He was Almost Absorbed by the System

Chapter Seventy Two - Graceful Willow Tree Waits

The Minister's wished to throw the two Princes a celebration banquet upon their return, but their Emperor seemed reluctant, which surprised them. Minister Wen convinced him that the banquet would be beneficial to the Emperor for he could openly show his pride for these two war heroes that shared his blood and name, also might there be a fair daughter or son(he shuddered, when he spoke this latter word) that pleased him enough to become his new Empress? He suggested several Ministers and officials who might even be able to arrange things for him, leaving out his own name. The Emperor did not accept his being humble nor letting others take fall if the banquet should fail and told him to do it instead. He also assigned the long suffering Feng Chun to assist him.

Renowned musicians and a dancing troupe were invited and several excellent cooks travelled from his House and that of a couple of his allies to assist in food preparation. Many Furen's and their daughters became giddy with anticipation. Was this banquet not only an opportunity to sing the praises of the Emperor, but a chance to gain the attention of one of the two elusive Princes? Plus the disfavoured Prince was now ten and could also be presented. He might not be Crown Prince anymore, but that did not mean he might not one day become Emperor. All four Princes were on similar footing, but First and Second Prince stood a little ahead due to their age.

A huge rise in the sales of silks and accessories swept through all three regions, though naturally, the most were sold in the Capital. Some even made their way to the White Orchid Palace. "Does the Emperor really expect me to be seen wearing these silks?" Yu Long lamented as he stretched out a bolt of red silk with brocade of Phoenix feathers along side patterns of dragons.

Jie Long laughed, red would suit his brother, but these suggestive patterns were too much. "You know, Shu Jia and Tang Jia also sent silks. There is a particularly interesting blue silk with patterns of koi and water symbols. Perhaps brother might find it more to his interest?"

"Perhaps," Yu Long mentioned, though truthfully, he did not wish to attend at all. "And what will brother be wearing?"

"Who knows," Jie Long teased.

As it happened, Jie Long's robes were purple with silver emblems across much of the hem and along the coat edge. Along with Yu Long in blue and silver, the Princes made quite the vision and hearts beat swiftly in young daughters breast. The girls sat along with women to the left of the Emperor's seat and men to the right. Girls generally attempted to look coy as they glanced through long lashes at the Princes, who dared not even blink too much in their direction, less the girls were deceived into thinking certain thoughts.

The Emperor did look over the girls with their fancy jewels and powered faces and felt none could compare with his Yu Long. He was even more pleased to notice that neither Prince had taken any interest in these girls and so turned his attention to the food before him.

"Ah the young Miss of the Shu family seems to be smug upon viewing you," Jie Long teased.

"Choosing a silk to turn into robes does not make one favoured," Yu Long muttered, irritably. "I blame you."

Jie Long laughed openly and warmly smiled at his brother, causing many girls to glance his way and weep inwardly. When would Wáng Jie Long look their way with that smile?

The dancers performed with style and grace drawing delighted comments from around them. Even the three Princes (for Ya Bao was close by the older Princes) seemed impressed and the girls urged their mothers to let them perform in front of the Princes. The women looked towards their husbands and eventually one Minister suggested that there were many here with talents for the Emperor and three Princes to enjoy. And so these girls played their favoured instruments, recited poetry and danced before the Princes and Emperor.