Chapter 108 Regret at the Palace Banquet
The day after the matters concerning the Nanzhao envoys were discussed, the emperor hosted a grand banquet in the Taiji Hall to welcome them. High-ranking officials and adult princes were among those invited.
Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang, dressed in the formal attire of a prince and princess, attracted many stares as they walked side by side into the main hall.
They immediately spotted Lou Yan and Lou Shang, who were already seated.
This is the first time Lou Shang has appeared in such a public setting since his ban was lifted.
He wore robes befitting a prince, but in a simple, understated color. He sat alone in his seat, his eyes lowered, a stark contrast to the arrogant and domineering fourth prince of the past.
Lou Jin and Lou Yan exchanged a knowing glance, both seeing a hint of caution in each other's eyes.
Ye Xunyang was even more surprised and couldn't help but glance at Lou Shang a few more times.
The banquet began, with toasts flowing freely and a lively atmosphere prevailing.
The Nanzhao envoy presented a letter of state and congratulatory gifts, with a dazzling array of treasures and exotic objects on display, demonstrating Nanzhao's sincerity and wealth.
The emperor was in a good mood. He waved his hand and said to his three sons with a smile, "Take a look at these things, brothers. If you like any of them, take a few."
Normally, Lou Shang would be the first to step forward.
However, today, he remained quietly seated until Lou Yan and Lou Jin each symbolically chose one item before he slowly stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the remaining gifts, and finally picking up only an inconspicuous paperweight.
Ye Xunyang watched from the sidelines, secretly astonished. Taking advantage of the crowd's attention being focused on the singing and dancing, he quietly leaned close to Lou Jin's ear and whispered, "Your Highness, has he been driven mad by being locked up, or has he had a different soul? Why is he so well-behaved?"
Lou Jin picked up his wine glass and said in a low voice, "His mother has passed away. Although he has been released, he is not as good as before. It is normal for him to keep a low profile."
Just as he was pondering this, he saw Lou Shang carrying his wine glass, leaving his seat and walking over.
He first walked up to Lou Yanxi, bowed, and spoke in an unusually calm tone, even with a hint of barely perceptible respect: "Elder brother, I have not yet paid you a visit since you returned to the capital. I would like to offer you a toast."
Lou Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, his cold face revealing no emotion, but he did not refuse, raising his glass to drink with Lou Shang.
After drinking, Lou Shang turned to Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang.
He raised his cup again, his gaze first falling on Lou Jin, his tone sincere, even humble: "Third Imperial Brother, Third Imperial Sister-in-law." He even toasted Ye Xunyang as well.
"In my youth, I was ignorant and offended my third brother many times, and my actions were often inappropriate. Now I know I was wrong and regret it deeply. I offer this cup of wine to express my apology and hope that my third brother can forgive my past mistakes."
These words were spoken with sincerity and humility, a stark contrast to the arrogant Lou Shang of the past.
In front of all the imperial relatives, ministers, and envoys from Nanzhao, Lou Jin, even if he had many doubts in his heart, could not possibly lash out on the spot or embarrass him.
He calmly picked up his wine cup. Seeing this, Ye Xunyang reached out and took the cup from his hand, nodded slightly to Lou Shang, and said softly, "Your Highness is too kind. Your Highness caught a cold the other day and should not drink too much. I will drink this cup for you."
Having said that, he calmly drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.
Lou Shang watched Ye Xunyang drink on his behalf, his face showing no displeasure at being slighted, but instead maintaining his humble expression.
“It was my oversight, Third Brother’s health is of utmost importance.” He looked at Lou Jin with exceptional sincerity in his eyes. “As long as Third Brother understands my remorse, that’s enough.”
Lou Jin spoke calmly, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger: "We're family, there's no need for this. Let bygones be bygones."
Upon hearing this, Lou Shang seemed relieved, bowed again, and then returned to his seat, becoming silent and taciturn once more.
As Ye Xunyang watched his retreating figure, the strange feeling in his heart grew stronger.
He couldn't help but lean closer to Lou Jin again and whispered in an almost breathless voice, "Your Highness, what exactly is he putting on? Why do I feel so uneasy?" This sudden change was more alarming than Lou Shang's continued arrogance.
Lou Jin gently held Ye Xunyang's hand under the table, pressing his fingertips soothingly on the back of his hand, but his gaze remained sharp as a hawk's. He said in a low voice, "Whether he is genuinely repentant or has other plans, we should observe the situation and be on guard."
The palace banquet continued in a lively atmosphere, with singing and dancing, creating a peaceful and harmonious scene.
The Nanzhao envoy rose from his seat again, bowed respectfully, and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's hospitality, I have prepared a special song and dance performance of Nanzhao to enhance the enjoyment of the meal. I hope Your Majesty will accept it with pleasure."
The emperor was in a good mood and nodded with a smile: "Granted."
As soon as he finished speaking, a melodious and ethereal tune drifted from outside the hall, carrying an exotic and mysterious quality.
Immediately afterwards, a woman dressed in Nanzhao attire gracefully danced into the hall to the beat of music.
She wore a tight-fitting short blouse with an indigo base and embroidered with colorful totems, paired with a flowing, floor-length skirt. She had a light veil around her arm and wore a silver crown with tassels hanging down her head, swaying gracefully with her dance steps.
Her face was covered with a light veil of the same color, revealing only a pair of bright and sparkling eyes. Her eyes seemed to have hooks that could easily capture people's hearts.
As the music quickened, her dance became increasingly graceful.
Her slender waist swayed gracefully, like a willow in the wind; her long sleeves fluttered like clouds unfurling.
The silver bells tied to her ankles jingled and tinkled as she spun and jumped, drawing the attention of most people in the hall. They watched with rapt attention, and some even couldn't help but whisper their admiration.
Lou Yan had no interest in such singing and dancing, only staring at the wine glass in his hand, occasionally taking a sip.
Lou Jin initially only glanced at it casually, but then noticed that Ye Xunyang beside him was watching it quite intently.
Lou Jin's eyes darkened slightly, and a playful smile curved his lips.
Using the cover of his wide sleeves, he naturally wrapped his arm around Ye Xunyang's back and gave him a precise, light pinch on his firm abdomen.
Ye Xunyang was engrossed in watching when he was suddenly attacked. His body stiffened abruptly, and he almost cried out, but fortunately he managed to hold it in.
He turned his head in surprise and met Lou Jin's gaze, but Ye Xunyang felt guilty.
Lou Jin did not withdraw his hand, but instead took advantage of the situation and slowly moved down along the smooth muscle lines, sliding down to the thigh through the fabric, and gently pressed it.
He leaned close to Ye Xunyang's ear and spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
"You're watching so intently, you've memorized every single movement? You must have learned it. Why don't you dance it for me tonight? Wear this outfit."
He glanced meaningfully at the dancer's costume in the arena.
Ye Xunyang's face instantly turned bright red, the blush spreading all the way to his neck. He was both ashamed and angry, and subconsciously brought his legs together, trying to get away.
He lowered his voice, his tone tinged with panic and pleading, "No! I won't! You...you can't touch me like that, I...I won't look anymore, okay?"
As he spoke, he forcibly turned his head away, no longer looking at the scene. His ears were burning red, and all his attention was focused on the hand that was still lingering on his leg.
Seeing his embarrassed appearance, Lou Jin chuckled softly, then restrained himself slightly and placed his large hand on his leg, no longer moving around, though the heat from his palm was still scalding.
The music in the venue stopped abruptly after a soaring turn.
The Nanzhao princess froze in a perfect backbend and spin, then gracefully bowed down.
The hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted in enthusiastic applause and exclamations.
Taking this opportunity, the Nanzhao envoy stepped forward again, his voice carrying just the right amount of respect and expectation: "Your Majesty, the dancer is Princess Anuo of our Nanzhao King."
"Your Highness has long admired the splendor of the Great Sheng Dynasty, and my King also wishes to forge an eternal bond of marriage with Your Majesty. Therefore, I have specially ordered the princess to accompany me, and humbly request Your Majesty's permission to grant us this marriage, so as to solidify the friendship between our two nations for eternity!"
These words shocked the entire hall.
The crowd, who had just been enjoying the song and dance, suddenly erupted in uproar, whispering among themselves.
Lou Yan's hand gripping the wine glass tightened suddenly, his knuckles turning white, and his heart sank.
He looked up at the Nanzhao princess kneeling on the ground, then quickly glanced at the emperor on the throne, his face extremely ugly.
Of the three—himself, Lou Jin, and Lou Shang—Lou Jin has already married Ye Xunyang, Lou Shang even has a child, and he is the only one who is still unmarried.
But his relationship with Yu Beichen had just been established, and he couldn't afford any mishaps at this crucial moment.
Lou Jin also instantly realized this. He looked at Lou Yan, and their eyes met briefly in the air. They both clearly saw the solemnity and worry in each other's eyes.
Now, the situation has indeed become tricky.
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