During the ti that followed, there was a conversation filled with hidden agendas among the three people present.
Hmm... It wasn’t really senseless rambling, as Qing Yu had at least learned the nas and identities of the two won she had previously t at the Lake Heart Pavilion.
The woman in white, just as Qing Yu had suspected, was indeed the legitimate daughter of the Si Family, nad "Si Qingwei," daughter of the Si Family Head Si ngsong, and a cousin to the Sixth Prince Chaonan.
Due to their close blood relationship within three degrees, Chaonan was unable to simply use marriage as a ans to further bind the Si Family to his chariot of war. Now, with Feng Qiwu developing feelings for Si Qingwei, there was a risk that this significant support from the Si Family might be poached away.
As for the other woman, Qing Yu’s guess was once again correct; she was indeed a princess. The Emperor of Northern Zhou had fathered fourteen sons but not a single daughter, making this sole princess greatly cherished and doted on by Emperor Feng Tianming.
Since among the legitimate descendants there was only one female, this princess was ever by the side of the God Realm’s warrior Feng Mingxiao, who personally nurtured her.
The princess was nad "Feng Ziling." If she supported him, among all the princes, he would have at least a 20% higher chance of standing out and inheriting the imperial throne.
Being the only daughter and always staying by Feng Mingxiao’s side, Feng Ziling was unaware of the true ruthlessness of the struggle for power. The princes’ covetous attitude towards the throne genuinely disgusted her.
Regrettably, the Sixth Prince Chaonan, due to his unabashed ambition and his malice toward the other princes, left a very poor impression on Feng Ziling.
As the main rival of Chaonan at that ti, Feng Qiwu always appeared indifferent to the throne, which seed to make Feng Ziling favor him more; hence, his chase after her was not rejected just now.
From the current perspective, while Chaonan appeared to hold all the advantages on the surface, there was a slightly obvious trend of collapse behind the scenes.
With the understanding of the situation reaching this point, the mutual bickering among the three had just concluded as the banquet was about to begin.
Qing Yu and Feng Jiu, guided by Chaonan, did not encounter the awkwardness of getting lost and arrived on ti at the Wanfu Pavilion just before the beginning of the banquet to et with Ouyang Yan.
The group entered what was called a "pavilion," though it was more fitting to be called a "palace"—the Wanfu Pavilion—and proceeded to their respective seats.
By this ti, the Wanfu Pavilion was already filled with officials from both the civil and military sectors, forming various social circles.
As Ouyang Yan, representing the Mountain River Academy, entered, he was greeted with bows from officials, both civil and military, and he returned each greeting.
At the highest seats of Wanfu Pavilion, naturally, were those of the Emperor and Empress. Elder Princess Feng Mingxiao, dissatisfied with Emperor Feng Tianming’s sudden cancellation of the family banquet, did not attend the evening banquet.
Below that were seats for various mbers of the royal family, followed by seats assigned according to the official ranks.
As protocol would have it, Feng Jiu, being the Ninth Prince, should have occupied the ninth seat among the princes. However, due to his poor relations with other princes and with the Emperor, his seat was relegated to the very end.
Chaonan actually welcod this arrangent out of courtesy to Feng Jiu, but Feng Jiu seed genuinely pleased to take the seat at the far end.
That was because next to Feng Jiu was the place designated for the distinguished representative of the Mountain River Academy from Northern Zhou.
Feng Jiu, dressed in a white Confucian robe, sitting there, could easily be mistaken by an inattentive observer as another representative of the Mountain River Academy.
Furthermore, after Feng Jiu settled into his seat, Ouyang Yan engaged warmly in conversation with him, showing a marked sense of closeness.
This scene, noted by many observant individuals present, who were mostly seasoned officials, led to a diversity of speculations swirling through their minds.
The Ninth Prince didn’t seem to be as isolated and weak as one might imagine, at least, supported by the Mountain River Academy, he was already far surpassing most other princes.
"His Majesty has arrived!" A Grand Eunuch announced with a loud and powerful voice.
Following this announcent, the Emperor of Northern Zhou, Feng Tianming, and his Empress made a grand entrance and, under the watchful eyes of all, ascended to the highest and innermost seat and took their places.
"Long live His Majesty!" Everyone present stood up and greeted him with a bow.
Since it was not a court eting, there was no chanting of "Long Live the Emperor," but rather a simple bow.
"You may all dispense with the formalities," Feng Tianming waved his hand.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
This was followed by a chorus of responses, as everyone took their seats.
And then, the real drama began.
"Mr. Ouyang, why is Dean Zhuge not present?" Feng Tianming began his challenge towards the Mountain River Academy as soon as everyone had sat down.
Ouyang Yan was well-prepared for this and stood up to respond, "Your Majesty, during the last conflict over positions in the Literary Arena, our teacher was ambushed by the traitors Ming Rui and Lu Qingzhu, and his injuries have not yet fully healed. Today, his condition relapsed, and thus he was unable to attend the feast. We ask for Your Majesty’s forgiveness!"
It would have been impossible to use the excuse that Zhuge Longsu was "under the weather and could not withstand the cold," as it was a statent so flimsy that not even a ghost would believe it. Such words could be carelessly uttered by Zhuge Longsu, but Ouyang Yan dared not speak them aloud.
Compared to "under the weather," the relapse of old injuries was a more convincing reason.
At least with this reason, Feng Tianming could find no grounds for rebuttal.
Thus, he could only change the subject, saying, "Today represents the Laba Festival, which marks the conclusion of the twelfth month. I have specially invited all officials to join in enjoying the Laba Porridge. Bring forth the porridge."
Surprisingly, instead of palace maids carrying in the Laba Porridge, as one might expect, four robust Forbidden Army guards brought in a massive stone platform, slowly making their way into the Wanfu Pavilion.
On the stone platform, royal timber stained with a bright, fierce fla, yet smokeless, supported a large pot full of Laba Porridge placed over the fire, continuously emitting steaming vapor.
The four guards, carrying the stone platform, proceeded to the very center of the Wanfu Pavilion and gently set down the stone platform with the large pot on top. The whole process was smooth, without a single jolt, and the guards’ footsteps seed effortlessly light. These guards were truly Martial Arts experts capable of lifting heavy weights as if they were feathers.
After setting down the stone platform, the guards bowed and withdrew, while Feng Tianming continued with his performance.
"Before we enjoy the porridge, I have specially invited a Buddhist master to recite scriptures and pray for Great Zhou, may it flourish and prosper through the ages."
"May it flourish through the ages, may its blessings be everlasting. May it flourish through the ages, may its blessings be everlasting..." The Hundred Officials, very obligingly, chanted in unison.
Among all the princes, those who sought to attract attention were even more fervent, their faces flushed and veins bulging.
It was undeniable, the level of effort put forth made those who were just going through the motions, like Qing Yu, feel embarrassed.
"Please welco Master Yuan Cheng," Feng Tianming said.
Beside him, the Grand Eunuch called out with a high and lingering voice, "Please welco Master Yuan Cheng~"
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