Prince Xin and Prince Lu, these two Vassal Kings have been stationed at their vassal lands for quite a few years now. In terms of ability, they are not as good as Prince Zhuang of the past; in terms of pleasing the Emperor, they don’t compare to Prince Li, and they haven’t visited as often as those two. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Now, finally, their grandsons have come to the Capital City, and Consort Yang and Consort Liu are meeting them for the first time. It’s been over a year since they last saw each other.

In their hearts, they hope to get closer to their grandsons, but the rules of the Imperial Palace’s banquet are very strict. They have no such opportunity and can only watch from afar, sighing at how much the grandsons have grown! Truly wonderful! They must petition the Emperor for a favor, to allow their grandsons to enter the palace to pay respects to them, thus gaining a little more chance to meet with them.

The Emperor has said that this palace banquet is mainly for welcoming the Princely Heirs back to the capital. So, regardless of whether it’s sincere or insincere, the princely heirs become the focus of the toast.

Everyone drinks quite a lot.

The Emperor smiles as he watches this harmonious scene among the Imperial Grandsons, feeling content. As he grows older, he yearns more for the joys of family gatherings. On his sixtieth birthday, many Imperial Grandsons had gathered in the capital, creating such a lively atmosphere!

However, he cannot continue to summon all the Imperial Grandsons to the capital in such a grand manner. After all, it would be a kind of separation from their fathers in their vassal lands.

Therefore, the Crown Prince’s suggestion was particularly appealing to him. By inviting only the Princely Heirs, it fulfills his desire to see his grandsons while reassuring the Crown Prince, knowing that his brothers harbor no ulterior motives.

This banquet proposal was brought forth by Imperial Concubine Zhou.

Indeed, Imperial Concubine Zhou and her son have always understood his intentions the best.

At this moment, palace maids and eunuchs come over to refill the wine, indicating that another round of toasting is about to begin.

At the table of the Imperial Grandsons, seated at the first table is the Crown Prince’s son, Huangfu Jing. Currently, with the Crown Prince’s prestigious status, his son rises with the tide; many people his age toast him, but Huangfu Jing often doesn’t even glance at them.

Those toasting him are mainly peers, members of the Imperial Family who wish to curry favor with him, or his cousins.

He possesses the arrogance of having something to be proud of; he drinks to those he deems worthy, but for those he doesn’t, he doesn’t even bother to lift his cup. Those disregarded by him can only awkardly make their own excuses and leave.

After all, with so many toasting him, it has attracted some attention.

Huangfu Zonghan said timidly, "Brother Jing has quite a temper; I see many have faced cold refusals. I initially thought of offering a toast, but now I dare not."

The others at the table laughed, Huangfu Zonghan indeed voiced their shared sentiment.

They also wanted to seek some favor; if Huangfu Jing accepted their toast, it would be an honor. But if they too faced rejection, how embarrassing it would be!

Someone said, "If anyone at our table can make Mr. Jing drink their toast, I’ll host a feast at Moon Full Building tomorrow in celebration!"

"It’s just a toast, right? Watch me." Huangfu Jinxuan, sitting beside Huangfu Jingchen, suddenly stood up, not only taking the glass of wine in front of him but also picking up the full glass in front of Huangfu Jingchen. As he spoke, he said, "Prince Jin, borrow your wine for a moment."

The crowd: "..."

Others faced rejections; who does he think he is? And why is he bringing two glasses of wine to toast? Moreover, if he really wants another glass, he could simply have the palace maids and eunuchs bring one; why take the wine in front of Prince Cheng’s Heir?

They quickly realized that Huangfu Jinxuan is probably set on targeting Prince Cheng’s Heir; even before physical confrontations weren’t enough; now, he wishes to step on him at the banquet too.

Huangfu Jinxuan swaggered over with the cups in hand to the Crown Prince’s eldest son.

This Crown Prince’s eldest son is Huangfu Hanyu’s eldest son by a concubine, Huangfu Jing, and is now twenty-seven years old, born of a concubine. Huangfu Hanyu’s primary wife has been childless for years, and after Huangfu Hanyu’s concubine bore him many sons, did she finally have a son, though legitimate, ranking ninth.

His temperament is cruel and ruthless, with a fondness for wine and women. He wed many concubines, but they didn’t stay by his side for a year; once the novelty wore off, he tortured them to death.

In vassal lands, this was no secret. However, after arriving in the Capital City, he restrained somewhat but soon relapsed.

Not only his concubines but even his main wife didn’t escape his wrath! Two months ago, his main wife died, officially reported as dying from an illness, but insiders knew she was beaten to death after years of icy torture by Huangfu Jing.

Huangfu Jing’s main wife was the legitimate daughter of a Third Rank judicial official; with such background, Huangfu Jing did show some restraint before. But ever since Huangfu Hanyu became the Crown Prince, he, as the Crown Prince’s eldest son, had no qualms.

Now that his father’s legitimate son Huangfu Wei is only twelve, just a child, how can he compare with his status as the eldest son?

That Third Rank judicial official’s daughter, how can she measure up to his current status?

Her death was rather convenient, now he can marry a daughter of a Capital Official.

Days have passed, and he has already started to look.

But, his notorious reputation precedes him, and those who truly cherish their daughters would not marry them to him.

Still, Huangfu Jing remains unconcerned.

There are those who cherish their daughters, and others who prioritize power. His position is unparalleled; many will seek to curry favor by marrying their daughter to him.

Huangfu Hanyu also greatly values this son, unlike his seventh son by a concubine, Huangfu Hongzhi, who died of illness en route; Huangfu Hongzhi was frail from a young age and did not exhibit any particular talent. It is rumored he fell ill and died from suffocation on the journey back to vassal lands.

Due to this son’s death, Huangfu Hanyu even put on a display of grievance in front of the Emperor.

It is precisely because of Huangfu Hongzhi’s death that, despite all evidence pointing to Huangfu Hanyu’s scheming against Prince Li’s third son Huangfu Jinglun and Prince Lu’s youngest son Huangfu Taihe, the Emperor didn’t pursue the matter, instead allowing Prince Li more power and prominence in the court.

Meanwhile, Huangfu Jing acts with ruthless decisiveness, being Huangfu Hanyu’s right hand man, helping accomplish many tasks. Even the downfall of the former Crown Prince involved Huangfu Jing’s handiwork.

He carries self-assurance, knowing that now he is the Crown Prince’s oldest son, and in the future, he will be the Imperial Grandson!

At this moment, Huangfu Jing sits at the table with an imperious gaze sweeping over his cousins.

Huangfu Hongyi? A complete waste!

Huangfu Jingchen? All show, no substance!

Huangfu Zonghan? An embroidered pillow!

Huangfu Yanlong? A fool!

...

In short, as he surveys the room, no one is on par with him.

Now with his prominent identity, many approached him for a toast. But his dismissive attitude deterred quite a few.

Huangfu Jinxuan approached with the wine, handing one cup over as he cheerfully said, "Brother Jing, here’s a toast to you!"

Huangfu Jing cast an indifferent glance, thinking this idle dandy had no qualification to toast him.

He replied dismissively, "A toast must be backed with a name; without it, I won’t drink! Also, call me First Young Master!"