Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 126 The Asura Banquet

Despite all his calculations, Wang Xi hadn't anticipated this turn of events.

Just hearing that sounds like bullying!

What kind of relationship exists between the Wang and Wu families now? Others may not know, but our two families certainly do. The key is that they even sent Empress Wang to persuade Wang Xi. If Wang Shouyi knew this, he would be furious.

I've seen people bullied before, but I've never seen anyone bullied like this.

But then again, Empress Wang's concerns were not without merit. For Emperor Li Longji, a dignified ruler, was it really that difficult to find someone to tell stories? At least he wouldn't have to be so humble, or even dare to sit here.

If you still don't know your place, you'll only make Li Longji unhappy.

This is not good for anyone.

Empress Wang also noticed that Li Longji greatly favored Wang Xi, and she hoped that this relationship could continue.

Wang Xi was well aware of the implications and had already decided to go. His words just now were only meant for Empress Wang, after all, he was a man destined to become a favored minister.

Stepping out of the room, he couldn't help but frown to himself, thinking that Consort Wu wouldn't go so far as to summon him to the palace just to hear about Dream of the Red Chamber. Dream of the Red Chamber isn't that captivating. Even if it were, she could have sought help from Wu Xin instead of coming to me.

So, did Consort Wu realize that I was the threat she was facing and therefore wanted to see what I was capable of, or was Li Longji simply interested in having the three of us play a duet? Or perhaps both?
So how should I face this?
If I were to forgive and forget past grievances just to please Li Longji, it would ruin my public image. I'm capable of fighting to the death for my aunt, but if I were to show hostility towards Consort Wu, I'm afraid it would displease Li Longji.

Ah... being a favored courtier is really not easy!
Because Wang Xi was completely unprepared, he stood in front of the door, hesitant and undecided.

At this moment, Chen Liang, who was leading the way, turned around and walked over: "Young Master Wang, can we go now? His Majesty is still waiting there."

Coming to his senses, Wang Xi glanced at Chen Liang and thought, "Well, let's deal with whatever comes our way. I'll go and find out what's going on first, and then adapt to the situation."

Then he followed Chen Liang forward.

After walking for a while, Wang Xi suddenly realized that he had left the side street and couldn't help but ask, "Where are we going?"

According to the layout of the palace, once you step out onto the cross street, you are essentially leaving the area where the empresses and concubines gather. The palace has explicit regulations that officials outside the palace are absolutely forbidden from crossing this street; it is almost a capital offense.

Generally speaking, Wang Xi could not enter at will, mainly because he was young and the Empress's nephew. With the Emperor's permission, he could enter.

Chen Liang whispered, "Young master, don't ask such questions in the palace from now on. Just follow along."

"Yes, kid, I'll remember." Wang Xi nodded blankly.

Seeing that the boy looked dull and dazed, Chen Liang whispered, "You're going to Penglai Palace. His Majesty and Consort Wu are waiting for you there."

Penglai Palace was the emperor's sleeping quarters, a place where the emperor rested alone. Li Longji had no intention of receiving Wang Xi in Consort Wu's sleeping quarters.

There were still some taboos. Empress Wang and Wang Xi were aunt and niece, so it didn't matter. But going to Consort Wu's palace was somewhat inconvenient, not to mention the current relationship between the Wu and Wang families.

Li Longji must have given it careful consideration.

After following Chen Liang for about half an hour, they finally arrived at Penglai Palace.

After Chen Liang reported this, Li Longji immediately summoned Wang Xi into the palace.

Upon entering the hall, Wang Xi's sly eyes began to dart around, trying to get a sense of the situation. He noticed that besides the four palace maids serving him, there was also Gao Lishi, who was inseparable from Li Longji.

Li Longji sat in the center, with a beautiful woman beside him. She appeared to be in her early twenties, dressed in a brightly colored Tang Dynasty noblewoman's gown—the kind that revealed her cleavage—and her breasts were large and imposing. She wore a gold hairpin and a jade pendant at her waist. Her face was alluring and charming, with a face like a lotus blossom, eyebrows like willow branches, phoenix eyes half-closed like amber, and lips like cherries.

The women of the Wu family all share the same physique and temperament.

She's the kind of girl that makes men want to conquer her and assault her.

"Cough cough!"

Seeing that this kid was truly lawless, Gao Lishi coughed twice as a well-intentioned warning.

Wang Xi was startled and prostrated himself on the ground in fright. "This humble one, Wang Xiaoque, greets Your Majesty."

Of course, Wu Jieyu was not mentioned.

Li Longji didn't mind at all. He thought to himself that it was already a great honor for the boy to come. He smiled and said, "There's no need for formalities here, Que'er. Just call him Uncle. Please take a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Wang Xi got up, walked to the seat next to him, and knelt down. On the low table in front of him, there were already fine wines and delicacies.

Li Longji then said very enthusiastically, "Que'er, the two of us sang until half the night that day, which I really miss. I just heard that a new edition of Dream of the Red Chamber has been published, so I invited you to the palace to tell me about it."

There was even a hint of ingratiation in his tone.

This surprised even Consort Wu, who was surprised that the emperor was trying to please a young boy.

Little did Li Longji know that he really couldn't do anything about Wang Xi. This kid was just a hothead. Even if you promoted his father, he wouldn't be willing. You could only coax him with nice words.

In addition, Li Longji also felt that he was in the wrong. He knew that Wang Xi was very close to his aunt and was very uneasy about being asked to see Consort Wu. What if the boy went crazy?

Wang Xi did not bow to Consort Wu, but he not only did not care, he also coaxed her with kind words first.

Wang Xi whispered, "Uncle, what you've told us this time isn't as much as what I told you last time."

".?"

Li Longji suddenly realized that Wang Xi had given him a spoiler last time.

Ah this!

The opening was awkward.

Gao Lishi, standing to the side, was sweating bullets for Li Longji. "You haven't had much free time lately, why did you have to set up this kind of chaotic situation? It's really going to be a disaster!"

At this moment, Consort Wu took the initiative to speak, saying, "Young master, you may not know this, but I have seen that His Majesty is very fond of and highly praises the Dream of the Red Chamber, so I would also like to see it. I wonder if you would be willing to tell me a story about it?"

In fact, it was she who took the initiative to ask to see Wang Xi. Li Longji wasn't stupid; if Wu Jieyu hadn't asked, he definitely wouldn't have.

Wang Xi glanced at Consort Wu and pursed his lips.

His hesitation seemed to freeze the surrounding air.

Gao Lishi couldn't help but hold his breath, and Li Longji was even more uneasy, secretly regretting why he had called Wang Xi here.

This kid is completely uncontrollable.

On the contrary, Consort Wu simply looked at Wang Xi with a smile in her eyes.

It seems that Consort Wu really does want to see me. She truly lives up to her reputation as a woman of the Wu family. Most women would be gossiping about me behind my back or secretly sabotaging me, but she chose to face me directly. I can't be intimidated and let her intimidate me. Wang Xi suddenly nodded, "Alright!"

Li Longji and Gao Lishi, master and servant, both breathed a sigh of relief.

His back was already soaked.

Wang Xi suddenly added, "However!"

My heart, which had just been hanging in suspense, jumped right into my throat again.

Li Longji looked at Wang Xi with extreme tension.

Consort Wu asked with a smile, "But what?"

Wang Xi said, "However, there must be a reward. Storytellers can be rewarded; that's the rule."

The implication is that I shouldn't be telling you this for no reason; who do you think you are?

Wu Jieyu naturally understood, and a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes.

"I shall remain as I am." Li Longji didn't think much of it and hurriedly said, "Well said, there will naturally be a reward. I wonder what Sparrow wants?"

"Uh."

Wang Xi thought for a moment, "I haven't decided yet. I'll tell my uncle when I've thought it through."

Li Longji was taken aback for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, alright, consider it a favor your uncle owes you."

All he wants now is to get through this hellish situation safely; everything else is secondary.

Consort Wu smiled slightly, thinking to herself, "This boy is really cunning. With just a few words, he's managed to gain His Majesty's favor." But she said aloud, "Young master, now you can speak, right?"

"Row."

Wang Xi nodded and said, "Let me have a sip of wine first to moisten my throat."

After saying that, he picked up his wine glass, took a sip, cleared his throat, and then began to speak.

When Wang Xi began to tell the story of Dream of the Red Chamber, Li Longji finally breathed a sigh of relief and gradually became immersed in the storytelling. Although he had heard it before, he still found it very interesting and had his own insights. Whenever he heard a plot that impressed him, his expression would change accordingly, sometimes excited, sometimes sentimental, and sometimes melancholy.

Before you know it, the wine in your glass is empty.

Gao Lishi quickly poured another cup.

After Wang Xi finished speaking, Li Longji was about to applaud when he suddenly heard sobbing from the side. Turning his head, he saw Consort Wu covering her face and weeping. He quickly asked, "Why is my beloved consort crying?"

Wang Xi glanced sideways and saw that Consort Wu's eyelashes were filled with tears, her eyes were full of tenderness, and she was very pitiful. He thought to himself, "My aunt, the Empress, only found this story interesting and did not show a trace of true emotion. Just in this respect, she is far inferior to Consort Wu. It is clear that my choice was right. Only I can take her place. My aunt, the Empress, is definitely no match for this woman."

Consort Wu waved her long sleeves to block Li Longji, who wanted to show concern, and said, "Your Majesty, please don't be offended. I just feel sorry for Lin Daiyu."

Li Longji was taken aback for a moment, and said, "I didn't expect my beloved concubine to like Lin Daiyu so much."

Wu Jieyu nodded, "Sir, you have written a very good story, especially about Lin Daiyu. I really like her."

Li Longji said, "Is that so? But all the ministers in the court say that their wives prefer Xue Baochai."

"Xue Baochai is also one in a hundred."

Consort Wu said, "But Lin Daiyu is truly real, which makes me very envious."

Li Longji hurriedly asked, "What do you mean by that, my beloved consort?"

Consort Wu said sweetly, "Your Majesty does not know the heart of a woman. Every word Lin Daiyu said hits the nail on the head. Normally, when we women suffer grievances, we dare not speak out and can only bury them in our hearts. The ladies who like Xue Baochai are the same."

Although Lin Daiyu was frail, she dared to speak her mind, and I admire that from the bottom of my heart. In my opinion, Lin Daiyu truly deserves the title of a woman who is no less capable than any man.

After listening, Li Longji pondered for a long time, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table. “Wonderful! Wonderful! My beloved consort’s words have awakened me from my dream. It seems that I was only scratching the surface before and did not appreciate the true meaning. Yes, that is what I like about Lin Daiyu.”

How could my Empress Aunt possibly defeat this woman? Wang Xi felt utterly hopeless upon hearing this, picked up the wine cup on the table, and drank it all in one gulp.

Sorrow!

Unexpectedly, Consort Wu had been watching him out of the corner of her eye, as if she could see through his thoughts, and said, "Young master, why are you drinking alone in silence?"

Li Longji couldn't help but look over as well.

Wang Xi was still holding an empty cup. When he saw the two looking at him, he had a sudden thought, put down the cup, and said in a muffled voice, "I love Xue Baochai."

(End of this chapter)