Night fell.
In front of the Prince's Manor.
Carriages streamed by, and people came and went.
Qingfeng and Mingyue were in charge of receiving guests.
They first ensured the carriages were parked in an orderly fashion.
This was no small matter.
Parking spaces had to be allocated according to official rank and title.
All the guests today were distinguished.
The higher the rank, the closer the parking space.
It was common for people attending banquets to argue over parking spots.
In every aspect, class distinctions were evident.
Yu Ji slowly stepped down from his ox-cart.
He walked to the wooden table.
“Grand Tutor Yu Ji, a congratulatory painting and calligraphy.”
“Mr. Yu!”
Butler Fu immediately rose and arranged for a maid to attend to him. Seeing the rolled-up painting and calligraphy, he couldn't help but exclaim, “Mr. Yu was once unrivaled in both painting and calligraphy, renowned as a divine brush. Countless people sought his paintings, but few ever succeeded.”
“Haha…” Yu Ji stroked his goatee and smiled faintly, “For Prince Ning, it's just so-so. This painting, titled 'Ten Thousand Horses Galloping,' was originally painted for Old Prince Ning. It's a pity it was never given to him. Delivering it to Xiao Ning today can be considered returning it to its rightful owner.”
“Thank you, Xiansheng.”
“Come, please enter.”
“His Highness has been waiting for a long time.”
“Haha, good!”
Yu Ji smiled faintly.
His paintings were incredibly sought after in Chang'an.
Even the Imperial Study had his painting, 'A Hundred Flowers Competing for Beauty,' hanging in it.
The Baibao Pavilion once auctioned one of his paintings.
It ultimately sold for the exorbitant price of eight thousand taels!
It should be known that he had officially retired from painting three years ago. On one hand, it was because Old Prince Ning died in battle, and Old Prince Ning was one of his few close confidants; on the other hand, he was responsible for the Six Arts Academy, so he didn't have much free time.
Since his retirement, his paintings had become increasingly valuable!
“The Prime Minister has arrived!”
“Greetings, Prime Minister.”
“No need for formalities.”
Sima Changqing flicked his sleeve lightly.
The coachman behind him presented a wooden box.
“Prime Minister Sima Changqing, a congratulatory luminous pearl!”
Butler Fu quickly put it away.
The Prime Minister wasn't easy either!
If he remembered correctly, this was a birthday gift Emperor Feng had given him.
This luminous pearl also had some history.
It originated from the distant Southern Yue Kingdom.
After Old Prince Ning died in battle, the Southern Yue Kingdom became restless.
Sima Changqing was ordered to go on an envoy mission to the Southern Yue Kingdom.
Alone, with a single sword, he forced back three hundred thousand troops.
Relying on his sharp tongue and wit, he protected the southern frontier for three years!
The King of Nanyue also offered some tributes.
Among them was this luminous pearl.
“The Prince's Manor is quite busy today, so there's no need for special reception. Mr. Yu is just ahead; I'll simply follow him.” Sima Changqing had visited the Prince's Manor often, so he was very familiar with it. He looked at Butler Fu and said, “The Prince's Manor will have more affairs in the future. You should find a suitable person to help you manage things. If you need anyone, I can help with introductions.”
“Thank you, Prime Minister.”
Butler Fu smiled and raised his hand.
He was getting old now.
Many tasks were beyond his strength to handle.
Ning Que had officially inherited the title of Prince.
In the future, he would establish his own manor and assemble his own team.
At that time, the Prince's Manor would have even more affairs.
Butler Fu alone couldn't cope.
“Minister of War Jiang Quan has arrived!”
“Prefect of the Capital Gu Mingzhi has arrived!”
“Tiger Marquis Gu Yuan has arrived!”
“…”
More and more guests arrived.
Butler Fu also began to busy himself with receptions.
After Gu Yuan presented his gift, he walked towards the Prince's Manor. Ning Royal Mansion was built quite grandly, with tung oil being reapplied every few years. This banquet was even more thoroughly prepared, with large red lanterns hanging high along the way.
The courtyard was impeccably clean, and many blooming exotic flowers could be seen. Passing by the covered bridge, there were many exceptionally well-grown carp.
Gu Yuan showed no smile.
He tightened his grip on the laxative hidden in his sleeve.
Upon reaching the courtyard, many guests had already arrived. The courtyard was extremely spacious, and dining tables were already set up. Led by a maid, Gu Mingzhi and his son took their seats.
The seating arrangements were also particular, with wooden plaques on each dining table bearing their names for easy seating.
Great Feng emphasized order based on hierarchy.
Those with higher official ranks were naturally superior.
Seating was honored to the right.
Ning Que had arranged this perfectly.
After all, this was the most important event since he inherited the princely title, so every aspect had to be thoroughly considered. He had also specially prepared wooden plaques to prevent maids from leading guests to the wrong seats. Just like parking, seating arrangements were an extremely important part of etiquette.
“Lord Gu, you arrived quite early.”
“No choice, my home is relatively close.”
Sima Changqing looked at him with a chuckle, “I heard that after Prince Qi received the invitation, he rushed back to Linzi this morning. Lord Gu, you're quite bold, daring to attend the banquet? Aren't you afraid of Prince Qi's displeasure?”
“What do you mean, Prime Minister?”
Gu Mingzhi naturally understood the implication.
However, they couldn't openly clash.
He calmly flicked his sleeve and said indifferently, “I have no relation to Prince Qi, and whether I attend the banquet has nothing to do with him. Since Prince Ning has extended such a gracious invitation, how could my Gu Family not come?”
“Hehe… as long as you're happy.”
Sima Changqing merely sneered.
As more and more officials arrived, he lost interest in bickering with Gu Mingzhi, because Emperor Feng had already decided to act against the Gu Family.
To be precise, he was going to act against the Other surname Princes!
The court officials had only two choices.
Support the Other surname Princes, or obey Emperor Feng!
Want to be a fence-sitter?
Impossible!
What Emperor Feng wanted to do now was to clip the wings of the Other surname Princes, to remove all the people they had placed in the imperial court, thereby weakening their power. Through this method, he would then deal with the Other surname Princes.
The Gu Family was the first target!
This was a warning, killing the chicken to scare the monkeys!
Regarding the assassination in Western Liang, this matter could be big or small. Yet, Emperor Feng had demoted both the Gu Family father and son by one rank.
This was a veiled warning!
If they continued not to declare their stance, Emperor Feng would soon remove them. After all, they had been officials for many years, and there would always be some leverage. It would be very easy for Emperor Feng to deal with them.
“Hahaha, everyone has arrived quite early!”
“We greet Your Highness!”
“Gentlemen, no need for formalities.”
Ning Que walked out with a chuckle.
He was now wearing a jade crown and a dark red everyday robe. His waist was cinched with a gold-threaded jade belt, and he wore deer-skin boots. He walked directly to the head seat on the right.
“Everyone, please be seated first. Tonight is the first banquet hosted by this Prince. If the hospitality is not up to par, I ask for your understanding. This Prince dares not say anything else, but the food and drink will be the best in Chang'an City.”
“Haha, we all know that.”
“This old man hasn't eaten all day; I've been waiting for this meal.”
“Come to think of it, it's been several months since I last tasted it.”
Gu Mingzhi looked at Ning Que, frowning, “Your Highness, you've taken the wrong seat, haven't you? Shouldn't you be sitting in the main seat?”
“Haha, Lord Gu, it seems you still don't know.” Ning Que smiled slightly and said indifferently, “His Majesty will also personally attend the banquet tonight at the Prince's Manor. You want this Prince to sit in the main seat? What, do you have some ulterior motive?”
“Cough, cough, cough…”
Gu Mingzhi was instantly startled and turned pale.
Just then, a voice announced from afar.
“His Majesty has arrived!”