Chapter 144

The Lin residence was filled with celebration today. Red adorned every corner: vermilion silk draped from the beams, and embroidered double-happiness characters decorated the windows. Guests arrived one after another, carrying gifts wrapped in red silk.

At the banquet, Gao Chongguang tipped his head back and drained a mouthful of wine. “Damn it! Seeing Lin Qingti become a Minister, marry a senior female official, and become relatives with the Ministry of War—it’s more painful than being murdered!”

Hearing this, Gao Dexiang immediately smacked him on the head. “You unfilial brat! Watch your tongue on such a joyous occasion!”

After being struck, Gao Chongguang flew into a rage. He was just about to unleash a torrent of colorful abuse when the corner of his eye caught two familiar figures approaching in the distance.

That insolent face instantly turned aggrieved. An invisible tail seemed to appear behind him, wagging like a propeller. “Your Majesty, you’ve arrived!”

Yun Yaoyao and Tu Shanjin took their seats at the head of the banquet and gestured for everyone to dispense with the formalities.

The two little ones seated themselves on either side of them, putting on solemn, grown-up airs. The sight delighted all the ministers.

Judging by the time, the groom should still have been on his way to fetch the bride, so everyone continued drinking and chatting.

Lord Qi, Minister of Works, was the first to sigh. “The Ministry of Works has been occupied with all kinds of construction projects these past few years. As the minister in charge, I’ve been so busy my feet barely touched the ground. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a leisurely day.”

Gao Dexiang raised his cup and added, “Lord Qi, you’ve been busy with matters that truly affect the people and the nation. Over the years, whether it was glass for windows, ingenious spinning wheels, cement that revolutionized construction, or cotton that has allowed the people of the realm to survive the winter—your contributions can be seen everywhere!”

Recalling all that had been achieved over the years, Qi Jian could not help revealing a faint, satisfied smile. “You flatter me. Everything was accomplished thanks to Their Majesties.”

“If we’re talking about contributions, Minister Gao is the one who deserves the most credit. You recognize and appoint capable officials, assisting Their Majesties in bringing order and integrity to the entire court. With clean government and harmony among the people, everything else has been able to function!”

Gao Dexiang hurriedly waved his hands. “I wouldn’t dare claim that. If you ask me, Lord Zhou is the truly remarkable one. His sharp eye for every detail has allowed Yan Chi’s treasury to become so prosperous. Otherwise, how could the people have enjoyed the benefit of three years without taxes?”

Zhou Siren was clearly pleased by the praise. As he pushed a platter of fruit toward his tigress wife, he modestly replied, “You gentlemen jest. Ultimately, the treasury is prosperous because Their Majesties possess such courage and vision. I merely handled the disbursements and saved the state a little money.”

“Lord Yan and Lord Di are the impressive ones! With one in the Ministry of Justice and the other in the Supreme Court, they’ve improved public morality so greatly. Fewer and fewer people commit crimes, the people leave lost articles untouched in the streets, and the government is simple and the laws clear!”

Yan Qinghong lifted his head and gave a sinister chuckle. “Heh heh heh… Lord Ning is the truly remarkable one…”

“No, Minister Gao is the remarkable one…”

“General Long is the remarkable one…”

“Commander Fang is the remarkable one…”

“Censor Ni is the remarkable one…”

And so everyone continued passing the praise around. At the banquet, groups of people gathered together, flattering one another to no end—in other words, bragging shamelessly.

After all that back-and-forth, the ministers reached a conclusion.

When it came to true greatness, no one could compare with Their Majesties!

They were the greatest of all!

In just six years, they had led Yan Chi into the prosperous age it now enjoyed!

The ministers had certainly worked hard, but Their Majesties were the ones who had truly poured out their hearts and blood for the realm!

Why, even after squeezing time out of their busy schedules to attend a minister’s wedding banquet, Their Majesties were still seated together with grave expressions, discussing matters of state!

Yun Yaoyao and Tu Shanjin were indeed discussing a matter of national importance—namely, who would have to attend court early next month.

Tu Shanjin did not actually think rising early for court was difficult. There were three hundred and sixty-five days in a year, and he would gladly attend the morning court every single day if necessary. Still, at this moment, he was more than willing to indulge Yaoyao’s little games.

“All right. How shall we bet?” Tu Shanjin asked with a smile.

Yun Yaoyao’s gaze settled on a certain minister drinking alone not far away. In a low voice, she said, “Let’s bet on how many sips it will take him to finish that cup of wine. Whoever loses has to attend morning court for a month.”

“Fine. I’ll bet on an even number,” Tu Shanjin said.

“Then I’ll bet on an odd number.”

The two of them stared intently at the minister.

Perhaps sensing their gaze, the minister looked over. The moment he met the eyes of the two people seated above him, he gave a violent shudder and hurriedly lowered his head. To conceal his embarrassment and unease, he downed the entire cup in one gulp.

Yun Yaoyao giggled. “I win.”

Tu Shanjin put on an expression of exaggerated disappointment. “I lost. Yaoyao really is the clever one.”

The two of them continued searching for their next target.

Tushan Suiren and Tushan Shihe had long since grown accustomed to scenes like this.

In the eyes of others, their father and mother were unstoppable figures of power—majestic, dignified, and tirelessly devoted to the people.

In the eyes of the two little ones, however, their father and mother were somewhat childish, a little immature, and working hard solely so they could retire as soon as possible!

Well, if Father and Mother wanted to retire early, what could the children do?

Spoil them, of course.

They would work quietly, then amaze Father and Mother.

With that thought, the two little ones turned toward Niu Xiu’er and Xiao Wuzi, who were attending them nearby.

The two immediately understood.

Niu Xiu’er held a child-sized spear in her left hand and a history book in her right. She gave a simpleminded smile. “Which one would the Princess like?”

Xiao Wuzi held a child-sized bow in his left hand and a military text in his right, with a sword hanging from his waist. He smiled indulgently. “Which one would His Highness like?”

The two little ones took the books at the same time and began reading.

There was no other reason. It was someone else’s wedding, after all. Wouldn’t it look as though they had come to wreck the celebration if they started waving weapons around?

The banquet remained filled with laughter and cheer.

Beside the most senior ministers sat the female officials.

The female officials had now become a force in the court that could not be underestimated. They occupied several tables. The Seductive Beauty of years past had now transformed into a pioneer among female officials, standing alongside Ning Ying as the foremost female official.

Guan ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‍Wanyu chatted merrily with the other female officials. Her every movement was poised and self-assured, and when several ministers teased her, she had no trouble laughing and bantering right back.

Farther away, the merchants occupied another table.

Merchants were no longer the lowliest members of society, as they had been in the old ranking of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Now they were figures who earned admiration and envy wherever they went.

Not long after the new emperor ascended the throne, he had already begun encouraging the development of commerce. Later, the completion of the Grand Canal linking north and south ushered in an era of tremendous prosperity and explosive growth for trade along its route.

With a wise and enlightened emperor, a blessed empress, and active trade with neighboring states and foreign lands, Yan Chi had developed its ports and opened the seas, encouraging overseas commerce. Its prosperity had reached its peak.

Two of the emperor’s most capable generals—a world’s foremost eccentric merchant, Pei Qianhuo, and the world’s foremost ship merchant, Hua Bufang—had played an immeasurable role in this achievement!

At the banquet, Pei Qianhuo raised his cup toward Hua Bufang and arched an eyebrow. “Brother Hua, how have you been lately? I’ve tried to visit you several times, but every time I was told you had set sail again. Now that you’ve finally returned to the capital, will you be staying for a while?”

“Isn’t Brother Pei a busy man yourself? These days, I’m afraid only Their Majesties can secure an appointment with you,” Hua Bufang replied with a smile. He clinked his cup against Pei Qianhuo’s, then tipped his head back and drained it. The fiery liquor slid down his throat, scorching his chest with heat.

“This time, besides returning to the capital to attend Minister Lin’s wedding banquet, I’m also here to hand over all affairs in Yanchi to the people beneath me.”

Hua Bufang’s gaze turned distant. “From now on, I’ll be officially setting sail on the open seas—aboard a ship bearing the Hua name, traveling to see the splendid and prosperous nations of the far corners of the world. In this lifetime, I hope I’ll be fortunate enough to behold the entire world with my own eyes.”

Pei Qianhuo threw back his head and laughed. “Good! When the time comes, I’ll host a banquet to welcome you home after you become the first man to open his eyes and see the world!”

His hearty, uninhibited laughter rang out from every table. Everyone present was brimming with delight, carefree and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Perhaps they had been infected by the joy of someone else’s wedding. Perhaps they were pleased with the present and hopeful for the future. Or perhaps the nation’s strength and prosperity had given everyone the confidence to celebrate openly.

Just then, festive music rang out, adding even more warmth and jubilation to the atmosphere.

Everyone turned toward the sound.

There, the bride approached slowly, dressed in wedding robes as red as fire, her beauty radiant and elegant. Beside her, the groom wore a crimson robe, its splendor shimmering in the light.

When it was time for the wedding rites, all the attending officials and guests gathered around. No one could suppress the smiles at the corners of their mouths. How should one put it? In addition to their sincere blessings and congratulations, there was also something comical about watching an acquaintance go through the formalities.

From his seat of honor, Ning Shouli watched his daughter marry with his own eyes. His aged eyes could not help but grow moist. But when he thought of how a fellow official of equal rank would henceforth have to respectfully address him as father-in-law, he swallowed back the tears that were about to fall.

He had to admit—it truly was a delightful feeling.

The auspicious hour had arrived, and the master of ceremonies raised his voice.

“First, bow to Heaven and Earth!”

“Second, bow to your parents!”

“Third, the bride and groom bow to each other!”

“Now, send them to the...” The master of ceremonies drew out the final words, a grin blooming across his face. “Bridal chamber!”