With everyone around carrying various thoughts, or glaring at Yu Mingyue, Shang Ruyi kept looking towards the back of the hall, glancing several tis, her eyes full of worry.
Yu Wenye turned his head to look at her: "What’s wrong?"
"I, I’m a bit worried about my brother."
"Worried about Fu Ming?"
"Yes,"
Shang Ruyi nodded, her gaze still on Shen Wuzheng, and said softly, "He’s not the kind of person who can talk his way out of things, but after Yu Mingyue questioned him just now, he couldn’t utter a single word. I’ve never seen him so angry. My brother is a scholar, he should have stood up and refuted Yu Mingyue’s words. But he—"
Yu Wenye was silent for a mont, also looking at Shen Wuzheng, who was sitting a few seats away from him, his face still not fully calm, and said heavily: "You’re right."
"Hmm?"
"He’s never been so angry before."
"..."
"If I hadn’t spoken up just now, I wouldn’t dare to imagine what your brother would have done or said. It’s just because he’s a scholar, that’s why Yu Mingyue’s outrageous words made him so angry."
"..."
"A scholar like Fu Ming has a commitnt to justice in the world. Following us in battles north and south, do you think it’s just because you married and he wants to help his brother-in-law?"
Shang Ruyi imdiately shook her head: "Of course not."
She knew clearly that even if Shen Wuzheng cared for her and was close to her, he would leave without hesitation when it was ti for him to travel and study, as he had his own pursuits in life, his own fate, beyond just cherishing a younger sister and being filial to his parents.
Hearing her words, Yu Wenye also nodded, looking at Shen Wuzheng once more, his eyes filled with more respect: "We are the sa as him."
"..."
"Although we establish our own dynasty and cause, who would want this cause to be filled with evil?"
"..."
"Your brother, as a scholar listening to the teachings of sages, surely holds certain expectations in his heart, hoping for peace in the country and happiness for the people. To achieve all this, besides conquering lands and battles, the most important thing is to establish a set of human order, and the foundation of such order is the inner adherence to justice and goodness."
"But she made evil sound so justified,"
Shang Ruyi gritting her teeth said: "She cannot shatter my brother’s belief, but she is insulting it."
Yu Wenye nodded, coldly said: "It seems we overestimated her intelligence before."
"..."
"To say these things and take them as beliefs, to despise and attack those with true goodness in their hearts, is not only unwise but also shaless!"
He said, glancing at Shen Wuzheng again, murmuring: "It’s just that his reaction was a bit too intense."
Although they still had many emotions and puzzles in their hearts, by this ti, everyone was seated, and with music gradually sounding from behind the screens on both sides, a group of beautiful palace maids entered through the side door, setting wine and dishes on every table. After they withdrew, Yu Wenquan reached out and picked up a cup of wine.
Seeing this, everyone in the hall hurriedly raised their cups.
Yu Wenquan said solemnly: "Dear ministers, you all know that tonight’s banquet is to celebrate our victorious recapture of Taiyuan and the Dragon Raising Land. So, this first cup, I want to toast to the soldiers who fought bravely in this battle!"
Finished speaking, he raised his cup high, proclaiming: "The soldiers of the Dasheng Dynasty, brave and fearless, invincible!"
Upon hearing this, the ministers in the hall, filled with enthusiasm, also raised their cups and shouted: "Brave and fearless, invincible! Brave and fearless, invincible!"
For a mont, the whole hall was filled with these words, shaking the heavens!
With that said, Yu Wenquan and the others drank the wine in their cups in one go.
After finishing the wine, Yu Wenquan put the cup back on the table, and Eunuch Yu, standing beside him, imdiately stepped forward with a wine pot, filling Yu Wenquan’s cup again. Yu Wenquan picked up the cup, his gaze fell on Yu Wenqian, who was sitting closest to him in the hall. The bit of dissatisfaction and hidden anger he had just now had subsided quite a bit, and a complicated emotion erged from his deep eyes.
However, even if it erged, no one could understand it.
He said: "He Xin."
Yu Wenqian imdiately stood up: "Father."
Yu Wenquan waved his hand, motioning him to sit down, then said: "In this battle, you were the first to seize Taiyuan, a great achievent. Appointing you as Crown Prince is not only a reward for this battle but also an encouragent, hoping you understand my heartfelt intentions. This kingdom will eventually be handed over to you, you must work hard."
The entire Bai Fu Hall suddenly fell silent.
Although these words were not unexpected, most people secretly felt fortunate to have chosen the right side, while others, despite having a sense of discontent, couldn’t help but turn their heads to look at Prince Qin sitting opposite Yu Wenqian, who remained calm and had not changed his expression.
Yu Wenye looked calmly at his brother, placing both hands more steadily on the table.
It’s just that his knuckles were turning slightly white.
Even though Yu Wenqian sat back down at the table, his back was as straight as a javelin, and hearing Yu Wenquan finish, he imdiately lowered his head and said: "Thank you, Father. I will do my utmost, not letting down your expectations, nor the trust of the kingdom!"
"Good!"
For the first ti since entering Bai Fu Hall tonight, Yu Wenquan’s face showed a faint smile, raising his cup and saying: "Co, let’s drink this cup to the end, father and son!"
Thus, the two raised their cups and drank.
After this cup, Yu Wenquan seed to be in a better mood, with more smiles on his face, and continued: "And then there is your—"
At this point, he paused, as Eunuch Yu stepped forward to pour him a third cup of wine, and his gaze slightly shifted to the back of Yu Wenqian’s row of tables, where Yu Mingyue was sitting upright. However, compared to her domineering entrance into the hall earlier, she was noticeably more cautious now.
eting Yu Wenquan’s gaze, she imdiately lowered her head prudently.
With her in view, Yu Wenquan’s expression darkened again.
At this, the hall beca even quieter.
Everyone knew that the Emperor usually had three cups of wine at a banquet, and for tonight’s feast, after consideration, it was determined that the first cup would surely be in honor of the soldiers who fought on the battlefield, and the second cup would naturally be drunk together with the newly appointed Crown Prince.
As for the third cup—
From Yu Wenquan’s gaze and his unfinished words, it could be surmised.
After all, Prince Qin, the second brother, had been married for several years, but the eldest son, Yu Wenqian, was not yet married. Now, as Crown Prince, getting married and having a family to continue the Imperial Family line was no longer just the hope of the parents but his responsibility.
So, would Yu Wenquan give this third cup of wine to the person he had chosen?
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