Chapter 868: The birthday banquet begins and the drama begins
Daliang Chengping ninth year!
This year is already the thirty-eighth year of the reign of the current Emperor Xiao Xuan of Daliang. His reign is also the longest among all emperors since the founding of the Daliang Dynasty.
In the first twenty years of Xiao Xuan's reign, he definitely worked hard to govern, and the officials were clean and prosperous. It also made Daliang's national power the strongest among all the countries.
But in the next ten years, especially after the Red Flame Eucalyptus Qi Wang Eucalyptus, the Daliang government began to slowly decline.
Fortunately, Daliang has a solid foundation. Although there is no Red Flame Army, there are still elite troops from various places, so the impact on Daliang is not fatal.
The Red Flame Eucalyptus was just the beginning. From then on, Xiao Xuan seemed to be a different person, suspicious and moody.
Especially after making Xiao Jingxuan the crown prince, because he was afraid that a situation like King Qi might arise, he supported King Yu and let the two of them start to fight. He sat firmly on the Diaoyutai.
In fact, from his own point of view, there is nothing wrong with his approach. Such checks and balances keep his authority at its maximum.
It is a good thing for him, but it is not a good thing for the DPRK and the country.
The dispute between the crown prince and Prince Yu caused the ministers in the court to take sides and fight with each other. This trend directly affected many courtiers.
Over the years, many courtiers have been thinking not about how to serve the country and the people, but how to fight for power and gain, and how to defeat political opponents.
Under such internal strife, how could Daliang be strong? Instead, it became weaker and worse due to internal friction.
Although the capital is still as prosperous as before, many places outside the capital are already full of complaints and chaos.
Mei Changsu came to the capital, disrupted the entire court situation, and got rid of many selfish ministers, but in fact it did not change much. After all, the current chaos in the court cannot be solved by changing a few ministers.
of.
Mei Changsu also knows this, so he puts all his expectations on Xiao Jingyan. The court situation that Xiao chose to corrupt for more than ten years will have to take Xiao Jingyan several years, or even ten years, to restore it to the past.
of strength.
Royal Palace!
Tomorrow is his birthday. Liang Emperor Xiao Xuan has been in a very good mood recently. Whenever he has something to do, he will come to Zhiluo Palace to find Concubine Jing.
Now he is no longer young, and can even be said to be old. He is no longer able to care for young concubines. Now when he enters the harem, he mostly comes to Zhiluo Palace to let Concubine Jing massage and recuperate his body.
In today's harem, although the queen is still there, she has been living in seclusion and rarely comes out. The harem is basically ruled by Concubine Jing alone.
Concubine Jing gently kneaded Emperor Liang's temples, while Emperor Liang lay comfortably and enjoyed it.
"My concubine, you have been really hard on me recently. You have been busy with my birthday party."
"Your Majesty is serious. These are what I should do. In fact, the Queen should be responsible for these things. I have gone too far."
Emperor Liang snorted coldly: "As for what she is doing, I think your arrangement is quite good. If you let her do it, I would be worried."
In fact, he has never had any feelings for Empress Yan. Empress Yan is obviously the queen, but she has never been favored. More than ten years ago, she was suppressed by Concubine Chen, then by Concubine Yue, and now Concubine Jing has come up again.
As a queen, she has never been able to control the harem and become the real master of the harem. It is conceivable that Emperor Liang acquiesced in all this, and it can also be seen that Emperor Liang was dissatisfied with her.
This is also the biggest reason why Queen Yan was willing to help King Yu in his rebellion in the original plot. Since she was not in power as the Queen, she would give it a try and become the Queen Mother. Unfortunately, not only did she not succeed in the end, but she lost her own fortune.
But now Queen Yan is much more stable after King Yu lost power, especially not long ago, Yan Que personally gave a message to Queen Yan, telling her not to make trouble, so Queen Yan has been
It's very stable.
"I really can't decide how the Queen will arrange your Majesty's birthday banquet."
Concubine Jing knew about Mei Changsu and Jamel Xiao's plan, so she naturally didn't want Empress Yan to appear in case something went wrong.
Emperor Liang frowned. He actually didn't want to see Empress Yan, but Empress Yan was the empress after all, and her position was there. It would indeed be against the rules if the empress didn't show up for his birthday banquet.
"Let's arrange it normally. She will be on my left side and you on my right side."
"I know it, I know."
Concubine Jing's expression did not change and she added: "I heard that Jingyan's current growth is related to Mr. Su. Speaking of which, I have not officially met Mr. Su. Your Majesty, this is your birthday banquet.
Do you want to invite this Mr. Su?"
Emperor Liang laughed and said, "Of course, you are right. Mr. Su is not a simple person. Jingyan will need his help in the future."
"I see."
Concubine Jing nodded and talked about another person.
"Your Majesty, you know that I was once a medical woman, and I have a passion for medical skills. The former Mr. Chen's medical skills were amazing, and I was so amazed that I always wanted to find an opportunity to ask for advice, but I just didn't have the opportunity. I don't know that this time
Can he also participate in His Majesty’s birthday banquet?”
"You are talking about Chen Yu who saved the life of the Empress Dowager last year. Hey, that young man is indeed not simple. Not only is he highly skilled in martial arts, but he also has outstanding medical skills."
Emperor Liang would naturally not forget Zhou Chen. Although he was old, his memory was still good.
"Since you have this idea, Concubine, of course I will satisfy you. When the time comes, I will leave a place for him and let him sit with Mr. Su, who happens to be my guest in Daliang."
"I thank you, Your Majesty."
Concubine Jing felt relieved. Tomorrow would be the most critical moment for the verdict, and she wanted both Zhou Chen and Lin Shu, who were involved, to be present at the scene.
Emperor Liang's decree was quickly conveyed to the Su Mansion and Chen Mansion.
Zhou Chen sent away the inner prisoner who conveyed the decree and returned to his house.
In addition to Gong Yu, there were also masters and servants Xiao Zhihan and Jin Yu who came from the princess's mansion.
"Xiaochen, you must be careful at tomorrow's birthday party."
Xiao Zhihan naturally knew about Zhou Chen's plan, but she did nothing and only asked Zhou Chen to protect herself.
Zhou Chen said: "Mom, don't worry, we know well that nothing will happen tomorrow."
Everything is within the plan. If there is any surprise, there will only be one, and that is King Yu who is still alive and will attend the birthday banquet tomorrow.
But this is not much of a threat, because King Yu has already lost power and cannot influence the situation of the court at all.
"As long as you know what's going on."
For Xiao Zhihan, nothing is as important as her son and grandson. As long as they are fine, she is not afraid of anything.
"Mom can't help you much, but your Majesty's Imperial Guard has a deputy commander. He used to be your father's subordinate and is extremely loyal to your father. If something unexpected happens, you can use this to ask him to help."
Xiao Zhihan handed an item to Zhou Chen, and Zhou Chen recognized it as an item that his deceased father often brought with him during his lifetime.
He knew clearly in his heart that although his father had passed away many years ago, he was still a first-class military prince. He was also a general as famous as Lin Xie back then, and he still had some confidants.
All is ready except for the opportunity!
The night passed quickly.
Concubine Jing came to the Yangju Hall early this morning to serve Emperor Liang, and the official birthday banquet would not start until noon.
Liang Emperor Xiao Xuan has been very happy since the morning. As an emperor who has reigned for thirty-eight years, he has always been proud of his achievements and satisfied with his ambitions.
Emperor Liang was having breakfast with Concubine Jing when suddenly a eunuch came over to report that the Empress had been feeling unwell since yesterday. She was vomiting profusely this morning and found it difficult to get up. She was afraid that she would not be able to attend today's birthday banquet.
Emperor Liang, who was originally smiling, suddenly turned gloomy when he heard this, and he snorted unhappily.
"It's really unlucky. I don't get sick sooner or later, but I got sick on my birthday. Have you asked the imperial doctor to check it out?"
"The imperial doctor has already looked at it and said that the empress must have suffered from cold and ate unsuitable food, which is why she behaves like this. It's nothing serious. She just needs to recover for a few days before she can recover."
Emperor Liang waved his hands impatiently: "Since it's nothing serious, let her rest. She won't have to attend my birthday party today."
His good mood was disturbed by this incident, and he felt very unhappy.
Concubine Jing's eyes flickered. Queen Yan suddenly fell ill at this time. If there was no problem, she would not believe it.
She quickly thought of someone, Queen Yan's brother, Yanhou Yanque.
Her son Jamel Xiao told her his plan, so she also knew that Yanhou would be the main force in the rebellion today. Since he knew what was going to happen today, he had reason to prevent Queen Yan from appearing at the birthday banquet.
If Queen Yan appears at the birthday banquet, there's no telling what will happen.
So no matter how bad the relationship between Hou Yan and Queen Yan was, they were still brothers and sisters, and he would definitely not want to see anything happen to Queen Yan.
Under Concubine Jing's persuasion, Emperor Liang quickly forgot this unhappy incident.
Soon, Prince Xiao Jingyan entered the palace to pay his respects, and was then left in the palace by Emperor Liang. The father and son played Go together.
After Zhou Chen packed up early in the morning, he went to the Su Mansion. He had agreed with Mei Changsu to go to the palace together today.
Mei Changsu's expression was very serious today, but he relaxed slightly after meeting Zhou Chen.
Although the birthday banquet was at noon, Zhou Chen and the others definitely had to go there early, so they took a carriage and headed to the palace.
When they arrived outside the palace gate, they found that many people had gathered outside the palace gate. Most of them were in official uniforms. They were obviously used to waiting. They all gathered in groups of three or five. Some were in official uniforms.
People were talking, while others were waiting quietly.
On the carriage, Mei Changsu saw the scene outside the palace gate and said silently: "It looks really lively today."
The tone was full of ridicule. Today was not a big court meeting, but hundreds of officials still came to celebrate Emperor Liang's birthday. It was even more active than a big court meeting.
Zhou Chen smiled and said: "The more lively it is, the better it is for us. What's more, most of these people can't enter the main hall."
The two stepped out of the carriage, and as soon as they appeared, someone walked towards them.
"Mr. Su, Mr. Chen."
"Mr. Su, Brother Yu."
Mei Changsu immediately saluted: "Princess Princess, young prince."
Zhou Chen also saluted in the same way.
Mu Nihuang looked at Mei Changsu and Zhou Chen with solemn eyes and nodded lightly.
Today is the birthday of Emperor Liang, but not everyone is qualified to enter the palace to pay homage to his birthday, especially women. There are very few who are qualified to participate.
However, Mu Nihuang's identity is different. Although she is a woman, she is a female commander guarding the southern border and a dignified first-class military prince. Therefore, she participated in the court meeting and paid tribute to Emperor Liang on his birthday.
Not to mention Mu Qing, he is now Prince Mu, the only king with a different surname in Daliang.
Mu Qing walked to Zhou Chen and said with a smile: "Brother Yu, after today's birthday banquet, shall we go out for a drink together?"
Zhou Chen glanced at him indifferently and said, "I have a family now. I dare not agree to the young prince's invitation."
"Hey, Brother Yu, you are still pretending to me. Do you think I don't know that you, Yan Yujin, and Prince Ji have been to Baihua Building several times, and you..."
"Ahem..."
Zhou Chen coughed quickly and interrupted Mu Qing's words. This guy was really arrogant and said everything out loud.
Mu Nihuang glanced at Zhou Chen coldly and said nothing. She had been guarding the mausoleum in the past few months and didn't know much about the outside world. But for such a big event today, she must be...
to appear.
Mei Changsu and Mu Nihuang walked aside to talk, while Zhou Chen pulled Mu Qing over and strangled his neck.
"Mu Qing, I think you did it on purpose, huh?"
Mu Qing quickly begged for mercy: "Brother Yu, Brother Yu, it hurts, it hurts, my neck is broken. I am King Mu, Brother Yu, you can't do this to me."
"King Mu? I'll let you, King Mu, King Mu, King Mu..."
While Zhou Chen was talking, he reached out and slapped Mu Qing. Mu Qing kept begging for mercy and apologizing.
Not long after, the palace door opened, and all the officials walked in orderly. Zhou Chen and Mei Changsu followed Mu Nihuang and Mu Qing. After being examined by the guards at the palace gate, they walked in.
to the palace.
Today is a birthday celebration for Emperor Liang, and of course it will not be at the palace where the Great Chao will be held.
Zhou Chen and the others followed the trend and arrived at the main hall of the palace that had been prepared. At this time, Emperor Liang was already sitting on the throne, with Concubine Jing sitting below.
The prince, on the other hand, was standing in the palace with a group of princes, clan nobles, and ministers from all over the court.
"Congratulations to your majesty, long live the long life!"
Although Zhou Chen didn't want to kneel down, he wouldn't be in the limelight at this time, so he obediently followed everyone to congratulate him.
It's just that he complained in his heart that it was an imaginary historical dynasty, and even the words of worship "Long live, long live, long live" appeared early.
Facing everyone's congratulations, Emperor Liang laughed happily and held up his hands.
"All the ministers are equal!"
Everyone stood up one after another, and then Emperor Liang said again: "Everyone, please take your seats."
Then everyone sat down in their seats in order.
Mei Changsu and Zhou Chen attended the birthday banquet as guest guests. Under the arrangement of Concubine Jing, their positions were relatively close to the front and close to each other.
Emperor Liang was a person who enjoyed himself, so he would not treat himself poorly at his birthday banquet. After everyone sat down, various dishes began to be served, and while they were eating and drinking, there were also performances.
There were musical instrument performances, song and dance performances, but the performers were all women. I don’t know if they were all palace maids, or there were people hired from outside the palace to perform specifically.
In short, even from Zhou Chen's point of view, he has to admit that these performances are really good, especially the women who perform, all of them have pretty features and are very eye-catching.