Chapter 19 The Banquet "Third brother! You are truly... a disgrace..."
Yesterday's negotiations between the courtiers of the two countries ended in discord, but tonight, at this grand banquet, they have gathered again. The officials have put aside yesterday's hostility and are exchanging courteous greetings in an orderly manner.
Three feet against the wall of the Wushuang Hall, a multi-panel screen with gold-decorated wooden carvings was placed, completely concealing the musicians of the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau). The people in the hall could only hear the high-pitched strumming of strings and the simultaneous sound of percussion instruments, the melodious and ancient music was intoxicating.
Emperor Chongming valued Buddhist rituals and still did not attend the grand banquet hosted by the delegation. He appointed Sheng Honghai, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and Zheng Guanhe, the Grand Secretary and Minister of Personnel, to preside over the banquet. The two were figures second only to the emperor in both the inner and outer courts, so they could not be considered ungrateful.
The Wushuang Hall is magnificent and tall. At the end of the hall hangs a curtain embroidered with yellow dragons. On the east and west sides are cushions made of yellow brocade and peacock feathers. In front of each cushion is a carved and shiny wooden table, ensuring that each person has a seat.
The capital city was filled with numerous officials from the Six Ministries and Nine Courts; officials below the fourth rank were not qualified to attend. The royal family of the Huang Dynasty was dwindling in number; apart from Prince Jing, Feng Cheng, and Prince Chu, Feng Tingxiao, only the Second Princess, Feng Dai, attended the grand banquet.
She was spoiled and loved excitement, so Emperor Chongming, fearing she would cause trouble, sent Yun Jingxun, an official from the Palace Administration Department, to look after her. Yun Jingxun held the position of Palace Chief in the Palace Administration Department, in charge of investigating and punishing those in the palace. He was incorruptible and never bent the law or showed favoritism.
Feng Daijie took her seat at the head of the women's section. Looking at the empty seat beside her, she turned to her personal maid, Dou Xiaoquan, and said, "Xiao Liling has quite the nerve. I've been here for so long, and she still hasn't arrived!"
Dou Xiaoquan poured her a cup of tea to calm her down and comforted her, saying, "Princess, the banquet won't start for another quarter of an hour. Princess Liling is on her way."
“I’ve heard…” Feng Dai is fifteen years old this year, the age when she loves beauty. She paused for a moment before saying, “This princess of Hua Kingdom is unparalleled in talent and beauty. She has not been betrothed to anyone for many years. How old is she now?”
Dou Xiaoquan knew that Feng Daijie's words were meant to compete with Princess Liling in beauty, so he chose some pleasant words to say: "Princess Liling is twenty-nine years old. After she came of age, the emperor of Hua Kingdom betrothed her to a general of Hua Kingdom, but for some reason, the engagement was canceled, and it has been delayed until now."
Upon hearing this, Feng Daijie seemed to be deep in thought. She held up the tung flower mirror and carefully examined the vermilion flower decoration painted on her forehead. She scoffed and said, "Rumors say she's incredibly beautiful, but no man wants her. But then again, she's already broken off her engagement with someone else. How can she still have the face to marry Father Emperor?"
Dou Xiaoquan dared not tell the truth, yet dared not remain silent, stammering, "She is the only legitimate princess of the Hua Kingdom... her status is extremely noble..."
Upon hearing this, Feng Daijie smashed the tung flower mirror at Dou Xiaoquan's forehead, angrily shouting, "You wretch! How dare you imply that I am born of a concubine?!"
Yun Jingxun sat upright, lifted his eyelids to glance at the unruly princess, and said, "Xiao Quan, go down and bandage her. I will personally serve the princess."
Dou Xiaoquan glanced at the furious Feng Dai, then bowed and retreated with tears in his eyes.
Yun Jingxun's voice was devoid of any emotion, and he sat upright without moving, saying, "His Majesty has just lifted Your Highness's confinement. Your Highness should restrain your temper and refrain from coming to the Palace Administration Office again."
Feng Daijie was annoyed and angrily flicked her sleeves.
A loud shout from a eunuch in red robes echoed through the long corridor of the Wu Shuang Hall, drawing everyone's attention to the hall's entrance.
Xiao Liling wore a crimson silk dress embroidered with gold clouds and pheasant patterns, the neckline embroidered with intertwined floral patterns, and a moon-white silk sash around her waist, her demeanor graceful and dignified. Today, she wore her hair in a serpentine bun, possessing a beautiful face and gentle temperament, her steps as graceful as lotus blossoms.
Jin An and Feng Tan sat near the palace entrance. As Xiao Liling's figure receded into the distance, wine dripped from Jin An's mouth. He murmured, "Tan-ge'er, she's so beautiful..."
He glanced sideways at the smiling young man gazing into the distance beside him, then shook his head. "Tan-ge'er's appearance is still superior. I always feel there's a...divine quality to him...? If Tan-ge'er wore those clothes..."
Seeing his dazed expression, Feng Tan slapped him on the forehead and laughed, scolding, "I'm a grown man! Speaking of which, little brother Jin'an, what are you thinking about all day? Why do you drool over every good-looking person you see..."
Seeing Feng Tan's disgust, Jin An quickly wiped the drool from his lips and said sheepishly, "I...I don't know, I just feel longing when I see someone good-looking..."
While they were whispering amongst themselves, Sheng Honghai's booming voice rang out from the head of the table.
After he finished speaking, the palace maids dressed in colorful dance costumes filed in, and the musicians behind the gold-decorated, wood-carved, multi-panel screen suddenly changed the key, and a piece called "The Prince of Lanling Enters the Battle" was played from their fingertips.
The banquet was organized by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, whose two assistant ministers sourced delicacies from all over the country. The food was served in first-class shallow glass bowls, and the wine was imperial brew that had been sealed for twenty years. All the dishes were arranged on a carved wooden table, making one's mouth water.
Feng Daijie sat down beside Xiao Liling in a huff. Her hostility toward Xiao Liling was not without reason. Xiao Liling was more beautiful than her and now she was trying to steal Emperor Chongming's exclusive favor from his mother, Consort Su. She had already argued with Emperor Chongming when she heard the news of the marriage alliance. Afterwards, Emperor Chongming sent her to the Palace Administration Department and put her in confinement, ordering her to learn proper manners.
Sister Feng tilted her head back and drank a mouthful of wine in silence, then slammed the wine cup onto the table with a clang.
Feng Tingxiao glanced at her sideways and smiled, saying, "Little niece, is something bothering you? Come and tell your royal uncle."
Feng Daijie spoke sarcastically, "There will soon be one more mouth to feed in the palace. My mother is in charge of the harem, and I'm afraid she'll be overworked!"
Feng Tingxiao chuckled and said to Feng Tang beside him, "Second brother, look at this. My little niece is not even of marriageable age yet, but she already cherishes her mother. She's grown up."
Feng Tang was always mature and steady, unlike Feng Tingxiao who was witty and humorous. He also disliked getting involved in the petty squabbles and jealousies between women, and gave a cold snort to indicate that he had heard it.
Xiao Liling took in the words and actions of the members of the Huang Dynasty royal family, raised her wine cup to Feng Dai, and smiled slightly, saying, "The situation between Hua Kingdom and Huang Kingdom is still unclear, and the matter of marriage alliance has not yet become a national policy, so please do not be upset, Princess."
These words only highlighted Feng Dai's willful nature. She was speechless at Xiao Liling's understated words and was about to speak again when she saw Xiao Yinshi arriving late.
Under the hanging palace lanterns, the imperial path stretched long, and the pale red light illuminated the man's cold and stern eyes. No one knew where he had committed his killings, as there were still traces of blood on the hem of his clothes that had not yet dried. This was a major taboo at the palace banquet, but no one dared to say a word.
Xiao Yinshi subtly intruded upon Feng Daijie, causing her to catch her breath and blush. She swallowed back the foul words she was about to utter to Xiao Liling.
Feng Tingxiao took in her change, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
The cold-faced Yama arrived suddenly, and the lively banquet seemed to freeze for a moment until Xiao Yinshi took his seat, after which time began to flow again.
Feng Dai's heart pounded. She held the golden cup of sake in her hand, the words of that person from last night flashing through her mind. She let out a long sigh and walked towards Xiao Yinshi as if she had made up her mind.
Feng Tingxiao's lips curled up, and he stopped looking at her, picking up his wine glass and walking towards Feng Tan, who was near the palace gate.
A shadow fell before her. Feng Tan raised her eyes and saw Feng Tingxiao smiling at her with a composed expression. She greeted him, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Feng Tingxiao casually poured a glass of wine and handed it to Feng Tan, saying with a gentle smile, "I was unable to drink with Lord Feng at the Red Sleeve Pavilion last time, so you can't refuse me again today!"
Feng Tan raised his wine cup to Feng Tingxiao, a lonely smile appearing in his clear eyes. He drank the wine in one gulp and said, "Your Highness is so hospitable, I dare not refuse!"
“We’re all kindred spirits,” Feng Tingxiao poured another cup, then leaned down to look at Feng Tan’s face. “Look at all these officials, aren’t they all hypocrites, frequenting brothels while claiming to be saints? So hypocritical! The only one who, like me, openly indulges in debauchery in brothels is Lord Feng! A scholar will die for one who understands him. Come on, cheers!”
Feng Tan smiled without a smile, tilted his head back and drank another cup of spicy liquor.
The wine pot was small and exquisite, and it was empty in just a few cups. Feng Tingxiao called to the little eunuch who was serving him to bring another pot of wine, and poured two more cups himself. "The so-called way of yin and yang harmony is that the two bodies are united and grinding each other, with the upper and lower parts moving together, and the flesh embedded in the flesh, so that one can have endless pleasure! I have heard that Lord Feng has a unique skill, and can fight with the silver spear for three thousand times without being penetrated. Could you tell me about it?"
"..." Even with her thick skin, Feng Tan couldn't help but feel embarrassed talking about matters of love and sex with her royal uncle. She drank the wine, covered her mouth and coughed, and waved her hand in the gap, saying, "This humble official is a little drunk. Your Highness has a great capacity for alcohol, this humble official admires you!"
Feng Tingxiao drank a cup, gestured for the eunuch to refill it, and said with a smile, "Lord Feng, don't be modest. We who frequent brothels all have a huge capacity for alcohol. This is nothing. How about next time you visit a brothel, Lord Feng, allow me to observe and learn? We won't drink any more wine tonight!"
Jin An looked at Feng Tan, whose cheeks were flushed with a peach-like color, and advised, "Your Highness, Tan-ge'er's alcohol tolerance..."
...That's really bad. He just said he gets drunk after three cups.
The third cup of wine was handed to Feng Tan. She lowered her eyes to look at the clear liquid in the cup, then looked at the smiling tiger in front of her, took the cup, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
Feng Tingxiao turned his head and asked Jin An, "How is Lord Feng's alcohol tolerance?"
Jin An said, "...It's fine."
Feng Tingxiao was determined to get drunk with Feng Tan today, and they drank one cup after another without stopping.
Feng Tan knew this couldn't go on. She'd finally made it to the palace; the investigation couldn't be delayed. She glanced at Jin An, and suddenly an idea struck her. She patted her chest, covered her lips, and said, "Brother Jin An, quick... a spittoon! I... feel like vomiting..."
Jin An hurriedly got up to find a spittoon, but Feng Tan covered her mouth, seemingly unable to hold it in. With a crash, the table overturned, and she fell into Feng Tingxiao's arms, leaning over to vomit.
The commotion at the palace gate was so loud that everyone looked up.
Feng Tan looked up from Feng Tingxiao's embrace, meeting his disdainful gaze devoid of any smile. He drunkenly shouted, "Hey? Why aren't you drinking? Where's the wine! Your Highness, pour some wine! We're going to the Red Sleeve Pavilion later to indulge in some intimate moments and figure out the secrets of male-female intercourse!"
After he finished speaking, the music stopped, the dance stopped, and the entire hall was silent; you could hear a pin drop.
Feng Tang smashed a wine cup and angrily rebuked, "Third brother! You are truly... a disgrace to literature!"
A note from the author:
Here it comes!
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