Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne
Chapter 63: Celebratory Banquet

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Celebratory Banquet

At the end of the Shen hour, Zhao Yao was awakened by Liang Zhaoyi.

Seeing Zhao Yao get up and dress quickly, Liang Zhaoyi teased him, "Why aren’t you lazing in bed?"

"I’m going to eat beef." Zhao Yao was obsessed with that beef. He had been waiting for this beef for many days. "I’m going to finish all the beef on the table tonight." To eat more delicious food in the evening, he hadn’t had a full lunch.

Liang Zhaoyi tapped his forehead, helplessly but dotingly said, "Don’t overeat or you’ll have a stomachache tonight."

"Mother, don’t worry. I won’t get a stomachache." This morning, he had Tong Xi go to the Imperial Medical Bureau to specifically ask the Imperial Physician for a bottle of digestive medicine. If he overate, taking one pill would prevent a stomachache.

"Since Mother cannot be by your side, you must listen well to your fourth and eighth brothers." Being a concubine, Liang Zhaoyi couldn’t accompany Zhao Yao to the Chaoyang Palace for the celebration feast. Chaoyang Palace was specially used for palace banquets, and tonight, besides the princes, ministers would also attend.

Liang Zhaoyi and Yu Meiren went to the Qionglin Garden for the celebration feast, naturally separating from Zhao Yao.

"Mother, don’t worry, I’m just attending the celebration feast to eat." Zhao Yao said with a grin, "I’ll just eat and not speak." With only one mouth, he found it barely enough to eat, so where would he find time to talk to others?

"No matter what happens at the banquet, don’t be curious, understand?" This was Zhao Yao’s first time attending such an important banquet alone, and Liang Zhaoyi was slightly worried. "Also, don’t be afraid, understand?"

Before the age of six, Zhao Yao always accompanied Liang Zhaoyi to feasts. Now, as he had begun his education, he could no longer attend banquets with his mother. He had to attend important court banquets or events alone.

This celebration feast would be attended by all the civil and military officials. Liang Zhaoyi was worried her son might be frightened by facing such a grand scene for the first time.

"Mother, what’s there to be afraid of? I saw them when I went to pick up Second Brother yesterday." Although all the court officials would attend, he wasn’t familiar with them, so what was there to fear?

Liang Zhaoyi touched her son’s little face and softly said, "It’s good that you’re not afraid."

Zhao Yao raised his hand to pat Liang Zhaoyi’s shoulder, cheekily said, "Mother, don’t worry, I’ll be fine."

Liang Zhaoyi patted Zhao Yao’s little behind, "Go to Chaoyang Palace, or you’ll be late."

Zhao Yao dared not delay any longer, hurriedly taking Tong Xi and heading for Chaoyang Palace. On the way, he saw Fourth Prince waiting for him not far ahead, and he quickened his pace to greet him cheerfully, "Fourth Brother."

Seeing Zhao Yao exuding happiness from head to toe, his entire little face glowing, Fourth Prince, usually expressionless, showed a bit of a smile.

"So happy, huh."

"I’m about to eat delicious food." Zhao Yao chuckled, "I’ve been looking forward to Second Brother’s return just for tonight’s feast. Now he’s finally back, of course, I’m happy." With that, he reached out to pull Fourth Prince’s wrist, "Fourth Brother, let’s hurry."

Fourth Prince grasped Zhao Yao, amused, "The feast hasn’t started yet. Even if we go now, there won’t be any food, so no rush."

"Fourth Brother, if we go earlier, you can talk to your cousins." Fourth Prince’s two cousins weren’t teaching at the Imperial College, but held important positions at court. His eldest cousin was the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and his second cousin was a Junior Minister.

The Li Family, having learned from the previous dynasty’s experience, no longer sent all clan members to the Imperial College to teach but sent outstanding children to hold posts at court. This way, they could keep abreast of the court’s situation and protect the Li Family.

"Fourth Brother, don’t you want to talk to your cousins?" Unfortunately, his second uncle didn’t have the qualifications to attend the celebration feast.

Of course, Fourth Prince did. Upon hearing this, he held Zhao Yao’s hand and quickened his pace towards Chaoyang Palace.

"Then let’s hurry."

By the time Zhao Yao and the others arrived at Chaoyang Palace, all the ministers were already there. However, among the princes, only the two of them had arrived; the others hadn’t yet.

"Greetings to Fourth Prince! Greetings to Tenth Prince!"

"Rise, sirs."

"Thank you, Fourth Prince."

Seeing some ministers wanting to speak with Fourth Prince, Zhao Yao sensibly said to him, "Fourth Brother, I’ll go take my seat first." Then, he left with Tong Xi.

The ministers had no reaction to Tenth Prince’s departure. In the eyes of the ministers, Zhao Yao held no significance.

Noticing the somewhat dismissive attitude towards Zhao Yao from several ministers, Fourth Prince frowned slightly, showing some displeasure. Just as he was about to say something, his two cousins walked over.

Following the guidance of a eunuch, Zhao Yao took his seat. Though the celebration feast hadn’t started yet, two plates of fruit were placed on the table.

As he ate the fruit, he curiously observed the ministers.

Duke Zhen and Marquis Xuanping were surrounded by ministers. Duke Zhen’s face was expressionless, whereas Marquis Xuanping was beaming with joy.

Other ministers huddled in small groups, engaged in unknown conversations. Some were all smiles, while others wore worried expressions.

Eating and silently musing, Zhao Yao thought it was indeed a stark contrast.

Huh, why hasn’t Minister Kong appeared?

Where are Minister Kong and his son, haven’t they arrived yet?

Just as Zhao Yao was searching for Minister Kong, Fourth Prince brought his two cousins over to introduce them to Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yao was momentarily stunned, then greeted Fourth Prince’s cousins.

Fourth Prince’s cousins, being very talkative, knowing Zhao Yao loved food, started talking about local delicacies, making Zhao Yao’s mouth water.

They even invited Zhao Yao to visit the Li Family with Fourth Prince when he had time, and at that time, they would have their family chef prepare some delicacies unattainable in the capital.

Soon, Third Prince and his entourage arrived. Ministers supporting Third Prince flocked over.

Seeing Third Prince arrive, Fourth Prince’s two cousins returned to their seats.

"Fourth Brother, I didn’t expect your cousins also love delicious food."

"Yes, my cousins often get scolded by our grandfather for their love of food." In Fourth Prince’s grandfather’s view, a love of food equates to indulgence in bodily pleasures, which is frowned upon for scholars.

"Like-minded people..."

Before Zhao Yao could finish his sentence, the ministers began greeting and paying respects to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince had brought Eighth Prince with him.

After exchanging a word with the Crown Prince, Eighth Prince came over to Zhao Yao and the others.

"Eighth Brother, why are you and Crown Prince here so early?" Zhao Yao asked in surprise, "Why isn’t Crown Prince with Father?"

Whenever there was an important event or banquet, Crown Prince would stay by Father’s side.

"Second Brother is with Father, so Eldest Brother brought me to Chaoyang Palace first." Eighth Prince added, "Minister Kong is also with Father."

"Ah, Minister Kong is with Father?" No wonder Minister Kong wasn’t seen.

"Before entering the palace, Second Brother specially went to Minister Kong’s mansion and came to the palace with him before they both went to see Father." Second Brother was really eager.

Upon hearing this, Fourth Prince furrowed his brows but said nothing.

"Are Father and Second Brother coming soon?" Zhao Yao patted his little belly and licked his lips, appearing like a little gourmand, "I’m hungry and want to eat." The matter of Minister Kong and Second Brother accompanying Father to Chaoyang Palace was not as important to him as good food.

At this time, eunuchs and palace maids were serving dishes.

Smelling the aroma of the dishes, Zhao Yao’s little stomach growled with hunger.

Seeing Zhao Yao eagerly waiting, Fourth Prince and Eighth Prince shook their heads helplessly.

"Why hasn’t Father arrived yet?" Zhao Yao glanced eagerly at the side door at the top of Chaoyang Palace.

Eighth Prince lightly tapped Zhao Yao’s head, "Almost here."

"If Father delays any longer, the dishes will get cold." Just as he finished his words, the Emperor appeared with Second Prince, Ninth Prince, and Minister Kong.

The sight of this left the ministers astonished, seeing Minister Kong actually being with the Emperor.

Kong Taichang felt a bitter taste he couldn’t voice. Originally planning to enter the palace with his son for the celebration feast, he hadn’t expected Prince Dai to personally come to his mansion. Although he refused Prince Dai’s invitation, he was forcibly invited onto Prince Dai Mansion’s carriage and then led to meet the Emperor.

He knew Prince Dai’s intentions. This made him more resolute in rejecting this marriage arrangement, even if it offended Prince Dai and angered the Emperor. After the early court session tomorrow, he would go to see the Emperor and reject this bestowed marriage.