Chapter 22: The Banquet Scandal - The Handsome Emperor Who Says One Thing but Means Another (Sob)
Yu Jing and Cheng Shun had a clear division of labor: Yu Jing was in charge of official business, while Cheng Shun used his strengths to entertain the emperor.
However, Ying Xi was different from the late emperor. He cherished resources and his happiness was simple. At most, he would buy a lantern or admire a flower.
Cheng Shun was very discreet when playing with the emperor, recommending only small trinkets that cost a few coins, and was afraid of being seen as a treacherous minister.
Ying Xi nodded.
"Your Majesty, look." Cheng Shun then handed the object in his hand to Ying Xi. It was a semi-transparent gauze pouch filled with flower petals, with ribbons of various colors tied at the opening.
“These are sachets prepared by your servants,” Cheng Shun said. “Your servants thought that spring will pass quickly, and flowers will bloom and then wither, but by putting the flowers in sachets, they can at least keep the fragrance for a few more days.”
The eunuch held the flower pouch closer.
Yingxi took the flower pouch and caressed it in her hands. It was made of thin, light gauze, and the gauze was crystal clear and very pleasing to the eye.
He thought of lanterns from the flower pouch, then looked down at the flower pouch in his hand, brought it to his nose and sniffed it lightly. He was pleased by the little trinket and the refreshing scent of grass and trees. He nodded.
He added, "Prepare more and distribute them to the ministers." This was also a good opportunity to win people over.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." Upon receiving the emperor's decree, Cheng Shun arranged for people to get to work.
A dozen or so flower pickers set out, each carrying a basket and with small flower shears tied to their waists, starting from Yichun Palace and proceeding in single file towards various parts of Shanglin Garden.
The eunuchs were responsible for picking flowers, filling bamboo baskets, and storing them in a side hall next to Yichun Palace.
Ying Xi glanced to the side and saw several huge bamboo baskets placed in front of the side hall. The flowers that the eunuchs had collected were being poured into the bamboo baskets.
Palace maids stood around the bamboo basket.
The palace maids carried gauze pouches in one hand and grabbed handfuls of flower petals with the other, stuffing them into the pouches until they were bulging. Then they tied the pouches with silk ribbons to bind them.
The sachets produced in this way are arranged on trays, stacked one on top of the other, gradually forming a small mountain.
Ying Xi stopped looking at the sachets and continued to look around the area. Different types of people behave differently.
He saw Zhuzhao writing poetry with some civil officials. They weren't too far away. Zhuzhao would still glance at him from time to time.
After they met at the secret location, Ying Xi deliberately avoided any further contact with Zhu Zhao. This was also for the sake of secrecy, as he was currently integrating the Dragon Martial Army, which was a major undertaking, and he couldn't let Zhu Zhao find out any more details.
As for Zhuzhao, he is his teacher. If he continues to neglect him, wouldn't that be a failure to respect his teacher?
ridiculous.
He wants to live his life.
Outdated and conservative moral values could not stop him. If they wanted him to resume his teacher-student relationship, Zhuzhao would have to completely sever ties with Li Yilong.
As for Ying Dang and Su Xueyi, they couldn't be found in the crowd. Ying Xi thought that these two were eccentric in their social interactions and couldn't get along with anyone. As long as they didn't cause trouble for her, she could let them hide wherever they wanted.
As the sun gradually rises higher, the sunlight in Shanglin Garden is just right.
At Yu Jing's command, several eunuchs came and set up a canopy above the emperor's head. The shade enveloped Ying Xi's seat.
Yichun Palace is an open building; the palace has no walls, and the surrounding environment is completely visible.
The pergola was not divided into any partitions, ensuring that the emperor could take in the vibrant spring scenery to the greatest extent possible.
"..." Ying Xi stared intently.
A cold light flashed into Ying Xi's eyes from the side, disappearing in an instant; she didn't know what it was. Not paying much attention, Ying Xi assumed it was just her imagination.
The eunuchs who had been picking flowers returned one after another from various parts of the Shanglin Garden.
We've used up enough flowers, and the sachets are almost finished.
Ying Xi glanced at the sky; it was time to call the person back to her side and boost their favorability while the event was still going strong.
Ying Xi gave the order, and the jade mirror was made accordingly.
Yu Jing took a long-handled small golden hammer and struck a small bronze gong in Yichun Palace. The sound of the gong echoed in all directions, and the court officials returned upon hearing it. Before long, the area in front of Ying Xi was packed with many people.
The maids from the side halls entered Yichun Palace, each carrying a tray filled with flower sachets. The maids curtsied in greeting.
Ying Xi said, "Springtime is fleeting, so I have specially prepared many sachets. Even if you leave Shanglin Garden later, you will still be able to take away a piece of spring."
The maids quickly set to work, handing the sachets from the tray to each minister.
The ministers took the sachets; some sniffed them, while others squeezed them. The sachets were pleasantly fragrant, filled with tightly packed petals.
The ministers said, "We thank Your Majesty for the reward. Your Majesty is benevolent, and we are deeply grateful."
Because of Ying Xi's act of distributing flower pouches, the favorability rating continued to increase behind Ying Xi's back.
Ying Xi narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.
Sweetie was humming a little tune too.
But at that moment, a scream suddenly shattered the tranquility of Yichun Palace. A court official, his face pale, rose from his seat, took several steps back, and dropped the flower pouch in his hand, the red petals falling out of the pouch.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, your Majesty..."
The gifts given by the emperor were considered imperial gifts.
Normally, officials consider it an honor to receive rewards from the emperor.
These flower pouches may look like mere accessories, but they should be handled with extreme care.
Even if the petals wither after you take it home, you still have to display a section of it and even submit a memorial to ask how to deal with it.
So this court official dared to smash the flower pouch.
In the eyes of the court officials, this was a grave offense against the emperor!
Ying Xi's expression suddenly darkened.
The official was so frightened that he hurriedly begged for forgiveness, his face even paler than before. He stammered, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I deserve to die! I shouldn't have damaged His Majesty's gift, but there was something inside..."
He hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
This finally attracted the attention of the court officials.
Several pairs of eyes focused on the ground, and people then realized that the red petals that had fallen out of the flower sac were not the flower's own color at all—they were blood.
Blood dripped onto the petals, staining half of the flower bud.
The flower sac, made of fine, gauze-like fibers, was soaked in blood, its bright red color glaringly obvious. There must be something inside the flower sac that wasn't a petal!
Instantly, this conjecture sent chills down my spine.
Bloodshed has occurred at Yichun Palace!
"Protect the Emperor." Yu Jing beckoned, and the head guard stepped forward. The guards surrounded the Emperor, drawing their swords and assuming a defensive posture.
A row of people blocked Ying Xi's way.
The head guard, dark-skinned and tall, stood with his back to Ying Xi, using the tip of his knife to pick up a flower pouch and flicking it upside down.
A red shadow flashed, and something rolled out—a blood-soaked severed finger.
Sweetie let out a startled cry!
Compared to everything Ying Xi had experienced before, this time, seeing both severed limbs and blood was something Tian Tong couldn't bear.
The severed finger had pale skin, and the bone marrow was visible through the cut, appearing a deep grayish-white. Even someone unfamiliar with wound identification could deduce that it had just been cut from a living person!
Why would a severed finger appear strangely inside a flower pouch?
Whose severed finger is this?
Too many mysteries are difficult to explain.
But one thing is certain: danger is lurking in Shanglin Garden.
Fear spread rapidly among the crowd.
***
"Your Majesty," Yu Jing leaned closer and whispered, "The discovery of a severed finger in Shanglin Garden is an ominous sign. Your Majesty is the son of a noble family, and your health is of utmost importance. It would be best to arrange for the court officials to evacuate back to their residences as soon as possible to prevent further trouble."
There's some truth to the jade mirror analogy.
Sweet Tong, standing nearby, also advised, "Your Majesty... this is a bit scary, shall we leave?"
The ministers exchanged glances in twos and threes, then stepped forward and advised, "Your Majesty, there may be danger in the Shanglin Garden. We are willing to escort Your Majesty back to Weiyang Palace as soon as possible."
More and more officials echoed the sentiment, and the same admonitions resounded throughout the Shanglin Garden.
But after being persuaded by many people, Ying Xi had a different idea—he didn't want to leave.
He had never held a flower-viewing banquet in his previous life. This was the first time, and he intuitively felt that he could discover things he had missed in his previous life.
Secondly, if anyone might be plotting against the flower-viewing banquet, the suspect would definitely be one of these ministers.
The emperor was hosting a flower-viewing banquet, and someone dared to make a fuss right under his nose. Ying Xi could not tolerate it.
He was determined to uncover the truth behind the severed finger in the flower-shaped pouch.
Ying Xi waved his hand and said, "It's just a finger being cut off. Don't worry about me. What haven't I seen?"
"The guards sealed off Shanglin Garden. Everyone remained seated, and we counted heads and searched for the source of the severed finger."
The head guard immediately replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
In an instant, guards drawn from all parts of the palace surrounded Shanglin Garden, encircling the garden.
The courtiers had different expressions; some sat calmly sipping tea, while others carefully felt the flower pouches in their hands, looking worried as if they might find something else inside.
The guards checked each seat according to the list provided by the Grand Master of Ceremonies, and when they passed an official, they first asked him to show his hand.
The fingers were intact, the person was alive, and it was indeed the person in question. The guards would make a small mark under the person's name with a charcoal stick before letting the person go.
The entire round of checks took about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Throughout this time, Tian Tong was filled with fear. If it had a physical form, it would have tugged at Ying Xi's sleeve.
Yingxi asked it, "If I stay here, will the effects of the Spring Blessing event continue?"
Sweetie weakly replied, "Yes..."
"If I could find out the reason why the flower sachet was severed, would I win more people's favor?"
Sweet Tong thought for a moment.
The allure of intelligence is irresistible to intellectual lovers, so it makes sense that the host would further increase the favorability of certain people.
Sweetie replied, "Yes."
"So don't be afraid, just think of it as me doing a new task."
Sweet Tong remained silent. It sensed that, with the enhancement of the activity's effects, the host had gathered everyone together again. Although it was terrifying, it was still continuously absorbing energy.
Sweet Tong was full of power and recalled Ying Xi's words: "Host... are you comforting yourself?"
The host always seemed cold and ruthless, but only now did Sweet Tong truly perceive the host's character. He didn't like to show off, but he was genuinely kind to people.
He's a handsome, hypocritical emperor who's the bottom, sob sob!
Sweet Tong updated Ying Xi's definition, and her response gradually became more positive: "I am not afraid of Your Majesty, I am not afraid!"
People who value relationships are easily guided.
Ying Xi, having figured out Tian Tong's temperament, chuckled slightly.
After an incense stick had burned, the head guard reported: "Your Majesty, all court officials have been checked. Their fingers are intact, and all officials are in their positions."
The officials of the Great Qin were unharmed, and the courtiers breathed a sigh of relief.
But this freshly severed finger couldn't have appeared out of nowhere, and Ying Xi was not satisfied with this result.
He looked around and saw palace maids and eunuchs standing respectfully on both sides with their heads bowed. He had a vague premonition and called to the guards, "Go check them again. Check them against the duty roster. All the palaces in Shanglin Garden must be thoroughly checked."
The head guard frowned slightly.
He hadn't expected that if it weren't for the injuries or deaths of court officials, he wouldn't have thought His Majesty would have resorted to such a large-scale military campaign.
Moreover, apart from a few favored individuals, most of the maids and eunuchs in the Qin palace were sold into the palace by their desperate families.
One more or one less... it doesn't matter much.
But His Majesty had spoken, and with the Emperor's authority above all, he, as the head of the guards, had no choice but to obey, even if it would take more manpower and time: "Your humble servant obeys!"
Shortly after the head guard left, Sweet Universe sensed a rapid increase in the favorability of certain groups towards its host. It guessed that these people were the palace maids and eunuchs of Shanglin Garden.
He treated his court officials with great favor and his servants equally.
In Tian Tong's mind, Ying Xi's image became much more impressive.
About half an hour later, the guard returned and reported to Ying Xi, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, all the servants and maids on duty in Shanglin Garden are here, and no one has lost a finger!"
All possibilities have been ruled out.
—Could it be that I've seen a ghost?!
Ying Xi was slightly surprised, and his dark gray eyes flickered in their sockets.
Impossible, someone must have been overlooked.
He subtly observed and pondered.
He glanced around at the jade mirror and saw that the usually composed chief steward looked somewhat anxious.
Ying Xi opened her lips and said, "Jade Mirror."
Yu Jing exclaimed in disbelief, "Your Majesty, Cheng Shun is not here!"
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