The banquet comnced at noon, with the Eldest Prince, Crown Prince, Ye Qiu, and both Seventh and Ten seated at the sa table. Since Ten was still young and had little involvent in court affairs, the rest of the guests were mostly scions of aristocratic families, most of whom were young peers, giving rise to a rather lively atmosphere.
Even the Eldest Prince and the Crown Prince appeared harmonious, showing no signs of rivalry.
It was understandable, though. As soon as the Eldest Prince had returned to the capital, the Holy Emperor deprived him of his military power, the ssage was quite clear. If the Eldest Prince still couldn’t read the room, who knew what would happen!
It all ca down to the Crown Prince having an excellent Empress Mother, leading to the situation where, despite the nurous won in the harem, Your Majesty remains smitten with Empress Wen Hui to this day. What use then is it for the Eldest Prince’s mother to be the Empress? She’s rely a chess piece for Your Majesty to appease ministers and manage the harem.
"Today is Ten’s birthday, and as the second brother, I propose a toast to you," said the Crown Prince, with a smile that radiated warmth.
Ten hastily raised his cup and said, "I dare not, I dare not. It is I, the younger brother, who should be toasting all the elder brothers first. Please allow to drink to your health."
Ye Qiu let out a hearty laugh: "Ten really knows how to lighten the mood. Fill up the cups, big brother, and Fifth Brother, I toast to you. Of all my brothers, I admire you the most. You spent three straight years in the desolate Northwest, which must have been dangerous and tough."
Although Ye Qiu said this with a laugh, Ye Ke saw the sincerity in his eyes and couldn’t help feeling a warm surge in his heart. Everyone noticed his military achievents in the Northwest and his dishevelnt after returning to the capital, but it was the Fifth Brother who was the first to show goodwill and respect towards him.
If it were possible, who wouldn’t want to enjoy pleasures in the capital? But with Beihu and West Wolf harboring great ambitions against Dongchen Country, only after serving there did he realize that he could sacrifice everything for the peace and security of the nation and its people.
Ye Ke picked up his cup and drank in salute to Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu’s eyes glistened as he looked at him before swiftly turning his gaze to address the Crown Prince: "Second Brother, I also extend my toast to you. As brothers, we don’t need much else, just speak well of in front of Father Emperor so he stops reprimanding all the ti."
The smile on Crown Prince Ye Zheng’s face was inscrutable as he playfully scolded, "If only you would accomplish one proper task, Father Emperor wouldn’t scold you like this."
Ye Qiu, unconvinced, replied: "When have I not done sothing proper? Isn’t making money the most proper affair? As for the other important matters, isn’t it enough that you all handle them?"
"You really have no sha, Fifth Brother," laughed Seventh, Ye Kai, in jest.
With the quips from Ye Qiu and Ye Kai, added to Ten’s role as the host keeping things buoyant, the atmosphere soon beca even more lively. Drinks flowed endlessly, and Ten seed to be getting a bit tipsy.
"I can’t go on, I still have to do the assignnt Father Emperor gave tonight," mumbled the Crown Prince to everyone, "Ten, do you have a place to rest? I need to take a nap."
"Yes, I’ll have a servant take you there," slurred Ten.
"Find sowhere quiet; I don’t want to be disturbed," the Crown Prince instructed.
Ye Qiu narrowed his eyes, surmising that the Crown Prince was about to rendezvous with Lin Jingxian. However, now wasn’t the opportune ti to expose them.
Always guarded by the Hidden Guard, the mont Ye Qiu approached, the Crown Prince would swiftly separate from Lin Jingxian. There was a risk the Crown Prince would then find a way to bla him instead.
And even if he were to expose them now, what then? Given Father Emperor’s favoritism towards the Crown Prince, at most he would confine the Crown Prince to reflect on his actions, and afterwards nothing would change. Conversely, Ye Qiu himself might be sent away on so pretense by Father Emperor.
Lin Jingxian has given birth to twins for the Crown Prince. If the Emperor learns of this auspicious sign, Father Emperor might even reward her with a title in response to the Crown Prince’s pleas and send her to the Eastern Palace.
To act ans to leave them powerless; now is not the ti for rash actions. Let them bask in their arrogance a bit longer. What is the best way to get revenge on one’s enemy? It’s to make them lose what they cherish most.
In the inner courtyard, a little eunuch also arrived where the ladies were.
"What’s the matter?" asked Crown Princess Consort Shen Xiu.
"Crown Princess Consort, the Crown Prince is drunk and resting. He does not wish to be disturbed by anyone, and said to call for him before returning to the mansion," the little eunuch relayed Ye Zheng’s ssage.
Upon hearing this, Lin Jingxian’s expression froze for a mont, then she beca visibly restless. She knew this was a signal from the Crown Prince for her to et with him.
"I understand. You may leave," Crown Princess Consort Shen Xiu indeed had no suspicions, continuing to entertain the guests.
Lin Jingxian was burning with impatience inside, growing increasingly anxious as she sat. Shen Xiu soon noticed her unusual behavior and asked with concern, "Fifth Sister-in-law, are you feeling unwell?"
Lin Jingxian seized the opportunity to reply, "Perhaps I drank too much wine. My head feels a bit heavy. I’ll go out for a walk."
"Don’t go into the wind, it’ll make the headache worse after drinking," Shen Xiu said, still unaware that she was going to have a secret eting with her own husband, took extra care to advise her.
Lin Jingxian had no mind for pleasantries, curtsied as a farewell, and excused herself.
Upon stepping out, she saw that the little eunuch who had brought the ssage earlier hadn’t gone far, and she casually followed behind him.
When they reached a quiet spot, the figure of the little eunuch vanished. Lin Jingxian then said to Mu Jin and Furong, who followed her, "Wait here for . I want to take a stroll alone."
Mu Jin, rembering Nanny Zhang’s words, shuddered and quickly said, "Princess Consort, how could that be appropriate? You’re not familiar with the Ten Prince Mansion. What if you take a wrong turn?"
"It’s fine, I won’t go far. Don’t follow ," Lin Jingxian said, glancing at them with a firr tone, prompting Mu Jin not to co any closer.
Mu Jin knew the Princess Consort did not fancy the prince, and was aware she had soone else in her heart, but did not know who that person was. Could it be that the Princess Consort was so eager to separate from them to et her lover?
Who could it be? Unfortunately, there were too many distinguished young n present today, and she couldn’t guess. What should she do if Nanny Zhang asked? She didn’t want to be punished again.
Unfortunately, both Lin Jingxian and the Crown Prince knew that their affair was not to be tolerated by the world, so there was no way they would let her find out easily.
Lin Jingxian shook off the two maids, turned a couple of corners and indeed saw the little eunuch again. The eunuch did not speak, only silently leading her to a secluded courtyard.
Lin Jingxian’s heart thumped wildly, and upon seeing the person she had been yearning for day and night, she threw all propriety to the winds and ran towards him, then flung herself into his arms.
"Crown Prince!" Lin Jingxian’s voice was muffled.
Crown Prince Ye Zheng embraced her in return, without a second thought, he captured her rosy lips.
After a mont, both were breathless. The Crown Prince, nibbling on her ear, said, "I saw it, Fifth Brother holding your hand."
Lin Jingxian panicked inside, quickly defending herself, "It wasn’t on purpose, he insisted on grasping it, I couldn’t shake him off."
The Crown Prince was still jealous, "Did he touch you anywhere else?"
Lin Jingxian shook her head desperately, "No."
The Crown Prince was reluctant to let it go, "I’ll have to check you over to be sure."
"Ah!" Lin Jingxian let out a soft exclamation as the Crown Prince swept her up and carried her to the soft couch.
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