Chapter 61

Chapter Sixty-1: Meeting of Sovereigns At dawn, Ling Jiayue lazily got out of bed, draped a robe over herself, and pushed open the window. Outside, three or four peach blossoms had begun to bloom here and there. For some reason, she felt particularly cheerful, perhaps because she could sense the vigorous vitality stirring all around her. Lingxue entered carrying the washing things. Seeing Ling Jiayue standing by the window with only an outer robe over her, she said, “Miss, although it’s already the third month, there’s still a late-spring cold snap. You’ll catch cold dressed like that.” “Amitabha. You little busybody—you truly were born to worry. Don’t fret. I’m very healthy and absolutely won’t get cold.” Ling Jiayue closed the window and turned around, teasing her. Lingzhu and Danyun came in behind her. Hearing Ling Jiayue tease Lingxue, they both burst out laughing. Lingxue pretended to be angry. “Hmph! What are you laughing at me for? I’m only worried about Miss.” Ling Jiayue accepted the handkerchief Lingxue had wrung out and wiped her face, continuing to tease her. “Who’s making fun of you? We all listen to you around here. You’re our little busybody, after all.” Lingzhu and Danyun laughed even harder, nearly doubling over. Lingxue was thin-skinned and couldn’t withstand such teasing. She stamped her foot and fell silent, looking utterly adorable. Ling Jiayue let Lingzhu arrange her hair into a bun, then took Lingzhu, Lingxue, and Danyun with her to have breakfast in Madam Liu’s courtyard. On the way, they ran into Ling Jiaxuan, so the siblings went to Madam Liu’s courtyard together. After walking along a long covered corridor with winding handrails, the siblings arrived at Madam Liu’s courtyard. Ling Jiayue took only Lingxue inside, leaving Lingzhu and Danyun outside. “Greetings, Father and Mother.” Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan bowed to Ling Taian and Madam Liu. “Rise, children. Come and sit,” Madam Liu said, excusing them from the ceremony. When Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan entered, Ling Taian had just finished putting on his official uniform, and Madam Liu had personally fastened his official hat for him. Usually, Ling Taian would only put on his official uniform after breakfast. No one knew what had happened today; he had dressed exceptionally early. Ling Taian carefully inspected his official uniform once more before saying, “Today, the Sovereign is meeting with Chu Chaoci, the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom. As Prime Minister, I must accompany him and attend to him early, so I’ve already eaten. You two stay and have breakfast with your mother.” “Farewell, Father.” Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan rose and bowed. Ling Taian, meanwhile, strode out of the room. Madam Liu made a gesture. The steward matron lightly clapped her hands, and maids soon entered carrying an array of exquisite dishes. Madam Liu personally arranged each one on the table before calling out, “Children, I’ve prepared all your favorite foods today. Come, eat while it’s hot.” Ling Jiayue and Ling Jiaxuan sat down to eat. Although Ling Jiayue was having her meal, her thoughts were occupied by the meeting between Dayi and Chu Chaoci. What would they discuss? Chu Chaoci was the person she had hated with every last ounce of her life. Now, all she wanted was to slip the noose of revenge around his neck. After leaving the residence, Ling Taian headed straight for the palace. Today, Chu Chaoci, the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, would travel from the posthouse to the imperial palace to meet with Mu Yuye of Dayi. Ling Taian had to arrive early; he could not lose the bearing and dignity expected of a prime minister of a great nation. Ling Taian’s official sedan arrived at the Dismounting Stele before the imperial palace. He rose from the sedan and slowly made his way toward the palace. The sun had just risen, and the entire imperial palace was bathed in the morning light, appearing grand and imposing. “Oh, Prime Minister Ling, you’ve arrived awfully early today.” Eunuch Chen was one of Sovereign Mu Yuye’s closest attendants. Seeing Ling Taian arrive so early, he took the initiative to greet him. “Today is the day of the meeting between our sovereign and Chu Chaoci, the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom. I would never dare arrive late and thereby disgrace the bearing and dignity of a prime minister.” Although Ling Taian was the prime minister, he was known as the kindest prime minister in Dayi’s history. Even when speaking with Eunuch Chen, he remained courteous and proper. “Prime Minister Ling, you’ve worked hard.” “Not at all, not at all. You’re the one who works hard serving the sovereign, Eunuch Chen.” “Prime Minister Ling, please come in. His Majesty has been waiting for you for quite some time. If we delay any longer, I’m afraid the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom will be arriving.” Only then did Ling Taian enter the hall. “Your subject Ling Taian kowtows before His Majesty. May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years.” Ling Taian bowed before the emperor. “Prime Minister Ling, rise quickly. You’ve arrived quite early today. Have you had breakfast?” Mu Yuye asked when he saw Ling Taian arrive. “Reporting to Your Majesty, your subject has already eaten. Today is the day we receive the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom. I have not for a moment forgotten my duty as your subject, so I came early,” Ling Taian replied. “Good! You truly are the prime minister of Dayi.” Mu Yuye sighed in praise. Before long, Eunuch Chen entered to report, “Your Majesty, Chu Chaoci, the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, has arrived.” “Invite him in at once,” Mu Yuye ordered. Eunuch Chen went out to escort Chu Chaoci inside. Guided by Eunuch Chen, Chu Chaoci entered Mu Yuye’s inner hall. “The Sovereign of Ye Kingdom has graced us with his presence. Our humble nation is truly honored,” Mu Yuye said, rising personally to welcome Chu Chaoci. “The Sovereign of Dayi is too kind. It has been ten years since our two nations ceased hostilities and laid down their arms. This peach-blossom banquet has already been held for five years, yet, to my embarrassment, this is the first year I’ve come to admire its splendor.” Chu Chaoci’s tone was modest. “Not at all. It is wonderful enough that you could attend this year’s peach-blossom banquet. It will certainly be even more successful than before. Wouldn’t you agree, Prime Minister Ling?” Mu Yuye and Chu Chaoci continued exchanging diplomatic pleasantries, and Mu Yuye smoothly tossed the subject to Ling Taian. Ling Taian picked up the thread. “Indeed. This year’s peach-blossom banquet will certainly be a great success.” “Will all the eligible young masters and young ladies from the various households be attending?” Chu Chaoci asked, seemingly curious. “Yes, all the eligible young masters and young ladies will attend. Speaking of which, Prime Minister Ling, there are quite a few eligible young masters and young ladies in your household as well, aren’t there? Bring them all,” Mu Yuye said. “Yes, your subject will obey the imperial decree,” Ling Taian replied with a nod. “By the way, Sovereign of Ye Kingdom, you recently lost your Empress. Would you like to choose a woman you favor from among the ladies of Dayi?” Mu Yuye asked. Chu Chaoci’s face remained warm and cordial as he exchanged pleasantries, but when Mu Yuye mentioned the Empress who had passed away, he thought of that woman whose temperament had been as fierce as fire. A trace of coldness flashed through his eyes. Mu Yuye caught it, his own eyes shifting rapidly. How could someone who became the ruler of a nation be a simple man? Mu Yuye and Chu Chaoci were both old hands at verbal sparring. As they exchanged polite remarks and casually chatted, time flew by. In the evening, Mu Yuye warmly invited Chu Chaoci to stay in the palace for dinner. After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, both host and guest were thoroughly pleased. Chu Chaoci rose, belched, and said, “Many thanks to the Sovereign of Dayi for your hospitality. I’ll return to the posthouse for now.” Mu Yuye instructed Eunuch Chen to see Chu Chaoci out. Once Chu Chaoci had gone far enough, Mu Yuye stopped pretending to be drunk, set down his wine cup, and asked, “Prime Minister Ling, what do you think of the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom?” “Your subject believes that although the Sovereign of Ye Kingdom appears gentle and easy to bully, he is deeply calculating and extremely cunning. He must not be underestimated,” Ling Taian said seriously.