Chapter 196 Palace Banquet

The fact that the treasury was empty seemed to be still before our eyes. In the autumn of that year, the emperor's birthday came as scheduled, and the Longevity Festival was still held with great enthusiasm.

The harem and the court had forgotten that the national treasury was still empty, or in other words, Minister Xu had to squeeze out the money for the emperor's birthday celebration no matter how hard he tried.

Just as Prince Cheng guessed, the emperor still resorted to vague tactics when he saw that his two sons' fight was so bad that they couldn't even maintain face and affection. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had already been released from the Eastern Palace, and Minister Xu had returned to the Ministry of Revenue.

If it weren't for the Fourth Prince's lost ear constantly reminding the court officials of the Yunzhou incident, the atmosphere of peace and prosperity would probably have made people forget that the Great Zhou had just experienced a war.

Everything seems to be exactly the same as it was two years ago, without any change, but the hearts of people are very different.

This year happened to be the emperor's 60th birthday. If it were not for the influence of this war, the Ministry of Rites would probably be busy with this at the beginning of the year. As soon as June began, the Ministry of Rites said, "We are honored to celebrate the emperor's 60th birthday, which is an extraordinary occasion." All officials were required to wear court robes from the beginning of June to show respect.

The capital city was already hot in June. In previous years, officials would not wear court robes unless they were attending court. One can imagine what it was like to wear court robes all day in this kind of weather.

Su Fengzhang is not a person who is afraid of heat. Every day after returning home, he can't wait to soak in water, let alone other people.

There were even elderly people who couldn't stand the heat and caught a fever, but they didn't dare to say it was because they were wearing court robes.

As a result, everyone was looking forward to the arrival of the Wanshou Festival, because after this day they could take off their court robes and no longer suffer.

On his birthday, the emperor would hold a longevity banquet in the palace. All civil and military officials in the court had to attend. In addition, all elderly people over 65 years old in the capital could attend, but they could only sit at the banquet outside the palace gate.

Not only that, officials from all over the Great Zhou sent birthday gifts to the capital, and since the beginning of the month, horse-drawn carriages have been entering the capital continuously.

At that time, Prince Cheng and Su Fengzhang were watching from the top of the restaurant. Carriages passed by, leaving deep marks on the road. The birthday gifts sent by local officials must have been extremely precious.

Prince Cheng sneered and turned to Su Fengzhang and said, "It's a waste of money and manpower."

Su Fengzhang laughed and said, "Since ancient times, the subordinates have followed the example of their superiors. It's just a matter of catering to their own preferences."

The emperor likes reputation, face, and enjoyment, so the people below will naturally think of ways to offer tributes.

Prince Cheng narrowed his eyes and laughed, not knowing what he was thinking about. "That's right... The Emperor's birthday will be in a few days. Be careful when you enter the palace."

Su Fengzhang's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously looked at Prince Cheng: "What are you going to do?"

Prince Cheng shook his head and smiled, "It's not about what I want to do, but what my good fourth brother wants to do."

The Wanshou Festival will be held in the palace. Not only will all the civil and military officials be present, but the few remaining princes will also show up. Even the concubines in the harem will rarely appear in public. What will the Fourth Prince do?

Prince Cheng only mentioned it once and didn't say anything more. Before leaving, he comforted him, "Just don't wander around after entering the palace."

Su Fengzhang felt a little relieved, but who would have thought that a few days later, the emperor suddenly issued an edict allowing officials to bring their wives, family members and children into the palace for a banquet. According to this imperial edict, Su Zhaoshi had to enter the palace with him.

Su Zhao was extremely excited when she heard this. She took out her court robes and ironed them that same day, fearing that there would be even the slightest problem.

Su Fengzhang knew what she was looking forward to, but after much deliberation, he still didn't dare to take the risk. He advised her privately, "Mom, there might be trouble on this birthday celebration. It's better to use illness as an excuse to decline."

Su Zhaoshi paused in her excitement and asked hurriedly, "What... could this be?"

Su Fengzhang shook his head and said, "It won't be a good thing after all."

"Erlang, why don't you pretend to be sick and not go." Su Zhaoshi no longer cared about her excitement and became worried.

Su Fengzhang said helplessly, "Mom, no one will say anything if you don't go, but if I don't go, I'm afraid the imperial physician will come in, and then it will be easy to cause trouble."

The emperor did not forcefully order the ministers' wives to attend, so it was understandable that Su Zhaoshi did not go. However, Su Fengzhang was different. After all, he was the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. If he was absent without reason, it would cause controversy.

Su Zhaoshi became even more worried after hearing this and whispered, "What should we do?"

Su Fengzhang smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry, Mom. I can protect myself. Remember to stay home that day and tell Erlang Huihui not to go out. No matter what happens outside, don't go out to ask."

Su Zhao nodded in agreement, but she couldn't help but feel nervous on this day. In addition, her temperature had been getting higher and higher in the past few days, and she actually fell ill from heatstroke. Su Fengzhang couldn't help but blame himself when he saw this.

When they arrived at the palace gate, Meng Ting saw that he was frowning, so he asked, "Brother Su, what's wrong with you?"

Su Fengzhang quickly changed his expression. After all, this day was the Emperor's birthday, and it would not be good if he was discovered with a bitter face. "Ignore it, it's just that my mother has a heat stroke, and I'm a little worried about her."

"The old lady is in good health on a daily basis. I believe she will be fine after a few days of rest." Meng Ting said.

Since they met, the two of them simply walked in together. Su Fengzhang glanced at him and wondered in his heart whether Meng Ting knew what was about to happen. After all, this person had always been very close to the Xu family.

But Meng Ting remained the same as usual, as if he knew nothing about today.

After entering the palace, Meng Ting lowered his voice and said, "It's so hot today, and we have to wear court robes. I wonder if everyone is in the mood to celebrate your birthday."

Su Fengzhang also whispered: "Of course there is."

Meng Ting laughed and said, "That's right. The Ministry of Rites has been preparing for several months. They don't have money for the pension, but they do have money for the birthday party."

The two looked at each other, and there was some meaning in each other's eyes. Meng Ting sighed and said in his ear: "Brother Su, you didn't like the Xu family back then, but now you see that there is some truth in your words."

Su Fengzhang hadn't seen him for a long time, and he didn't know that the rift between Meng Ting and the Xu family was so deep. You know, Meng Ting and Xu Zifeng used to have the closest relationship.

Who knew that one shouldn't talk about people behind their backs? As soon as Meng Ting finished speaking, someone came towards them. It was none other than Xu Zifeng: "Master Su, Master Meng."

Meng Ting put away his previous expression, and the two of them returned the greeting. Xu Zifeng seemed to treat them very cordially: "You two adults arrived early, why don't you go in together?"

Among the three people, Su Fengzhang, who was born in a farming family, now holds the highest official position. Although Xu Zifeng is a member of the Xu family, he is only a fifth-rank official now, but he has always been a person who takes everything into consideration.

Su Fengzhang smiled and said, "Why is Lord Xu still here? Didn't he leave with Minister Xu?"

Xu Zifeng smiled and replied, "The Minister is talking to some elders, and I, a junior, can't interrupt them."

"Oh, are all the elders here already?" Su Fengzhang asked with some surprise. After all, in such occasions, the higher the official rank and the more experienced the elder is, the later he should arrive.

"That's right. It's the emperor's 60th birthday, and the adults came here early in the morning." Xu Zifeng said with a smile.

Su Fengzhang listened and couldn't help but ponder in his heart, especially when he walked into the hall and saw Minister Xu talking with Grand Tutor Zhang, his vigilance reached the extreme.

Everyone knows that Grand Tutor Zhang is the emperor's teacher, but when the prince was young, the emperor placed Grand Tutor Zhang by the prince's side as an assistant, and his friendship with the prince was almost the same as that of Grand Tutor Chu.

However, Minister Xu is the Fourth Prince's grandfather, Concubine Xu's biological father, and the real leader of the Fourth Prince's faction.

Over the years, not only have Grand Tutor Zhang and Minister Xu been incompatible, but they have also often done things to trip each other up, and there have been many frictions between the Xu and Zhang families.

The ministers in the court looked at the two of them with strange eyes, probably because they did not expect to see the two of them having such a good time together one day.

Was it because Minister Xu, seeing that the Fourth Prince was disabled, had to give up the Fourth Prince and win over the Crown Prince, or was it because Grand Tutor Zhang was finally heartbroken by the Crown Prince's absurd behavior and softened his attitude towards the Fourth Prince?

Su Fengzhang found his seat and sat down, but his ears perked up.

On the other side, Minister Xu was all smiles as he flattered Grand Tutor Zhang, "Grand Tutor Zhang, you're wrong. Zhang Dalang is a man of extraordinary talent. He's already a juren at just seventeen, and truly deserves the title of young talent."

Zhang Taishi's voice was somewhat cold: "Minister Xu, you are too kind to praise me. Children should not be praised."

Minister Xu, however, remained standing, standing beside Grand Tutor Zhang and saying with a smile, "If a child excels, he should be praised more. Otherwise, he will have no desire to make progress in the future. Just like the two useless ones in my family, who have been in the government for many years but have yet to achieve anything."

Zhang Taishi was also puzzled, not understanding why Minister Xu was so eager to deal with him today. However, since he didn't want to offend someone who smiled at him, he still praised him, "Minister Xu's demands are a bit too high. The two Xus are down-to-earth and hardworking. If all officials in the world were like them, there would be fewer frauds and the court would be more peaceful."

Minister Xu suddenly burst into laughter, even patting Grand Tutor Zhang on the shoulder and saying, "Thank you for the compliment, Master Zhang. They still have a lot to learn."

Seeing this, many people looked at them in confusion, wondering if these two had really become better friends overnight. However, when these two were talking, no one else dared to get too close, and they had no idea what they were talking about.

Others had concerns, but Grand Tutor Chu did not. He walked over and said with a smile, "What are you two adults talking about? You seem very happy."

Just as Grand Tutor Zhang was about to speak, Minister Xu spoke up, "We were just exchanging some thoughts on parenting. Grand Tutor Zhang is truly worthy of your title, and I've learned a lot from you."

After saying this, Minister Xu actually thanked Grand Tutor Zhang before leaving. As soon as he left, Grand Tutor Chu couldn't help but frowned: "Grand Tutor, you and this Minister Xu?"

Zhang Taishi also felt strange and shook his head, saying, "I don't know what medicine he is selling in the gourd."

Grand Tutor Chu's eyes flickered slightly, and he suddenly remembered what the prince had said. Ever since the Yunzhou incident, Grand Tutor Zhang's attitude towards the prince has been much worse than before, and now it seems to be true.