20

The Birthday Banquet in the 20th Taiji Hall

The luxurious Taiji Palace was filled with ministers and their families. Women dressed in bright colors sat beside their parents, occasionally glancing at the noble young men. A few consorts sat in the Taiji Hall; although the emperor had many consorts, only three attended today. Emperor Shang, dressed in a bright yellow casual robe, sat in the high seat. His sharp, pressure-filled eyes frequently glanced at some ministers, who appeared respectful but were actually somewhat fearful.

"Your Majesty, everyone is here; why not begin?" Consort Xin smiled as she looked up at the emperor. She wore a purple consort palace gown, her face adorned with exquisite makeup, making her look charming and beautiful. A golden silk eight-treasure pearl hairpin sparkled dazzlingly in her hair, complemented by countless jewels, creating a radiant display of pearls and treasures.

Consort Xin had a son and a daughter in the palace. Her son was the current Third Prince, Shang Chengying, and her daughter was the current Grand Princess, Shang Qinmi. Consort Xin had always been a spoiled mistress in the palace, often acting coquettishly regardless of the occasion.

However, Emperor Shang had never expressed any dissatisfaction, nor had he shown any displeasure. After all, ever since he met Empress Qiu, he had never summoned any other consorts to his chamber. Even though Empress Qiu had passed away thirteen years ago, Emperor Shang had never called any consort to attend him.

"Everyone's here? There's still one missing. The Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace hasn't come to the Emperor's birthday today. What kind of propriety is this!" Consort Qin said discontentedly. She wore a snow-white flowing cloud brocade palace dress, her hair cascading like seaweed. Her beautiful face held a hint of allure and charm, but when she spoke of the Crown Prince, her glassy eyes flashed with resentment and cruelty.

Consort Qin was an elder in the palace. She had already been a secondary consort when Shangguo was still a crown prince, and she was the first consort to bear a prince. Unfortunately, her child was not made the crown prince. Consort Qin had only one son, the eldest prince, Shang Chenzhao.

Consort Qin's words made everyone in the Taiji Hall search for the rumored Crown Prince, but no one found him. They couldn't help but feel a bit doubtful. Could the rumors among the common people from a few days ago be false? Was the Crown Prince still that pushover-like Crown Prince?

Huan Moche's brows furrowed for a moment, thinking that Qin Fei's words were too detrimental to the Crown Prince. It turned out that the Crown Prince's situation was so difficult. Thinking of such a sharp and talented young man growing up in such a filthy environment, Huan Moche suddenly looked at Qin Fei with extreme displeasure, even wanting to scold her a few words. If it weren't for his strong self-control, he might really have done so. But why should he do that? Just because he was the Crown Prince's tutor?

Leng Yufeng glanced around the hall and indeed did not see the Crown Prince, feeling somewhat puzzled. He clearly saw the Crown Prince enter the palace at the gate, but now the Crown Prince was not here. What was going on? Had the Crown Prince encountered some trouble, or did he simply not want to attend the banquet? Leng Yufeng would not believe any speculation that the Crown Prince was afraid or anything like that, because the Crown Prince's gaze was even more terrifying than the beasts he had seen. What could such a person possibly be afraid of?

Qin Fei smiled proudly. Ever since her son was set up by the Crown Prince on the street, Minister Bai had actually reported to the Emperor that the Eldest Prince was rude. Her son was ordered by the Emperor to reflect quietly in the mansion, and he was not even allowed out during the Emperor's birthday celebration, causing her to be mocked by countless concubines in the palace.

The Mourning Emperor sat there without showing either joy or anger, making it difficult for anyone to tell whether he still despised the Crown Prince as before or if his opinion of him had changed. They tried to read something from the Emperor's face, but as the ruler, his emotions no longer showed on his expression, so no one could discern what he was truly thinking.

"Ah? The Crown Prince is so bold that he still hasn't arrived? Could it be that he doesn't respect the Emperor at all?"

Although Consort Xin was covering her mouth, her voice was clear enough for everyone to hear.

However, not everyone was so thoughtless; the other consorts remained silent.

In this imperial palace, there was not a single concubine who did not dislike or hate the Crown Prince. The reason was that Empress Qiu had taken all of Emperor Shang's favor, turning them into secluded resentful women. Emperor Shang's heart no longer had room for anyone else. Such favor naturally made the many concubines jealous, but since Empress Qiu was already dead, they transferred their hatred onto the Crown Prince.

"How dare a single consort of the Emperor speak ill of me behind my back? I wonder if Consort Xin ate something unclean this morning?" A cold, oppressive voice came from outside the main hall. Everyone recognized the speaker as the Crown Prince and turned to look at the entrance of the hall. Huan Mo Che relaxed his furrowed brows and felt much more at ease, while Leng Yufeng was somewhat stunned by the Crown Prince's words—this Crown Prince seemed a bit arrogant.

Everyone only saw a young man dressed in a black brocade robe walking in from the entrance of the main hall. The first thing that struck them was the youth’s exceptionally handsome face. His complexion was fair with a hint of pallor, yet it did not diminish his graceful charm. His eyes were calm and unruffled, yet crystal clear without a trace of impurity, as if possessing a captivating aura. His delicate but straight nose looked as if carved by a knife, and the corners of his lips curled into a gentle smile. The whole person appeared as misty and delicate as spring rain in March.

The Mourning Emperor looked at the Crown Prince who appeared there; something flickered in his eyes, yet it seemed like nothing at all.

Everyone was astonished by the Crown Prince's appearance. It wasn’t that none of them had ever seen the Crown Prince before; although he rarely appeared in public, some ministers had seen him.

However, the Crown Prince always kept his head lowered, making it impossible to clearly see his face. This was the first time everyone saw the Crown Prince’s peerless beauty. Compared to the men on the lists of handsome young gentlemen, he was not only on par but even more outstanding. Even the two most distinguished men in the hall, General Leng and Young Master Huan, did not surpass the Crown Prince in looks. It wasn’t that General Leng and Young Master Huan were unattractive; in terms of appearance, the three each had their own unique charm. But the Crown Prince carried something more in his presence and eyes—an elusive aura that made him even more elegant and extraordinary.

"Present, Father!" Unconcerned by the gazes of others, Shang Wuxin entered the main hall and slightly bowed.

Although it was not a kneeling salute, it was perfectly appropriate for the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

"Here they come!" The Emperor Shang did not glance at the Crown Prince below, which made many people think that the Emperor still disliked this Crown Prince. Emperor Shang casually said,

"If you're here, then take your seat!"

Shang Wuxin nodded and walked to the seat designated for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince's seat was very prominent, located just below Emperor Shang and at the upper right of the ministers' seats. Directly below the Crown Prince's seat was Leng Yufeng's seat, followed by Huan Mochen's seat.

"Your Highness!" Leng Yufeng and Huan Mochen greeted simultaneously. Leng Yufeng spoke up because he felt this prince was extraordinary, while Huan Mochen couldn’t help but speak because he saw the prince was in an inexplicably good mood.

Shang Wuxin nodded in response. No matter what, these two held great power in the Shang Kingdom, so Shang Wuxin would avoid making enemies of them unless absolutely necessary. Moreover, Shang Wuxin was well aware that these two were definitely not as gentle as they appeared on the surface. No, their outward demeanor had never been gentle; it was just that many people had failed to see through it.

Many who had just thought the Crown Prince had no hope of ascending the throne were once again shocked. The two who had just greeted the Crown Prince proactively were General Leng and Young Master Huan. These two rarely ever took the initiative to greet other princes. It seemed this Crown Prince was truly extraordinary.

However, thinking about the Emperor’s attitude, many hesitated again. Everyone was somewhat indecisive, unsure whether they should support the Crown Prince going forward.

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