bullyxtreme Chapter 111 They're going to hold a wedding banquet?! And they're going to invite Xu Longx
Chapter 111 They're going to hold a wedding banquet?! And they're going to invite Xu Longx
Under the loud command of the master of ceremonies.
The people of Suzhou, who knelt throughout the streets, and everyone in front of the Zhao residence, led by Zhao Mingcheng, shouted "Long live the Emperor!" with all their might towards the imperial carriage.
The sounds converged into a torrent, echoing over Suzhou as dusk settled, filled with awe and fear.
Xu Fenghua lay on the ground, her forehead pressed against the cold, rough stone slab.
Amidst the deafening shouts of "Long live!", she could only see a small patch of ground in front of her and the imposing boots and wheels in the distance.
The gilded imperial carriage slowly approached and finally stopped not far in front of her.
A slender, well-defined hand peeked out from behind the bright yellow crepe window of the car and waved casually.
The old nanny who had been supervising immediately stepped forward and whispered, "Consort Hua, please get into the carriage. His Majesty is waiting."
Xu Fenghua slowly straightened up.
Supported by two palace maids, he rose and walked toward the gilded imperial carriage.
The carriage curtain fell, separating the inside from the outside.
"Let's depart—back to the palace!"
The long, drawn-out announcement rang out again.
The massive royal procession slowly began, like a golden dragon awakening.
Under the protection of two thousand armored soldiers, they rolled across the bluestone streets of Suzhou, heading north towards the imperial city, the center of power in the world.
The people who remained kneeling on the ground, too afraid to rise, were left behind.
Zhao Mingcheng was left lying on the ground, limp and in tears.
Zhao Wenxuan was left heartbroken and finally dared to let his tears flow freely.
Xu Fenghua, sitting upright in the carriage, let the carriage sway slightly.
The carriage was covered with thick Persian carpets, and the walls were inlaid with warm ivory panels. In the corner, gilded incense burners emitted wisps of ambergris.
Qin Mu leaned against the soft couch covered with bright yellow brocade, his moon-white wide-sleeved robe gleaming faintly in the soft night-shining pearl light inside the carriage.
He rested his chin on his hand, his gaze lazily falling on Xu Fenghua opposite him, a half-smile playing on his lips.
Xu Fenghua sat upright in a chair covered with purple velvet cushions, her back ramrod straight.
The carriage swayed slightly, and the night outside the window deepened.
The convoy had already left Suzhou and was traveling on the official road.
The footsteps, hooves, and wheels of two thousand armored guards blended into a low, rhythmic sound that could be faintly heard through the thick walls of the carriage.
"My beloved concubine,"
Qin Mu suddenly spoke, his voice exceptionally clear in the enclosed carriage, carrying a hint of playful concern.
"You haven't said a word since you got on the bus. What's wrong? You seem preoccupied?"
He paused, his gaze lingering on Xu Fenghua's face as if admiring a newly acquired work of art:
"Why don't you tell me?"
Xu Fenghua's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
How dare this damn emperor ask such a question?
What worries could I possibly have? Aren't all my worries caused by you?!
Xu Fenghua suppressed the urge to complain, forced herself to lift her eyelids, and deliberately softened her voice, tinged with just the right amount of unease:
"Your Majesty... I have nothing on my mind. I was just wondering... what is life like in the palace?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Mu chuckled softly.
"My dear concubine, there's no need to worry."
Qin Mu leaned forward slightly, reached out and picked up a chilled grape from the table, and elegantly put it into his mouth.
"The palace... will certainly not disappoint my beloved consort."
He paused, his gaze shifting to the deep night outside the car window, his tone carrying an air of complete control:
"Illustrious palaces and pavilions, carved beams and painted rafters, rare treasures and everything imaginable. Whatever my beloved concubine desires, I will grant it to you. If you wish to admire flowers, the Imperial Garden is blooming in all seasons; if you wish to enjoy the scenery, the Taiye Pond is shrouded in mist and waves; if you wish to listen to music, the Imperial Music Bureau has the best musicians in the land..."
With each word he spoke, Xu Fenghua's heart sank a little deeper.
This is hardly an introduction to the imperial palace.
This is clearly telling her:
From this day forward, you will be a caged bird and a fish in a pond.
Fine clothes and sumptuous food, wealth and glory, are nothing more than a more exquisite prison.
Xu Fenghua sighed softly: "But what about those ministers in the imperial court..."
Qin Mu smiled, his gaze returning to Xu Fenghua's face, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes:
"My beloved concubine is worried about what they will say about this matter, and how to silence them?"
Xu Fenghua pursed her lips, forcing herself to maintain the gentle yet slightly worried expression on her face:
"Your Majesty is wise... This matter is indeed of great importance. Although I have... although I have made my choice, I fear the opinions of the court and the public..."
She didn't continue speaking, but simply lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting trembling shadows beneath them.
Qin Mu looked at her like this and suddenly burst into laughter.
"That's easy!"
"I... I simply won't hold court, will I?"
Xu Fenghua: "..."
Her lips twitched uncontrollably again.
Not attending court?
This...this is simply...
Absurd! Ridiculous!
His debauchery and immorality have reached the extreme!
Xu Fenghua mentally ranted and complained.
She had thought that Qin Mu would at least come up with some plausible reasons, such as "I have my own arrangements" or "My beloved concubine need not worry."
But she never expected that this young emperor, this monarch who possessed a vast empire, would...
To answer this question in such a frivolous, irresponsible, and utterly... utterly foolish way!
Not attending court?
What about the important national affairs? What about the border wars? What about the suffering of the people?
Are we just going to let those old ministers argue endlessly in court? Let government orders fall into disuse? Let this vast empire rot away little by little under the rule of a foolish emperor?
At this moment, the last glimmer of hope in Xu Fenghua's heart was completely shattered.
She was absolutely certain—
The person before me, this seemingly lazy and casual young emperor, is a complete and utter tyrant at heart!
A tyrant who treats national affairs as child's play and puts his personal desires above the well-being of the country!
Overthrow him.
He must be overthrown!
Not only for the Xu family, for his younger brother's great cause, but also for... this country.
Allowing the dragon and elephant to ascend the throne is the best salvation for the Qin Dynasty.
This thought burned wildly in her heart like a wildfire, almost bursting out of her chest!
But she held it down firmly.
She even managed a more gentle, yet undeniably bitter smile:
"Your Majesty...you jest. How can matters of state be treated so lightly?"
Qin Mu seemed oblivious to the almost undisguised sarcasm in her tone, and continued to laugh easily:
"I'm not joking. Those old ministers argue in court all day long, it's so annoying. I don't attend court, so I can have peace and quiet. Let them argue all they want."
He spoke with such confidence, as if this was nothing serious, but simply a routine decision like "I don't want to eat today."
Xu Fenghua took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
"His Majesty……"
She paused, lowered her voice even further, and added just the right amount of worry:
"This matter is of great importance. Although I have already made my choice, I still need to... tell my younger brother, Xu Longxiang."
She raised her eyes, and for the first time, her gaze truly met Qin Mu's.
Qin Mu stared at her quietly for a long time.
The carriage fell silent for a moment, with only the rumbling of the wheels on the road and the faint hum of the luminous pearl as its light shimmered.
After a long silence, Qin Mu finally spoke, his voice devoid of any discernible emotion:
"Don't worry, of course we'll let you know."
He paused, then the corners of his mouth curled back into that playful smile:
"I will also hold a grand wedding banquet for you. The whole country will celebrate, and all officials will be invited... Your brother will definitely be invited."
"Wedding...wedding banquet?!"
Xu Fenghua's pupils suddenly contracted!
She abruptly raised her head, staring at Qin Mu in disbelief, her voice trembling slightly:
"Your Majesty... is going to hold a wedding banquet?!"
She almost couldn't control herself and stood up from her seat!
How...how is this possible?!
Forcibly taking a subject's wife is already shocking and will be infamous for eternity.
If we were to hold a grand wedding banquet, inviting all the officials and celebrating with the whole nation…
Wouldn't that expose this scandal to the world, letting everyone know how the emperor disregarded propriety, ethics, and dignity to forcibly take a married woman?!
Hasn't he embarrassed himself enough?!
Don't you think you've already been scolded enough?!
absurd!
This is absolutely absurd!
Moreover, Qin Mu is going to invite his younger brother, Xu Longxiang, to participate!
This is even more absurd!
Xu Fenghua couldn't even imagine what his feelings and the scene would be like if Xu Longxiang really came to his wedding banquet!
That would definitely be a disaster!
Xu Fenghua's breathing became rapid, and her chest heaved violently.
Her magnificent deep purple palace gown trembled slightly with her movements, and the golden phoenix at the neckline seemed about to take flight.
"His Majesty……"
She forced herself to remain calm, but her voice still carried an undisguised resistance:
"A wedding...is that really necessary?"
Qin Mu raised an eyebrow, and the lazy smile on his face gradually disappeared.
He sat up straight, his gaze fixed on Xu Fenghua's face as if it were a physical presence, his voice carrying an undeniable authority:
"What are you saying, my beloved concubine?"
He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:
"Whatever your other concubines have, you must also have."
These words were spoken with absolute certainty, carrying an almost obsessive domineering tone.
It was as if they weren't discussing it, but rather announcing an unchangeable decision.
Xu Fenghua's heart skipped a beat.
She bit her lip, turning her already pale pink lips white and leaving deep teeth marks.
When she spoke again, her voice was choked with emotion.
"His Majesty……"
She slowly knelt down.
The deep purple palace dress spread out on the carpet, like a violet that had suddenly withered.
His forehead hit the ground, the sound shattering beyond recognition.
"Your Majesty...I am an impure person, a withered flower and a fallen willow, I really...I really cannot bear such a great honor."
She looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, which shimmered with a broken luster in the light of the luminous pearl.
"Your Majesty, please... rescind your decree."
These words were spoken with heartfelt sincerity.
The performance perfectly captured the feelings of a woman who felt ashamed of her "loss of chastity" and anxious about her "unworthiness."
There was even a moment when Xu Fenghua herself was almost moved by this "performance".
Qin Mu looked at her quietly for a long time without saying a word.
The air inside the carriage seemed to freeze.
The only sounds were Xu Fenghua's suppressed, faint sobs and the marching of the guards outside the car.
After a long while, Qin Mu finally spoke.
The voice was cold.
It was colder than the night wind outside the car window.
"I have already said that."
"Once a statement is made, there is no intention to take it back."
He paused, leaned forward slightly, and looked down at Xu Fenghua kneeling on the ground:
"What is my beloved concubine trying to do? Is she defying the imperial decree?"
He emphasized the last few words.
It felt as heavy as ice picks, slamming into Xu Fenghua's heart.
Xu Fenghua gave a bitter smile.
"Your Majesty... I dare not."
Her voice trembled, and tears finally streamed down her pale cheeks, staining the carpet and leaving a small, dark mark.
"But... Your Majesty, I simply cannot bear it. I also do not wish for this... wedding, which should never have existed in the first place, to become a laughingstock for the world, to become... Your Majesty's only stain in the history books."
She spoke with poignant sorrow, yet every word she uttered pierced the heart.
Every word was a reminder to Qin Mu:
This is an absurd farce, a scandal destined to be remembered for eternity.
You are humiliating yourself.
You are ruining your own reputation.
You are becoming a laughing stock for all time.
Qin Mu's expression finally darkened completely.
Those eyes, which always carried a lazy smile, were now like a deep, cold pool, unreadable and devoid of any emotion.
But the oppressive aura emanating from him caused the temperature inside the carriage to drop sharply!
Xu Fenghua could even see her breath condensing into white mist in the air!
A thin layer of white frost began to condense on the walls, the carpet, and even on the surface of the plate of chilled grapes on the table!
This is not an illusion!
It is a genuine chill, originating from the power of heaven and earth!
Xu Fenghua's pupils constricted sharply, and her heart pounded wildly!
She finally experienced firsthand how terrifying Qin Mu was!
This is definitely not the incompetent and tyrannical ruler who is rumored to be a martial arts failure!
"Okay, very good."
Qin Mu spoke slowly, his voice eerily calm:
"My beloved concubine is truly... always thinking of me."
He stood up, his moon-white robe fluttering without wind, silver cloud patterns swirling in the light and shadow, as if they had come alive.
He walked up to Xu Fenghua, bent down, and reached out to lift her chin.
The movements were very light and gentle.
But Xu Fenghua felt that the hand was as cold as a thousand-year-old ice.
"Since my beloved concubine cares so much about my reputation..."
Qin Mu's gaze pierced her eyes like a physical object, each word distinct and deliberate:
"Then this wedding banquet is definitely a must."
Xu Fenghua froze!
"Not only must it be done," Qin Mu continued, his voice carrying an almost cruel determination, "but it must be done spectacularly, so that the whole world knows about it."
He released her hand, straightened up, and looked down at her:
"I'd like to see who dares to call this a joke? Who dares to call it a stain?"
He paused, a cold, mocking smile curving his lips:
"I am the emperor. Everything I do and every word I say is in accordance with etiquette and rules."
"I've decided to host this wedding banquet."
"You, Xu Fenghua, from this day forward, will be my Consort Hua."
"Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the earth, all people are subjects of the king."
Qin Mu turned around, walked back to the soft couch, and sat down, resuming his languid posture:
"Including you, including Xu Longxiang, including... everyone in this world."
He picked up the cup of tea on the table, which had long since gone cold, took a small sip, and then slowly said:
"My beloved, get up. The ground is cold."
Xu Fenghua knelt on the ground, motionless.
She lowered her head, her long hair falling down, covering most of her face.
After a long while, she slowly straightened up.
"Your Majesty... I understand."
She spoke slowly, her voice hoarse and filled with despair:
"Everything... is up to Your Majesty."
After saying that, she slowly stood up.
Her deep purple palace dress drooped down with her movements, the hem trailing on the carpet with a soft rustling sound.
She walked to the seat on the other side of the carriage, sat down, straightened her back, and placed her hands folded on her knees.
He was dignified and had a calm expression.
It was as if the fierce "struggle" that had just taken place had never happened.
Qin Mu looked at her quietly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.