely unfamiliar.

I blinked, my gaze fixed on the object on the jade plate. It looked like something that wasn't a pig, a sheep, a rabbit, or a cow… definitely not any kind of edible meat I could imagine. I wondered what it was. The old man had already picked up his chopsticks and started eating it. I followed his chopsticks, watching them move, until he finally put the food into his mouth. I still had no idea what this dish was.

"Don't be so formal, relax." After saying that, the old empress also picked up her chopsticks and reached for the large plate. After she took a bite, she looked at the plate and gestured for me to pick up my chopsticks as well. "Girl, this is the auspicious beast. It is said to bring good fortune to the heavens and the people. Legend has it that the auspicious beast is spiritual and is the king of beasts."

I was sweating bullets. Isn't the king of beasts the tiger? Even if it's not a tiger, shouldn't Xiu Ruo's position as king of beasts be given to Yao Yao? Besides, daring to eat something with spiritual properties is really weird. Under the expectant gazes of the old man and the old empress, I reluctantly picked up my chopsticks, grabbed a piece, and put it in my mouth. I've never liked eating things of unknown origin, and I'm not particularly interested in meat, but given the situation, I had no choice but to eat it. I swallowed it without chewing it properly, and then told the old man and the old empress that it was delicious. Only then did everyone pick up their chopsticks and start eating.

According to the customs of Xiuruo, the old man could bestow his favorite dishes upon those he favored at banquets as a sign of favor. Princes, regardless of whether they were born of the principal wife, were required to toast the old man and the empress, and the crown prince had to personally serve tea at the end. At this family banquet, the old man bestowed all the dishes he had tasted and found delicious upon me. We were already seated at one table, and these dishes had to be carried back and forth – didn't he find it troublesome? Under the envious or jealous gazes of others, I followed the old man, tasting dish after dish. Whether I liked it or not, my picky eating habit was completely suppressed at this moment. When I encountered dishes I usually enjoyed, I ate them slowly and carefully; when I encountered dishes I didn't usually eat, I swallowed them whole with my eyes closed. However, facing a table full of delicious food, I couldn't fully enjoy it according to my own preferences. Thinking about it now, it's quite sad, and I almost burst into tears.

The atmosphere gradually warmed up, and everyone was excited and moved by the old man's improved health. With people of all ages present, it was usually quite lively. However, the old man, perhaps due to his health or some other reason, lacked his usual cheerful expression. In fact, not only today, not only at this family dinner, but it seemed that ever since I rushed back to Xiu Ruo to visit the seriously ill old man, a smile had rarely graced his face.

Although it was a family banquet, a royal banquet was exceptionally formal. Without the old man's permission, no one dared to approach our table to ingratiate themselves or try to build rapport. Yet, no one even rose to offer blessings or flattery to the old man and empress, which seemed rather odd. Soon, my stomach was more than half full, and the banquet began to feel rather dull. The music in the outer corridor continued, but I was starting to feel drowsy. Eating and drinking to my heart's content, followed by a nap—what a wonderful thing in life! And if I could fall asleep to such lullabies, that would be the ultimate bliss.

"Your subject offers a toast to Your Majesty and Your Majesty, wishing you good health, boundless happiness, and longevity." Uncle Yun, the Crown Prince's uncle, finally came to offer a toast at the Empress's prompting. Thank goodness, this meant the family banquet was more than halfway through. I don't know how long family banquets usually last, but the old man sitting next to me already looked visibly tired. Ending this banquet early would be good for him, and even better for me, hehe.

The old man nodded. I stood up, handed the wine from the Crown Prince's hand to the old man, and as I turned to walk towards Old Man Yun, my gaze met the Crown Prince's, seemingly unintentionally. I hurriedly lowered my head, then quickly walked to Old Man Yun, took the wine cup from him, and turned back to hand it to the Empress. The Empress raised her cup and took a small sip, while the old man put down his cup without touching it.

"Your father's health has just improved a bit, and the imperial physician instructed him not to drink alcohol. The same applies when you serve tea later." Before the old man could speak, the old empress spoke up to smooth things over.

The two men withdrew and sat for a while longer. As it approached late afternoon, the Crown Prince's uncle rose again. This time, he personally fetched the tea leaves, took the teapot, and performed a series of elegant and graceful tea-making movements before personally pouring a cup of tea and rising to offer it to the Emperor. According to etiquette, the Crown Prince served the tea, and after the Emperor drank this cup of tea, it was time for the banquet to end and for him to return to the palace.

I stood up again, took the teacup from my uncle, and handed it to the old man. This time, the old man took the teacup with one hand and slowly sipped a few mouthfuls of tea. I watched him put the teacup on the table, but before it was even a short distance from the table, he suddenly let go, and the teacup fell straight onto the table with a "bang," not too hard, not too soft. The teacup spun on its side, and the unfinished tea spilled all over the table.

"Grandpa Emperor!" I exclaimed, jumping up to help the old man. His face turned pale instantly, his brows furrowed, but his eyes were fixed on his uncle, the Crown Prince, who was still standing in front of the Golden Dragon Banquet Table and had not yet stepped down.

"emperor!"

"Father!"

The old empress's voice and the crown prince's uncle's voice rang out at the same time, or rather, the old man Yun called him "Father Emperor," but I couldn't care less about them, nor about the panicked crowd below. I just shouted loudly, "Summon the imperial physician! Imperial physician!"