Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Although Chonghua Palace was large, it was still only a corner of the imperial palace. Therefore, there was a clear decree in the palace that only officials of the fifth rank or above were allowed to enter the palace to celebrate the birthday of the retired emperor. Moreover, apart from princes, each official of the third rank or above could only bring one junior to the banquet.

West of Chonghua Palace, a waterside pavilion that is usually deserted is now bustling with people.

Many teenagers and young people gather here in small groups, chatting, writing, playing chess and sipping tea.

Without a doubt, each of these young men would be a prince from a prominent family, renowned and surrounded by entourages wherever they went. Yet here, they all appeared so ordinary.

Because among these people, princes and crown princes alone account for almost half!

It is conceivable that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the one or two hundred young people surrounding this small waterside pavilion will be the ones who will dominate the empire's discourse for the next hundred years.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

As the announcement was made, the Crown Prince, dressed in a yellow robe and exuding confidence, walked in surrounded by a crowd.

At this point, many people who had previously held themselves in high esteem immediately abandoned their airs and gathered around the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince smiled and said, "I have been very busy today and there may have been some oversights in my service. I hope you will all forgive me."

The Crown Prince was ordered by Emperor Ningkang to preside over today's birthday banquet. He was naturally in high spirits, because every time he presided over such an important event, he became more familiar with state affairs, and his position as Crown Prince became more secure.

Therefore, despite being busy, he dared not slack off at all.

Because all the princes and ministers had arrived at the palace early to offer their birthday greetings, he arranged for the younger members of each family to gather here separately before the official start of the banquet. After all, it was more harmonious for adults to be together and for young people to be together, as they shared similar interests.

Seeing the young talents from various families gathering around him like shadows as he moved, the Crown Prince's smile deepened. Even for the Crown Prince, it wouldn't be easy to gather so many powerful and influential scions together under normal circumstances.

Clearly, this was a crucial moment for him to build his foundation and select his followers and loyalists.

However, after glancing at the Third Prince in the center of the waterside pavilion, who was smiling at him but did not come to greet him at all, the Crown Prince's smile faded somewhat.

He saw it for himself; before he arrived, most people were gathered in the waterside pavilion, and even now there are still quite a few people in the pavilion, most of whom are the younger generation of civil officials.

Just as he was about to step into the waterside pavilion, he suddenly heard an important name. He glanced at it, a smile appeared on his face, and then, completely ignoring the Third Prince who had approached to greet him, he turned around and quickly headed towards the outer perimeter.

Inside the fenced area by the pond, the Fourth Prince and several people he usually associated with were fishing.

He was the most carefree prince; whenever there was a grand event, he would not interfere and would simply enjoy himself.

Suddenly seeing his companion return, he immediately dropped his fishing rod and ran over, but instead of his companion, he lunged at the person behind him.

"Hey Jia Lian, you're finally here."

Seeing the Fourth Prince's ever-present enthusiasm, Jia Lian took a step back, cupped his hands, and said, "Greetings, Fourth Prince."

"Were you just in the Hall of Reverence?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Ugh, those are all old-fashioned things, so boring. Why not come fishing over here? Hehe, the fish in Grandpa's Clear Stream Pond aren't something you can eat anytime!"

"I've already caught several. I'll have Zhang Bao secretly take them back later. After the banquet, come to my palace, and we'll roast them together, how about that?"

The fourth prince had clearly planned this all along, looking at Jia Lian with hopeful eyes.

He truly admired Jia Lian. He was better at martial arts and poetry than him. Who knew that he could also cook, and his food was even better than the chefs in his palace? Damn, he was a genius!

I remember the last time I accidentally ate small crucian carp grilled by Jia Lian on bamboo skewers. The crispy outside and tender inside, numbing and spicy flavor was simply indescribable.

Later, he also had the cooks in the mansion cook according to Jia Lian's method, but it was always a little off.

Furthermore, everyone said that the fish raised by the retired emperor in Chonghua Palace were spiritual creatures that gathered the essence of heaven and earth; eating even one would bring wealth, prosperity, and longevity. Therefore, every prince and minister who received a reward from the retired emperor regarded it as a treasure.

Unfortunately, even though he was a prince, he wouldn't normally dare to come in and steal. It was only today, with so many people around, that he became bolder and planned to steal some things early in the morning.

The precious spirit fish that grows from this dragon vein, combined with Jia Lian's superb skills, the final taste... just thinking about it is exhilarating!

Seeing the Fourth Prince practically drooling as he spoke, Jia Lian couldn't help but smile. Come to think of it, the Fourth Prince was quite easy to please. This pampered, simple-minded boy had never tasted street-side spicy grilled fish before, and once he tried it, he was instantly hooked.

However, this kid is quite bold, daring to steal even the Emperor Emeritus's fish. In the entire Great Wei, he is probably the only one who would do such a thing.

After giving the Fourth Prince a perfunctory reply and greeting Zhang Shuo and the others, Jia Lian was about to go and check on the Fourth Prince's catch when he suddenly saw the Crown Prince approaching with a group of people. Jia Lian quickly composed himself and bowed in greeting.

"Haha, Marquis Zhenyuan, there's no need for such formalities. It was my oversight. Although you hold an official title and are the Emperor's most trusted and beloved general, in terms of age, talent, and appearance, you are the most outstanding young talent in our Great Wei."

"It's all my fault for forgetting to instruct the servants below. They must have led Marquis Zhenyuan to the Chongjing Hall just now, right?"

The Crown Prince smiled and walked to within two steps of Jia Lian, his familiar manner making it seem as if the two were close friends. This show of favor from the Crown Prince caused many behind him, who had hoped to speak a few words to him but had not been able to, to show expressions of jealousy.

But then he remembered that even the Crown Prince said that Jia Lian was Emperor Ningkang's most trusted and beloved general, so those with some shrewdness quickly composed themselves.

"Your Highness is too kind. Your Highness has been meticulous in arranging the Emperor Emeritus's birthday banquet. Just now in the Chongjing Hall, I heard many senior officials praising Your Highness."

"Furthermore, I am merely an ordinary subject. The palace officials arranged for me to be stationed in the Hall of Supreme Respect in accordance with regulations, and there was nothing wrong with it. However, I arrived here without permission, and I beg Your Highness's forgiveness."

"hehe."

The Crown Prince had just chuckled when the Fourth Prince interrupted him unhappily, saying, "Oh dear, we're all so familiar with each other, not strangers. Why be so polite? Besides, I sent someone to call you. How can it be unauthorized? Are you implying that I shouldn't have called you, or that I'm not qualified to call you?"

"Elder brother, tell me, do I have the right to summon him?"

The Crown Prince showed no sign of anger towards the Fourth Prince. Instead, he smiled and said, "Fourth Brother is right. We're all family here, so why be so polite, Marquis Zhenyuan? As for Fourth Brother's question, haha, of course you have the right to call him over. I should thank you for being so considerate."

The Crown Prince appeared easygoing, but when he said "not an outsider," he gave Jia Lian a meaningful look.

"What my elder brother said is right. The Marquis of Zhenyuan is renowned for his talent. Back then, at my elder brother's villa in the western suburbs, the Marquis of Zhenyuan casually produced a few masterpieces that even I, your humble servant, could only admire."

Just now, when my younger brother and a group of talented individuals were discussing literature, they were lamenting that it would have been wonderful if Marquis Zhenyuan were here. If he were here, our poetry and prose would have truly showcased the brilliance of the younger generation of our Great Wei. And as luck would have it, he has arrived.

The Third Prince strolled over leisurely. Ignoring the Crown Prince's suddenly furrowed brows, he nodded in response to Jia Lian's greeting and continued with a smile, "I have always enjoyed literature and art, indulging in refined pursuits. I have long wished to invite the Marquis of Zhenyuan to my residence for a chat, but I have hesitated to send someone to invite him due to his heavy official duties."

"Now that we have such a grand occasion, I must have a good chat with Marquis Zhenyuan."

"Your Highness is too kind. I am but a humble subject and dare not show off in front of Your Highness."

Those around him, seeing all the princes so affectionate towards Jia Lian, felt a deep resentment. They were all sons of powerful families, many of them of even higher status than Jia Lian, yet they received vastly different treatment; it was impossible not to feel envy and resentment.

Especially those members of the imperial clan who had been wronged by Jia Lian and the Fourth Prince and forced to eat only white flour buns at the Imperial Ancestral Temple for over a month, were practically spitting fire in their eyes when they looked at Jia Lian. They simply dared not lash out in front of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince.

How could the Crown Prince not know that the Third Prince was vying with him for the woman? He frowned, but inwardly he sneered, "You couldn't beat me before, and from now on, you'll have even less of a chance."

Jia Lian is a smart man, and given that he and I, the Crown Prince, will soon have an even closer relationship, there's no way he'd get on your bandwagon.

Just as he was about to make a sarcastic remark to the Third Prince, one of his trusted eunuchs whispered something in his ear. He turned his gaze to Jia Lian and the others and said, "I have some business to attend to. Please make yourselves at home."

After saying this, he nodded to Jia Lian and the Fourth Prince, and then left with his men.

……

Weiyang Palace is the Empress Dowager's residence and, within the entire Chonghua Palace complex, the most majestic and solemn palace besides the main hall.

At this time, most of the imperial consorts and ladies-in-waiting who came to celebrate the Emperor Emeritus's birthday, as well as women from various families, also gathered here.

Logically, on such an occasion, the most eye-catching figures should be the most distinguished princesses, queens, and noble ladies. However, this is not the case in the main hall. The most eye-catching figure is a delicate-looking girl in her early teens.

Because she was brought here personally by the Empress, and the Empress had just introduced her to the Empress Dowager.

Logically speaking, a woman who could receive the Empress's special favor must have an extraordinary status. However, after the people in the palace quietly inquired with those around them, they discovered that the girl's status was quite ordinary.

The daughter of the Jiangnan Textile Commissioner? Indeed, she was quite ordinary, as many young princesses and county princesses had secretly inquired with their elders and learned that the Jiangnan Textile Commissioner was only a fourth or fifth-rank official.

In a small place like Jiangnan, a fourth or fifth rank might not seem low. But in today's setting, it's nothing more than the bottom of the list. In fact, if it weren't for the Empress, she probably wouldn't even be qualified to come in!

The young noblewomen felt somewhat resentful that women of such low social standing received so much attention from their elders.

She is quite pretty, but she looks so thin. Are they so poor that they can't even afford to eat? How could they let their daughter starve like this?

Facing the scrutiny of everyone, especially those unfriendly gazes, Zhen Yuhuan, standing beside the Empress and her mother, felt immense pressure.

Although she knew from the morning that her mother and others had dressed her up so solemnly and given her so many earnest instructions, she still hadn't expected it to be like this.

Previously in Kunning Palace, she had met countless elders under the arrangement of her mother and the Empress. Those elders were either princesses or consorts of princes, or at the very least, noble ladies of the second or third rank, all of whom were of much higher status than her mother.

Her family was one of the most prominent families in Jiangnan. As the eldest daughter of the family, she was a truly privileged person.

But when she was surrounded by princesses and noblewomen of her own age, she felt as if she had become a commoner. Although she knew in her heart that this was not the case.

Now it's even better! The Empress has brought her and her mother to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager! Is she really the Empress Dowager? She looks so young...so beautiful...

and also……

This person doesn't seem easy to get along with!

Zhen Yuhuan stole a glance at the young woman in the gorgeous palace dress opposite her. To her surprise, the woman was also looking at her, and the woman's indifferent gaze made her heart skip a beat. She quickly looked away.

"Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived. Please wait outside."

"Let him in."

Hearing these words, Zhen Yuhuan, who was already feeling uneasy, became even more nervous and hid her small body behind her mother.

"Er greets the Empress Dowager and pays respects to the Mother Empress."

Led by palace servants, the Crown Prince entered the hall. Because the curtains on both sides were for noblewomen, he kept his eyes straight ahead to show respect. He approached the Empress Dowager and the Empress and respectfully paid his respects.

"No need for formalities. Have you arranged everything outside?"

"Reporting back to the Empress Dowager, thanks to the meticulous care of the officials from the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites, everything outside has been arranged perfectly, and no major problems have arisen."

"Um."

The Empress Dowager nodded casually, then changed her tone and gestured to the Mrs. Zhen below, saying, "This is Mrs. Zhen from Jiangnan. When your grandfather was in power, the Zhen family of Jiangnan was ordered to oversee the textile industry in Jiangnan, working tirelessly for decades."

Their matriarch was personally bestowed the title of "Princess Xiu'an" by the Emperor Taizu himself. When Princess Xiu'an was still a young woman, she was a close friend of the late Empress Xiaowen. Therefore, Madam Zhen is your elder, whom you haven't met yet.

Upon hearing the name "Zhen family," the Crown Prince's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously looked in the direction the Empress Dowager was gesturing.

Then his previously composed expression suddenly changed, and he stared blankly at the small, timid woman standing behind Mrs. Zhen.

The young woman beside him, who had been watching him intently, suddenly turned cold and pierced Zhen Yuhuan with a chilling gaze.

This scene was witnessed by the Empress Dowager, who sat upright above.

As someone with experience, the Empress Dowager naturally knew that the future of this young lady from the Zhen family would likely not be smooth sailing. But she couldn't blame anyone else; from the day she chose to marry into the royal family, she should have foreseen this situation, just as she herself had.

The Empress Dowager cleared her throat and said, "Crown Prince."

The crown prince then realized his rudeness and quickly bowed to greet the middle-aged woman who had stood up in fear and trepidation.

At the same time, he couldn't help but smile to himself. In all his life, he had never performed such a grand ceremony for a mere fourth-rank noblewoman!

They say their grandmother and Empress Xiaowen were close friends, but it's hard to say whether that's true or not. After all, when Empress Xiaowen was young, the Empress Dowager was probably not even born yet, so it seems a bit strange for her to say such a thing, and its credibility is low.

But whether it's true or not, it's all a bridge they built to facilitate his marriage. He just needs to follow their arrangements. Anyway, he won't lose out by bowing to the beautiful woman in front of him.