Chapter 181
That evening, a banquet was held in the palace to celebrate the victorious soldiers; it was also a royal family banquet.
Inside the Linde Hall, the lights were dazzling and the music was melodious.
Golden goblets and jade cups reflected the brilliant candlelight, the aromas of delicacies mingling with incense and perfume, permeating the carved beams and painted rafters. Dancers with flowing sleeves moved gracefully, their figures swaying beautifully, while musicians played magnificent melodies of a prosperous era.
A palace banquet, intended for victorious soldiers and also a royal family feast, was in full swing, filled with singing and dancing.
On the imperial couch, the emperor, dressed in casual clothes, smiled gently as he accepted toasts from his ministers and family members. His gaze swept across the crowd below with gentle warmth, seemingly immersed in the celebration, but perhaps only his close attendants could glimpse a subtle scrutiny and a faint weariness deep within his eyes.
Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun sat upright in the most honored seat on the lower left of the imperial couch, his bright yellow robes accentuating his handsome features. His hand holding the cup was steady, and as he addressed the princes and ministers who came to offer toasts, his words were polite, his smile gentle, and every movement befitting a crown prince. However, that smile did not truly reach his eyes.
His gaze would occasionally sweep across the table, briefly meeting that of General Sheng Chi and his brother, the newly promoted General of the Cavalry, Sheng Xuan, seated opposite him.
They raised their glasses to each other, everything was understood without words, yet under the watchful eyes of everyone, they maintained just the right distance and restraint between ruler and subject.
In that brief exchange of glances lay a tacit understanding honed over months of military service, as well as a subtle, unspoken awareness.
On the other side of the table, the Imperial Concubine, with her stunning beauty and graceful demeanor, was smiling and whispering to the ladies beside her. She was dressed with great care today, adorned with jewels and exquisite robes, her eyes and brows exuding a perfect blend of elegance and a hint of barely perceptible self-satisfaction.
Her son, the Second Prince, sat in a seat not far away. He was tall and handsome, with a resemblance in his features to Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun, but with a sharper and more assertive air. At this moment, he was chatting and laughing with several members of the imperial family and young officials, his words witty and eloquent, quoting classical texts, occasionally eliciting knowing laughter from those around him. He was not merely engaging in social interaction, but rather guiding the conversation, displaying a natural and highly charismatic leadership quality.
To be fair, the Second Prince himself was also an extremely outstanding person.
He was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, excelling in both literature and martial arts. In literature, he studied under a great Confucian scholar of the time, mastering all the classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections. His essays on strategy and policy often received praise from the Grand Tutor, and he also had his own unique insights into current affairs, proving he was not just a theorist. In martial arts, he was skilled in archery and horsemanship. Although he had never actually been on the battlefield, his agility and skill in military drills, as well as his ingenious and unconventional thinking in military strategy, impressed even some veteran generals.
He was warm and cheerful in his dealings with people, and good at making friends. He was highly respected among the younger generation of the imperial family and noble sons, and naturally gathered a group of supporters around him. If it weren't for the fact that Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun was a brilliant predecessor, and that he held the title of eldest son and the emperor's unreserved favor, the Second Prince, with his talent and the influence of his maternal clan, would have been fully capable of becoming the heir apparent.
However, it was precisely this "if not" and "fully possessed" that became the most difficult knot in his heart, the most scorching thorn.
When he looked in the direction of Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun, what was hidden behind his smile was not only jealousy, but also a deep sense of resentment and being underutilized.
He believed his talent was no less than Xiao Qiyun's, and even more decisive and sharp in some aspects. However, just because he was born a few years later and his maternal clan was not the moonlight in his father's heart, he was destined to be subordinate to others, watching his seemingly gentle but perhaps too "benevolent" older brother occupy the position that he could have competed for.
He carefully concealed his thoughts beneath his cheerful smile and proper demeanor, but the sharp glint in his eyes that occasionally flashed out could not escape the observation of certain observant people.
The emperor's gaze would occasionally fall on the second prince, but the warmth in his eyes was ultimately different from the hidden concern and expectation he showed when looking at the crown prince, Xiao Qiyun.
Everyone in the court knows that the person His Majesty cherishes most is his late Empress Yuan, the birth mother of Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun. The woman who was his childhood sweetheart and deeply devoted to him died young, leaving behind a lasting sorrow and a cherished memory for His Majesty.
This deep affection was transferred without reservation to Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun. She personally taught him from a young age and protected him with all her might, thus establishing his unshakeable position in the Eastern Palace. This is also the fundamental reason why, although the Consort and her son were favored, they were never able to truly touch the core power.
The music faded slightly, and the dance ended. The emperor raised his cup, facing Sheng Chi and Sheng Xuan, his voice carrying the affable tone of a banquet: "Sheng Chi, Sheng Xuan, you two brothers have made invaluable contributions to the hardships you endured on the northern frontier. Come, I will toast you again."
Sheng Chi and Sheng Xuan immediately stood up, raised their cups with both hands, and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Your Majesty! We dare not take credit for this; it is all thanks to Your Majesty's boundless might and the soldiers' valiant efforts!"
The emperor and his ministers drank together in a harmonious atmosphere.
Setting down his wine cup, the emperor casually asked, "Sheng Xuan'er, you're now in charge of the Western Camp in the capital. Are you getting used to it? The capital is not like the border region; there are many rules and complicated personnel matters."
Sheng Xuan put down his wine cup and replied loudly, "Your Majesty, I am new here and still learning about many things. I am honored by Your Majesty's trust and will certainly do my best to fulfill my duties, familiarize myself with the camp's affairs as soon as possible, and live up to Your Majesty's grace!" His tone was spirited, with the sharpness unique to young people, yet he did not forget the rules.
The Emperor nodded and smiled, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun: "The Crown Prince spent quite a bit of time with you two brothers while he was in the army. He is young, so if he does anything inappropriate, you must give him your guidance."
These words sounded like a casual remark from an elder, but they made the eyelids of several senior officials at the table twitch slightly.
Sheng Chi calmly replied, "Your Majesty is too kind. Although His Highness the Crown Prince is young, he is intelligent, composed, and considerate of his subordinates. He often discusses matters with us in the army, and there is nothing inappropriate about it. We have benefited greatly from his advice."
Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun also rose at the opportune moment and said humbly, "Your Majesty is too kind. Your son is young and inexperienced. In military affairs, we rely heavily on the General to steer the ship, and General Shengxuan and other generals to bravely take the lead. Your son has only been learning from the sidelines and doing his best in my small way."
The emperor chuckled, said no more, and turned to enjoy the newly performed songs and dances.
However, that brief exchange, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, created ripples in the hearts of many. Was His Majesty reminding the Sheng brothers to be mindful of their distance from the Crown Prince? Or was he testing something?
As the banquet progressed to the middle of the day, the atmosphere became increasingly lively, with toasts being exchanged and laughter filling the air.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to offer a toast, Sheng Xuan circled around to Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun's seat. He raised his wine cup, his voice slightly louder than usual, carrying the hearty tone of a military general: "This humble general toasts Your Highness! Your Highness's supervision of the army is excellent, and this humble general admires you!"
Xiao Qiyun raised her glass with a smile, her posture elegant: "General Shengxuan is brave and invincible, and I deeply admire him. I wish the general continued success in his new post." The two drank together, their movements fluid and their words official, leaving no room for criticism.
After finishing his drink, Sheng Xuan, taking advantage of the moment he bent down to put down his wine cup, said in a very low voice, at a speed that only Xiao Qiyun could hear, "Several unfamiliar faces have been transferred to the Western Camp recently. They have quite powerful backgrounds. Your Highness should be careful."
Xiao Qiyun's hand holding the cup remained motionless, his smile still gentle, and he only nodded very slightly to indicate that he understood.
Sheng Xuan straightened up, regained his cheerful demeanor, and bowed as he stepped aside.
All of this happened very quickly, and to everyone else, it was just a normal scene of a young general toasting the crown prince to show his loyalty.
The second prince took in the whole scene. He picked up his wine glass, walked slowly toward Sheng Chi, and toasted him with a hearty smile. His words were full of just the right amount of flattery and attempts to make friends, as if he were completely immersed in the celebration of this grand feast.
The clamor of the banquet continued, but undercurrents were silently surging amidst the clinking of glasses.
Far beyond the palace walls, within the Su residence, Su Zhelan sat facing a solitary lamp, perusing medical books, completely unaware of the banquet that would determine the fate of so many, and the net that was quietly being cast.
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