From any angle, this was just another ordinary ministerial banquet.

The Emperor was still warm and harmonious, the Empress still graceful and dignified, Marquis Yu recited poetry with deep feeling as usual, General Wu wielded his sword for entertainment as usual, the National Uncle Xuan got drunk first as usual, and as usual rolled under the food table again. The Second Prince as usual couldn’t stand the sight of the Third Prince, coldly provoking him continuously during the banquet with sarcastic remarks, nearly provoking the Fourth Prince to violence. The Crown Prince hurried out to mediate, then turned to rebuke the Second Prince in a low voice.

The Third Prince unhurriedly waved to the Fourth Prince indicating it wasn’t necessary, then skillfully brought up the matter that the Second Prince’s companions had still not returned. The Emperor initially paid no attention, but who knew that moments later flying horsemen reported back that those companions, young and hot-blooded, had actually defied the imperial decree and gone hunting in the mountains on their own.

The Emperor’s face immediately darkened. The Second Prince’s scheme had backfired. He frantically knelt down to beg forgiveness in a panic. The Crown Prince could only turn from mediating to pleading for mercy. The Fifth Prince interjected: “Surely these few aren’t the only ones who missed the banquet. I imagine there are quite a few more.”

Thus beginning from this, the Emperor simply investigated all those who had missed the imperial banquet. After much chaos, the results were gratifying—six or seven scholars still drunk and unconscious from the afternoon, four or five rash young men who had broken their legs at the horse racing meet, three noble ladies with imperial appointment titles holed up in their tents gambling, plus two pairs of wild mandarin ducks who had gotten lost while having trysts in the forest.

To be fair, the current Emperor was not a harsh monarch. If there were extenuating circumstances, missing the imperial banquet wasn’t such a serious matter. So the Emperor raised his hand and pardoned those few unlucky ones with broken legs. The rest received various punishments: the drunken scholars were expelled from the Imperial Academy; the gambling noble ladies were each fined thirty thousand cash, stripped of their appointment titles, and their husbands each demoted two hundred shi in official rank; as for those two pairs of wild mandarin ducks… one pair was the married Marquis Zhongshan and the newly widowed Lady Chenghou, the other pair was the son of Military Officer Tian and the daughter of Doctor Ouyang from the Imperial Academy.

The Emperor was naturally upright in character and immediately said with displeasure: “I originally did not wish to concern myself with such romantic affairs, but Marquis Cheng died in battle on the battlefield just a few months ago. Even if his widow wanted to remarry, to engage in adultery during the mourning period with a married man—firstly, it shows complete absence of marital affection, and secondly, it disgraces the late husband’s reputation. She must be punished!”

Having spoken, he issued an edict to expel Lady Chenghou from the capital and send her back to her natal family, not allowing her to claim any portion of the husband’s family wealth. Marquis Zhongshan was directly wiped clean as a blank slate, stripped of his title, removed from office, and sent back to his ancestral home for self-reflection.

Seeing the Emperor’s angry expression, all the ministers stopped their toasting and joking chatter, sitting quietly at the banquet awaiting the monarch’s judgment. At this time, Military Officer Tian and Doctor Ouyang had already knelt in the center of the imperial tent, continuously kowtowing to beg forgiveness. The former argued in defense that ‘the young children got lost out of ignorance, it was not intentional disrespect to the imperial banquet,’ while the latter’s face turned red as he stubbornly insisted ‘my daughter is already engaged to another family, it was all the Tian family’s son who seduced her!’

Sitting in a corner of the imperial tent, Cheng Shi felt uneasy. Before attending the banquet, Madam Xiao had sent someone to tell him their daughter had not yet returned. He had thought his daughter had gone off to play privately with Lou Yao, but earlier before entering the tent he had seen Lou Yao sitting perfectly fine at the席位 for noble youths outside.

Actually, the Emperor hardly had the leisure to manage whether the daughter of a mid-level military officer came to the banquet or not. Those three noble ladies were only discovered because their gambling operation was too large-scale, and Lady Chenghou and Miss Ouyang were incidentally caught when guards were searching for Marquis Zhongshan and Young Master Tian.

Cheng Shi carefully glanced at Lou Tapu across from him, silently praying to the Holy Mother of the Western Kunlun and the Primordial Heavenly Worthy of the East, beseeching them to protect his daughter from stumbling into this critical juncture.

Military Officer Tian and Doctor Ouyang’s faces had turned red by now, grasping each other’s lapels and arguing. Just as the Emperor was about to pronounce judgment, a young eunuch suddenly hurried into the tent and reported two sentences in a low voice with head bowed before the imperial seat.

The ministers didn’t know what the young eunuch said, but saw several traces of surprise appear on the Emperor’s face, his gaze even shooting toward several tables of席面 in the tent’s corner. The Fifth Prince was sitting close and vaguely heard the character ‘Ling.’ His base nature flaring up, he quickly said: “Father Emperor, speaking of which, didn’t the Eleventh Young Master come today? Why hasn’t he attended the banquet until now?”

The Emperor looked at him heavily and said: “As for those young rascals who went hunting in the mountains today, each one should go to the Court of Judicial Review to receive ten lashes. Isn’t the northern part of Jizhou still in chaos? Send them there to serve. Only with merit can they return.”

The Second Prince wailed: “Father Emperor?! You, please reconsider…” Those companions were all the sons and nephews of court officials he had cultivated relationships with daily. This one move destroyed years of his efforts!

The Emperor remained unmoved and continued: “The Second Prince failed to control his associates. Together with the Fifth Prince, go receive ten lashes as well.”

The Fifth Prince was just smiling smugly when he suddenly heard this, saying dumbly: “Fa-Father Emperor, did you misspeak…?”

The Emperor couldn’t be bothered with these two treasures. He instructed the young eunuch in a low voice to lead people to a side tent, then left his seat to walk toward the back. The ministers and princes also rose to their feet and bowed in farewell. The Emperor had only walked a few steps when he stopped, turned back and said: “Captain Cheng, you follow me!”

The ministers’ gazes instantly shot over in unison. Even if Cheng Shi were a genius of heaven, he couldn’t fathom this profound and inscrutable imperial will. At this moment he could only endure the burning gazes, shrinking his neck as he stepped forward to follow the imperial retinue and leave.

After the Emperor left, the tent became noisy like buzzing bees—

“What happened? What’s going on?”

“I just heard the guards outside say the Eleventh Young Master has returned!”

“If he returned, he returned. Why did His Majesty’s expression change? Surely His Majesty wouldn’t punish the Eleventh Young Master!”

“I heard the Eleventh Young Master was somewhat injured and was helped back.”

“What?! Who could injure the Eleventh Young Master! Being helped back—the injury must be serious!”

Cheng Shi couldn’t hear any of these words. He truly didn’t know why the Emperor had summoned him alone. He thought to himself that even if his daughter was late to the banquet, it wouldn’t warrant this high-level attention. He followed the Emperor step by step, continuously calculating recent court affairs in his mind. The Emperor suddenly spoke: “Minister Cheng, how many sons and daughters do you have?” His expression was very amiable.

Cheng Shi was stunned, mechanically answering: “Your subject has four sons and one daughter.”

The Emperor paused his steps, frowning: “Only one daughter?”

Cheng Shi’s heart pounded, bewildered and at a loss: “Yes. Your subject has only one daughter.”

The Emperor frowned: “Already betrothed to Lord Tapu Lou’s nephew?”

“Precisely so.” Cheng Shi thought to himself, didn’t Your Majesty already issue an edict bestowing marriage to my family?

The Emperor looked not at all amiable anymore: “Why do you only have one daughter?!” The implication seemed very dissatisfied.

Cheng Shi was completely confused. Having only one daughter was also wrong?!

Actually, that young eunuch had only said one sentence in a low voice—”Lord Ling’s left arm is injured. He was helped back by the young lady of Captain Cheng’s household.”

The Emperor felt that in this short sentence, practically every word was bizarre.

First, didn’t he know what kind of person his adopted son was? An injured arm wasn’t an injured leg—why would he need to be helped back? Even if his leg was injured, back then when he took three blade wounds making six holes, he could still walk straight from Liangzhou back to the capital without revealing half a trace.

Second, he was helped back by a young lady! Even if today while sacrificing to the mountain god, a divine immortal suddenly appeared to sing a little song, it wouldn’t have surprised the Emperor more.

When someone had once slandered that Ling Buyi avoided women because he preferred men, he had angrily rebuked the false words with his mouth, but his heart had been in turmoil, frightened for two nights without good sleep. It wasn’t until later when some blind fool sent his adopted son several beautiful young male servants of good looks, and they were viciously beaten and thrown out, that he could finally set his heart at ease.

Crossing ten or so zhang of camp ground, arriving at a slightly smaller golden-topped imperial tent, before the young eunuch could lift the tent flap, the Emperor heard inside a gentle and soft young girl crying, while his famously aloof adopted son was consoling her in a low voice.

The Emperor sighed, had the young eunuch announce him, then strode in with large steps, followed by the pale-faced Cheng Shi—he had also heard.

After entering the tent, they saw Ling Buyi sitting by the brazier, having his left arm stabilized with wooden splints and then bandaged by the attending physician. Beside him knelt a small young girl who, though crying until her face looked like a flower cat, could still be seen to have delicate beauty, childish and tender, as if formed from jade and snow.

—So, this is the type the adopted son actually likes? The Emperor thought to himself. Surely people had sent such beautiful concubines before. That couldn’t be right—starting from when the adopted son turned fifteen, surely flowers of all colors and types had been sent?

“Father…” Shaoshang tugged at Cheng Shi’s sleeve hem, tears blurring her vision, looking most pitiable.

Cheng Shi knew his daughter’s safety wouldn’t be an issue. What might be at issue was his daughter’s marriage prospects. He immediately said in a low voice: “Whatever His Majesty asks, you answer truthfully.”

Shaoshang nodded—according to the story the two had coordinated, she rode her horse to the cliff, wanting to pluck flowers at the cliff’s edge, accidentally slipped down, fortunately caught on that crooked-neck tree at the cliff’s edge. Fortunately Ling Buyi was passing by at that time, heard the calls for help and came running, breaking his left forearm while pulling her up.

Hearing cries for help he went over? The Emperor very much wanted to turn his head and remind his adopted son properly ‘do you remember when the eleventh daughter of the Yuhou family fell in the water, you actually kicked off a section of wooden stake and threw it over for her to hold and float?’ But Marquis Yu also understood what you meant, young fellow.

Cheng Shi, hearing this account, felt relieved in his heart, thinking as long as it was only this, it was best. He immediately kowtowed repeatedly, continuously expressing gratitude for Ling Buyi’s grace in saving his daughter, and loudly begged the Emperor’s forgiveness.

The Emperor nodded, thinking that this Cheng Shi had no intention of currying favor. He seemed still usable.

“Has Miss Cheng met the Eleventh Young Master before?” Regardless of how his heart churned, the Emperor’s face wouldn’t reveal the slightest bit.

Shaoshang lowered her head looking at the vermilion and black ceremonial robe hem hanging on the carpet, her palms involuntarily sweating. Meeting the nation’s big BOSS for the first time in her life, how could she not be nervous?

The Emperor watched her perform the greeting in a flustered manner—it was actually the etiquette for greeting elders at home, not the ritual for imperial audience, showing a lack of proper upbringing. He forcibly suppressed the urge to frown and glanced at Ling Buyi.

Ling Buyi seemed completely unaware. Supporting his bandaged left arm, he knelt down to bow, saying: “Your subject has met Miss Cheng several times. Naturally I could not ignore her situation.”

The Emperor ignored him and continued asking: “Miss Cheng, where have you met Zisheng?”

“These matters Your Majesty might as well all ask your subject.” Ling Buyi’s face was pale, yet he still smiled.

The Emperor asked again: “Miss Cheng, Zisheng is a trusted minister, a pillar of the nation. You implicated him in injury. Do you know your crime?”

Shaoshang was about to open her mouth when Ling Buyi again spoke first, smiling: “If Your Majesty had known earlier you wanted to frighten her to death, your subject would not have needed to sacrifice his left arm to save her just now.”

The Emperor finally couldn’t help but turn his head. Just as he was about to put on a stern face and rebuke his adopted son, he saw the pleading intent in Ling Buyi’s eyes. He secretly sighed and simply waved his hand to let the Cheng father and daughter withdraw.

Cheng Shi pulled his daughter’s arm, sighing repeatedly, walking while scolding: “What have you gotten into now?”

“What do you mean ‘gotten into’? Didn’t Father hear everything already?”

“You, you, how did you get tangled up with the Eleventh Young Master again!”

“Lord Ling is highly virtuous and magnanimous. After returning, I need to find A’Yao so we can visit his door together to express thanks! Father, you must prepare a proper gift for me.”

Cheng Shi found it incredible: “That’s all?”

“What else could there be?” Shaoshang looked back at Old Man Cheng strangely.

He saved your life, you express deep gratitude, and in the future if there’s opportunity to repay him, that’s it. What’s the problem? As for the matter at Goose Return Tower, that couldn’t be spoken of.

Cheng Shi: Could it be that he was overthinking it?

…

On the other side, Lou Tapu, having heard some news, pulled his nephew to a secluded place and said in a low voice: “Just now the Eleventh Young Master returned injured. Do you know who helped him back?”

“Nephew knows. It was Shaoshang.”

“Ah!” Lou Tapu couldn’t react in time.

Lou Yao’s face was open and aboveboard, stating frankly: “Just now Shaoshang had the maids at her side all come tell me. Elder Brother Ling saved her life. After we return, Shaoshang and I will visit his door together to express thanks.”

“That’s all?”

“What else could there be?” Lou Yao felt his uncle was very strange.

Lou Tapu: Could it be that he was overthinking it?

…

In the side tent, the Emperor circled around Ling Buyi round and round, hesitating to speak: “You and the Cheng family’s young lady…?”

“What does Your Majesty wish to say?” Ling Buyi held his arm, composing himself.

The Emperor straightened his body, clasping his hands behind his back and pacing slowly, changing the topic: “That day when issuing the marriage edict to the Lou and Cheng families, I recall you were right there beside me.”

“Yes, your subject was right there beside you.” Ling Buyi said calmly.

The Emperor glared at his adopted son for a long time, having a feeling of not knowing where to bite into this.

Ling Buyi glanced at the young eunuch beside him. The young eunuch understood and quietly reminded: “Your Majesty, the banquet outside…”

The Emperor irritably waved his hand, leaving behind the phrase ‘rest well and recover from your injury’ before striding back to the main tent banquet. After settling into the head seat, seeing Military Officer Tian and Doctor Ouyang still glaring at each other huffily, he sighed: “Forget it. Young people’s affections are not easily come by. Doctor Ouyang, after you return, prepare for your daughter to marry into the Tian family.”

Doctor Ouyang was dumbstruck: “Your, Your Majesty, but my daughter is already engaged.”

Seeing the Emperor’s expression was weary, General Wu roared like thunder: “Even after marriage there are divorces! What nonsense are you spouting!”

Marquis Yu twirled his refined scholar’s beard, smiling: “Doctor Ouyang, so many people saw this today. I imagine your daughter’s originally engaged family won’t be willing to continue the former relationship either. This isn’t the Tian family seizing a bride by force, but rather the young people being mutually attracted. His Majesty intends to fulfill their wishes. Why must you be obstinate?”

Doctor Ouyang collapsed to the ground in dejection, not daring to object further. Military Officer Tian’s face was full of joy as he loudly kowtowed in thanks for the imperial grace.

The Emperor’s thoughts drifted: Could it really be that he was overthinking it?