Just as Yan Yihuan was chatting happily with Li Xuanjing, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Turning to look, everything appeared normal, but an uneasiness crept into his heart. Instinctively, he moved a little closer to Li Xuanjing.
“Jing ge, do you know Zhao Chufeng?”
“Zhao Chufeng? Who’s that? Never heard of him.”
Li Xuanjing, as the heir apparent, was well-informed about the people and affairs of the court. If Li Xuanjing had never heard of Zhao Chufeng at all, then perhaps he was overthinking it. Zhao Chufeng must truly just be a minor official with no significance.
Just as Yan Yihuan was preparing to ask a few more questions, a eunuch suddenly approached the dragon throne and waved his horsetail whisk. The surroundings immediately fell silent.
“The Emperor is still discussing important matters with the Prime Minister. To avoid keeping all Your Highnesses waiting too long, His Majesty has instructed Your Highnesses to begin the banquet first, with no need to wait for His Majesty.”
As soon as these words fell, everyone exchanged glances. Aside from a few who awkwardly sipped their tea, the rest still didn’t dare touch the food before them.
After all, this was clearly just a polite gesture. The Emperor himself was still occupied with state affairs while on an empty stomach. For others to feast heartily in his absence would be highly inappropriate.
Besides, how could such a banquet, akin to the Hongmen Banquet1鸿门宴 (Hóngményàn) – Now the phrase has come to mean a ruse intended to trap a guest. Source: https://theanthill.org/ct-53 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_at_Swan_Goose_Gate, truly be treated as a feast to enjoy? Everyone had already eaten something before coming, so there was no rush to eat immediately.
Of course, there was one exception.
Yan Yihuan was starving. As the eunuch spoke, a delighted expression crept onto his face. Before the words were fully out, his chopsticks were already in hand, and before Li Xuanjing could stop him, a piece of meat had found its way into his mouth.
“You really can’t handle the slightest bit of hardship,” Li Xuanjing unconsciously curved his lips and poured him a cup of tea. “If you’re hungry, then eat.”
“I’ve only had a bowl of congee today. I might faint if I don’t eat something soon.”
Watching Yan Yihuan eat rather hastily, Li Xuanjing found the situation increasingly strange. Given Yan Yihuan’s personality, he would never only eat a single bowl of congee in a day unless something troublesome had occurred. Recalling his hesitant demeanor earlier, Li Xuanjing decided to take advantage of the Emperor’s delayed arrival to get to the bottom of things.
However, neither of the two noticed that the eunuch who had just delivered the Emperor’s decree was now walking straight towards Yan Yihuan. The others in the hall cast mocking glances at Yan Yihuan. They had long heard of this spoiled young master, and upon seeing him in person, it was indeed as expected—he dared to act so brazenly even in the palace.
This particular eunuch was no ordinary person; he is the Emperor’s most trusted attendant, Shen Zhaoquan. Seeing him approach Yan Yihuan, everyone’s attention shifted towards the scene, eagerly waiting for some drama to unfold.
Li Xuanjing was the first to notice Shen Zhaoquan’s arrival. He immediately stood up, stepping in front of Yan Yihuan to shield him, and greeted him with a polite smile. “Eunuch Shen.”
“Greetings to the Crown Prince of Qin,” Shen Zhaoquan replied respectfully, bowing to Li Xuanjing. However, he then bypassed him and bowed directly to Yan Yihuan,
“Greetings, Third Young Master.”
Huh? Me?
Startled, Yan Yihuan hurriedly took a sip of tea and stood up. Although he did not recognize this kindly smiling eunuch, he could tell from his intricately embroidered python-patterned attire2蟒纹服制 – Mangfu is a formal court robe for civil and military officials in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Because the mang pattern is similar to the dragon pattern, mangfu is a noble attire second only to the dragon robe. The mang attire in the Ming Dynasty was first worn by the emperor’s close ministers. More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangfu that he was no ordinary person. Despite his slightly flustered reaction, Yan Yihuan maintained proper decorum and followed Li Xuanjing’s lead,
“Greetings, Eunuch Shen.”
Shen Zhaoquan smiled and gave a slight nod to the young eunuch behind him. The younger eunuch smartly turned and left, returning shortly with an exquisite wine jug in his hands. Bowing and lifting the jug respectfully, he presented it at Shen Zhaoquan’s side. Upon closer inspection, the jug was carved entirely from a single block of white jade, starkly different from those placed on the banquet tables.
“This is the first time this humble servant has met the Third Young Master. Third Young Master is truly handsome and refined, not an ordinary man.” As he spoke, he turned and picked up the jade wine jug. “Allow this humble servant to offer a toast to the Third Young Master.”
What is going on?!
Not only was Yan Yihuan himself baffled, but everyone present was also dumbfounded. Who is Shen Zhaoquan? Even these princes and heirs present had treated him with utmost respect and caution. Yet now, he was actually taking the initiative to toast Yan Yihuan? This was simply unheard of.
After finishing one cup of wine, before Yan Yihuan could even speak, Shen Zhaoquan refilled the cup and said,
“It wouldn’t be proper to stop at just one toast. I hope the Third Young Master will grant me the honor of another.”
At this point, Yan Yihuan naturally couldn’t refuse. After downing three cups of wine, Shen Zhaoquan finally showed a satisfied smile. He bowed respectfully to Yan Yihuan, then turned and announced loudly,
“His Majesty has said that everyone here are like brothers, so please need not be overly restrained, and should follow the example of the Third Young Master.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone broke out in cold sweat. Although the Emperor was not present, their every move was still being watched. This realization filled the hall with unease.
Oh well, with Young Master Yan leading the way, what was there to fear? The attendees feigned relaxation and raised their cups. Before long, the hall grew much livelier with chatter and toasts.
Yan Yihuan struggled to keep his eyes open, but his eyelids grew heavier, and his mind became increasingly muddled. His stomach ached with hunger, craving food, yet he found himself unable to lift his hand.
Could it be the alcohol taking effect?
Earlier, his nerves had caused him to gulp down the wine without savoring it. While he hadn’t tasted much, he was certain it wasn’t particularly strong. He knew his own alcohol tolerance well, and three small cups shouldn’t have been enough to make him drunk.
“Yihuan, Yihuan?”
Li Xuanjing noticed something was wrong and quickly supported the swaying Yan Yihuan, “You’re drunk.”
“I’m not drunk…” Yan Yihuan muttered. He truly believed he couldn’t be drunk, but as soon as he spoke, Li Xuanjing became even more convinced that he couldn’t hold his liquor.
The guard who had been almost invisible the whole time suddenly appeared, reaching out to assist. However, Li Xuanjing blocked him with a sharp motion and snapped, “Step back!”
Everyone assumed Yan Yihuan was a spoiled and unruly young master, but Li Xuanjing knew better. He was, in fact, timid by nature. His unusual behavior could only mean that someone had threatened him.
Although the guard was aware that Li Xuanjing was the Crown Prince of Qin, he didn’t retreat. However, they couldn’t cause any major disturbances during the palace banquet, so for a moment, the two were at a standstill.
“Oh, is the Third Young Master drunk?” Shen Zhaoquan suddenly appeared, looking remorseful, “It’s all this humble servant’s fault. How about I support the Third Young Master to the back to rest?”
Li Xuanjing was internally conflicted. He didn’t trust either of the two in front of him, but compared to the unfamiliar guard, whom Yan Yihuan clearly seemed to fear, at least Shen Zhaoquan was someone he knew. After a brief hesitation, he gave Shen Zhaoquan a nod.
Two young eunuchs hurried forward to help Yan Yihuan up, while Shen Zhaoquan turned and stopped Li Xuanjing, gesturing toward the door behind the dragon throne.
“Your Highness, I’m merely escorting the Third Young Master to the rear chamber to rest. His Majesty will arrive shortly, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for the crown prince to leave the banquet as well.”
His reasoning made sense. Li Xuanjing halted, watching until Yan Yihuan was indeed taken to the rear chamber before finally relaxing.
Compared to the brightly lit main hall, the rear chamber was dimly lit with only a few candles flickering near a soft couch, casting a faint orange glow.
Lying on the couch, Yan Yihuan’s already flushed cheeks were illuminated by the orange-yellow candlelight. His peaceful, relaxed face appeared especially gentle at that moment, much like a contented cat.
A slender finger hesitated for a moment, before seemingly unable to resist poking his soft cheek.
“You and Li Xuanjing sure are close, huh?”
The voice echoed particularly clearly in the quiet palace. The poke seemed to have woken Yan Yihuan, who furrowed his brows and let out a few groans, his eyelids twitched before opening just a sliver.
His dazed gaze gradually focused, and as his eyes settled on the figure in front of him, his previously limp body jolted as if struck by lightning. He gasped sharply, sucking in a breath.
“Ow…”
His body that almost fell was gently supported and laid back on the soft couch. Yan Yihuan’s mind was muddled, and he felt as if he had just seen Zhao Chufeng’s face.
“A nightmare… it must be a nightmare…”
He murmured to himself with his eyes tightly shut, seemingly unable to resist the drowsiness, and this time he truly drifted off into a deep slumber.
The hands that had just caught him froze in midair, followed by a cold chuckle.
“A nightmare? Yan Yihuan, you have quite the nerve.”
“Your Majesty,” Shen Zhaoquan’s voice came from the shadows, “Do you plan to step outside yet?”
“Bring me the medicine.” A pair of hands skillfully untied Yan Yihuan’s belt, “Have them wait.”
