Chapter 22 Family Banquet
The shocking case of Liu Chengyin colluding with the prince to commit treason was like a bucket of cold water, pouring down on Emperor Nangong Yu's heart. Although he dealt with those involved with swift and decisive action, the chill of having his own flesh and blood covet his power lingered like a maggot in his bones.
He knew very well that the royal family was ruthless, but he would never let the crown prince Nangong Chengqian, who was highly expected, become a victim of this vortex of power.
Good, his good sons, can't they restrain themselves when he is still young and strong? Very good!
In order to intimidate and maintain the superficial royal family affection, an internal family banquet limited to the core members of the Nangong royal family, the emperor, empress, queen mother, crown prince, adult princes, princesses, princes, princesses and their legitimate children, was held in a low-key manner in Chonghua Palace shortly after the queen mother returned to the palace.
Dongfang Yuning heard the news, and her eyes rolled around. She immediately found a perfect excuse and tugged at the sleeve of her sister, the Queen, Dongfang Qiwu. Her voice was soft and sincere:
"Sister, this is an internal family dinner at my brother-in-law's house. All of them are from the Nangong family. As a sister-in-law... isn't it a bit inconvenient for me to attend? How about... I go back to Dongfang Mansion during the holiday? Dad and my brothers will definitely miss me!"
She blinked her big, watery eyes, trying to get away with it. Just thinking about this kind of situation made her scalp tingle! A bunch of princes, princesses, and crown princes, with wild glances and sharp words, she didn't want to be a background figure!
The emperor's brother-in-law, Nangong Yu, looked at his sister-in-law's begging look and was about to say, "It's okay, your sister is here." Before he could say anything -
"Little Princess,"
A deep and penetrating voice sounded, with an unquestionable tone. Nangong Ye had walked to her side without her knowing when, leaning forward slightly, his deep phoenix eyes locked onto her, and a dangerous arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"You may have forgotten that you will also become the new daughter-in-law of the Nangong family. The word 'Nangong' will soon be placed before your last name. What? You're so eager to treat yourself as an outsider before you even enter the family?"
The title of "little princess" was pronounced particularly clearly, with a strong sense of possessiveness and declaration.
Dongfang Yuning: [!!!]
The villain in my heart instantly exploded:
[Old man! You're setting me up again! Who is your little princess?! We haven't even started dating yet! Forced buying and selling! Feudal remnants!]
System 118: [Beep! Target person's 'Sovereignty Assertion' behavior triggered! Energy Fluctuation: Possessiveness Max! Logical closure is irrefutable! Host, accept your fate! The Hongmen Feast... ah no, the family dinner invitation has arrived, please check! (Virtual invitation glitters)]
So, a certain little thing was stuck in the luxurious family banquet in Chonghua Palace with the title of "the new daughter-in-law of the Nangong family". She wore complicated and exquisite palace clothes and sat on the soft chair next to the empress dowager. She looked well-behaved and quiet on the surface, but her heart was full of comments.
Inside the magnificent palace, the melodious sounds of stringed instruments and bamboo pipes lingered, yet they couldn't suppress the silent, undercurrent of tension. Delicious delicacies were served in glass cups and agate plates, each gleaming too brightly under the candlelight.
The air was heavy with an indescribable stagnation. Even the palace servants who moved around in the air walked very lightly, for fear of disturbing anything that should not be disturbed.
Nangong Ye turned his head, his gaze falling on the little figure beside him who was "imprisoned" by the gorgeous clothes. Dongfang Yuning, his future little princess, was leaning back bored at the moment, her pair of clear eyes scanning the faces in the hall, some majestic, some reserved, some smiling.
She was like a fawn that had strayed into a wild beast's lair, completely unaware of the dangers lurking around her. Only Nangong Ye could clearly catch a glimmer of cunning that flashed across the depths of her eyes, like a stone dropped into the center of a lake, which instantly rippled out and quickly returned to calm.
【118! 118! 】
Dongfang Yuning rubbed his hands excitedly in his heart.
[Start, start! Melon field radar on full blast! This room is full of golden 'human-shaped melon vines', pick the biggest and loudest explosion for me! Starting from that...
That woman in a crimson palace dress, with her hair covered in pearls and jade, looking at me with eyes that looked like ice! Who is she? Her eyes are so unfriendly!]
System 118's cold electronic voice responded immediately, carrying with it an uncontrollable clamor of excitement:
[Ding! Host Melon Field is online! Target locked: front row, third from left! Identity confirmed: Huaiyang Prince Nangong Yan's wife, Ruan Yutian! Keep the melons ripe, sweet, and explosive!]
Keywords: Sister-in-law! Brother-in-law! Murder for money! Occupying the magpie's nest! She climbed to the throne of princess by stepping on the corpse of her own sister, Ruan Yuru!
The moment System 118 finished speaking, the air in the entire Chonghua Palace seemed to be suddenly grasped by an invisible giant hand!
The sound of stringed instruments had quietly faded away, as if something had been strangled. The chattering and laughter, the rustling of fabric, the clinking of cups...
All the fragmented background sounds instantly vanished. Time froze, space compressed, leaving only a suffocating silence weighing heavily on everyone's heads.
Countless gazes, some filled with shock, some with anger, some with disbelief, and some with panic that was being concealed, instantly focused on Prince Huaiyang Nangong Yan and his princess Ruan Yutian like invisible probes.
The knuckles of Nangong Yan's fingers, which were holding the golden cup, turned white in an instant, and the force was so strong that it almost crushed the thin wall of the cup.
The carefully painted graceful smile on Ruan Yutian's face was like a piece of inferior wall paint, cracking and peeling off inch by inch, revealing the blue and white background underneath. Her eyes bulged slightly due to extreme fear, staring at the void in front of her, as if she had seen a ghost that was taking her life.
Emperor Nangong Yu sat upright on the dragon throne, his face still showing that half-smile and unfathomable expression, only the knuckles of his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne tightened slightly.
Queen Dongfang Qiwu picked up the teacup and took a sip elegantly, as if she was just savoring the fragrant tea, but under her drooping eyelashes, her eyes were as sharp as a knife.
The Queen Mother paused, twirling her Buddhist beads. A cold gleam like a knife flashed through the depths of her cloudy old eyes, and then she continued twirling as if nothing had happened. Nangong Ye picked up the wine glass, seemingly playing with it casually, but his eyes swept across the room sharply, taking in everyone's momentary gaffes.
In this suffocating silence, only Dongfang Yuning was completely oblivious. She even adjusted her sitting position slightly, finding a more comfortable angle, her chin in her hand, her eyes brightening astonishingly, like a small animal that had discovered a rare treasure.
[Wow! A family drama involving a sister-in-law and brother-in-law? Come on, keep talking! What happened?]
Her inner voice, filled with an almost cruel and innocent curiosity, was like an invisible awl, piercing the ears of everyone present who could hear it, especially Ruan Yutian.
The electronic sound of System 118 was particularly harsh in the silence:
[The host is wise! A cliché, but a melodramatic one! While still unmarried, Ruan Yutian had an affair with her brother-in-law, the Prince of Huaiyang, and conceived a child! To cover up the scandal, she drank a bowl of poisonous drugs, but the result... was a disaster!]
From now on, she will never be able to have children again! What kind of person is the Prince of Huaiyang? He might play around, but why would he marry a hen that can't lay eggs as his principal wife? Then he turns around and marries her gentle and virtuous sister Ruan Yuru in a grand ceremony!
Ruan Yutian's body began to tremble uncontrollably, the hem of her gorgeous palace gown rustling. She wanted to scream, to pounce and tear apart the invisible source of the "sound," but her throat was tightly gripped by an icy hand, and she could only utter the faintest, suppressed gasps.
Nangong Yan suddenly closed his eyes, and the veins on his forehead bulged like twisted earthworms.
What then? What then?
Dongfang Yuning's inner voice urged him on, with an impatient desire for a curious story.
Ruan Yuru came into the palace and gave birth to two sons and a daughter, ensuring the succession of the royal family. But how could Ruan Yutian accept this? She hated it! She hated her sister for taking away the position of princess that should have belonged to her, and she hated her sister for not being able to have children!
So, under the pretext of caring for her sister's postpartum weakness, she personally delivered nourishing soup to her every day! What a bowl of intestinal poison!
As the chronic poison entered her body, Ruan Yuru's health deteriorated day by day, becoming increasingly withered, and eventually... she passed away!
System 118's tone was up and down, as if he was narrating a wonderful play.
【hiss--】
Dongfang Yuning took a breath.
[My dear sister! Even a venomous snake isn't this poisonous! What about the Prince of Huaiyang? Is he just watching?]
[He? He knows everything!]
The system's voice was full of contempt.
[But men have such bad habits, huh! A wife is not as good as a concubine, and a concubine is not as good as a secret lover! While his sister was bedridden, he was in the palace study, behind the rockery in the garden... and rolling around with this vicious sister-in-law!
Disgusting! Even more disgusting is that the three children left behind by Ruan Yuru, the Crown Princes Nangong Lin and Nangong Pei, and the Princess Nangong Qin, were actually deceived by this vicious woman and truly regarded her as a loving mother and filial daughter, calling her "Mother Concubine" affectionately! They've taken a thief as their mother! How miserable!]
The vast amount of information swept through the hall like an invisible storm. Empress Dongfang Qiwu put down her teacup and tapped the table lightly with her fingertips.
A cold fire instantly ignited in the eyes of Princess Zhaoyang (Nangong Yue). The prince consort she divorced had also wanted to kill her!
Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian frowned slightly, and looked at the Prince of Huaiyang with a barely perceptible trace of pity in his eyes.
And the cold star-like light in the deepest part of Emperor Nangong Yu's eyes became brighter and sharper, like a needle tip tempered with poison, piercing straight at the pale-faced Prince Huaiyang and his wife.
But his face remained expressionless.
“Tsk…”
A clear, sigh-filled sound of contempt and remorse slipped out from Dongfang Yuning's bright red lips without warning. In the deadly silence of the hall, the sound was soft but remarkably clear!
She leaned on the armrest of the soft chair, her small chin slightly raised. Her stunningly beautiful almond-shaped eyes were now filled with naked pity and ridicule, as if looking at a fool. Her gaze swept over the young princes and princesses present, especially the children of the Huaiyang King's family, and finally fell back on Nangong Yan and Ruan Yutian. Her clear voice was filled with a kind of innocent cruelty, as if she was just talking to herself:
"Ah, some people are really blinder than the other. Oh my... after being sold, they still help count the money."
boom--!
This sentence, like a spark thrown into boiling oil, completely ignited the fierce gunpowder in Emperor Nangong Yu's heart called "imperial face" and "no successor is worrying"! But he couldn't directly point out the content of his heart!
"Um?"
Nangong Yu raised his eyes seemingly casually, his eyes fixed on Dongfang Yuning accurately, with a hint of helplessness and scrutiny of an elder towards the younger generation's "childish words".
"Ning'er, what are you mumbling about? Who's blind?"
His voice was not loud, but it carried the majesty of an emperor, instantly diverting everyone's attention (including Dongfang Yuning) away from Ruan Yutian.
Dongfang Yuning was startled. She didn't expect her mumbling to be heard. Her face turned slightly red. She quickly sat up straight and showed an innocent and flattering smile:
"Ah? Nothing... nothing, brother-in-law! I just... I just thought the palace lanterns over there are so beautiful! The carvings are so intricate!"
She pointed randomly at the lights in the distance, trying to get away with it.
Nangong Yu said "Oh" with a half-smile, but his eyes slowly shifted away and fell on the pale, forced calm Huaiyang Prince Nangong Yan. His tone suddenly became cold and dangerous:
"Prince Huaiyang."
Nangong Yan's heart was shaken, and he hurriedly left his seat and knelt down:
"My brother is here!"
"Just now I heard Dongfang girl say something about 'blind eyes' and 'helping to count money', which reminded me."
Nangong Yu's voice was not loud, but every word was weighty and carried invisible pressure.
"My imperial desk is piled high with memorials impeaching you for forming a clique for personal gain, allowing your servants to seize the people's land, and oppressing the innocent.
I've been patient and forbearing for the sake of our brotherhood, Yuru's kindness, and my nephews and nieces! What? Do you think my eyes are blurry and I can't see?
Do you still think that because I remember our old friendship, I can let you do whatever you want, treat my people like dirt, and use my kingdom as your own private treasury?!"
The emperor's wrath was precisely directed at crimes that had already been proven and could be publicly dealt with: forming a clique for personal gain and encroaching on people's land! This was the obvious trigger, and had nothing to do with the voices raised in the poisoning case!
"Your Majesty, calm down! I am innocent!"
Nangong Yan crawled on the ground, his posture humbled to the dust, cold sweat instantly soaked his inner clothes,
"Someone must have framed me! Your Majesty, please investigate!"
He did not dare to argue whether the occupation of people's land was true or not, and could only cry out for injustice.
"Unjust?"
Nangong Yu sneered and slammed the dragon table.
“Bang!”
The cups and plates were shaken so violently that they clanked and danced.
"The evidence is all there! Do you think I'm deaf and blind?! Li Mo, the Minister of Revenue!"
He called out the names sharply.
An official immediately stepped forward and knelt down:
"I am here!"
"I asked you to investigate the case of land occupation in the three counties of Huaiyang Prefecture. What is the result? Tell me the truth in front of our ancestors and all the clan members!"
"As you wish!"
Minister Li began his report in a loud and clear voice:
"According to the imperial order, this official has secretly investigated and discovered that Huaiyang County, under the jurisdiction of Qingping, Anyuan, and Yonghe, has seen a continuous stream of fertile farmland being forcibly seized since three years ago, totaling over a thousand hectares!
Over 300 peasant households were affected, seven of whom were left without a livelihood due to resistance or loss of land, leading to their families being destroyed! Upon investigation, it was discovered that all the occupied land ultimately fell into the hands of wealthy individuals affiliated with the Huaiyang Palace or with officials connected to the palace, at prices far below market value.
This is a transcript of the land deed, the victim's blood confession, and the confession signed by the head of the royal mansion and the wealthy steward!
Minister Li took out a thick stack of documents from his sleeve and held it high above his head.
The evidence is irrefutable!
Nangong Yan's face turned pale as death. He collapsed to the ground, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word. He knew the emperor was using this question to exaggerate, but this question was a dead giveaway!
Ruan Yutian was also terrified and knelt down with her husband, shaking like a sieve, not even daring to cry out loud. She knew that her husband was finished, and her good days were over too!
Nangong Ye leaned over almost at the same time, and his broad and warm palms instantly covered Dongfang Yuning's eyes, blocking her little face that was full of expressions such as "So that's it", "Brother-in-law is so awesome" and "I want to see the sequel".
His deep, mellow voice sounded in her ears, soothing and with a hint of imperceptible tension:
"Ning'er, be good. This scene is not pretty. It's dirtying your eyes. Don't learn bad things."
His tall body moved slightly to the side, protecting her in the safe corner formed by himself and the table.
Dongfang Yuning's eyes went dark, and she uttered an unhappy "hmm". Her small hand immediately pulled away Nangong Ye's big hand that was covering her eyes. Her slender fingers pried open his fingers, trying to open a gap. As she did so, she grumbled and complained softly:
"Hey, Brother Aye (being coerced and bribed by someone), what are you doing? It's so exciting! My brother-in-law is showing off! Let me see! Is the prince's face green? Is the princess scared to death? Let me see!"
She had no idea that she was the real fuse of this thunderstorm.
Her oblivious, curious mumblings were particularly clear in the hall where one could hear a pin drop. Ruan Yutian, kneeling on the ground, froze in shame and indignation.
Nangong Yan suddenly raised his head, and his resentful eyes shot towards Dongfang Yuning like a poisoned arrow. However, when he met Nangong Ye's cold warning gaze, he quickly shrank back as if he was burned.
"Wonderful? Haha..."
An old sigh filled with endless sorrow and coldness suddenly sounded, instantly drowning out Dongfang Yuning's muttering.
Everyone looked in astonishment, only to see the Queen Mother, who had been sitting silently, slowly and heavily close her eyes. Her fingers trembled slightly as she twirled her Buddhist beads, trying hard to suppress something. She didn't directly point out Ruan Yutian's crimes, but the grief she expressed was more powerful than any words.
"emperor."
The Queen Mother's voice was a little tired and hoarse. She slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze did not look at Ruan Yutian, but fell on the pale-faced Prince of Huaiyang, Nangong Lin, Nangong Pei, and Princess Nangong Qin. She was filled with pity.
"Yuru had a miserable life. Over the years, I have watched the little blood she left behind, and my heart has always been uneasy."
She stopped at that point, without mentioning poisoning or recognizing a thief as her mother, but the unspoken meaning, coupled with the emperor's attack just now and the voice that echoed throughout the hall, was like a heavy hammer hitting the hearts of the three children!
"Royal Grandmother..."
Crown Prince Nangong Lin suddenly raised his head, his young and handsome face filled with extreme shock, pain and confusion. He looked at the furious emperor, the grieving empress dowager, his "mother" Ruan Yutian who was shaking on the ground, and his father who looked as pale as death. The huge cognitive shock almost made him collapse.
Nangong Pei and Nangong Qin next to them were also completely stunned. Nangong Qin's face was as pale as paper. She looked at Ruan Yutian with eyes full of fear and broken dependence, and tears fell silently.
The Queen Mother sighed deeply and long, then turned to the Emperor:
"Emperor, the evidence of Prince Huaiyang's crimes is irrefutable. He has harmed the people and shaken the foundation of the country! If such behavior is not severely punished, where is the national law? Where is justice? As for the internal affairs of the palace..."
Her eyes finally swept coldly over the limp Ruan Yutian.
"Let's get to the bottom of this! Yuru's child can't be deceived anymore!"
Nangong Yu understood, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes:
"What the Queen Mother said is absolutely right!"
He swung his sleeves and shouted sternly:
"Someone come!"
The palace door burst open, and two teams of imperial guards, dressed in black armor, holding sharp blades, with murderous faces, rushed into the palace like a black tide. The friction sound of the cold iron armor instantly filled the entire space, and the murderous atmosphere was suffocating.
"Capture Huaiyang Prince Nangong Yan and Princess Ruan immediately!"
Nangong Yu's voice was like the cold ice of the Nine Netherworld, carrying the unquestionable imperial decision.
"Throw him into the Sky Prison! Keep him under strict guard! No one is allowed to visit him without my written permission! The Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, and the Imperial Clan Court! All three of them must join together to investigate the case of the Prince of Huaiyang forming a clique for personal gain, encroaching on the people's land, and allowing his slaves to commit murder! Investigate this case thoroughly and show no leniency!"
His sharp eyes swept across the entire room, like a physical blade, carrying a cold warning.
"Anyone involved in this case, regardless of their status, will be severely punished! As for the misconduct and lax management of the royal family..."
He paused, looked at the Queen Mother and the Empress,
"Hand it over to the Empress and the Imperial Clan Bureau for a thorough investigation. They must...set things right!"
"Your Majesty obeys!"
The Minister of Punishment, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chief of Imperial Clan Affairs and others immediately stepped forward to receive the order.
"Father! Mother!"
Prince Nangong Lin let out a shrill cry and tried to rush forward, but was held back tightly by his younger brother Nangong Pei beside him.
Nangong Pei's eyes were also filled with great pain and confusion, but he gritted his teeth, shook his head at his brother, and looked at Ruan Yutian who was being dragged away with complicated eyes, and then looked at the emperor with a livid face and the grieving empress dowager.
He knew that everything was over. His father's crime was real, and his "mother"... was probably also...
"No... Mother..."
The youngest princess, Nangong Qin, watched her mother, who had loved her since childhood, being dragged away like a dead dog. The huge fear and collapse of her cognition made her unable to bear it anymore. Her eyes went black and she fell backwards softly.
"Qin'er!"
Princess Zhaoyang, who had been silent all this time, was quick to act and stepped forward. She firmly supported the unconscious little sister and held her in her arms with quick and decisive movements.
She raised her eyes and glanced coldly at Ruan Yutian's back as she was dragged out of the palace, still struggling and screaming. Her eyes were as if she was looking at a pile of disgusting garbage. She then looked at the emperor and said in a cold and firm voice:
"Father, Qin'er is too frightened. I will take her downstairs first."
Nangong Yu nodded slightly, his eyes sweeping over the clan members and ministers in the hall who were silent and had different expressions, and finally fell on the little girl who was firmly protected by Nangong Ye and was still trying to pry through his fingers.
The look in his eyes was complex and difficult to discern, with scrutiny and inquiry. But deeper down, there was a hint of respect and fear for this "unexpected blade" that he himself had not noticed, which was a feeling of respect and fear for this "unexpected blade" that could tear open the veil of darkness.
"Today's family dinner ends here."
The emperor's voice regained its imperial dignity and calmness, but it carried an undeniable sense of finality.
"Queen, work with the Imperial Clan Bureau to properly handle the subsequent affairs of the Prince's Palace and ensure that the nephews and nieces are properly accommodated. Mother, you have been exhausted. Return to the palace and rest early. The rest of you, please disperse."
A carefully prepared royal banquet came to a hasty end amidst the emperor's furious outburst and the empress dowager's pointed sigh. Ostensibly, the case of Prince Huaiyang being punished for his alleged crime of "seizing private farmland" was exposed.
Under the brilliant lights, faces shone with fear, their minds racing. Fear, suspicion, calculation, relief... countless emotions fermented silently during this seemingly peaceful exit.
Everyone knows the real voice that detonated the bomb, but everyone must keep it a secret and pretend that they know nothing.
Nangong Ye finally released his hand covering Dongfang Yuning's eyes. Light flooded back into his vision, and Dongfang Yuning blinked, looking at the hall that had suddenly become much emptier and filled with an oppressive and eerie atmosphere. He then looked in the direction of the Huaiyang Prince and his wife who had been dragged away, and a trace of bewilderment and confusion finally appeared on his little face.
She tugged at Nangong Ye's sleeve, her voice small, with a hint of guilt and confusion after getting into trouble:
"Brother Aye, is this... is it over?
My brother-in-law... My brother-in-law arrested the prince just because I said 'blind'? Did I... say something wrong?
She had no idea that the gossip she revealed was the core of the story.
Nangong Ye lowered his head and looked at the still clear and ignorant eyes of the person in his arms, who had no idea what kind of storm he had stirred up. A mixture of emotions surged in his heart.
He sighed helplessly, with a touch of doting and an indescribable solemnity. He reached out and gently pinched her soft cheek. His voice was low and gentle, but he didn't answer the question:
"Silly Ning'er, this has nothing to do with you. It was the Prince of Huaiyang who committed many evil deeds, and the evidence of his crimes was obtained by the Emperor. The Emperor has wanted to punish him for a long time, it's just that the timing was right."
He cleverly blurred the focus.
"Next time...mumble a little quieter? Hmm?"
Only he himself knows the true meaning of this reminder.
Dongfang Yuning said "Oh" as if he understood, and obediently let him lead the hand and walk out. After walking a few steps, he couldn't help but look back at the magnificent but empty and cold hall.
Nangong Ye was keenly aware of her movements, tightened his grip on her hand slightly, pulled her closer to him, and blocked her view with his body.
Outside the palace gates, the night was as dark as ink. The cool night breeze blew away the lingering scent of cosmetics. Empress Dongfang Qiwu was whispering something to Zongzheng, her expression serious.
Princess Zhaoyang, holding the unconscious Nangong Qin, disappeared into the corridor leading to the side hall. The Empress Dowager, supported by her maids, slowly left, her back looking particularly heavy. Emperor Nangong Yu, however, did not leave immediately.
He stood with his hands behind his back on the edge of the high steps, his bright yellow dragon robe fluttering slightly in the night breeze. His gaze was cast solemnly towards the shadows of the overlapping palaces in the deep palace, towards the Ministry of Revenue that symbolized the lifeline of the empire's money and grain, and towards the directions of the princes' residences further away.
His eyes were as deep as a cold pond.
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