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Chapter 110: Chapter 108: The Banquet Starts
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The fierce wind howled, and the heavy snow danced wildly.
Mingyue Tower was brightly lit in the wind and snow, with music and songs playing continuously, bustling with activity.
The residence where Chu Zhiyuan was located wasn’t far from Mingyue Tower, and it was also brightly lit at this time.
Under the fierce wind, strings of lanterns swayed violently, occasionally being tossed up as if they would be torn into the sky at any moment.
Chu Zhiyuan stood at the courtyard gate to welcome guests.
Guo Chi and his three companions surrounded him, keeping the wind and snow at bay.
Zou Fang was busy inside and outside, directing the Prince Mansion’s attendants to serve up and down, fulfilling the role of the chief steward.
Chu Mingxuan and his group arrived soon, and the Princes and Heirs from the entire Mingwu Hall were all present, suddenly filling the residence with liveliness.
Among the eight Young Dukes, four had already left the capital, and one was injured and couldn’t attend the banquet, leaving only three who accepted Chu Zhiyuan’s invitation to come.
Chu Zhiyuan had just sent Chu Mingxuan and his group inside when he was met by three young men.
Surrounded by guards, the one in the lead was Song Tianhai, accompanied by the Ye brothers, Ye Baichao and Ye Baichuan.
Chu Zhiyuan furrowed his sword-like brows.
These Ye brothers, Ye Baichao and Ye Baichuan, were not Young Dukes, just the second and third sons of the Duke Shou Mansion.
Duke Shou Mansion’s Young Duke was injured and couldn’t come, unexpectedly Ye Baichao and Ye Baichuan arrived instead.
And they came along with Song Tianhai.
Song Tianhai and the three came out of the luxurious carriage, speeding up as they approached, even though they were wearing mink coats and hats, they still hunched up.
Seeing Chu Zhiyuan standing there calmly and composed, like a tall jade tree, unaffected by the fierce wind and snowstorm, the three of them hummed internally.
"Young Duke Song, Brother Ye, welcome." Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands with a smile, "Please come inside quickly."
"We brothers came uninvited, aren’t you displeased?" Ye Baichao said.
Chu Zhiyuan laughed, "There’s no reason not to welcome guests."
"That’s good." Ye Baichao hummed.
Ye Baichuan said, "Our elder brother couldn’t come, and we’re sorry, so he sent us brothers to come on behalf of him."
Chu Zhiyuan nodded, "Young Lord Ye, you’re too kind."
This was considered as giving face to himself, the Prince Heir of Prince Qing.
Just then, a carriage stopped in the distance, and out came Guo Huai’an, robust and strong as a bear, striding over with a dignified air.
He came near and clasped his hands in a salute, "Young Lord, Second Young Master Ye, Third Young Master Ye, Huai’an greets you!"
Song Tianhai waved his hand, frowning, "Why are you here?"
Chu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded to Guo Huai’an, who was clasping his hands in a salute, "I invited Marquis Guo over to join the fun, ... Marquis Guo came to the Prince Mansion today to plead forgiveness, standing outside facing the wind and snow. Those who know understand he’s pleading forgiveness, while those who don’t might think the Prince Mansion is punishing him instead."
Song Tianhai said, "Old Guo is just a rascal, no need to pay attention to him."
He frowned secretly.
It seems Chu Zhiyuan guessed that Guo Huai’an’s actions were under his own instructions!
But what of it!
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Please come inside quickly, don’t catch a chill, Marquis Guo, no need to be formal, just be at ease."
"Yes, thank you, Your Highness."
Song Tianhai and the three entered the gate together with Guo Huai’an.
Guo Huai’an retreated a step to show respect, and Song Tianhai and the three chatted among themselves, ignoring him.
Chu Zhiyuan exchanged a few words with him, not letting him feel neglected.
Though Song Tianhai used Guo Huai’an to do his bidding, he didn’t care much about Guo Huai’an’s feelings.
After all, Song Tianhai was destined to inherit the dukedom, whereas Guo Huai’an could never reach such a rank even after several lifetimes, and would never stand equal to him.
The eight Dukes share their nation’s fate, contributions made in the founding.
In today’s world, in the current situation, there’s no room for such great contribution.
Guo Huai’an appeared indifferent to being ignored.
Chu Zhiyuan, however, secretly chuckled in his heart.
That Guo Huai’an is an ambitious character, not content with merely being a Marquis; he’d do anything for a promotion and to gain merits.
After sending them in, Chu Mingxuan warmly welcomed them, acting as a semi-host, laughing and chatting together.
Chu Zhiyuan continued outside to greet guests.
In the wind and snow came a carriage that appeared simple but was in fact luxurious, arriving under the escort of a group of guards.
Out of the carriage came a refined and cultured young gentleman, as gentle as jade.
Chu Zhiyuan instantly recognized it as Bai Yangqing, the Young Duke from the Duke Ren Mansion.
He stepped forward to greet him, clasping his hands with a smile, "Young Lord, traveling in such weather is truly a sin, I’m incredibly grateful!"
"How could I refuse the young lord’s kindness?" Bai Yangqing, cultured like a scholar, smiled.
Despite the blizzard blowing fiercely, he remained elegant and graceful, his snow-white mink coat and hat adding an air of nobility.
Chu Zhiyuan showed an expression of gratitude, inviting him inside.
After seeing Bai Yangqing inside, when he returned, he saw a purple sandalwood carriage adorned with auspicious clouds approaching slowly, and out came Xiao Ruoyu, the Young Duke from the Duke An Mansion.
Chu Zhiyuan immediately smiled and went up to greet him, clapping his hands and saying, "Been waiting for you, come in quickly."
Xiao Ruoyu became embarrassed, "Am I the last one?"
"Young Duke Song and his group just arrived too," Chu Zhiyuan said, "Just in time, let’s go."
He accompanied Xiao Ruoyu inside, asking as they walked, "Has your sister left the mansion recently?"
"My elder sister rarely leaves the mansion, and after hearing your advice, she didn’t go out again and just invited the second miss from the Duke Kang Mansion to come over."
"Have to be wary of that Cheng Tianfeng going crazy."
"That guy!" Xiao Ruoyu immediately frowned, visibly annoyed.
Xiao Ruoyu, while introverted by nature and disliking social engagement, was familiar with the comings and goings between Duke Mansions, so he didn’t feel restrained.
Upon entering, he greeted everyone with a smile.
When Song Tianhai saw him, his expression changed slightly, squinting his eyes. When Xiao Ruoyu greeted him, Song Tianhai couldn’t help but ask, "How is your elder sister?"
This made Chu Mingxuan frown and Chu Zhiyao’s expression darken.
The current Xiao Ruoling was already promised to be Chu Zhiyuan’s Heir’s Wife, just waiting for the day to walk through the door.
Other men should avoid such matters, no longer expressing admiration or concern.
Xiao Ruoyu also frowned but pretended not to hear, greeting Bai Yangqing beside him instead.
The two were very familiar, chatting and laughing together.
Song Tianhai’s expression darkened.
Chu Zhiyuan chuckled quietly.
That’s exactly right.
Seeing Xiao Ruoyu, it’s hard to believe Song Tianhai didn’t feel emotional, didn’t become resentful, didn’t drown his sorrows in alcohol, didn’t take the opportunity to get drunk and make a scene.
If he did make a scene, would he unleash all his pent-up resentment on himself?
If I also get drunk, could I give him a good beating?
As the Heir of Prince Qing Mansion, dealing with a Young Duke from a Duke Mansion required such careful maneuvering, rather than acting wantonly.
This is the rule.
One must act within the rules.
...
Exquisite wine and food were continuously brought in, and everyone sat around a large round table, less than thirty people, but there was enough room.
They were all young and familiar with each other, speaking casually and drinking heartily.
Soon they were tipsy and warm, the atmosphere lively.
"I heard that Da Meng’s mission is also arriving soon." Chu Zhiyuan brought up the topic.
Chu Mingxuan said, "That’s right, the Da Meng mission will be here in just a few days, it’ll be exciting then!"
"Shouldn’t we send off the Da Zhen mission beforehand?" someone asked.
"The Court wants to send them off, but the negotiations weren’t successful, there’s no way, it’s stuck there, so time must be dragged out."
"What hasn’t been negotiated?"
"Seems to be about marriage diplomacy, isn’t it, Uncle Eighteen?" an Heir asked.
Chu Mingxuan shook his head, "I don’t know about that, I haven’t been paying much attention to Da Zhen recently; I’ve been busy with my own affairs."
"Uncle Eighteen, which camp will you go to?"
"Haven’t decided, it’s something I’ve been considering."
"Everyone, everyone, I know where it got stuck." Guo Huai’an laughed, "In fact, the news has spread, and everyone knows privately."
He was smug.
Seated at the farthest end, he had no sense of inferiority, not intimidated by the Princes, Heirs, and Young Dukes, but was chatty and lively instead.
"Old Guo, let’s hear it." Ye Baichuan smiled.
"Indeed, it is about the marriage diplomacy." Guo Huai’an laughed, "Da Zhen insists on marrying a princess to Heir Zhiyuan, while the Court firmly opposes, wanting the Twenty-third Prince to marry the Da Zhen princess."
Among those present, there was no Twenty-third Prince.
He was still too young to enter Mingwu Hall.
Everyone looked at each other and then turned to Chu Zhiyuan.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Da Zhen bears a grudge against me, knowing I’ve already made a marriage arrangement, they insist on stirring trouble, deliberately trying to ruin things."
"Indeed, Da Zhen has no good intentions." Chu Mingxuan hummed.
Ye Baichao said, "Actually, even if there’s an engagement, the betrothal isn’t unbreakable. As long as the Emperor issues an Imperial Decree, if it’s for the sake of the country, there’s nothing wrong with it."
Chu Zhiyuan looked over with a smile.
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