Green Mountain

Chen Ji refused, saying, "Your Majesty, I’m afraid I cannot attend the New Year’s banquet."

Bai Xingzhen angrily retorted, "The Imperial Decree hasn’t even been issued yet, how can you start referring to yourself as a lowly officer?"

Chen Ji ignored him and pointed to Old Ears: "Your Majesty, the elder in my family is drunk and unconscious, and I am also injured. I hope Your Majesty will permit me to take the elder home to recover."

Emperor Jing was silent for a moment: "Very well, you may return to Duke Huang Mansion and rest. The decree will be delivered tomorrow morning."

Bai Xingzhen was about to say he wouldn’t attend the banquet either, but Emperor Jing grabbed his wrist: "You can’t, you have to accompany me."

With that, Emperor Jing took Bai Xingzhen by the wrist and left. Bai Xingzhen looked back with every step, only to see Chen Ji nudge Old Ears, and then silently carry him off in the direction of Duke Huang Mansion.

...

...

In Zichen Hall, the nobles were on the left, and the ministers on the right, quietly discussing why His Majesty had not yet taken the throne.

Some had realized that perhaps something had happened to Emperor Jing while he was out in disguise, and that he was not within the palace, but outside.

Gradually, the ministers got up and gathered, some around the Fourth Prince, and others around the Sixth Prince, whispering strategies, causing the hundreds of candle flames in the hall to flicker incessantly.

At this moment, the Sixth Prince wore a Three-rib Crown, a red silk official uniform, with a square heart curved collar hanging on his chest, looking quite imposing.

A minister beside him whispered: "Your Highness, His Majesty is getting on in years, and now it’s the coldest of winter months. If he catches a chill outside, he could fall seriously ill... maybe even worse. If that happens, Shangjing City might descend into chaos!"

Another voice whispered close to the Sixth Prince: "Your Highness, our dynasty has not yet named a Crown Prince. If His Majesty were to pass away today, the night in Shangjing would certainly be stained with blood. You must decide quickly!

"Your Highness, we must not allow Lu Jin and others to seize the opportunity!"

"Your Highness, we ought to immediately send someone out of the palace, while the gates are open, to summon the Left and Right Martial Guards into the Imperial Capital for a change of guard!"

"Indeed, we can’t let Lu Jin have the chance to deploy the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and the Hu Ben Army into the capital."

"As soon as the Left and Right Martial Guards change positions, we will immediately execute Lu Jin and other rebellious ministers and traitors!"

Amidst the clamor, the Sixth Prince cast his gaze towards Yuan Xiang, sitting in the front row, who seemed to be asleep at the desk, oblivious to the discussions.

He then turned his gaze to the Fourth Prince, who was also surrounded by a group of ministers plotting something.

The Sixth Prince gritted his teeth and approached Yuan Xiang, bending down to ask, "Fatherly advisor, how should I decide?"

Yuan Xiang kept his eyes closed, seemingly deep in sleep, not responding.

The Sixth Prince anxiously said, "Fatherly advisor, we can’t wait any longer!"

Behind him came a voice: "Brother, we have no news yet, how can you lose your composure?"

The Sixth Prince swung around to look at Princess Liyang behind him: "What did you say?"

Princess Liyang calmly replied: "Brother, calm yourself. Since we are already seated, there is no custom allowing ministers to leave the palace before His Majesty takes the throne. We have no choice but to finish this New Year’s banquet before discussing further."

The Sixth Prince gritted his teeth: "You want me to sit and wait for death?"

Princess Liyang sighed: "Brother, the Left and Right Guards guard the palace, and the Right Guard, without father’s decree, would never let us leave the palace now. Only the Left Guard has some leeway... The crucial part lies with Duke Huang. Only if Duke Huang speaks, can we have the Left Guard send someone out to report."

The Sixth Prince was stunned and immediately scanned the hall, searching for Bai Xingzhen, but after a while, he still couldn’t find him.

Princess Liyang advised: "Brother, there’s no need to search. I looked for him upon entering the palace, and Duke Huang did not attend the New Year’s banquet today. Didn’t you consider these things before you came in?"

Furious, the Sixth Prince shouted, "What place does a woman have to speak here? Get back to your seat. Your presence here is aggravating!"

Princess Liyang, unperturbed, turned away, sitting alone at her desk, closing her eyes and resting.

It was only then that Yuan Xiang finally opened his eyes and slowly said: "Your Highness, the words Princess Liyang just spoke weren’t for you but for me. She wants to prove she’s smarter and more useful than you."

The Sixth Prince murmured: "But she is still only a woman."

Yuan Xiang softly said: "Yes, still just a woman."

At that moment, Bai Jian’s high-pitched voice came from outside the hall: "Be cautious!"

Outside, the Right Guard straightened their armor, making a rustling noise.

Then Bai Jian’s voice was heard again: "His Majesty takes his seat!"

In the hall, the ministers exchanged glances and hurriedly adjusted their attire, bowing in the direction of the voice.

The next moment, Emperor Jing stepped over the high threshold of Zichen Hall. Someone raised their head slightly to look, astonished to see Emperor Jing leading Bai Xingzhen by the wrist as they entered the hall.

Emperor Jing walked towards the Imperial Throne, smiling as he said, "My lords, you must be hungry. Today is New Year’s Eve; no need for excessive formalities."

Yuan Xiang shakily stood up, looking up at Emperor Jing. In that instant, he saw that the Emperor seemed rejuvenated, as if he had become much younger overnight, even his eyelids appeared more relaxed.

Strangely, those eyes of Emperor Jing’s...he had seen those eyes before by the Wan Nan River.

In Zichen Hall, everyone’s gaze fell on Emperor Jing, yet no one dared to ask why the Emperor was late.

Finally, as Emperor Jing passed by, Yuan Xiang softly asked: "Your Majesty, did you encounter any difficulties that delayed the New Year’s banquet today?"

Emperor Jing casually replied: "It’s nothing, just an assassination attempt."

The hall first fell silent, then burst into an uproar.

A military officer shouted angrily: "Who was so bold? Your Majesty, we should..."

Emperor Jing’s eyes gleamed fiercely as he cut off the speaker’s words: "Why the commotion, didn’t I come to no harm?"

Yuan Xiang pondered briefly: "Your Majesty, what about the assassin?"

Emperor Jing patted Bai Xingzhen’s head and replied calmly: "Already killed by the Bai Family’s Army."

Yuan Xiang then asked: "Where did it happen?"

Amused, Emperor Jing turned to Yuan Xiang: "At your private residence."

Yuan Xiang’s body wavered, then he trembled as he kneeled: "Your Majesty, do not jest with your subject. Even lending me ten times the courage, I wouldn’t dare commit treason."

Emperor Jing laughed heartily: "Good that you wouldn’t dare. Stand up; I simply went to your residence to take some wine and happened upon the assassin. Enough, I’m hungry. Bai Jian, bring out the roasted lamb with haste."

With that, Emperor Jing patted Bai Xingzhen’s back: "It was just to take you with me; don’t sulk with me. Find a table for yourself; after I’m full, I’ll think of how to reward you."

The ministers quietly exchanged glances: His Majesty publicly promised rewards to Duke Huang, surely confirming the incident was real, and indeed, the Bai Family’s Army had merits for protecting him...

But Bai Xingzhen is already a Duke, what more could be rewarded? Also, who is this person the Emperor mentioned taking from the Bai Family?

Amidst the whispers, Bai Xingzhen scanned the hall, searching for an empty table.

Suddenly, the Sixth Prince stood up, smiling as he invited him: "Duke Huang, I am alone at this table. You may join me here."

However, Bai Xingzhen ignored him, bypassing the Sixth Prince’s table and headed directly for a corner of the hall, calmly sitting beside Princess Liyang.

Surprised, Princess Liyang looked at Bai Xingzhen: "What are you doing?"

Bai Xingzhen grinned at her: "Princess Liyang, may I sit here with you?"

Princess Liyang’s eyes slowly widened and then curved into a smile: "Yes, you may."

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