Chapter 61 The Twenty-Second Palace Banquet!
Chapter 61
It was already past midnight, and soon the people in the mansion would gradually get up. Just then, they heard a knock on the door. The gatekeeper, still half asleep, asked through the door, "Who is it? What brings you here so late?"
Ye Xiren felt relieved. Hearing that everything was normal, at least nothing had suddenly happened to the Ye family, which was good.
“It’s me,” Ye Xiren said.
The gatekeeper recognized the voice and opened the door with a puzzled look. He saw Ye Xiren standing at the door carrying a lantern, and Yan Shuang holding a knife behind her...
The gatekeeper was taken aback.
Immediately, his pupils contracted, and he hurriedly opened the door to welcome her in, his face showing undisguised astonishment and disbelief: "Why is the Second Miss outside at this hour?"
Ye Xiren: "..."
She didn't bother with any more words, waved her hand, turned around and instructed Yan Shuang: "I'm home, you should go now. Don't forget to send someone to investigate what I said, it's very important."
Yan Shuang nodded and immediately disappeared into the darkness.
"What are you all doing! The second young lady hasn't returned yet, why didn't anyone tell me?"
"I don't know. Neither Master nor Madam mentioned it. I really didn't know the Second Miss hadn't returned yet, so I didn't think of it!"
"This is really..."
The sound grew fainter and fainter until it disappeared completely.
Everyone in her family was fine and didn't stay up all night worrying about her, which made her breathe a huge sigh of relief, but at the same time, something still felt off...
Ye Xiren, carrying a lantern, frowned slightly, unable to understand.
"The young lady has finally returned. The old lady has been waiting for her inside for two hours."
The young lady was not home all day. Xuechan almost closed the courtyard gate and went to sleep last night. It was only when the old lady came over that they realized Ye Xiren had been gone all day and had not returned.
The master and mistress hadn't noticed and had already retired for the night. Xuechan originally wanted to go to the main courtyard to report and have someone go out to look for them, but the old lady stopped her, saying that they should just wait.
Ye Xiren was startled and immediately quickened her pace, her face full of anxiety. "Grandmother, don't wait for me! I'm fine. You're old, how can you stay up all night?"
Although Zhao came from a family of military generals, she had developed a fondness for Buddhism at some point and was always bowing to the Guanyin statue in the Buddhist hall, rarely coming out for a long time.
"I was worried about you. It's good that you're back." Zhao Lanjun was relieved, but her face showed exhaustion as she stood up, supporting herself on the armrest of the chair.
Ye Xiren was very worried and went forward to help him up.
“Grandmother…” Ye Xiren’s eyes reddened, “I’m sorry to have worried you.”
Zhao Lanjun shook her head, patted the back of her hand, and the warmth of her palm transferred heat along the cold back of her hand. Her eyes were full of affection as she looked at her.
"Grandmother doesn't know what you're doing, but our girl is sensible and well-behaved. I'm sure there's a reason for everything she does. Grandmother just wants to remind you that your safety is the most important thing. Don't come home so late again."
Ye Xiren nodded emphatically in agreement.
Returning home late at night, she found someone waiting for her, offering gentle words of advice. This warmth was the most precious thing in her life, the meaning of her existence.
"Go to sleep. You must be tired after a long day. I'm going back to Changshou Hall." Zhao Lanjun reached out her hand, and the old nanny beside her stepped forward to support her. Ye Xiren wanted to see her off, but she was stopped by Zhao Lanjun.
"It's alright." She let go of his hand.
Ye Xiren took two steps forward and watched as Zhao was helped away, walking along the corridor towards the Longevity Hall at the back. A pang of sadness welled up in her heart. These were her family. With their care and love, she felt boundless courage and fearlessness.
After Zhao left, Xuechan stepped forward: "Miss..."
"Go wash up." Ye Xiren looked away.
She was exhausted from the day, her body felt increasingly heavy, and she was so sleepy that she could barely keep her eyes open. She didn't want to think about anything; she just wanted to close her eyes and get a good night's sleep.
Xuechan practically helped her finish washing up, and Ye Xiren fell asleep immediately. Xuechan lowered the gauze curtain, her eyes filled with barely suppressed worry.
During the day, Ye Changming had said that he would go to Ye Xiren as soon as she returned, but he didn't ask her again. Xuechan saw that it was almost dawn and didn't take it to heart, so she put the matter aside.
The sixth day of the third lunar month, at the hour of Si (9-11 AM)
Ye Xiren felt as if she were trapped in a nightmare. She forced herself to open her eyes and sit up. She wondered if the refugees outside the city had settled down, what that madman Chi Zhanlan Ce had done, and whether there would be another food shortage in Nandu. With the refugee crisis now escalating, the court would probably be even more anxious to negotiate peace...
Where exactly is the way out?
One thing after another weighed on her, like mountains, making her restless even in her sleep. Her body felt suffocated by the weight, and although she desperately wanted to wake up, she couldn't open her eyes.
When I finally sat up, my vision went black and white in waves. It took me a long time to recover and my vision finally cleared.
However, before anyone could scout out the situation outside, Ye Xiren was shocked:
"A palace banquet?"
She wondered if she had misheard. It was all so puzzling. Why would a palace banquet be held today?
"I don't know." Xuechan shook her head, her eyes blank. "Our Great Liang Dynasty has no empress. Since His Majesty ascended the throne, there has never been a palace banquet where women could enter the palace together."
Ye Xiren let Xuechan help her get dressed and do her simple makeup before rushing to the front yard to inquire about the news.
"father!"
Ye Xiren entered the main courtyard, her brows furrowed: "Why would a palace banquet be held suddenly?" The situation outside is already so bad, and the Great Liang is under immense pressure. How could His Majesty have the mood to hold a palace banquet at this time?
"Don't rush, eat something first." Ye Pei pulled her over and shook his head. "Early this morning, Prime Minister Jiang requested permission to go to the Imperial Prison to retrieve Chi Zhan Lan Ce and send him to the Northern Yan embassy. Afterwards, I don't know what they said, but an imperial decree for a palace banquet came down. I just had someone inquire about it, and it turns out that Daliang and Northern Yan are about to resume peace talks. Prime Minister Jiang and Chi Zhan Lan Ce have already agreed on some of the terms."
Ye Xiren's pupils contracted.
So fast?!
She knew that there were refugees everywhere outside and food shortages in the Southern Capital, so Jiang You's determination to negotiate would only be stronger. However, she did not expect that they would reach an agreement on some conditions so quickly. The palace banquet was like the beginning of the peace talks, showing that the Great Liang welcomed the Crown Prince of Northern Yan.
Thinking back to the news I learned yesterday...
Ye Xiren clenched her sleeves. What could those "partial conditions" be that required all the women to go?
Ye Pei and the others had already eaten. Liao Changying handed her the bowl and chopsticks and then instructed someone to add more dishes: "It's the season for bamboo shoots now. Tell the kitchen to hurry up and add more dishes for the Second Miss."
[Northern Yan is genuinely seeking peace and will no longer mention the killing of General Yan. However, Chi Zhanlan Ce requests the Emperor's blessing to marry Miss Ye.]
Ye Changming also suddenly remembered.
How could they forget something so crucial?!
"Is Chizhan Lance here for Xixi at today's palace banquet?" Ye Changming stood up abruptly, incredulous. "Damn it, was the condition that Jiang You negotiated yesterday, which Chizhan Lance proposed, to exchange a letter of withdrawal and provisions for a marriage decree?"
Ye Pei's eyes turned cold, and he said, word by word, "Xixi, don't be afraid. Even if it means defying the imperial decree, your father will not allow you to marry the Crown Prince of Northern Yan!"
What good could it be if a Northern Yan man with whom he has a grudge asks to marry Ye Xiren? He might sacrifice himself, but he wouldn't send his daughter to her death.
Looking at her worried family members, and remembering her grandmother waiting in the courtyard last night, Ye Xiren gradually calmed down and shook her head: "It's alright, so be it. I'm not afraid."
Disobeying an imperial decree is a capital offense. Since Chi Zhanlan Ce is willing to exchange provisions and a letter of withdrawal for a decree to grant marriage, then let's give it to him!
Ye Xiren did not believe that the peace talks would succeed, nor would Yan Danqing allow them to succeed. By the time a way to break the deadlock was found, it would be the day of Chi Zhanlan Ce's death, and the marriage agreement would naturally be ineffective.
When she first stopped Yan Danqing from killing Chi Zhanlan Ce in the previous cycle, she knew what she would face.
Trading a marriage decree that was destined to fail for provisions and a handwritten letter is a worthwhile trade. If it's real, the provisions can save lives; if it's fake, then we'll know Chi Zhanlan Ce's whereabouts.
Unable to find a way out, they delved deeper into the situation to find out what Chi Zhan Lan Ce was up to!
Moreover...
We cannot go to war right now; we must stabilize Northern Yan and the refugees. As for the arranged marriage, she has no choice but to accept it.
Ye Changming scratched his head, quite annoyed: "Why is he only targeting Xixi? He's the Crown Prince of Northern Yan, and Northern Yan has many noble ladies. What's he doing coming here to ask for her hand in marriage? He even put on a palace banquet, making a huge fuss!"
Chi Zhanlan is insane!
If the commotion gets too big, it will damage Xixi's reputation. Even if the engagement is later nullified, she is still a woman who was engaged to the Crown Prince of Northern Yan. The Ye family truly loves Xixi and doesn't care.
But what about outsiders?
Just thinking about these things makes Ye Changming want to "disobey the imperial decree" and even stab Chi Zhanlan Ce to death!
Ye Xiren twitched the corner of her mouth and laughed, "We'll find out what he's up to at the palace banquet."
Just then, the dishes were served, and she picked up her chopsticks, only to find that they were bamboo shoots. She quickly turned her chopsticks to the cold dishes next to her, and ate a few bites to get by, not wanting her family to worry.
She turned her head and gave instructions to the servants.
Ye Xiren frowned.
Last time, her father also put bamboo shoots on her plate, but for some reason, this strange feeling came back again...
Stared at by three pairs of worried eyes, Ye Xiren shook her head to clear her mind of the chaotic thoughts and emphasized again, "I'm really not afraid. It's just an arranged marriage, right? As long as I pretend it doesn't exist, it won't affect me!"
I wonder how Spring Day will react?
In the past cycles, Yan Danqing remained calm no matter how he died, but it seemed that every time he learned that Chi Zhanlan Ce was asking for a marriage decree, he would do something rather crazy.
Ye Xiren was somewhat worried.
She asked Ye Pei and Ye Changming, but neither of them had received any news from Yan Danqing; he had disappeared without a trace.
Even after entering the palace in the afternoon, Yan Danqing was still nowhere to be seen.
"Still no news of General Yan?" Ye Xiren lifted the carriage curtain and asked anxiously.
Ye Changming rode back from the front and shook his head: "No, I just inquired. General Yan hasn't appeared in the palace all day, inside or outside. I don't know where he went. No carriages from the General's Mansion entered the palace today. General Yan hasn't returned since yesterday!"
Ye Xiren's heart sank.
It seems Yan Danqing hasn't returned since leaving the city at midnight today. What did he do? Did he find any clues among the refugees?
Ye Xiren couldn't help but feel a little worried, biting her lip. At this moment, the coachman pulled on the reins and led the carriage to the side, obviously because they had encountered someone of higher status and wanted to avoid them.
Ye Changming also moved aside.
The carriage clattered and stopped abruptly as it passed Ye Xiren. The curtain was lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles, and the person inside looked at Ye Xiren with a smile. The setting sun shone on his face, his eyebrows and eyes relaxed, and his fox fur coat made his face look as white as jade. What a handsome young man, pure and bright.
His gaze fell on the face of the person opposite him, his eyes seemed to see only her, brimming with joy, and his voice was exceptionally gentle:
"Second Miss Ye!"
However, Ye Xiren trembled upon seeing this person.
Ye Changming immediately stepped forward and stood between the two carriages, his eyes wary.
Red Cup Orchid Strategy!
He rested his hand on the car window, his smile unchanged, as if he hadn't noticed their guard up. He was only staring at Ye Xiren's face, and even though she was backlit, he could still see her clearly.
"It's been so long since I've seen Miss Ye Er. Lan Ce has missed her terribly." Chi Zhan Lan Ce smiled slightly.
The last time we met was on the fourth day of the third month, in the imperial prison.
Ye Xiren protected herself well and left after a brief meeting. He had been in the imperial prison all day yesterday, so his feelings for Ye Xiren should have ended on the fourth day of the third month.
But...
Since waking up today, he has been thinking about Miss Ye Er. Her face is in his mind, and he can't shake it off. Now that he sees her, he feels pain in several parts of his body at the same time, as if he is being seriously injured, and his heart is aching.
The strange feeling when he saw Ye Xiren on the third day of the third month grew stronger, and he trembled all over, which was...exciting.
Ye Xiren: "..."
She instinctively shrank her neck. She had killed Chi Zhanlan Ce more than once, but seeing a living person now, she still couldn't help but feel a little scared.
There was no way around it; Chi Zhanlan Ce was too clever, leaving too deep a psychological scar on people.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Chi Zhanlan Ce leaned out and invited, "Miss Ye, would you like to get into Lan Ce's carriage and we'll go to the palace together?"
As if afraid she would worry, he explained, "The carriage is the one used by the Emperor of Liang, and it is very spacious."
Spaciousness and comfort are just superficial; what he really wants to emphasize is safety. He is being watched by the people of Daliang, and Ye Xiren is also safe in his carriage; nothing will happen to her.
"No need."
"Shall I go over there?" Chi Zhanlan Ce pretended to get down.
Ye Changming glared and immediately reined in his horse to block the entrance, his refusal clear: he would not let him get on the carriage.
Chi Zhanlan was somewhat disappointed.
He glanced deeply at the lowered carriage curtain; the person inside was no longer visible. He shook his head and looked away, his eyes filled with an unwavering ambition. His voice was calm:
"Go ahead and hide, let's see how long you can hide."
The sound of hooves rang out, and the wheels made a "rolling" sound as they finally moved away. Countless carriages were already blocking the way behind them, but His Majesty's carriage was in front of them, so no one dared to get close. They could only send people to inquire in secret.
Ye Changming patted the car window reassuringly, "He's gone."
Ye Xiren breathed a sigh of relief.
The cycle must have left its mark on Chi Zhanlan Ce!
Although he couldn't remember the specifics, some perceptions etched into his soul remained with him. Last time, the cycle killed him once, and this time, Chi Zhan Lan Ce's attitude towards her seemed even more "close" than before.
That's really dangerous.
She needs to find a way to guard against it...
In the other carriage, the only one still able to serve was Ayou, who said angrily, "Your Highness is so kind, this Miss Ye is really too ungrateful!"
Chi Zhanlan Ce gave her a cold look and scolded:
"She's your future mistress, be polite to her!"
Ayou was startled and hurriedly lowered his head to admit his mistake. After a while, he cautiously raised his head and tentatively asked in a soft voice, "Your Highness, do you really intend to marry her?"
Wasn't it all a scheme all along?
Yes, their prince's attention is now entirely on this woman...
Chi Zhanlan closed his eyes, seemingly recalling the Second Miss Ye again. A sharp pain shot through his neck, chest, and limbs. His fingers rubbed together, a smile playing on his lips as he murmured:
"Of course, I like her very much."
One carriage after another headed towards the palace, but Ye Xiren still hadn't seen Yan Danqing. Her anxiety and doubt grew stronger. Where had he gone? Did he even know there would be a palace banquet today?
Just as the carriage was about to arrive, a figure suddenly darted into it.
Ye Xiren was startled. She had already drawn her knife and was about to swing it fiercely at the newcomer. Could it be that Chi Zhanlan Ce had sent someone to kill her?!
Yan Shuang grasped her hand and shook her head:
"It's me."
Before Ye Xiren could ask, he handed her what he was holding: "The general already knows that today's palace banquet is for the purpose of bestowing a marriage, but he is currently busy and asked me to give this to you."
A note, a box.
Ye Xiren took the box with a puzzled look, placed it on her lap, opened the note first, and stared wide-eyed when she saw what it contained.
This...this...
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Author's note: I don't know which cycle it's on, so I'll just check the table of contents, haha.
The transition is over, time to go straight into the story!
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