Chapter 1244: YeXi Retire (1/2)
Seemingly wronged yet helpless, he sighed and said, “Esteemed Empress, there is nothing extraordinary about this pearl. With Northern Li suffering snow disasters and countless dead or injured, our Great Qin citizens are cold and hungry while displaced from their homes. This old man has been unable to sleep at night and unable to eat during the day. I have always been thinking of the Northern Li victims and the soldiers helping them out. There was truly no time for me to prepare an exquisite gift for His Highness Crown Prince. Although this item is modest, this old subject’s heart is sincere. I am of one heart with Grand Tutor Gu and the Northern Li victims and pray with the Great Qin’s citizens for the royal clan’s pity. May our Great Qin suffer no more disasters.”
Leaving aside Han Yunxi and Long Feiye, even those unfamiliar with Baili Yuanlong were stunned by his speech. What mocking, what satire! Not only did it censure the empress for putting so much thought into the crown prince’s birthday after the disasters while ignoring the plight of Northern Li, it also pulled Gu Beiyue to his side and emphasized his true motives for gifting the world map, another stab at Han Yunxi. After all, Gu Beiyue was supposed to be her closest subordinate. In addition, it forced the crown prince to accept this small gift or risk appearing shallow and only weighing presents for their value, not meaning. Of course, the crown prince was too young to understand such things, so the implied insult was more for his mother Han Yunxi.
In any case, Baili Yuanlong’s words were all a cultured crusade designed to deride Han Yunxi.
Everyone was looking at her, unable to guess the empress’s reaction. Her treatment of Baili Yuanlong’s provocation would determine the attitudes of the other officials present.
After a long period of silence, Han Yunxi’s face gradually turned cold. Silence stretched on as no one dared to make a sound. But it was Long Feiye who spoke up next.
“A great gift comes from great intentions! Crown prince, why haven’t you accepted Guogong of Zhen’s grand gift?”
“Yes!” Rui’er said childishly, his tender voice belying his serious gaze. He personally got off his seat and walked to Baili Yuanlong. Surprised and pleased, the man quickly kneeled to present his gift with both hands. At this, all of the officials relaxed their brows and smiled! Indeed, the emperor was still wise and brilliant! Since he had spoken out, what did they need to fear? They could simply speak their minds!
After the four Guogong were finished, the first-rank officials took their turn. Two of them adopted a moderate stance while the rest followed Baili Yuanlong’s satirical examples. Han Yunxi simply sat there unmoving with an expressionless look. Baili Yuanlong’s long-suffering heart felt much better just seeing her so aggrieved. Xiao An’s lips were already raised in a cold smile. He never cared whether Long Feiye had to face-slap Han Yunxi for the sake of the bigger picture or was uncomfortable with how she handled the birthday banquet. He only knew that once they got started, it wouldn’t be hard to continue with the rest. If there was a first time, there was bound to be a second and a third!
After all the gifts were dedicated, a stiff-faced Han Yunxi swept her gaze over the table before reminding unhappily, “Emperor, all of the dishes are here. Please start the meal. Today’s menu was all personally prepared by chenqie.”
Baili Yuanlong almost stood up at these words, but Baili Lixiang tugged him back very prudently.
Long Feiye nodded, so Han Yunxi gestured for a court lady on the side to come and serve them. With a respectful bow, the girl lifted the biggest cover on Long Feiye’s table. Hot steam wafted out as a delicious fragrance filled the air. This was a scent most recognized to Long Feiye’s nose: old hen soup!
The court lady carefully spooned out bowlful and placed it in front of Long Feiye before retreating.
“Emperor, this is a full chicken soup cooked from a three-year-old hen and mixed with hundred-year snow ginseng as well as other precious medicinal ingredients. It was simmered from morning until dusk. The exquisite mix of chicken and medicinal elements in this dish means you should just drink the soup and ignore the meat,” Han Yunxi introduced in a much better mood.
Long Feiye’s brows knit as he looked at the bowl with hooded eyes. He didn’t budge as if lost in thought. Everyone could only sigh in response. A small pot of soup used up one whole chicken and many precious medicinal ingredients. For each of the guests, that totaled to over 100 hens! If they ended up eating the entire meal, how much grain would they consume? How much silver?
Everyone looked at their own covered pot of soup and dearly wished to take a peek. But unless His Majesty moved to eat, none of them could follow suit. At this point, Baili Lixiang shot a glance at a servant closeby before giving her father a light kick. It was time to make their move.
It didn’t matter that the empress thought their gift was too small. Everyone could now see clear proof of the extravagant waste before them.
Han Yunxi, even if the emperor wants to protect you this time, he might not succeed!
Baili Yuanlong immediately stood up, walked out of his seat, and knelt down on both knees. In a flash, dead silence fell over the crowd.
“Baili Yuanlong, what are you doing?” Long Feiye opened his mouth.
“This old official asks the emperor, empress, and Your Highness Crown Prince to mete punishment!” Baili Yuanlong cried loudly.
“What are your crimes?” Long Feiye asked.
“Today is the crown prince’s birthday banquet, a day of celebration and joy. Esteemed Empress held this banquet and invited all the important courtiers for an important, happy occasion. Yet Northern Li’s people still struggle to eat a single full meal! Even the soldiers assigned to help them are starving. This old official only feels too bitter at heart to enjoy such a feast! This old subject asks the emperor to permit me to retire!”