The daughter of the emperor returned to Beijing and got into trouble with the abstinent prince.

Chapter 21: Royal Palace Feast
Family dinner
In the imperial city of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the majestic buildings and the magnificent palaces are decorated even more gorgeously today. Rows of exquisite tables are arranged on both sides of the palace, with delicate snacks and the best dishes, which can be called a Manchu-Han banquet.

At the end, on the highest throne, sat a dignified middle-aged man wearing a golden dragon robe and a white jade crown on his head, looking extremely noble.

The current emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty is Jun Heng.

Below him on his left and right were the two imperial concubines from the harem.

On the right is Concubine Hui, Princess Huayang of Xiyuan Kingdom, who has one son and one daughter, the second prince Jun Chengxuan, and the fifth princess Jun Leyao.

On the left is Concubine Chun, the sister of Prime Minister Gu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. She has a son, the third prince Jun Jinhuan.

Except for the unmarried Princess Jun Leyao who is by the side of her mother, Concubine Hui.

The second prince Jun Chengxuan sat in the first seat on the right. Beside him were Madam Jiang of Duke Jiang's Mansion, Uncle Shen of Duke Shen's Mansion, the Minister of War, the Minister of Works, and the Minister of Justice.

The third prince Jun Jinhuan sat in the first seat on the left. Beside him were Prime Minister Yun, Prime Minister Gu, the Minister of Rites, the Minister of Revenue, and the Minister of Personnel.

All the people at the banquet were royal relatives and important officials in the court.

The musicians in the music troupe were skilled in music and had already started playing when night fell. Accompanied by the melodious music, these distinguished families chatted and laughed, and toasted each other.

The only empty seat beside Jun Heng, on an equal footing with him, was.
"His Royal Highness is here!"

Following the eunuch's announcement, the music in the hall suddenly stopped, and the people at the banquet stood up spontaneously and prepared to salute.

The man who walked in from the palace gate was wearing a black robe with dragon patterns, had a slender figure, and a strong aura. His cold and beautiful face and enchanting peach blossom eyes, this contradictory temperament did not go against him at all.

It is so stunning, truly unique in the world.

It’s just that the pink sachet around his waist looked like a girl’s item. Yun Han was sitting closer to the front, so he could see it clearly.

"Chengyi, does the Crown Prince's sachet look familiar to you?"

So, Yun Han turned around and asked Yun Chengyi who was sitting behind him in a low voice.

"Father, these sachets are common in shops in the capital."

Yun Chengyi certainly knew who the sachet belonged to. After all, Yun Qianyi gave this item to Jun Yanci in front of him.

But what he never expected was that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince not only wore it with him, but also had no scruples about wearing it even when attending such a grand banquet.

After all, this light pink color contrasts quite poorly with the noble black robe with dragon pattern.

Jun Yanci raised his arms, clasped his hands together, and a deep, magnetic voice sounded:

"I wish you good health and a long life."

He performed the usual etiquette, with his back straight and his eyes looking directly at the emperor without any hesitation.

"Yan'er, come and sit next to your father."

But Jun Heng didn't mind. His eyes were full of doting on Jun Yanci. He even stood up and waved at him actively, looking like a loving father.

"Everyone is safe."

Jun Yanci waved his hand and motioned for everyone who was paying respects to sit down. Then he walked up the dragon steps and naturally sat at the same table with the current emperor, on an equal footing.

"Come, Yan'er, these are all your favorite dishes. Father has ordered them to start preparing them since noon. Have a try."

Everyone at the table was enjoying the food or chatting, but they were all paying attention to it. Seeing Jun Heng, the emperor, personally picking up food for Jun Yanci, they couldn't help but sigh in their hearts that it really had to be His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Many old officials felt familiar with this scene. After all, Jun Heng treated the late Queen Shen Qing in the same way. As the ruler of a country, Jun Heng gave Shen Qing all his favoritism, not only the honor of the position, but also allowing her to enter and leave the imperial study at will.

Rare treasures or expensive jewelry are all common.

According to the servants in the harem, Jun Heng did everything for Empress Shen himself, helping her with her makeup and dressing, bathing and massaging her. He wished he could hold her in his hands every day.

As Jun Yanci is Shen Qing's only surviving child, it is no surprise that he is so favored.

"Thank you, Father."

He had just picked up a piece of yam when he heard it.

"I heard that my fourth brother tried someone in the Dali Temple a few days ago, but the person died before he was sent to the Ministry of Justice?"

The speaker was Jun Chengxuan, the second prince of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

"Your Highness is wrong. When the prisoner was detained by the Dali Temple, he was already on the verge of death. How could he be related to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

Although Meng Ran was sitting at the back, he was not deaf.

"Master Meng, the prisoner eventually died in the Dali Temple, when my fourth brother was still here. From the perspective of criminal law, this is not in compliance with the rules after all."

Since Jun Chengxuan specifically mentioned the Dali Temple, Meng Ran, as the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, cannot escape the responsibility.

Meng Ran knew the seriousness of the matter, but as Jun Yanci's companion since childhood, no matter what he is like now, Meng Ran firmly believes that he is still that boy with a pure heart.

So when Meng Ran took office as the Shaoqing of Dali Temple, he told his family that he would stand by Jun Yanci unconditionally, even if it meant death.

Jun Heng watched Jun Yanci put down the chopsticks that had been picking up the yam slices, and looked at the second prince Jun Chengxuan with displeasure. Then, in front of everyone, he directly said biasedly:

"Yan'er has his reasons for doing things, and he doesn't need to explain to anyone. As the crown prince of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, it's okay for him to kill a criminal. What's more, today is a family dinner, so why talk about official business while eating?"

Jun Chengxuan lowered his head and said nothing, but a hint of jealousy flashed in his eyes.

"Father is right. I once again wish you a long life and a peaceful and healthy country."

At the signal from Concubine Chun, the third prince Jun Jinhuan raised his glass, spoke congratulatory words, and tried to smooth things over.

"Jin Huan is sensible. You did a great job on the task that the emperor gave you last time. The memorials submitted by the officials all praised you for your proper handling of affairs and clear rewards and punishments."

Unlike the second prince Jun Chengxuan, the third prince Jun Jinhuan has been conferred the title of Prince of the Seven Pearls and is well-known for his virtue in the court.

"Your Majesty, you are overpraising me. Under your rule, officials in the Eastern Jin Dynasty have performed their duties and fulfilled their responsibilities. I am just following your instructions and doing my best."

Jun Heng smiled and nodded in satisfaction at him. Suddenly he noticed the people below, narrowed his eyes slightly, and said:

"Is that the second son of the Yun family sitting over there?"

When Yun Chengyi heard Jun Heng calling him, he immediately stood up and walked into the hall, kneeling and bowing.

"I, Yun Chengyi, come to see Your Majesty."

"Get up, I remember the last time I saw you was ten years ago."

Back then, Yun Chengyi, who was only 14 years old, won the first place in the imperial examination, becoming the youngest first place scholar in the history of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. However, he resolutely gave up such a bright future and chose to go into business instead.

(End of this chapter)