Chapter 290: Congratulations From All Sides (1)
This day, the emperor received blessings and congratulations from all sides. Besides the marquises and princes that had brought gifts to the celebration, the surrounding small vassal countries also brought congratulatory gifts for the emperor. The representatives from the three kingdoms had arrived at the same time this morning in the capital. Their long line of gifts made the commoners stop and watch the procession.
The imperial palace was lively, but the streets were also lively with people celebrating together. Even though Gong Yimo was in her room, she could still hear the loud gongs and drums on the street.
She was waiting for night to come.
The expression on Gong Jue’s face was cold as he stood not far from the emperor’s side. Everyone was dressed in bright and extravagant clothes that were decorated with jade and pearls. The entire hall was bustling with noise and excitement. People were singing, dancing, and laughing. Under the influence of alcohol and beauties, the mood was getting better and better. Everyone’s eyes were becoming blurry from the alcohol. No one will not get drunk under this kind of situation.
Just as Gong Jue was becoming impatient, Crown Prince Gong Che smiled and pushed other people aside, walking towards him.
“Why isn’t ninth brother drinking?”
Gong Jue looked at the gentle smile on Gong Che’s face and replied faintly, “I have responsibilities that I need to attend to, so I can’t drink.”
When Gong Che heard what he had said, he laughed. His gentle and jadelike eyes fell on Gong Jue, but a cold ray of light suddenly flashed by his eyes. His ice-cold gaze became as sharp as knives, as if he couldn’t wait to cut him up!
“It’s better for your subordinates to do those trifling matters. Ninth brother is a prince, why should you do it yourself?” As he said that, he drank another sip of the wine from the cup in his hand.
Gong Jue narrowed his eyes at his, but he still didn’t move.
Gong Che had been doing well in court, his position became more stable. Just a few days ago, the emperor had passed an imperial edict appointing the Liu Family from the south as one of the emperor’s inner ministerial circles. They became the emperor’s spokesperson in the south; they’re not the emperor’s eyes and hands.
The creation of the canal had benefited them greatly. The canal connected the north to the south which consolidated the emperor’s power. As a result, the Liu Family became favored and received a higher status.
In addition to that, Gong Che had taken Duke Zhen’s most beloved granddaughter as his princess consort. The Liu Family was now one of the most prominent and well-regarded families.
Seeing that Gong Jue ignored him, Gong Che smiled, the expression on his face was somewhat lonely. He turned to leave, but when the two brushed against each other, Gong Jue heard his ice-cold and gloomy voice.
“Tell Mo’er that my wedding ceremony will be in twenty days. I will wait for her to come alone to congratulate me.”
After he finished speaking, he left without turning around to look at Gong Jue.
There was an unreadable expression on Gong Jue’s face and he felt that the crown prince was acting quite strange. He didn’t understand what he wanted to do, but... this was also good. It might make royal sister happy to see him get married.
He revealed a strange smile on his face.
At this time, the music gradually disappeared and everyone returned to their seats in response.
Chang Xi had a smile on his face as he walked forward with a gold book in his hand. Gong Jue thought that it was time to announce the congratulatory gifts.
Sure enough, the first names to be announced were the officials from the three kingdoms.
The first person to stand up was Yu Qi’s general! However, the general looked like a little white face. Gong Jue heard that he had climbed onto the Empress Dowager of Yu Qi’s bed in order to get his position, he secretly guarded against this person.
TLN: Little white face refers to a young pretty boy or gold digger who doesn’t know how to do anything.
His royal sister said that the scariest people in this world are people who have courage, beauty, ability, or people who have no sense of shame.
He watched as the young man wearing a light blue robe with a silver colored hat walked forward. There were many people following behind him. Each person was holding a congratulatory gift and there was a red silk cloth covering each gift. There were a lot of gifts, both big and small.
The man greeted the emperor with a gracious smile.
“Foreign minister Shang Mingxi, representing Yu Qi’s royal family, is here to offer the emperor of Da Yu a congratulatory gift. I wish Your Majesty boundless longevity. Present the gifts.”