Chapter 691 A harmonious palace banquet!
Those who spoke were arranged by Sima Hui, and those who were unaware of the situation, although confused, still followed suit.
"Now that Balanch is dead, I am too old to handle government affairs. The eldest prince has been raised in the countryside and has no great ambitions. My grandson is free and intelligent, and he may be able to take on great responsibilities!"
He Qingtuo had changed into the dragon-patterned python robe that only princes wore. He stood below He Fanxiong, back straight, and saluted everyone.
Although his face is immature, his calm demeanor and firm gaze show the demeanor of a king.
Sima Hui carefully looked at the young man whom he had not seen all night, and a look of satisfaction gradually emerged in his eyes: "Your Highness has an extraordinary demeanor, which is a blessing for Lan Yu."
General Han Yi was more direct: "Your Highness, have you ever practiced martial arts?"
"I know a little bit about swordsmanship." He Qingtuo answered frankly.
"Okay! Let me see your Highness's skills at the training ground tomorrow!" Han Yi said with a generous smile.
After the morning court session, a grand banquet was held in the palace to help He Qingtuo get familiar with the court officials as quickly as possible.
He Qingtuo responded appropriately, neither shy nor ostentatious, and won the favor of all the ministers.
He Qingqing observed silently from the side, feeling pleased with her brother's performance, but also noticing the fatigue and anxiety he occasionally revealed.
After dealing with the court officials, He Qingtuo finally had time to rest for a while.
Due to Gu Yanchen's sensitive identity, it was inconvenient for him to appear in front of other court officials of Lan Yu, so he pretended to be a eunuch and served behind Ran Qingxuan.
He Qingqing and Ran Qingxuan sat next to each other. Seeing He Qingtuo coming back looking tired, she immediately handed him a cup of hot tea.
"Do you miss home at this time?" Ran Qingxuan asked softly.
He Qingtuo took the teacup, smiled faintly and said: "I didn't have this feeling before when I was in the Divine Doctor Sect, but today... I suddenly feel like I want it so much..."
"Now that you have returned to your roots, you have to shoulder much more than your peers." Ran Qingxuan comforted him softly.
"But you don't have to bear it alone. Your sister, brother-in-law, and your grandfather will stand behind you and support you."
He Qingtuo was silent for a moment, and suddenly asked: "Sister Ran, how did you get us to Blue Rain Country in three days?"
Although he didn't understand why he suddenly asked this question, Ran Qingxuan still responded with a smile.
"Some secrets may be known to you in the future. Now you just need to believe that we are on your side."
He Qingtuo nodded and did not ask any further questions. He turned to look at the people in the palace whose eyes were rekindled with hope because of their arrival.
"I will be a good monarch." The young man said softly, more like a promise to himself.
The candlelight of the palace banquet illuminated the magnificent Blue Rain Kingdom's palace. The melodious sound of stringed instruments wafted out, finally bringing life to this palace that had been silent for a long time.
He Qingtuo sat upright in the guest of honor seat with a decent smile on his young face.
He was wearing a brand new dragon-patterned python robe. The gold thread on the lapels sparkled brightly in the candlelight, but it couldn't hide the fatigue in his eyes.
"Your Highness, I offer you a toast!" An old minister with white hair and beard walked up to him, holding up his glass tremblingly.
"Blue Rain Country has finally waited for you!"
He Qingtuo quickly stood up, holding the cup with both hands, and bowed slightly: "Master Xi, your words are too kind. Qingtuo is still young, and I will need your guidance in the future."
After saying that, he clinked glasses with him and drank the wine in the glass. The spicy wine slid down his throat, making him cough lightly.
He Qingqing sat in the women's seat, her eyes following her brother's figure all the time.
She saw He Qingtuo secretly rubbing his temples and knew that he was no longer able to handle the alcohol.
She gently touched Lu Adong's arm beside her and whispered, "Adong, Qingtuo seems to have drunk too much."
During the banquet, many people toasted Lu Adong, the son-in-law of the emperor. He looked worried with a blush on his face: "How about I take a few drinks for him?"
Despite her worries, He Qingqing still shook her head: "No, this is the only way for him to go, and he has to face it himself."
Even so, her fingers were twisting the corner of her clothes tightly, and her knuckles turned white.
On the other side of the banquet, Sima Hui's face was already red from drinking. The usually serious and dignified old prime minister was now crying and laughing like a child.
"My Lord...I have waited for this day for so many years..."
Sima Hui's voice was choked with sobs, and his snot mixed with tears flowed down, which was both touching and embarrassing to watch...
He staggered to He Qingtuo, suddenly knelt on his knees, hugged the young man who had been named the prince, and burst into tears without caring about his image.
Sima Hui cried, not noticing at all that his snot and tears were all on He Qingtuo's robe.
"If the late emperor were still alive, he would be pleased to see how outstanding you are!"
The hall fell silent for a moment, and everyone's eyes were focused on the old and young couple.
He Qingtuo was at a loss, his cheeks flushed red.
Ran Qingxuan and He Qingqing felt embarrassed when they saw this and couldn't bear to look at it.
He Qingtuo bent down and gently held Sima Hui's trembling shoulders: "Prime Minister, please stand up..."
"No! Let me finish my words!" Sima Hui knelt stubbornly, raising his wrinkled face.
"These years... the people of Blue Rain Country have suffered so much! That vicious woman Balanch... she..."
As he spoke, Sima Hui became so choked up that he could not speak. He just clutched He Qingtuo's sleeve tightly, as if he had grasped a life-saving straw.
He Qingtuo felt a surge of sadness when he saw this old minister, who was about the same age as his grandfather, losing his composure like this.
He squatted down to look Sima Hui in the eye and said softly, "Prime Minister, Qingtuo promises you that the people of Blue Rain Country will live a good life."
A ray of clarity flashed in Sima Hui's turbid eyes. He stretched out his hand tremblingly, touched He Qingtuo's young face and nodded continuously.
"Like...really looks like the late emperor when he was young..." Before he finished speaking, the old man suddenly tilted his body and fell drunkenly into He Qingtuo's arms.
Sima Hui was carried out by two guards, still shouting incoherently: "Your Highness...I, your humble servant...I, your humble servant, will need more tomorrow..."
He Fanxiong watched this scene not far away, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
As the banquet was coming to an end, Ran Qingxuan turned and gestured to Gu Yanchen.
Seeing this, Gu Yanchen, who was disguised as a eunuch, quietly walked to He Fanxiong's side and whispered to him.
"Mr. He, Madam has something important to tell you and Qingtuo."
He Fanxiong's eyes fixed and he immediately understood. The young eunuch next to him was very good at observing people's expressions. After obtaining He Fanxiong's consent, he loudly announced that the banquet was over.
The court officials left reluctantly until the entire hall returned to silence.
The voices of the court officials' joyful discussions faded away, and Ran Qingxuan looked around: "Qingtuo, Qingqing, Adong, you all come too."
The candlelight in the side hall cast everyone's shadows on the stone wall, stretching them out very long.
Once the palace door was closed and guarded by secret guards, the outside world seemed to be isolated.
"Miss Ran, I wonder what you want to tell me?" He Fanxiong didn't say anything more and went straight to the point.
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