Chapter 981

Therefore he immediately packed his belongings and traveled day and night from the northern frontier.

Along the way, he dispatched at least ten waves of scouts to report his movements to the imperial court.

"What's this? Grand Preceptor, didn't the imperial court receive them?"

Yelu Chu was also slightly surprised upon hearing this.

He inconspicuously observed Prince Ruyang's expression as he spoke, and instinctively felt that Prince Ruyang was not lying.

But if he wasn't lying, then why had none of the scouts Prince Ruyang had sent been seen?

This made Prince Ruyang's visit to the imperial court an extremely turbulent matter in itself.

Who would have thought there really was something unusual hidden within it!

"Ha ha! Perhaps the brave warriors of the northern frontier didn't know the way to the imperial court and ended up lost."

Although Yelu Chu knew there were some issues within, this was not the time or place to argue the point, so he could only laugh it off,

"Never mind, this isn't anything important.

What's important is that you, Prince Ruyang, and your entire household have all come to the imperial court in accordance with the imperial edict.

Our Great Khan, upon hearing this, was overjoyed and long ago prepared fine wine and delicacies within the imperial court, specifically to entertain your household!"

"To receive such generous favor from the Great Khan, this little king is overwhelmed with gratitude."

Prince Ruyang offered another polite remark.

Then he introduced a dashing, handsome young man behind him to Yelu Chu and Mu Huali.

It was none other than the Crown Prince of Ruyang, newly conferred as a first-rank Hou Jue, Kuokuotemuer, whose Han name was Wang Baobao.

After exchanging pleasantries, Yelu Chu led a host of civil and military officials, escorting Prince Ruyang and his son, into the imperial court.

Along the way, Yelu Chu naturally kept up a steady stream of conversation with Prince Ruyang.

His eyes, moreover, kept roving over the ranks of attendants accompanying Prince Ruyang.

Yet he discovered that among these attendants, apart from Wang Baobao, the rest were all iron-armored guards.

Seeing they were nearly at the great hall, Yelu Chu found an opportunity to pull Prince Ruyang aside and asked in a low voice,

"Prince Ruyang, are all the family members of your Wang Fu here with you this time?"

"Of course!"

Prince Ruyang's expression remained unchanged as he nodded and said,

"The Great Khan's grace is as high as the heavens. While I, Prince Ruyang, am stationed at the northern frontier, he has still bestowed upon my son the title of first-rank Hou Jue.

Such heavenly grace is truly unprecedented since the dawn of creation.

If I did not bring my entire family, young and old, to the imperial court to Xie En, I fear my heart would know no end of unease."

"Then..."

Seeing the situation, Yelu Chu was just about to ask about Han Ji.

Unexpectedly, Prince Ruyang spoke up,

"Oh! The Grand Preceptor must mean my little girl Minmin?

How shameful, how shameful! Back then, Minmin departed the Great Yuan by order of the late Khan.

Little did we expect that this parting would be forever.

Now I too miss Minmin dearly, yet we shall never meet again."

As he spoke, Prince Ruyang even shed tears.

His beloved daughter Minmin, now going by the name Miss Baoqin, was within the Azure Dragon Shanzhuang.

To meet her would truly be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

"That's not what I meant..."

Yelu Chu naturally knew that Zhao Min could not be seen, and moreover, Wokuotai's concern was not with Zhao Min.

But seeing Prince Ruyang already in tears, the words on the tip of his tongue could only be swallowed back.

"Very well! Come with me to see the Great Khan!"

After saying this, Yelu Chu led Prince Ruyang and his son, passing through three gates, into the plaza before the council great hall.

By now, this plaza was already decked out in lanterns and decorations, with a vast array of banquet tables laid out.

After Yelu Chu and the others entered, palace maids and Eunuchs naturally guided the way, leading them to their respective seats.

Prince Ruyang and his son also had their designated seats.

Following the palace maids and Eunuchs, they arrived at the most important spot in the plaza.

Before they could even sit down, they heard the Great Khan had arrived.

Countless civil officials and military generals, palace maids and Eunuchs, immediately performed obeisance on the spot, shouting "Wan Wan, Wan Wan" in unison.

After Wokuotai sat down in his main seat, he finally replied,

"Rise, my lords."

Then he continued,

"Today is truly a day of double blessings.

Living Buddha Lianhua has obtained the Lian Wuhen Rejuvenation Pill and is about to recover to his peak state, protecting our Great Yuan for countless thousands of years—this is the first blessing!

Prince Ruyang has rendered meritorious service, stationed at the northern frontier, guarding the borders for our Great Yuan—he is truly a dragon among men.

Today he brings his Wang Fu to the imperial court to pay tribute—this is the second blessing!

Therefore, I have specially prepared this banquet to celebrate these two blessings."

"The Great Khan's divine might illuminates all; we are all deeply grateful for the heavenly grace!"

The civil and military officials immediately chimed in with flattery.

Afterwards, Wokuotai ordered everyone to be seated, then looked toward Prince Ruyang's seat and said,

"Chahan, you've traveled a long way here this time. It's been hard on you. This Khan raises a cup to you."

Saying so, Wokuotai really picked up his wine cup and drained it in one go.

Prince Ruyang immediately pulled Wang Baobao along and drank a cup in return.

"Chahan, you've raised her well!

Minmin is a heroine, no less than any man.

And Kuokuo is a young hero, fully capable of taking over from you.

Two outstanding talents in one house — that truly makes this Khan quite envious."

After drinking the first cup, Wokuotai paid Prince Ruyang another compliment.

Prince Ruyang immediately stepped forward and said,

"It is all owing to the Great Khan's heavenly grace, not Chahan's merit."

"Ha ha! Good."

Wokuotai, seeing that he did not claim credit, was also quite pleased, and gestured with his hand that he needn't stand on ceremony,

"Now that you've come here today, this Khan is infinitely delighted, so let us not dwell on mundane matters.

Drinking wine and enjoying ourselves — that is the theme of today's banquet.

Aodu, a banquet with only wine and no dance — what kind of banquet is that?

You dog of a useless wretch!"

Toward the end, Wokuotai, fueled by wine, let loose a string of cursing and grumbling.

Aodu, standing at the side, immediately nodded and bowed, saying,

"It is your subject's negligence, it is your subject's negligence."

After saying so, he waved his hand toward those below.

Only a few groups of singing girls took turns coming on stage.

Right at the center of the banquet, they began to perform songs and dances.

These singing girls had both the exotic charm of the grasslands and the graceful elegance of Han women.

There were also beauties from overseas Persia and other peoples — truly a dazzling array of charms, a hundred flowers vying in beauty.

Once they let themselves go, it truly left everyone present utterly enchanted for quite a while.

Prince Ruyang and his son drank fine wine and delicacies, watching this rare dance of beauties, and不知不觉 became intoxicated.

For a time, the entire plaza was filled with an intoxicating atmosphere.

Just as the dance grew ever more suggestive, suddenly Wokuotai kicked open the Great Yuan desk before him.