61 Killing Intent
◎Wei family girl, how dare you tease this king!◎
On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, Yan Qizheng entered the palace early in the morning to accompany the Crown Prince. Wei Ziyan waited until the evening before leaving home with Master Yan and his wife.
After entering the palace, eunuchs came to greet them. Then, they walked to the main hall. Master Yan was led to the seats for ministers, while Wei Ziyan and Madam Yan followed the eunuchs to the seats for women in the inner hall.
In the huge inner hall, the glass lamps in the four corners and the center illuminate the room brightly.
Looking out, the hall was filled with four long, rectangular tables, each capable of seating twenty-four people. The gold, silver, and jade items on the tables cast a dazzling golden glow.
Emperor Jingren was interested in selecting a concubine for the Prince of Liao, and he used the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet as an opportunity to allow the Prince of Liao to personally assess the selection process. Therefore, this year, in addition to important court officials, ministers interested in selecting a concubine were also allowed to bring their daughters to attend.
So, all the women sitting here tonight were dressed in their finest attire. The older ones were elegant and graceful, the younger ones were beautiful and charming, and even Wei Ziyan felt a sense of déjà vu as if she were witnessing a scene of flowers so numerous that they were almost dazzling.
After all, she was not wearing bright clothes and makeup like yesterday. She just had her hair in a gentle bun, a jade pendant and a red hairpin, and light makeup. Sitting among them, she stood out from the crowd, looking as elegant as a chrysanthemum and as graceful as an orchid.
Some of the ladies who attended with their daughters did not recognize her, and secretly inquired about it. When they heard that she was the daughter-in-law of the Yellow Gate Minister, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
During the banquet, the ladies who were familiar with Mrs. Yan chatted with each other warmly, and they would always praise her daughter-in-law.
Wei Ziyan sat beside Madam Yan, smiling and responding to the other ladies' greetings. She also perked up her ears to listen to the gossip. The most talked about subject was Wei Tingshuang, the woman who had risen to prominence and become a phoenix.
The ladies all said she was lucky, fortunately favored by the Eighth Prince, and would become the real Eighth Prince's Consort after the wedding in two months. She was the Eighth Prince's only concubine, and the principal one at that, which was truly enviable.
Another topic that was discussed more was the Fourth Prince's selection of a concubine.
The Fourth Prince is even more powerful than the Eighth Prince. Not only does he have the title of "Marquis of Guangping", but the power he holds is far beyond the reach of the Eighth Prince, who is used to living a carefree life.
Moreover, His Majesty now values the Fourth Prince very much. If she can marry the Fourth Prince and become a princess, then her family will have no worries about rising to a higher level.
Wei Ziyan had calmly listened to their discussion of Wei Tingshuang. She felt that Prince Mu, known for his socializing and his revelry in drinking and singing, was a good match for the other princes. That was why she had offered her assistance to Wei Tingshuang that day at the Crown Prince's residence.
But how could the King of Liao be the same?
He is ambitious, tyrannical and cruel. Marrying him is like trying to get the skin of a tiger.
Silently looking at the innocent faces at the banquet who were kept in the dark and full of hope, Wei Ziyan really wanted to tell them loudly that the King of Liao was not a good person!
Fortunately, after today, the prince will expose his crimes to the public. By then, these people will recognize his true face and be thankful that they have escaped.
There was constant music in the hall, and the dancers on the high platform were dancing gracefully. Their dance moves were enchanting, and their skirts were fluttering, which was dazzling.
"I heard that the Fourth Prince has specially prepared a program to entertain His Majesty today. I wonder what it is and whether we can see it."
"Is that all right? My master heard about it from Eunuch Xu. His Majesty will summon all the young ladies to come in and watch."
"So that means you're taking this opportunity to find a princess for the Fourth Prince, right?"
"Needless to say? It's impossible for His Majesty and the Fourth Prince to come to this inner hall..."
The chatter and laughter died down, and one of the mothers present carefully advised her daughter to be careful and dignified when she got there...
Madam Yan leaned over and whispered in her ear, laughing softly, "Fortunately, we don't have to worry about this. We can just enjoy the wine and the food."
"That's what mother said."
Wei Ziyan also curled her lips, picked up the golden cup filled with fine wine, put it to her lips, and drank half of it in one breath.
Anyway, Yan Qizhen told her before leaving home that he would take her home after the banquet and it would be okay to have a few drinks.
As the wine flowed, a commotion erupted outside the palace. A moment later, a eunuch entered with a report: "The Fourth Prince has prepared an impromptu performance in the square outside the palace. His Majesty invites all the young ladies to come and watch it."
Suddenly, the inner hall erupted in activity, and the ladies all stood up. Those leaving chatted and laughed, while those staying behind also did the same, all filled with curiosity about what was to come.
Wei Ziyan was a little overwhelmed, holding her chin and looking around. Just then, a eunuch came up to her and said, "The emperor has specially allowed Miss Wei to go and see it."
When these words fell, not only Wei Ziyan, but also Madam Yan and the ladies sitting next to her were all surprised. However, after thinking about how His Majesty had always been particularly kind to the young ladies of the Wei family, they no longer felt surprised and could only sigh inwardly at this unusual blessing.
"Then go ahead," Madam Yan said to her with a smile, "and tell me about the interesting things that happened over there when you come back."
"yes."
Wei Ziyan stood up and followed the eunuch out of the inner hall, then walked through a corridor and came to the square lit by bonfires.
By this time, many people had gathered in the square. In the front row, in the middle, sat Emperor Jingren and the other princes. They each sat on a high-backed chair, flanked by sword-wielding guards.
Wei Ziyan immediately noticed Yan Qizhen standing on the left side of the prince.
He was wearing the silver armor of his personal guard, his hand on the sword at his waist, standing with awe. It reminded her of the domineering manner in which he bravely killed the enemy in the cherry blossom forest.
It also reminded her of being held in his arms like this...
Aside from the emperor and his sons, everyone else stood to watch. The court officials sat behind the emperor and in the open space to his left. The right side of the open space was reserved for the daughters of officials. It was here that the eunuch had brought her, but he had taken her directly to the front row.
The position was so conspicuous that Yan Qizhen, who was observing the surrounding situation from time to time, suddenly discovered that there was an extra person named her on the right.
A hint of surprise flashed across his face, but it was quickly replaced by a subtle smile. Wei Ziyan raised her lips and gave her a mischievous smile in return.
She thought to herself that she would tell him when she got back that she liked seeing him wearing armor.
The two of them exchanged glances, and it was unknown whether others noticed, but the prince keenly caught it and whispered to his guards, "Why is your wife here to join in the fun?"
Everyone present knew that the young ladies had come to select a concubine for the King of Liao, and it was indeed inappropriate for her, a married woman, to be among them.
"Maybe that's what His Majesty wants." Yan Qizhen guessed. After all, he was invited to the banquet by His Majesty.
Upon hearing this, the prince turned his head and glanced at his father, who was talking to the ministers behind him. The prince then turned his head back, thought about it, and gave up.
Not only the prince, but King Mu also found a face that was inappropriate to appear here among the women in the front row.
However, he immediately remembered that when he met the princess at the Crown Prince's residence that day, his sister-in-law had invited this woman to confuse him. So, he was surprised for a moment, but then it was not surprising.
Of course, the courtiers and young ladies in the square who knew Wei Ziyan, as well as Yan Sunwei and Wei Jizhi who were surrounded by the courtiers, also saw her special existence, and all of them believed that it was the grace of the emperor.
Only one person knows it clearly.
But at this time, he was not among these people.
Suddenly, drums and horns sounded in the square, as everyone waited eagerly, as if the army was about to go into battle. The chatter in the crowd stopped abruptly, and everyone craned their necks to look at the open space ahead.
Several palace guards ran into the square holding flags high, ran in a circle, and then stood in a row at a distance.
At the same time, the sound of horse hooves clattered from the direction they had entered. It wasn't like a galloping steed, but rather a rhythmic stroll. Immediately afterwards, a succession of beautiful horses leaped into view, all marching towards the center of the square.
They are tall and strong, with long manes covering their necks. Their brown bodies are covered with gilded brocade, and their necks are decorated with gold and silver ornaments and jade belts with tassels, which are particularly pleasing to the eye.
Someone had already counted twenty horses in all. As if they had been instructed, they stood in four rows and five lines upon entering the arena, which was amazing.
The horn sounded at this moment, the drum beat suddenly became faster, and the sound of horse hooves sounded again.
I saw a man wearing golden armor, holding a red-bearded spear and riding on horseback. He rushed into the square at lightning speed and stopped in front of a group of horses.
"It's the Fourth Prince."
"His Royal Highness the King of Liao."
Many people in the crowd recognized the person on horseback. Wei Ziyan also looked over, and felt that the face under the helmet on horseback looked very familiar...
Before she could even think, the man pointed the spear in his right hand toward the sky, and the intense drumbeats abruptly stopped. The square was silent for a moment, then the spear was swung diagonally upward again, and the drumbeats began to beat rhythmically again.
Following the rhythm of the drums, the spears changed their positions back and forth, left and right, and the twenty horses behind the King of Liao followed his command, dancing left and right, forward and backward.
Sometimes they raise their heads and tails, and sometimes they dance with their long tails, showing their agile posture in a smart and graceful manner.
Everyone who witnessed this scene was amazed.
"good!"
Emperor Jingren's cheers were echoed by all the ministers, and there was a burst of cheers.
The wonderful dancing horses caught everyone's eyes. In a corner where no one paid attention, a eunuch was holding a brocade plate with a triangular golden wine cup on it.
The Liao King suddenly dismounted from his horse, his tall, solid figure standing beside the carriage. He handed his spear to a guard who stepped forward, then led his horse towards the emperor.
Every step is still in step with the beat of the drum.
When he stopped moving forward, the drum beats suddenly accelerated, becoming a pounding drum. At a gesture from the Liao King, the eunuch holding a brocade tray stepped forward quickly.
The King of Liao lowered his head and approached the horse's head, as if whispering to it.
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the horse actually knelt obediently on the ground with its front paws, lowered its head to hold one ear of the wine vessel, and then raised its head to face the emperor!
Is this still a horse?
The drums stopped abruptly, and the King of Liao knelt on one knee, clasping his hands towards Emperor Jingren and saying, "I wish you, my father, a long and prosperous life!"
“Okay, okay!”
Emperor Jingren said "good" three times, laughed loudly, took the wine vessel from the horse's mouth and drank it all in one gulp.
Everyone came back to their senses from their stunned silence and applauded. Emperor Jingren put down his wine vessel and announced loudly, "The Fourth Prince's horse dance is wonderful. Give it a try!"
"Thank you, father." Li Youxu kowtowed and stood up, patting the horse that was kneeling beside him. The horse seemed to have understood and stood up again.
"How did you tame it to be so obedient?" Emperor Jingren marveled.
"Reporting to the Emperor, these horses have been with me in the Northern Frontier for several years. Through daily training, they have gradually become spiritually aware."
Emperor Jingren nodded repeatedly: "Then what instructions did you whisper to it just now?"
Li Youxu smiled and said, "I just told it that Father wanted to drink."
"Hahahaha..." Emperor Jingren laughed again.
Seeing the emperor so happy, the ministers could not help but praise the King of Liao: "Your Majesty is thoughtful, Your Majesty has a brilliant idea, and it has broadened our horizons."
Amidst these compliments, Li Youxu glanced to the right and clasped his fists before Emperor Jingren. "Father, I, your son, would like to present the jade belts on the horse to the ladies present."
This one sentence moved many people present.
Isn't this just an opportunity to see each other? It seems that the Fourth Prince is very concerned about the selection of concubines arranged by the Emperor!
Emperor Jingren was particularly delighted and uttered a word in a resounding voice: "Accurate!"
Li Youxu led his horse around, raising his hand as a gesture. Several guards filed in, removed the tasseled jade belts from the horses' necks, placed them on a large tray held by a eunuch, and then led the horses back.
"You're welcome."
Li Youxu stood facing the women, his gaze wandering towards them. The young ladies, nervous and shy, lowered their heads modestly. But they didn't dare lower their heads too much, fearing the Fourth Prince wouldn't be able to see their faces clearly.
Half-covered, they slowly walked towards the eunuch, holding the hem of their skirts. They picked up a jade belt and walked in front of Li Youxu, bowing and thanking him, "Thank you, Fourth Prince."
When King Liao looked at her, Wei Ziyan had already lowered her head and silently retreated to the back row.
She was probably the only audience member who couldn't concentrate on the entire performance, because the face on the horse was increasingly similar to the one in her memory, which made her panic.
She even thought about returning to the inner hall quickly before he noticed her, but doing so would expose herself to everyone's eyes.
Seeing that there were only a few people left in front of her, Wei Ziyan lowered her head even more, and her fear grew stronger. Just as she was panicking, a roar pierced the night sky.
The tall horse beside the Liao King seemed suddenly startled, raising its front hooves high and whinnying. Almost in the blink of an eye, before anyone could react, it dropped its hooves and galloped forward.
The ladies paled in fear, covering their heads and dodging. When Wei Ziyan looked up at the sound, she saw the horse charging straight towards her...
"Guard His Highness." Yan Qizhen was horrified when he saw this, and ran away after saying a few words.
Emperor Jingren and the princes also stood up. But they saw that the Liao King, dressed in golden armor, had already sped away, leaping forward after the startled horse and reaching out to grab the reins.
Just as the horse was about to step on the woman who had fallen to the ground, the King of Liao, who was also being dragged to the ground, used all his strength to rein in the frightened horse, causing it to tilt its neck and stop its forward momentum.
The horse raised its head and whistled again, its front hooves landing heavily in front of Wei Ziyan, just brushing the edge of her skirt. Wei Ziyan was still in panic, sitting on the ground as if she had lost her soul, until Yan Qizheng held her face and repeatedly comforted her: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, it's okay."
Wei Ziyan was called back to her senses and hurriedly grabbed his hand, her throat seemed to be blocked and she couldn't make a sound.
"Yan'er..."
Wei Jizhi and Yan Sunwei also rushed over, but Wei Jizhi was still frightened.
"Are you not hurt?"
She shook her head blankly.
"Come." Yan Qizheng helped her stand up.
By this time, the frightened horse had been subdued and led away by the guards. The ministers and young ladies were gradually led back to the palace by eunuchs and palace maids. Several princes and Emperor Jingren were still present. The King of Liao approached, knelt, and apologized, only to be helped to his feet by Emperor Jingren.
"It has nothing to do with you. It was an accident." He looked at his son's bleeding palm with concern. "Go and ask the imperial physician to take a look."
"It's okay, just a few scratches." Li Youxu said solemnly, "Luckily, no one else was hurt."
In the distance, the golden-armored figure left with the emperor, but Wei Ziyan's heart was still hanging in the air.
Just now, when the King of Liao fell to the ground and pulled away the frightened horse, his sharp eyes met hers. The face was so similar. Wei Ziyan was extremely uneasy, but he did not look at her again, as if he did not recognize her.
Did she recognize the wrong person? Or did he not recognize her?
Wei Ziyan hoped very much that it was the former, but the truth was still unknown, and she couldn't help but panic.
Yan Qizheng was right beside her. Should she tell him? That way, she might not be so scared. But thinking about the big thing he and the prince were going to do tomorrow, she was even more afraid of complications and big mistakes.
"I want to go home." She spoke to Yan Qizhen in a trembling voice.
I can't stay in the palace any longer.
As long as she leaves quickly, as long as tonight is over.
"Okay." Yan Qizheng responded without hesitation, "I'll take you home later."
After this unexpected incident, Wei Jizhi and Yan Sunwei no longer had the heart to stay for the feast and planned to leave together. So Yan Qizheng temporarily placed them in a side hall while he went to explain things to the Crown Prince.
Yan Sunwei went to look for his wife, while Wei Jizhi stayed with his daughter. Seeing her face filled with sorrow and loss, he asked again worriedly, "Are you really okay?"
"It's okay..." Wei Ziyan forced a smile, "I was just scared."
Wei Jizhi sighed, "Not to mention you, Dad was scared too."
"Fortunately, the Fourth Prince was quick and pulled the horse back in time..."
"Oh, I haven't had time to thank the Fourth Prince yet. Tomorrow I must solemnly go to the palace..."
"No, Daddy—" Wei Ziyan became more and more frightened the more she listened. Seeing that she cried out but did not say anything else, Wei Jizhi asked curiously, "What's wrong? Why don't you want it?"
She couldn't tell the hidden truth at this time, so she could only make excuses for the time being.
"For the Fourth Prince's kindness, I should go and thank you with you someday."
Wei Jizhi thought for a moment and nodded.
"Okay, let's do it another day."
At the same time, under the high wall in a corner of the palace, Yan Qi, dressed in armor, stood solemnly with a stern and deep gaze.
"You know, it wasn't your father's intention to summon your wife to the palace tonight."
The prince's words were like thunder, stirring up a huge wave in his heart. Recalling the scene in the square, Yan Qizheng blurted out, "Is it the King of Liao?"
"That's right." Li Chengtai didn't feel relieved when he heard the news.
This person is very cunning and would never create trouble for no reason. He must have a plan for this.
"I really can't figure out why the dancing horse is trying to please my father, and why the startled horse is trying to save people?"
The person he rescued was Wei Ziyan, who appeared in the square at an inopportune time, and was personally summoned into the palace by the King of Liao through the hands of Emperor Jingren. This repeated incident had to arouse suspicion.
Yan Qizhen wanted to know the answer more than the prince at this time.
The Liao King's actions made him shudder! Without realizing it, someone had already extended a dangerous hand to his closest relatives.
"You don't have to worry too much." Li Chengtai saw that the veins on his fists were bulging. "Whatever he's planning, it's too late. Tomorrow I will report everything to my father."
In the side hall, the father and daughter were talking intermittently, and Master Yan led his wife in.
Madam Yan had heard in the inner hall that her daughter-in-law had been nearly struck by a startled horse, and upon seeing her, she couldn't help but express her concern. As they were talking, Yan Qizheng returned from the Crown Prince's visit. The five of them left the palace together, each taking a carriage back to their own residence.
Sitting in the carriage, Wei Ziyan remained silent the entire way. The Yan couple assumed their daughter-in-law was still a bit frightened. When the carriage stopped at the mansion, Yan Qizheng dismounted and took her hand as they walked inside. He felt her palm was cold and clammy.
After returning to the house, he asked Qiu Luo to help the young lady wash up. Qiu Luo chattered and asked questions, but Wei Ziyan just nodded and shook her head, being very frugal with her words and never mentioning the accident she had encountered.
Yan Qi was watching from the side, feeling very uncomfortable.
Frightened by this, she held back her tears. She'd thought she'd feel better once she returned home from the palace, but now she was still tense and showed no sign of relief. He couldn't reveal the truth behind his entrance into the palace at this moment, fearing it would only make her even more frightened and prevent her from sleeping tonight.
"It will be fine after a good night's sleep."
Yan Qizhen also went to bed early, lay beside her, and held her hand.
"Yeah." Wei Ziyan responded and closed her eyes.
After a moment, she turned sideways and rested her head on Yan Qizhen's shoulder.
Perhaps due to this sense of security, or perhaps because she was exhausted, Wei Ziyan fell asleep quickly. However, the fear of reality chased her into her dreams, and she met the King of Liao again.
Not in the square, but in an empty corridor.
"Didn't you say you would wait for me to come back? Wei family girl, how dare you tease me!"
He recognized her immediately, his eyes flashing with ferocity. She opened her mouth in fear, trying to scream but her voice faltered. She tried to turn and run, but her legs seemed to be held in place, unable to move.
He quickly stepped forward, grabbed her neck, and kept tightening it.
He wanted to strangle her to death.
"Ah——" Wei Ziyan woke up in fright.
"What's wrong?" Yan Qi was awakened by her cry, "Are you having a nightmare?"
"I dreamed... that the King of Liao wanted to kill me..." Wei Ziyan cried and threw herself into his arms.
The force that wanted to strangle her was too realistic, as if it were really happening.
"It's just a dream, don't be afraid, it won't happen." Yan Qizhen hugged her and kept comforting her softly.
"It's okay, just a nightmare."
"With me here, I won't let anything happen to you..."
"It's him..." Wei Ziyan tightly grasped the front of Yan Qizheng's shirt, "He is the King of Liao..."
Is he the King of Liao?
Almost instantly, Yan Qizheng understood what she meant, and his heart suddenly shuddered!
"He is..."
"Um, wuwu..." Wei Ziyan cried, "I don't know how it could be him... I don't know it was him..."
The night is as dark as ink and the moonlight is as clear as water.
Inside the Taiji Palace, there were people leaning on the railing, looking up at the moon.
A full moon hung high in the endless dome, surrounded by a cloudless sky. Tonight's moonlight and banquet were both a perfect match. Emperor Jingren was in high spirits, remaining energetic in his chambers.
Eunuch Xu walked over slowly and advised gently, "It's late, Your Majesty, you should rest."
Emperor Jingren glanced at the bowl of soup he brought and asked, "Another tranquilizing soup?"
"Today's soup is for hangovers." Eunuch Xu smiled slightly. "Your Majesty has drunk too much. You need to calm down."
"I'm so happy tonight!"
Recalling the evening gathering of the emperor and his ministers, with all six of his princes by his side, Emperor Jingren was overjoyed. He was particularly moved by the sight of his horse kneeling with a cup in its mouth, and the words of his fourth prince, "May you enjoy a long and prosperous reign and live forever," which touched him deeply.
"How do you think he came up with such a wonderful way to congratulate you?"
Eunuch Xu bowed his head and replied, "The Fourth Prince is thoughtful."
"Yes." Emperor Jingren nodded continuously, "He is becoming more and more impressive to me..."
"Tell me, have I been too harsh on him in the past?"
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