Chapter 38: A Feigned Reconciliation—Is There a Conspiracy?

"Your humble servant is terrified."

The Duke of Dingguo and the old Prince hurriedly raised their cups and drained them in one go.

"Since you have shared this drink, you two ministers should let bygones be bygones." Setting down his cup, Emperor Jing spoke thus, and the old Prince quickly took up the thread.

"Your Majesty is wise, but it is truly not that this old minister does not wish to let the past remain in the past."

"It is rather that I truly do not know what these 'bygones' are. How can I let them go?" As he spoke, the old Prince turned his gaze toward the Duke of Dingguo, feigning helplessness. "Perhaps the Duke of Dingguo would care to tell me where I have erred, and I shall surely reform."

What an old fox. Who in the capital did not know that the friction between the two arose from the affair of Zhou Qi? Now that the clandestine entanglement between Zhou Qi and Wang Xiuyun had become the talk of the town, the Emperor was already displeased with him. The old Prince’s words were clearly a calculated jab in front of the Emperor; how could he possibly respond?

"Your Majesty, if the Prince of Zhennan does not know of these 'bygones,' then I, your humble servant, am even more clueless." The Duke of Dingguo also feigned ignorance. "After all, only a few days ago, it was the Prince who was hurling veiled insults at me—all our colleagues were witnesses to it. Therefore, it should be I who asks the Prince: what exactly is your grievance against me?"

The Duke of Dingguo was also asking a question to which he knew the answer. What else could it be? Was it not because Zhao Ang had his woman snatched away and then ran off from home?

Fine, the grandsons of these two men were two of a kind; neither was worth much. Emperor Jing felt a headache coming on. He rubbed his temples and finally delivered the verdict.

"Since neither of you knows where these grievances originated, then it is likely that your discord these past few days has been a misunderstanding."

"Today, let this misunderstanding be resolved. You two should each take a step back and make peace."

Once these words were spoken, even if the old Prince and the Duke of Dingguo did not wish to reconcile, they had to give face to Emperor Jing.

"As Your Majesty commands." The Duke of Dingguo picked up his wine cup and looked toward the old Prince. "I toast this drink to you, Prince." As a confidant of the Emperor, the Duke naturally had to show his stance first.

"Please." The old Prince was no fool. He raised his cup in acknowledgment and drained it.

With them no longer exchanging barbs, the atmosphere momentarily turned harmonious. The Empress watched Zhao Ang, who was devouring his food, with a flicker of disdain in her eyes. How could someone so lacking in grace be a suitable husband for a royal princess? And to think he was to marry her most beloved daughter? If it were not for that old scoundrel, the Prince of Zhennan, using past favors to demand this marriage, how could it have come to this?

Lifting the wine cup before her, the Empress lowered her eyes to hide her thoughts, then put on a smile befitting the mother of the nation. "This must be your grandson, Prince? He is truly a fine young man!"

"Hm?"

Zhao Ang, who had been focused on his meal, did not expect to be part of the performance. He looked up and met the Empress’s gaze. Although she smiled with dignity, he sensed a trace of disgust. Anyone forced to marry their daughter to a wastrel would hardly feel favorably toward him.

"Replying to the Empress, he is indeed my grandson." The old Prince nudged Zhao Ang, who naturally understood his intent. Zhao Ang picked up his wine and looked at the Empress, his expression composed. "Only upon seeing the Empress today do I truly understand the meaning of 'mother of the nation.' I offer this cup to you, Empress."

Zhao Ang was adept at delivering pleasantries. The Empress naturally did not refuse. After finishing her drink, she turned her attention to Zhou Qi, determined to be equally gracious to all.

"Duke of Dingguo, Zhou Qi also carries much of your demeanor from your youth. His prospects are boundless."

"How could he deserve such high praise from the Empress? Zhou Qi, offer the Empress a cup."

Zhou Qi stood up readily and, naturally, delivered his own share of pleasantries. For a time, the host and guests were merry. Seeing such harmony, Emperor Jing was highly pleased. Having indulged in a bit too much wine, he rubbed his temples and smiled at the company.

"My capacity for drink is, after all, not as great as you ministers'."

"Is Your Majesty feeling unwell? Perhaps this concubine should accompany you to sober up." The Empress looked on with deep concern. Emperor Jing nodded, and with the Empress’s support, he stood up.

"I have reached my limit. You may all continue as you please."

"We respectfully see off His Majesty (Father Emperor)! We respectfully see off the Empress (Mother Empress)!"

The group rose and bowed, watching the two depart.

"I, too, am feeling unwell and shall take my leave first." With the Emperor and Empress gone, Princess Zhaoran had no reason to stay. She had not wanted to come in the first place, and had it not been for the Emperor’s specific request, she would never have appeared.

After Princess Zhaoran left, the Duke of Dingguo and the old Prince reverted to their usual selves. They simply drank, with no sign of the previous harmony. Indeed, in front of the Emperor, everyone was a master of acting.

However... what was Zhou Qi trying to do?

"Young Master, I was very much in the wrong regarding the previous matter."

"Today, as the Prince and my grandfather have reconciled, it is only fitting that we do the same."

Watching Zhou Qi, who had appeared at his side at some unknown moment, Zhao Ang’s eyes were filled with confusion. What had Zhou Qi taken? Why was he proactively apologizing to him?

Though he thought this, Zhao Ang remained outwardly unmoved, instead putting on airs.

"The grudge of a stolen wife is one that cannot be shared under the same sky. I cannot reconcile with you."

He spoke directly, his lack of emotional intelligence quite breathtaking. One had to remember that this banquet was hosted by the Emperor, with both their elders present. If Zhao Ang had even a shred of sense, he would not have said such a thing.

"What a waste of space!" Zhou Qi cursed inwardly, but on the surface, he affected a look of shame. "I was in the wrong, but it cannot be blamed entirely on me."

"If it were not for that Wang Xiuyun who lacked wifely virtue, secretly seducing me and drugging me, how would I have ever become entangled with her?"

Indeed, regarding the rumors in the capital, the Duke of Dingguo’s estate had been using this excuse to protect Zhou Qi’s reputation. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was under the jurisdiction of the Duke of Dingguo; how would Wang Pingzhi dare to challenge him? Furthermore, since Wang Xiuyun had indeed been unchaste, he had no way to argue even if he wanted to. He could only swallow his teeth along with his blood. Wang Chengfeng had fought Zhou Qi a few times to defend Wang Xiuyun’s name, but he was no match for Zhou Qi, and Wang Pingzhi had placed him under house arrest for fear of further trouble.

"Truly? It was because she seduced you?" Zhao Ang naturally did not believe these explanations, but he put on a naive front. In reality, he had already guessed what Zhou Qi was planning and was simply playing along.

"What a fool, he actually believes it!" Zhou Qi cursed again, but his expression remained sincere, almost ready to swear to the heavens to prove his innocence.

"I was just thinking, as the grandson of the Duke of Dingguo, how could you have a hobby of liking other men’s wives?"

"That would be worse than a beast! So, it turns out you were seduced by her." Zhao Ang spoke through gritted teeth, appearing as if he truly believed Zhou Qi.

The old Prince at his side frowned and was about to speak, but the Duke of Dingguo suddenly held him back.

"Old Zhao, why should we interfere in the affairs of the youngsters?"

"Today, our reconciliation is a joyous occasion. We should drink three large cups to celebrate!"

The old Prince knew full well that the Duke was covering for Zhou Qi, but he did not care. His own grandson’s current state was clearly an act. He surely had his own schemes in mind, and it remained to be seen who would end up tricking whom.

"Drink what? What is there for me to drink with an old scoundrel like you?" He understood the situation, but outwardly he acted quite tense, evidently having joined the ranks of those putting on a performance.