Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Zhang Yuping immediately stepped forward with a smile and said, "We were talking about the young prince. The other day when this concubine passed by the garden, I saw the young prince from afar—he’s growing all the more sturdy and adorable, even lovelier than the painted dolls."

At the mention of Little Yuan Qian, Yu Wenquan’s eyes narrowed into two slits.

He said, "But of course."

As he spoke, he turned to Shang Ruyi and said, "There are many people tonight, I won’t have him come over. In a couple of days, bring him to Liangyi Hall to take a meal with me."

Shang Ruyi said, "Yes."

Once she had answered, Yu Wenquan walked toward the two favored concubines, smiling as he said something to them. The other concubines, though not daring to speak freely, all stood in attendance around them, while Shang Ruyi raised her head to look at Yu Wenqian and Yu Mingyue, smiling as she offered greeting, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Crown Princess Consort."

Yu Wenqian merely nodded, while Yu Mingyue smiled and said, "King Qin is campaigning outside, leaving younger sister alone. These days must have been very hard on you."

Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "Not at all."

Yu Mingyue stepped forward, her expression seeming very concerned as she carefully sized her up, then said, "Truly, younger sister looks much more haggard. With King Qin absent from the palace, you must be sure to take good care of yourself."

Shang Ruyi did not know why she was suddenly showing such concern for her. Even if they maintained outward courtesies, they were not close to the point where she would be reminding her to take care of herself. But since the Crown Princess Consort had spoken, she naturally could not refuse her face, and only smiled as she said, "Thank you for your concern, Crown Princess Consort, I will."

Only then did Yu Mingyue smile and nod.

On the other side, Yu Wenquan had also spoken a few words with several favored concubines, then pointed around and said, "Be seated, all of you."

Thus everyone prepared to take their seats.

Yet just as they lifted their feet to move, they suddenly heard a commotion outside the hall. All turned to look back, only to see several little eunuchs darting to a corner of the outer wall, swinging the horsetail whisks in their hands with all their might, as if striking at something. Yu Wenquan asked, "What is going on?"

Eunuch Yu immediately stepped forward and demanded, "Are you all courting death? The Emperor is asking what you are doing!"

The little eunuchs hurried inside and fell to their knees, one of them saying, "In reply to the Emperor, this servant saw several white ants and feared they would fly in and disturb Your Majesty’s refined pleasure, so we beat them to death."

On hearing this, Zhang Yuping immediately said, "Ah, there have been quite a few white ants flying into this concubine’s palace these past two days. The people below have been striking at them for two days and still haven’t finished."

The concubines beside her spoke in turn, "It’s the same in this concubine’s quarters."

"One of my paintings has been eaten through and ruined."

"These things come burrowing out as soon as spring arrives, so annoying."

Shang Ruyi said, "So they’re everywhere."

Yu Wenquan, hearing this, turned his head to look at Shang Ruyi again. "Ruyi, white ants have appeared in your palace as well?"

Shang Ruyi nodded and said, "Two days ago they were found under the rockery in the rear garden. They boiled water to scald them, and we thought it would be fine, but in the past two days quite a few have flown back again."

Yu Wenquan immediately said, "That will not do. Yu Mingli, quickly send word down: tomorrow we shall exterminate the ants throughout the palace."

Eunuch Yu hurriedly said, "Yes, this servant will go relay the order at once."

With that, he hastened out. Yu Wenquan’s expression eased slightly, and he said, "Be seated, all of you."

So everyone took their seats. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort naturally sat on the Emperor’s left-hand side. Since Yu Wenye was absent, Princess Qin sat on the Emperor’s right-hand side. As for the positions of the other concubines, the two birthday celebrants of the day—Zhang Jieyu and Tao Jieyu—were seated directly by the Emperor’s side.

That small episode just now did not disrupt their good spirits. Yu Wenquan raised his cup and drank a mouthful together with the two concubines beside him, and the banquet formally began.

The flute sounded, clear and melodious; then, behind the screens, the musicians all struck up together. Drums and instruments rang in unison, lofty singing rising now and again. As the melodies flowed, a troupe of dancers in colorful robes glided into the hall in lotus steps from outside. They began to dance gracefully with the music; these dancers were all no more than sixteen or seventeen, with lovely features and elegant movements, drawing everyone’s eyes to linger on them.

On the other side, a group of palace maids came forward to serve dishes and pour wine for those in the great hall.

Leading them was Han Shanggong.

Since that last incident, Shang Ruyi had not seen her for quite some time—partly because there had been few major matters in the palace, and partly because Eunuch Yu had taken over part of her duties, so the two sides had few chances to meet. Meeting now, Han Yuhui, upon seeing her, nodded with neither humility nor arrogance, and Shang Ruyi merely inclined her head. Both sides were faintly distant.

Though things were cool between them, the atmosphere within the great hall was still fairly lively. Cups were exchanged, jokes traded back and forth; it was wonderfully bustling.

Before long, the wine on the tables had reached the bottom.

Yu Wenquan smiled and said to Eunuch Yu, who had just returned, "Go, bring out that jar of good wine I have hidden away."

On hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s heart gave a slight stir.

She vaguely remembered that when Yu Wenqian had just returned to the Yuwen Family, Aunt Hui had once brought out a jar of Nine Brewed Spring, saying it was the only jar left of the ten jars from when Yu Wenquan was wed. Aunt Hui had originally wished to celebrate the joy of that day, but Yu Wenquan’s face had changed. Later, at Yu Wenqian’s persuasion, he had the jar returned to the cellar, and another good wine brought out instead.

She did not know whether tonight—

She waited in silence, and after a short while Eunuch Yu did indeed bring out a jar of wine. Once opened, it was poured out to the various tables; at once the scent of wine billowed forth, filling Bai Fu Hall.

It was a jar of twenty-year cellared Fu Shui Chun.

The moment she caught the fragrance, Shang Ruyi unconsciously let out a breath, raising her head to look at Yu Wenquan on the main dais, who was laughing and chatting with Zhang Yuping and Tao Wanxin. In her heart she gave a long sigh, a jumble of emotions surging up.

Just then, the music stopped.

She seemed to hear someone else give a soft sigh as well. Lifting her head, she saw Yu Wenqian seated opposite, his gaze complicated as he looked at the wine cup before him.

The amber light reflected in his translucent pupils, and it was as if a glimmer of tears flashed within.

Beside him, Yu Mingyue was speaking with someone; suddenly feeling something amiss, she turned to look at him and murmured, "Your Highness, what is it?"

Yu Wenqian shook his head.

Yu Mingyue seemed still to sense that his expression was somewhat strange, but at this moment it was not convenient to ask more—especially after she lifted her eyes to glance at Shang Ruyi, then, keeping her face as usual, continued drinking.

Thus, with segment after segment of song and dance, cup after cup of wine was sent down. Gradually, the night deepened, and the wine too grew deeper.

Shang Ruyi rarely drank in ordinary times; tonight, after these few cups, she felt her cheeks already somewhat warm. She pushed the cup aside and, quietly to herself, ate a little food, intending to press down the alcohol. Suddenly, a burst of drumbeats sounded from behind the screen.

The drums were dense as rain; compared to the gentle, winding tones of the silk and bamboo just now, they at once carried several degrees more of stalwart, martial vigor.

Stepping to that beat, a light, graceful figure drifted into the great hall!

When Shang Ruyi lifted her head to look, her breath instantly sank.