Chapter 1239: YeXi Status (2/2)

The eunuch’s loud voice abruptly sounded through the hall, quieting the crowd. The Tang Clan Head was a special existence. First, they had no official status; secondly, they had no post at court. Despite being in charge of manufacturing weapons, they had no military rank, either. In truth, the Tang Clan was in an awkward spot. Moreover, when Long Feiye enshrined his ancestors, he didn’t make his mother the Empress Dowager, thus leaving her a Grand Concubine status at best.

As the family clan of a Grand Concubine, the Tang Clan wasn’t very impressive. Even if no one else said anything, Baili Yuanlong himself deeply disdained them.

In the ensuing silence, the Tang family trio walked into the hall under countless stares. Despite the formal setting, Tang Li was still holding hands with Ning Jing while carrying little Tang Tang. Many of the older members present creased their brows and silently cursed him for having no propriety!

Tang Li brought Ning Jing and little Tang Tang straight to one of the coveted secondary seats and sat down with a carefree air. The silence thickened as everyone exchanged looks. Many of them shot glances at the four Guogong. After all, Tang Li’s family was seated at a spot that clearly belonged to the Guogong by rank!

Baili Yuanlong was getting restless and ready to rise when Baili Lixiang stopped him from behind. “Father,” she murmured, “Calm down, look at the Xiao Clan Head.”

Baili Yuanlong finally settled down and politely asked, “Tang Clan Head, why is your father not present?”

Tang Li was currently playing with his daughter. He glanced over and feigned ignorance, “Your Excellency Baili, do you need my father for something?”

“Heheh, this old man saw that the emperor left a spot for the imperial uncle, so I assumed he’d come!” Baili Yuanlong laughed.

Many others laughed at the mention of “imperial uncle.” At this moment Xiao Dong, who was sitting across from Baili Yuanlong, turned to look at His Excellency Chen of the Ministry of Personnel under the Department of State Affairs. “Your Excellency Chen, since when did we add another first-rank member? Why didn’t you make an announcement? It’s not good to hide such things from the public!”

“Imperial Uncle” was not only a namesake, but a first-rank official. From the name alone, it was clear that Tang Zijin was Long Feiye’s uncle, so calling him “imperial uncle” wasn’t wrong; however, from an official standpoint, Long Feiye had never conferred him the title, so using “imperial uncle” was also inappropriate.

Baili Yuanlong was mocking Tang Li for lacking the qualifications to sit in a secondary seat!

If Tang Zijin was here tonight, he’d be filled with humiliation, but Tang Li only saw these people as sowing discord. His big brother had only made Gu Qishao Qinwang and left the Junwang spot empty. He must have his reasons for making Baili Yuanlong and the rest Guogong as well. There had to be a reason why the Tang Clan received no titles, either! Although Tang Li didn’t know the reasons, he trusted his elder brother absolutely!

Ning Jing was furious, but remained mute. First, it was inconvenient for her to speak out with her Ning Clan background; next, it was difficult for her to talk in this environment as a woman. Meanwhile, Tang Li could see through the machinations of the crowd, but he couldn’t find a fitting retort. After all, he couldn’t very well say his father wasn’t invited to the banquet at all.

No matter how fierce the internal struggles of the Tang Clan were, those were strictly private affairs. Faced with enemies from outside, they had to show a united front! Tang Li wouldn’t be so stupid as to screw over his father before strangers.

His Excellency Chen from the Ministry of Personnel dared not speak, causing Baili Yuanlong to laugh boisterously. “Well! Looks like the imperial uncle isn’t coming. This old man was hoping to drink a cup with him, heheh!”

Xiao Dong was quick to play along. “General Baili, then it looks like you were mistaken. The emperor didn’t reserve that seat for the imperial uncle after all!”

Tang Li had never faced off against these old schemers before, so he was ready to lose his temper before such direct confrontation. However, the eunuch soon raised his voice again.

“Announcing His Highness Crown Prince!”

“Announcing the Prince of Yu!”

1. Translations taken from peer ranks of the Zhou Dynasty.

3. Qi Chu (齐楚) - a name that means “neat and smart”

4. Ke Lin (柯林) - this is actually how you could write “Colin” in Chinese, but I digress. Lin means “forest.”