Time flies, and in a blink of an eye, it’s the day when the Hundred Days Banquet will be held.
What is different from the past is that today's Prince Yu's Mansion seems quite lively.
Perhaps they got the news that the emperor was coming to attend the 100-day banquet. After getting off duty, those officials hurried to Prince Yu's Mansion in sedan chairs to get a head start and occupy a good position.
Zhu Zaijing didn't care much about the arrival of these officials. What he cared about was the five vacant seats at the moment.
He frowned, his face full of doubts, and spoke slowly in a voice that only he could hear.
"What on earth is going on? Could it be that something happened?"
…
Forbidden City, Hall of Nourishing Heart.
At this moment, Jiajing put his hands behind his back and looked at the darkening sky outside. He turned around and asked Lu Fang beside him.
"By the way, have they all gone?"
Lu Fang, who was on the side, heard the words. After considering the words, she responded carefully.
"Your Majesty, most of the officials who have received the invitations have already arrived at Prince Yu's Mansion!"
"Except...except..."
Lu Fang hesitated and did not continue.
After hearing Lu Fang's answer, Jiajing chuckled and added immediately.
"Apart from Yan Song and the others, right?"
Seeing this situation, Lu Fang could only nod her head and explained bravely.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"It is said that the affairs of the cabinet are too busy today, which makes them unable to get away for a while..."
Just when Lu Fang was about to continue to explain, Jiajing waved his hand, indicating that Lu Fang did not need to say any more.
"Okay, okay, there's no need to go on. I know what they're thinking."
When Jiajing said this, he paused for a moment and then continued.
"They are playing tricks on me. It was the same last time and this time too. Who gave them the courage?"
"Just wait, I will never spare them!"
Although Jiajing's tone was full of blame, Lu Fang knew very well that what Yan Song and others did was exactly what Jiajing wanted. Then, Lu Fang stood up and asked Jiajing.
"Your Majesty, in half an hour, the Hundred Days Banquet will officially begin. Look..."
Jiajing understood what Lu Fang meant, looked away from Lu Fang, and ordered.
"Lu Fang, let's go!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
Lu Fang couldn't help but feel relieved when she saw that Jiajing had finally made the decision to leave.
After Lu Fang winked at the little eunuch on the side, she immediately followed Jiajing's pace, waiting for Jiajing to get on the dragon chariot and head towards Prince Yu's Mansion.
At this moment, the cabinet is still brightly lit.
Yan Song and others were in their respective positions, processing the memorial slowly.
Gao Gong looked at the getting darker sky outside, couldn't help but feel worried, and immediately spoke.
"If we do this, will it offend His Majesty?"
"After all, today is Prince Yu's son. It is a hundred days. Your Majesty and Prince Yu take this matter very seriously. If your Majesty comes to blame..."
As the teacher of King Yu Zhu Zaijing, Gao Gong naturally loved his son Zhu Yijun very much. Gao Gong couldn't bear to let a child who was just one hundred days old endure such malice, so he said what he said before.
After Gao Gong's words fell, the cabinet fell into a dead silence, with no one standing up to speak.
Just when the atmosphere in the cabinet was becoming stagnant, Yan Song stood up and offered words of comfort.
"Don't worry, we will officially set off once we get the exact news. We won't delay too many things!"
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a rush of footsteps coming from outside. Seeing this, everyone had stern expressions on their faces, waiting expectantly for the visitor.
After a while, under the leadership of a subordinate, the young eunuch who had been favored by Lu Fang entered the cabinet, lowered his head, and reported to everyone.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty has officially set off!"
After hearing this, everyone in the cabinet breathed a sigh of relief, and then Xu Jie stood up and said in a deep voice.
"Everyone, without further ado, let's set off now!"
Everyone agreed with Xu Jie's proposal, especially Gao Gong, who wished he could fly to Prince Yu's Mansion now.
Soon, the five people left the cabinet, boarded the sedan that had been prepared, and headed towards Prince Yu's Mansion as quickly as possible.
…
The lights in Prince Yu's palace were brightly lit at the moment, and officials were arriving one after another and delivering gifts that had been prepared.
Despite this, there was still not much smile on Zhu Zaijing's face, and he still looked solemn.
It wasn't until he saw the five sedans of different colors parked at the entrance of Prince Yu's Mansion that he felt relieved and had a smile on his face again.
Yan Song and others were seen getting off the sedan one after another with the help of slaves.
Upon seeing this, many officials present stopped talking and looked at the five people with awe in their eyes.
Then, Zhu Zaijing stepped forward, turned his eyes to Yan Song and others, his face was full of joy, and he spoke.
"You are all able to take time out of your busy schedule to attend the 100-day banquet hosted by Gu for his son. I am very happy!"
After Zhu Zaijing finished speaking, the butler on the side immediately stepped forward and led the five people to the five vacant seats.
After Yan Song and others sat down on their seats, they turned their eyes to King Yu and said in unison.
"His Royal Highness, King Laoyu!"
The atmosphere at the 100-day banquet became even more lively due to the arrival of Yan Song and others.
In the eyes of those officials who didn't know what was going on, the fact that all five members of the cabinet came together was not only a sign of respect for King Yu, but it might also have the emperor's tacit approval behind it!
After figuring this out, those officials began to plan to invest more in King Yu!
After all, King Jing Zhu Zaizhen is out now and can no longer compete for the throne of the Ming Dynasty!
No matter how you look at it, Prince Yu Zhu Zaijing, as the eldest son of His Majesty, has every advantage. Not only does he have Xu Jie, the second minister in the cabinet, to rely on, but he also has a teacher named Gao Gong to give him advice.
As for this situation, it can also be described in a sentence from later generations, that is, how can Feilongqi lose?
At this moment, the steward who was waiting for the Holy Driver at the door hurried in and reported to Zhu Zaijing.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty is almost here!"
When Zhu Zaijing heard this, he quickly called his servants, his face was full of eagerness, and he gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Quick...go quickly, call them all, and greet father at the door. Go quickly!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The servant quickly disappeared after responding.
Before the Holy Emperor arrived, Prince Yu Zhu Zaijing took his family and concubines and knelt at the door of Prince Yu's Mansion early.
Behind King Yu, many officials who came to attend the Hundred Days Banquet also knelt on the ground, waiting for the emperor's arrival.
Yan Song and others knelt respectfully in front of the officials.
At this moment, Jiajing was sitting on the dragon chariot, looking at Prince Yu's Mansion not far away, then turned around and asked Lu Fang at the side.
"Lu Fang, tell me, have they arrived at Prince Yu's Mansion now?"
After hearing this, Lu Fang thought for a moment before giving an answer.
"Your Majesty, I feel that Mr. Yan Ge and the others must have arrived at Prince Yu's Mansion ahead of time!"
When Jiajing heard this, he looked away from Lu Fang and said in a deep voice.
"This is natural. If they dare to slight my son, I will not spare them!"
(End of chapter)
