Chapter 31: The Banquet

Jiang Zhaoming and Jiang Zhaode discussed in detail, and the transaction was quickly settled without a hitch.

However, for Jiang Zhaoming to complete this deal, there were still certain conditions.

Because Jiang Zhaode was only responsible for delivering the warhorses to the border of Beiting County, how to transport the horses back to the prefectural city was left for Jiang Zhaoming to resolve.

Jiang Zhaoming had no objections to this, as he was already planning to reclaim Beiting County at the beginning of spring.

Thus, both parties agreed that the transaction would take place in May.

By then, Jiang Zhaode’s army would deliver the warhorses to the Beiting border.

After this deal was concluded, the burden on Jiang Zhaoming’s shoulders lightened considerably, and he began to stroll leisurely through the Imperial Garden.

To his surprise, the title of Prince of Anxi was indeed quite resounding—merely walking about, many princes came forward to greet him.

The sun rose higher, and golden rays spilled over the eaves of the palace.

When the bell tolled nine times, all the princes, led by palace maids, gradually entered the inner court hall.

Jiang Zhaoming moved along with the crowd and looked ahead.

Inside the hall, golden splendor gleamed in every corner.

Hundreds of rosewood tables were arranged in tiers on both sides, ascending upward step by step.

At the lowest level sat the ordinary princes.

The higher one went, the fewer the tables, and the higher the rank.

Several princes had already taken their seats, conversing in low tones, while the faint fragrance of dragon musk lingered in the air.

Jiang Zhaoming had intended to find a quiet corner to sit in, but just as he turned, the leading palace maid softly reminded him,

“Prince of Anxi, please follow this servant.”

He raised his brows slightly and had no choice but to follow.

Ascending the jade steps, Jiang Zhaoming was led to a high-ranking table.

This position was located in the upper middle section of the hall—only a few dozen tables away from the imperial throne.

A quick glance told him that fewer than a hundred people were seated at this tier.

Although Cangbei County had fallen, it was already lost territory to begin with, so his Imperial Destiny Value hadn’t been heavily deducted.

Combined with the merit of forming the Bandit-Subduing Army, his position on the Dragon Ranking hadn’t changed much.

Just then, a familiar figure passed by in front of Jiang Zhaoming—it was Jiang Zhayun, whom he had just met earlier.

Jiang Zhayun also cast him a glance, merely smiling and nodding slightly before continuing upward.

Soon, Jiang Zhayun sat at the third table to the left beneath the imperial throne, closed his eyes, and remained still.

At that moment, Jiang Zhaode ascended the steps and sat beside Jiang Zhaoming—one level higher than him.

As soon as Jiang Zhaode sat down, he grabbed the teapot before him and gulped down several mouthfuls before turning to Jiang Zhaoming.

“Prince of Anxi, this royal family banquet arranges seats according to the Dragon Ranking. To ascend this tier is the wish of countless brothers.”

Jiang Zhaode gestured for Jiang Zhaoming to look below.

Jiang Zhaoming turned his head and saw numerous princes glancing upward, some openly, some furtively.

Jiang Zhaoming cupped his hands and said, “Many thanks for your explanation, Prince of Huzhou.”

Jiang Zhaode laughed heartily, and the two, now at leisure, began to chat casually.

Leaning closer, Jiang Zhaode spoke softly, introducing the princes around them and whispering about their private gossip.

Having only recently been conferred the title of Prince, Jiang Zhaoming was not yet familiar with the royal circle and thus listened with great interest.

Meanwhile, more and more princes entered and took their seats.

Jiang Zhaoming could not help but glance frequently upward, observing each high-ranking prince as they arrived and trying to identify them one by one.

He was deeply engrossed when suddenly, the hall fell silent.

All gazes turned simultaneously toward the entrance, where a young man in a dark robe walked in with his hands behind his back.

His features were sharp as a blade, a roguish smile lingering at the corners of his lips. His robe fluttered as he walked, exuding the aura of an unsheathed sword.

Wherever he passed, even the air seemed to tighten.

This unruly and charismatic youth sat at the first seat to the left beneath the throne—his identity was self-evident.

The Queen’s son, ranked second on the Dragon Ranking—Prince of Dayan, Jiang Zhaoqian.

The dark-robed youth sat boldly at the left seat nearest the throne. Then, a handsome young man in an indigo python robe entered with a gentle smile and took the first seat on the right.

Seated opposite Jiang Zhaoqian at the rightmost position was the Prince of Huaijiang, Jiang Zhaoding.

Jiang Zhaoding nodded politely across the table, but Jiang Zhaoqian sneered and turned away, open disdain flickering in his eyes.

In an instant, tension filled the upper ranks—the atmosphere between these foremost princes was so charged it was nearly tangible.

Jiang Zhaode immediately fell silent, even softening his breathing.

After the time of one incense stick, the hall was filled to capacity.

Suddenly, faint footsteps and murmurs echoed from outside the hall.

Following the sound, the princes looked up to see the princesses of Great Zhou entering together.

These imperial daughters—usually lively and spirited—were instantly subdued by the solemn air of the hall, sitting quietly in the lowest seats.

The hall grew eerily quiet—so still that even breathing could be heard clearly.

“You few have turned this family banquet into a tribunal of the Three Departments.”

A deep and commanding voice suddenly broke the silence.

Jiang Zhaoming looked up along with the rest, and saw—at some point—a majestic man had already taken his seat upon the throne: the Emperor of Great Zhou.

With sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, his presence radiated authority even without anger.

The five-clawed golden dragons embroidered in nine threads upon his imperial yellow robe shimmered under the candlelight.

“Greetings, Father Emperor!”

Led by Jiang Zhaoding, all princes and princesses bowed in unison.

“Sit.”

The Emperor waved a hand, his tone softening, “It’s just a family banquet—no need for such formality.”

As his words fell, several small, jade-like children ran in cheerfully.

The palace maids quickly arranged low tables beside the throne, and these little princes and princesses sat close to the Emperor.

Watching the innocent children, Jiang Zhaoming couldn’t help but recall when he had once sat in that very spot, and a pang of nostalgia washed over him.

After the Emperor took his seat, all the princes and princesses sat down as well, awaiting his words.

The Emperor of Great Zhou glanced over his children and, seeing how tense they all looked, shook his head slightly.

“You all grew up and became like this—so stiff. You were much more adorable when you were young.”

Seated beside him, a little princess with twin buns raised her hand eagerly,

“Father Emperor! Mother Consort taught Yaoyao a new song! Yaoyao wants to sing it for Imperial Brothers and Sisters!”

The Emperor pretended to frown, “Only for them? You won’t sing for your Father Emperor?”

The little princess pouted playfully.

“Father Emperor is bad! Father didn’t take Yaoyao to watch the fireworks yesterday, so Yaoyao won’t sing for Father!”

The Emperor burst into hearty laughter, his face filled with warmth and joy.

Watching this scene, Jiang Zhaoming recalled the foolish things he himself had done as a child and couldn’t help but wipe a cold sweat.

As the young princes and princesses performed one after another, the atmosphere of the banquet gradually returned to liveliness, and Jiang Zhaoming began to chat idly with the princes nearby.

From above, the Emperor of Great Zhou gazed down at his children. When he thought of the faces that were no longer among them, a long sigh escaped his lips.

Those seated closest—Jiang Zhaoding and a few others—heard the sigh and immediately knew what was on their father’s mind.

Yet when their eyes met, the sparks of rivalry still flared between them.

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