The night was as cool as water, and the imperial city was illuminated by lanterns.
Inside the imperial palace, a new moon traversed the exquisite corner towers, casting a dim, hazy light into the high walls. A carriage was parked quietly outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The hall was spacious and grand, paved with golden bricks that reflected light. Nine dragons coiled around the pillars, incense smoke billowed from censers, and an auspicious purple mist rose. On the imperial throne at the highest point sat a man, his eyes ablaze with power, intimidating the world.
This was the Emperor of Great Zhou, Zhou Tian!
"Your humble son pays his respects to Father Emperor."
Below the imperial throne stood a powerfully built man with a chiseled face and a head full of black hair, clad in a python robe. He bowed respectfully.
"Rise." Zhou Tian, seated on the throne, put down the scroll in his hand and gazed at the youth below, a hint of admiration appearing in his eyes. "It is not the morning court now, my Crown Prince, you need not be so formal."
"Come closer and speak. What brings you to find me so late?"
"Thank you for your grace, Father Emperor."
Zhou Wuji's voice was loud and clear as he rose swiftly.
He walked calmly to the side of the imperial throne, then clasped his hands and said, "I have come late tonight, firstly, to inform Father Emperor that preparations for the royal banquet seven days from now are complete. The list of participating court officials and martial sects has been drafted, and I specifically request Your Majesty to review it."
As Zhou Wuji spoke, he solemnly stepped forward and handed a thick memorial with both hands.
"Oh, so soon?" Emperor Zhou was somewhat surprised. He took the memorial and opened it, his star-like eyes scanning the names on it.
After a long while, Emperor Zhou finished reading all the names and let out a meaningful smile. He said casually,
"You have not been back in the capital for long, yet your popularity seems to be quite good."
"Aside from the generals in the army and the civil officials, many of those troublesome scholars who give me a headache are willing to give you face and attend the banquet."
"My Crown Prince truly has some skills."
Emperor Zhou smiled faintly, his voice calm.
Zhou Wuji's heart skipped a beat. He knew it was not good. Throughout history, emperors, regardless of their magnanimity, most feared their princes vying for power before they had even passed away.
And those who were too eager to win over factions often became thorns in the emperor's side.
Fortunately, he was prepared.
Zhou Wuji's expression remained unchanged. He knelt on one knee and said neither subserviently nor arrogantly, "Father Emperor flatters your son."
"The military men are willing to come because I have guarded the borders for many years, sharing camaraderie and mutual appreciation. The civil officials from the Ministry of Rites are willing to come because Father Emperor has highly praised me in court and even enfeoffed me as Crown Prince."
"This banquet, on the surface, is my birthday celebration, but in reality, these guests consider it a congratulatory feast for my ennoblement as Crown Prince."
"So, rather than saying these people are giving me face, it is more accurate to say they are giving Father Emperor face. After all, my position as Crown Prince was personally appointed by Father Emperor. Since I am hosting this banquet, and the Emperor himself has appointed me, why would the ministers not attend?"
Emperor Zhou heard this and laughed heartily,
"Hahahaha, you brat, you are indeed the prince who most resembles me in my youth. Not only have you cultivated excellent martial arts, but you have also mastered the art of imperial strategy."
"Your son dares not."
Zhou Wuji clasped his hands, his eyes solemn as he spoke.
Zhou Tian smiled kindly and asked,
"This is only the first matter. Speak quickly. After I finish reading your last memorial, I too will rest."
Hearing this, the solemn expression on Zhou Wuji's face disappeared, replaced by one of anticipation. He clasped his hands and said with a broad smile,
"My second matter is to invite Father Emperor to attend my royal birthday banquet seven days from now."
"Firstly, many ministers will be present that day. As I have only recently returned to the capital, I am genuinely worried I will not be able to control the situation, especially since these ministers are all confidantes of Father Emperor."
"Secondly, this banquet has been graced with the name 'Royal,' and even the Great Xia Dynasty has sent envoys with gifts. With such a grand occasion, if Father Emperor is not present, and everything is left to my discretion, I am truly worried that some untoward incident might occur!"
Zhou Wuji clasped his hands and finished speaking respectfully, then took a step back, quietly awaiting Zhou Tian's reply.
This first statement not only praised Emperor Zhou's governance and authority over the court officials but also indirectly explained the previous misunderstanding, indicating that he did not have any impetuous ambitions for power. Even if he did, it was granted by the Emperor himself.
The second statement even mentioned the Great Xia envoy and the term 'Royal,' leaving no room for ambiguity and making it impossible for Zhou Tian to refuse.
However, Emperor Zhou was, after all, Emperor Zhou. How could he not understand Zhou Wuji's subtle intentions?
The latter chuckled, half-teasingly saying,
"You spent six years on the frontier, quelling several rebellions, eliminating demons, and fighting enemies with bravery and might, safeguarding peace in one region. What kind of scene have you not witnessed? Are you truly intimidated by a few ministers?"
Zhou Wuji heard this and clasped his hands, saying,
"No matter how brave and mighty your son is, he is not half as capable as Father Emperor. These ministers were all personally trained by Father Emperor. It is quite normal for your son to be unable to control them."
Zhou Tian chuckled upon hearing this,
"Oh, so you actually want to control them?"
"If you can control them all, then what is there for me to do?"
Zhou Wuji realized he had spoken incorrectly and his heart trembled violently. He wanted to say something but could not think of anything to say.
Whether he agreed with Zhou Tian's words or not, he would fall into a trap.
Therefore, remaining silent at this moment was the best course of action.
"Your son has no such intention. Perhaps it is too late, and your son is dizzy with fatigue and has spoken incorrectly. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!" Zhou Wuji knelt and admitted his mistake.
Zhou Tian lowered his head, calmly looking at his eldest son, who had guarded the border for six years. Unsure of what he was thinking, he said directly,
"Alright, get up."
"The ground is cold. I remember you have a leg injury. Do not kneel on the ground often."
"Thank you, Father Emperor!" Zhou Wuji stood up nervously and retreated to the side in silence.
Seeing this, Zhou Tian said with some displeasure,
"Why are you still here? What are you waiting for?"
Hearing this, Zhou Wuji cautiously asked, "Father Emperor... has not yet told your son whether you will be coming seven days from now."
A hint of annoyance appeared between Zhou Tian's brows. He suppressed his anger and said, "I am tired. We will discuss this matter at the morning court tomorrow."
"These large dates were offered from the Western Regions, comparable to spiritual fruits. Take two back to taste on your journey, lest you find it dull."
Zhou Wuji took the large dates handed to him by Emperor Zhou in a daze. Instinctively, he thanked him and then stumbled out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The moonlight was clear and cold. The imperial palace was particularly chilly on this rainy night. Even though Zhou Wuji was a martial artist of the Fourth Realm, he couldn't help but tighten the python robe around himself.
He walked silently to the outer palace walls, boarded the carriage, and in the dim interior, he looked at the two ripe, red dates in his hand with a somber expression. He furiously exclaimed,
"What is this? A blow followed by two sweet dates!"
"A royal banquet for the Crown Prince, and even the Emperor himself is unwilling to attend. Even if more ministers come, what is the point? Was I, this Crown Prince, genuinely appointed by Father Emperor, or was it merely a show of formality?"
"If it is the latter, then what was the meaning of my six years on the frontier!"
Zhou Wuji was extremely indignant. For years, he had faithfully guarded the borders, governed diligently, and dared not slacken in the slightest. Upon returning to the imperial city, he was directly enfeoffed as Crown Prince.
He had thought the throne was within his grasp, and his third brother would have no chance. He never expected Zhou Tian to give him such an answer tonight.
"No, it's not time to fall out!"
Zhou Wuji bit into the two dates, even chewing the pits to pieces. He forced down his dissatisfaction and said to the coachman,
"Move the carriage to Guanghuai Garden. I want to visit my third brother's residence!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The coachman's voice was old but resonant. He drove the carriage swiftly yet steadily. Before long, they arrived at Guanghuai Garden, before a prestigious residence.
"Who goes there!"
The guards at the Third Prince's gate asked vigilantly. The old coachman calmly replied,
"The Crown Prince has arrived. He wishes to catch up with the Third Prince. Make way!"
The two guards listened, their expressions serious, and said,
"Please forgive us, Your Highness. Our殿下 has entered seclusion for cultivation at noon today and specifically instructed that unless it is His Majesty seeking him, he will see no one!"
Hearing this, the coachman narrowed his eyes, slowly loosening his grip on the reins. A faint killing intent emanated from his palm.
"Never mind. Seeing how diligent third brother is, I, as his elder brother, should not disturb him," Zhou Wuji said lightly from within the sedan chair. Then he added, "It's not too late. Let's return to rest. When third brother has time, we will visit again."
The two guards at the gate respectfully clasped their hands and bowed, saying, "Reporting to Your Highness, our殿下 will emerge from seclusion on the very day of your birthday banquet."
Hearing this, Zhou Wuji was silent for a moment, then said with a faint smile, "Very well, then seven days from now, I will have a good chat with this brother I haven't seen in years."
"Giddy up!"
The old coachman cracked his whip, and the fine horses slowly departed.
In front of the Third Prince's residence, the two guards breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why do you think third brother dares not see me?" Zhou Wuji asked in the carriage, frowning.
The old coachman pondered, "Prince Zhou Yuan is intelligent and understands the art of keeping a low profile. I fear he feels that Your Highness is currently in the spotlight and he does not wish to be outshone by Your Highness, hence his refusal to meet."
Zhou Wuji was satisfied with this explanation. He chuckled triumphantly, and looking at the cold moon outside the carriage, he said with a grim expression, "Does not wish to be outshone?"
"Then seven days from now, I shall make my clever brother thoroughly embarrassed in front of all the civil and military officials!"