A eunuch announced loudly, "Everyone shall kneel before the Huang of the Qin Dynasty and the Empress!"
Emperor Qin Zhaoyan entered the banquet hall with Empress Lian Ruoxi and Imperial Concubine Qiu Jinse. He walked toward the throne while everybody bowed before him.
He and the Empress sat upon the throne.
Everyone began greeting him, "Bixia wansui, wansui, wan wan sui!" (Long live the Emperor!)
The Emperor raised his cup of wine to announce the beginning of the banquet. He toasted to Heaven, toasted with the Empress, and then with the other guests,
And wished a happy new year.
First, Prime Minister Lian stepped forward to greet the monarch. The other ministers followed. Generals, city lords, commanders, state counselors, and governors also greeted the Emperor and Empress, offering their congratulations for new year.
The banquet was about to begin when suddenly a whisper of gossip spread through the hall.
"Why is the Crown Prince not here at such an auspicious time?" someone murmured.
Questions began to rise among the guests.
Emperor Zhao Yan glanced at Empress Ruoxi.
She smiled gently and said, "Bixia, our Huang'er is very playful you know him well. He will come soon."
Emperor Zhao Yan replied, "Huanghou, our son needs to learn responsibility now. Your affection is spoiling our dear son, Yuyan."
Prime Minister Lian stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Crown Prince Yuyan is still young. Young blood seeks freedom. Once he ascends the throne, he will be burdened with responsibilities. We should grant him some leniency for now. I will handle the concerns of the ministers."
Emperor Zhao Yan laughed. "Minister Lian, you and your daughter, Empress Ruoxi, always protect him. But you must also teach him responsibility otherwise, he will become completely spoiled."
The atmosphere remained light and joyful.
Suddenly, the Emperor noticed three beautiful figures seated among the guests.
Madam Xie Yueqing stepped forward with Lady Wenrou and Lady Lianyi. They greeted the Emperor respectfully.
Madam Xie said, "On this auspicious day, the Red Pavilion has prepared a special performance for Your Majesty."
Lady Lianyi stepped out and bowed before the Emperor. She was the highly respected courtesan of the Red Pavilion, the mistress of the Fifth Palace the Dancing Hall.
Together with her disciples, she began a magnificent sword dance performance. Everyone watched in admiration.
The performance went exceptionally well. The guests truly enjoyed it, and the Red Pavilion exceeded all expectations, preserving its flawless reputation.
After that, the Four Great Generals stepped forward to greet the Emperor. They reported on the conditions at the borders of the four great cities.
General Lian Yue glanced at her father, Prime Minister Lian, but he completely ignored her.
Emperor Zhao Yan thanked them for protecting the critical borders of the empire.
Suddenly, Minister Luo spoke up. "So, the Fifth Great General, Han Ruozhi once again this year, he does not attend?"
"Is he not afraid of the Emperor? Or does he think himself greater? Why is he so arrogant? Does he believe himself above us?"
"That is quite a serious accusation, Minister Luo," a voice cut through the hall.
A man dressed in fine black brocade entered the banquet hall. It was the Great General of Yancheng City Han Ruozhi.
Madam Xie Yueqing smiled faintly, while Lady Wenrou was shocked to see him. Just the night before, he had revealed himself to be the last descendant of the Yan family whose entire clan had been destroyed by the current Emperor.
Lady Wenrou whispered, "A-Jie, what is happening? How can he be here?"
Madam Xie replied calmly, "Wenrou Meimei, time is like a spinning wheel, and we are merely its watchers. Just wait and observe. Things are about to become very interesting."
Han Ruozhi stepped forward and greeted the Emperor. "Bixia, I, Han Ruozhi, General of Yancheng, greet Your Majesty and Her Highness."
Gossip began spreading among the officials.
"This man is a nobody. He is not from any prestigious family. How did he even become a general?"
People had tried to investigate his background, but nothing significant was discovered. He appeared to be just an ordinary man.
Someone said, "After the annihilation of the Yan family, the borders of Yancheng City became extremely weak. Then Han Ruozhi joined the army. From a mere soldier to a commander, he kept receiving promotions swiftly until he became a general. Yet he never came to the imperial city, Qinrong, to greet the Emperor."
"Why is he suddenly here now?"
The Emperor did not acknowledge his greeting. He remained silent, his expression dark with anger.
Seeing this, the Prime Minister immediately stepped forward and forced Ruozhi to kneel.
"How arrogant! You did not kneel before the Emperor," Prime Minister Lian said sharply.
Minister Luo stepped forward. "General Han, my questions are not mere allegations. The people wish to know why you never visited the Emperor after receiving countless promotions." He wore an evil smile.
Han Ruozhi remained silent.
The Emperor's anger deepened. "How arrogant. A dog should know when to bow and how to serve."
The Prime Minister added, "You do not even know how to behave in front of the Emperor. Is this rebellion?"
Minister Luo sneered. "Do you have a death wish? Why don't you answer my question?"
Suddenly, General Jin Wenxiao stepped forward. "Your Majesty, Yancheng City was in great crisis. General Han fought continuously for four years."
"All the news of victories you heard all the promotions you granted were well deserved. The barbarian nations kept attacking Yancheng."
General Jinghan also spoke. "Your Majesty, General Han was only fulfilling his duty. He has protected our Qin Dynasty for more than a decade. When he joined the army, he was just thirteen years old. From thirteen to eighteen, he served as a soldier and worked tirelessly."
"After that, he served four years as a lieutenant commander. Then he was appointed commander. Two years later, the barbarian nations attacked Yancheng City again."
General Lian Yue continued, "At that time, there was no general in Yancheng. The situation worsened. The city lords and governors could do nothing."
"Then General Han Ruozhi stepped forward. Even though he was only a commander, he took command and fought for two straight years, bringing countless victories to our Great Qin."
General Feng added, "Because of his bravery, Your Majesty yourself praised him and appointed him General of Yancheng two years ago."
"He has been fighting for more than a decade. For the past four years, he has defended Yancheng City almost alone."
"Bixia, will you still question his absence?"
Minister Luo interrupted, "Great Generals, why are you giving explanations instead of him? Does he think he does not need to explain himself?"
"What is there to explain, Minister Luo?" Madam Xie said calmly. "Is it not obvious? He was fighting to protect Qin. Instead of gratitude, why do you treat him like a criminal?"
Everyone was shocked. The Red Pavilion had always remained neutral. Yet for the first time, it had taken someone's side.
Madam Xie was highly respected, so the Prime Minister did not wish to escalate the matter further.
He intervened and said, "Madam Xie is right, Bixia. Great General Han has defended Yancheng for more than a decade. He deserves reward, not suspicion."
But inside, Prime Minister Lian was furious. The Four Great Generals and even the Red Pavilion were supporting a mere commoner who had risen to become a general.
He had once supported Han Ruozhi's promotion, believing the young man would fall under his control. He had thought this commoner would remain within his grasp.
But he had not realized he was playing with fire.
Now, the only option he could see was to eliminate this threat.
TO BE CONTINUED...