Chapter 45 The person you like
Longevity Festival.
The whole country celebrates.
All the invited people entered the palace in order.
Palace banquet scene.
First, Emperor Li Zhuo and Empress Zong Zheng Fu Yue appeared majestically amid the worship of the crowd.
Immediately afterwards, the most famous ninth princess, Li Xian, appeared on the stage surrounded by a group of maids and eunuchs.
"My daughter wishes my father and mother well. I wish my father a long life."
"Ying'er is here, please take your seat."
"Yes, Father."
Li Zhen is here.
The scar on his face was finally completely washed away, and his face returned to its former handsomeness.
Today, he was wearing a gorgeous brocade robe with exquisite patterns embroidered with gold thread, which sparkled brightly under the candlelight.
A jewel-encrusted belt was tied around his waist, which further highlighted his tall and straight figure.
Her hair was combed neatly and she wore an exquisite crown on her head with sparkling pearls and emeralds.
His face was obviously carefully groomed, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes.
I guess I've embarrassed myself a lot in Beijing in the past half month, so I dressed up extra carefully tonight, hoping to save some face.
At this moment, Li Zhen, who was overdressed, looked like a colorful peacock.
The Tenth Prince Li Xu followed the Imperial Concubine Pei Si and gave Li Zhen a mocking look.
"Myna, your face... is clean? Congratulations."
Li Zhen was completely focused on Jiang Yeqiu's restoration of his appearance. He rolled his eyes at Li Xu and ignored him.
Afterwards, Concubine Yun, who was always sick and never attended any occasion.
He actually came to the palace banquet with the Third Prince Li Dan and his grandson Li Chengxi.
Jiang Lingyin was still wearing a veil as she followed the Queen Mother and watched the entire scene quietly.
But why hasn’t Ye Wenjing come yet?
The eunuch announced loudly: "The Queen Mother has arrived!"
Everyone hurriedly saluted.
"The Queen Mother is a thousand years old!"
The empress dowager was particularly different today. She didn't even bring the heavy glass mirror that she wore every day.
She said gently, "Everyone, get up. There's no need to be restrained."
Emperor Li Zhuo was somewhat puzzled when he saw a mysterious woman following the empress dowager.
"The person beside my mother..."
The Queen Mother interrupted in time: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will tell you who she is in a moment."
"Yes, Queen Mother."
Li Zhuo was somewhat happy today. He said, "The auspicious time has arrived. Let's start the feast."
The sound of stringed instruments was endless, singing and dancing were in full swing, and the scene was extremely lively.
The palace attendants came and went in an orderly manner. They were dressed in gorgeous clothes and moved gracefully and solemnly.
Then, exquisite dishes were served one after another, and everyone chatted with each other while enjoying the food.
Afterwards, everyone presented precious gifts to the emperor.
Three people came from the Jiang family.
Jiang Yuanchan, Li Huan, Jiang Yeqiu.
Jiang Yeqiu has been flirting with Li Zhen.
On the side, the Tenth Prince Li Xu glanced at the two of them and took a big gulp of wine.
Jiang Lingyin stood silently behind the Queen Mother.
Just then, Ye Wenjing came.
It seemed that he had dressed up specially and was not wearing his usual plain clothes.
However, he came in a wheelchair.
Yes, not many people know it now, but his five senses have recovered and he can stand up again.
Ye Wenjing was pushed by Sang Tao and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for being late."
Emperor Li Zhuo stood up quickly and said, "It's good that Ah Jing is here. Please take your seat."
Then he hurriedly said, "Eunuch An, take this plate of peony flower crisps to Ah Jing. This child has loved eating them since he was a child."
Ye Wenjing sat down and hurriedly thanked him, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."
Jiang Lingyin watched from the side and gasped.
At the palace banquet, everyone had their own thoughts.
Emperor Li Zhuo's blatant preference for Ye Wenjing was enough to kill him many times.
Jiang Lingyin also roughly knew why Ye Wenjing didn't tell her why he was poisoned.
Just look at this great favor, even the princes and princesses present did not have it.
For example, when Li Xu heard that the emperor gave the Peony Flower Pastry to Ye Wenjing and asked Eunuch An to deliver it personally.
He crushed the wine glass directly under the table.
There are too many people who want to kill Ye Wenjing.
The emperor provided them with ample motivation.
After all, which official who resigned would still keep his mansion in Yujing without even changing the plaque.
Monthly salary will be paid as usual.
He also ordered the three armies to recognize Ye Wenjing as the first commander except for the tiger talisman.
Jiang Lingyin thought about it carefully, and was afraid that the current army commander would be the first one to kill Ye Wenjing.
Although he had the tiger talisman in his hand, Ye Wenjing was still pressing down on him.
If Ye Wenjing wants to come back one day, he can take the army with him without even the tiger talisman.
To put it bluntly, apart from the emperor, the entire Longyuan military power lies in the hands of Ye Wenjing alone.
But he is not close to anyone and always keeps to himself.
It's not like the princes haven't tried to curry favor with him.
But none of them succeeded.
The only person who is somewhat related to him is the Third Prince Li Dan.
Li Dan was born to Concubine Yun.
Concubine Yun was brought back by Emperor Li Zhuo from his fiefdom in the south of the Yangtze River. According to legend, she was just a peasant girl.
Moreover, Li Dan himself had no ambition to serve in the imperial court and was only fascinated by mountains and rivers.
Neither mother nor son has any support from their maternal family, so Li Dan is naturally not among the candidates for the throne.
However, Li Chengxi, the son born to Li Dan after marriage, was directly thrown to Ye Wenjing by the current emperor.
The emperor himself issued the order to become my disciple.
Ye Wenjing had no choice but to accept the only little grandson of the royal family, Li Chengxi, as his disciple.
Jiang Lingyin only learned all this news today.
No wonder Sang Tao was so nervous when Li Chengxi was injured that day in the forest.
If something happened to the only grandson of the royal family around Ye Wenjing, I'm afraid he would be unable to escape responsibility.
Tonight, Emperor Li Zhuo's original intention was to organize a blind date using his birthday as an excuse.
Several royal princes and princesses, as well as Ye Wenjing, are all of marriageable age and unmarried.
As the wine flowed, Emperor Li Zhuo spoke: "Ah Jing, I am very happy that you can come this year. I wonder if you have met someone you like after being away from the court for three years?"
Jiang Lingyin stared in the direction of Ye Wenjing.
But he found that Ye Wenjing was also looking at him.
He said: "Your Majesty, I do have someone I love."
Li Zhuo laughed, feeling relieved.
Ye Wenjing's mother, He Ruoyunsheng, died in battle when her child was less than two years old.
Father Ye Nanzhao only wants revenge.
With the tiny Ye Wenjing, he has been running around on the battlefield for more than 20 years.
Now that Ye Nan Zhaoxin has given up and become a monk, he will not worry about his son's marriage.
If he couldn't protect Ye Wenjing well, he would be ashamed to face his old friend.
Li Zhuo sighed secretly.
Old friends are dying one after another.
At the moment, he is the only one who is considered Ye Wenjing's elder and should make the decision.
"I wonder which girl Ah Jing likes? I will arrange a marriage for you."
In fact, in Li Zhuo's mind, this blind date tonight was mainly for Ye Wenjing.
The other princes were just incidental.
No matter who Ye Wenjing falls in love with tonight, Li Zhuo will be the one to arrange the marriage.
Ye Wenjing said calmly: "Your Majesty, the person I admire is Prime Minister Jiang's daughter - Jiang Lingyin."
Li Zhuo was caught off guard and choked on the warm wine.
"Ahem, A-Jing, who are you talking about?"
One word stirred up a thousand waves.
The banquet scene got out of control in an instant.
Everyone whispered.
"What's wrong with General Ye? Doesn't he know that Jiang Lingyin and the Eighth Prince are already engaged?"
"Yes, Jiang Lingyin and the Eighth Prince were already married by His Majesty. Where does General Ye's move put the Prince and His Majesty?"
"What kind of reputation does Jiang Lingyin have in Yujing? She is a ghost that everyone wants to kill."
"Is General Ye confused? Although he is now disabled due to poisoning, the Ye family has been loyal for two generations. Even if he falls in love with my daughter, I will agree. At least leave a descendant for the Ye family."
"Minister Wang, in General Ye's heart, your well-educated and well-mannered daughter cannot compare to Jiang Lingyin, the laughing stock of the capital!"
"Hey, that ugly Jiang Lingyin...why would General Ye like her?"
"Master He, please keep your voice down. Didn't you see the faces of Prime Minister Jiang and ***? They are almost as black as the bottom of a pot..."
……
Countless voices arose.
Jiang Yeqiu's heart almost jumped out of his chest.
I thought to myself: It would be best if Your Majesty could help Ye Wenjing, then I can legitimately become the Eighth Prince’s Consort, and in the future the Crown Princess!
Only Li Zhen was simply furious.
Although he looked down on Jiang Lingyin and had been threatening to break off the engagement for many years.
But now, Ye Wenjing said such words in public in front of all the ministers and his family.
What is the difference between this and the hatred of having your wife stolen from you?
Who is he humiliating!
Li Zhen slammed the table and stood up: "Ye Wenjing, what do you mean?"
Ye Wenjing: "That's what the prince heard."
Li Zhen was so angry that he drew his sword and stood up.