IDWBE -Chapter 345 Night Banquet

From the Crown Prince to the Ninth Prince, and now the Sixth Prince—are they even his sons?
None of them seemed like the people he once knew.

Lin Yi looked at his father’s disappointed expression and asked seriously, “Brotherly respect and obedience—is Father not pleased? Don’t forget, Father, you are still the ruler of the realm. Sixth Brother dismounted in loyalty to you, not to your son.”

“Pleased? Of course I’m pleased,” Emperor Delong said with a smile. “Since you wish to host a banquet, I will attend and have a good look at my sons.”

“Thank you, Father,” Lin Yi replied. Occasionally bringing his father out as a figurehead was quite useful—it allowed him to stand on the moral high ground and crush those fools who liked to spread nonsense.

Anyone who unjustly criticized him would not escape.

If he couldn’t win in public opinion, he would crush those spreading lies.

Nowadays, “rumors” could still sway the masses quite effectively.

The banquet was held at Tai’an Palace, organized by Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary Ma Jin. But when the Crown Prince suddenly appeared, he was startled, unsure how to react—no one had mentioned the Crown Prince would attend!

When the emperor entered again, everyone was confused, waiting to kneel and shout the customary acclamations.

Emperor Delong sat in the main seat, casting a cold gaze at the Crown Prince beneath him, muttering resentfully, “You wicked son.”

“Dare not,” The Crown Prince stood, cupping his hands toward Emperor Delong. “Your son pays respects, Father. Your voice remains so strong—I am very pleased.”

Listening to this back-and-forth between father and son, the ministers all felt awkward.

“Prince Dai has arrived!”

“Prince Yong’an has arrived!”

At the shout of the palace eunuch, the banquet hall quieted. Everyone returned to their seats, watching as Prince Dai and the Twelfth Prince entered together.

“Greetings, Father! Long live Father, long live, ten thousand years!”

Both Prince Dai and the Prince of Yong’an knelt and shouted.

Emperor Delong said, “Rise and be seated.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Prince Dai had thought facing the toothless Emperor Delong again would be easy, but he found he was mistaken.

Even without power, every word and gesture carried authority, making resistance impossible.

In his heart, he had already scolded Lin Yi ten thousand times.

Fine, host a banquet—but inviting Emperor Delong and the Crown Prince?

Was it because he didn’t want him to be embarrassed alone? Or was it a warning: if he acted against the law, the emperor and Crown Prince would be his fate?

“Thank you, Father.”

The Twelfth Prince noticed the Crown Prince and froze for a moment—his Ninth Brother had actually invited the Crown Prince.

He responded half a beat late.

But it didn’t matter; such details were trivial—his father probably didn’t care anymore.

And he had no ability to care.

Now he followed his Ninth Brother. Unless Ninth Brother spoke, no one could punish him.

After Prince Dai and the Twelfth Prince finished their salutations, they sat beside the Crown Prince’s lower side.

Soon, the eunuchs shouted again.

Lin Yi, hands behind his back, entered the hall.

Everyone stood and simultaneously shouted, “Long live the Regent Prince, ten thousand years, ten thousand more!”

The Twelfth Prince was helpless.

The difference in status entering the hall like this—how could it be so big?

Lin Yi approached Emperor Delong and cupped his hands. “Greetings, Father! Long live Father, ten thousand years, ten thousand more!”

Emperor Delong said nothing, and Lin Yi remained bowed.

The hall fell even more silent, a pin could drop and be heard.

Everyone feared that any clash between father and son might spill over onto them.

“Today, Sixth Brother has returned—it is truly joyous. Father, why bear a grudge against Twelfth Brother? I will make him get a spanking later,” Lin Yi finally grew impatient, unwilling to indulge his father in petty tricks. He kept his hands behind his back and continued, “Let him listen to Father more in the future.”

The Twelfth Prince could only suffer in silence.

What did this have to do with him? Couldn’t he just sit quietly?

He was used to being dragged out by his Ninth Brother to take the blame.

Emperor Delong snorted.

“Bring the dishes, play the music, make it lively,” Lin Yi clapped his hands. “Tonight, drink to your heart’s content. Don’t return sober!”

“Thank you, Prince!”

The ministers shouted.

Silk and bamboo instruments played; dancers performed endlessly.

Emperor Delong drank only a single cup before coughing incessantly.

Lin Yi waved, and He Lian helped the emperor down.

He then sat in Emperor Delong’s seat, high above everyone.

After three rounds of wine, he raised his cup to Prince Dai. “Sixth Brother, still charming and elegant as ever. I truly envy you.”

“Greetings, Regent Prince,” Prince Dai smiled. “You flatter me, Regent Prince.”

Lin Yi frowned. “Don’t you fear saying such things will estrange us?”

Prince Dai replied seriously, “A subject must distinguish from the ruler. I dare not be disrespectful.”

“Sixth Brother, if you keep speaking like that, it’s boring,” Lin Yi patted his shoulder. “Tell me, you must have had your reasons bringing troops into the capital. Speak freely.”

Tired of standing, he sent the Twelfth Prince away and sat beside Prince Dai.

Lin Yi occupied Emperor Delong’s seat. The Twelfth Prince lacked the courage to sit, so he stood behind, watching enviously.

“I dare not,” Prince Dai said lightly. “All blessings and punishments come from the ruler.”

“What if I had sent you to die?”

Seeing he remained measured, Lin Yi was slightly annoyed.

Prince Dai immediately dropped to his knees. “If my lord commands my death, I cannot refuse!”

The singing stopped, the music paused, and the dancers froze in terror.

All ministers put down cups and chopsticks, too afraid to speak.

The hall fell silent once more.

“Sixth Brother,” Lin Yi said in a deliberately gentle tone, “What do you mean by this? Speak to your younger brother.”

Prince Dai shouted, “Everything is at the discretion of the Regent Prince! I dare not speak recklessly.”

The onlookers finally understood.

This Sixth Prince was clever—he publicly affirmed the hierarchy: he was a subject of the Regent Prince. All were witnesses.

From now on, Prince Dai would not contest Lin Yi; he was the Regent Prince’s subordinate.

“No need for such formality—you underestimate my magnanimity,” Lin Yi also understood Prince Dai’s meaning. “From now on, what I eat with one mouth, you’ll wash the bowl with one hand!”

“Ah!”

The ministers were dumbfounded.

What kind of words were these?

Unexpectedly, Prince Dai shouted, “Thank you, Regent Prince!”

He had his own understanding: as a subject, he must serve the ruler. If serving, he must wash the bowls.