Chapter 74

“Master, your hand is bleeding!” the attendant beside him cried out. “What are you shouting for? There’s no need to make such a fuss.” Mu Yuyang scoffed. He casually tore off a strip of his robe and wrapped it several times around his injured palm. Since the music and merriment at the banquet were so loud, this minor incident went unnoticed, drowned out by the noise. Ever since Ling Jiayue had returned after changing clothes, Chu Chaoci had been staring at her without blinking. His gaze was so deep that it seemed as though he were looking at the woman he loved most. Ling Jiayue felt Chu Chaoci’s gaze, but she paid it no mind, sitting in her place and drinking wine and eating dishes on her own. Seeing this unusual side of Ling Jiayue, Chu Chaoci felt a strange emotion stir within him. This was a more vibrant Ling Jiayue than he had ever seen before. But Chu Chaoci’s gaze was far too invasive for Mu Yuheng’s liking, so he gave Feng Yan a few quiet instructions. After receiving his master’s orders, Feng Yan went to attend to the matter. Before long, another troupe of singers and dancers appeared. They surrounded Chu Chaoci, vying with one another to perform for him. Some of the bolder women even tried to seduce him. Now Chu Chaoci could no longer look at Ling Jiayue even if he wanted to. Chu Chaoci was irritated, but he could not disregard the dignity of an emperor. He looked thoroughly harassed. Empress Su Wanrong found the scene somewhat puzzling. She turned her eyes toward Mu Yuheng, who gave her a playful smile in acknowledgment. Su Wanrong shook her head, seemingly at a loss over what to do with Mu Yuheng. But seeing the emperor surrounded by a group of singers and dancers was quite a spectacle. When she saw how thoroughly bothered Chu Chaoci was, she actually laughed softly. Naturally, Ling Jiayue saw everything Mu Yuheng had done. She, too, was amused. Mu Yuheng raised his brows at her with a smile, and Ling Jiayue lifted her wine cup toward him from afar before draining it in one go. Mu Yuheng was even more delighted and finished the wine in his own cup as well. Their interaction did not escape Ling Jiaxuan’s notice, and he was filled with worry. His little sister had only just broken off her engagement with the Third Prince, and now the Seventh Prince had begun pursuing her. What a headache. Heaven knew that all he wanted was for his little sister to live a life of happiness, peace, and good health. At that moment, Emperor Mu Yuye nodded toward Su Wanrong. Understanding his meaning, she set down her wine cup and rose to her feet. With considerable dignity, she said, “My honored ministers.” Hearing the Empress speak, everyone set down their wine cups and turned to look at her. Su Wanrong continued, “My honored ministers, we have had nearly enough wine. It is time to invite the young masters and young ladies of both nations to add to the festivities. Since the young ladies are more reserved, let us invite the young masters first.” “Yes,” everyone answered in unison. The rules of the peach-blossom banquet were that the young ladies competed in horseback riding and calligraphy, while the young masters competed in literary talent. Now that the Empress had spoken, the young masters of Dayi and the Ye Kingdom all rubbed their fists and eagerly prepared themselves. Of everyone at the banquet, Ling Jiaxuan was usually the least interested in such things. It was not that he lacked literary talent; he simply preferred to sit quietly and drink. “The Ye Kingdom is our neighboring nation, while we are the hosts. Let the young masters of Dayi go first. The head of the civil officials is Ling Taian, so today we shall begin with his son,” Mu Yuye said. Poor Ling Jiaxuan had only just poured himself a cup of wine and had not yet brought it to his lips when Mu Yuye called his name. No matter how unwilling he was to stand, he had no choice but to set down his wine cup and rise to compete in literary talent. “Yes, Your Majesty.” Ling Jiaxuan rose and first kowtowed to Mu Yuye. “Just compete boldly. The son of Ling Taian is certain to be extraordinary,” Mu Yuye encouraged him. “Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I shall certainly do my utmost,” Ling Jiaxuan said. Ling Jiaxuan stood there, thinking. Suddenly, he remembered a rare, out-of-print book from the Sheyu Kingdom that he had once read. He reckoned that no one from Dayi or the Ye Kingdom had seen it before. Perhaps he could take it out now and bluff his way through. He truly wanted nothing more than to sit down and drink. After pondering for a while, Ling Jiaxuan said, “Bloodied from battle, my war robes torn, Beyond the frontier, we have broken through siege after siege. Charging the enemy camp, I shoot down their generals, Then lead ten thousand steeds and mighty troops home.” After Ling Jiaxuan finished reciting the poem, no one spoke for quite some time. Everyone who had ever set foot on a battlefield felt their blood surge upon hearing it. As for Ling Jiayue, the moment she heard those lines, she suddenly felt as though she had returned to the battlefields of her previous life, racing across them with such magnificent spirit. Her heart filled involuntarily with heroic ambition. Just as everyone was immersed in the atmosphere, Mu Yuye suddenly broke the silence. “Good! What magnificent spirit!” “Your Majesty praises me too highly,” Ling Jiaxuan said respectfully. “I had always known that Ling Taian was a man capable of settling the realm with a brush in hand. But today, Young Master Ling has opened my eyes. I never imagined that Dayi would produce another ambitious young man,” Mu Yuye praised. “Your Majesty praises me too highly. I am unworthy of such praise,” Ling Jiaxuan said, becoming even more respectful and modest in the face of Mu Yuye’s approval. He had originally intended only to recite a poem, bluff his way through, and then sit down to drink. “Someone, bring him a reward! Bestow a generous reward!” Mu Yuye was delighted, and rewards flowed down like water. After thanking the Emperor for the rewards, Ling Jiaxuan sat down and happily began drinking. He did not know that his dazzling performance today had already drawn the attention of others. Ling Jiayue also raised her wine cup toward Ling Jiaxuan from afar in congratulations. Ling Jiaxuan exchanged a smile with her. Meanwhile, the madams at the banquet were all sighing with emotion. They wondered what great fortune the Ling Residence must have accumulated in its previous life for the Ling family’s sons and daughters to be so outstanding, each one surpassing the last. Now, it was no longer only the madams with sons in their families who sought to ingratiate themselves with Madam Liu. Even the madams with daughters began approaching her one after another. The peach-blossom banquet had only just begun, but the Ling siblings had already stolen the entire spotlight. It truly made people jealous. After Ling Jiaxuan finished his poem, it was Madam Wan’s son, Ling Pingzhang, who took his turn. Ling Pingzhang’s literary talent was mediocre, and unlike Ling Jiaxuan, he did not enjoy reading. This competition was unlikely to be memorable for him. Moreover, with Ling Jiaxuan’s dazzling performance before him, there was no way Ling Pingzhang could shine. Ling Pingzhang recited a poem as well, but it was far inferior to Ling Jiaxuan’s. After hearing Ling Pingzhang’s verses, everyone merely applauded politely. Even Emperor Mu Yuye made no response. The contrast made Madam Wan grit her teeth with resentment. She could only think that all the Ling family’s good fortune had been claimed by Madam Liu’s two children. Twisting her handkerchief, she nearly ground her silver teeth to pieces. Ling Yuwan noticed Madam Wan’s strange expression and began making plans. She pretended to pour a cup of wine and handed it to Madam Wan with a smile. “Madam Wan, please calm down. Older Brother Pingzhang began his education late, so it is only natural that he cannot compare with them. He can make up for it gradually in the future.” Madam Wan did not accept the wine. She merely snorted, while Ling Yuwan’s smile grew even gentler.