eurekapd Chapter 71 In the Northern Territory, Xu Longxiang's words carry more weight than an imperial e
Chapter 71 In the Northern Territory, Xu Longxiang's words carry more weight than an imperial e
A banquet was held at Zhenyue Hall.
This hall, which embodies the glory of the Xu family and the power of the northern border, is illuminated as bright as day tonight by hundreds of glazed palace lanterns.
The lamplight flickered on the smooth, black jade-like floor, reflecting the swords and warhorses carved in relief on the pillars on both sides.
Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, a chilling atmosphere and extravagant splendor strangely blend together.
In the center of the main hall, the rosewood chair with dragon patterns that Xu Longxiang usually sat on had been removed and replaced with a larger and more magnificent gilded dragon chair.
Qin Mu sat upright on it.
He had changed out of his daytime clothes and was now wearing a dark black robe with twelve imperial symbols.
Although he was not wearing a crown, the gold thread embroidered with the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and dragons on his robes shone with a noble luster that was almost too dazzling to look at directly under the lamplight.
He casually rested one hand on the armrest, while his other hand... was around Jiang Qingxue's waist.
Jiang Qingxue sat beside him.
No, she was practically sitting in his lap.
She wore a scarlet imperial concubine's court dress, with large peonies embroidered in gold thread on the hem, and a matching thin gauze shawl over it. Her long hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with a golden phoenix hairpin, and pearls dangled from her earlobes. Her makeup was exquisite, and her demeanor was dignified.
But deep within those meticulously painted eyes, there was an emptiness as vast as a dry well.
Her back was straight, but stiff as a piece of wood, letting Qin Mu's hand caress her waist as if touching an inanimate object.
Su Wanqing and Lu Wanning sat on the other side of Qin Mu, a little further away.
Su Wanqing was still dressed in a crimson palace gown, her demeanor dignified, her gaze calmly sweeping over everyone in the hall, as if she were truly just appreciating this grand feast.
Lu Wanning, dressed in a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), timidly lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the sash of her dress. Occasionally, she would steal a glance at the Northern Border officials standing solemnly in the hall, then quickly lower her eyes again.
Xu Longxiang sat in the chief seat on the left below the main seat.
Tonight he changed into a formal black python robe, with a jade belt around his waist, a golden crown on his head, a stern face, and a respectful posture.
But his eyes remained lowered, not daring to look at the person in the main seat, much less at the crimson figure on that seat.
His five aides stood behind him, also with their hands at their sides, looking solemn.
On both sides of the main hall, dozens of sandalwood tables and desks are arranged in a row.
Behind each desk sat a civil or military official of the third rank or above from the northern border.
Civil officials were on the left, and military generals on the right, clearly distinguishing them.
These powerful regional officials and generals, who usually commanded great influence in their respective territories, were now sitting upright, looking tense, and even breathing very softly.
In a corner of the main hall, the band played the tune of "Qin King's Battle Song," which was majestic and stirring, but it seemed particularly out of place in this eerie atmosphere.
A dozen or so dancers dressed in light gauze danced gracefully in the hall, their figures exquisite, but no one's gaze truly fell upon them.
Everyone was looking down at their noses, seemingly studying the patterns on the delicacies on the table.
The air seemed to solidify as if it were a physical substance.
Xu Longxiang took a deep breath, stood up, raised his wine glass, and bowed to the person in the main seat:
"Your Majesty has come from afar and must be tired from your journey. We have made hasty preparations, and if there is anything that has not been done well in our hospitality, we hope Your Majesty will forgive us."
His voice echoed in the empty hall, breaking the suffocating silence.
Everyone looked up at the head of the table.
Qin Mu smiled slightly and picked up his wine glass:
"Minister Xu, you are very kind. The northern border is bitterly cold, and it is already quite an achievement to prepare such a grand feast. I am very pleased."
He raised his glass in acknowledgment, then took a small sip.
Everyone quickly raised their glasses and drank.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, as if they had rehearsed it hundreds of times.
After setting down their wine glasses, the hall fell silent once more.
Qin Mu looked around and suddenly smiled:
"My dear ministers, there's no need to be so formal. This is a family banquet, not a court assembly. Eat and drink as you please, there's no need to be restrained."
His tone was gentle, like an elder comforting a younger person.
But no one in the audience dared to move.
They looked at each other, their eyes filled with fear and hesitation.
His Majesty said, "There's no need to be restrained," but who dares to truly be unrestrained?
If any action is disrespectful, or any word is spoken inappropriately, that would be a grave offense of disrespect!
Seeing that everyone remained motionless, Xu Longxiang frowned slightly and spoke in a deep voice:
"Didn't you hear what His Majesty said? Eat and drink as you please."
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone sprang into action as if receiving a military order.
He picked up his chopsticks, took some food, and drank wine. Although his movements were still a bit stiff, they were at least a little more agile.
Qin Mu watched this scene, a playful smile curving his lips:
"It seems that Minister Xu's words still carry weight."
These words, though spoken lightly, were like an ice pick, piercing Xu Longxiang's heart!
He froze, realizing what he had just said!
His Majesty said, "There's no need to be so formal," and everyone remained still.
He said, "Eat and drink as you please," and everyone immediately sprang into action.
The contrast is stark!
This is clearly telling everyone.
In the Northern Territory, Xu Longxiang's words carried more weight than an imperial edict!
Cold sweat instantly broke out on Xu Longxiang's forehead!
His attention was completely focused on Qin Mu's hand on Jiang Qingxue's waist, and he was completely unaware of what he had said!
It was a completely instinctive reaction!
This is terrible!
He quickly stood up, bowed again, and hurriedly tried to explain:
"Your Majesty is too kind! Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I was merely overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing my colleagues for the first time, and thus lost my composure. That's why... that's why I dared to offer this reminder. Throughout the Northern Frontier, all are loyal to Your Majesty and follow Your Majesty's lead without question!"
Qin Mu gave him a deep look, his face still bearing a gentle smile:
"Minister Xu, there's no need to be nervous. I was just saying it casually."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the officials below the stage who were engrossed in their meals, and slowly said:
"Minister Xu has governed the northern border so well, with strict military discipline and smooth implementation of government orders. I am very reassured."
Xu Longxiang felt his back was soaked with cold sweat.
He forced a smile and bowed again:
"It is all thanks to Your Majesty's wisdom and martial prowess; your subject... dares not take credit."
Qin Mu nodded and didn't continue the topic.
He looked down at Jiang Qingxue in his arms.
She remained seated stiffly, staring blankly ahead, as if everything before her had nothing to do with her.
"Xue'er".
Qin Mu's voice was so gentle it could melt your heart.
"The cuisine of the North is truly unique. Look, this whole roasted lamb is made with the Blackheaded Sheep, a breed unique to the North. The meat is tender and has a very mild gamey flavor. This milk tofu is a craft made by the nomads of the grasslands, rich and sweet. And this mare's milk wine..."
With each dish he described, Jiang Qingxue's heart sank a little deeper.
Because of these dishes...
It was all her favorite food.
She's been eating roasted whole lamb since she was a child, and her favorite part is the tenderest piece of meat on the leg.
Milk tofu was a snack she ate when she was a child. Every time Xu Longxiang came back from the grasslands, he would bring her the freshest milk tofu.
She has a low alcohol tolerance and can only drink a little bit of mare's milk wine, but she likes that slightly tipsy feeling.
And there was that plate of stir-fried wild mushrooms, that stewed deer tendon, that bowl of mutton offal soup...
Each dish is a taste from the depths of her memory.
All of these were prepared by Xu Longxiang for her.
Jiang Qingxue felt her eyes start to burn again.
She bit her lip hard, trying not to cry.
She knew that Xu Longxiang was using this method to let her taste these familiar flavors.
He was telling her.
I remember. I remember all your preferences, all your habits.
but……
But the person who held her in his arms and served her food was not him.
It was Qin Mu.