Dispute in Court (Part Five)
Once the banquet began, it followed the usual pattern, with the daughters of noble families performing to show off their talents.
There seemed to be little interest in this year’s performances. The older young sirs of Marquis Gu’s Manor were not present, and Yin Shuo had become a husband. Looking around, how many people were worth putting on a performance for?
Due to the lack of interest, young miss Wang from Imperial Consort Xian’s family was able to stand out and received a jade pendant from Emperor Ning.
Yu Fu saw this and stood up to bow, “Your Majesty, this humble girl also has a gift and wanted to present it to Your Majesty during the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
During today’s palace banquet, everyone’s eyes were mostly focused on the pair of newlywed princesses and their husbands. It was only after Yu Fu spoke up that everyone remembered that the father and sons of Marquis Gu’s Manor were still at the border.
When drinking water, one might think of the source of the water. While they were enjoying the banquet and making merry, they should not forget about the soldiers fighting at the border.
“You’ve been considerate. Regardless of what this gift is, We will be happy.”
Emperor Ning happily laughed, “Marquis Gu and the eldest young sir, along with the second young sir and the third young sir, are all at the border. Since you are concerned for them and also show your concern for Us, We feel quite satisfied.”
Yu Fu bowed deeply, leaving her seat and stepping forward. Eunuch Gao received the brocade box from her and brought it to Emperor Ning.
“Hmph, she really knows how to kiss ass.”
Princess DanYang lowered her voice and snorted with disdain.
Was she sharing her thoughts with Yin Shuo?
This was strange.
Yin Shuo smiled, “Regardless of whether she’s truly concerned for His Majesty or if she’s kissing ass, princess should know that winning over His Majesty is what matters most. At her young age, she is far smarter than princess.”
Princess DanYang lowered herself to speak with him for the sake of having him agree with her opinion. Who knew that he would actually say that she should learn from Yu Fu and even say that she was not as smart as Yu Fu?
She was furious, “This One refuses to learn from her! You need to understand that this One is His Majesty’s true daughter born of the empress. Even without currying favor, nobody can compare with my position!”
Un, not learning was the correct decision.
Yin Shuo lifted his cup of wine and took a sip.
He knew that the more he used Yu Fu as a comparison for her, the more likely Princess DanYang was to ignore him. This was to his liking.
Eunuch Gao opened the brocade box, and Emperor Ning looked inside. He saw that it was a multicolored gemstone. Under the flickering light in the palace, it shone brilliantly.
A multicolored gemstone…
Emperor Ning searched through his mind but could not think of any gems that had this sort of color. Curious, he looked at Yu Fu.
Yu Fu said: “Your Majesty, this is a multicolored gem that the head general sent home. This gem is found in the mines on the border with Western Kun. Even if an entire jade mine was exhausted, it’s possible that one might not be found. There is a folk saying that says that finding one is an omen of victory.”
Emperor Ning picked up the small gem between his fingers and smiled brightly upon hearing that it was an omen of victory, “Is there really such a saying?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, there is. This subject has heard of it before. It’s just that I have never seen the gem before.”
A high-ranking official below responded, and Emperor Ning rejoiced even more. Looking at this brilliant little gem, he liked it even more than all of the treasures in the imperial palace.
It was at this time that a report came from outside the palace, “Your Majesty, an urgent report!”
The captain of the imperial guards, Meng Fei, received the report from the soldier’s hands and brought it into the hall. Everyone present was shocked, quietly looking forward to the good news of victory.
Victory had just been mentioned, so if the report mentioned a defeat, they might as well give up on a happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
Emperor Ning placed the multicolored gem back in the brocade box and waved to Meng Fei, “Quickly, quickly bring it to Us and let Us see!”
Eunuch Gao quickly received it and tore open the seal, and Emperor Ning looked at the report with a solemn expression.
Filled cups of wine were lowered, and the mouth-watering food was left untouched, as everyone was focused on Emperor Ning.
Yu Fu suddenly felt uneasy.
For some reason, she had been feeling uneasy this entire night. She actually felt that…
The report in Emperor Ning’s hands could be a report of defeat!
Carefully reading the report from beginning to end, Emperor Ning’s tightly furrowed brow suddenly relaxed, as he let out a laugh, “Hahaha! Marquis Gu led his army across the border and annihilated 200 thousand enemy troops! A full 200 thousand!”
Yu Fu widened her eyes in surprise, as the hall filled the sound of congratulations. Gu Yi pulled Yu Fu back to her seat.
“Little Yu Fu, father and the others have won a great victory! Are you not happy?”
“I… Of course, I’m happy.”
She found her earlier bad feelings to be laughable. Gu HuaiJiang had practically never lost a battle in many decades of fighting. This was also the first time that they had launched an assault on Western Kun’s territory. How could he possibly lose?
Being concerned made her mind a mess. She was surely being too worried.
Amidst the joy, Yin Shuo suddenly stood up and cupped his hands toward Emperor Ning, “Your Majesty, this subject did not hear clearly just now. What did you say? Marquis Gu crossed the border and eliminated 200 thousand enemy troops. What border was it that he crossed?”
A cold gust suddenly blew through the joyous atmosphere, as everyone’s smiles froze.
Emperor Ning furrowed his brow and look up at Yin Shuo with a particularly complicated expression.
“Naturally, it’s the border between Western Kun and my Eastern Ling.”
“Then that is to say that Marquis Gu was not defending Eastern Ling’s border in this battle. Instead, he was invading Western Kun’s territory?”
The officials began discussing the matter amongst themselves, and the sound of arguments rose.
“Western Kun and Eastern Ling have just established diplomatic relations, and Your Majesty has always emphasized peace and harmony. How can Marquis Gu cross the border to go and fight Western Kun’s army?”
“What relations? That was a plot by Western Kun with the goal of secretly taking our border cities. It’s fine to not have such relations!”
“But our Eastern Ling is a country of etiquette. Marquis Gu’s actions do not reflect our style of living…”
Amidst the noise, Yu Fu pursed her lips.
Dispute in Court (Part Five)
Once the banquet began, it followed the usual pattern, with the daughters of noble families performing to show off their talents.
There seemed to be little interest in this year’s performances. The older young sirs of Marquis Gu’s Manor were not present, and Yin Shuo had become a husband. Looking around, how many people were worth putting on a performance for?
Due to the lack of interest, young miss Wang from Imperial Consort Xian’s family was able to stand out and received a jade pendant from Emperor Ning.
Yu Fu saw this and stood up to bow, “Your Majesty, this humble girl also has a gift and wanted to present it to Your Majesty during the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
During today’s palace banquet, everyone’s eyes were mostly focused on the pair of newlywed princesses and their husbands. It was only after Yu Fu spoke up that everyone remembered that the father and sons of Marquis Gu’s Manor were still at the border.
When drinking water, one might think of the source of the water. While they were enjoying the banquet and making merry, they should not forget about the soldiers fighting at the border.
“You’ve been considerate. Regardless of what this gift is, We will be happy.”
Emperor Ning happily laughed, “Marquis Gu and the eldest young sir, along with the second young sir and the third young sir, are all at the border. Since you are concerned for them and also show your concern for Us, We feel quite satisfied.”
Yu Fu bowed deeply, leaving her seat and stepping forward. Eunuch Gao received the brocade box from her and brought it to Emperor Ning.
“Hmph, she really knows how to kiss ass.”
Princess DanYang lowered her voice and snorted with disdain.
Was she sharing her thoughts with Yin Shuo?
This was strange.
Yin Shuo smiled, “Regardless of whether she’s truly concerned for His Majesty or if she’s kissing ass, princess should know that winning over His Majesty is what matters most. At her young age, she is far smarter than princess.”
Princess DanYang lowered herself to speak with him for the sake of having him agree with her opinion. Who knew that he would actually say that she should learn from Yu Fu and even say that she was not as smart as Yu Fu?
She was furious, “This One refuses to learn from her! You need to understand that this One is His Majesty’s true daughter born of the empress. Even without currying favor, nobody can compare with my position!”
Un, not learning was the correct decision.
Yin Shuo lifted his cup of wine and took a sip.
He knew that the more he used Yu Fu as a comparison for her, the more likely Princess DanYang was to ignore him. This was to his liking.
Eunuch Gao opened the brocade box, and Emperor Ning looked inside. He saw that it was a multicolored gemstone. Under the flickering light in the palace, it shone brilliantly.
A multicolored gemstone…
Emperor Ning searched through his mind but could not think of any gems that had this sort of color. Curious, he looked at Yu Fu.
Yu Fu said: “Your Majesty, this is a multicolored gem that the head general sent home. This gem is found in the mines on the border with Western Kun. Even if an entire jade mine was exhausted, it’s possible that one might not be found. There is a folk saying that says that finding one is an omen of victory.”
Emperor Ning picked up the small gem between his fingers and smiled brightly upon hearing that it was an omen of victory, “Is there really such a saying?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, there is. This subject has heard of it before. It’s just that I have never seen the gem before.”
A high-ranking official below responded, and Emperor Ning rejoiced even more. Looking at this brilliant little gem, he liked it even more than all of the treasures in the imperial palace.
It was at this time that a report came from outside the palace, “Your Majesty, an urgent report!”
The captain of the imperial guards, Meng Fei, received the report from the soldier’s hands and brought it into the hall. Everyone present was shocked, quietly looking forward to the good news of victory.
Victory had just been mentioned, so if the report mentioned a defeat, they might as well give up on a happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
Emperor Ning placed the multicolored gem back in the brocade box and waved to Meng Fei, “Quickly, quickly bring it to Us and let Us see!”
Eunuch Gao quickly received it and tore open the seal, and Emperor Ning looked at the report with a solemn expression.
Filled cups of wine were lowered, and the mouth-watering food was left untouched, as everyone was focused on Emperor Ning.
Yu Fu suddenly felt uneasy.
For some reason, she had been feeling uneasy this entire night. She actually felt that…
The report in Emperor Ning’s hands could be a report of defeat!
Carefully reading the report from beginning to end, Emperor Ning’s tightly furrowed brow suddenly relaxed, as he let out a laugh, “Hahaha! Marquis Gu led his army across the border and annihilated 200 thousand enemy troops! A full 200 thousand!”
Yu Fu widened her eyes in surprise, as the hall filled the sound of congratulations. Gu Yi pulled Yu Fu back to her seat.
“Little Yu Fu, father and the others have won a great victory! Are you not happy?”
“I… Of course, I’m happy.”
She found her earlier bad feelings to be laughable. Gu HuaiJiang had practically never lost a battle in many decades of fighting. This was also the first time that they had launched an assault on Western Kun’s territory. How could he possibly lose?
Being concerned made her mind a mess. She was surely being too worried.
Amidst the joy, Yin Shuo suddenly stood up and cupped his hands toward Emperor Ning, “Your Majesty, this subject did not hear clearly just now. What did you say? Marquis Gu crossed the border and eliminated 200 thousand enemy troops. What border was it that he crossed?”
A cold gust suddenly blew through the joyous atmosphere, as everyone’s smiles froze.
Emperor Ning furrowed his brow and look up at Yin Shuo with a particularly complicated expression.
“Naturally, it’s the border between Western Kun and my Eastern Ling.”
“Then that is to say that Marquis Gu was not defending Eastern Ling’s border in this battle. Instead, he was invading Western Kun’s territory?”
The officials began discussing the matter amongst themselves, and the sound of arguments rose.
“Western Kun and Eastern Ling have just established diplomatic relations, and Your Majesty has always emphasized peace and harmony. How can Marquis Gu cross the border to go and fight Western Kun’s army?”
“What relations? That was a plot by Western Kun with the goal of secretly taking our border cities. It’s fine to not have such relations!”
“But our Eastern Ling is a country of etiquette. Marquis Gu’s actions do not reflect our style of living…”
Amidst the noise, Yu Fu pursed her lips.
