pdf-ebookys Chapter 258 New Year’s Eve
Chapter 258 New Year’s Eve
On the eve of Lunar New Year, everyone in Beijing was on holiday, enjoying a peaceful and quiet New Year celebration at home. Apart from the lanterns hanging outside, not many shops were open.
Meanwhile, the palace was also a hive of activity. Eunuchs and palace maids moved between the various palaces, making final preparations for the New Year's Eve banquet. They wiped the tables and chairs, set out the exquisite tableware, and moved with utmost care, afraid of making a mistake. The entire palace was immersed in an atmosphere of tension and joy, as if it too was anticipating this grand feast.
Gu Mochen, dressed in a magnificent brocade robe embroidered with golden dragons, strode confidently towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation. He had just extricated himself from the affairs of the free post station, but his mind was already preoccupied with the arrangements for the palace banquet. In previous years, the palace banquet was held in the main hall, where the space felt somewhat cramped, and everyone's behavior was somewhat restrained, making it difficult to fully enjoy this moment of reunion.
Upon entering the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Gu Mochen knelt respectfully and bowed, his voice loud and steady: "Your subject greets Your Majesty." The Emperor, who was intently reviewing memorials, raised his head upon hearing this, a kind smile appearing on his face, his eyes full of affection: "Mochen, what brings you to me?"
Gu Mochen slowly straightened up, his gaze sincere and firm, looking directly into the Emperor's eyes as he said, "Father, I have arranged for this year's palace banquet to be held in the palace newly built last year. In previous years, it was held in the main hall, which was quite cramped, and everyone felt a bit reserved. This year, we've moved it to the spacious building next to the Imperial Kitchen. It's not only close to the dining hall, making it very convenient to serve the dishes, but it will also allow everyone to experience a different atmosphere. What does Father think?"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor nodded slightly, an approving look appearing on his face. He smiled and said, "Alright, whatever you say. From now on, I will decide on important matters, and you can make the decisions on minor matters."
Gu Mochen quickly waved his hand, a humble smile on his face, and replied earnestly, "That would be unacceptable. How could I possibly overstep my bounds? All matters, large and small, in the court should be governed by the Emperor's will. How could I possibly make decisions on my own?"
The Emperor feigned anger, putting on a stern face, but a hint of amusement shone in his eyes: "I see you're not afraid to overstep your bounds, you're just being lazy! You come to me with such a trivial matter; you can decide for yourself." With that, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Gu Mochen smiled along, instantly lightening the previously serious atmosphere. After the laughter subsided, the Emperor's expression turned serious, his gaze becoming deep and distant. He said thoughtfully, "By the way, the Second Prince is now very close to you, and he has done a lot for the court. I plan to assign him a position. Mowen, let's bestow upon him the title of Prince Wen. What do you think? It can be seen as recognition and encouragement for him."
A hint of surprise and relief flashed in Gu Mochen's eyes, and he quickly cupped his hands and said, "Your subject thinks it's excellent. Second Brother has been working tirelessly and wholeheartedly on the matter of the free post station these days. He is meticulous and intelligent, and upright and kind. He is truly deserving of the title of Prince Wen. Moreover, Second Brother should also have his own princely residence. However, his frequent interactions with me inevitably bring some unnecessary trouble. If Father were to bestow a residence upon him, I hope it would be close to my Prince Chen's residence, so that I could better take care of him and ensure his safety."
The Emperor nodded slightly, a hint of relief and emotion in his eyes: "Your idea shows the depth of our brotherly affection. Very well, as you say, the Second Prince's residence will be built near the Prince Chen's residence. There is one more thing. Your elder brother is no longer the Crown Prince. Although it is true that if you don't cut the weeds at the root, they will grow back in the spring, since your elder brother has lost the possibility of vying for the throne, let's be lenient."
Gu Mochen replied, "Your subject has never intended to do anything to him. If he behaves himself in the future, I will not kill him."
After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Gu Mochen felt exceptionally cheerful, and his steps became lighter. He couldn't wait to return to his residence to tell Ye Qingchen the good news. Upon hearing that the Second Prince was about to be granted a princely title and a residence, Ye Qingchen's face beamed with joy, her eyes filled with sincere blessings: "Achen, this is truly wonderful news. The Second Prince is a good person. These past few days, he and you have worked tirelessly for the people, and this is a well-deserved reward after all the hardships."
Gu Mochen gently grasped Ye Qingchen's hand and said with deep emotion, "Yes, we have overcome countless hardships and obstacles along the way, thanks to everyone's concerted efforts. Now that Second Brother has the Emperor's approval, he will be able to better realize his ambitions and bring more benefits to the people."
Meanwhile, the Second Prince was still busy with the follow-up matters of the free post station in his residence. Although he already knew he was about to be enfeoffed as a prince, his mind was still entirely focused on improving the well-being of the people, and he was not at all blinded by the upcoming glory. At this moment, a servant hurriedly came to report that Gu Mochen had come to visit.
The Second Prince quickly put down his work and hurried out to greet him. Upon seeing Gu Mochen, a bright smile bloomed on his face, and he said warmly, "Seventh Brother, you are a rare guest. What brings you here today?"
Gu Mochen smiled and told the Second Prince about the Emperor's decision. Upon hearing this, the Second Prince was first taken aback, a hint of surprise and disbelief flashing in his eyes. Then, his eyes reddened slightly, and he said with a slightly choked voice, "I am deeply grateful for the Emperor's favor, and also thanks to my seventh brother for speaking well of me to the Emperor."
Gu Mochen patted the Second Prince on the shoulder and said sincerely, "Second Brother, there's no need for such formalities between us brothers. In the future, we should work hand in hand to do more practical things for the country and the people."
The two then discussed in detail the construction of the Prince's Palace and the affairs of the free post station. The Second Prince firmly stated that even after being enfeoffed as a prince, he would never forget his original aspirations and would continue to strive for the happiness of the people.
However, not everyone was happy about the Second Prince's ennoblement. After the Crown Prince was deposed, some of his supporters remained scheming, plotting revenge. Upon learning of the Second Prince's impending ennoblement, they were filled with jealousy and resentment.
"This second prince has actually benefited from misfortune. We can't just swallow this insult; we must find a way to make him pay." A former supporter of the crown prince said through gritted teeth, his face almost overflowing with hatred.
"But now the Emperor values him highly, so where should we begin?" another person asked worriedly, a hint of fear and helplessness in his eyes.
"Hmph, isn't he close to Prince Chen? Let's find a breakthrough through Prince Chen. As long as we can find something on Prince Chen, we can implicate the Second Prince." A sinister and cunning glint flashed in the leader's eyes, like a venomous snake lurking in the darkness.
They began searching everywhere for news about Gu Mochen, resorting to any means necessary to find his weaknesses. However, Gu Mochen acted with integrity and honesty, and despite their best efforts, they found nothing. But these people were not about to give up. They decided to take a desperate gamble, creating some trouble to frame Gu Mochen.
Preparations for the palace banquet have entered their final sprint. Gu Mochen and the Second Prince are both extremely busy with this grand event, completely absorbed in it, unaware that danger is quietly approaching.
On the eve of the palace banquet, Gu Mochen entered the palace again to carefully check every detail with the eunuchs in charge of the banquet. From the meticulous arrangement of the dishes to the reasonable layout of the seats, from the selection of tableware to the music played by the band, he personally oversaw everything, striving for perfection and leaving no room for error.
While Gu Mochen was busy, the Crown Prince's old faction finally couldn't hold back any longer and began to act. They bribed a young eunuch in the imperial kitchen with a large sum of money, using both threats and inducements to make him tamper with the dishes at the palace banquet and then frame Gu Mochen for it.
The young eunuch, filled with trepidation, struggled internally for a long time under the temptation and threat of money. In the end, he succumbed to temptation and, following their instructions, added something he shouldn't have to a dish. However, his every move was keenly observed by an experienced old eunuch in the imperial kitchen.
The old eunuch was an upright and incorruptible man. He knew the seriousness of the matter; once it happened, it would surely cause a huge uproar. He dared not delay and immediately reported the situation to the Emperor. Upon learning of this, the Emperor was furious. His face turned ashen, and his eyes flashed with rage. He ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.
Under the Emperor's strict orders, investigators swiftly launched their operation, and soon the truth came to light. Upon learning that it was the Crown Prince's former faction that was behind the scheme, the Emperor's anger intensified, further solidifying his resolve to eradicate them completely. He ordered the arrest and severe punishment of all those involved, showing no leniency whatsoever.
On New Year's Eve, the palace banquet was held as scheduled. The new palace was brightly lit, as if it were daytime. Magnificent chandeliers cast a soft glow, reflecting colorful halos onto the carved beams and painted rafters. The palace was built in the same style as the one built by the Eldest Princess, but on a much grander scale. The Emperor, Empress, Imperial Noble Consort Lan, the Eldest Princess, all the concubines of the rank of Consort and above, princes and princesses, and numerous ministers gathered together, dressed in splendid attire, their faces beaming with joy. This time, however, Prince Han was very dejected. He used to be the Crown Prince, but this time the Emperor did not demote him, but he had cleanly cut off his left and right arms, leaving him with no chance of recovery.
The Emperor raised his cup first, his voice loud and powerful, to extend his New Year's greetings to everyone: "In the new year, I hope that our Great Xia will be prosperous and strong, that the people will live in peace and contentment, and that the world will be at peace."
Everyone raised their glasses in response, and laughter echoed throughout the palace, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere. Gu Mochen and the Second Prince exchanged a smile, waiting together for the delicious food to be served.