Chapter 393.4: A Fairly Unexpected Outcome
Such arrangements was like as if giving Former Wei an enormous honor. However, since it was the other party’s ‘family banquet’, then it just meant that the other party was treating you as ‘their own family’. The treatment towards one’s family versus a guest, can it be the same? It was obvious, this was certainly impossible. The former was much more casual than the latter, and being casual just meant that for some things and matters, you can’t nitpick.
The Former Wei had three members of the imperial family, bringing along the accompanying officials. As for the remaining people, naturally it was just bringing very few, and going by custom, they first paid their respects to Le Cheng Emperor. As for Qiang, only a total of ten people entered the palace, but there were only three that had the qualification to stand before Le Cheng Emperor. Compared to the people of Former Wei next to them, they really appeared a bit pitiful. However, the three from Qiang didn’t have the slightest abnormal mood at all. Although for this welcoming banquet, they were just riding the coattails of Former Wei, but for them, they were also considered overwhelmed by the honor.
After the formal greetings, the music and entertainment naturally were prepared.
Le Cheng Emperor personally had them taken over. The emissaries saw that there were already quite a few people present, and judging from their attire, they just knew their status. Moreover, for the most part, they all had someone by their side. Court officials wouldn’t bring womenfolk to a welcoming banquet for another country’s emissaries.
Feeling puzzled inside, they mutually looked to one another in confusion, but in the end, they didn’t ask anything out loud, pressing it down and not mentioning.
However, seeing that there were womenfolk present, Princess Yi Ning nevertheless felt much more relaxed. She originally was still worried, not knowing what the situation would be like in the end. Situations that were a bit better would perhaps just be separately arranging someone to receive her, either the imperial consorts, or perhaps the other princesses. And the worst situation that she didn’t want to face was probably just her alone mixed together among a group of grown men. When time comes, she’ll stick out like a sore thumb. Even if she was used to being revolved around like the stars cupping the moon, that was still among a bunch of palace people, or those with a lower status than her.
Being surrounded by the emperor of large country equal to Former Wei, a crowd of princes and w.a.n.gyes, and also court officials that hold heavy power, that will no longer be getting fawned over and flattered, but rather getting sized up and a.s.sessed, even carrying deep malice. That atmosphere, just thinking about it, made one scared, thank goodness, thank goodness. Suddenly, towards the Le Cheng Emperor that made such arrangements, she produced a trace of grat.i.tude.
After mutually greeting, they successively took their seats.
The others, for the most part, were all two per table. Only Princess Yi Ning alone had her own table. Truthfully speaking, from the start, Former Wei has had Princess Yi Ning held very high. Qi Yuan’s conduct right now practically didn’t yield in the slightest, being considerate and attentive everywhere, as if it was all for Princess Yi Ning.
However, this kind of thing, it wasn’t good for anyone to openly ask.
Rather, it was Former Wei’s first prince that repeatedly wanted to open his mouth, perhaps wanting to discuss a bit of ‘important matters’ or something, yet every time, he all got blocked by Le Cheng Emperor.
Le Cheng Emperor smiled very amicably, seemingly as if he was genuinely happy, bluntly stating that right now, just think about eating, drinking, and admiring the dance and song, everything else, no need to discuss.
As such, the Former Wei first prince simply was at his wits end. After all, Le Cheng Emperor was an emperor, an existence that was on the same level as his old man. If he doesn’t answer, you can’t even say anything more. As a guest, making such an emperor unhappy definitely isn’t a wise move.
As for the Former Wei fifth prince, his injuries definitely weren’t light, and in reality, it wasn’t suitable for him to attend. With the medical records from Qi Yuan’s imperial physicians displayed there, even if not attending, Le Cheng Emperor absolutely won’t have any complaints either. However, he just had to stubbornly appear, even pretending that he was fine. If not for the bruises on his face, really can’t tell that he’d gotten ruthlessly beaten up yesterday. However, He s.h.i.+ Hai in the end didn’t specifically aim for his face, else today, even if he wanted to come out, he would definitely be unsightly.
The Former Wei first prince originally was also prepared for this fifth brother to stay at the inn, but who knew, when heading out, the other party was actually already waiting there. After saying a few words of concern, expressing that he didn’t need to force himself to go, and that the Qi Yuan Emperor also wasn’t someone unreasonable, who knew that this fifth brother of his not only didn’t appreciate, he even acted sarcastic with him. The Former Wei first prince nearly got angered to death. One has to know, once he appears, then some things won’t be easy to say. He didn’t know what was wrong with the other party, and he also had no way of dealing with him.
What was wrong with the Former Wei fifth prince? In the past, he didn’t care, but now, he was someone that will achieve greatness, so for all things, he needed to get involved more and experience more. Moreover, he naturally can’t let this good imperial brother monopolize all the glory. That’s why, he was actually even more lively than the Former Wei first prince. If not toasting a cup with Le Cheng Emperor, then it was just ‘pulling’ the Qi Yuan prince across from him for a chat, appearing to also have propriety, behaving appropriately.
Having witnessed that insolent manner yesterday, then looking again at him now, truthfully speaking, it really would make one suspect whether or not this fifth prince also had a twin brother that looked just like him.
The formal prince attire replaced that wanton and loose outfit from yesterday, and his temperament also curbed by a lot, carrying a bit of outspokenness, all controlled within a suitable range that didn’t make one dislike. On the contrary, perhaps some would even like his blunt nature.
Even Le Cheng Emperor’s expression was all a bit peculiar. Originally, he was thinking of having yesterday’s matter completely pushed onto the other party’s head, but now, he seemingly didn’t have the heart to do it. And the matter that they originally didn’t want to mention, Le Cheng Emperor actually voluntarily voiced a few words of concern first.
The Former Wei first prince entire heart raised in alert and was just about to speak for this stupid younger brother, when the other party instead spoke ahead of him. “Many thanks for Qi Yuan Emperor’s concern, I’m mostly fine. Speaking of which, yesterday’s matter was also a misunderstanding. I have always deeply respected warriors, and yesterday, it was also momentarily itching to test one’s skills, thus getting into a fight. Afterwards, I learned that it was actually General He’s young son. I have been friends in spirit with this person for a very long time, yet never thought that we would meet under this kind of situation. It can also be considered to become acquainted through fighting, resolving an old wish.”
The Former Wei first prince’s face just darkened at once, hating that he can’t just slap this brainless idiot thing to death.
And the people on Qi Yuan’s side, their expressions were all quite peculiar, especially Li Hong Ming who’d seen the Former Wei fifth prince’s miserable appearance yesterday. At the time, he’d even thrown down harsh words. Only a single night had pa.s.sed, yet how come the person just changed completely? Moreover, based on Former Wei’s relations.h.i.+p with Qi Yuan, saying this kind of thing, no matter how one looked at it, it all felt strange.
However, for Qi Yuan, this was also considered a good thing. In the end, the other party had gotten heavily injured on their territory. No matter how they argued on this side, they still can’t change this fact, and biting onto the other party and not letting go won’t have any benefits either. Since the ‘victim’ all didn’t say anything, then they will just have to be ‘magnanimous’.
“Turns out it was like this. Speaking of which, He s.h.i.+ Hai, this child, in the past, had never once returned to the capital. This time, he’d just happened to return, so perhaps you two have fate. During your stay in Qi Yuan, why not try exchanging moves with him. After all, the opportunity is hard to come by.” Le Cheng Emperor said with a laugh.
Exchange moves? The Former Wei fifth prince’s chest all couldn’t help but throb in pain. A few more times and perhaps he will have his life thrown in.
His face was somewhat stiff, hardening his head as he opened his mouth, “If there’s the opportunity.” He will let this kind of thing no longer have an opportunity.
The Former Wei first prince carried a heavy look, no longer saying anything. Everything was all ruined by this idiot.
Actually, the Former Wei first prince was a bit puzzled. Exactly what did this idiot want to do? Never mind that back in Great Wei, he was already without propriety, but to still be like this in this kind of setting?
Yet, to say that he truly didn’t understand anything at all, when setting aside Great Wei and Qi Yuan’s actual relations.h.i.+p, his performance actually couldn’t be nitpicked. Even he was all about to exclaim in admiration at this. That’s why, he definitely wasn’t the type that didn’t understand anything at all. But, what exactly he was cooking in his pot, he really was unable to figure out.
What exactly was the Former Wei fifth prince cooking up? The first prince definitely won’t expect that he’d actually produced an enormous ambition that he shouldn’t have, wanting the position that he’d never thought about in the past.
Thus, an incident that could’ve triggered a bigger problem, actually just concluded like this. It truly was very unexpected.
Quite some time had pa.s.sed already, just on Qi Yuan’s side, a certain seat was still empty without a soul.
“Where’s old six, how come he still hasn’t appeared?” Le Cheng Emperor couldn’t help but frown.