Tang Ze laughed and said, "It's not just missing out on the excitement, it's missing out on a once-in-a-decade spectacle."
Archery skills like Du Cheng'an's are one in a million.
Lu Cheng looked regretful for missing out on the excitement.
Tang Ze asked, "You're back so quickly, is your mother alright?"
Lu Cheng said, "My mother is fine, but my father has a minor ailment. Doctor Tao prescribed some medicine for him."
Thankfully it was a false alarm; it was just a minor ailment that gave Dr. Tao a fright.
When it was time to start the banquet, everyone headed to the Linde Hall, where the banquet was to be held.
On the right, Xie Jingyan held Shen Wan's hand, while on the left, Shen Du held Princess Huai'an's hand.
Prince Yanping and Tang Ze walked behind, suffering greatly.
It's already enough for one couple to be showing off their love, but two couples doing it together is even more overwhelming.
Having a wife is nothing special.
Fortunately, his marriage is already arranged, and if all goes well, he will get married next month.
He'll be showing off his love all the time, whether he has something to do or not, and he'll make everyone who sees it choke.
After entering the Linde Hall and taking their seats, everyone was still discussing Du Cheng'an's divine archery skills, and no one could help but envy the eldest son-in-law.
It was already incredibly lucky that the son was found after being lost for nineteen years. Even more fortunate was that his talent was not wasted, and the humble hunter managed to raise the young master into a capable man. On the contrary, the young master Du, who died unexpectedly, enjoyed all the riches and honors that were not his due, but he was neither good at literature nor martial arts, and his character was corrupt.
The officials and their families took their seats, and after about half a cup of tea's time, a hoarse voice rang out:
"His Majesty has arrived!"
The officials rose to greet the emperor.
The Emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, was so noble that he could not be looked at directly. Behind him was Empress Song, and behind that were several concubines.
The Emperor walked to the dragon throne and waved his hand, saying, "Rise, all of you."
Everyone then stood up.
Everyone else sat down only after the Emperor had taken his seat.
At that moment, the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and the dancers went on stage to perform.
After about two jumps, another hoarse voice came:
"The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
Everyone rose again to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager is the Emperor's birth mother, and when she arrives, the Emperor must rise to greet her.
The Empress Dowager was all smiles, even happier than on her birthday.
The Empress Dowager bore two sons and one daughter for the late Emperor: the Emperor, Prince Cheng, and Princess Huyang.
The Emperor, needless to say, has many children, but Prince Cheng and Princess Huyang have far fewer offspring. Prince Cheng only has one son and one daughter. Prince Cheng's heir was sickly from birth, and Princess Huyang almost died in childbirth, suffering greatly. Not only that, her child was also stolen and she loved the son of her enemy for nineteen years.
When the incident happened, the Empress Dowager's hair had turned quite white. Now that her beloved grandson has been found and is quite talented in archery, the Empress Dowager is very comforted.
Du Cheng'an demonstrated his archery skills to everyone. The Empress Dowager didn't get to see it, but she was delighted to hear that the Emperor had bestowed his treasured bow and arrows upon Du Cheng'an.
There was also Crown Prince Seong, who went to Huguo Temple to recuperate, and his condition improved greatly. The Queen Mother was looking forward to the day when Crown Prince Seong would recover.
When you're in a good mood, you naturally feel energetic.
The banquet was lively and bustling, something everyone was already used to, but for Du Cheng'an and his sister, who were attending a banquet for the first time, it was a novel experience from beginning to end.
Princess Huyang whispered to her son, "Many young ladies from prominent families have come to the banquet today. See if there's anyone you like, and I'll go and propose marriage to them for you."
To...to get married...?
Du Cheng'an blushed as red as a boiled crab.
He shook his head rapidly.
He knew that his status was now noble, no longer that of a lowly hunter's son. However, he felt unworthy of these ladies from noble families. He had once been awestruck by the daughters of the prefect, and if he had taken a second look at one, he would have almost had his eyes gouged out.
These young ladies from prominent families looked far more noble than the daughter of the prefect; he didn't even dare to glance at them, yet his mother still insisted he choose…
The eldest prince consort held Princess Huyang's hand and said, "An'er is still young, there's no rush."
How can it be small?
I'll be twenty in six months.
However, since the eldest son-in-law said so, Princess Huyang didn't say anything and enjoyed the song and dance.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and the revelry, the emperor and his ministers enjoyed themselves immensely.
The banquet lasted for more than an hour before it ended.
After respectfully seeing the Emperor off, everyone filed out and headed towards the exit of the palace.
Shen Wan and Xie Jingyan had only walked a dozen steps when Eunuch Xiao Xizi came over and said, "Princess Ling, His Majesty requests your presence in the Imperial Study."
Shen Wan's lips twitched.
Then, taking a roundabout route, they went to find Xie Jingyan through her.
Can't this father and son stop being so awkward?
Xie Jingyan knew the Emperor wanted to see him, but what good was knowing? He couldn't let Shen Wan go alone, so he had no choice but to go with her.
Xie Jingyan accompanied Shen Wan to the Imperial Study with a displeased expression.
As they walked, Princess Huyang and her husband came out of the palace. Xu Changle followed obediently behind them. Du Cheng'an was not there; he had already gone to play with the Prince of Yanping and the others.
Princess Huyang said, "An'er trusts the eldest son of the Duke of Tan's mansion and the others more than you and I, his parents."
The eldest son-in-law said, "They saved An'er's life, how could we not trust them?"
"Their friendship with An'er has nothing to do with An'er's identity."
Princess Huyang said, "An'er didn't grow up by our side, but she has made a few true friends. I'm happy for An'er."
The eldest son-in-law said, "So, you don't object to An'er becoming friends with the Prince of Yanping and the others?"
Princess Huyang scolded playfully, "When have I ever objected to An'er associating with them?"
"It's good that you don't object," said the Imperial Son-in-Law. "I have something to discuss with the Emperor. You go and keep the Empress Dowager company. I'll come to pick you up in a bit."
What business did he have with the Emperor?
Princess Huyang wanted to ask, but the eldest son-in-law had already left.
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