The prince is more stable

Chapter 313: Royal Birthday Banquet
As night fell, a birthday banquet was held at the Prince of Chu's mansion.

Holding the birthday party at night is also against the rules.

In ancient times, birthday banquets were usually held at noon, when the yang energy was at its most abundant, to symbolize longevity.

Otherwise, if we choose the time at night when the Yin energy is gradually growing, the birthday person won’t have any hope for the next meal after eating this one, right?
But the King of Chu and his son did just that, focusing on being outstanding.

When the dignitaries in Bianjing City heard the specific time of the birthday banquet, they were stunned for a long time.

Those who were on good terms with Zhao Hao hurriedly sent people to persuade him to change the time, while those who were not on good terms with him sneered and said, "You don't even think it's unlucky, so why should I be afraid of having this meal?"
So, after three days of preparations in the Prince of Chu's mansion, the birthday banquet began as scheduled at nightfall.

That night, the Prince of Chu's Palace was decorated with lights and colorful lanterns. The palace was decorated from inside to outside. Everywhere was covered in red and green, and a big "Shou" character was pasted on the big red lanterns.

High platforms were built on both sides of the front courtyard of the palace. On the left was the famous drum and trumpet band of Bianjing, which was playing festive tunes with all its might. On the right was the famous acrobatic troupe of Bianjing, which was also performing with all its might on the stage.

The so-called "Bai Xi" was roughly equivalent to the gala in later generations, including acrobatics, storytelling, martial arts, magic tricks, etc. A wide variety of programs made up a play, and most of the brothels in Bianjing were Bai Xi.

Going further in, the courtesans from various brothels each occupied a corner, holding their pipa and guqin, playing and singing the famous masterpieces of the time, many of which were erotic and stirring.

The most popular poems among the courtesans were naturally those of Liu Sanbian and Qin Guan, followed by Su Shi.

Of course, at the night banquet at the Prince of Chu's mansion tonight, Zhao Xiaoqian's lyrics were sung over and over again by the courtesans, and the ways of the world were perfectly grasped by the pretty ladies.

The palace was filled with noise and bustle. When guests arrived at night, they were stunned by the palace's generosity and high-standard reception.

Zhao Hao is the birthday boy tonight. He is chatting and laughing with important guests in Yin'an Hall.

As the only heir of the Chu Palace, Zhao Xiaoqian stood at the door to welcome the guests. The smile on his face was almost stiff and his waist was in great pain.

There were too many elders in Bianjing City, whether they were clan relatives or dignitaries. Most of those who came in person were one or two generations older than Zhao Xiaoqian, so they had to bow and greet them when they met them.

The guests were not serious either, and the Prince of Chu's bow made them feel quite proud.

So what if you're the master of the court? So what if you hold power? At today's birthday banquet, you're the junior. No matter how poorly we fare, you'll have to bow down first.

Zhao Xiaoqian gritted his teeth and sneered, my gift is not so easy to accept.

Once you enter, it's your turn to pay the gift money.

I may not remember the gifts that are given to me in large amounts, but I will definitely remember the gifts that are given to me in small amounts.

With the sharp call of the name from the receptionist outside the door, Zhao Xiaoqian, who was standing at the door, was stunned. He turned around and saw Zhang Dun getting off the carriage.

Zhao Xiaoqian curled the corners of his mouth and hurried forward to meet him.

"I am deeply honored to have Mr. Laodong Zhang come to my humble home in person." Zhao Xiaoqian took the lead in bowing.

Zhang Dun held his arms with both hands. His face, which was usually so serious as if he was attending a funeral, rarely curled up the corners of his mouth, indicating that he had shown a smile in accordance with social etiquette.

"Your Highness is so polite. How could I be absent from the birthday of His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu? As for you, Your Highness, I haven't seen you for a few days. You are still as charming as ever, and you have become even more handsome and free and easy. It's a pity that my daughters are all married, otherwise I would really like to marry into the Prince of Chu's palace." Zhang Dun laughed.

Zhao Xiaoqian's cheeks twitched slightly. Fortunately, your daughters are all married. From a genetic point of view, with your appearance, it is highly likely that you will not be able to give birth to a daughter of any beauty.

If I really marry into your Zhang family and bring home a daughter, she'll feel like she's living in mourning every day and won't live long...

I decisively skipped this topic, fearing that Zhang Dun would really want to marry his daughter off.

But Zhang Dun's attitude tonight made Zhao Xiaoqian quite pleased.

Very good, Zhang Dun took the step he gave steadily and went down along the step.

The two men stood at the door and greeted each other. Neither of them mentioned the unpleasantness that had occurred because of Su Shi a few days ago, as if nothing had happened.

That’s great!
After chatting for a while, Zhao Xiaoqian finally stepped aside and invited Zhang Dun into the Yin'an Hall when the receptionist announced that the next guest had arrived.

Just as Zhang Dun was about to leave, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly said, "If you, Mr. Zhang, have any inconvenience in the future, please speak to me directly. I am willing to establish a good relationship with you within my ability."

Zhang Dun was stunned for a moment, then he smiled. This time the smile was very natural and obviously came from the heart.

"In that case, thank you, Your Highness. I will take note of this." Zhang Dun said with a smile.

Zhang Dun nodded and walked towards the Yin'an Palace. Zhao Xiaoqian breathed a sigh of relief. Well, this unpleasant incident was over. Zhang Dun might not have done it voluntarily, but due to the situation and the strength of both sides, he had no choice. Otherwise, they would fight to the death and both sides would suffer losses.

Of course, Zhao Xiaoqian was not an ignorant person. His last sentence had already told him very directly that I still owed him a favor for Su Shi's matter. If you give me a call in the future, I can repay you for it.

The two of them stood at the door and had a few words, which contained a lot of information, but only the two parties involved knew it.

At this moment, the receptionist at the door shouted, "Han Song, the Chief of the Firearms Supervisory Department, here!"

Zhao Xiaoqian straightened his clothes and bowed as usual to greet the guest.

The Firearms Inspectorate, well, a newly established government office in the Song Dynasty.

In the past, the firearms of the Song Dynasty were under the jurisdiction of the Military Equipment Bureau. Later, after Zhao Xiaoqian invented the flintlock rifle, which played an important role in the war, Zhao Xu simply separated the firearms and set up an independent bureau.

Therefore, in the Song Dynasty today, the Military Equipment Supervisory Bureau and the Firearm Supervisory Bureau coexist, and the two sides are not subordinate to each other and have the same level.

As for Han Song, the Director of Firearms, Zhao Xiaoqian was not very familiar with him. It was said that he was a eunuch and Zhao Xu's personal attendant. Zhao Xu trusted him very much, no less than Zheng Chunhe who was by his side.

Although the Firearms Bureau was established because of his invention, this thing was too sensitive. Zhao Xiaoqian knew that he had to avoid suspicion and never had any contact with the officials of the Firearms Bureau on weekdays.

…………

In the courtyard of the east wing of the palace's backyard, Niao Niao, holding a pipa, was playing and singing Zhao Xiaoqian's song "Looking at the Sword by Lamplight While Drunk".

His Royal Highness the King of Chu invited all the most popular courtesans in Bian Jing, and Niao Niao was naturally among them. Surrounding Niao Niao at this moment were Zhao Hao's concubines and the female relatives brought by the guests.

Among them were Di Ying's three daughters.

The other female members were captivated by Niao Niao's heavenly voice, except for Di Ying and the other two daughters, who had a half-smile on their faces. Their focus was not on the song and lyrics, but on Niao Niao herself.

The official married them home, but naturally, some of his actions outside were heard by the three girls.

This graceful girl is the official's rumored girlfriend. He has gone to Zuihuayin to meet her many times and is obviously fascinated by her.

Today, they finally met the legendary heroine. Di Ying and the other two girls couldn't stop staring at her face, her figure, her clothes, her jewelry...

After the song was finished, the female relatives cheered and Niao Niao stood up and bowed to the other female relatives in a dignified manner.

Di Ying turned her head to look at Jiang Miaoxian and whispered, "How is it?"

Jiang Miaoxian frowned slightly and said, "She has a nice appearance and temperament, but I always feel..."

"how?"

Jiang Miaoxian stared at Niao Niao's eyes without blinking, and said slowly: "I always feel that she lacks a bit of worldly air..."

Di Ying opened her eyes wide in astonishment: "How did you know that?"

Jiang Miaoxian covered her mouth with a chuckle and said, "My sister also came from a prostitute background, and this girl Nian Nian was once considered a colleague. No matter how elegant a prostitute is, that smell of prostitution may deceive men, but it will definitely not deceive her colleagues."

"I can only say that this graceful girl doesn't seem like someone who makes a living in this line of work. Even if a prostitute smiles, her eyes are weathered and dim, with a hollow look that shows no hope. I used to be like that."

"But this graceful girl's eyes don't show any of that. Instead, there's something else. She seems to be trying her best to suppress something. She looks very painful, which makes people feel distressed."

Di Ying bit her lower lip and said angrily, "Perhaps it's this pitiful look that has mesmerized you so much. What a shameless woman!"

Jiang Miaoxian laughed: "Uh, sir... I don't see that you are crazy about her. Are you overthinking it?"

Di Ying turned to look at Jiang Miaoxian and Yuan'er, and said seriously, "Tell me the truth, when your husband was with you recently... well, when he was doing that, did he call other women by the wrong names?"

Jiang Miaoxian and Yuan'er shook their heads subconsciously, then looked at her in shock: "When the master was talking to my sister..., did he call out another woman's name?"

Di Ying shook her head: "No!"

Di Ying then gritted her teeth and said bitterly, "So, this woman is very skilled. She's actually able to make you obsessed, yet she never lets you call her by the wrong name. She's unfathomable, a formidable rival for you and me!"

(End of this chapter)