romantic affairs

On New Year's Day, a palace banquet was held. Jiang Jin saw Lou Xuan sitting in a high position, while Wei Shu sat below Emperor Wende. That position had always been reserved for favored ministers. If Jiang Jin were Lady Wei, she could also sit next to Wei Shu, but today she was only Jiang the Registrar and could only sit far away.

"Recorder Jiang." Jiang Jin heard a woman's voice beside him. Wang Wu Niangzi stood behind Jiang Jin with a smile.

"Your subject greets the Third Prince's Consort." Jiang Jin carefully observed Wang Wu Niangzi's complexion; it seemed she was in relatively good spirits, suggesting that her time at the Third Prince's residence hadn't been too difficult.

"Please have a seat, Registrar Jiang." Wang Wu Niangzi simply wanted to see what the woman who attended court alone was like. She had initially thought she would be a sharp and outspoken woman, but she hadn't expected her to appear so gentle yet possess such a strong inner strength.

"Princess Consort, please take care." Jiang Jin sat down at the table. This was her first time attending the palace's New Year's Day banquet. In previous years, it was her parents who would attend. Jiang Jin glanced ahead and met her mother's worried gaze.

"My lord, isn't it inappropriate for your second mother to sit there alone?" Although Jiang's mother also blamed Jiang Jin for not following the rules, she was still worried because she had raised him herself.

“What’s wrong with that? She’s a ruthless killer. You should worry about these civil officials instead of her.” Jiang Luo finished speaking, took a sip of wine, and then looked away from Jiang Jin.

The New Year's Day banquet followed the old customs, but unlike previous years, this year's banquet was organized by the Imperial Concubine. Princess Zhaoyang only arranged the seating and did not interfere in anything else.

"At the beginning of the New Year, your son wishes the Great Yan Kingdom peace and prosperity, its people a life of happiness and contentment, and Your Majesty eternal enjoyment of this glorious era!" Lou Xuan rose and offered a cup of wine to Emperor Wende. The Crown Prince followed Lou Xuan, rose, glanced at Duke Dou, and also uttered auspicious words.

"Father, my elder sister and brother have already said all the auspicious words. How about I present you with something auspicious instead?" The Third Prince waved his hand, and an object covered with a red cloth was carried into the hall.

The third prince reached out and pulled down the red cloth, revealing the jade sculpture of Emperor Wende to everyone.

"Father's governance is excellent, and the people live in peace and prosperity. Therefore, I wrote this petition and commissioned the carving of this statue of Father." The Third Prince personally handed over the petition. Emperor Wende looked at the handwriting; although the characters were different, the brushstrokes were still discernible.

"That's kind of you, but let's not do things that waste resources and manpower anymore." Emperor Wende looked at the Fourth Prince's eager expression with a calm demeanor.

"Fourth Prince, judging from your appearance, you've also prepared something for Father Emperor?" The Fourth Prince chuckled and had a screen brought in. "Father Emperor, your son is short of money, so instead, Third Brother had the embroiderers in the manor embroider a 'Hundred Wealth' pattern for you, wishing you wealth and good health, and wishing the Great Yan Kingdom prosperity and strength."

Seeing his younger brothers displaying their unique talents, Lou Xuan felt a surge of anticipation for Lou Zuo.

"Father, I know that you dislike extravagance and do not wish for the people to suffer. Therefore, I have personally copied Buddhist scriptures and placed them in temples, praying that Heaven will bless our Great Yan with peace and happiness, and that you, Father, will live a long and worry-free life!"

The Fifth Prince's men presented scrolls filled with his handwriting. Emperor Wende examined them to confirm there was no forgery before smiling. "Not bad, that's thoughtful. I remember the Western Regions sent a pair of agate ornaments as tribute; send them to the Fifth Prince's palace."

Seeing Lou Zuo's unhurried demeanor, Lou Xuan became even more curious about Lou Zuo's congratulatory gift.

"Father, my brothers' proposals are all quite original, and I feel ashamed. I am willing to cede a year's worth of tax revenue from my fiefdom of Lanzhou to subsidize the people. This is my way of contributing to their peaceful and prosperous lives." Looking at Lou Zuo's smug expression, Lou Xuan knew without a doubt who had come up with this idea.

"It is a blessing for our Great Yan that the Crown Prince cares so much for the people. I have a glass crown from my private treasury sent to the Crown Prince's residence." Lou Xuan was about to sit down when he saw the Second Princess and her consort rise.

"Your subject, along with your son-in-law, wishes Emperor Wende a long and prosperous reign." The Second Princess's personal maid presented Emperor Wende with a string of pearl beads.

Your Majesty, I have specially sent people to the South China Sea to search for this cloud-shell pearl. Legend has it that carrying it on one's person can prolong life, so that I can always stay by Your Majesty's side.

Not to be outdone, the Third Princess specially presented a double-sided embroidery from Jiangnan, saying, "Father has worked so hard for the Great Yan and has never seen the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan. So I had this double-sided embroidery made to present the beauty of Jiangnan to Father."

The Third Princess glanced at Lou Xuan and then at Chang Yi below her, a hint of smugness creeping into her heart. "I wonder what eldest sister has prepared for Father Emperor? I heard that Father Emperor bestowed Bianzhou upon you as his fiefdom. How will you repay Father Emperor?"

Lou Xuan chuckled as she looked at the Third Princess. “Suzhou embroidery is famous throughout the Great Yan, and this double-sided embroidery is the finest among them. I see that the silk thread is made of jade-faced silkworm silk. The silk alone must be worth ten thousand gold pieces, not to mention the craftsmanship. Although you have received Bianzhou as your fief, you are not a person who indulges in pleasure.”

Lou Xuan stepped down the steps and stood beside the Third Princess. “Commander Chang came from a poor family. In his childhood, he had to paint and write letters for others to earn money for private school. Your son believes that our Great Yan should never allow talented people to give up the imperial examination for money. Your son used his own private funds to open ten private schools in Bianzhou to teach poor students for free.”

Lou Xuan stood before the hall, feeling Dou Gong's piercing gaze for the first time, but her face remained completely expressionless.

"You should all learn more from Zhaoyang. All you do is indulge in pleasure every day. This private school is quite well built. My Zhaoyang has such ambitions, how could I, as his father, not show him any support?" Emperor Wende pretended to think for a moment and then pointed to Liang Jia Dalang, who was sitting at the end of the table.

"There should be a young master from a respectable family who is an assistant instructor at the Imperial Academy. Let Doctor Liang help build a new private school at Zhaoyang Academy." Emperor Wende made the final decision, forcefully elevating the eldest son of the Liang family to the rank of sixth grade.

"Your Majesty and Princess Zhaoyang will certainly share your burdens, and do my part for the private school and the poor families of the world." Looking at Lou Xuan standing before the hall, and then thinking of his newly engaged Jiang Ru, Liang Langjun made his decision.

"Indeed, I have a pearl that perfectly suits you. I'll have Lin Ben deliver it to your palace." Emperor Wende smiled and beckoned Lou Xuan back to his seat.

"Alright, it's New Year's Day, everyone please don't be shy." Emperor Wende raised his cup, and the officials followed suit. Jiang Jin also raised his cup, watching the dancers slowly enter.

"This New Year's banquet is truly magnificent; even the dancers' skills are so impressive." Jiang Jin wasn't an expert in dance, but that didn't stop her from admiring the movements. Just as the atmosphere was harmonious and the emperor and his ministers were enjoying themselves, Jiang Jin noticed that the Crown Princess's face was somewhat pale.

Lou Zuo glanced at the Crown Princess, then smiled and scolded, "If you don't want to attend the New Year's Eve banquet, you should go back to the palace early. If Father Emperor sees this, he'll think you're dissatisfied." The Crown Princess quickly put on a dignified smile.

"I understand," the Crown Princess said, forcing a smile as she watched the singing and dancing in the hall. Lou Xuan had also noticed what was happening.

"Father, I also need to change my clothes. Perhaps the Crown Princess could accompany me?" Lou Xuan said softly to Emperor Wende.

"Then let your sister-in-law accompany you." Emperor Wende, having also noticed the Crown Princess's pale face, continued along with Lou Xuan's words.

Lou Xuan and the Crown Princess's departure caused little disturbance; the singing and dancing continued as usual. Jiang Jin also excused herself, saying it was a bit stuffy, and left the hall.

The cold wind outside cleared her head a bit. Seeing Xueya standing under the eaves in the distance, Jiang Jin knew that Lou Xuan and the Crown Princess were probably inside.

"Lady Xueya?" Jiang Jin pretended not to know and looked at Xueya.

"Greetings, Registrar Jiang." Xueya nodded to Jiang Jin; with countless spies in the palace, she couldn't afford to give herself away.

"It's a bit stuffy inside, so I came out for some fresh air and won't disturb Princess Zhaoyang anymore." Jiang Jin quickly left and went to a secluded spot by the rockery.

She couldn't bring her bodyguards to the palace banquet, and even the bracelet Lou Xuan had given her was stored away in a box. All she had left were the sleeping potion and the ring.

"What's the rush!" Jiang Jin was about to go out when she heard a woman's voice from outside, "There's a rockery inside, let's go in and talk."

Jiang Jin glanced around and quickly hid behind a corner of the rocks, praying that the two people were blind and wouldn't look over.

"Mi'er is getting more and more beautiful. Your husband has missed you so much since we last saw you." Jiang Jin closed his eyes, but the seductive voice still reached her ears.

"My lord, when will you be allowed to enter the court?" the woman asked breathlessly, her words filled with anticipation.

"Why are you so eager to become my concubine?" Jiang Jin's eyes widened; the man outside was actually a prince.

"My lord, you say that because you are so wise and powerful, I wish to stay by your side every night!" the woman exclaimed, then covered her mouth.

"Mi'er, why be shy? There's no one here. I love your voice. Let the eldest and third brothers fight it out, and the second brother isn't a legitimate heir, and the fifth brother isn't even grown up yet. Then I'll be all alone in the court!" The man's voice, accompanied by the woman's panting, filled the entire cave.

Jiang Jin dared not make a sound. If she hadn't wanted to avoid trouble, she would have already knocked out the two people in front of her.

After an incense stick's time, the noise finally subsided, and after a few more rustling sounds, the artificial hill returned to silence. Jiang Jin waited a while longer before daring to leave.

She happened to run into Xueya, who had come looking for her. "My lady, are you alright?"

Xueya breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that Jiang Jin was unharmed. "His Highness and the General sent many people to look for you because you hadn't returned for so long."

"I watched a play while hiding in the cave. Tomorrow, I have something to tell Her Highness at the clothing workshop." Jiang Jin breathed in the fresh air and felt her soul relax.

"Why is there a stain on your official robe, my lady?" Xueya asked, noticing some mud on Jiang Jin's skirt.

"I'll trouble you, Lady Xueya, to send someone to have my maid fetch the new official robes from the carriage. I'll go to the palace at the front to change; it wouldn't be good if someone saw me." Jiang Jin felt a pang of annoyance.

"Then please be careful, my lady. I'll go and report to His Highness and the General." Xueya hurriedly left, and Jiang Jin also slipped into the side hall. As soon as she pushed open the door, Jiang Jin knew something was wrong; the room was filled with mist, indicating that someone was bathing there.

"Recorder Jiang, since you're here, why don't you help me get my clothes?" A familiar voice rang in Jiang Jin's ears, sending a chill down her spine.