Imperial Husband Chapter 38

To demonstrate Ying Zhengjing's regard for the grand banquet, it was held in the Baoqing Hall.

The Baoqing Hall was decorated exquisitely, everywhere revealing a low-key luxury. Tables were placed on the left and right sides. Imperial concubines sat on the left, while court officials sat on the right.

"Congratulations on the triumphant return of the Eldest Prince." The assembled court officials, accompanied by their families, came forward to offer their congratulations to the Eldest Prince Ying Zihui as soon as they saw him. Some even went so far as to mention their own daughters.

Ying Zihui smiled and nodded, then began conversing with the ministers.

Ying Zihui was now nineteen years old. As he followed the army on an expedition at seventeen, he hadn't yet married.

"Eldest Brother is really in the spotlight this time. The position of Crown Prince must be his. Second Brother, I'm afraid you have no chance now, right?" When Ying Zijun said these words, his tone was full of sourness and jealousy.

How infuriating. If I had been born earlier, such a good thing would never have fallen to him.

Ying Ziheng looked at Ying Zijun and said solemnly, "Fifth Brother, the position of Crown Prince is for Father Emperor to decide. It is not your place to comment."

"Am I not just feeling indignant on your behalf, Second Brother?" Ying Zijun showed no intention of holding back. "All of us brothers know that the reason Eldest Brother could follow them into battle this time is simply because he has the advantage of being older than us."

As he said this, Ying Zijun looked provocatively at Ying Yuan.

Having learned his lesson last time, Ying Zijun restrained himself much more this time, not daring to say anything openly confrontational to Ying Yuan, but he did not hold back with the hostile glances he shot at him covertly.

Ying Yuan remained indifferent to this, simply ignoring Ying Zijun's dirty looks.

Ying Ziqi had always been on good terms with Ying Ziheng, so he quietly reminded him, "Fifth Brother, have you forgotten the lesson from last time? Be careful Father Emperor hears you again this time."

"..."

Upon hearing Ying Ziqi's words, Ying Zijun was immediately stifled.

Seeing that Ying Zijun dared not continue, Ying Ziqi withdrew his gaze from Ying Zijun and turned to Ying Ziheng. "I heard Second Brother is about to get married. I, your younger brother, will offer my congratulations here first."

Ying Ziheng laughed, "Third Brother, it's still too early to say that. Order of precedence by age must be followed. My marriage must wait until Eldest Brother has married."

"The Emperor and The Empress have arrived."

Suddenly, following the loud shout of a eunuch, Ying Zhengjing and Gu Rushuang walked into the Baoqing Hall together. 

Everyone immediately bowed in unison. "Your Subject (Your Son / Your Concubine) pays respects to The Emperor, The Empress. May The Emperor live ten thousand years! May The Empress live a thousand years!"

"You may rise. Everyone, be seated."

Ying Zhengjing sat in the seat of honor and waved his hand toward the officials below.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After thanking him, everyone sat down in the seats assigned by the palace attendants.

Who is he?

When everyone looked up towards Gu Rushuang's direction, they were all stunned. Except for those who had seen Li Jin before, they all revealed looks of astonishment.

Yes, indeed.

Li Jin followed behind Gu Rushuang as he entered, rather than entering alone.

Incidentally, this was Gu Rushuang's arrangement. Because Li Jin was young and came alone, Gu Rushuang feared others might neglect him, so he simply had Zhiqiu summon Li Jin to go to the Baoqing Hall together. Ying Zhengjing, feeling somewhat guilty over his plot against Li Jin, did not stop Gu Rushuang's action.

Gu Rushuang, knowing when to stop, said quietly to Li Jin, "Jin'er, go sit by Yuan'er's side."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Li Jin immediately bowed to Gu Rushuang and Ying Zhengjing, then walked to where the princes were seated, sharing a table with Ying Yuan.

"Here, don't get sick again." As soon as Li Jin sat down, a hand warmer was shoved into his hand by Ying Yuan.

Li Jin was startled, then smiled slightly. "Your Subject thanks the Seventh Prince."

Needless to say, Li Jin knew well that his susceptibility to illness was deeply ingrained in people's minds; otherwise, Ying Yuan wouldn't have started handing him a hand warmer every time he saw him since last time.

Of course.

Regarding this misunderstood frail constitution of his, Li Jin had no intention of explaining it. Instead, he planned to use it to counter those who wanted to deal with him.

"Li Jin, you came without bringing a hand warmer?"

Li Jin responded with a smile. "I left in too much of a hurry and forgot for a moment. The Seventh Prince is still the most considerate."

"..."

"Seventh Prince, rest assured, I will remember to bring one next time."

Ying Yuan shook his head. "Li Jin, you'd better not bring one. I'll have the eunuch prepare an extra one for me, to save you from forgetting again sometime."

Ying Ziqi deliberately raised his voice. "Heir Apparent Li, you and Seventh Brother are still as close as ever, it really makes me, his elder brother, envious. I imagine it will not change in the future either."

Instantly.

As Ying Ziqi uttered the words 'Heir Apparent Li', Li Jin's identity as the Heir Apparent of the Dingbei Prince was finally exposed. The court officials all revealed looks of understanding and ulterior motives.

It was well known that the current Heir Apparent of the Prince of Dingbei was born of the late Princess Consort Gu Rulan. It was quite reasonable for him to appear together with Gu Rushuang.

However...

The absence of the current Successor Princess Consort of Dingbei led to speculation: Was the Successor Princess Consort not as virtuous as rumored? Otherwise, why would she allow the young Heir Apparent of the Dingbei Prince to attend the banquet alone? Or had The Empress forbidden her from coming?

Li Jin's solitary attendance gave rise to endless conjecture among those present. However, with both Ying Zhengjing and Gu Rushuang there, they only dared to think about it in their hearts.

"May it be as Third Brother says."

Ying Yuan could tell that Ying Ziqi was being deliberate, and silently retorted.

Ying Ziqi smiled and did not continue speaking.

Although Li Jin did not interject, based on his years of understanding, he could see that Ying Ziqi's smile was feigned.

"Everyone, We first offer a toast to you."

Ying Zhengjing picked up the jue cup from the table and drank it all in one go.

[Jue (爵): an ancient Chinese ritual bronze wine vessel from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, characterized by its distinctive three legs, deep bowl, and opposing spout and tail.]

"Congratulations to Your Majesty on successfully recapturing the lost cities." Everyone present also picked up their jue cups and drank them all in one go.

"Good, good, good."

Ying Zhengjing was greatly pleased, repeatedly saying 'good'.

The loss of these cities occurred during the reign of the previous emperor and had been a constant worry for Ying Zhengjing since his accession. Now that they were finally recovered, how could Ying Zhengjing not be immensely pleased?

But among those offering congratulations, only Li Jin's gaze held a hint of strangeness.

What others didn't know, Li Jin knew. The true greatest contributor to the defeat of Qianluo and the successful recapture of the lost cities was clearly a certain General Zhou. Unfortunately, that General Zhou suffered serious injuries after the victory, failed to recover, and died, thus allowing Ying Zihui to take the credit. 

In his previous life, Li Jin found General Zhou's death suspicious and had people investigate secretly. Unfortunately, General Zhou's family had already been burned to death along with the general's residence while he was still on the battlefield, leaving nothing behind. The people Li Jin sent had to return empty-handed.

In this life, Li Jin had also wanted to send someone to investigate. However, he was currently too young and lacked sufficient trusted personnel, making it difficult to evade the covert surveillance of Wei Shiwan and others with ulterior motives.

Now, thinking about it carefully, it seemed General Zhou's death had likely been suspicious.

Just as Ying Zhengjing was in high spirits, a court official suddenly stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, the position of Crown Prince remains vacant. The Eldest Prince has always been talented and virtuous, and now he has returned in triumph after defeating Qianluo. Why not take this excellent opportunity to appoint the Eldest Prince as Crown Prince, thereby solidifying the foundation of the state."