pdf-ebookys Chapter 1607 The Huns Investigate the Palace
Chapter 1607 The Huns Investigate the Palace
The gray falcon perked up and accepted the order, saying, "Yes!"
"also……"
Luan Di Yi Tu slowly added: "During the banquet, pay attention to the expressions of the Zhou emperor and his ministers. Especially when the topic inadvertently touches on the war in the northern frontier, the innovation of military equipment, or some auspicious omens such as thunder from the sky."
"Nangong Xuanyu may be good at concealing his true feelings, but those uninformed officials, especially military officers, may not be able to completely control their emotions or words."
Helian Ze replied, "Understood."
"As for Princess Yun'an..."
Luan Di Yi Tu pondered for a moment before saying, "For now, don't make any moves on her side. Once she arrives on the grasslands and becomes one of ours, we'll eventually find an opportunity to interrogate her slowly."
"It is crucial to avoid alerting the enemy now."
The trusted confidants replied in unison, "Yes!"
The humiliation of the defeat in the northern frontier, the fear of the Great Zhou's mysterious weapon, and the urgent need to consolidate his power within the country all weighed heavily on Luan Di Yi Tu's mind.
Tomorrow's banquet is a precious opportunity for him to dive into the dragon's pool and peek at its scales and claws.
How much they will gain remains to be seen. But the wolves of the grasslands never miss a single possible rustling sound.
"Let's all get ready."
Luan Di Yi Tu waved his hand: "Tomorrow, keep your eyes open."
The crowd solemnly replied, "Yes!"
……
The next day.
Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Today's banquet is a gift from the Emperor to the newlywed princess and her husband.
At 3:45 AM, the invited members of the royal family, high-ranking officials, and women and relatives of the emperor entered the palace one after another.
The officials and noblewomen who knew each other chatted in hushed tones, their faces all smiles. The topic naturally revolved around yesterday's grand wedding.
On such occasions, among the imperial concubines, only Shen Zhinian, the secondary empress, was qualified to accompany the emperor.
She sat beside the throne, dressed in a soft rose-purple palace gown, her hair ornaments also relatively simple, exuding a graceful and gentle air, perfectly suited to her status on this occasion.
Shen Zhinian smiled and spoke with several royal ladies who came forward to pay their respects, her gaze occasionally drifting towards the direction of the palace gate.
At the hour of Si (9-11 AM), the sound of drums and music began, and Nangong Xuanyu arrived.
The emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, deliberately toned down his imposing presence.
Everyone immediately rose and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
After Nangong Xuanyu took his seat, he raised his hand and said, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Shortly after, a eunuch's announcement rang out from outside the hall: "Princess Wenshu and her husband Bai Mufeng are here to see you—!!!"
All eyes turned to the palace gate.
Princess Wenshu and Bai Mufeng walked in.
Princess Wenshu wore a relatively light but still gorgeous crimson palace dress today. Her hair was styled into an elegant updo, adorned with a red-gold kingfisher hairpin and several brightly colored velvet flowers.
Her eyes and brows were full of the shy charm of a new bride, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes were moist. Compared to before, she had gained a touch more of the gentle and charming allure of a married woman.
Bai Mufeng, dressed in a brand-new official robe of a驸马都尉 (Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant), looked tall and handsome, his eyes and brows radiating an undisguised smugness. However, his demeanor remained respectful and courteous, trailing Princess Wenshu by half a step.
The two walked to the throne and bowed deeply in worship.
Nangong Xuanyu raised his hand, gesturing for them to stand up, and said gently, "Wen Shu's wedding yesterday brought me great joy."
"Minister Bai is both talented and virtuous. You must serve the Princess well in the future and fulfill your duties as a subject."
The two replied in unison, "Your humble servant/my sister will obey Your Majesty's decree!"
Shen Zhinian also smiled and said, "Wen Shu looks very well today."
"Prince Consort Bai, the future Princess will be entrusted to you."
Her tone was very kind, like an older sister in an ordinary family giving instructions to her brother-in-law.
Bai Mufeng quickly bowed: "Your humble servant will do his utmost to live up to the high expectations of Your Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort, and serve the Princess with all his heart."
At this moment, some of the young members of the imperial family, or colleagues from the Hanlin Academy who were acquainted with Bai Mufeng, began to whisper and joke. Most of their remarks were auspicious, praising the handsome man and beautiful woman as a perfect match.
Some mischievous people whispered to Bai Mufeng when he would have a son, which drew good-natured chuckles from those around him.
Princess Wenshu had never experienced anything like this before, and her face immediately turned as red as a sunset, almost hiding behind Bai Mufeng.
Her barely suppressed embarrassment only added to her charm. Even the usually stern old censors stroked their beards and smiled.
The Xiongnu delegation was also among those invited.
Luan Di Yi Tu, seated in the VIP section, watched this scene unfold. Raising his glass, he proclaimed in the accented Great Zhou language, "Congratulations, Princess! Congratulations, Prince Consort Bai!"
"Yesterday's grand ceremony and today's fine banquet mark a series of auspicious events for the Great Zhou royal family, truly an auspicious sign."
"On behalf of the Xiongnu, I wish the Princess and her husband a long and happy marriage!"
His words were eloquent and impeccable.
Although Princess Wenshu did not have a good impression of the Xiongnu delegation, she could not disregard etiquette.
She steadied herself and, together with Bai Mufeng, nodded slightly in the direction of Luan Di Yi Tu: "Thank you for your kind words, Left Wise King."
Princess Wenshu handled the situation with propriety, neither servile nor arrogant. She neither became overly warm due to the other party's status nor lost the demeanor of a royal princess.
Nangong Xuanyu saw this and nodded slightly.
Although this younger sister is gentle, she doesn't lose her composure when it matters.
The banquet officially began.
The dishes, meticulously prepared by the imperial kitchen, were served in a continuous stream.
While not as extravagant as state banquets, it is more refined and meticulously prepared. Many of the dishes symbolize marital harmony and the wish for many children.
Following proper etiquette, Nangong Xuanyu bestowed numerous gifts upon Bai Mufeng and his parents, ranging from gold and silver to silk and ancient books and paintings—a dazzling array of items.
The Bai family was overwhelmed with gratitude and knelt down repeatedly to thank Heaven for its favor.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.
Many officials left their seats to offer toasts and exchange pleasantries.
Some people felt too hot inside the hall, or were feeling the effects of the alcohol, so they went to the corridor outside the hall to sober up.
Luan Di Yi Tu gave a subtle wink to the gray falcon sitting below him.
Grey Falcon understood, and pretended to be too drunk to drink, quietly got up, and walked out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony with two or three other officials of the Great Zhou who had also left their seats.
A cold wind blew under the eaves outside the hall, which indeed made people feel much more awake.
Several officials chatted and laughed in hushed tones, mostly discussing amusing incidents from the banquet or trivial gossip about court affairs.
Grey Falcon stood by a pillar a little further away, seemingly also trying to sober up, but his gaze was silently scanning his surroundings.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is located in the core area of the outer court, so it is naturally heavily guarded.
Below the steps outside the palace, imperial guards in armor stood guard every five steps and sentries every ten steps, stretching all the way to the distant palace gate.
The only people moving around were the obedient eunuchs and palace maids, each busy with their own tasks, and no one was talking to each other.
Grey Falcon knew that the palace where the mysterious deposed concubine was imprisoned must be somewhere in the inner palace. But from here, all that could be seen were the majestic palace buildings with their flying eaves and layers of palace walls.
He listened intently, but the conversation between the few officials who had been keeping watch did not involve any palace secrets.