Chapter 1246: YeXi Flaunting impressive strength (1/2)

Han Yunxi bet that he’d pick detoxifying needles, while Long Feiye guessed a treasured sword. The loser would have to eat noodles cooked by the winner.

Gu Beiyue bet that Rui’er would take a stamp, while Gu Qishao judged him to pick an abacus. The loser would act as a servant to the winner for one day.

Tang Li figured Rui’er would go for the volumes of classic scriptures, while Ning Jing figured he’d prefer the coins. Whoever won would wrest control of their finances.

Rui’er had no idea three bets were running on him at the same time. He stood there for a long, long time in careful thought. Faced with so many choices, this really was difficult! He wanted many different things, but he could only pick one. He grabbed at his fingers as he grew more conflicted, extending the tension of the courtiers below. The gifts were given and the banquet eaten, so everything would be over after this raffle, right? 80 percent of the guests wanted the banquet done as soon as possible! As long as that was finished, they could truly believe the emperor and empress wouldn’t go after them for their smears or punishments.

At last, Rui’er reached out his hand!

The crowd collectively exhaled in relief as they saw a glimmer of hope! Long Feiye, Han Yunxi and the rest all tensed as they waited for the outcome of their bets. All eyes were on Rui’er in the silent hall as he curved his fingers around a stamp and picked it up!

Gu Beiyue revealed an extremely self-satisfied smile even as Gu Qishao’s mood plummeted. Han Yunxi, Long Feiye, Tang Li, and Ning Jing neither won nor lost and were very disappointed.

“As expected, you are Zhen’s chosen prince! Heheh, this is Heaven’s will! Heaven’s will cannot be defied!” Long Feiye proclaimed loudly. “Rui’er, come here!”

Although the traditional one-year-old raffle was supposed to predict a child’s future, Long Feiye’s group placed no basis on such claims. Rui’er grabbing the stamp wouldn’t convince all the courtiers to accept him as future emperor someday. That was just naive. Long Feiye picked him up and sat him on his lap. This was a greater move than any selection of a seal! He was showing the crowd how much he doted on Rui’er and expected from him!

It was a gross breach of etiquette for a crown prince to sit upon the throne himself, but if Long Feiye placed him there as the emperor, it was adoration of the highest order! The ministers were stunned as they realized he’d put on this show on purpose.

Once the raffle items were cleared away, everyone’s hearts settled somewhat in their chests. Now they waited for the emperor to announce the banquet was over. But it was then that a eunuch rushed in with a fearful face.

“Your Majesty, it’s terrible! Bad news!” the eunuch crowed as he finished his bow.

“Speak clearly!” Long Feiye demanded.

“Your Majesty, Esteemed Empress, those commoners causing trouble are fighting with the guards and trying to rush the palace gates!” the eunuch cried.

Baili Lixiang felt her heart turn cold. Hadn’t she already ordered someone to spread the latest news? Why hadn’t the protesters stopped yet? Baili Yuanlong immediately gave her a look as father and daughter remained speechless.

Long Feiye’s voice turned cold. “Are they planning to rebel? The banquet isn’t even over yet. How did the rabble learn of the empress’s ‘extravagant expenses?’”

No one dared to answer him in the quiet hall. The Baili and Xiao Clans knew exactly what had incited the protests, while the others had mingled in the court long enough to smell the scent of a plot. Like the emperor said, the banquet had yet to end, so how could the commoners know what was going on? Moreover, they hadn’t started protesting now, but just after General Baili stood out to dissuade the empress.

How come anything happen so timely?

Those with a guilty conscience dared not speak, while those whose hearts were clear stayed mute. They were afraid of offending a random Guogong with their words without knowing the full situation first. Baili Yuanlong had sweat pouring down him like rain. He finally realized that there was no way Han Yunxi would let them off. She was waiting for the mob to make an even bigger racket! After all, he could still make excuses if she accused him of slander, but evidence of a mob meant severe consequences against the Baili Clan if she got to the bottom of their uprising!

Baili Lixiang subconsciously pressed a hand against her heart. It was currently pounding wildly in her chest, making it difficult to breathe. She felt as if her heart would burst out of her chest. She never thought things would devolve to such a devastating state! She originally assumed that the commoners would exert a certain amount of pressure on the emperor who treasured their hearts. But now the incident had become fatal for the Baili Clan.

His Majesty would definitely find a few racketeers and kill them, as killing chickens scared monkeys into behaving! Baili Lixiang could only pray that the leaders she’d found wouldn’t sell her out!

At last, she couldn’t bear it and spoke out. “Your Majesty, Esteemed Empress, there were rumors of the empress holding the crown prince’s birthday banquet even before today. I believe those commoners have misunderstood you and acted in ignorance. They can’t mean it, so please don’t let them disturb your good mood, Esteemed Empress.”