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When Jing-wang pulled out the crystal bottle, Wang Xi, who was standing not far behind him, immediately stepped forward like an arrow and placed a small coral engraved fishbowl on the table in front of him. The fresh water was already prepared. Jing-wang drew up his sleeve and placed the fish into the water himself, then watched the fish swim around freely for a while.
Jing-wang gave a look at Wang Xi, planning to feed the fish.
Wang Xi knowingly pulled out a bamboo box filled with fish food and handed it to Jing-wang.
Then, he turned and gave some eye gestures towards the other servants. The servants brought up the desserts that they've carried all the way from the Jing Estate and placed them one by one in front of the fishbowl.
Jing-wang picked out two grains of fish food and threw them into the fish bowl. Then he pulled out a peach blossom cookie, squeezing half of it into pieces and sharing with Xiao Yu while he nonchalantly ate the remaining half.
The crowd who was bored and had nothing better to do than attentively watch Jing-wang feeding a fish: ???
The crowd expressed that they were all going blind. So Jing-wang was this kind of person?
After Jing-wang placed Li Yu into the fish bowl, Li Yu immediately rubbed cutely against the other's fingers. Then the fish food and peach blossom cookies came down. The little carp, who's been favoring the new and bored with the old recently, first only picked the peach blossom cookies and ate them gluttonously. Eating until his stomach was half full, Li Yu then went to eat the fish food.
Jing-wang saw Xiao Yu eating happily and picked out a lunar cookie, breaking it into pieces to feed the fish.
Lately, Li Yu was very willing to try new foods. He smacked his lips and gave it a taste. The new cookie had a peppermint flavor which rushed straight to his head. A person might like this but a fish couldn't handle it. After Li Yu took a bite, he abandoned it and returned to happily eating the peach blossom cookies. This was how Jing-wang knew, his fish didn't like lunar cookies.
"There's no need to prepare lunar cookies in the future." Wang-gonggong, who can be practically called the parasite that lived in Jing-wang's stomach, immediately ordered some servants to record this. The servants all nodded their heads in unison.
The people in Jing-wang's vicinity were dazzled by this scene. Only Ye QingHuan was not surprised at all.
Under the music of traditional instruments, the 2nd Prince Mu TianZhao got up. According to etiquette, the 2nd Prince, who was the oldest Prince, needed to represent all of the Princes and propose a toast to the King of JinJue at the national banquet.
Poised and dignified, Mu TianZhao conversed properly with the King of JinJue. The King of JinJue praised Mu TianZhao unceasingly and drank three cups in succession.
The Emperor was fairly pleased by Mu TianZhao's performance. The King of JinJue praised the 2nd Prince. The Emperor's face also gained radiance. Competent and appropriate to the occasion, this was a big strong point of the 2nd Prince.
Mu TianZhao could feel the Emperor's good mood. With a smile, he looked at the dainty figure beside the King of JinJue.
Lately he's been suffering defeat repeatedly, not really looked favorably by the Emperor.
Recently, an informer he placed in Ganqing Palace sent him a message. The reason the King of JinJue came this time to meet with the Emperor was to marry this little Princess into the nation politically.
In order to recover his relationship with Jing-wang, Mu TianZhao used up plenty of mental and physical effort. Unfortunately Jing-wang completely ignored him. Mu TianZhao also wanted to win over the ChengEn Palace Estate. But Jing-wang and the ChengEn Palace Estate clearly were tied together on the same rope. Since he failed over on Jing-wang's side, the ChengEn Palace Estate also treated him coldly and indifferently.
Hearing that the 3rd Prince has successfully stuffed a concubine into the Jing Estate, Mu TianZhao was afraid the 3rd Prince would be one step closer to winning over Jing-wang and thus obtain the support of the ChengEn Palace Estate. Mu TianZhao figured that he probably wouldn't make too much progress over here with Jing-wang; therefore, he needed to think of plans to search for other sources of assistance without doing it too obviously. The Emperor was still watching him closely after all.
Right on time, the political marriage appeared at the door.
Mu TianZhao schemed well in his heart. Although JinJue was a small border nation, they had money and troops. If he allied with the princess of JinJue, JinJue definitely wouldn't leave him to support the other Princes. With this, even if the Emperor disliked him, his position wouldn't be so easily swayed.
As for the Princess of JinJue herself, to be able to become his concubine was an enormous honor for her. He can promise to grant her the title of Guifei after he ascended the throne. The Princess of JinJue definitely won't oppose this.
Originally Mu TianZhao thought that in order to obtain the aid of JinJue, even if the little Princess was extremely ugly, he'd take her. However, after taking a quick glance at the banquet, he found this princess had the countenance of a flower and face like the moon, and was rather good looking. Compared to the women of this nation, she had a different kind of style to her. Mu TianZhao already felt extremely willing inside.
"Princess." Mu TianZhao ordered someone to bring up a plate of dessert and said gently:
"This is our nation's famous butterfly pastry. Please have a taste."
As the name implied, the pastry was made into a butterfly shape. Not to mention, it's formed into pairs, which was a blessing for married couples to live long and happy lives together.
Mu TianZhao wanted to first create a display to let the other people know that the Princess of JinJue already belonged to him, so to dissuade others who had intentions towards the Princess.
The Emperor also saw this from where he sat up top. The 2nd Prince most likely found interest in this foreign princess.
The Emperor originally planned to have the heir of ChengEn Palace Estate marry the JinJue princess. However, seeing Ye QingHuan's solemn expression while accepting the imperial edict, the Emperor thought that the other didn't seem to be interested in the princess. Therefore, the Emperor wanted to sound out Ye QingHuan's intentions first. At the very least, he still needed to discuss with ChengEn Estate Palace as well. That's why he didn't immediately bestow the marriage edict. Who would have imagined that the 2nd Prince would suddenly jump out.
The Emperor felt somewhat dissatisfied internally. But thinking again, the 2nd Prince probably didn't know his intentions, so he couldn't blame the other rashly. He already rejected the notion of marrying the JinJue princess to any of his sons before. However, if the 2nd Prince really wanted to run head first into this wall, and the JinJue Princess was willing to yield and become the 2nd Prince's concubine, the Emperor won't say no.
If the 2nd Prince wanted this marriage, then he needed to bring out a suitable and successful plan of action.
The Emperor wanted to see how Mu TianZhao would deal with this matter, so he purposely did not interfere at this time.
The King of JinJue ordered servants to bring the butterfly pastry in front of the princess. The little princess only smiled, but didn't reach out to take the dessert.
Mu TianZhao assumed that this princess didn't know the meaning of the butterfly pastry and wanted to take the opportunity to show off a bit. Suddenly, however, he discovered that the JinJue Princes wasn't even looking at him. Her charming face kept peering far off into the distance.
Mu TianZhao: "..."
Mu TianZhao felt somewhat awkward and didn't rush to speak again. His gaze, however, uncontrollably followed the princess's line of sight. Then, he saw Jing-wang feeding the fish with a tableful of desserts placed in front of him. The fish was even resting on the edge of the fishbowl, waving its tail.
So the princess was looking at the fish, and it was the fish that would always cause trouble whenever the 2nd Prince encountered it. Everytime the fish waved its tail, the princess would reflexively smile.
Mu TianZhao resented secretly. Afraid of losing his manners, after learning that Jing-wang brought the fish, he did his best to pretend the fish didn't exist. However, this fish who was completely incompatible with him, once again intruded his view.
The princess of JinJue smiled so happily, her entire face was crimson. Occasionally she'd whisper quietly with the King of JinJue. The 2nd Prince only heard a soft 'fish' word, unable to hear anything else. But that was enough. He was very certain that this damn fish had already stolen his spotlight.
The JinJue Princess also had bad tastes. How could a fish raised by a mute be comparable to him, the future crown prince?
Mu TianZhao's eyes flitted to the Emperor. The Emperor also noticed that Jing-wang was feeding fish because of the activity from over here. However, not only did the Emperor not blame Jing-wang for his behavior, but instead, he held a smile as if he was very happy to see Jing-wang busying about for a fish. In Mu TianZhao's heart, the densely packed vine known as jealousy grew madly.
He was the properly behaving 2nd Prince, the future crown prince. Yet ultimately, he couldn't match up with a fish. With a heavy face, Mu TianZhao returned to his seat, feeling suffocated inside. After sitting with a blank face for a while, no one came to speak with him. Therefore, the 2nd Prince gave some instructions to the servant responsible for bringing him food.
The servant received the order and went out. Not long after, they returned carrying a bowl in their hands. The bowl was filled with soup.
The servant knelt down trembling with trepidation, and said: "Your highness, the kitchen didn't prepare carp fish soup today. They need time to boil it so it won't be ready for a while. This servant was afraid your highness couldn't wait, so I grabbed a bowl of white tofu soup. Please have some of it..."
Although the servant spoke softly, it didn't stop people from staring at the 2nd Prince. Mu TianMing, who sat not very far from the 2nd Prince deliberately said in a loud voice: "2nd elder brother, is the food at the national banquet not to your taste? How come you suddenly want to drink carp fish soup?"
Mu TianMing purposely shouted out the word "carp." After many people looked at the 2nd Prince in amazement, they all converged their gazes on Jing-wang.
Because at the scene, only Jing-wang had a carp next to him.
Li Yu lifted his head from the fish bowl and shook it regretfully: Aiya, how embarrassing. The 2nd Prince probably wanted to make him into soup! But he was fine and dandy here by his master munching on stuff.
Mu TianZhao: "...."
Mu TianZhao felt Jing-wang's ice-cold gaze shooting over here and strangely felt panicked.
But clearly, he didn't even do anything.
Mu TianZhao clenched his teeth and scolded: "3nd brother, you're thinking too much. I only suddenly wanted to drink some soup."
The 2nd Prince felt his heart twist terribly inside. Was people even going to comment on him for wanting to drink fish soup now?
Jing-wang gave Mu TianZhao a cold look. Wang Xi stood to the side without saying a word.
However, he already internally cursed out the 2nd Prince on Jing-wang's behalf.
The Emperor furrowed his brows. Drinking fish soup wasn't really anything normally. However, since Jing-wang was the only person who brought a fish over, the 2nd Prince's intentional targeting couldn't be more apparent. Perhaps even the 2nd Prince didn't think that his negative decision would be exposed by the 3rd Prince.
The Emperor loved the house and everything involved with it, so he had a very good impression of the little carp. Even he felt the 2nd Prince was somewhat rash and overtaken by his emotions.
The JinJue Princess was just watching the fish that Jing-wang raised. Looking at it several times from afar, she liked it a lot. After knowing that the 2nd Prince wanted to drink fish soup, the little princess immediately jumped up and said angrily: "2nd prince, the fish is so cute yet you want to drink fish soup right in front of its face. Who would have thought you were this kind of person!"
The JinJue princess somewhat disdained the butterfly pastry that the 2nd Prince gave her just now. Despite her young age, she already saw through the 2nd Prince's schemes towards her and towards JinJue. She was also aware that if she married the 2nd Prince, she could only become a concubine. The JinJue princess wasn't dumb. JinJue's strength can help the 2nd Prince obtain the throne, but in exchange, she'd only receive a useless Fei position. It wasn't worth it. Plus, whether the 2nd Prince can ascend the throne, and when he can ascend the throne were all uncertain. JinJue didn't want to get dragged in the fight between the Princes so easily.
Therefore, the JinJue Princess completely ignored the 2nd Prince. After learning that the 2nd Prince secretly wanted to drink fish soup, other people didn't want to say it outloud, but the fearless little princess just had to jump out and step on the 2nd Prince painfully a few times. This was also to express towards the Emperor that she didn't want to marry the 2nd Prince. Don't even think about it!
"Princess, you misunderstand. It's not like that..."
Mu TianZhao was temporarily speechless. Another fire of fury burned in his heart, but he didn't even know how to explain himself.
Was he supposed to say? It's not that he wanted to drink fish soup in front of this fish, but rather, he wanted to slaughter this fish and make it into fish soup?
The Emperor could see very clearly that the JinJue Princess had no interest in the 2nd Prince. It's best to stop the 2nd Prince from using some other inappropriate plans. To say it nicely, the princess was hard to please. To say it unpleasantly, it's a failed seduction attempt.
–how proud the Emperor felt for the 2nd Prince before was how embarrassed he felt because of him right now.
Looks like Ye QingHuan was more suitable after all.
From afar, the Emperor looked at the completely silent Ye-shizi who was sitting beside Jing-wang. He quietly gave Ye-shizi a mature and steady label and planned to keep ChengEn Gong and Ye-shizi behind after the banquet to speak with them privately.
Later on the 2nd Prince received the news. The Emperor planned to marry the JinJue Princess to the heir of ChengEn Palace Estate and was currently meeting with ChengEn Gong.
So these people were actually in cohorts... while he was completely humiliated at the national banquet and received nothing in return.
The JinJue Princess rejected him. ChengEn Place Estate didn't want to support him. Even Jing-wang, as well as Jing-wang's fish were all laughing at him in mockery!
The 2nd Prince felt like he already endured for too long. He really couldn't take it anymore and needed to do something.
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