Chapter 3: Emperor’s Birthday Banquet

The banquet continued on. The Emperor while enjoying his meal saw the incident that had happened, however, since there weren't any real damage or commotion, he ignored it.

It was the emperor's birthday today yet the emperor wasn't happy at all, he was in a bad mood and didn't feel like minding anyone. The cause of his bad mood on his birthday was that his beloved son, the fifth prince, didn't come. He only wished the emperor a long life and congratulated him, and when the emperor asked if he would come to his birthday banquet, his son said he didn't feel well. The emperor didn't have the heart to force him to come. Although it did make the emperor angry, not at his beloved son, but at himself, he was the cause of his son's sufferings. So he excused his son from attending and only wished him well. Thus, leading to his bad mood, making him indifferent to many things and not bothering with them. Finding it all annoying and bothersome.

All who were by the emperor's side could feel his bad mood, especially the empress. The empress pressed down on her anger by clutching her hands tightly into fists, she couldn't stand at how favoured this fifth prince was when he was only a concubine's son. That concubine wasn't even from any noble background!

That wretch!

A homeless orphan who became a mercenary for a living. Thinking about it made the empress want to kill that wretch over and over again for a hundred million times. Even that wouldn't be enough to quench her jealous heart! Now even after that darn woman's death, the emperor still haven't forgotten about her, he actually became even more biased towards his fifth son, that dead concubine's son. Even I, the empress, could never get the emperor to look at my son twice. The overwhelming hatred once again grew in the empress's heart against that fifth prince--the fifth prince which every prince hates and envies--enough to just crazily kill him without a plan.

Meanwhile, the concubine below the emperor's throne seat was also dissatisfied by how the emperor was acting, especially on his birthday. Not like she can do anything about it. She was jealous. Jealous for the emperor's attention, his favour to be exact. However, all she could do was endure and wait for the right time, the right time to kill. And it was not just her and the empress.

Unaware was the emperor of their devious thoughts against his beloved son. All the princes and concubines of the emperor were thinking along the same lines as the empress and that concubine: To Get Rid of That Fifth Prince!

Soon, a eunuch announced that it was time to present gifts and presents to the emperor. The gifts can be anything and for Song Dachun, General Song's second daughter, she prepared a dance performance for the emperor. Song Dachun is well known for her exceedingly excellent dance talents, it is said that her dancing was like that of a beautiful swan, thus earning her the title of one of the most beautiful and talented ladies in the Feng kingdom.

"Left Prime Minister Wu Xiang Xue presents to the Emperor the rare CaiHua of HeShan," the same eunuch announced in a loud voice, instantly shushing all remaining chattering.

Wu Xiang Xue went forward and kneed before the emperor, bowing to him. With an eye signal, Wu Xiang Xue gestured to bring the box. The servant upon receiving the signal walked to his master's side respectfully, opening the lid of the box, showing the contents inside.

Seeing the gift inside, Emperor Zhou nodded his satisfaction at his Left Minister's gift.

"Mmm… Good," Emperor Zhou hummed his approval and the Right Minister Liang backed down.

Delighted, Left Minister Wu said, "This little one thank your majesty for your high praise." Left Minister Wu bowed again as flowery words left his mouth, while his heart was thinking the complete opposite.

The emperor waves his sleeve and Left Minister Wu backed down. Next, the eunuch announced the next official's gift. The next official being the Right Prime Minister.

"Good, good, good. Right Minister Liang, you truly are a good official," Emperor Zhou said as he nodded and stroked his beard. His heart pleased with his loyal official subject's gift.

"Thank your majesty for your high praise. This little one dare not accept your majesty's praise," Right Minister Liang sincerely said, flattered by his emperor's high praise. The emperor waved his sleeve and he backed down after bowing once more.

Returning back to his kang table, Right Minister Liang felt a burning glaze on his back. The glaze filled with contempt, hatred, and envy. Right Minister Liang lifted his head up and stared back at the direction the heated gaze was coming from. Not surprisingly, it was the Left Prime Minister--Wu Xiang Xue. Instead of looking away or backing down, Liang Xing Fu directly stared back at Wu Xiang Xue challengingly; as if to say: "Keep on staring. You think I'm afraid of an old geezer like you!" As their staring contest went on, the same eunuch continued on with the officials and their gifts, clueless about the fire and ice battle happening behind him. Although, at times, he did occasionally feel a chill up his spine, nevertheless, he ignorantly ignored it.

Finally, it was time for General Song to present his gift to the emperor.

The emperor expressed his slight approval and General Song returned back to his seat. After that, many other smaller officials presented their gifts to the emperor. Next, was the time for the children of the official families to present their own gifts to the emperor—be it dancing, singing, playing an instrument, poetry, or more.

As the gifting of the next generation was important to please the emperor and gain his favor. That is why this tradition was established. There was also another intention beside this which no one would ever say aloud. This "secret" intention was so that the next generation could compete openly with their same generation; to see who is better than who, even siblings will fight against each other.

This tradition, however, only applies when the next generation has not yet inherited their parents position or when they had not yet entered officialdom. And this tradition only happens when the next generation has turned 16 to 20 years of age, any older or younger cannot participate. Also, if a next generation son do not have intentions to inherit his father's place or enter officialdom, they too are not allowed to participate. However, this rule applies not to women as they are not allowed to enter officialdom, so all women of 16 to 20 can participate in this tradition.

Many of the noble children prepared dances, songs, poetry, and art. Some were good at what they did, some were excellent, while others were just plain terrible that they brought shame to their family name. One girl went back to her family seating area and sat down, her entire face blood red in embarrassment as many laughed at her. She bent her neck and lowered her head as her family looked at her in dissatisfaction and disappointment. Her throat felt terrible as if there was a large lump of something stuck in her throat, she tightly squeezed her eyes shut as she tried not to cry.

Song Dachun laughed sinisterly in her heart as she imagined that humiliated person was her third sister, Song Yin Xin. Ah! The corner of her red lips lifted up to a vile smile. How delighted is she as she thought of the embarrassment her dear sister would face. Thinking about it made her heart leap in joy and her face to turn sickly sweet.

Soon, it was time for her to present the gift she had prepared and worked so hard on.

As light as a feather falling, Song Dachun swiftly and gracefully approached the center of the banquet hall. A wide space surrounded her, making her look oh so dainty and delicate as a rare glass flower. The surrounding officials praised her beauty and General Song's fortune to have such a beautiful and graceful daughter. The said General Song's face remained stoic and unmoved, however, on the inside, he was puffing up his chest in pride.

The petite girl at the center of everyone's attention gently smiled, her eyes twinkled like gems as she captivated everyone's attention. Even the emperor innerly praised her outstanding beauty, as he nodded his head in acknowledgment, however, his face remained passive. Seeing this, Song Dachun smiled with smugness in her tiny little heart.

A soft and melodic voice softly drifted out, "Your Imperial Majesty, this little one has prepared a song to perform." Her pretty eyes blinked innocently as she looked down at the ground with her head bowed low, not daring to look at her monarch.

The emperor nodded his head in acknowledgment and waved his hand. Two eunuchs brought a qin and placed it in the middle of the room. Song Dachun gracefully sauntered to the qin and sat down, raising her pale, delicate hands, she started to play.

A gentle and soothing melody resounded and flowed into everyone's ears, any who were agitated were tranquilized. The emperor closed his eyes and innerly praised her qin skill. His previous indignation lessened slightly from listening to Song Dachun's playing. Some of the officials were nodding their heads as well as they listened. However, there was a bit of an unnoticeable frown on the emperor's lips as he was somewhat disturbed by a feeling he got from listening to her playing.

Surely General Song has a good and talented daughter. Not to say that she is also a beauty.

Everyone's thoughts were interconnected. However, some of General Song's haters were silently grumbling against him. There was especially one whose tight grip was about to shatter the wine cup in his hand. The scar on the left side of his face caused his appearance to seem outlawish and criminal, it was especially so when his face twisted into an ugly expression. In an instant, however, he calmed down before anyone could've seen it. Staring intensely at the young girl in the middle of the banquet hall, he gritted his teeth in resentment.

While this was happening, although no one saw his actions, Song Yin Xin saw it all; from the tightening grip on his wine cup to his glare at her dearest "sister" Song Dachun. She silently laughed as a shadow of a scheming and presentiment smirk appeared on her fair face.

Song Dachun, you truly know how to irritate and inaugurate resentment against yourself.

Soon, the unknowing Song Dachun open her small mouth and sang—surprising many people. Her voice was melodic and in tune with the song, in fact, her pretty voice suited the song quite well. Many hearts were memorized by her voice, truly a talent to behold.

"Song Dachun," the emperor's voice echoed in the silent hall, breaking the dreamy-like feel of the atmosphere after the song. Hearing her name, Song Dachun obediently bowed her head and acted petite.

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty."

"Such a beautiful song coupled with a flowery appearance, you truly are deserving of being one of the top beauties of my Feng empire," the emperor praised yet his voice did not express much emotion.

General Song stood up, "This little one thank the Emperor for his praise to my daughter." The emperor nodded his head for him to back down.

"Song Dachun thank the emperor for his praise," said Song Dachun in a delicate curtsy, sending a smug smile toward Song Yin Xin.

Noticing the despicable smile on Song Dachun's face, Lin Miao Xian's heart was feeling livid, her face turning red from withheld anger.

While Song Yin Xin calmly took up her cup of tea and blew on it, the steam scattering into the open air, taking a sip, she said, "What's there to feel angry about. She's no better than an ant, not even as worthy as one. Don't ruin your health for a good-for-nothing." Although her own heart felt a bit stuffy with fiery fury.

She was never one to take things like that lying down. No one had dared to do that in her previous life knowing the consequences.

Lin Miao Xian took in a deep breath and breathed out, "Yes, miss."

Song Yin Xin stood up. Turning to General Song, she said, "I am feeling unwell. I wish to get some fresh air." Although it seemed like she was asking for General Song's permission, in reality, she didn't care, she was only putting up a facade. Whether he allows it or not, it didn't matter.

General Song, "Just go." He didn't even spare her a glance as he said this taking in a mouthful of good wine.

Song Yin Xin whirled around gracefully and left the banquet hall.

Lin Miao Xian hurried after her, "Miss,—"

Without turning around, Song Yin Xin said, "Stay." Lin Miao Xian stopped in her steps.

Lin Miao Xian quietly, "Yes, miss."

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Out in the dark, star-lit night the moon shone beautifully and gracefully. The silhouette of a delicate figure could be seen from the back facing the moon. Her every step was made with elegance and charm. Nearing the garden pond, the wind picked up and blew, swaying the person's long hair to and fro. Creating an alluring feel. As strands of lush, silky hair blew onto their face, they brushed the stray locks behind their ear.

Suddenly, out of the corner of their eye, the person saw another silhouette standing in the pavilion at the center of the large circular pond. It seems that the silhouette was sitting. Approaching closer to the pond, the delicate figure neared the water, the hem of their dress dipped wet—seemingly memorized.

The clouds covering the moon, as if given a signal, drifted away from the moon, directing the moonlight onto the silhouette in the pavilion.

A handsome and attractive figure whose face was hidden by the dark of the night approached in the direction of Song Yin Xin. The wheelchair he sat on glided across one of the four paths on the pond, the moonlight lighting his every movement like he was the center of everything, like everything else pales in comparison to him.

Song Yin Xin could only watch as he approached her, awestruck by his ambience. For some unknown reason, she felt attracted to him. Her originally turbulent emotions calmed down, the more she looked at him, the more she felt at peace with herself.