Chapter 213: Noble Ladies (1/2)
Prince Donghai had married and moved out of the Cui residence into his own manor. Though spacious, it paled in comparison to the Cui manor and had fewer servants. He told Han Ruzi who came to congratulate him, “The Cui family thinks I can’t live without them. I’ll show them I can do just fine on my own.”
His bitter words, combined with the strong wine, made his stomach churn.
Few guests came to offer congratulations. The hasty wedding preparations during these unusual times meant many people feigned ignorance and refused to attend. The banquet felt cold and sparse, with several dozen guests mostly from long-declined noble families scattered across a dozen tables, stiffly sitting before tables of fine food and wine, barely daring to move. The scene was worlds apart from the Champion Marquis’s lively wedding celebration just days ago.
Even so, Prince Donghai refused to invite lower-status guests to his table, with only Han Ruzi sitting as his companion.
“The Cui family is busy preparing gifts for the new bride, too occupied to deal with me,” Prince Donghai said, staring at the empty hall and taking another drink. He had already dismissed the servants and was pouring his own wine.
The “new bride” he mentioned wasn’t his own wife, but rather the Cui daughter who married the Champion Marquis. “Heh, you know what? The Cui family is so proud, but Shujun hasn’t even received her title as a marquis’s wife yet. Right now she’s... just a commoner, haha.”
The palace hadn’t approved the petitions, and both the Ministry of Rites and the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs had a backlog of conferment documents. Not only the Champion Marquis’s wife, but Prince Donghai’s new bride from the Tan family also couldn’t receive the title of “Princess Consort” for the time being.
“The Champion Marquis must have planned this. I just found out he’s been a marquis for over a year but never applied for his previous wife’s title. Even then he must have felt the Tan family’s daughter wasn’t good enough for him,” Prince Donghai hiccupped, his eyes slightly red. “This guy is ambitious. Even if he becomes emperor, the Cui family will end up with nothing.”
Several guests came to bid farewell. Prince Donghai impatiently waved them away, not bothering with pleasantries.
Han Ruzi gently swirled his untouched wine cup and asked, “Will Grand Tutor Cui still lend you his official seal?”
Prince Donghai nodded, “It will be delivered tomorrow. This is the Cui family tradition – betting on multiple sides. With even the slightest chance of winning, they never give up. While Cui Hong lends me his seal, he’s already explained everything to the Champion Marquis. The Cui family claims they’re preparing gifts for my new bride, but it’ll all end up in the Champion Marquis’s hands in the end. Heh, the Cui family is so direct in currying favor with their new master.”
Prince Donghai was somewhat drunk. Han Ruzi didn’t know how to comfort him, so he just murmured in agreement. He had already sent Du Chuanyun to write to Grand General Han Xing, and expected a reply in the next day or two.
Suddenly, bursts of laughter came from the inner quarters – all female voices, and quite a few of them.
Prince Donghai’s expression darkened further. After the laughter died down, he said, “There are plenty of female guests congratulating the Tan daughter, but their fathers, husbands, and brothers have no time to come. Haha, such is the cold reality of the world! Come, let’s drink!”
Prince Donghai drained his cup in one gulp, staring ahead at nothing in particular. The remaining guests began sneaking away, hiding some food in their sleeves. Though the wedding feast was sparsely attended, the food was excellent.
“Get out, all of you! Don’t stand here offending my eyes!” Prince Donghai shouted, frightening away the last few guests.
Only the two brothers remained in the vast hall. Several servants peeked in from the doorway but dared not enter, seeing their master’s foul mood.
Prince Donghai sprawled on the table, looking askew at Han Ruzi. In what he thought was a lowered voice, he said, “To hell with this succession competition and emperor selection! Once we gather the imperial clan members, we’ll kill them all – the Champion Marquis, the fate seers, and those officials. You become emperor, and I’ll help you... I’ll help you...”
Prince Donghai fell asleep. Han Ruzi took a sip from his cup – this was convenient, as he wouldn’t need to bid farewell.
Prince Donghai and Han Xing’s plan was completely unfeasible. Though many imperial clan members held official positions, most were ceremonial posts without real power. They didn’t even qualify to participate in the emperor selection. Only a few princes and Han Xing commanded some troops, but these forces were too scattered. Han Xing called himself Grand General but directly commanded less than twenty thousand troops at Hangu Pass, having minimal impact on the Capital’s situation. ṛ
Han Ruzi and Yang Feng had other plans.
The Marquess continued sneering, “You really are a husband focused solely on external affairs. Your wife, my sister Cui Xiaojun, has been maneuvering through the Capital’s female circles for the past half year, building connections with noble ladies, gaining so many advantages for you, yet you know nothing about it?”