Chapter 2656 - 2589: It’s Not Up to You

The Emperor, along with Wei Zhi and others, watched the fish tumbling from above, floundering in the water pocket in front of them. Some directly slapped their tails and continued downstream with the current, followed by the exclamations of the young men below...

Others swam around frantically, their erratic movements sometimes touching the fishing lines. Yet they ignored the bait on the hook entirely.

Wei Zhi, hearing the astonished voices from below, briskly reeled in his fishing hook and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, a frightened fish won’t bite. It seems we won’t be catching any fish today."

The Emperor remained silent, angrily staring at the water pocket ahead, stubbornly refusing to reel in his line.

Seeing this, the others also reeled in their hooks and sat by, watching the Emperor fish.

Gu Zhong was so anxious there was sweat on his forehead, unable to find a solution.

The water wasn’t deep or murky, otherwise, he might have been able to slip a fish onto the Emperor’s line. However, with all eyes on them, he couldn’t deceive anyone.

The Emperor noticed no more fish coming from upstream, although there were still seven or eight panic-stricken fish in the water pocket swimming about. Perhaps it was their first time in these waters, as they darted around with open eyes yet refused to bite the hook.

The Emperor huffed and reeled in his line too, pointing at a guard and saying, "You go, get those fish out of the water pocket so the people below can collect them."

The guard exhaled, bowed his head, and complied.

He didn’t bother removing his shoes and socks, simply hitching up his robe and tucking it into his belt before springing up and landing steadily on a rock beside the water pocket.

Water cascading from above almost submerged the rock but didn’t, leaving a dry foothold under the scorching sun, making it easy to stand firmly.

He drew his knife, poised himself, and struck with a splash, sending water flying and bringing two fish down with it...

Then he continued.

Bai Erlang caught three fish and felt quite proud. Seeing no more fish from upstream, he stood in the water with his hands on his hips and laughed, "Mingda, carry these fish back later and have the imperial kitchen make fish balls for us."

As soon as his words fell, people on the shore exclaimed, and just as he was about to ask what happened, a splash of water hit his head, and something scraped past his shoulder with a thud, landing in the water.

Bai Erlang was a bit bewildered.

The fish knocked down were even more bewildered, weakly floating downstream. Once Bai Shan and Wei Yu grabbed them, they struggled no more until they were tossed onto the shore away from water, where they began jumping again.

Bai Erlang cautiously cradled his head and stepped downstream, eventually escaping the water’s attack, before looking up to see sporadic streams of water from above, each carrying one or two fish...

Everyone burst into laughter, even the palace maids and eunuchs waiting beside couldn’t help but hide their mouths in amusement.

Bai Erlang tread carefully on creek stones downstream, grabbing Bai Shan to steady himself, looking perplexed, "What’s happening up there?"

Bai Shan smoothly trapped a fish sliding down and smiled, "I suppose His Majesty doesn’t wish to fish anymore and wants to change locations."

Indeed, the Emperor didn’t want to fish anymore, having sat there all day without catching a single fish, being ridiculed was one thing, but making the provisions for others was a separate matter. No wonder he wasn’t happy.

However, upon seeing Mingda and Changyu bring up two fish, he was delighted and asked, "Did you catch these?"

Mingda laughed, "Not us, it was the prince consort who caught them."

The Emperor was pleased, sweeping his gaze around and asking, "Where’s Bai Er?"

Mingda laughed, "His hair got wet and his appearance is disheveled, fearing it would be disrespectful to Father Emperor, so I had him go back and change."

The Emperor chuckled and nodded, "That’s fine."

Looking at Wei Yu and others, seeing their wet pants and clothes, he waved, "You all go back and change too. Today, I invite Courtier Wei and others to dine at Shouju Garden. You all come along."

He then laughed, "Consider these fish to be public property."

Naturally, everyone had no objections, suspecting these fish were even from the kitchen’s stock?

Indeed, they were from the kitchen, personally collected by Yin Li. After a turn, losing two, he returned them to the kitchen.

The imperial kitchen, upon hearing that the Emperor was fishing, although they couldn’t understand why fish were needed from the kitchen for fishing, dared not oppose, much less inquire where the missing two fish went, accepting however many came back.

However, there was a headache as two fish went missing, deciding which two people should receive less was a dilemma.

The eunuch returning the fish said, "His Majesty is hosting the gentlemen in Shouju Garden, and several ladies and noble sons will also attend. The dishes are customary, but you should be prepared well. The table shouldn’t lack anything."

Upon hearing this, they were delighted; this is manageable. Everyone eats together, one table with one or two fish is much better than providing one fish to each noble person.

The eunuch continued, "Princess Mingda wants fish balls. You make two separate plates."

This was simple too, use one or two fish, ensuring every table has a bowl.

The imperial chefs agreed with a smile, glanced over the list, calculated the number of people, and had a general idea.

Manbao and the others had been in the palace for so long and it was the first time seeing the accompanying noble sons, such as Minister Han’s sons.

Well, Manbao didn’t sit with them. As a fourth-ranked official, she was supposed to sit below Director Xiao, sharing a table with Lord Wei and others, but Gu Zhong directly arranged her at the princess’s table.

Bai Shan followed suit.

Yin Huo also sat next to them.

Everyone had changed clothes, with Imperial Music Bureau personnel walking back and forth on the side stage.

Manbao couldn’t help but look over. Changyu said, "That’s the Imperial Music Bureau arranging instruments. Father Emperor opened this banquet suddenly, the Bureau resides at the foot of the mountain and only just arrived, so they’re later than us."

Because they were late, the official overseeing the Bureau was quietly scolding them, though he didn’t dare scold for long. Soon after, the sound of purification whips sounded, and the Emperor arrived with the Empress.

Everyone stood and greeted the Emperor and Empress, then sat down upon their invitation. The Emperor smiled and said, "I’ve long wanted to host a banquet. I troubled Courtier Wei dragging family here for summer retreat, only for my health to falter. Upon feeling much better today, I decided to gather everyone for a meal. Now, this cup is to honor you all, for your dedication to national affairs."

Everyone raised their glasses, Minister Li replied on behalf of everyone, "Your Majesty’s grace, we are eternally indebted."

In terms of solemnity, no one surpassed Minister Li; in terms of propriety, likewise no one surpassed him, and in flattery, it was about the same.

The Emperor happily drank the cup, and everyone followed suit.

Manbao grimaced slightly, and after sitting, Bai Shan pushed a dessert into her mouth, which made her feel better, as palace wine seemed richer and spicier, not pleasant to drink.