23 Soul-stealing

◎ Lu Jing was momentarily distracted when he met such a pair of eyes.◎

The banquet in Prince Zhao's palace was already half over, with dancing and music, and the guests were all having a great time.

"I offer a toast to Your Highness."

Seeing that His Royal Highness Prince Zhao looked uninterested, Xie Qian filled his glass with wine and raised it to him with a smile.

The palace's birthday banquet was grand and packed with guests for two consecutive days. Generous gifts from the palace were given to Prince Zhao's palace to add color to the birthday banquet.

His Royal Highness Prince Zhao has not returned to the capital for three years. This time he returns with a great victory. His Majesty has personally issued an order that the banquet at Prince Zhao's palace must be well organized.

Looking at the banquet, every prominent family in Kyoto was present, present and well-mannered. No family, having received an invitation, dared to deny the Zhao Palace its honor. After several months in the capital, Xie Qian had memorized every family in the imperial court. This birthday banquet was primarily intended to highlight the Zhao Palace's status in Kyoto and reassure those families still wavering.

Although the event had a stronger political dimension and was not as relaxed and enjoyable as celebrating in the army, Xie Qian thought that since it was Prince Zhao's birthday after all, he still had to have some fun.

He and His Royal Highness Prince Zhao each drank a glass of wine, and then Zhen Yuan came to offer a toast. The banquet was filled with the finest wines of the imperial court, and Lu Jing was content with no objection, drinking every toast from his good friend.

After two more pieces of music were sung, Xie Qian put down his wine cup and saw that the table opposite him was still empty.

The guest list had been set long ago, and those present in the hall were mostly young scions of prominent families. The order of seating was based on family background and official rank, with some variation depending on their closeness to Prince Zhao's palace. Lord Gu, a rising star from the Xuanping Marquisate and a prominent figure in the court, held a high position, so naturally his seat was near the front. For this reason, his seat stood out when empty.

Xie Qian frowned, wondering what had delayed Master Gu. He turned his gaze to the table in the middle, where sat Master Gu's half-brother, Gu Ningzheng. Before the banquet began, someone had asked him where Master Gu was and whether he was unwell.

Gu Ningzheng simply said, "My brother was already preparing before I left, so it should be here soon."

Master Gu rarely spoke of family matters, but Xie Qian had vaguely heard that the two brothers weren't on good terms. It made sense, after all; how many half-brothers could truly be of one mind? His other good brothers, like him, were eager to get rid of him. Xie Qian naturally favored Gu Ningxi and naturally disliked the third son of the Gu family.

Gu Ningzheng picked up a dish with chopsticks absentmindedly and ate without tasting it.

He had only intended to cause trouble for Gu Ningxi, but he hadn't expected his brother to actually not attend Prince Zhao's birthday banquet. Who had given him the courage to offend Prince Zhao like this?

Gu Ningzheng felt truly guilty. If the matter became a big deal and his family began to investigate, he would likely be implicated. It was Gu Ningxi who arrived late, yet it was he who felt the most uncomfortable.

He lowered his voice and ordered the servant, "Go back to the mansion and ask the gatekeeper to shut up."

There were already people watching the fun at the table. Not only was Lord Gu not there, but the birthday gift also didn't seem to have arrived.

What could be more important today than Prince Zhao's birthday, causing Lord Gu to delay again and again? Some even speculated, could it be that the Xuanping Marquisate was deliberately acting in this way to show their loyalty to the Crown Prince?

A new dish of cherry biro was served in the banquet hall, and Lu Jing casually picked up one and put it on the plate.

Sun Jing carefully observed the expressions of the people and told the maid to serve the dishes properly. He then found a chance to leave the palace.

He looked at his apprentice who had trotted back from the gate and asked for the fourth time, "Where is Master Gu?"

The young apprentice took a deep breath and said, "Master, I've looked everywhere, but I can't find it."

Sun Jing sighed deeply. Lord Gu was neither ill nor on official business. Even if he wasn't going to attend His Highness's birthday party, he should have given a firm word.

How could... How could I let His Highness just wait like this?

…

In Leyou Courtyard, Gu Ningxi was already washing and changing clothes. It took him some time to clean the ink marks on his cheek.

Yinlan and Yinyue, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, were both shocked. Yinlan had her period yesterday and was suffering from severe abdominal pain, so Gu Ningxi had asked her to return to her room to rest since the afternoon and not to serve in the courtyard.

It was Yinyue's turn to be on duty this morning. Since the master was already well enough for the banquet at 9:00 PM, there was no need to get up early. Yinyue, mindful of Gu Ningxi's instructions, opened the door at 7:00 PM to find the bed already made.

In Leyou Courtyard, no more than three people were allowed to enter the master's bedroom to serve. Yinyue couldn't find Master Gu anywhere, so she sent a maid to Qinlan Courtyard to inquire. They searched everywhere for Master Gu, and they were puzzled when the servant who had gone to harness the carriage returned with news from the gatekeeper that Master Gu had already left the palace with the Third Young Master for a banquet. They dismissed their suspicions, thinking that although their master and the Third Young Master didn't get along well, they always went together to the palace banquets. This was what the old master meant by a harmonious family.

Gu Ningxi scooped up some water, realizing it was that idiot Gu Ningzheng at work again. He was used to resorting to such underhanded tactics that hurt others and didn't benefit himself.

It was also her own fault. She took advantage of the fact that she didn't have to be on duty today and slept too late yesterday.

At this time, the banquet in Prince Zhao's mansion is almost over.

Gu Ningxi rubbed his brows and said, "Please change my clothes first."

"Yes, sir."

Gu Ningxi had already chosen which clothes to wear yesterday. Yinyue followed her instructions and took out the sky-blue brocade clothes embroidered with a bamboo and ruyi pattern.

Gu Ningxi tied her hair up in front of the bronze mirror, put on a jade crown, and pinned it with a green jade bamboo hairpin.

This jade hairpin was pinned on her by her mother when she came of age, and today is the second time she has worn it.

After packing everything up, Gu Ningxi carefully wrapped up the birthday gift for His Royal Highness Prince Zhao. Before leaving the room, she looked at herself in the bronze mirror again.

The sun was shining brightly as Gu Ningxi took a shortcut, preparing to leave the house through the less crowded back door. Unfortunately, his luck was truly unlucky today. Even at this hour, he encountered his grandfather and father playing chess in the pavilion in the garden.

Gu Ningxi bravely stepped forward to greet him. Marquis Xuanping sensed something was amiss: "Why are you here at this hour? The banquet at Prince Zhao's mansion has already been dispersed."

Gu Ningxi said vaguely, "My son... was delayed by something, so my third brother went to the banquet first."

Marquis Xuanping frowned, and Old Marquis Gu picked up a chess piece and said, "Then go ahead and make a proper apology to His Royal Highness Prince Zhao."

"Yes, grandson understands."

When Old Marquis Gu spoke, Marquis Xuanping naturally didn't say anything more. Only after Gu Ningxi left did he shake his head and say, "That's rather inappropriate."

His second son was already a source of worry for him, having repeatedly failed the imperial examinations and remaining a commoner. Ning Xi was also caught between the Eastern Palace and Prince Zhao's residence, facing a dilemma.

Lord Gu said calmly, "They are brothers at odds, why don't you mediate?"

Sanlang lacked talent, and despite numerous renowned teachers, he saw no improvement. Furthermore, he was the eldest son of the eldest son, and the future successor to the nobility, so the entire family's hopes rested on him, leaving him with no hope of survival.

"As for Ning Xi," said Old Marquis Gu, "as long as His Royal Highness Prince Zhao doesn't mind, there's no need for you to pursue it further."

"Father means—"

As the helmsman of the Gu family for many years, now in his seventies, he prefers to follow his intuition when doing things.

He left behind a son, and the Taoist priest's words to Ning Xi were still ringing in his ears.

After Meng gave birth to a son, he knew of the eldest son's actions. However, due to the master's prediction, he also believed that a boy would have a greater impact if he entered the court, so he acquiesced to his eldest son's concealment and raised his grandson as a boy.

But now think about it, even if I meet a wise ruler and hold the highest position in the court, I am afraid I am not worthy of the dragon and phoenix fate of "the top three in heaven".

…

The afternoon sun was dazzling. Gu Ningxi's carriage removed the sign and stopped in an alley near Prince Zhao's Mansion.

At the gate of the magnificent palace, guests had already bid farewell and gone home one after another. The officials of Prince Zhao's palace bowed and saw them off, chatting and laughing.

Without hesitation, Gu Ningxi remained hidden in the carriage. Arriving so late to Prince Zhao's birthday banquet without even saying hello... she was probably the only one who missed it. If she ran into an official she knew, she wouldn't know how to explain herself.

There was a lot of hustle and bustle in the traffic, but Gu Ningxi got out of the carriage only after the front of Prince Zhao's Mansion became completely quiet.

The invitation was still in her sleeve, but after she explained her purpose to the doorman, the guards of Prince Zhao's mansion let her in readily.

As soon as she stepped into the middle door, Sun Jing, who had received the news, hurried over from the front hall.

"Oh my Lord Gu, why are you here at this hour?"

Gu Ningxi sighed. The reality of waking up this morning was truly difficult to describe. Family disgrace shouldn't be aired publicly, and sometimes, Gu Ningxi really didn't want to be such a respectable person. But that wasn't the most important thing right now. She asked, "Is His Highness here?"

"His Highness is in the study." Sun Jing personally led Gu Ningxi out, as if he was afraid he would run away in the middle of a battle. The sun was a bit hot, so he even ordered his attendants to hold an umbrella for Master Gu.

The items in the banquet hall were removed in an orderly manner, and the servants in the palace were all busy.

When they arrived outside the study, Sun Jing said, "Master Gu, please come in."

He had already sent someone to convey that he had no intention of accompanying Gu Ningxi inside.

Gu Ningxi took the birthday gift for His Royal Highness Prince Zhao from the servant and thanked General Manager Sun.

Sun Jing stepped back and said with a smile again, "Master Gu, please."

Gu Ningxi looked at the closed study door, took a deep breath, and knocked gently.

After receiving a positive response from the inner room, she pushed the door open and walked in.

"Your Highness."

There was ice in the room, which made it very cool.

Lu Jing had already heard who was making the footsteps outside and turned the book upside down.

The seat opposite him was empty.

Gu Ningxi met his gaze and sat down guiltily. Seeing that His Royal Highness Prince Zhao did not speak, he was obviously giving her a chance to explain.

She knew she had to come up with a decent excuse, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find any that made sense. She didn't want to lie to the person in front of her, so she struggled for a moment before finally saying honestly, "I accidentally overslept this morning."

The reason sounds incredible, but it is absolutely true.

Gu Ningxi felt like she was lying, so she added a few more words: "I fell asleep in my study last night. The maids in the courtyard didn't notice me and thought I had left the house for a banquet, so... so no one woke me up."

Gu Ningxi stumbled over her explanation. It was just a nice birthday party and she didn't want to spoil the mood of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao.

Seeing the man's dejected look, Lu Jing's slight annoyance in his heart somehow dissipated.

He reluctantly agreed: "Okay."

Gu Ningxi looked up in surprise after passing the test so easily.

The two men looked at each other for a moment, putting aside what happened at the banquet.

Gu Ningxi seized the opportunity and said, "There's one more thing." She presented the wooden box to His Royal Highness Prince Zhao with both hands and said with a smile, "It's a birthday gift for His Royal Highness."

The wooden box looked quite impressive, and she had spent a full 100 yuan on it. Under normal circumstances, Gu Ningxi would not have been willing to spend such a large sum on such a useless decoration.

She was a little nervous. On Prince Zhao's birthday, every household was sending precious gifts to the Prince Zhao's mansion. Not to mention the palace itself, His Majesty seemed to want to make up for the birthday gifts from the previous two years.

She had been busy for a whole month to make this little item, and she didn't know whether His Royal Highness Prince Zhao would like it.

Gu Ningxi quietly raised her eyes and saw His Royal Highness Prince Zhao opening the wooden box.

What caught Lu Jing's eye was a waterwheel made of sandalwood, and he immediately thought of the waterwheel he had seen on the banks of the Feng River.

He went to look at Gu Ningxi, and as if knowing what he was thinking, Gu Ningxi nodded to him.

His Royal Highness Prince Zhao, who was used to seeing all kinds of rare treasures, looked at the wooden waterwheel for a long time before carefully taking it out.

This drum wheel is about two palms high, and every detail you see is delicate and lifelike.

And it is not just a beautiful and exquisite ornament, but it can actually rotate.

Gu Ningxi utilized the mortise and tenon joint technology to its fullest extent, and also applied all the new skills he learned from the wooden chariot.

What is even more rare is that each small bamboo tube hanging on the wheel is carefully carved with patterns, from Ganoderma lucidum offering good fortune to fairy peaches celebrating spring, from gold and jade presenting auspiciousness to five blessings celebrating longevity. The carvings on each tube are different, and there are a total of twenty-three tubes.

The sandalwood is shining. This is a birthday gift exclusively for His Majesty Prince Zhao on his 23rd birthday. There is no other such gift in the world.

The drum wheel was turned by water, and Gu Ningxi, ingeniously, had built a small mechanism next to it. Turning the mechanism also made the drum wheel move.

Lu Jing suddenly remembered seeing Gu Ningxi fiddling with something in the duty room a few days ago. Did he start preparing from that time?

It was hard to explain what he was feeling at the moment, but His Royal Highness Prince Zhao had already thought of it and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Gu Ningxi couldn't help but be distracted, but seeing that he seemed to like it, she felt relieved and started to smile.

The drum wheel turned slowly. What else could His Royal Highness Prince Zhao say to the person in front of him?

Gu Ningxi smiled brightly: "May Your Highness have a happy birthday, and may you enjoy everything in heaven and on earth. May this day be with you every year."

Her eyes were clear and beautiful, shining like stars. Looking at them intently at this moment, they were even more captivating.

When he met such a pair of eyes, Lu Jing was stunned for a moment.

Outside the window, the summer wind blew wildly, and the green leaves on the trees were in great disorder.

【Author’s words】

Xiao Lu: No, is there anyone speaking up for me?