Chapter 59 – Tonight I’ll Feast My Eyes

Tang Wenzong said he had something to handle, but in truth, he went to see his son, Tang Jingrui.

As soon as he entered his son’s courtyard, he couldn’t hold back and spilled everything Tang Liuzhao had told him, angry, scolding, grieving, and helpless all at once.

“If we expose your uncle’s identity, he might immediately abandon your aunt and leave. But if we don’t expose him, your aunt and uncle will continue living a life in name only. What do you think we should do?”

Tang Jingrui’s face registered sheer disbelief.

His uncle wasn’t the man his aunt was originally meant to marry, yet he became her husband nonetheless.

Why was the truth so cruel?

Tang Wenzong, anxious and irate, urged, “Well? Say something.”

Tang Jingrui pinched his brow. “I need a moment to think.”

Tang Wenzong knew his son was struggling to accept what he’d heard, and he paced the hall behind his back.

Tang Jingrui ruminated, “My aunt said that every time my uncle and she were intimate, he wouldn’t proceed until she looked into his eyes. That means he may possess some ability to entrance people. Back when I learned Mu Qinyi was martial-capable, I already found it odd. How did the Mu family, originally just small merchants, produce a child with such skill? Later he said he was taught by an old man in a neighbouring house, so I dropped it, but I should have investigated back then.”

He ignored his father and continued, “If that’s true, my uncle has hidden powers. Mu Nanjin might have hidden her true self for that reason, and her sudden change in temperament and martial skill now makes sense.”

But why hide it before, and no longer?

Tang Wenzong frowned. “What are you muttering on about?”

Tang Jingrui said, “Father, I believe we need to investigate my uncle further before drawing conclusions. For example, did the Mu family really all fall ill and die? And if my uncle isn’t from the Mu family, why does he have the Tang family’s token? Who is he, and where did he come from? Until we clarify those questions, we can’t decide how to resolve this. Without evidence, we can’t accuse him, and if he refuses to admit anything, we can’t force him either.”

Tang Wenzong reflected and agreed. “Fine. This matter is in your hands. Your Jinyiwei background suits investigations.”

Tang Jingrui nodded. After Tang Wenzong left, he collapsed onto his chair.

He felt there was an eighty-percent chance his aunt’s suspicions were correct; otherwise, Mu Nanjin wouldn’t stand aloof knowing her aunt had hired assassins to kill her.

Given her ability, if she didn’t confront his aunt, she likely knew the truth and felt they were the ones in the wrong, so she tolerated the assassination attempt.

Tang Jingrui’s headache deepened, and he resolved to stop overthinking and go find someone to investigate right away.

…

The next day was the Emperor’s birthday; the entire capital rejoiced.

Before dawn, the streets were bustling, and the festive atmosphere spread across the city as the sun rose.

Mu Nanjin’s primary duty was to monitor the envoys from the four kingdoms, so she allowed herself a little extra rest and arrived at the State Residence before they were summoned into the palace.

Captain Liu, waiting at the gate, frowned at her delayed arrival. “Why are you so late?”

Mu Nanjin used her excuse from yesterday. “I finished up the Ministry of Rites matters and rushed here.”

【Only a fool would tell you I was sleeping in.】

Captain Liu almost believed her.

He exhaled sharply. “Let’s go in.”

At that moment, the envoys from each kingdom were ready, but the officials of Great Qian still hadn’t announced their entry into the palace. As they grew impatient, they saw Mu Nanjin walk in.

Then Deng Xingchao announced, “Honourable envoys, before entering the palace you must comply with one matter. No weapons may be brought inside.”

The envoy from Great Zhou said, “We are aware of this rule. Our guards have already placed their swords at the residence.”

The other kingdoms indicated the same.

【Ha, nice words. Just because your sword isn’t on your person doesn’t mean you’re unarmed. For example, the dance girl from Great Chen has gold threads in her skirt that can detach into countless lethal needles. The Great Liao guard’s thick-soled boots hide two daggers. The guards of Great Zhou have wrist guards that can assemble into a large blade. The guards of Great Wei carry iron-chain whips in their belts. If those don’t count as weapons, then what does? Hmph.】

That was why Great Qian delayed the entry announcement.

Because Deng Xingchao wanted to use Mu Nanjin to assess which of the four kingdoms had concealed weapons, he gave a subtle signal to Chen Liangli.

Chen Liangli bowed to the envoys. “Honourable envoys, for the safety of our Emperor we must search your persons. Please forgive the inconvenience.”

“By all means.”

The envoy from Great Chen responded generously; they were certain Great Qian’s guards would find nothing.

The other envoys had no objections.

Deng Xingchao’s Baihu swiftly advanced to search the guards’ armour, first feigning that nothing was found, then gradually uncovering the hidden weapons Mu Nanjin had suspected.

The envoys’ expressions turned unpleasant. They hadn’t expected Great Qian’s guards to have such sharp eyes, able to extract hidden weapons from subtle concealments.

【Wow, Old Deng’s men have insanely good vision. How long did it take to train such sharp eyesight?】

“…“

The Captain who heard Mu Nanjin’s inner voice couldn’t bear to look her in the eye.

Deng Xingchao announced, “Enter the palace.”

The envoys followed Deng Xingchao into the palace.

Inside, red lanterns and celebratory banners adorned the halls, and a red carpet stretched from the palace entrance to the Tai Jin Hall. The envoys stepped on the soft carpet, each inwardly harbouring hidden agendas, and followed the procession to the hall.

The eunuchs seated them on the right side nearest the Emperor. On the opposite side sat the princes and princesses of Great Qian; beyond them were the heirs and noble descendants, and then the officials of the empire.

The officials were all third rank or above, and with the Emperor’s permission they had brought their wives to attend the birthday banquet.

Mu Nanjin watched the envoys take their seats and then planned to walk around, but Captain Liu tugged her sleeve.

“You’re coming in with me.”

Mu Nanjin frowned. “Me too?”

“We’re going in to stand watch.”

Mu Nanjin: “…“

【Want me to go in and watch them eat!? Are you human?】

Ignoring her inner complaint, Captain Liu led her into the hall.

Seated in the hall was Liang Shaochu. On seeing Mu Nanjin enter, he quickly whispered to his father, “Father, look at the entrance. The female Jinyiwei in uniform is Mu Nanjin.”

The heirs and noble descendants of the four princes dared not stare openly; they could only glance sideways at the entrance.

The heir of the Prince Zun Mansion caught a flicker of Mu Nanjin and almost ground his teeth. “That blonde brat is Mu Nanjin?”

He had assumed Mu Nanjin was already of marriageable age, but here she still looked like a young girl who’d barely left childhood, and she’d scared his father off from coming to the capital.

The heir of the Prince Huang Mansion said coldly, “She caused us to lose an Ordinary Jinyiwei the other night.”

The night before, their dispatched guard had not only failed to kill Mu Nanjin, but ended up dead himself.

The heir of the Prince Sheng Mansion looked insouciant. “It’s too late to talk about that now. Tonight we’ll try not to catch her notice.”

The heir of the Prince Yu Mansion said, “If only we could hear her inner voice.”

The other heirs thought the same, but the Emperor wouldn’t permit it.

Mu Nanjin had resentment in her heart and no desire to watch those seated in the hall.

Once all the guests had arrived, the Emperor appeared alongside the Empress, the Noble Consort, four additional consorts, the National Preceptor, and Tian Yuan. They entered the Tai Jin Hall.

“His Majesty and Her Majesty have arrived.”

Everyone in Great Qian dropped to their knees. “Hail His Majesty! Long live the Emperor ten thousand years! Hail the Empress! Long live the Empress ten thousand years!”

The envoys from the other four kingdoms bowed in their own ceremonial fashion.

【Wow, two handsome men are here tonight. I’m in for a feast!】

The Emperor’s smile flickered slightly as his eyes shifted to the corner where Mu Nanjin stood, and he lifted a hand to signal everyone to rise.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty’s blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea, and your lifespan comparable to the Southern Mountain.”

After the officials from Great Qian finished their obeisance, they rose.

“Well then.” The Emperor happily sat upon the Dragon Throne.

No one dared sit until the Empress, the Noble Consort, and the others had taken their seats.

The Chief Eunuch outside cleared his throat loudly. “Serve the dishes.”

Before the dishes arrived, the palace’s songstresses entered the dance floor of the Tai Jin Hall and began to perform.

Everyone watched with relish.

Soon the fair-faced maidservants entered, carrying trays of wine and dishes. They moved with light steps and placed each set before the guests.

After everyone took a few bites, the envoy of Great Chen rose first and bowed to the Emperor. “Great Emperor of Great Qian, I present a special gift to Your Majesty.”

“Oh?” The Emperor pretended great interest. “What gift does your Emperor have for me?”

The Great Chen envoy clapped his hands. Then a crisp tinkling of bells sounded from outside the hall, like wind chimes swaying in the wind, and the entire hall’s mood lifted in that fresh, clear tone.

The songstresses in the dance area saw a graceful young woman in white step into the hall; they politely withdrew behind the officials to make way.

She was the most beautiful princess of Great Chen, wearing a luxurious white gown. Her jet-black hair was adorned with hundreds of small silver discs. A veil covered part of her face, but her exposed eyes were large and seductive. Her slender form moved with delicate tilts as she walked.

The men in the hall were instantly captivated. Those lacking self-control wore looks of infatuation; their souls seemed to have flown out and fastened to the young woman. They were slow to recover.

Suddenly, a woman’s voice, clearly displeased, rose through the hall.

【Hmph, men.】

【Like dogs, they can’t give up hot-bloodedness either. A bunch of lechers.】

【Hey, hey, Lord Left Minister, if you keep looking, your tigress of a wife will lash out tonight. Be careful you don’t wake up kneeling on a counting frame tomorrow.】

The Left Censorate Minister snapped out of his daze and hastily turned to glance at his wife.

His wife glared, eyes enlarged as if she might eat him alive.

His heart skipped a beat; he pretended anger and whispered, “Those from Great Chen dare use beauty to tempt our Emperor, such vile methods. If that woman becomes one of our consorts, Great Qian is doomed soon. My wife here is far better: virtuous, generous, beautiful, dignified. Such a lady cannot be found even with a lantern lit at night.”

His wife snorted lightly; her face was unhappy, but in her heart, she was pleased.

The minister breathed a sigh of relief. If he had looked any longer, he might not have gotten out of bed tomorrow.

【Tsk tsk. Even the Minister of Rites fell into beauty.】

【Your Majesty, the head of the word “desire” has a dagger under it. If you don’t want the nation to fall, control your lower body. Especially when you already have a virtuous Empress, don’t keep eyeing the outside. Listen to me: don’t pick wildflowers by the roadside, they’ll make you regret it.】

The Empress heard Mu Nanjin praise her for her virtue, and a faint smile curved her lips.

The Emperor jerked back to reality. He realised he had allowed himself to be drawn in by the princess’s presence; there was a moment when he lost control of both mind and body.

He let out a quiet breath. Luckily, he hadn’t fallen completely.

【National Preceptor and Tian Yuan truly are men I chose. They aren’t tempted by beauty at all. Look how indifferently they gaze at the princess, as though staring at a stick. Heh heh.】

【By the way, if they can resist such a beauty, maybe they’re impotent? Or maybe they’re homosexual? Ugh, gossip never mentions that.】

Feng Sinan and Tian Yuan: “…”

If they liked the princess, they were lechers; if they didn’t, they were “turned.” What did she expect?

【Wow, besides the Commander-in-Chief, we Jinyiwei have another upright-hearted man. I wonder if he has a wife. I’m not interested in married men.】

【Let’s see if he’s married… huh, nearly forty and still not wed. Maybe he’s not interested in women? Ugh? The Commander-in-Chief just glanced at me… wow, those killing-intense eyes are so charming. I can guarantee he’s no “dragon-sun” (male lover).】

Seated at a distance, the Commander-in-Chief coldly ordered the Vice Commander, “She’s too noisy. Throw her out.”

The Vice Commander smiled and asked, “If we throw her out, where would be suitable? Her voice echoes throughout the capital.”

Commander-in-Chief: “…”

The envoys from Great Chen noticed the men in the hall staring at their princess like demented fools, and a satisfied smirk appeared on their faces.

【Gentlemen, snap out of it. If you don’t sober up soon, you’ll become a mockery to Great Chen.】

Though everyone could hear her inner voice, it didn’t mean they could intervene.

Mu Nanjin reached out to the stunned Captain Liu and twisted his waist sharply.

“Ah!”

A scream rang across the hall.

Captain Liu snapped out of his daze instantly; the other men whose spirits were already floating returned to their senses as well.

The envoys from Great Chen hardened their smiles; someone dared to ruin their scheme.