Chapter 10, Banquet of the Officials

Although Bai Muqiu had previously met Empress Shang, he had never seen her true appearance. He only felt that this woman was not only a mature lady but also a very enchanting woman. However, upon seeing her true form today, he was taken aback. She was dressed in a long gown of bright red with golden edges that trailed on the ground, her dark hair elegantly styled and adorned with a phoenix-headed gold hairpin, and a waist ornament featuring nine phoenixes facing the sun. Without even mentioning her beauty, just this attire alone left Bai Muqiu dazzled, truly embodying the grandeur of royalty

The emperor's outings are quite troublesome; as long as he is not in the inner palace, he is always followed by a dozen or twenty eunuchs and palace maids, not to mention the personal guards and the imperial troops. However, the young emperor, having fallen from power, does not have such a grand entourage. Altogether, there are only about twenty people, among whom only six or seven are trusted confidants. One can imagine how difficult Zhao Ji's situation is. If it were not for his small treasury, it is likely that he would not even be able to send out spies to bribe the eunuchs and palace maids.

Immediately, with a sarcastic cold snort, she rolled her eyes and turned away, clearly indicating that even the Empress Dowager did not intend to deal with Bai Muqiu, so she was unwilling to provoke further.

At the foot of the steps, several elderly men with white hair seated at the table sighed and shook their heads after hearing this, drinking and eating in a manner that resembled chewing wax. Bai Muqiu naturally observed the expressions of the officials, as if he had selected a target among them, and could not help but curl the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a cold smile

As they approached the Jiying Hall, the eunuchs and palace maids of all ranks were bustling about. The eunuchs were busy lighting the lamps, while the palace maids were hanging decorations, transforming the palace into a scene of festive cheer. In the crowd, Bai Muqiu spotted Wei Fu, the head eunuch who had been injured during their earlier confrontation. At that moment, he was occupied with reprimanding a eunuch for a mistake. It seemed that he sensed someone watching him, and he couldn't help but direct his gaze towards Bai Muqiu.

After speaking, he walked into the corridor and from a distance, he saw the main seat. On either side of the dragon throne sat two individuals side by side: on the left was King Pú, Zhao Wu, and on the right was the Empress Dowager, Lady Shàng. The Emperor had not yet reached his coming-of-age ceremony, and it was acceptable for the Empress Dowager to preside with the curtain drawn. However, the regent is ultimately a subject; how could he occupy such a position? In this manner, Zhao Wu's ambition to ascend to the throne was already evident to all.

But they have never regarded me as an emperor! Zhao Ji thought of the officials and the various eunuchs and palace maids around him, and he felt a surge of anger. When a person is angry, they fear nothing.

This time, the luck was overwhelming, almost causing oneself to lose breath from shouting. Naturally, the officials in the court were not feeling well, only sensing a buzzing in their ears and a heaviness in their chests. Unable to bear it, they quickly stood up and said: "We humbly welcome the Holy Throne"

Zhao Ji pretended to be a child, clapping his hands innocently and asking, "What play? Uncle Huang, please invite him up quickly, I can hardly wait."

Bai Muqiu smiled slightly, then immediately channeled his internal energy and shouted: "Your Majesty has arrived, everyone welcome!"

The Empress Dowager, with an expressionless face and words flowing like pearls, spoke in a cold voice: "Your Majesty, since you have arrived, please take your seat. The officials have long been hungry, and seeing this, the Regent softened his heart and did not wait for Your Majesty"

Zhao Ji greeted with a smile as usual, sat on the dragon throne, and said: "It is only right for my royal uncle to show consideration for the officials. In my absence, what my royal uncle says is as if I have said it myself. Since the banquet has begun, let all the lords continue to drink freely and enjoy their meal to the fullest"

Bai Muqiu let out a cold snort, flicked away the dust, and retreated to the corridor, where he welcomed Zhao Ji as he helped him up. The young emperor was the first to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, for in the court, filial piety could not be neglected. As for the Regent, Zhao Ji, with a beaming smile, bowed deeply, showing even greater respect than that accorded to the Empress Dowager, which caused the officials and the Empress Dowager, Lady Shang, to frown.

In the late night, a small bottle dressed in a green silk robe took small steps, frequently turning back to share jokes with a plump eunuch behind her. The man, likely around thirty, had a fair complexion and no beard, with a somewhat festive appearance. Upon closer inspection, the sharpness at the corners of his eyes suggested a hidden malice behind his smile

In a moment, one could hear Master Bai calling for him from inside. The sulking little bottle immediately brightened up and ran in. After the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, the little bottle, with a serious expression on her pretty face, quietly led the still-smiling Master Hai into the night.

Why has Your Majesty arrived late? Please take your seat quickly Zhao Wu's expression was filled with a smile, and he did not feel that he had spoken out of turn

With a bold stride into the rear of the grand hall, the front hall was already bustling with voices. A eunuch from the front came to report that the Empress Dowager, the regent, and all the officials had arrived. Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji, with a face full of anger, said to Bai Muqiu: "Xiao Ningzi, look at them! What do they take me for? To be discarded at will?"

This startling and heart-wrenching sound, when heard, was like a clap of thunder. Instinctively, one would drop what they were holding and kneel in reverence, as hundreds of eunuchs, palace maids, and guards shouted in unison: "Long live our Emperor"

At this moment, the bell of the Jiying Hall rang. Bai Muqiu adjusted his palace robe and waited at the entrance for the young emperor to emerge. Such is the duty of a servant; everything must be prepared in advance. After waiting for quite a while, his feet nearly numb, he finally saw Zhao Ji yawning and stretching as he stepped out slowly. Therefore, he hurriedly stepped forward to instruct the palace maids to arrange the dragon robe properly and shouted, "Stand in formation, Jiying Hall!"

At this moment, King Pu rose to halt the hundred officials at the banquet, clasped his hands and said to Zhao Ji: "Your Majesty, drinking and watching the dance is rather dull; I have a play that can entertain all the esteemed ministers."

At this moment, Zhao Ji, who was originally a young and spirited individual, found it difficult to contain his emotions, his small face flushed bright red. Even the cheers of hundreds of people were a feeling he had never experienced before. Zhao Ji pulled Bai Muqiu and said, "Let us go! Accompany me!"

Bai Muqiu's heart raced wildly; this woman truly lived up to her reputation as someone who emerged from palace intrigue. Every word she spoke was a piercing truth, yet she delivered it with such grandeur that it was impossible to harbor any hatred towards her. It truly made him anxious for the young emperor.

The King of Pu spoke each word with emphasis and strength, saying: "This play is titled: The Banquet at Hongmen"

At this moment, Lady Shang happened to notice someone looking at her. She turned her face, her skin delicate, her complexion exquisite, yet her demeanor was solemn. Her beautiful eyes carried a hint of aloofness, making her appear far from a woman in her thirties. Before she could speak, Bai Muqiu stepped forward, walking several paces to the lower part of the throne, and announced loudly to the officials in the court: "Your Majesty has arrived, all officials welcome."

The two were chatting and laughing, and before long, they arrived at the side hall of the Funing Palace. The young maid paused outside the door, allowing the eunuch Hai to enter on his own, as it was none of her business. She was still able to discern the importance of the situation. However, she remained curious about what matters required this plump, middle-aged eunuch to leave the palace. Could it not be entrusted to her instead? As she thought of this, she couldn't help but pout and linger outside the door.

The little bottle naturally could not discern these matters, only knowing that this person was to be taken by Lord Bai. After much coaxing and persuasion, they had finally managed to bring him along, so how could they let things go awry? Just thinking of the promised rewards from Lord Bai made their heart feel as sweet as if they were drinking honey, and their words naturally became much more cheerful.

Bai Muqiu chuckled softly, then turned to see Zhao Ji trembling slightly with apprehension. Thus, he said: "Today marks the beginning of our plan. Your Majesty will one day be the ruler of a vast empire, how can you show fear in front of your own subjects?"

The eight eunuchs squatted down, placing the imperial sedan chair down after the emperor boarded. Only then did the three in the front gradually raise their staffs, while the two in the middle supported it with their shoulders once it was lifted. They then stepped in unison towards the Hall of Gathering Elegance. Bai Muqiu walked on the left side; firstly, because he was the personal eunuch of the young emperor today, and secondly, because today's strategy required this identity to be executed. Otherwise, he would not be willing to engage in such a situation where everyone else was seated while he stood.

Bai Muqiu felt a twinge of anger in his heart, after all, he was on the side of the young emperor. However, being angry now would not help the situation, so he bowed and said: "Your Majesty, please bear with it for a moment, allow me to enter first."