Once it was confirmed that Huo Ci would attend the banquet, Xiao Mingxu breathed a sigh of relief.
The masked advisor by his side offered reassurance.
“The fact that Huo Ci agreed shows he is not maintaining neutrality like his predecessors did. His mind must be active now, wanting to maneuver among the three princes.”
Ever since acquiring this advisor, Xiao Mingxu had hardly used his own brain.
“Mr. Wu is absolutely right!”
“It’s said the Third Prince tried to bribe Huo Ci and Yun Chunfeng with rare treasures, but they exposed it right there in court, angering His Majesty, who severely reprimanded the Third Prince.”
The Eldest Prince couldn’t hide his delight. “Serves him right!”
Mr. Wu’s tone carried a hint of helplessness, but he dutifully continued his analysis. “The Second Prince fought alongside Huo Ci in Qingzhou. Their relationship is likely quite close.”
Xiao Mingxu waved a dismissive hand. “Pah, that sickly second brother of mine? Even if he manages to pull off miracles, Father wouldn’t spare him a second glance. There’s no need for you to worry, sir. The heir apparent will only be chosen between myself and Third Brother!”
Mr. Wu pondered. Xiao Mingxu’s words weren’t without reason. Despite his usual lack of mental exertion, he occasionally displayed a sort of shrewdness in simplicity.
“In that case, regardless of today’s meeting with Huo Ci succeeds or not, we must spread the word. Just say Huo Ci is on good terms with Your Highness, and there’s even hope of forming a marriage alliance. The truth isn’t important; what the Emperor believes is.”
Xiao Mingxu nodded emphatically, full of vigor. He completely missed the exasperation hidden in Mr. Wu’s tone.
Heaven knew how this man could be so blinded by lust. Without even making proper inquiries, he sullied the girl’s virtue, only to find out later she was Huo Ci’s cousin. When Mr. Wu heard about this, he almost fainted from anger.
Fortunately, Huo Ci had been in Qingzhou the past few days, giving them some breathing room. Otherwise, if Huo Ci had kicked up a fuss, the Emperor would undoubtedly have severely punished the Eldest Prince. Losing an allowance or even taking some beatings would be minor matters. The important thing was that losing imperial favor would make it nearly impossible to recover.
Luckily, while Xiao Mingxu was a bit foolish, he was obedient. After understanding the stakes, his attitude became remarkably compliant. Hence, today’s self-deprecating invitation.
As soon as the hour of Youshong arrived, the private room’s door was knocked.
Mr. Wu gave Xiao Mingxu a look, then turned and hid behind a screen.
“Well, well! General Huo, you’ve finally arrived—” Xiao Mingxu boomed with hearty laughter, gesturing for the maids standing on either side to open the door.
The door opened, and he was dumbfounded.
Huo Ci had indeed come.
But behind “him” were also Sun Miao, the Director of the Imperial Hospital; Liu Suwu, the Minister of Justice; Fan Qing, the Commander of the Imperial Guards; and Xin Zhui, the Deputy General of the Huo Army.
Not only was he stunned, but the three men behind Jiang Xingyan (in Huo Ci’s body) and Xin Zhui were equally bewildered.
Wait, didn’t General Huo say he had some free time and invited them for a casual gathering? Why was His Highness the Eldest Prince here?
Jiang Xingyan performed a graceful bow. “Your humble servant pays respects to Your Highness the Eldest Prince.”
Sun, the Imperial Physician, with his rich experience of being dragged into trouble, instantly reacted and hurriedly followed suit with the greeting. Lifting his head, he glared at the back of “Huo Ci’s” head, grinding his teeth, wishing he could swing a hand and give “him” a good slap.
This scoundrel! Tricking him again! Saying he wanted to thank him for saving the day again and inviting him for drinks at the Feihua Pleasure Boat. So this was the trap waiting for him?
Looking at Xiao Mingxu, whose eager smile had frozen on his face, Sun the Physician wanted to jump up and slap himself.
Serves you right for being greedy! Serves you right for loving to take advantage of small favors!
Liu Suwu, having been in the whirlpool of court intrigue for years and managing to remain flawless and unshakable, had long become the cream of the crop among schemers. With just one look at Xiao Mingxu, he understood the crux of the matter. As he bowed his head in greeting, a slight smile touched his lips.
So just because I teased General Huo a few times about that troublesome servant of his, he holds a grudge? The Eldest Prince secretly contacts Huo Ci, so he makes sure we all know about it. That way, if there’s trouble, we all go down together. If we don’t want to die, we have to find a way to protect him. Hmm, quite the plan.
Imperial Guard Commander Fan Qing wasn’t as twisted in his thinking. After cupping his hands in salute, he secretly patted “Huo Ci” on the shoulder and whispered, “General Huo, if things are tight at home, don’t strain yourself putting on a show. Us brothers can go to a simpler place, have a chat. It’s better than inviting two separate groups to the same table.”
Jiang Xingyan sighed and patted Fan Qing back. “Just live your life like this; it’s not easy for you either. Remember to drink more later, alright?”
At the mention of alcohol, Fan Qing forgot everything else. He gave a thumbs-up. “Great! General Huo, you’re the best!”
No matter how displeased Xiao Mingxu felt inside, he couldn’t show it in front of everyone. He ushered them all in.
“General Huo is in quite high spirits, bringing so many colleagues along.” —Huo Ci, you’re not being proper. Who brings such a crowd to a private banquet?
“Your Highness has always loved lively gatherings, hasn’t he? How can it be lively without a crowd?” —Didn’t you want to win over court officials? I’ve brought them all here for you. Aren’t you happy?
“Oh, General Huo truly understands this prince!” Xiao Mingxu masked his anger with a joke. “Attendants! Bring up all the signature dishes of your Feihua Boat!”
Jiang Xingyan spoke up to stop them. “Your Highness, wait.”
Xiao Mingxu took a deep breath, struggling to control himself and not lose his temper. “Oh? Does General Huo have some advice?”
Jiang Xingyan said matter-of-factly, “It’s not that Huo is meddling, but I have one request for Your Highness to consider. If it were only me today, it would be fine, entirely at Your Highness’s arrangement. However, Physician Sun is very particular about health preservation, Commander Fan is unhappy without wine, and we don’t know what dietary restrictions Minister Liu might have. If everything is arranged solely by Your Highness, I fear not everyone will be fully satisfied.”
Xiao Mingxu’s fists clenched. Are you even listening to yourself? I, a prince of the realm, am honoring you with this meal. And you have the nerve to find fault?
“Ahem.”
Suddenly, a light cough was heard.
A scholarly man in green robes, wearing a silver mask, emerged from behind the screen. He bowed to the group.
“Greetings, esteemed lords. This lowly one is a personal attendant serving His Highness. Earlier, I soiled my socks and was changing in the inner room. I apologize for the neglect; please forgive me.”
Everyone present except Fan Qing understood this man’s true identity. However, they all played along, accepting the convenient excuse without probing further.
Mr. Wu didn’t want to expose his identity either, but with Huo Ci acting so unpredictably, how could His Highness possibly handle it? If an argument broke out, there would be no room for reconciliation left.
Seeing Mr. Wu emerge, Xiao Mingxu knew he had made a mistake and immediately became meek.
“Since you’ve changed your socks, you may attend us closely.”
Mr. Wu acknowledged the order, summoned the Feihua Boat waiter, and respectfully presented the menu. “Please, esteemed lords, make your selections.”
Only then did Fan Qing belatedly catch on. “So today’s banquet is hosted by His Highness?”
Jiang Xingyan took the menu and shoved it into his hands. “Commander Fan, see if there’s anything you fancy?” —Just eat and don’t talk too much, got it?
Fan Qing’s eyes lit up the moment he saw “Thousand-Year Drunk” on the menu. “This wine, bring a dozen jars first.”
Xiao Mingxu flinched. He’d never seen someone order drinks before food. He’d heard Huo Ci had a low alcohol tolerance. If he got him drunk, wouldn’t the silver be wasted?
He was about to object when Mr. Wu lightly kicked him, so he held back.
The clever ones symbolically ordered one dish each. Only “Huo Ci” and Xin Zhui, heads together, practically ordered one of everything on the menu.
Xiao Mingxu: I’ll endure this too!
Xin Zhui, sitting opposite the Eldest Prince, didn’t notice his host’s face darkening at all. He was inwardly delighted. And I thought an ‘ambush feast’ wouldn’t be any good. This is great! Good food and drink served to us. Ah Xing is so good, remembering me for such a nice thing. I’ll come again next time.
Finally, the dishes arrived, and everyone buried themselves in eating.
Xiao Mingxu tried several times to broach a topic. “General Huo, this—”
“This Eight-Treasure Stuffed Duck is truly excellent. Your Highness, please try it.”
“Shall we—”
“Let us toast to His Highness the Eldest Prince!”
Xiao Mingxu truly wanted to flip the table. Don’t you ever stop? You came just to eat?
Mr. Wu, however, remained composed. He waited until after three rounds of drinks and numerous dishes, when “Huo Ci” finally set down his chopsticks, before speaking. “Is the meal to the lords’ liking?”
Jiang Xingyan took a sip of tea and nodded. “Not bad.”
At a glance from Mr. Wu, Xiao Mingxu immediately understood. Afraid “Huo Ci” would use the late hour as an excuse to leave, he asked with urgent concern, “General Huo, how did you get along with my second brother during your time in Qingzhou?”
Jiang Xingyan answered indifferently, “It was merely mutual cooperation. Can’t really speak of ‘getting along’.”
Xiao Mingxu’s heart leapt with joy. It seemed “Huo Ci” didn’t care for Second Brother either.
“General Huo is constantly traveling about. It would be good to have siblings at home to support you. Ah, now that I mention it, I heard General Huo has a female cousin?”
Liu Suwu’s heart stirred. So the Eldest Prince finally shows his hand. Why bring up someone’s cousin out of the blue? Could it be he wants to form a marriage alliance with Huo Ci? But would the ‘lioness’ back at His Highness’s mansion agree to that?
Physician Sun kept his eyes on his nose, his nose on his mouth, and his mouth on his heart, striving to minimize his presence. I can’t hear anything, I don’t know anything, I can even pay for my share of this meal. Whatever happens has nothing to do with me!
Fan Qing was already dead drunk, passed out and snoring on the table.
Jiang Xingyan’s gaze sharpened. The casual aura around her vanished, replaced by alertness. “What does Your Highness mean by this?”
Xiao Mingxu’s heart skipped a beat, a bad premonition rising.
Mr. Wu hurriedly smoothed things over. “Just casual conversation, General. Please don’t read too much into it.”
Jiang Xingyan’s tone turned grave. “My cousin is my beloved kin, as close as my own flesh and blood!”
Overjoyed, Xiao Mingxu was just about to bring up the marriage proposal when he heard her tone take a sharp turn. “However, her temperament is poor. She angered my wife, and I, too, am annoyed with her. These past few days, she’s been confined to the side courtyard as punishment. I’ve been busy with military affairs and haven’t had time to deal with her yet.”
Xiao Mingxu’s words stuck in his throat, choking him half to death.
The smile on Mr. Wu’s face also faltered.
This ‘Huo Ci’ is truly unreasonable. Who speaks with such dramatic pauses!
After catching his breath, Xiao Mingxu actually felt somewhat relieved. It seemed Li Yishu didn’t hold much weight in Huo Ci’s heart after all. In that case, since he’d already slept with her, he wouldn’t have to grit his teeth and beg his wife at home to magnanimously allow him to take a concubine.
“Ai, younger siblings being unruly, it’s always up to the elder brother to teach and guide them, to prevent them from going astray. ‘The elder brother is like a father.’ As fellow elder brothers, this prince actually sympathizes quite a bit with General Huo.”
Jiang Xingyan nodded repeatedly. “Your Highness is truly an understanding man. It’s really… can’t hit them, afraid they won’t listen if you scold them. Quite the dilemma!”
Xiao Mingxu responded with a furrowed brow, though his tone was light. “Exactly so.”
“However—” Jiang Xingyan’s tone shifted once more. “No matter how unruly brothers or sisters are, only I can discipline them. If anyone else dares to bully them, I, Huo Ci, even if it costs me my life, will see that justice is done for her!”
Xiao Mingxu instantly froze in place.
His heart, which had just settled back into his stomach, didn’t even have time to tense up again before it died completely.
Just whose ambush feast is this, anyway?!