Chapter 351: Chapter 351 Summer Garden Opens (1)
On the seventeenth day of the second month in the year Jia You, the entire nation celebrated as Marshal Hou Wei triumphantly returned from guarding the northern borders.
Prince An rose early to lead the Ministers out of the city to welcome him. After half an hour, they saw a bright red banner fluttering in the wind in the distance with the character ’Hou’ prominently displayed.
From afar, Hou Wei spurred his horse to a gallop when he spotted Prince An. With a light squeeze to the horse’s flank, he charged forward for a short stretch before pulling on the reins to stop not far from the Prince, and dismounted.
"Your servant Hou Wei pays his respects to Prince An." Clad in a suit of silver-white armor, his head donned with a silver helmet from which a bright red tassel swished, he exuded an aura of chilling violence; the long black cape behind him spread out as he knelt in greeting.
Prince An stepped forward to help Hou Wei up, his face bright with a friendly and demure smile as he said, "Congratulations, Marshal Hou, on your triumphant return. His Majesty is very gratified and specially sent me to greet you outside the city."
At these words, Hou Wei was greatly moved, and bowed deeply in the direction of the Imperial Palace, "This old servant, Hou Wei, thanks His Majesty for his grace."
"Marshal Hou, please rise quickly," Prince An said as he offered a token hand to help Hou Wei up.
"Thank you, Your Highness." As Prince An helped him up, Hou Wei naturally rose to his feet as well.
As the two walked at the forefront, Hou Wei’s smile faded, and with a frown, he asked, "How come you are the one who came?"
Prince An snorted coldly, "I didn’t want to either. Prince Mei refused to heed the order, so His Majesty sent me." He scanned their surroundings vigilantly, looking out for any suspicious individuals.
Hou Wei’s brow furrowed slightly as he raised his eyebrows, "Does His Majesty suspect something, trying to test both of us?"
"It shouldn’t be so; he seems to want to bring you into his confidence," Prince An shook his head, having considered this himself.
Hou Wei nodded, "Then we must also be careful not to be careless."
Prince An smiled, "Uncle, be at ease."
The troops that Hou Wei brought back were stationed thirty li outside the city, while Hou Wei himself led a few capable lieutenants to the Imperial Palace to express his gratitude for the divine favor.
Hou Wei and the Emperor had a pleasant chat within the palace, and at midday, the Emperor hosted a grand banquet in honor of Marshal Hou. After the drinks, Hou Wei excused himself claiming to be drunk, and as he exited the palace, carriages were ready outside to take him back to Marshal Residence.
On the twenty-seventh day of the second month, the Emperor himself traveled in the Dragon Carriage to Prince Mei Residence to visit Prince Mei.
At that time, in the back courtyard of Prince Mei Residence, the Prince practiced swordplay while the Princess rapidly sketched with a brush in hand—one static, one dynamic.
"Your Highness," the four personal guards did not wish to come, not wanting to spoil this serene and harmonious scene. In the end, they played rock-paper-scissors to decide who would report, and it seemed they might have conspired as all showed paper except Tian Yi who showed rock. Reluctantly, Tian Yi shuffled over to the back courtyard and stiffly approached the Princess to inform her.
Feng Xuxu, who was painting, glanced sideways without stopping her hand, continuing her work while occasionally glancing up at her husband, who was intensely focused on practicing his swordplay.
Tian Yi glanced up, then at the Prince who seemed unmoved, curled his lip, and quietly stood to one side, acting as if he was invisible.
The Emperor, frowning in the front courtyard, waited for a moment, but seeing neither Prince Mei nor Princess Mei emerge, inquired with the butler only to learn they were in the back courtyard. Dugu Han’s contempt and murderous intent flashed in his eyes for a split second, and he strode toward the back courtyard, well-acquainted with the way.
Upon arrival, he gestured to Eunuch Shi not to announce his presence and just stood there silently, watching the couple, his anger rising sharply. He used to attend court occasionally, but now, claiming illness, he stopped entirely. As he shifted his gaze to Feng Xuxu’s swelling belly, his eyes filled with hatred. Seeing the couple so inseparable, he snorted, "You two can’t live without each other, huh? This time, I insist you be separated," then his lips curled into a sinister smile.
