Clearly, Zong Luo urgently flipped through his old accounts but couldn’t find any results.
It wasn’t because he was guilt-free and open-hearted, but because in this lifetime, the little tricks he played behind Emperor Yuan’s back were too numerous to count.
Before transmigrating into the book, he yearned for familial affection. After transmigrating, he contentedly became a filial son. Thus, it wasn’t until his second rebirth that Zong Luo finally encountered his particularly late rebellious phase.
That was to say, after being suppressed for too long, the rebellious phase was exceptionally rebellious.
Each and every act, casually pulled out, could reach the standard of the crime of deceiving the emperor.
As Zong Luo pondered with downcast eyes, Yuan Jia also came with orders from Emperor Yuan.
After arriving at his side, the aged old eunuch performed a courtesy before asking in a lowered voice, “Your Highness, did the Clothing Bureau fail to deliver a fitting Mian Fu? Why did Your Highness enter the banquet today wearing only plain clothes?”
(t/n: Mian Fu-ceremonial robe worn for all auspicious occasions)
Unexpectedly, he came to ask about this.
Being secretly watched by the eyes of the public, Zong Luo felt embarrassed for the first time.
He shifted his body to the side. “It’s not that. There was some mistake with the Mian Fu delivered by the Clothing Bureau.”
Zong Luo really couldn’t understand why Emperor Yuan would send Yuan Jia to ask about such a trivial matter.
Clearly, he had not fully recovered his identity yet, and in the end, wearing a crown prince’s crown Mian Fu or not made no difference.
Zong Luo did not specify what exactly the mistake was. Having been in the palace for many years, the old eunuch, who had become very astute, naturally understood that it was inconvenient to say and would not ask further.
“So it is,” said Yuan Jia with kind eyes and a benevolent expression. “His Majesty saw that Your Highness was not wearing the Mian Fu and was concerned about Your Highness. In the end, it was still the negligence of the servants. Next time, this old servant will surely give a strict reminder.”
Having received a response, the eunuch performed another courtesy and stood up to return and report.
After listening, Emperor Yuan showed no reaction, only snorting coldly.
Because the voice was deliberately lowered, those who pricked up their ears to eavesdrop heard nothing. They only looked up at the Emperor’s reaction, which seemed somewhat displeased.
Immediately, many people shook their heads inwardly.
The Third Prince, who had made great contributions and sacrifices for the country and survived great adversity, still could not reverse his un-favored status in His Majesty’s heart and ended up in this state.
As for seeking renowned physicians to treat his eyes, in the end, it was all for show. If he did not do so, it would chill the hearts of the officers and men. It seemed there was little hope for his future.
After three rounds of tea, the palace banquet finally entered its first main event: the tribute presentation.
This procedure was the foremost competition for splendor each year.
Moreover, with the struggle for succession laid bare, it only intensified. Each prince racked their brains to come up with a splendid gift for the tribute, hoping to greatly please Emperor Yuan’s dragon face.
Although the final decision on the succession would be made at the Great Witch Sacrificial Ceremony, the last tyrant of the previous dynasty had also conspired with the Great Witch, falsely claiming divine authority to proclaim the dynasty’s eternal reign, only to be overthrown after a few years of his reign.
In the end, no matter how mystical the divination of the nation’s fate by the Great Witch was, people still preferred to believe in the power they hold in their hands.
After the master of ceremonies served tea, the eunuch began to announce loudly.
According to the rules, the princes should present their tributes in order of age, with the Third Prince Zong Luo being the first.
However, to call out in one voice would be tantamount to publicly restoring his status. Therefore, the ceremonial officer sought Emperor Yuan’s approval and decided to place Zong Luo last.
Thus, the first to come forward was Zong Chengsi.
Having gained a tactful and quick-witted strategist under his command and successfully won over his recently returned Third Imperial Elder Brother, Zong Chengsi was now quite pleased with himself, his face inevitably showing a smug smile.
He watched as the ceremonial officer took the brocade box from his hands, verified it was correct, and then presented it.
Inside was a black pill, with intricate and mysterious patterns carved on top. Merely opening the brocade box released a strong fragrance of the pill.
The ceremonial officer reported accordingly. “One Hunyuan Immortal Pill!” (TL: Hunyuan-one refers to the vitality of heaven and earth, and also refers to heaven, earth, and the universe; the other refers to the time when the world was created, describing an extremely ancient era .)
Hearing the gasps around him, Zong Chengsi felt proud and boasted, “Father Emperor, this is the Primordial Pill. The recipe comes from a mysterious immortal tomb in the northern deserts, which records that once consumed can treat hidden ailments with excellent efficacy. However, the ingredients listed in the recipe are extremely rare. This son is ashamed to say that after searching the world for years, he has only just managed to find enough materials to refine one batch. This son asked Greatmaster Kong Bai of Bei Yang Mountain to take action, expending all kinds of hardships just to refine it.”
“This son has long heard that Father Emperor, in his youth, fought in all directions, defending the country and protecting the homeland. Therefore, this son has paid close attention to such wonderful medicines and elixirs. It just so happens to coincide with Father Emperor’s grand birthday, so this son presents it, wishing Father Emperor a life as long as the heavens and good health.”
The Immortal Pill, an item that even wealth and connections find difficult to secure.
The aristocrats in the hall couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
Items from an immortal’s tomb were undoubtedly of the highest quality, but the trials left by the immortals were bizarre and perilous, with a slim chance of survival. Over the years, from the world’s top swordsmen to professional tomb-raiding gangs, none have found fortune within.
It was originally thought that the Fourth Prince, of low birth and having spent years without learning or skills, indulging in the pleasures of the night, would not have much to offer. Yet, for His Majesty’s big birthday, he presented a gift not even a fortune could buy.
Many cast contemplative glances.
Sure enough, Emperor Yuan’s brows relaxed. “You have put thought into this.”
