chapter 184

Qin Mian helplessly looked at his youngest son and flicked his forehead.

“Go the side!”

“Hehe!” Lei Ruilin made a funny face at him and obediently sat down beside Qin Ruiqi.

“Wife, what did you want to say?” asked Lei Tie.

Qin Mian motioned him to look at the opposite side and communicated in mind, “They’re both members of the Imperial Clan. Can His Majesty tolerate them?”

Lei Tie said, too profound to be understood, “Perhaps, His Majesty would be glad to see it happen.”

Qin Mian understood what he meant when he thought about it.

Princes, noblemen, courtiers, mandated ladies, and so on entered the venue one after another. It was still early. People either stood or sat together to chat.

At the beginning of the dog hour [7 PM], the palace eunuch’s announcement came from outside the garden’s gate, “Here comes His Majesty the Emperor~~ Here comes Her Majesty the Empress~~”

The sounds of stringed and woodwind instruments stopped. Everyone stood and retreated to both sides.

Emperor Xiaohui and the empress ascended the dais together.

Everyone knelt and cried out, “Long live Your Majesty the Emperor; long live Her Majesty the Empress~~”

“You may rise.” Emperor Xiaohui’s voice was as loud as a bell.

“Many thanks, Your Majesty!”

They all stood at the appointed seats and waited until Emperor Xiaohui said they could sit down.

Shortly, the palace eunuch announced again, “Here comes His Highness the Sixth Prince of Tuluo and the envoy officials~~”

Liu Manqing, the Sixth Prince of Tuluo, marched in with his six envoy officials.

Liu Manqing stopped two zhang [6.6m] in front of the dais, bowed with his right fist on his left chest, and said in a loud voice, “This foreign envoy greets His Majesty of Great Xia.”

All the people behind him saluted in unison, “This foreign minister greets His Majesty of Great Xia.”

Emperor Xiaohui gave a hearty laugh and raised his hand and he said, “My honorable envoys may rise!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Xiaohui said, “My honorable envoys may take your seats.”

When Liu Manqing and the others sat down, Emperor Xiaohui said, “Coming from afar, it has been a long journey. Zhen specially ordered people to hold this banquet to welcome you and help wash off the dust1. Your Highness Liu and your honorable envoys must enjoy it to your satisfaction.”

Liu Manqing said, “Many thanks, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Xiaohui raised his voice and said, “Start the banquet~~”

The sounds of stringed and woodwind instruments began again. All dancers from the Music and Dance Office of the Inner Palace specialized in music and dance, came floating with flowing sleeves along with the melody, trippingly dancing.

The beautiful palace maids and the nimble palace eunuchs carried trays in their hands as they walked in, in a line. Good wine, fine food, fruits, and pastries were served one by one, filling the entire table.

It was probably because Qin Mian had been running a restaurant for several years, he developed an occupational disease and habitually looked at the dishes on the table. He didn’t know the name of the dishes from the imperial kitchen, but from the ingredients, he could roughly see that they were five-flavored chicken, duck with assorted combination, steamed crab, braised dried abalone, fried shrimp in hot spicy sauce, and soup simmered inside a whole winter melon. They were all beautiful and exquisite in appearance, which made people eager to start eating. They were worthy of being the cuisine from the imperial kitchen.

Emperor Xiaohui raised his cup and said, “Your Highness Liu, Zhen would like to propose a toast to you first.”

“Many thanks, Your Majesty.” Liu Manqing stood up and downed the cup in one gulp.

As the mother of the state, the empress also made a toast.

After Liu Manqing returned the toast to Emperor Xiaohui and the empress respectively, the banquet officially started. When Emperor Xiaohui picked up the chopsticks, everyone moved their chopsticks.

Qin Mian was very curious about the dishes from the imperial kitchen. He unscrupulously tasted them separately. The fried shrimp in hot spicy sauce surprised him the most.

Lei Tie put down his chopsticks and shelled a plate for him, which made many people look over.

In fact, the main purpose of most people attending the palace banquet was not to eat but to show their faces. In particular, since the emperor was the supreme in the country, a breach of etiquette couldn’t be tolerated in the presence of the emperor. Therefore, most people just ate a few mouthfuls at the palace banquet. When they saw the emperor putting down his chopsticks, they put theirs down. When they saw the emperor picking up his chopsticks, they picked theirs up again.

Thus, Qin Mian and Lei Tie’s table appeared particularly eye-catching. Yet, no one could say that they were wrong. The emperor had invited them to dinner and the meal was served to be eaten – there was nothing wrong with eating happily.

Qin Mian soon realized that something was wrong, but seeing that Lei Tie was calm, he also calmed. Anyway, it was the emperor’s treat; not eating it was the same as dishonoring the emperor.

Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin had proved themselves to be Qin Mian’s sons. They had similar preferences as Qin Mian – they also liked the fried shrimp in hot spicy sauce best. They could take care of themselves. They ate with relish with graceful manner.

Zhangsun He noticed that Chen Mufeng’s eyes would occasionally float to the opposite side. His heart intermittently ached. He drank the wine cup after cup.

Liu Manqing had been forced to smile tonight. As a man who grew up in the Imperial Palace, after seeing many intrigues, how could he not understand that he had become a sacrifice? Even if he did not die in Great Xia, there would still be people coming to kill him before he left Great Xia.

The two opposite men didn’t act out of line, but others could feel the intimacy between them. The invisible tacit understanding made him envious. Inexplicably, he felt a little better and his thoughts cleared up. He thought to himself whether the princess he was going to marry could become a breakthrough for him to survive……

However, it was a tacit understanding between the two sides that they wouldn’t talk about business at the reception. Emperor Xiaohui and Liu Manqing chatted freely about some idle and interesting things. Some civil officials with good eloquence inserted a few words from time to time to manoeuver the atmosphere.

Nearly two hours later, the grand banquet ended in a good atmosphere.

Qin Ruiqi and Lei Ruilin were full and drowsiness thus crept in. Qin Mian and Lei Tie each held one boy. The two brothers lay on their fathers’ shoulders and fell asleep in a daze.

Chen Mufeng looked at the drunken man beside him and lifted him with a silent sigh.

“There’s nothing I can do with you…”

Zhangsun He leaned on him in a dizzy spell, his steps were unsteady.

“Mufeng… Don’t leave me…”

Worried that his words would be heard by others, Chen Mufeng took him along a remote path.

“Mufeng…”

“I’m here.” Chen Mufeng patted him on the back.

“I love you… love you… ”

Chen Mufeng said in a low voice, “Me too…”

Zhangsun He was in a trance; his mouth only murmured Mufeng’s name.

Imperial Prince Ming looked at the back of the two men, who were entangled in each other and stumbling forward. With a cold snort, he told his attendant, “Tell the Commandery Prince Mu to return home early.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.”

At the parking lot, Qin Mian unexpectedly saw Chen Mufeng coming from another direction while having some difficulties supporting Zhangsun He. Chen Mufeng had a weary expression. He was a little puzzled. Mu Chen that he knew of was lively and cheerful, totally different from Chen Mufeng of the Capital.

“A-Tie, wait a bit.”

Lei Tie saw Chen Mufeng and understood, “Don’t be too long.”

Qin Mian nodded and went to Chen Mufeng.

“Commandery Prince Mu, need help?”

Chen Mufeng said in certainty, “You know.”

Qin Mian nodded and patted him on the shoulder. “Look at your weary appearance. If you need any help, please let me know. We are friends.”

“Qin Mian, to tell you the truth, you and Lei Tie are a devoted couple with deep affection, but A-He and I are a hell of a mess. I envy you very much. Therefore, I don’t know how to tell you about A-He.” Chen Mufeng was embarrassed when he remembered what happened outside Dongyang Academy last time.

Qin Mian saw that there was a big problem between him and Zhangsun He, so he comforted him, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Chen Mufeng pondered for a moment and said, “When will you be free? To talk.”

Qin Mian jokingly said, “I’m free after dawn and before dark.”

A person nourished by love was different. Chen Mufeng glanced at him, “How about I visit your residence tomorrow?”

Qin Mian saw Lei Tie sticking his head out of the window and quickly waved to Chen Mufeng as he walked over.

“No problem. I’m leaving. See you later.”

The next morning, not long after breakfast, Chen Mufeng came to the door.

Qin Mian received him in the garden. After tea, cakes, and fruits were served, he waved away all the servants.

Chen Mufeng looked at the surrounding scenery. “I always think you are a very enjoyable person. Indeed, you are.”

“Life is too short. So of course, make merry while one can.” Qin Mian poured him a cup of tea and did not ask him about Zhangsun He until he spoke of it himself.

Chen Mufeng had been wedged between Imperial Prince Ming and Zhangsun He for many years. He was really eager to find someone to talk to. He trusted Qin Mian’s character, so he was the most suitable choice.

With a sip of tea, Chen Mufeng gradually spoke, “It’s been six years since I’d known him…”

After hearing about him and Zhangsun He, Qin Mian concluded, “So, your problem now is that your father doesn’t object to you and the Young Marquis on the premise that you have to have a son first, but Zhangsun He doesn’t allow you to have a child with a woman.”

Chen Mufeng slightly nodded and heavily sighed.

“Toward Zhangsun He, you…” asked Qin Mian.

Chen Mufeng was slightly uncomfortable, “But my princely father only has me as his son…”

Qin Mian raised his eyebrows and asked another question, “Why does your father have only one son?”

For a moment, Chen Mufeng didn’t understand why he asked.

Qin Mian said, “I’m thinking that since your father doesn’t want to cut off your family’s lineage and Zhangsun He doesn’t agree with you having children with a woman, maybe you can ask your father to have another son.” Imperial Prince Ming was younger than Emperor Xiaohui – he could have another son.

Chen Mufeng was stunned for a moment. All of a sudden, he stood up and somewhat incoherently said, “Why didn’t I, he… Why didn’t I think of that?!”

Qin Mian was speechless and didn’t know what to say. This was the so-called “blind are those concerned; a bystander sees through everything”.

Chen Mufeng soon calmed down and asked Qin Mian, “My princely father is over 40 years old. Can he still…”

Qin Mian nodded in affirmation, “Of course! Over 40 is the prime of life. ”

“Qin Mian, thanks a lot! I’m right to be here today.” Chen Mufeng was so excited that he grabbed Qin Mian’s hand. Suddenly, he felt a hidden weapon coming to attack – he was shocked. He stepped back quickly and turned his head. Lei Tie stood a few steps away with no expression on his face. His sharp eyes stared at Chen Mufeng’s hand as if he was thinking about cutting it off.

The corner of Chen Mufeng’s lips twitched, “State Defender Duke, this commandery prince also has a beloved, alright?” This jealousy makes no sense.

Lei Tie ignored him and sat down beside Qin Mian. “Wife, [I’m] hungry.”

Qin Mian was amused but he still said, “What would you like to eat? I’ll cook for you.”

“Tsk tsk…” Chen Mufeng had lifted off the load on his mind, so now he was all smiling. He looked at them with disdain, “Alright. I’m leaving, not staying to get in your way.”

Qin Mian waved his hand, “Go, go. I know you can’t wait to see your Young Marquis.”

Having his intention exposed, Chen Mufeng was even more embarrassed but remained calm, “Farewell.”

Qin Mian and Lei Tie went to the kitchen together.

“What would you like to eat?”

“Egg, fish.”

“Then we’ll make egg foo yung2, red-cooked fish3, tea-flavored ribs, and moo-shu pork4.”

The couple got to work together. Qin Mian cooked rice and Lei Tie killed fish.

“Has the person for the peace marriage been selected yet?” asked Qin Mian.

Lei Tie replied, “Not yet.”

Qin Mian guessed, “Will Emperor Xiaohui be reluctant to give up Princess Yanqing and choose a princess from the imperial clan instead?”

Lei Tie shook his head. “It’s hard to fool the people of Tuluo. They have already investigated how many princesses Great Xia has.”

Qin Mian’s imagination was greatly enriched. “Will the empress sends her daughter to marry for peace for the sake of her virtuous reputation?”

Lei Tie shook his head.