The palace had always waited until New Year’s Eve to host a banquet for all the officials. As for Little New Year each year, it was when the imperial consorts and princes gathered together. It was, in essence, a family banquet for the imperial household.
Since Jun Huailang and his younger sister were living in the palace, they naturally attended the banquet together this year.
The banquet was held in Changchun Tower, at the northwest corner of Taiye Lake. Changchun Tower was three stories high, with half of it overlooking the water, and a viewing terrace on the upper floor. In summer, it was a fine place to admire the lotus blossoms; in winter, it was perfect for appreciating the snow. It was an exceedingly elegant place, and the palace’s family banquets had always been held here.
Seeing that it was almost time to attend the banquet, Jun Huailang left with Jun Linghuan in tow. On Little New Year, the imperial consorts had to first pay their respects to the Empress, so Consort Shu had gone over an hour earlier and did not accompany them.
When they were almost at the entrance of Mingluan Palace, Jun Huailang still remembered to send Fuyi to call Xue Yan over.
By Little New Year, the palace had already been completely decorated for the festival. Aside from the items specifically meant to be put out on New Year’s Eve, everything else had already been arranged. This was Jun Linghuan’s first time seeing the palace’s New Year decorations, and many of the objects and ornaments were things she was seeing for the first time.
Thus, the three of them traveled together, and the journey was lively all the way. Jun Linghuan had always been talkative, and everything she saw seemed novel to her, so she had plenty to say along the way. Jun Huailang listened attentively, smiling as he responded to her.
Xue Yan silently walked beside them.
When they reached the entrance of Changchun Tower, Jun Huailang suddenly let out an “Eh,” and stopped in his tracks.
“What did Brother see?” Jun Linghuan hurriedly followed his gaze and looked over.
Hanging from the upturned eave of Changchun Tower was a translucent glazed lantern. The lantern was quite small, shaped like a six-sided palace lantern, yet exquisitely carved. Bamboo patterns had been fired onto all six sides. From a distance, the swaying shadows of bamboo could be seen, giving it an especially clear and refined appearance.
Jun Linghuan was drawn to the silk flowers hanging beside it after only one glance. Jun Huailang, however, remained standing there, involuntarily looking at it several more times.
After a moment, he smiled and murmured to himself, “The palace really does have many skilled craftsmen.”
With that, he saw Jun Linghuan waiting quietly beside him. He smiled and gently ruffled the top of her head, then turned to Xue Yan and said, “Let’s go.”
As Xue Yan passed the spot where Jun Huailang had just been standing, he raised his head and glanced in that direction.
It was just a shabby lantern, transparent, with a few green patterns fired onto it. Apart from looking brighter than the other lanterns, there was nothing particularly special about it.
But why was it that when Jun Huailang had looked at this lantern just now, he had seemed especially… good-looking?
Those eyes had been illuminated by the translucent lantern light, making them seem especially bright. The wonder within them had been impossible to conceal.
Xue Yan involuntarily glanced at that unremarkable, shabby lantern again.
By the time they reached the banquet hall in Changchun Tower, Xue Yunhuan was already seated inside. Following the seating arrangement, he happened to be seated beside Xue Yan, while Jun Huailang and Jun Linghuan sat at the other end.
After taking his seat, Xue Yunhuan saw Jun Huailang lowering his head and talking to Jun Linghuan, so he turned sideways and asked Xue Yan, “Hey, you three were standing outside for ages before coming in. What were you looking at?”
Xue Yan looked outside. From his angle, he could just see one corner of that palace lantern.
Translucent glazed glass, carrying a faint green hue.
Xue Yan withdrew his gaze and said lightly, “That lantern is quite beautiful.”
Xue Yunhuan followed his gaze and looked over. The glazed lantern hanging beneath the eaves outside was indeed bright and eye-catching.
“I heard that His Majesty’s glazed-glass craftsmen had a hard time firing that one. His Majesty specifically hung it there, so I imagine he must like it very much,” Xue Yunhuan said.
This time, Xue Yan said nothing.
Xue Yunhuan waited for a long while but received no response. Feeling somewhat puzzled, he turned his head to look.
Xue Yan had been responding to him perfectly well just a moment ago, so he had assumed Xue Yan wanted to chat with him. How had he suddenly gone silent again?
Then he saw Xue Yan sitting quietly and calmly where he was, with absolutely no intention of paying him any attention. When Xue Yunhuan looked over, Xue Yan raised his eyes. Even when faced with Xue Yunhuan’s questioning gaze, he remained completely unruffled and merely nodded lightly, indicating that he had heard him.
Xue Yunhuan: “……”
…What kind of person was this menace?!
If he wanted to talk to someone, he talked; if he didn’t want to talk, he wouldn’t even bother responding to a single sentence. He really was the number-one most ill-mannered person under heaven!
——
Not long after the princes had taken their seats, the Emperor arrived with a group of imperial consorts.
After all the princes and consorts paid their respects to the Emperor, the palace banquet officially began. This banquet had quite a strong family-banquet atmosphere. The dishes were exquisite and abundant, and there were not many restrictions regarding etiquette.
The consorts and princes successively made a round of toasts to the Emperor, saying auspicious words for the occasion. Amid the lively atmosphere, quite some time passed, and more than half of the banquet was already over.
After finishing the round of toasts, Qingping Emperor had already acquired a slightly drunken, hazy look in his eyes. Supporting himself against the table, he looked around for a moment before smiling and saying, “My several imperial sons are each more outstanding than the last. In previous years, during Little New Year, I would test your skills. This year is no exception. We cannot leave it out.”
Normally, pitch-pot at palace banquets was simply a game for the noble youths. The winner received a prize, while the loser drank wine. The rewards and penalties were merely jokes, all for the lively fun of everyone playing together.
But according to Qingping Emperor’s rules, during the Little New Year family banquet each year, the princes also had to play pitch-pot. This pitch-pot was different from the usual game. It was a test of the princes’ martial-arts training at the end of the year. The winner not only received a reward, but could also earn glory before Qingping Emperor.
The princes had always put their all into competing here, determined to see who was superior.
Jun Huailang glanced at Xue Yunhuan and saw him rubbing his hands together, looking eager to give it a try.
…Jun Huailang knew that Xue Yunhuan did not have such a strong desire to show off. He simply liked playing pitch-pot.
Although pitch-pot was merely a game used by noble youths for entertainment at banquets, there was actually a great deal of skill involved. If one wanted to score, one needed sufficient arm strength, as well as accuracy and the ability to use巧劲.
Using such a method to test the princes at a banquet could be described as both elegant and ingenious.
Upon receiving the imperial command, palace attendants cleared out a large open space in the middle of the banquet hall and set up a bronze pot with two handles.
Several of the older princes received the imperial command and rose from their seats one after another, chatting and laughing as they walked to the pitch-pot area. The consorts nearby also smiled and discussed among themselves. Amid their seemingly casual conversation and laughter, countless exchanges had already taken place.
Jun Huailang noticed that Xue Yan was walking alongside them, quiet and speaking to no one. Although the princes were joking and laughing, a closer look showed that they had all already prepared themselves. They had neatly arranged their robes and sleeves so that nothing would trip them up at a crucial moment.
At this moment, Xue Yunhuan was so eager to try that he practically wanted to roll his sleeves all the way up to his shoulders.
Xue Yan, by contrast, had not even removed his cloak. The heavy fox-fur cloak wrapped around him made him look dignified and noble, but when it came to movement, it would inevitably be rather cumbersome.
Fourth Prince Xue Yunhong stood nearby and gave him a sidelong look with a faint, ambiguous smile, but did not remind him.
Jun Huailang could not help feeling worried.
He knew Xue Yan’s martial arts were excellent, but pitch-pot ultimately emphasized agility. Sleeves and cloaks could affect the result if they caught on anything at all.
The opening of the pot in the distance was tiny. The slightest deviation could affect the outcome.
Xue Yan had spent many years stationed beyond the passes and naturally had never played the tricks favored by the young masters of the capital. Horseback riding and archery were, after all, different from pitch-pot. Presumably, Xue Yan had come onto the field without making any preparations simply because he did not understand the game at all.
But Jun Huailang naturally could not go forward to remind him. Xue Yunhuan, who had already run over to the eunuch to choose his arrows, naturally had not noticed either.
Jun Huailang could only think that it was merely a small matter of showing off. Whether they won or lost, it was nothing important.
Over there, the princes took their positions, and Qingping Emperor smiled.
“Then let us begin. Three arrows each. Whoever achieves the best result may ask me for a reward.”
Xue Yunsu had been waiting impatiently for this.
Among the brothers, their martial arts were roughly equal, with each having their victories and defeats. If he was lucky enough to take first place this year, he would definitely ask the Emperor for an edict to raise his mother’s rank.
Thinking this, he stood with his hands clasped, waiting for the First Prince to throw first.
The First Prince was twenty years old this year and had already entered the imperial court as an official. As an official, he was naturally different from the other princes. Not only did he have more frequent contact with Qingping Emperor, but their relationship was also more that of ruler and subject.
Therefore, he did not try to stand out. Of his three arrows, one struck the mouth of the pot. It was neither particularly good nor particularly bad, leaving some opportunity for his younger brothers to show themselves.
Qingping Emperor nodded with considerable satisfaction.
After he stepped aside, Xue Yunsu took the field.
He had practiced in the palace for a long time, and now he was quite confident. His first two arrows went straight into the mouth of the pot. For his final arrow, he took a risk and aimed for the left handle of the pot.
If the arrow struck the handle, it counted as “piercing the ear,” and the points awarded were double those for an arrow that entered the mouth of the pot.
His hand trembled slightly, but he decided to take the risk.
The long arrow flew out and narrowly pierced the left handle of the pot.
It hit!
Xue Yunsu was delighted. He immediately looked toward the seating area and glanced at his mother.
Normally, among the brothers, it was already rare for someone to land all three arrows in the mouth of the pot. This time, he had achieved a “piercing the ear” shot. Surely, first place tonight would belong to him.
Ever since his mother had complained tearfully to Father Emperor about his confinement last time, his confinement had been lifted, but his mother had also fallen out of favor for quite some time. He wanted to take advantage of today to bring some glory to his mother, so that Father Emperor would look favorably upon him and see the merits of mother and son.
He saw his mother sitting among the consorts, unable to hide the delight on her face as she nodded at him.
Xue Yunsu stepped to the side, giving Xue Yunhong his place.
Xue Yunhong had watched the interaction between him and his mother. Nothing showed on his face, but inwardly he sneered with contempt.
Only that fool Old Second would painstakingly practice in the palace? In order to win first place before Father Emperor, only someone like Old Sixth, that fool who knew nothing but how to have a good time, would fail to secretly put in the effort.
Xue Yunhong stood at the pitch-pot position with an unconcerned expression. He smiled and nodded at Xue Yunsu.
It was as though he admired how well Xue Yunsu had just thrown.
A smug yet contemptuous smile immediately appeared on Xue Yunsu’s face. He was so busy rejoicing over having landed his third arrow that he completely failed to notice that his expression had now fallen into Qingping Emperor’s eyes.
Xue Yunhong withdrew his gaze, picked up an arrow, and casually tossed it.
First arrow: piercing the ear.
Second arrow: piercing the ear.
Third arrow: piercing the ear.
As he threw each arrow one after another, the banquet gradually fell silent. The smile on Xue Yunsu’s face also stiffened.
Never before had a prince achieved such an outstanding score. For a moment, even Qingping Emperor revealed a surprised and delighted expression, happily saying, “Hong’er, your martial arts have improved considerably!”
“Just luck,” Xue Yunhong replied casually. He withdrew his hand, slowly bowed to Qingping Emperor, and said with a faint smile.
He knew that his Father Emperor liked children like this the most.
After saying that, he showed not the slightest trace of pride. He merely turned sideways and gave the position to Xue Yan.
Yet Xue Yan, standing beside Xue Yunhuan, looked toward the pitch-pot position and asked Xue Yunhuan, “How are the rules scored?”
His voice was not loud, but everyone nearby heard him.
For a moment, everyone looked at one another, their expressions varying.
Even Xue Yunhong, who had remained impassive, could not help pausing when he heard this. Contempt surfaced in his heart.
Just a barbarian from Yan territory, he thought.