[BL] Rebirth: Back to Zero - Chapter 9 Part 3

          

Rebirth: Back to Zero 
Author: 祎庭沫瞳 (Yi Ting Mo Tong)

Chapter 09 An Exposing Banquet (Part 3/3)
 

Ling Qiyang chuckled nonchalantly. Compared with the royal family, Count Wangyang Mansion was indeed just a small household. While the title of Count Wangyang appeared dignified, it had no real power. Count Wangyang got the title only because of the blessing of his ancestors. While Ling Qiyang shrugged it off, Jun Lixuan was uncomfortable listening to the snarky remark. He held Ling Qiyang's hand under the table and stared daggers at the Imperial Noble Consort.
 
The Empress naturally understood what her son was thinking. Similarly, she did not like the Imperial Noble Consort’s criticism of her son-in-law's identity. So, she retorted, “Xuan’er’s marriage was bestowed by the Emperor."
 
Those words struck a chord with Emperor Yanxi. Then, his eyes narrowed onto the Imperial Noble Consort. Instantly, the Imperial Noble Consort knew that she had made a mistake and hurriedly laughed. "I meant that the royal family is not comparable to ordinary people. It is normal for the His Royal Highness Ling's wife to have never seen these dishes. Otherwise, wouldn't it be more disrespectful?"
 
Emperor Yanxi kept his silence and passed some food to the Empress's plate. Under the table, the Imperial Noble Consort secretly twisted the veil in her hands, fuming deep down her heart.
 
"While I was not around when Seventh Brother got married, I caught wind of the huge hoohaa that arose from your proposal to marry Ling Qiyang. You've made him wait for so many years. Thankfully, the bitter loneliness paid off. I'm so glad that your longing bore fruit." The Eldest Prince, sitting next to them, said with a smile. Since the start of the banquet, he had been wallowing in dissatisfaction. Although he was not the Empress's son, he was still the eldest and had many merits. Arranging him in the fourth position amongst the princes was unacceptable in his eyes. "Then again, what if Seventh Brother never looked back on his decision. Qiyang, would you have died waiting? That does not seem worthy at all."
 
Ling Qiyang looked at Jun Chengrong next to him, and said softly, "Once your heart is set, you will see it through till the end."
 
Jun Chengrong was lost for words for a moment. Then he snorted, "What a sophisticated saying. Alas, I'm not too good with literature. I wonder if Seventh Brother understands?"
 
"Naturally." Jun Lixuan smiled and looked at Ling Qiyang, "You only miss some things after you let it slip by. Only after meeting some people will you learn of their importance to yourself. Others don't understand and don't need to understand."
 
"Wow, everyone praises Your Royal Highness Ling for his excellence in both literary and martial arts. But we mostly see his bravery and indifferent coolness. I never expected that he would even say such profound ideas. This is so unlike Chengrong. He's a simple man, only thinking of meritorious service and trying to share the Emperor's worries. Everything he does is to be a filial son." Concubine Ying was sitting next to the Imperial Noble Consort spoke. She was Jun Chengrong's biological mother and naturally did not see eye to eye with the Empress. Ever since she entered the Palace, she stuck to the Imperial Noble Consort for support. Alas, the two seemed to cooperate but were not of the same team.
 
Concubine Ying's attempt at praising her son's military achievements was jarringly obviously. However, when people harped on about their accomplishments, they were an easy opponent and nothing to be afraid of. 
 
Jun Chengxi, who sat beside Jun Chengrong, laughed mockingly. His eyes reeked of fox-ish contempt. Evidently, he did not think highly of this mother and son pair. Beside him, the Fourth Prince, Jun Chengyan, was indifferent. He drank his own glass of wine as if he had not heard anything. While he attempted to put on an expressionless mask, his disdain towards Concubine Ying and the Eldest Prince leaked through and were unmaskable.
 
"It's a good thing to have filial piety. Amongst the Emperor's sons, all of them excel in literary and martial arts. Concubine Ying's words are too modest. After all, Chengrong was also taught by our Empire's finest tutors. How could he only know martial arts but not literary arts? "The Empress was thoroughly unimpressed by how Jun Lixuan was exploited to praise Jun Chengrong. If military exploits were compared amongst the princes, either Jun Liyuan and Jun Lixuan would easily make Jun Chengrong's merits seem like child's play.
 
"Speaking of literary and martial arts..." Concubine Ying smirked and threw a suggestive glance at the opposite side.  "The Sixth Prince excels in literature and history, but does not seem as polished in his martial arts." Concubine Ying words challenged the Empress's statement. Or rather, was she alluding that the Sixth Prince was not the Emperor's son since he was less apt at martial arts?
 
Concubine Ying's brainlessly bold suggestion shattered Emperor Yanxi's originally jovial mood. Jun Liche's mother was his favourite concubine. Alas, fate was ruthless and took her away after giving birth to Jun Liche. Even today, the thought of her passing still brought heartache and nostalgia to Emperor Yanxi.
 
"Concubine Ying is mistaken. The martial arts mentioned by Empress Mother does not mean our ability to command soldiers." Jun Liyuan, who has been silent for a long time, spoke up in defence, "Emperor Father instructed us to practice martial arts to strengthen our bodies. As for how successful we are in our mastery, it depends on our personal preferences and aptitude. There are many martial arts practitioners in the world, but few are outstanding. However, this does not affect our enthusiasm for martial arts. Accordingly, the importance of martial arts lies in developing fitness. It is because of Emperor Father's guidance that all of us Princes have a strong body today ."
 
"Yuan'er is right." Emperor Yanxi nodded in satisfaction, "I have nine sons, and each of them is different. My sons don’t need to look the same and do the same things. As he is right now, Che'er is perfect."
 
"Thank you, Emperor Father." Jun Liche smiled and raised his glass to the Emperor. The father and son toasted each other.
 
"Concubine Ying, you have been in the palace for a long time, and you should know what is right to say." The Imperial Noble Consort could see how Concubine Ying's words were inappropriate. She quickly rounded things up and said, "It's good to be straightforward, but you tend to say unthoughtful things. Through your mouth, even good things become bad things."
 
Finally, it dawned upon Concubine Ying that her words should have never left her mouth. She immediately got up and apologized, "I've been thoughtless and did not mean harm. Please forgive my thoughtless words, Your Majesty."
 
Seeing his own Mother Concubine kneeling and confessing her mistake, Jun Chengrong immediately stood up and bowed. "Mother Concubine made an unintentional mistake. Please forgive her, Emperor Father ."
 
Emperor Yanxi waved his hand and said, "We are celebrating the New Year, and I also hope for the banquet to be lively and happy. Get up. Since the Imperial Noble Consort can give Concubine Ying some guidance, teach her a thing or two tonight as we usher in the New Year. I am going to rest at Serene Palace tonight. So, you can spend some time guiding her."
 
"Yes..." The Imperial Noble Consort barely hung on to her collapsing smile. A maliciousness tore through from her gaze towards Concubine Ying. The Empress smiled and instructed the attendants to go back and make preparations. Then she turned around to continue the banquet.
 
Coupled with the vicious verbal warfare, the fruit wine made Ling Qiyang a little dizzy. Jun Lixuan calmly leaned over, letting him rest on his body, holding him with both hands. Only when he felt the warmth of Ling Qiyang's hands did he rest easy. The drunk Ling Qiyang could no longer be bothered about the embarrassment, so he just went along with Jun Lixuan's willfulness. "The Emperor should be able to sleep well tonight." Ling Qiyang whispered softly.
 
Jun Lixuan smiled and whispered back into his ear, "You can also sleep well tonight."
Ling Qiyang let out a soft "hmm”. His ears flushed red, as his body took in Jun Lixuan's body warmth. With the support of his husband, Ling Qiyang’s lightly drunk body was extremely stable.
 

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Translator's Notes:

A palace banquet exposes the conniving hearts of many. In fact, if you think about it carefully, everyone has their own position and ideas. Is it wrong to work for our own benefits? Perhaps it's not the thought that is wrong, but the methods.
 
Somehow it's New Year's this week in the novel too (Though they are celebrating the Chinese one)! Mysteriously timely :) Look out for the festive bonus chapter later this week, and allow me to shamelessly ask for a red packet down below!

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