The banquet was held in the Huiguang Hall next to Qujiang Pool. August is the hottest time of the year, and the clothes that had just been changed into were soon soaked with sweat.
None of the guests felt uncomfortable. The palace was the most luxurious place in the empire; there was nothing that could not be done, only things that people could not imagine.
Qujiang Pool boasts beautiful scenery and sparkling waters. Occasionally, a refreshing lake breeze blows, thanks to the fact that along the lakeside, every few steps there is an ice chest, and blocks of ice that are priceless can be found everywhere here.
Ling Xiao entered the palace early and, with the help of palace servants, secured a good spot—a secluded place where she could observe everything that was happening. She waited with great interest for the banquet to begin.
Royal relatives and court officials took their seats one after another, followed by the empresses and princes who arrived late.
The palace servants, heads bowed, listened as Ling Xiao's lips moved slightly, "1, 2, 3..."
What is going on? The palace servants were puzzled.
When the emperor arrived at the banquet, he was alone with a cold expression, showing no sign of joy.
The people in the hall remained silent, then rose in unison and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" The sound shook the heavens and startled the birds. The glory of the world was within reach, but the Emperor remained silent and continued to ascend the steps.
Get up.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After the ceremony was completed, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward, as no one dared to speak first, so the emperor simply closed his eyes.
He acted as if he didn't want to talk to anyone.
Of course, he was the emperor, so he didn't care about the feelings of anyone below him, but the others didn't dare to make the scene look bad.
Would any idiot angrily say, "Boss, you called us here but didn't say anything. Are you playing us? This is too much!"
In front of a powerful figure who can control your life, death, honor, and disgrace, you'd better not be too stubborn or inflexible, or the emperor will let you know what it feels like to have your entire family wiped out.
"Wasn't it said that the Emperor doted on Princess Jingning the most? It doesn't seem like that now."
Asking questions, saying they're the most beloved, why don't they dare say a word?
"What do you mean by favor? It's just giving me clothes and jewelry now and then. Others see me three times a year, but you see me ten times. Compared to that, is that favor?"
Ling Xiao sneered, "Even people don't raise cats and dogs so casually. Rich people treat their cats and dogs well and spend a lot of money. But do you think the owners will tolerate their cats and dogs going against their wishes?"
"Fake affection is fine for casual conversation, but to take it seriously is just plain stupid!"
"But these are all people now, even the emperor's children and concubines," the system said.
"To the emperor, everyone has to kneel at his feet. He can do whatever he wants with them. In his eyes, being able to serve as a cat or dog is already a blessing they accumulated in their previous lives!"
The system felt a chill run down its spine. "So his reminiscence of Empress Zhangde is fake? Why is the host still going to get involved?"
Ling Xiao leaned slightly forward, smiling helplessly. "Who told the main god to be so weak? I'm a delicate young lady now, so I can only rely on the tiger's might."
"Besides... the Emperor still had feelings for Empress Zhangde—his beloved, who died young, experienced many hardships, and ultimately did not have a happy ending."
At this moment, the scene changed. After a long silence, the Crown Prince took the lead in wishing the Emperor a long life and good health, but the Emperor ignored him and didn't even open his eyes.
The Crown Prince remained smiling and gentle, and under his arrangement, the atmosphere finally warmed up.
The officials and relatives chatted and laughed, occasionally casting admiring glances at the Crown Prince.
If the emperor is too domineering, the subjects will have a hard time. Who wouldn't want the next leader to be a good-natured one?
"What an idiot," Ling Xiao said coldly, her words causing the palace servant pouring the wine to tremble.
The position of crown prince was obtained in the first place without any clear reason. Knowing full well what kind of monster the emperor's father was, he still dared to challenge his authority.
So what if the atmosphere at the banquet was awkward? The emperor allowed it.
How dare you! You actually take the lead in breaking this situation to show your skill and benevolence.
Good heavens, has the Crown Prince ever considered whether his father was the kind of good father who was made famous by his son stepping on him?
Ling Xiao put himself in the shoes of his son: "Oh, so his son's wings have hardened, daring to step on his father now. Will he dare to force his way out next time? I'll take him down tomorrow!"
The emperor opened his eyes at some point and looked at the harmonious scene below.
Consort Yan happened to see this and her heart skipped a beat. Realizing that her son was too active, she gave her daughter a look.
Before Princess Jingning could even step in to smooth things over, which was something she usually did.
The emperor's expression was unreadable; after scanning the entire room, he ignored the sudden silence of the banquet and asked the person at the head of the table:
"Duke Cheng, how many days has it been since the Empress passed away?"
Without pausing, the Duke of Cheng, who had been called upon, replied directly, "Your Majesty, it has been sixteen years and three months since the Empress passed away."
No one knew what the emperor was up to.
After all, Empress Zhangde has been gone for too long, and despite the huge uproar that once occurred, it's all in the past for them.
"It's been so long," the Emperor said, seemingly sighing, then suddenly turned to look at Consort Yan. "The Empress has been fortunate enough to have the Yan family perform sacrifices for her all these years."
Ling Xiao: "The old man has become suspicious."
Consort Yan survived all these years not because of her deep cunning, but simply because the Emperor never gave her a serious thought.
The old story was originally covered up, but who knew that the dead man had a daughter left behind, who happened to have a grudge against Consort Yan.
The old emperor, tormented by self-pity, could no longer find a reason to be happy.
Consort Yan was terrified, but her expression remained calm.
"Your Majesty flatters me. Her Majesty the Empress is virtuous and kind, and has shown me great favor. This is far from enough to repay even a fraction of her kindness."
"Is that so?" the emperor asked noncommittally, his expression gentle.
"Since you are so grateful to the Empress, even your maternal family has set up her memorial tablet, then I will give you another chance to repay the Empress. What do you say?"
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