Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 806 - 610: Jixian Zhengzi, What Do You Think?
They visited many places in the Inner Court. Though they seemed quite lively and friendly, no one hid the deep thoughts in their eyes or the guard in their hearts, which cast a few inexplicable chills of killing intent into the atmosphere that was as warm as spring.
Finally, as it neared dusk, a eunuch came with a message, saying that Yu Wenquan had finished today’s affairs and was about to head to Bai Fu Hall where the banquet was being held, and they should hurry over.
At that time, the six people walked up and down the Thousand-step Corridor and just returned to the vicinity of Anren Gate. When they walked forward, they could see Bai Fu Hall not far away. In the dusk, Bai Fu Hall was brightly lit, with lanterns even lit outside, making the entire palace glow brightly, almost more dazzling than the setting sun.
In the evening light, a somewhat familiar slender figure was also slowly walking toward Bai Fu Hall from the other side, meeting them right at the main entrance.
Shang Ruyi looked up and immediately exclaimed with delight, "Mr. Su?"
The person walking towards them, wearing a dark green official robe, with delicate features, and especially with eyes slightly drooping at the corners, which appeared like translucent glass under the sunset glow, exuding an air of gentleness and kindness, was none other than the Medical Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, Su Qinglan, whom she had been acquainted with at Changle Square!
Upon seeing Shang Ruyi, a hint of joy appeared on Su Qinglan’s face, but she remained composed and hurriedly stepped forward to bow and greet, "Greetings to Prince Han, Prince Qin, and Princess Qin."
Yu Wenqian and Yu Wenye didn’t say much, but only Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Please rise."
Su Qinglan then slowly stood up, glanced at Shen Wuzheng and Pei Xingyuan, with her eyes flickering slightly, then bowed her head and said, "I’ve seen Mr. Shen and Lord Pei."
Pei Xingyuan smiled broadly, seemingly unconcerned about any unfinished business from before, looked Su Qinglan up and down, and then said with a smile, "Mr. Su, you’ve been promoted."
Only then did Shang Ruyi notice that Su Qinglan’s official robe was no longer that of a Medical Director.
Su Qinglan’s fair cheeks turned slightly red under the sunset’s glow, and she lowered her head and softly said, "Thanks to the special promotion by Your Majesty, today I have just been appointed as the Imperial Doctor."
Shang Ruyi looked at her with wide eyes, filled with surprise and joy.
One must know that Su Qinglan was previously just a Medical Director. After experiencing a plague, she was directly promoted two levels to the position of Imperial Doctor, which indeed was a cause for celebration.
Of course, it was also because she dared to take on heavy responsibilities and was unafraid of danger when the plague was rampant.
Shang Ruyi said, "Mr. Su, congratulations."
Su Qinglan bowed her head and softly said, "Thank you, Princess."
Shang Ruyi then asked, "So today you are——"
"Thanks to the favor of Your Majesty, I was also invited to the banquet today, but as I just took office, I was handling affairs at the Imperial Medical Bureau for half the day and only just managed to come over."
"Naturally, one shouldn’t neglect important duties."
As they spoke, Eunuch Yu had already come out from Bai Fu Hall, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Prince Han, Prince Qin, Princess, and lords, please enter the hall."
Upon seeing him, the group didn’t say much and immediately turned and walked into Bai Fu Hall.
This Bai Fu Hall was built quite grandly. The main hall was used to entertain officials and could accommodate almost a hundred officials at the same time for a banquet; while the adjoining halls on the east and west sides were large and small, respectively, used for family feasts and relatively smaller banquets.
This time, Eunuch Yu led them into the western side hall.
Though it was not as large as the main hall, it was still very spacious. Besides the main seat at the top, each side below the main seat had four tables arranged, which was quite suitable for the number of people invited to the banquet today.
Everyone then prepared to go to their respective positions based on their identity and rank.
But in doing so, a problem arose.
Logically, Yu Wenqian and Yu Wenye, as brothers, would naturally sit at the first positions below Yu Wenquan, and next to Yu Wenye would be his wife, Princess Qin, Shang Ruyi. Though Yu Wenqian and Yu Mingyue didn’t have an official engagement, it was clear to everyone that she should naturally sit beside Yu Wenqian.
At the third position, however, there was some hesitation.
In terms of closeness, Shang Ruyi’s side should be her cousin, and since Shen Wuzheng and Pei Xingyuan had been inseparable lately, they should naturally sit together. But in doing so, Su Qinglan would have to sit next to Yu Mingyue.
However, Su Qinglan wasn’t familiar with Yu Wenqian and Yu Mingyue, and considering their covert rivalry in Yanzuo Square and Changle Square, one could even say they were at odds.
So, Su Qinglan hesitated about the spot next to Yu Mingyue.
She wasn’t someone who could easily navigate any situation, and sitting beside Yu Wenqian and Yu Mingyue at this banquet would likely be uncomfortable for her.
Pei Xingyuan seemed to notice this scene and was about to say something but hesitated.
Shen Wuzheng, who was about to sit down, upon seeing this, glanced at Su Qinglan with a troubled expression and then stepped forward. He said to Su Qinglan, "Mr. Su, it’s been a while since you chatted with the Princess. Sit beside her and catch up."
Su Qinglan was extremely grateful, "Thank you very much..."
Shen Wuzheng gently shook his head and sat down beside Yu Mingyue. Upon raising his head again, he met the smiling gaze of Pei Xingyuan, but merely glanced aside indifferently.
Just as everyone had taken their seats, Eunuch Yu’s voice suddenly rang out from outside—
"Your Majesty has arrived!"
Hearing this, everyone hurriedly stood up and bowed their heads in greeting.
Soon, the sound of heavy footsteps approached from outside. Although no one dared to raise their heads and look directly, they all recognized that familiar, awe-inspiring presence. Shang Ruyi almost instinctively held her breath.
Beside her, Yu Wenye couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
Then, they heard the footsteps slowly proceed to the head of the side hall. After the sound of fabric rustling, Yu Wenquan’s voice, full of laughter, resounded: "At ease, be seated."
Only then did everyone express their gratitude, stand up, and slowly return to their seats.
Yu Wenquan also slowly took his seat.
He wore simple attire—as the formal enthronement ceremony was scheduled for the next day, he hadn’t yet donned the Dragon Robe. Nonetheless, his presence and majesty at this moment were unparalleled, and as he sat down, the whole Bai Fu Hall seemed to gain an air of tranquility.
Yu Wenquan glanced around at everyone and then instructed, "Serve the wine."
As soon as he finished speaking, a group of young and beautiful palace maids gracefully stepped forward, each holding a tray with wine jars and jade plates filled with exquisite wines and various delicacies, placing them before each person’s table—naturally all were rare and exquisite culinary treasures.
Yu Wenquan first poured a drink for himself, raised it, and said, "Come, this cup, I shall first toast to you all."
Hearing this, no one dared to be slow, and they quickly raised the cups in front of them.
Yu Wenquan continued with a smile, "This plague struck suddenly, affecting both state and people. I entrusted the matter to Prince Han and King Qin, trusting them, though I was not entirely assured; never did I expect that with the assistance and support of all of you, this crisis would be overcome, saving millions. A toast to all my ministers. Let’s drink together!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Several people raised their cups and drank it all in one go.
The wine was evidently aged, richly fragrant yet mild in taste. As Shang Ruyi drank it all at once, she felt a warm flow through her body, feeling much more at ease, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
However, Su Qinglan beside her was evidently not good with alcohol; after that drink, his eyes turned somewhat red.
Yet for someone like Yu Wenquan, who hailed from military background, this wine was no different from water. He drank it all in one gulp without any reaction, placed the cup on the table, then lifted his head. His bright and sharp eyes surveyed every youthful face, as if inspecting his domain.
Despite having handled a full day of state affairs, he appeared quite spirited, even more so than this group of young people who seemed to have just been leisurely sightseeing but were actually mentally exhausted and found it more tiring than a battle.
After examining every face, Yu Wenquan suddenly smiled and asked, "How is the scenery in the palace?"
Everyone was taken aback.
Today was supposed to be a banquet to reward the accomplishments of controlling the plague, and everyone expected him to say a few more words about it, but unexpectedly he switched the topic to the scenery, leaving everyone momentarily puzzled and speechless.
For a while, there was an awkward silence in the side hall.
At any other time, a pause in conversation wouldn’t matter, but now, Yu Wenquan was the Emperor, and for him to receive no response was hugely disrespectful!
Yu Wenqian and Yu Wenye glanced at each other.
However, before either could speak, Shang Ruyi, seated beside Yu Wenye, already smiled and said, "In response to imperial father, the scenery in the palace is indeed beautiful, quite different from before,"
"Oh?"
Noticing her, Yu Wenquan’s eyes were full of amusement and interest as he asked, "How is it different?"
Shang Ruyi pondered a moment, then lifted her head and said in a slow yet clear and forceful voice: "The winding path discovers chaste green along the Thousand-step Corridor, myriad flowers bloom beside the Mountain and Water Pool; though old palatial colors remain, the bright light of a new dynasty shines resplendently."
No sooner had she finished than Yu Wenquan’s eyes lit up.
He said, "Excellent!"
Shang Ruyi’s poem wasn’t exceptionally elaborate, and the figures of speech describing the scenery in the first two lines weren’t particularly ornate, but what was clever were the last two lines, perfectly fitting Yu Wenquan’s imminent enthronement—the renewal of the old Forbidden City under the light of the rising new Emperor. Thus, Yu Wenquan praised it as "excellent."
After giving his praises, he beamed and continued, "With the literary talent of my daughter-in-law, she could very well serve as a Grand Scholar in Jixian Hall."
Then he turned to Yu Mingyue: "Official of Jixian, what do you say?"
