Chapter 93 The little princess sees through the true face of the prince
The news that Mu Yu's eyesight had been restored spread like wildfire throughout the capital overnight.
Early the next morning, the gate of Princess Anguo's mansion was once again blocked by carriages from all directions delivering gifts.
This time, it's more exaggerated than ever before.
The Empress bestowed upon her a pair of supposedly luminous pearls from the East China Sea, which would allow her to see things at night without straining her eyes.
The Consort Xian sent over a complete set of gold jewelry inlaid with rubies, saying it would bring good fortune to the young girl.
Consort De was so angry in the palace that she smashed another tea set, but she still had to put on a show and reluctantly sent over a fine koi fish ornament carved from Hetian jade.
Even the Empress Dowager, who rarely left her home, sent someone to deliver a bracelet made of 108 South China Sea pearls.
The gifts from princes and ministers were even more varied.
Food, clothing, daily necessities, and toys almost filled the princess's mansion's storeroom.
Yan Ziche's hands were trembling as he held the gift list.
"If we keep taking these, our Princess's Mansion could be renamed 'Capital Department Store'," he complained.
Watching the commotion from the sidelines, Xiao Beichen chuckled and said, "This just shows that our little Yu'er is lovable!"
Meanwhile, the little protagonist Mu Yu, who was on everyone's mind in the capital, was sitting on a swing in the courtyard, being pushed by Mu Fang from both the front and the back.
A thin brocade eye mask covered her eyes, as Xie Zhiwei had instructed. She should not be exposed to strong light after recovering and needed to gradually adapt.
Even through the blindfold, she could feel the warmth of the sunlight on her body.
"Daddy, I'm hungry." Mu Yu swung her legs.
"What do you want to eat?" Mu Fang's voice was full of doting affection.
"I want to eat osmanthus cake, almond shortbread, and chicken slices with egg white filling, and..."
Mu Yu rattled off more than a dozen dishes in one breath, leaving the maids beside her stunned.
Mu Fang laughed heartily: "Alright! Father will have the kitchen prepare everything for you!"
However, before the kitchen in the princess's residence could even be set up, an imperial edict arrived from the palace.
The emperor was overjoyed and, to celebrate the auspicious return of Princess Anguo to the light, he decided to hold a "Hundred Fish Banquet" in the palace three days later, inviting all his ministers and people to enjoy the festivities together.
At the same time, Princess Mu Yu of Anguo is granted permission to bring the Tiger King "Gungung" to the banquet.
The imperial edict caused another shockwave throughout the capital.
Bringing a pet to a palace banquet? Or a tiger?
What a blessing this is!
When the Third Prince Chu Huaijin heard the news at his residence, he was so angry that he crushed his beloved jade pendant to pieces.
Father's heart is so biased, he's practically siding with someone else!
Three days later, at the Imperial Palace, in the Chengtian Hall.
The city lights were dazzling, and melodious music filled the air.
Civil and military officials, imperial relatives, and nobles gathered together.
The theme of the banquet was "fish," and everything from appetizers to main courses, from soups to desserts was related to fish.
Steamed grouper, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, West Lake vinegar fish, chopped chili fish head, pickled cabbage fish, sweet and sour carp...
Just reciting the names of the dishes could take a quarter of an hour.
Mu Yu sat below the emperor, right next to Mu Fang.
Today she was wearing a specially made red palace dress, embroidered with plump koi fish patterns in gold thread. She was so cute that you wanted to pinch her cheeks.
At her feet, the majestic Tiger King "Gungun" was dozing off, its enormous body making the legs of the surrounding eunuchs and palace maids tremble.
But it was as obedient as a big cat, and would occasionally brush Mu Yu's calves with its tail.
The banquet began, and the emperor raised his glass, uttering a few polite words, nothing more than "Heaven blesses the Great Chu" and "Auspicious omens descend upon the world."
The officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!" in a fervent atmosphere.
But Mu Yu's attention was entirely focused on the huge glass turntable in front of her.
The table was covered with all sorts of fish dishes, and the aroma kept wafting into her nose.
Her little nose twitched, and saliva was already overflowing in her mouth.
"Little Yu'er, which one do you want to eat?" Chu Chongjin, sitting on her other side, asked softly.
He also changed into a princely formal suit today, which made him look even more upright and handsome.
Mu Yu pointed with her little finger to the plate of "Golden Minced Meat and Jade Slices" that was furthest away from her.
It's made with the freshest sea bass, sliced as thin as cicada wings, and served with a golden sauce; it looks delicious.
Chu Chongjin smiled and spun the turntable, bringing the dish to her.
Mu Fang immediately picked up a chopstick and placed it in the small golden bowl in front of Mu Yu.
Mu Yu took a bite, and her eyes lit up instantly.
"tasty!"
Fresh, sweet, smooth, and tender – a variety of flavors burst on the tip of your tongue.
This was like flipping a switch.
The young princess has officially started her "do-it-all" mode.
Her little mouth never stopped.
A piece of sweet and sour pork rib in my left hand, and a fried shrimp tail in my right.
Having just finished a bowl of fish porridge, I set my sights on that plate of crystal-clear pork jelly.
Mu Fang and Chu Chongjin worked together seamlessly, one spinning the food on the turntable and the other serving it, like feeding a hungry baby bird on an assembly line.
Yan Ziche and Xiao Beichen sat in seats a little further away, watching this scene, their lips twitching.
"I have a feeling that this Hundred Fish Feast is specially prepared for the young princess alone?" Xiao Beichen muttered to himself.
"Be confident, and get rid of that 'feeling'." Yan Ziche picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said, "Look at the Emperor, how happy he is."
Everyone followed his gaze.
The emperor on the dragon throne did indeed have a smile on his face.
He barely touched his chopsticks, spending most of the time watching Mu Yu eat with great interest.
His eyes were filled with the loving gaze of an ordinary family looking at their most beloved granddaughter.
The princes and ministers around him were all shrewd and astute.
Seeing the Emperor's attitude, how could anyone not understand?
As a result, the atmosphere at the banquet became somewhat peculiar.
Crown Prince Chu Chongyun raised his cup to the emperor and offered a few words of congratulations.
The emperor nodded, his gaze drifting back to Mu Yu.
The Third Prince, Chu Huaijin, told a joke to liven things up, which made everyone laugh.
The emperor chuckled twice, then his gaze drifted back to Mu Yu.
The Minister of Rites began to quote classical texts and talk at length about the importance of auspicious omens to the nation's destiny.
The emperor grunted in acknowledgment, then asked Fu'an beside him, "Is the little princess's bird's nest soup getting cold? Have someone reheat it."
Minister of Rites: "..."
Gradually, people discovered a pattern.
No matter what they said or did, they couldn't divert the emperor's attention from the little princess who was engrossed in eating for more than a minute.
As a result, the art style began to go astray.
"Your Majesty, I believe that this 'Fish Leaping Over the Dragon Gate' dish has an excellent meaning! It is a wish for the prosperity of our Great Chu Kingdom and for the little princess to have lasting good fortune!" The Minister of Revenue picked up a piece of carp-shaped pastry and said loudly.
"Well said! Reward him!" The emperor was overjoyed.
“Your Majesty, I observe that the young princess has a very good appetite, which is a sign of good health and good fortune!” The Vice Minister of War followed closely behind.
"Well said! Reward me!"
"Your Majesty, the way the little princess eats is just... so appetizing! I ate two extra bowls of rice just watching her!" a military officer said in a simple and honest manner.
The entire room fell silent.
Immediately, the emperor clapped his hands and laughed.
"Well said! I felt the same way! Reward him! A generous reward indeed!"
Thus, the second half of the Hundred Fish Feast turned into a unique "praise feast".
There was only one theme: praising the little princess for her delicious meal.
The Third Prince Chu Huaijin's face was as black as the bottom of a pot.
All the carefully prepared rhetoric he had prepared to showcase his talent and abilities was now useless.
What is all this nonsense?!
Crown Prince Chu Chongyun maintained a gentle smile throughout, as if he didn't care much about anything.
He would only occasionally raise his glass, his gaze sweeping over Chu Chongjin and Mu Yu, but deep in his eyes lay a trace of gloom that no one could detect.
Mu Yu knew nothing about this.
She was already stuffed.
His little belly is round and plump, like a little ball.
She let out a satisfied burp, slumped back in her chair, and didn't want to move an inch.
Just then, she suddenly remembered something.
"Ninth Brother".
"Hmm?" Chu Chongjin handed over a cup of hawthorn water to aid digestion.
"My eyes are better now, and I can see colors again."
"Yes, that's great."
"The golden light around you seems different from before," Mu Yu said, tilting her head.
Since her eyes were completely blinded, her Eye of Fortune has also been upgraded.
The "color of fortune" she sees now is clearer, but also more complex than before.
For example, at this moment, Chu Chongjin in her eyes was still a dazzling gold.
But within that gold, there were faint wisps of even more dazzling purple energy.
Above the purple aura, there was a faint, almost tangible, golden light of merit.
Meanwhile, Father Mu Fang was surrounded by a rich crimson martial aura, enveloped in a thick layer of pure white light representing his great merit in protecting the country and its people.
Yan Ziche's brother is bluish-white, which represents a flourishing literary career and a pure heart.
Uncle Xiao Beichen is pure crimson, like a ball of fire, straightforward and passionate.
She could understand all of that.
But there are some colors that she doesn't quite understand.
Mu Yu blinked curiously, her gaze sweeping around the Chengtian Hall.
Most officials wore light white or gray clothing.
A few, like Grand Tutor Su Wenyan, were surrounded by a dazzling white light of merit.
The Third Prince, Chu Huaijin, wore a pale gold color that signified his princely status, but within that gold were many gray-black threads representing jealousy and resentment.
It looks dirty.
Mu Yu wrinkled her nose in disgust.
Then, her gaze fell on the Crown Prince, Chu Chongyun, who was always smiling and appeared gentle and refined.
Upon seeing this, Mu Yu's face instantly turned pale.
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