Chapter 423: with translation of chapter title

The banquet at "Tongyun Hall" continued, but His Majesty the Emperor was no longer present.

Also absent was Consort De.

What they were up to goes without saying.

The great favor shown to Xianqing Palace is evident!

The palace lamps swayed, casting a pale green hue, just like the Empress's face.

She suddenly rose and walked out, a group of consorts, palace ladies, and Tàijiān lowered their heads and followed carefully; because she walked too fast, she almost bumped into Heng Xian who had just entered.

Heng Xian had no choice but to turn sideways to avoid her and bow respectfully.

The Crown Prince, Crown Princess, Prince Wu, Ji Yaoyue, and several other princesses likewise performed the salute.

Only after the Empress left the palace gates did the crowd finally relax completely.

The wine banquet continued, but the host had changed from the Emperor and Empress to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince possessed both elegance and depth, serving as a model elder brother while bearing the dignity of an heir; his every move was flawless, even his drinking observed with meticulous decorum.

However, Heng Xian glanced at the calm-faced Yang Lan'er, then at the Crown Prince, and suddenly thought… this old brother is quite foolish and naive!

The ensuing banquet held little interest, and after the burning of a single incense stick, the Crown Prince departed together with the Crown Princess.

Before leaving, Yang Lan'er gave Heng Xian a deep look.

Ji Yaoyue, who had just been chatting happily, shyly said a few words to Heng Xian and then went with several sisters to Xianqing Palace.

As consorts, Heng Xian and the others could not naturally follow to the inner palace late at night, so they simply slept in the elegant chambers of "Huanglan Garden", kept watch, and incidentally admired the city's brilliant "Sleepless Sky"!

……

"Whoo—"

On the first day of the lunar new year, after a few days of clear skies in the Imperial Capital, a bitter wind suddenly blew up, the sky immediately grew overcast, and heavy snow began to fall.

Rushing back to the "Princess Taiping's Mansion", Heng Xian went up to the highest wooden pavilion of the residence.

A chaise lounge, some snacks and tea, he gazed out the window.

On the red table downstairs lay piles of spirit silver commonly used by ordinary folk in the Imperial Capital; the New Year's servants helped themselves freely.

The snow fell harder and harder, blanketing the entire Imperial Capital in a thick white layer; soon the rooftops were covered in snow.

Auspicious snow heralds a bountiful year.

In the city, firecrackers, fireworks, and joyful voices abounded; the mansion's servants also frolicked together in merriment.

As noon approached, Mu Lan came up, her expression grim.

Heng Xian still gazed out the window, saying: "These past days I called you a spy, you refused to draw near me; now you come up, there must be some major matter, right?"

"Yes!"

Mu Lan gave him a deep look and said: "This morning, rumors in the palace said that His Majesty, remembering your talent as the Shī Shèng and your great influence, and being the husband of Princess Taiping, wished to enfeoff you as a marquis of nine thousand households, and had the Nine Ministers deliberate and nominate!"

The result was strong opposition from the Nine Ministers! They flooded the court with memorials resisting the move and moreover belittled you!

Especially the Chancellor, Lord Cao Zihuan, whose words were the sharpest; he said……

You are merely a country bumpkin from a small clan—your literature is boastful and careless, your martial arts rash and discourteous; you are only favored by the princess by chance, and you have not even formally married her yet!

Moreover, having been summoned by the Emperor several times, you likely uttered much flattery; now you possess no merit whatsoever, yet dare to dream of a marquisate—truly a staggering absurdity!

Having said that, Mu Lan fell silent for a moment, then continued: "Other ministers mean that you are merely a vain and superficial poet, having contributed nothing to the state and society; at best you are a fortunate minister, utterly useless; if you are to be enfeoffed, they will collectively resign and retreat into seclusion!"

After the ministers, nobles, royalty, and imperial relatives likewise flooded the court with memorials of opposition.

Especially the princes consort of several princesses, the Empress's nephew King Boyang and King Xiangxiang opposed most fiercely, with King Boyang even publicly cursing you as a thieving rat-headed fool!

Just just now, the officials of the Imperial Academy, the Fèngtiān Jiàn, the Shénwǔ Sī, and the military jointly submitted memorials of opposition.

Ignorant scholars, following the trend, posted placards denouncing you, their accusations growing ever more absurd, claiming you were…… a fortune‑seeking sycophant, disgracing the name of the Shī Shèng……

Just now I also heard that they intend to strip you of your title as Shī Shèng……

At this point, Mu Lan could not go on speaking!

Because she never imagined that, on the first day of the lunar new year, she would suddenly find herself at a rally to denounce this very "Calligraphy Sage" before her eyes!

Indeed, Xu Lulu's words proved true. Heng Xian showed no emotional fluctuation, silently gazing at the haze over the rolling buildings of the Imperial Capital, and murmured: "The times have changed!"

"Indeed!" Mu Lan nodded.

Heng Xian then looked toward the palace, thought of his imperial father-in-law, and involuntarily said: "How pitiful!"

Although his father‑in‑law had used him as a spear, who could comprehend the old man's present sorrow—being granted only a petty marquisate, opposed by the whole world, to belittle himself is to slap his own face; what a damned tragedy!

"My lord, try to let go."

Mu Lan didn't hear clearly, thinking Heng Xian was saying she was pitiful, and involuntarily offered comfort.

In her view, Heng Xian had gone from being everyone's beloved to becoming a "street rat" in an instant—truly the most pitiable creature under heaven.

After a long while she tried again to console: "If you hurry and consummate the marriage with the princess, things should improve, after all they also have to consider the princess's face; Princess Taiping has been well‑behaved and sensible since childhood, enjoying a fine reputation!"

Heng Xian paid no heed.

Outside, the snow fell ever heavier when suddenly a palace lady rushed forward, handing over a slip.

Heng Xian opened it and saw it was from Zhang Fuyu, the director of the Society and Literature Academy, asking whether a counterstrike was needed; the Academy owed Heng Xian a huge favor, fully trusted his character, but since the matter involved the imperial clan and relatives, they wished to inquire his opinion.

Heng Xian casually handed the slip back to the lady, saying: "Tell them, no need to trouble themselves; just let it be!"

The lady hurried away.

Mu Lan also made out some words on the slip, and curiously asked: "Why? Why not let the Society and Literature Academy help and restore your reputation?"

Heng Xian glanced at her: "Restore what? Claim I truly have talent, that my character is truly excellent? Say the Emperor's casual ennoblement is actually justified?"

"But……" Mu Lan was left speechless.

Indeed, it seems there is nothing to support it!

"However, worldly empty fame—whether you are the Shī Shèng or a fortunate minister—why bother? Go on!" Heng Xian waved his hand.

Mu Lan retreated step by step; upon reaching the stairwell, she turned her head to glance at the person on the chaise by the window, and suddenly she was utterly dazed.

She could see that Heng Xian truly didn't care!

All previous negative impressions of Heng Xian completely vanished!

What kind of state of mind is this!!

……

The imperial capital's campaign against the "Shī Shèng" grew increasingly fierce.

First the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers, then the nobles and royalty, then all the departments, the Imperial Academy, the military...

Finally, the ignorant 300,000 literati of the imperial capital and the courtesan singers also started to condemn verbally and in writing, as if not joining in cursing the "Shī Shèng" would mean falling behind the trend!

Those with big tempers directly blocked the Princess Taiping's residence, preparing to charge inside.

Mulan led the Black Cavalry and servants in a desperate resistance.

Of course, there were also those who defended Heng Xian: Prince Wu publicly expressed support, and Princess Taiping Ji Yaoyue, angrily, rebuked the rumor shrine set up by Taizu, condemning the entire capital.

The result was that the brother and sister were confined by the Virtuous Consort in the Virtuous Celebration Palace!

Finally, Prince Qin and Chang Gongzhu spoke out one after another, opposing Heng Xian!

From the first to the ninth, the ever-silent Emperor finally could no longer withstand the pressure, issued an edict to withdraw Heng Xian's title and strip all honors, and blamed himself for being deceived by empty fame.

Only then did the imperial capital gradually calm down!

Actually, it's not that they wanted to calm down, but rather another nationwide celebration event was about to begin—

The Holy Virtue Heavenly Empress's birthday has arrived!

(Chapter End)