Three days later, the Palace Banquet soon came. With Xiao Qing Zhan’s words, Xu Chang An thought they would not have to go into the palace. How could he know that on the day of the palace banquet, Xiao Qing Yan still let Xu Chang An prepare to go into the palace?
“Am I going alone?” Xiao Qing Yan didn’t even change his clothes; he was still wearing loose clothes. He didn’t mean to change his clothes at all; but made him (XCA) prepared. What he meant was to let him (XCA) go alone?
“Wang is not well. You'll go representing Wang to bid farewell to Jing Wang.”
“Oh, alright, I’ll get ready.” If the imperial family and courtiers were to attend the royal banquet tonight to bid farewell to Jing Wang, so it did not make sense if there was no one representing Xiang Wang Residence.
Almost every time he went to the palace, there was nothing good about it. In fact, Xu Chang An didn’t want to enter the palace at all. In addition, he was alone this time; so, he was a little bit afraid.
“Momo, I’m going to trouble you today.” The Inner Palace established rules, Xu Chang An was still not very clear, only knew that everything must be prudent in making statements and careful in personal conducts, but did not know to what degree. He was Xiao Qing Yan’s Wang Fei, if the attitude was too modest he would be looked down upon, at that time even would implicate Xiao Qing Yan by people's talks.
“Wang Fei, you are Xian Wang Fei, and bestowed marriage by the emperor's imperial decree, do not mean that the civil and military officials are the same as Niangniang of the Inner Palace, beside the empress you need to do half-ceremony (1), the others then you give ceremony according to seniority, they (ladies) also need to give you a return ceremony, you need to keep in mind your honorable status and no need to be detained.” The Great Xiao clearly demarcated the children of legal wife and concubine; thus this had become the imperial family's established rules since. The children of First Empress did not have to give ceremony in front of other concubines, but the concubines must do return ceremony. Fang Momo was an old servant who served the First Empress. She watched the present Succeeding Empress every day for years and paid respect to her as Her Highness Empress Niangniang. Although Lin Guifei was now an empress, in Fang Momo's eyes, what's about being Succeeding Empress? In front of the First Empress’s eldest son, Xian Wang, her honorable status had nowhere to go.
With the words of Fang Momo, Xu Chang An was able to understood an issue; why he had been married to Xiao Qing Yan for so long and had never been brought to the palace to paid respect to the empress. It was not Xiao Qing Yan’s unwillingness, but that they did not need to at all.
“Momo, I understood.”
Royal Palace Banquet had always been a good place for high officials and nobles in the capital to draw close ties and look for their children’s marriage prospect. Because this kind of Palace Banquet could be attended by both men and women, it was not necessary to sit separately, but it was possible to go and see the people you like to.
The banquet was set in the Royal Garden of the palace. The emperor was sitting in the middle, with the empress and the imperial concubines sitting right and left, followed by the princes, and then descended in turn according to the rank of the nobility.
Although Xu Chang An promised Xiao Qing Yan to enter the palace, he did not intend to stay longer, thinking that since he was bidding Jing Wang farewell, then he would met unexpectedly, on behalf of Xiao Qing Yan wished Jing Wang  a great victory in the war, and wished the army could return as soon as possible? After all, he was Xian Wang Fei, now Xian Wang was not well, he had to go back and taking care of Xian Wang as his duty, ah, others should not be able to say anything.
At the beginning of the banquet, accompanied by the rites and music then maids of honor also came out, after a song ended the maids of honor scattered, the emperor named today's theme of the banquet, the courtiers and their children would use a variety of designs and titles to wish Jing Wang a speedy return.
“Imperial sister-in-law~”
“…” This was… How did this girl look familiar? Xu Chang An felt as if he had seen her himself. Wait! She called him imperial sister-in-law, then she must be the emperor’s daughter, this person was Great Xiao Princess Xiao Qing Yue?!
“Your Highness Princess, why are you dressed in men’s clothing?” Just asked out, Xu Chang An regretted, in case he guessed wrong what to do, ah, even if he did not guess wrong, the question he asked was not appropriated.
“Hha imperial sister-in-law, you are so interesting, I used to wear men’s clothes, since childhood, but no one has ever asked me why, I don't know why, may be used to it, and this is quite convenient. You don’t know, in the mountains, it’s convenient to wear a simple men’s suit. It’s too much trouble to wear women’s clothes." Someone had added a chair to Xiao Qing Yue, but Xiao Qing Yue didn’t sit down. She just came to talk to Chang An casually, would be leaving later.
Xiao Qing Yue’s affair, did not say Xu Chang An, even the ordinary people of the Great Xiao also knew a little, now hearing Xiao Qing Yue said such, some admiration in Xu Chang An's heart for this woman. She was a princess and a favorite of the emperor, but she had lived in the mountains since childhood, and as she had just said, she was not waited upon by servant in the mountains, but more like doing everything herself.
The main character of today’s Palace Banquet was Xiao Qing Zhan; he naturally had no time to come and greet Chang An. Xu Chang An wanted to stay a little later, to offer a toast to Xiao Qing Zhan, and then to say goodbye. He didn’t know Xiao Qing Yue would come to talk to him.
“Uh-huh! Xian Wang Fei, although you are also a man, after all, you have married Xian Wang. Now you are counted as the wife of the family. Is it not good for you to be so intimate with that page boy, not afraid of damaging Xian Wang’s face?"
Xu Chang An did not understand why there were so many astonishing things; he did not know the woman who came to make thing difficult for him, also did not know what that woman meant, today there were many men and women at the same table, Xiao Qing Yue and him had occupied a…. Sister-in-law? When he thought of this address, Xu Chang An himself felt constrained and panicked, but he did not thought of the other's description. Did he have such an affiliation with Xiao Qing Yue as that woman said?
“I don’t know what this madam is called, what is your family's husband position in the court?” The woman was at the table next to Xu Chang An. Looking at that position. Xu Chang An thought that the woman’s status could not be lowered, and sure enough, he heard some whispers. The content of the whisper was nothing more than that his poor and humble family's origin had no knowledge and experience, did not even recognized which and whose madam.
Xu Chang An was not only more than unfamiliar with the dignitaries in the capital, but also with the general knowledge. But he didn’t find it embarrassing, because he didn’t need to understand it now.
He did not know other affairs regarding Xian Wang Residence, but now he only knew one! That was, today’s Xian Wang Residence did not need to beguile anyone, and did not need to fear any force.
“My husband is the first-grade Marquis of Yong'an!” This madam of Marquis of Yong’an surnamed Lin, was the Succeeding Empress's step-sister (by concubine). Although her parent’s family got the upper-hand, she was only the daughter of a concubine, but because her relationship with her elder step-sister the Succeeding Empress was not bad, the husband’s family was also very respectable. The family lived happily, and in the palace there was an empress elder sister to support her, naturally this Madam Lin of Marquis of Yong’an would not put Xu Chang An in the eye.
Today’s protagonist was Xiao Qing Zhan, naturally not many people paid attention to Xu Chang An, so even if his status was still impressive, there were not many people here to pay attention to him.
Xu Chang An really did not recognized this Marquis Yong’an nuisance, not to mention the relationship between this person and the succeeding empress, he just thought of Fang Momo’s words at this time; he should not be afraid of the palace's people except the emperor!
“I don’t recognize.” The reply was simple, and the expression on his face was even plain; because Xu Chang An had no expression on his face. Madam Yong’an, who wore a face of proud while introducing herself, never thought that Xu Chang An would react like this. For a moment, she could not react. But when she looked back, she was full of anger.
“Humph! Xian Wang Fei's father is of low official rank, naturally he'll be unfamiliar with my husband, and it is also right that Xian Wang Fei does not know him.” A poor and humble family's origin had no knowledge and experience! When Madam Yong’an looked disdainfully and glanced scornfully at Xu Chang An, she felt that the page boy beside him was somewhat familiar, there was some trepidation in her mind.
“Well, Xian Wang has not seen any foreign guests lately, and only His Highness Jing Wang can visit the residence. Also does not know if Wang Ye knows whether there is a Marquis of Yong'an in the capital, neither has he mentioned it to me. It is also right that (I) Wang Fei does not know him.” Xu Chang An never had any unnecessary expression, only his face was serious.
“Xu Chang An! You're really blowing your own trumpet! (2) What does Xian Wang have to do with you? You are just a man. In the future, if you don't have children, you will not be able to match even the most humble housing. You…” Xu Chang An’s remarks had dissolved all the doubts that Madam of Marquis of Yong'an had just produced. What did Xu Chang An mean? His father did not know her husband under his lower official position! The higher ranked Xian Wang naturally did not put her husband in his eyes! How dare him! How could his father compare with her husband?
“Audacious!”
“What things are you? Even scolding me?!" Madam of Marquis of Yong’an was interrupted by a reproach, which had been burned by the irritation for Xu Chang An. She completely forgot the doubts she had just passed in her heart. She didn’t regret it until she said something in her mouth. Why did she feel that the page boy was so familiar? It’s finished…
“What things is this Gong (I)? Imperial father will tell you!”
Qing Yue called herself this Gong (3), and mentioned imperial father, which was equivalent to self-introduction! Madam Yong’an had doubts in her mind before, but now the truth was as good as the thought that flickered through her heart. She panicked and quickly admitted mistake: “Your Highness the Eldest Princess, pardon me! Chen qie's eyes are not good enough, and Your Highness even dressed in a man’s clothing." Madam of Marquis of Yong’an did not know Xiao Qing Yue, but only knew that in the palace, among the emperor’s several children, Xiao Qing Yue was the most resemble the emperor and that she was good dressed up in men's clothing! Now, coming here, not the same page boy before the eyes….No! Not a page boy ah!
“This madam, what things do you think this Gong is?”
“Princess, pardon me! Chen qie dare not, chen qie dare not!" Although flustered, but Madam Marquis of Yong’an was not much afraid, her husband was the emperor’s minister, elder sister was the empress; would it be that because of her several phrases the emperor would do something to her?
“Dare not? This Gong sees you have a big courage!” Xiao Qing Yue deliberately raised her voice to speak, beside Madame Yong’an buried herself in the apology to Xiao Qing Yue, therefore Xu Chang An and them here had become the focus of everyone’s attention.
Someone was watching here, Madam Marquis of Yong'an bit her lips, and simply knelt down. She was a senior, this way was too much!
Madam Marquis of Yong’an was the succeeding empress step-sister; her own sister knelt on the ground, facing the fearless feral girl! The succeeding empress had no light on her face, directly exported some blame to Xiao Qing Yue and said: “Qing Yue girl, what are you doing with such a big temper? Where did Madam Marquis of Yong'an upset you? You let her, a senior kneel down to you?” The succeeding empress's words inside and out was blaming Xiao Qing Yue. She did not answer the succeeding empress remarks at all. Instead, she walked directly to her imperial father, preparing to file a good complaint.
Xiao Qing Yue did not open her mouth for a moment, but Zhou Guifei was right beside the emperor. Naturally, she would not tolerate the empress saying her daughter like that, face sunk and said to the empress, “The empress is really interesting, senior? Which family is she a senior? The Princess is the monarch; she is the subject, offending the princess is the same as going against one's superior! What does this have to do with the Princess age?”
“Imperial father! That woman just called me a thing! She also scolded my imperial sister-in-law because my sister-in-law did not know Marquis of Yong'an; her husband, and she also called my sister-in-law’s name!" Carrying on her consort mother’s words, Xiao Qing Yue quickly told the emperor what she had just heard, and what the woman spoke to her personally, not a bit adding fuel and vinegar! (4)
“This actually happened?!” Xiao Qing Yue’s tone was nothing but a child’s complaint, but the emperor did not listened with carelessness, directly his face sunk.
As soon as the emperor’s face changed, Madam Marquis of Yong’an immediately kowtowed to the emperor in horror, and kept looking forward to her succeeding empress as if she was seeking help. After all, it was natural for the empress to speak for her sister. This was not only her sister’s business, but also her face.
“Your Majesty, Qing Yue this girl wants to be mischievous, and it is her…”
“Empress Niangniang's words can be said poor speaking, even if it’s not to me, she can’t casually refer people as things! Besides, she scolded my imperial sister-in-law! My sister-in-law didn’t say anything to her. She came up with herself. And others heard it. I didn’t wrong her." Since the self-important Xiao Qing Yan married a male Wang Fei, the forces in the dynasty were directly divided into two factions, just before they left, nearest to Xu Chang An, where they were, was the wife of the Marquis of Weiwu, who was from Jing Wang’s side.
So Madame Marquis of Weiwu consciously listed and repeated the words of a few people, and when the succeeding empress swept away her angry eyes, Madam Marquis of Weiwu said directly, “Empress Niangniang, please don't blame me. Chen qie is just telling the truth. By the way, the words were not only heard by chen qie, if empress niangniang did not believe, the people beside Xian Wang Fei could also talk about what had just happened."
“You!” The succeeding empress's secret warning was clearly spoken out by Madam Marquis Wenwu, looking at the emperor with a guilty heart, just right in the eyes of the emperor.
“Does the empress feel that your sister is more valuable than my princess?”
“Chen qie dare not!” The empress knew that her family would suffer a loss in this matter today, and now she could only find ways to calm the emperor and strive for a lighter punishment.
“Imperial father! I don’t like that Marquis of Yong'an's title! My imperial sister-in-law is called Chang An, he is simply Yong'an! How can it be done?! She just scolded me and scolded sister-in-law. I’m going to punish her family. Imperial father doesn't need them to be Marquis of Yong'an, isn't?" Princess Qing Yue was like a spoiled, but almost let Madam Marquis of Yong'an scared; because according to legend, the emperor had never unsatisfied the request made by the princess since her childhood…..
“Mischievous! You come and stay with me, sit beside me! ”
“No! I have grown so big, even my imperial father and consort mother have not scolded me. What thing is she? Actually dare to scold me! Imperial Father, if you don’t punish her, I’ll go back to my master, and never come back again!” Princess Qing Yue was the younger sister of the third prince, Xiao Qing Zhan. She would be eighteen soon this year. But what she said just now was like what a teenager said. Everyone around her was surprised; wondered if the princess was born with intelligence problems, so the emperor would be so fond of her.
Seeing that his little sister was playing the fool again, Xiao Qing Zhan did not want to expose it at all. Qing Yue was much smarter than him since childhood. Anyway, no matter what she did or said, it made sense. He would not expose her. Of course, he would not tell to the fools around. His little sister was not stupid. Little sister was the smartest!
“You! Oh! Where is Marquis of Yong'an?
“Small official is here! This small official is incompetent; indulges wife’s words and deeds, and offends the princess. When this small official comes home, will let… ”
“Marquis of Yong’an's wife, Lin Shi, does not think of the Imperial family's grace, deprecate the imperial household, and revile the imperial heirs. Marquis of Yong’an, imperial relatives by the succeeding empress is in the wrong way, indulges the wife! Now deprived of his hereditary nobility rank of Marquis Yong'an; reduced to Count Yong'an and then descended from generation to generation." The words of Marquis Yong’an apologized had not been finished, but the emperor’s words made him unable to speak any more, and he collapsed directly on the ground! Sky fallen, unexpected calamity! How would he go home to explain to his family?
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this punishment really…”
“Empress Niangniang, the sound of thunder, rain and dew are all heaven’s grace, still want to give way to Marquis Yong'an… Oh no, this servant's slip of tongue, should be Count Yong'an give gratitude to the emperor, right.” The empress seemed want to plead the emperor, the emperor did not turn back at all, but pulled the happy Princess Qing Yue back to sit, on the sideline the eunuch reminded.
Xu Chang An did not understand how his trouble turned into other people’s trouble, honestly be baffled, he wanted to clear up what just happened, and Xiao Qing Yu’s head appeared in front of him.
“Fourth Highness.”
“Humph, you can really cause trouble, wherever you are!”
“…” wasn't he very innocent? Obviously they (ladies) found their own trouble! Today, if there was no Xiao Qing Yue, Xu Chang An knew that he could only suffer losses, even if his mouth strongly refuted to go back, it was hard to avoid being laughed at by people around. This Xiao Qing Yu did not know what was going on, had been looking at him liked an eyesore, and His Highness Jing Wang and Princess Qing Yue were lovely.
Right, Jing Wang, he had not offered a toast to Jing Wang yet. Did not want to talk to Xiao Qing Yu, Xiao Qing Yu did not pay much attention to Xu Chang An; he came to scold Xu Chang An a sentence and left. Xu Chang An did not mind at the same time the people around was shocked, a full glass of wine arrived at Xiao Qing Zhan.
“Your Highness Jing Wang, I would like to propose a toast to you; wish you a smooth sailing and return to victory at an early date." Perhaps because of Xiao Qing Yue, the more Xu Chang An looked at Xiao Qing Zhan the more pleased he was. Those who speak to Xiao Qing Zhan could be in two manners.
With a look of sincerity and genuine, and wearing a humble smile.
“Thank you, imperial sister-in-law!” He drank the cup in his hand, Xiao Qing Zhan drank it before he said to Xu Chang An, “Didn't I let imperial sister-in-law took good care of my imperial elder brother? Why are you still in the palace?”
“It was Wang Ye who asked me to come. Wang Ye asked me to bid farewell for third younger brother for him. This is my cup of honor for you, third younger brother." Xu Chang An could feel that Xiao Qing Zhan’s feelings towards Xiao Qing Yan were not disguised; he really cared about Xiao Qing Yan. Born in the imperial family, brothers could have such feelings, it was rare, Jing Wang really had a heart of innocence like a newborn, hoped this good person have a good retribution, return to victory at an early date.
The drink had been drank, the words had been said, Xu Chang An had to go back. He just stayed for a while and got this big thing out of the way. He didn’t know what was going to happen, so he had better run away.
After explaining the situation with Xiao Qing Zhan, and reporting to the emperor, Xu Chang An hurried away. When he got out of the palace and sat in the carriage of Xian Wang Residence, he dared to vent his breath loudly, and then caressed his chest in fright.
When he was in the palace, he felt as if he had been stared at by countless eye-knives, especially the succeeding empress, which was particularly sharp and penetrating. He felt that he would never walk again, and that his body was full of holes!
“But… It feels good. Anyway, I did not lose Xiao Qing Yan's face, nor was I angry." And let those who find trouble for him to suffer a lot! Hereupon, they dare not provoke him anymore!
“Wang Fei did a good job today, that's what you should do." Cowardly would only disgrace the imperial family, if an insignificant madam marquis was made to play by the ear, then how could Xian Wang stand in the capital in the future? Fang Momo was satisfied with Xu Chang An’s performance tonight. She felt that Wang Fei was not as timid as Wang Ye had said. Wang Fei still had an idea of his own.
“Is it? Then that's good.” He felt satisfied, and with the affirmation of Fang Momo, Xu Chang An had no doubt about it. He decided to go back and talk to Xiao Qing Yan about it. He did not know whether Xiao Qing Yan would praise him or not.
(1) Half ceremony is a kind of etiquette of bending the body up and down. In ancient China, the distinction between the order and status of the senior (superior) and junior (inferior) had obvious signs/position. In the salute, receiving a complete ceremony are the seniors (superiors) and they only pay/return half of ceremony, which is called “half ceremony”
(2) Blow one's trumpet = to talk about oneself or one’s achievements especially in a way that shows that one is proud or too proud
(3) Gong = palace; a self-pronoun like Wang (king); the empress and princess use this term to talk with inferiors.