Zhao Mian was young after all, and he usually took good care of his body. With Bai Yu's careful care, his fever went away within a day, and he would be fully recovered after resting for another two days.
After escaping from Nangong Mountain, Wei Zhenfeng no longer hid his identity. Now everyone in the city knows that the young prince of Beiyuan who destroyed Xixia is in Kyoto at this moment.
In the inner court of Dongling, the whole court was in a state of panic, but some common people in Kyoto showed great curiosity about the young prince, and rumors about him were rampant. Most of them said that he was strong and powerful, his arms were thicker than the average person's thighs, and he was a fierce monster that would make children cry when they saw him.
This was heard by Zhao Mian, causing the Crown Prince to sneer. Wei Zhenfeng's figure was far from being "strong", and his arms were not much thicker than his own.
The imperial teacher is so blind that the common people suffer from eye diseases as well.
The Nanjing side has always tried to hide Zhao Mian's identity as the crown prince as much as possible. The Nanjing envoys announced that Zhao Mian's name was Xiao Jue, and he was the nephew of Nanjing Prime Minister Xiao Shiqing, and he was currently working in the Honglu Temple. Whether Dongling believed this statement or not, at least they did not dare to reveal Zhao Mian's true identity on the surface.
Two days later, the invitation from the Dongling court was sent to the Nanjing Embassy. Lu Wang, in the name of the Queen Mother of a country, invited Lord Xiao Jue, Rong Tang, and An Yuanhou to go to the Dongling Palace on October 20th to join the Beiyuan delegation for a state banquet for the three countries.
When several people were discussing this matter, Rong Tang said, "I will not go to this banquet."
Zhao Mian also thought this was a good idea. First, the teacher's long journey from Shangjing to Kyoto caused his old illness to relapse, and now was the time to recuperate; second, Dong Ling invited the three of them, so they went, which was too much of a face-giving to Dong Ling.
After finishing the business, the others left, leaving only Zhao Mian and Rong Tang, the teacher and student.
Zhao Mian had more respect for his teacher than being close to him. Rong Tang's temperament was too cold, and Zhao Mian had never seen the teacher show a warm side to anyone in all these years.
But there are some things in his heart that he can only talk to this teacher.
"On the fifteenth day, I thought of my father," Zhao Mian said. "At that time, I was thinking that if it were my father, he would not take the life of an innocent person just to save me."
Because of this, he did not attack Wei Zhenfeng, and as a result, not only did he get a high fever that wouldn't go away, but he still felt a dull pain somewhere in his body.
Rong Tang was silent for a moment, shook his head slightly, and said, "Maybe not."
"What does the teacher mean?"
"Your father may be kind to ordinary people and treat them leniently if the circumstances are justified. But if you are in trouble, if killing another person can save you, I think he will definitely do it." Rong Tang paused, frowning slightly, "He has been influenced by Prime Minister Xiao over the years, and with you and the Second Prince, he is no longer the ignorant young emperor."
Zhao Mian was stunned: "Teacher, do you really think that the emperor will take action?"
"Whether it is true or not, Your Highness can go back to the capital and ask His Majesty in person." Rong Tang coughed twice, enduring the discomfort and said, "There is one more thing. Prime Minister Xiao has something for me to tell Your Highness."
Zhao Mian's heart tightened: "What?"
Rong Tang said slowly: "Prime Minister Xiao said that Your Highness can do whatever you want in Kyoto."
On the 20th, Zhao Mian changed into the official uniform of Nanjing, made a simple disguise, and went to the Dongling Palace for a banquet with Anyuan Hou and others.
The banquet was held at Tiantai Pond, built on the colorful Yaochi Lake. In the evening, the setting sun was connected to the Yaochi Lake, and the bright colors filled the late autumn sky and reflected the red cheeks of the young palace maids.
In such a magnificent scene, watching beauties and drinking fine wine is like being in a paradise on earth, so pleasant.
Unfortunately, the guests who came to the banquet had no interest in appreciating the beauties and the wine. No matter how dazzling the Yaochi was, there were undercurrents surging beneath the water, unfathomable.
Zhao Mian followed the female official to Tiantai Pond and saw from afar Wei Zhenfeng and others wearing Beiyuan official uniforms, coming towards them.
Wei Zhenfeng also saw him, his eyes passed through all kinds of people and fell on him.
He is originally a young prince who has no interest in romance and prefers to travel the world. The crimson official uniform and the two teardrop moles complement each other, making him look more romantic and passionate. I am afraid that even if he has no intention of attracting a beauty, he can still stir up waves under the bridge and attract many beautiful women to fall in love with him.
Why does a young man need a horse to ride the wind? He may be the best in the world.
Zhao Mian had to admit that Beiyuan's official uniform was... quite nice-looking, not inferior to Nanjing's azure blue.
Wei Zhenfeng turned around and said something to Yi Qian, then walked towards Zhao Mian.
He stopped in front of Zhao Mian, speaking in a gentle and elegant manner: "Master Xiao."
Zhao Mian came back to his senses and responded dignifiedly: "Young Prince."
Wei Zhenfeng asked, "How is Sir Xiao's health these days? I sent someone to deliver some good medicine for treating the cold a few days ago. Sir Xiao, can you take it?"
Zhao Mian said politely, "Of course I will use it. Thank you for your concern, my Lord."
The medicine Wei Zhenfeng sent is impossible to use. Just let it gather dust at the bottom of his box.
Wei Zhenfeng smiled and said, "As I should."
Zhao Mian: “…”
Wei Zhenfeng: “…”
Zhao Mian grew up in the palace and was best at saying these kind of polite words. If necessary, he could talk about them until the end of time.
But for some reason, he didn't like talking to Wei Zhenfeng like this.
Perhaps it was because he was used to being superior and outspoken in front of Wei Zhenfeng; or perhaps it was because, since Wei Zhenfeng had seen him at his most embarrassed, and he almost cried in front of Wei Zhenfeng, he might as well give up and abandon the demeanor of a crown prince, say what he wanted to say, scold whoever he wanted to scold, slap people in the face and bite their shoulders, laugh and scold, freely.
Wei Zhenfeng seemed to feel the same way. When the two walked side by side into Tianchi Terrace, he suddenly said, "Is it going to snow in Kyoto? It's freezing."
Zhao Mian glanced at Wei Zhenfeng.
If you want to wear Beiyuan's official uniform to look elegant, the most taboo is to be bloated. The winter solstice is just a few days away, and now is indeed the coldest season in Kyoto.
Zhao Mian said calmly: "You are from Beiyuan, and you are afraid of the cold?"
Wei Zhenfeng laughed and said, "You don't understand this. The damp coldness of Dongling is different from the dry coldness of Beiyuan."
Zhao Mian said: "Then you should wear long johns."
Zhao Mian explained condescendingly: "It is a kind of cold-proof device invented by my father."
The topic of long johns accompanied the two all the way until they were taken to their seats in Nanjing and Beiyuan respectively, and sat on both sides of the main seat, facing each other.
Soon, Lu Wang and Emperor Ling took their seats.
Emperor Ling was three years younger than Zhao Mian, and was a thin and slender boy like Wan Huameng. Although he was the emperor of a country, his face was pale, with a vague look of panic, and he did not have the temperament of a king at all. It was obvious that he had been living under high pressure for many years.
On the other hand, Lu Wang, wearing a gorgeous and complicated Dongling court robe, always smiles no matter where he is. He is undoubtedly a rare handsome man. When he smiles, his eyes are crescent-shaped, and his whole face reveals a dangerous evil. He looks like a standard evil woman who brings disaster to the country, and naturally he has done many things that bring disaster to the country and the people.
Wan Huameng was not present at the banquet. It was said that Wan Huameng had committed a terrible crime and had been placed under house arrest by Lu Wang.
As usual, everyone exchanged pleasantries and the state banquet began.
Young and beautiful dancers danced gracefully to the sound of stringed instruments and orchestras, and exquisite dishes were presented to everyone by beautiful palace maids.
Dongling is by the sea, and most of the dishes are seafood, including some raw and cold food that has not been cooked. Wei Zhenfeng is not used to eating these, and he hardly touches his chopsticks.
Lu Wang noticed this and asked with a smile, "But Dongling's food doesn't suit the little prince's appetite?"
Wei Zhenfeng said: "Not bad."
Lu Wang asked again: "The food in Dongling is not to the young prince's liking, so what about the beauties in Dongling?"
Wei Zhenfeng raised his eyelids: "What do you mean?"
"These dancers are all hand-picked from the inner court of Dongling. They have fair skin and beautiful faces, are good at singing and dancing, and have clean backgrounds. If the young prince likes them, why not pick one or two to keep by his side to entertain him?" Lu Wang said with a smile, "I know that the young prince is always on the road. If there are beauties by his side, it will surely help alleviate some of the fatigue of the journey."
Wei Zhenfeng laughed and said, "I left home at a young age and have seen more than one or two beauties. As for singing and dancing, who can compare to the charming dancers in my Beiyuan Desert?" The young man smiled politely, but his words were not very polite. "Why does the Queen Mother think that I am interested in them?"
A silent mockery appeared on Zhao Mian's lips.
Beiyuan Desert? It has only been two years since the fall of Western Xia, but the young prince has already regarded the desert and its dark-skinned beauties as the back garden of his palace.
Lu Wang glanced vaguely in the direction of Envoy Nanjing and said with a smile: "Yes, I think too much."
"I have a suggestion. Let's stop with the politeness and small talk." Wei Zhenfeng said in a relaxed tone, "Why don't we first talk about why I and Lord Xiao were poisoned by the Gu in Dongling for no reason? What do you think?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone at the table changed their expressions. An Yuanhou, who loved drinking, also put down his wine glass and looked at Lu Wang warily.
Lu Wang remained calm and said with a smile: "Since the young prince took the initiative to bring up this matter, I also want to know why the young prince and Lord Xiao appeared in my Dongling territory for no reason. I have not seen the pass from the prince and the adults."
According to the customs regulations of the Three Kingdoms, not to mention the royal family and court officials, even ordinary people traveling between the three countries need a customs document from the country they are visiting before they can enter the territory of another country.
When Lu Wang brought up this matter, he was obviously putting the blame on Wei Zhenfeng and Zhao Mian - if you hadn't come to Dongling without permission, this wouldn't have happened.
Wei Zhenfeng raised his eyebrows and said, "So this is the reason why your country's national teacher cast a curse on us?"
"No." Lu Wang looked apologetic. "The two of you were poisoned by the Gu, which was indeed an unintentional mistake of the National Master. His hobby is well known in Dongling. He just found two people he liked to play a game with him as usual. Who would have thought that they would find the young prince and Lord Xiao." Lu Wang laughed again as he spoke. "If the two of you had revealed your identities earlier, how could the National Master have attacked you?"
Wei Zhenfeng also laughed: "It seems that the Queen Mother is determined to hold on to this point."
"Your Highness, you are too kind." Lu Wang said, "In the final analysis, this matter is the fault of the Imperial Master. The Imperial Master is willing to offer the formula of the antidote to you two. But he really doesn't have a ready-made antidote. You two probably know that it's not just you, the Imperial Master is also poisoned." Lu Wang looked gloomy, "I don't know whether Ah Meng can live until the 16th of next month."
Wei Zhenfeng's fake smile disappeared. He looked at Zhao Mian, who was still enjoying a steamed fish dish, and seemed to not take his fight with Lu Wang seriously at all.
This is not a good idea, Your Highness, please at least say something.
Lu Wang saw Wei Zhenfeng's intention to bring the Nanjing delegation in, and took the initiative to say, "Nanjing is a country of etiquette, and it values reason the most. Lord Xiao will surely be able to distinguish right from wrong, so there is no need for me to say more."
Zhao Mian then put down the silver chopsticks in his hand and said slowly: "The Queen Mother is right. Nanjing has always been reasonable. It's a pity..."
Everyone's eyes were focused on this "nephew of Prime Minister Xiao".
The young man in the azure official uniform stood up and looked down at everyone condescendingly: "It's a pity that Nan Jing today doesn't want to reason with you."
After Zhao Mian finished speaking, he didn't say another word. He even ignored the etiquette of saying goodbye and left the hall directly.
Marquis Anyuan and a group of Nanping officials followed closely behind. Soon, no one from Nanping could be seen at the state banquet.
Lu Wang narrowed his eyes. The officials of Dongling looked at each other, including Emperor Ling Shao, no one dared to say a word, and there was only silence in the hall.
The silence was broken by a little eunuch who hurried in. He whispered a few words in Lu Wang's ear, and the Empress Dowager Dongling's smiling face which had been smiling all night finally changed.
But Lu Wang slowly opened his eyes, his face was as cold as hell, and he exuded a violent aura: "... Ha."
Wei Zhenfeng was just feeling strange when he saw Yi Qian walking in from outside with a serious expression. It was obvious that he had received some unexpected news.
Wei Zhenfeng asked in a low voice: "What happened?"
Yi Qian said, "Your Highness, one hundred thousand elite troops from Nanjing have arrived at the southeastern border and are ready to go - Nanjing has declared war on Dongling."
As everyone knows, half of the tiger talisman that can dispatch the Nanping army is in the hands of the emperor, and the other half is in the hands of Prime Minister Xiao.
Wei Zhenfeng was stunned for a long time, then chuckled and said, "You are worthy of being the most honorable prince held in the palm of the hands of Emperor Jing and Prime Minister Xiao. From now on, I am afraid that even I will not have a few days of peace to live."
After saying that, he raised his hand, drank the wine in the glass, stood up, left the table, and walked away.
(End of this chapter)