Chapter 462: Are You Trying to Trap Me in an Injustice?
With Xiahou Feng’s anxious reaction to the sword, if he were to accept it now, wouldn’t he appear to be a greedy ruler in front of all the officials and their families, unconcerned with the feelings of his subjects?
But this sword… it’s a rare black iron sword that could slice through iron like mud. To give it back to Xia Houfeng would be painful for him, and he would essentially be wasting his son’s 200,000 taels of gold!
While the loss of 200,000 taels wouldn’t bother Ye Junshuo, what he really couldn’t bear was losing the sword.
For the first time, Ye Junshuo found himself in a dilemma.
At that moment, Ye Lu suddenly had an idea and broke the awkward silence.
“Since Prince Zhan Nan is so concerned about your brother’s safety, to be honest, even though this sword was once your brother’s, I bought it with real gold and silver, and it’s a treasured item. If Prince Zhan Nan wants to redeem it for your brother, I would be reluctant to part with it. But as I said, this is a gift for the Emperor, and surely Prince Zhan Nan would not stop me from presenting this filial offering?”
“Sigh, King Lu, you speak too much. If Prince Zhan Nan wants it, it is impossible for me to part with it,” Ye Junshuo responded, trying to sound magnanimous.
The palace banquet was full of surprises. No one expected that Ye Lu, who was often seen as a hopeless prince, would steal the spotlight today.
The others couldn’t help but criticize Ye Lu’s unruly behavior in their hearts.
“Humph!”
Seeing his son act so recklessly, Ye Junshuo couldn’t help but feel some irritation. But he didn’t want to show it outwardly. He was also secretly glad that this son of his didn’t back down.
Ye Lu smiled and quickly approached Ye Junshuo, whispering a few words in his ear.
Just then, Ye Lu was leaving the side gate of the palace, and Xiahou Yuanwei immediately stood up and instructed a palace maid nearby.
“Play the music!”
“Princess, forgive me! I didn’t mean it! Please forgive me!”
“Father, just now you were the one who gave me the freedom to make a suggestion. Now, I’ve only made a small request, and you’re angry? You’ve scared me!”
Ye Junshuo instinctively glanced at Xia Houfeng, who had returned to his seat, then shot a glare at Ye Lu.
“Humph, are you trying to trap me in an injustice?”
Ye Lu!
At this point, Ye Lu winked at Ye Junshuo in a playful manner. His casual expression made Ye Junshuo regret having been tricked by his son earlier.
Ye Junshuo had already mentally calculated the situation, and his troubled expression was evident. How could Xia Houfeng not understand what was going on?
“No, Your Majesty, I would never deprive King Lu of his filial offering. I was just shocked and spoke out of turn. Please forgive me!” Xia Houfeng quickly clarified, bowing respectfully.
The officials stood up one by one, offering their best wishes to Ye Junshuo and the Empress.
The princes, especially, were so envious that they were furious.
Before Ye Junshuo could finish his sentence, Ye Lu boldly interrupted him and confidently handed the sword to Ye Junshuo.
“Since you’ve said it, King Lu has improved greatly, and I must reward him. King Lu, have you decided what you want?”
Back in his seat, Xia Houfeng appeared quite downcast.
Already frustrated by his daughter’s urging, Xia Houfeng’s mood soured even further.
Just as Ye Lu had expected.
Seeing the maid clumsily spill the wine, Xiahou Yuanwei was already irritated, and this added fuel to the fire.
“Enough!” Ye Junshuo shouted, and Ye Lu quickly retreated a few steps, his face filled with caution as he looked at Ye Junshuo.
“Father, I didn’t mean for you to agree right away. Please consider it and we can discuss it further tomorrow.”
Ye Junshuo didn’t respond to Ye Lu, his gaze shifting to the palace eunuch standing beside him.
With the treasured sword in hand, Ye Junshuo was starting to see his son in a more favorable light.
When Xiahou Yuanwei heard her father’s words, her face fell, clearly shocked and also upset.
While Xiahou Yuanwei was sulking, a maid who had been serving her wine tripped, and the wine spilled onto her skirt.
When the princes saw Ye Junshuo’s growing displeasure, they all secretly felt a sense of schadenfreude, especially since they had been jealous of Ye Lu’s audacity.
At this moment, Ye Junshuo waved his hand and said, “This condition is not acceptable. Choose another!”
“Now, your uncle’s situation is more important. In any case, you and King Lu’s marriage can be delayed for up to three months. It’s not a big deal. Even if the Emperor proposes an early marriage, I have no time to deal with it now. I must go to the sealed city tomorrow.”
Ye Junshuo had said this. If Prince Zhan Nan was bold enough, he could speak his mind. But just by mentioning this condition, Ye Junshuo would be furious.
“Look, he just accepted my son’s 200,000 taels of gold as a gift, and now he’s changing his attitude without hesitation.”
Ye Lu felt very innocent about the situation.
The music began to play, and the dancers entered the hall in a beautiful procession.
Despite being in front of so many people, she couldn’t bring herself to scold the palace maid.
“No, no, no, Prince Zhan Nan need not worry. I’m speaking with sincerity.”
“Father, I believe Prince Zhan Nan is sincere as well. After all, this sword was merely the weapon of Prince Zhan Nan’s brother. Since it was put up for auction, Prince Zhan Nan naturally cannot take it back. Father, please accept it.”
“Father, with things like this happening, why not take the opportunity to bring it up to the Emperor?”
Ye Lu thought it best for his son to take the blame, leaving the role of the good guy to his father.
Xiahou Yuanwei was getting impatient, watching the lively scene unfold.
“Enough! This is a game!”
The maid knelt down, immediately apologizing.
At this moment, Ye Junshuo was stunned. He had never noticed that his son was actually a person of steel.
“Enough, the banquet continues! Play the music!”
“Not an issue, just take the Princess and change her dress.”
The maid quickly rose and led Xiahou Yuanwei to the side gate.
As night fell, snowflakes began to fall. When Xiahou Yuanwei stepped out, she saw Ye Lu’s figure disappearing around the corner of the corridor. She hurriedly lifted her skirt and chased after him.
(End of Chapter 462)
