Chapter 1381: The Wedding Banquet at Guangde Hall

The night was like water, a vast gauze draped over the earth. The fifteenth had long passed, and the moon was no longer full, its shape like a bow suspended in the sky. Yet the moonlight remained bright and clear, spilling down into the Han palace—though brighter still than the moonlight were the lanterns within Guangde Hall.

The mid-spring night breeze still carried a slight chill, but the sustained clamor within Guangde Hall was enough to dispel it. The hall blazed with light, ritual music rang long, song and dance never ceased. The Great Han's imperial relatives, meritorious ministers, and honored nobles all immersed themselves in this peaceful, comfortable atmosphere, raising cups and toasting, mingling and chatting merrily—thoroughly delighted.

This was the wedding banquet of Grand Princess Anping, but the protagonist remained Emperor Liu. Seizing on Emperor Liu's good humor, the nobles and ministers tirelessly offered toasts, pouring words of blessing and praise at him like they cost nothing. Emperor Liu refused none of them, and even if he only made a token gesture, sipping lightly, he still grew thoroughly tipsy.

Though his face was flushed red, his mood grew ever more cheerful. After all this time, perhaps only today—giving his daughter away in marriage—had brought him such joy. Even his five-year-old eldest grandson, Liu Wenyuan, came toddling over on his little legs, holding up a small cup of wine to toast him. The clumsy display made Emperor Liu laugh uncontrollably.

Seized by a sudden whim, Emperor Liu even went down to the floor himself and danced a tune in the middle of the hall. Emperor Liu had no talent in this regard; his dance was utterly chaotic, devoid of any grace. Yet the cheers and applause never stopped.

"We truly are making a spectacle of Ourselves!" Emperor Liu was self-aware. His body swaying, his steps floating, he left the center of the hall and said with a smile to the several people who had been attending him diligently.

This was not an easy remark to respond to. Even Yan Tuo, who excelled at flattery and sycophancy, needed a moment to think—after all, Emperor Liu was not the sort of sovereign whose face lit up at mindless praise.

However, Emperor Liu was clearly only speaking casually. His gaze shifted, and he walked toward Li Chuyun, who sat at his seat. Li Chuyun had grown even more aged now, gaunt and thin; only his festive attire barely concealed his sickly state. He looked full of spirit, with the air of a dying man's final rally.

"Your Majesty!" Seeing Emperor Liu approach, the Li father and son hurriedly rose to bow.

"No need!" Emperor Liu took a cup from the tray in Yan Tuo's hands, supported Li Chuyun, and said with a smile: "Minister Li, after today, you and I shall be co-fathers-in-law. We must drink a cup together!"

"As it should be, as it should be! Your Majesty's grace moves me to tears—I must drink a full cup!" Li Chuyun said, his face full of honor.

"This marriage was not arranged by Us. The Princess took a liking to your son herself. We have always doted on this daughter, so We could only fulfill her wish!" Emperor Liu said with a faint smile.

After draining his cup, Emperor Liu looked toward Li Jilong, who stood before him somewhat ill at ease. The bright red groom's attire made the not-particularly-handsome Li Jilong look rather dashing, and marrying a princess added further to his spirited bearing.

But under Emperor Liu's scrutiny, Li Jilong felt uncomfortable, and the swagger from the wine quickly receded. Emperor Liu reached out and patted Li Jilong's shoulder, feigning sternness: "Li Jilong, you are Our first Imperial Son-in-law. Liu Jia is the pearl of Our palm. So many outstanding young men, yet she alone chose you. You must treat her well and not let her down. Her temperament is forthright, and she inevitably has a proud streak—yield to her more in daily life..."

At this moment, Emperor Liu was just a father marrying off his daughter, chattering on without end, making Li Jilong's heart pound with nervousness. Still, he respectfully cupped his hands and replied: "The Princess's deep affection is something I can never repay. I dare not treat her with the slightest neglect. Please rest assured, Your Majesty!"

"Haha!" Emperor Liu laughed a few times and raised his cup; the father-in-law and son-in-law drank another cup together.

"The young lady I raised for eighteen years—just like that, she's married off!" Returning to his seat, Emperor Liu couldn't help muttering.

Beside him, the younger Consort Fu, who was supporting Emperor Liu, heard this and couldn't help but smile, saying softly: "Your Majesty, this day was bound to come. The wedding has already been held, yet you are still so sour about it. Fortunately, we chose a good match for her—just bless them!"

Consort Fu was also dressed in full finery today. Though nearly forty, she remained incomparably beautiful. As Liu Jia's birth mother, she was naturally delighted. She doted greatly on this daughter—after all, in her early years, it was through this daughter that she had won much of Emperor Liu's favor.

His lips pursed, Emperor Liu fell silent and returned to sit at the imperial table. He couldn't help glancing at Li Jilong again, only to see the lad already drinking with his noble friends and the Ninth Prince Liu Shu and his brothers.

"Go, tell Li Jilong to drink less. On his wedding night, is he going to leave the Princess to sleep alone?" Emperor Liu beckoned Yan Tuo over and instructed him: "Tell Liu Shu and those brothers to restrain themselves. Also, Li Chuyun is in poor health—have everyone stop urging him to drink!"

"Yes! Your Majesty's concern for the Imperial Son-in-law's family is truly moving!" Yan Tuo acknowledged and hurried off to relay the orders.

With Emperor Liu's words, sure enough, no one urged the father and son to drink anymore. But many perceived Emperor Liu's care for the Li father and son. Though they didn't drink, people still went up in an endless stream to offer toasts, exchange a few words, and build connections—everyone knew full well that the Li family would henceforth be one of the Great Han's foremost noble houses.

Within Guangde Hall, waves of laughter surged. Yet behind this joyful, harmonious atmosphere, amid the clinking of cups, there was no shortage of gossip and idle talk.

Seeing the aged Li Chuyun endlessly socializing, one person remarked in a mocking tone: "I hear County Duke Li is gravely ill, plagued by chronic affliction. Who knows how many more days he can hold on? If a funeral follows right after this happy occasion..."

"Zhang Jin, shut your mouth! What place is this, what occasion is this, that you dare spout reckless nonsense? Do you want to court disaster?" Before the others could even react, Han Hui beside them immediately barked. The severity of his words startled Zhang Jin so much that he knocked over the cup in his hand.

Meeting Han Hui's gaze, the young man named Zhang Jin was struck speechless. He wanted to retort but dared not speak. Though he too came from an eminent background, there was no comparison between him and Han Hui.

Han Hui was not only Han Tong's son, but also a rising political star in the Great Han court, wielding real power and trusted by the Emperor. After all these years, no one among the second-generation nobles dared underestimate this slightly hunched man—even behind his back, no one dared mock him for amusement, for fear of offending the Han family.

Therefore, under Han Hui's gaze, this young noble named Zhang Jin was embarrassed for a while, and in the end, dared not push back. He could only lower his posture and admit his fault.

This little disturbance was but a ripple in the atmosphere of Guangde Hall, yet it still drew some attention. Not far away sat the Zhao Kuangyin family's seats. Zhao Kuangyin tilted his head and asked Zhao Dezhao, who sat beside him: "Who is that reckless speaker?"

"Zhang Jin, Vice Bureau Director of the Ministry of Revenue, grandson of the late Duke of Yu, Wang Zhang, and son of the late Salt and Iron Commissioner, Zhang Yisu!" Zhao Dezhao replied in a low voice.

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin couldn't help shaking his head and sneered: "A descendant of a meritorious minister, born of a distinguished family, yet with such bearing! Young people these days truly grow ever more ignorant of propriety and reverence!"

"Father, I've heard that this Zhang Jin was also among the candidates for Princess Anping's hand in marriage. It seems he failed to get his wish and, nursing resentment, spoke without thinking!" Zhao Dezhao said.

Zhao Kuangyin remained disdainful, not even bothering to offer further comment. He asked Zhao Dezhao: "In your daily life, do you have dealings with this man?"

Zhao Dezhao answered honestly: "Some social acquaintance, but we are not close!"

Nodding, Zhao Kuangyin immediately instructed: "From now on, keep your distance from such people!"

"Yes!" Zhao Dezhao was very obedient.

Nearby, Zhao Kuangyi, seated in a somewhat haughty posture, also cast a contemptuous glance in that direction and raised his cup to Zhao Kuangyin: "A man like that, speaking recklessly for a moment's pleasure and offending the Li family—if he doesn't learn restraint, he'll reap the consequences sooner or later. Not worth mentioning. Second Brother, I toast you!"

Zhao Kuangyin raised his cup, looking at this younger brother of his, whose authority had grown ever stronger and whose foundation was firmly established, and said with satisfaction: "Good! Drink it all! Since returning to court, we brothers haven't had a proper drink together—let's make full use of the Princess's wedding wine!"

"Cheers!"

Zhao Kuangyi had only returned to Luoyang a few days prior. In recent years, he had been governing in Annam, and the brothers had not seen each other for many years. This return to court was because his outstanding achievements warranted a promotion. At thirty-three, Zhao Kuangyi was steadily climbing toward the pinnacle of his official career.

"It's a pity I missed my niece's marriage into the Eastern Palace—had I been there, I would have presented a lavish gift!" After the brothers finished drinking, Zhao Kuangyi said, then looked at the refined and cultured Zhao Dezhao beside him and said in a low voice: "Second Brother, I think Dezhao could also compete for it—let our Zhao family produce an Imperial Son-in-law as well!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin glanced at him and said flatly: "Such matters must follow fate. Imperial kin are not something we, as subjects, can presume to covet!"