After an exchange of pleasantries, the Emperor finally asked about his great-grandson. “Since Nian’er was born, I still haven’t seen him. Didn’t I tell you to bring him along as well?”
The Crown Grandson bowed apologetically. “Please don’t be angry, Grandfather. Nian’er was confined in the womb for a long time, and from birth his body has been very weak—he cannot be exposed to wind, and I feared he wouldn’t withstand the jolting of the journey. So this grandson did not bring him.”
The Crown Prince took up the thread. “Your son thought it over as well, and felt it more suitable to leave Nian’er at the residence. Once Father returns to the capital, your son will certainly bring Nian’er into the palace for you to look at properly.”
The Emperor would hardly grow truly angry over such a small matter; hearing this, he laughed. “I suppose I hadn’t thought it through properly. Never mind—there will be plenty of time later. It won’t be too late to see him once Nian’er’s health has grown sturdier.”
“You two have had a tiring journey—go settle in and rest early. Tomorrow happens to be the Zhongyuan Festival; I’ve already had Consort Xian prepare tomorrow’s Zhongyuan banquet. It’s rare for the three of us to gather together—tomorrow we must drink a good few cups.”
The Crown Prince, the Crown Grandson, and Prince Yan all hastily agreed.
The Emperor, looking upon his dutiful son and grandson, let a gratified smile flicker through his eyes.
. . .
After the Crown Prince and the others had withdrawn, the Emperor summoned Eunuch Ding. “Go to Consort Xian’s quarters now and ask how preparations for tomorrow’s banquet are coming along.”
Eunuch Ding respectfully acknowledged the order, but before he could even take a step to leave, Consort Xian arrived.
“This consort greets Your Majesty.” Consort Xian bowed gracefully, a smile in her eyes, her slender waist swaying as she moved—gentle and alluring.
Xinyun and Ling Jingshu bowed alongside Consort Xian.
The Emperor stepped forward with a smile and personally helped Consort Xian to her feet, his gaze briefly sweeping over Ling Jingshu’s face as well. “The two of you may rise too.”
Though the Longevity Pills had their effects, regrettably they had not restored the Emperor’s former vigor in matters of the bedchamber. His interest in women had gradually waned as well. Seeing Ling Jingshu still stirred the occasional pang of regret in him, but he no longer dwelt on her as he once had.
Ling Jingshu and Xinyun thanked him for his grace and withdrew together to one side.
“I was just about to send Eunuch Ding to your quarters, and here you’ve come of your own accord.” The Emperor held Consort Xian’s hand and said with a smile, “It seems you and I truly share a connection of the heart.”
Consort Xian pressed her lips together in a smile. “Your Majesty is teasing me again. How could I not know that the Crown Prince and the Crown Grandson have arrived at the temporary palace? Your Majesty has looked forward to tomorrow’s Zhongyuan banquet for so long, and instructed me half a month ago to prepare it well. I’ve been busy with it these past days, not daring to slacken in the slightest.”
“Here is the schedule for tomorrow’s banquet—I brought it specially for Your Majesty to review and decide upon. If anything is unsatisfactory, there’s still time to change it now.”
At a slight glance from Consort Xian, Ling Jingshu immediately stepped forward and presented the brocade booklet in her hands. “Please review it, Your Majesty.”
The booklet was made of fine brocade, soft and pleasant to hold.
Opening it, the Emperor found the handwriting inside elegant and refined.
The Emperor couldn’t help praising it. “Fine calligraphy!” Then he added with a teasing smile, “If I recall, your handwriting, my dear consort, isn’t quite like this.”
Consort Xian gave a bashful pout. “Your Majesty, please stop teasing me. I only learned to read and write after entering the palace—my handwriting isn’t even tidy, let alone able to produce characters this beautiful. This was all written by Official Ling.”
The Emperor was not at all surprised.
Among Consort Xian’s most capable female officials, aside from Xinyun there was only Ling Jingshu. This Ling Jingshu was, as expected, a young lady of fine upbringing—accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting alike. Even her handwriting was unexpectedly beautiful.
Once again lamenting that such a lovely creature was beyond his enjoyment, the Emperor quickly turned his attention to the contents of the booklet.
A banquet, of course, called for fine wine and delicacies. Over a dozen imperial chefs had been brought along to the temporary palace—more than enough to handle this feast. The musicians had specially composed new pieces for the occasion, and the singers and dancers had likewise carefully prepared new songs and dances.
“There’s even a sword dance?” the Emperor asked with great interest. “Now that’s something fresh. Did you have it specially arranged?”
Consort Xian answered with a smile. “This sword dance wasn’t my idea at all—it was specially arranged by Prince Yan. He said he wanted to give Your Majesty something to marvel at.”
Over this past year, the Emperor’s favor toward Prince Yan had only grown; hearing this, his face broke into a smile at once. “Good, good, good! Such thoughtfulness from Prince Yan—I shall look forward to enjoying this sword dance.”
Ling Jingshu stood to one side with her head lowered, her thoughts in turmoil.
Prince Yan had been scheming so carefully and for so long in secret—surely he could hold back no longer.
Was it the Emperor’s own idea, or Prince Yan’s suggestion, that brought the Crown Prince and the Crown Grandson to the temporary palace this time to spend the Zhongyuan Festival with him?
If it was Prince Yan’s doing, then this banquet was unlikely to end well…
Still, given the Crown Grandson’s shrewdness, he would surely not be caught unprepared.
What sort of storm and strife tomorrow’s Zhongyuan banquet would bring, and how much hidden danger it concealed, she could not say. Consort Xian would certainly have to attend, and she and Xinyun would inevitably accompany her—there was no avoiding it even if she wished to.
. . .
No sooner had she returned to her chambers than Wei Yan arrived.
“Elder Sister, you must be especially careful at tomorrow’s banquet.”
There was no trace of a smile on Wei Yan’s face, his expression deeply serious. “These past few days, I’ve had an uneasy feeling—I keep sensing that something unexpected is about to happen.”
Ling Jingshu and Wei Yan exchanged a glance, each seeing the worry in the other’s eyes.
It seemed the two of them had arrived at the same thought.
Consort Xian hesitated briefly, her slender willow brows knitting together. “A’Yan, might you simply be overly tense? With the Emperor present, what would Prince Yan and the Crown Prince dare to do?”
Consort Xian was, to some small extent, aware of what Prince Yan had been doing in secret.
But in her view, Prince Yan was merely going to every length to win the Emperor’s favor and affection. Surely he wouldn’t have the nerve to usurp the throne or commit treason.
Wei Yan said gravely, “I have no proof, and I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary—it’s all just a guess. But caution never sinks the ship; it’s never a bad thing to be more on guard.”
He paused, then continued, “His Majesty has graciously allowed me to attend the banquet as well. Tomorrow I’ll be seated at the far end with Daoist Yu and the others—some distance from you. If something happens, remember to leave everything else aside and pull Anya away to flee and hide.”
“A’Shu, the same goes for you. Don’t concern yourself with anything else—the most important thing is to save your own life.”
Ling Jingshu nodded and agreed.
Consort Xian let out a long breath and, steadying herself, said, “Alright, I understand.”
Wei Yan then drew a pale green porcelain vial from his sleeve. “These are detoxifying pills I specially prepared. Take two each before the banquet. Try to avoid eating or drinking anything served at the feast.”
Ling Jingshu took the vial.
The smooth porcelain still carried Wei Yan’s warmth; held in her hand, it brought a touch of heat to her slightly cool palm.