C31 Part3

....

Emperor Murong Cheng was weak, and Concubine Xiao assisted him to slowly step into the hall, followed by the Crown Prince and the Prince Regent.

Murong Cheng was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, with his body slightly bent, like a rickety state and the bright colors made his complexion look more pale.

Behind him was the Royal King, the Prince Regent who was wearing a black gold-embroidered python robe.

His style was outstanding, and he attracted the eyes of countless court ladies.

On the other hand, the Crown Prince's handsome posture was hidden and sharp, and her elegant and clear silver embroidered python robe sets her off, with all her sharp edges.

Apart from her graceful demeanor, she was more like a straw bag.

The Imperial Concubine sat down, and everyone sat down.

"I have been quietly recovering these days and have relied on the Royal King and the Crown Prince to take care of the government.

I am very relieved.

Now the court is stable, the world is rising, the country is peaceful and the people are joyful...

I want to thank the Royal King, the Prince Regent and the Crown Prince...cough..."

Emperor Murong Cheng said slowly, but his breath was not good, and he coughed suddenly.

Concubine Xiao quickly patted him on the back to help him.

As he coughed, the Ministers were worried, and looked at each other:

'It turns out that His Majesty is so sick...

Previously, the Royal King only said that His Majesty's dragon body was slightly ill, but they didn't expect it to be true.'

"Your Majesty worries about the affairs of the country, day and night, and this will only aggravate the illness.

Your Majesty, please rest assured that this King and the Ministers will fulfill their mission and do their best to share the worries for Your Majesty.

Your Majesty should feel at ease and concentrate on recovering from the illness."

Murong Yu raised his voice, acclaiming the Ministers, and it sounded like the voice of a magician, casting a magic spell of serenity and calmness to the people's hearts.

"Your Majesty, needn't worry!

These Ministers will do their duties loyally and will share the worries for Your Majesty."

All the ministers said in unison.

"Your Majesty should rest assured that the Royal King, the Prince Regent and the Crown Prince are loyal and dedicated to the court.

Therefore, today they hosted a Banquet for the Princess, and have the Princes enjoy the banquet together."

Concubine Xiao knew that His Majesty was breathless, and so said to the Emperor.

"Long Live His Majesty, the Dragon Emperor!"

All the officials said in unison.

Murong Cheng finally eased his breath and waved his hand to make the Banquet start.

Murong Ci breathed a sigh of relief, really worried that Emperor Father would cough blood in front of so many people, which would be terrible.

Suddenly, she felt that someone was looking at her and her eyes swept away.

It turned out that Princess Duanrou was staring at her, with her eyes frighteningly obsessed.

When she hit His Highness' gaze, Murong Shi suddenly regained her senses and lowered her head in embarrassment, with her cheeks burning.

Murong Ci quickly retracted her gaze as well, but this time, she found that her sister, Princess Zhaohua was staring at a person, .....Murong Yu!

Murong Chang seemed to have seen Murong Yu for the very first time.

Her usual domineering and arrogant face was now turned into a shy and timid face.

Joy and surprise intertwined in those beautiful eyes.

Murong Ci felt the scorching heat and ambition of her gaze, and couldn't help but move her mind.

'Is Murong Chang staring at Murong Yu?'

....

After three rounds of drinking wine....

After the silk and bamboo tube musical instruments had been performed...

After the sleeves of the Palace dresses had started loosing casually...

And after the dancers had finished dancing softly...

the Banquet still seemed everlasting.

Concubine Xiao assisted the Emperor, sitting at the Imperial table.

She scooped half a bowl of soup for His Majesty and said,

"Eat slowly, Your Majesty."

Murong Cheng happily picked up the white porcelain bowl and tasted it slowly.

As Concubine Xiao's eyes flowed, she saw Princess Zhaohua's glance at someone from time to time, and her hot gaze was sometimes shy, sometimes embarrassed and sometimes full of expectation.

She was surprised and followed Princess Zhaohua's gaze, and her heart trembled.

'That little hoof was actually staring at Prince Regent!?'

It turned out that Murong Chang, who had just returned to court, had fallen in love with Murong Yu at first sight!

For an instant, Concubine Xiao's heart ignited with fierce anger, and her gentle and smiling face was covered with cold hostility.

'After the little hoof has been out of the Palace for half a year, her heart has become wild, and she's not hesitating at staring straight at a man's face!

How shameless!'

Concubine Xiao had ten slender fingers, with her fingernails painted with bright scarlet red that looked like drops of blood.

She suddenly closed her hand, tightening the five fingers of both hands under the table cover, and secretly exerting force.

...

Aside from the Emperor's Imperial Table, what caught most of the court people's attention was the "Chief Seat".

The "Chief seat", in the left column from the Imperial Table, was incomparably noble and had always been the most respected seat besides the Imperial Table.

If the Chief Seat was taken by the Crown Prince, it would mean that the high-ranking Prince Regent had been overwhelmed by the straw Prince in term of power.

The Crown Prince was just a straw Prince after all, and the Prince Regent couldn't possibly be put in a lower seat...

On the other hand, if the Chief Seat was taken by the Prince Regent, it would mean that the Prince Regent had already gained more power, and the replacement of the straw Prince would be just around the corner...

The Emperor was old and sick, ignoring the government, and the Crown Prince was incompetent.

It could be said that, theoretically, the throne of the Great Yan Empire had already fallen into the hands of the Prince Regent, as a matter of fact...

'So, how to arrange this seat?'

Court Chief & Master Manager, Liu An thought about it, and was in a dilemma, not knowing what to do.

Later, he had gone to ask His Majesty for instructions, and then made such an arrangement:

'The Crown Prince and the Prince Regent would sit in the same table!'

Therefore the feast table used for the Chief Seat on the left, was twice as long as the others. The Ministers and court people were all shocked when they saw this, let alone the current situation.

....

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END of CHAPTER 31 PART 3

.....................to be continued