Chapter 677: I, the King, Feel Inferior

The Eldest Princess was startled by the words and asked, "You want to avenge Chen Hao?"

"Exactly!" Tuan Tuan said confidently, "Although Chen Hao isn't the biological son of that villain, he's my good friend, and we can't let him be bullied!"

"Of course I want to speak out for him!"

"Chen Hao," the Eldest Princess was puzzled, "isn't he Prince Chen's legitimate eldest son?"

Xiao Ran opened his mouth, unsure how to explain Chen Hao.

Xiao Er sighed helplessly, "My lady thinks that if Prince Chen can treat Chen Hao this way, then he certainly isn't Chen Hao's real father; who says she doesn't believe that either?"

"I see," the Eldest Princess couldn't help but smile, "Prince Chen is cold‑hearted."

"Don't think that just because he has now granted his young son the title of Crown Prince, that if someday this Crown Prince can shield him from disaster, he will just as readily push him aside without hesitation."

"Why is that?" Tuan Tuan asked with a puzzled face, "Could it be that Crown Prince isn't his biological son either?"

She shook her head, imitating the Eldest Princess, and let out a long sigh, "That villain is pitiful enough—both of his sons aren't his own flesh and blood."

Everyone: "……"

Forget it, no more explanations; she wouldn't understand either way.

"But Tuan Tuan's idea is good," Xiao Ningyuan thought, "We have nothing to do right now, so messing with Prince Chen wouldn't be bad."

"That's true," the Eldest Princess smiled, "The date will be set for the day after tomorrow, with the banquet opening precisely at the hour of Xu."

"The hour of Xu? So late?" Xiao Ran frowned again, "Didn't the Palace lock the doors at the hour of Hai?"

"Is Prince Chen treating the Imperial Palace like his personal playground?"

The Eldest Princess shook her head gently, "Now it's whatever the two princes decide; there are no rules left. They say when, and who dares to say no?"

Everyone silently shook their heads, chatted a few more words, then took their leave from the Eldest Princess and returned to the secret room carrying enough fresh water.

In the blink of an eye, the day for the Crown Prince's investiture arrived.

At the beginning of the Zi hour, the main hall of Taiji Hall.

Dancing maidens' water sleeves fluttered, the sound of silk and bamboo instruments drifted endlessly, presenting a scene of prosperous song and dance.

On the imperial steps above, the golden‑lacquered dragon‑carved throne stood empty.

To the right of the throne, two sets of paired rosewood tables and chairs were arranged; Prince Chen and Prince Qing sat at them, already with cheeks flushed from drinking.

Civil and military officials sat on both sides.

The banquet had been going on for more than an hour; several elderly ministers with white beards could no longer hold on and slumped behind the table, quietly dozing off.

Xiao Er, carrying Tuan Tuan, and Lu Qi crawled out of a dry well, stepping into a gap in the Imperial Guard's patrol, and arrived at the west annex of Taiji Hall.

The three of them lay on the roof, gazing at the scene inside the main hall.

According to Eunuch Cheng, this spot is the closest to the main hall and has the fewest people; usually only two or three eunuchs stay here, preparing the Emperor's robes and serving restorative soup.

Tuan Tuan clutched Xiao Er's neck tightly and whispered in his ear, "Uncle Xiao Er, look, the palace banquet hasn't finished yet."

Xiao Er nodded.

Lu Qi laughed, "Fortunately it's not over yet; otherwise our effort would have been in vain."

Xiao Er pointed downward with his hand.

Three eunuchs stood at the entrance of the west annex, craning their necks toward the main hall.

Lu Qi produced two iron lotus seeds, aimed at the flower pots stacked like a pagoda in the courtyard, and flicked his wrist.

"Whoosh—"

The iron lotus seeds shot through the air.

"Clatter—!"

The flower pot toppled with a sound, shards of tile scattering, and soil splattered everywhere.

The three eunuchs jumped in unison, turned their heads, and their faces turned pale.

"Ow! Which careless fool is this? It's not even set securely!"

"Quick! If the two princes see this, it'll ruin the mood and we'll all be in trouble!"

"Hurry! Sweep the mud! Reset the flower pot! Quickly!"

The three scrambled over, clumsily tidying up.

Xiao Er timed it perfectly, silently dropping from the roof with Tuan Tuan on his back; his toe tip touched the ground and his lithe waist slipped through the corridor.

Lu Qi lay on the ridge, vigilantly scanning the surroundings, and held two more iron lotus seeds in his hand.

Xiao Er moved swiftly, and in the blink of an eye reached the west side door of the main hall.

A eunuch suddenly emerged from the doorway, and Xiao Er flipped and hung onto the ceiling of the corridor.

"Ah!" Tuan Tuan, on his back, slipped from his grasp and slid down.

Fortunately Xiao Er's arm strength was astonishing; one hand hooked the railing, and the other cradled Tuan Tuan to his chest.

Tuan Tuan settled securely in his embrace.

"Miss!" Lu Qi, drenched in cold sweat from shock, spun the iron lotus seed half a turn in his palm and silently slipped it back.

Luckily the noise inside the main hall was loud enough to drown out Tuan Tuan's startled cry.

The young eunuch, unaware that he had just circled the underworld, kept stepping without pause and hurried toward the west annex.

Xiao Er watched him disappear, floated lightly to the ground, and peeked toward the main hall.

The sound of silk and bamboo rose like a tide, mingling with the scent of wine and perfume, warm and enveloping on the face.

Inside the hall, the lights shone brilliantly, cups and goblets clinked, and the atmosphere was exceptionally lively.

The eunuchs and palace maids were all busy up front, none had time to look this way.

Behind the side of the dragon‑throne platform, a massive curtain hung from the ceiling to the floor, completely shielding the passage behind the throne.

Xiao Er inhaled deeply, with Tuan Tuan on his back, darted in.

Prince Qing turned his head lazily and asked, "What time is it?"

The eunuch serving beside him bent over and replied, "Yes, Your Highness, it is already the second quarter of the Zi hour."

As those words were spoken, the civil and military officials seated below all silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Their waists were about to give out from sitting; at last they could go back.

Someone had already started to think that after returning to the mansion they would first drink a bowl of sobering soup, then get a good sleep.

Unexpectedly, Prince Chen lifted his wine cup, the corner of his lips lifting, and shouted, "Light three thousand more red candles!"

He looked down at the ministers and said, "Today, all of you must not leave unless you're drunk!"

The eunuchs responded in unison, "Yes, Your Highness!"

Soon, squads of eunuchs streamed in one after another, each holding a red candle as thick as a forearm; the flickering flames lit Taiji Hall as if it were broad daylight.

The ministers exchanged glances, a hint of helplessness flashing in their eyes, then quickly put on smiling faces and raised their cups in agreement.

"The Crown Prince's investiture is a great joy, deserving celebration throughout the realm!"

"Your Highness speaks truly! Today, we shall not leave unless drunk!"

"We, the ministers, salute Your Highness! Salute the Crown Prince!"

The thirteen‑year‑old Crown Prince Chen Qi, his bright red new coronet robe making his face glow crimson, was full of vigor and confidence.

He stood up, straightened his back, lifted his wine cup, faced the ministers, and loudly declared, "Father, your words are absolutely correct!"

A group of sycophantic officials immediately gathered around, taking turns to toast him.

"The Crown Prince has great bearing!"

"A tiger father has no dog son!"

"Here, Crown Prince, I toast you with a cup!"

Chen Qi accepted without refusal, downing cup after cup.

Prince Chen looked at his son's star‑surrounded appearance and was overjoyed.

He leaned toward Prince Qing and said, "How is my insight? Qi'er is a hundred times stronger than that rebellious Chen Hao!"

Tuan Tuan heard clearly, her small eyebrows furrowed, "So you still remember Chen Hao!"

Prince Qing clinked cups with him and said, "Brother Wang's insight is naturally not lacking."

"But in my view, after you sent Chen Hao to Jingcheng as a hostage, you never intended to claim this son again, right?"

"Brother Wang, you are truly ruthless; I feel ashamed in comparison."

Prince Chen laughed heartily, "One son, after more than ten years of the Emperor's trust in me, isn't that worth it?"

"Otherwise, where would my troops come from to join you in campaigning?"

Xiao Er frowned, the Grand Princess was right; this person truly is innately cold!

Tuan Tuan was so angry that her cheeks puffed out.

"Chen Hao is so good, yet you treat him like this?"

"Fine, then let everyone hear how you dealt with Chen Hao!"

She lowered her head, untied the Embroidered pouch at her waist, took out a torn piece of paper, muttered, "Let everyone hear what they say, but they themselves won't know!"

After speaking, she let go, and the torn paper fell.

A faint light flashed, and the torn paper vanished.