MCSCPM -Chapter 52 Preparing the Banquet

Night had finally fallen, and lanterns began to glow one by one in the palace. Nangong Lin felt a bit weary. He had summoned Prince Jing for a discussion, but the prince proved difficult to deal with. Chu Jingcheng was cunning to the extreme, and Nangong Lin felt as though he was being led along rather than guiding the conversation himself.

“Your Majesty, what is troubling you?” A voice spoke just as Nangong Lin sighed. A figure approached—a woman in a red silk gown, exquisitely adorned. “I, your humble servant, have come to attend to Your Majesty.”

It was none other than He Minmin. Nangong Lin didn’t know why she had appeared here, but she respectfully bowed, listened to Nangong Lin’s situation, and then sat beside him.

“Empress, coming at such a late hour… is there a matter?” After a long day attending to Chu Jingcheng, Nangong Lin’s head ached, and seeing He Minmin now caused a fresh pang of pain.

He Minmin’s sharp eyes caught the fleeting expression on Nangong Lin’s face—the momentary frown. Women in the palace were experts at reading subtle expressions. Realizing this, He Minmin immediately adjusted her approach, continuing tactfully: “Seeing it is late, yet Your Majesty’s chambers are still lit, I wondered if something weighed on your mind. I came to offer my assistance, to ease a fraction of your burden.”

Her response was most appropriate. She even cast a concerned glance at Nangong Lin as she spoke.

Nangong Lin, whose anger had just begun to settle, felt it dissipate further at her words. Leaning back into his chair, he finally stopped hiding his thoughts: “Empress, are you aware of the matter concerning Prince Jing of Beihai?”

“Prince Jing?” He Minmin asked, puzzled. But after a brief moment, understanding dawned. “Ah, today Your Majesty invited him, didn’t you?”

“That’s correct. It is indeed him,” Nangong Lin confirmed without denial.

He Minmin’s mind quickly connected the dots. So that earlier worry—it was because of Chu Jingcheng? If that was the case, things might actually be manageable.

She continued: “Your Majesty is concerned about Beihai, yes? Prince Jing holds a very high position in his country. If Your Majesty is worried, why not try to win him over?”

“Win him over?” Nangong Lin’s expression darkened. Discussions during the day had yielded nothing, and understanding that man’s thoughts was nearly impossible. To speak of winning him over now—it was far from simple.

His face grew even gloomier. “Empress, your suggestion is sound in theory, but in practice, it’s easier said than done.” The idea was good, but if it were as simple as talking, Nangong Lin wouldn’t be so troubled.

He Minmin felt slightly embarrassed at being questioned, but knowing the emperor’s mood had been poor, she let it go. Indeed, the plan was clever—but executing it would be filled with difficulties. If it failed, there was no choice but to proceed cautiously. She smiled faintly to herself.

“Your Majesty, I have thought of a plan,” He Minmin said after a moment’s thought. Nangong Lin looked up. “What plan? Speak, Empress.”

“Throughout history, what men covet most is always power and beauty. Prince Jing already holds great status in Beihai. From what I see, what he lacks… is a beauty,” He Minmin said, her eyes glinting with calculation.

Nangong Lin’s eyes brightened. Indeed—heroes love beauties, and Prince Jing could be considered a hero. If they arranged a beautiful companion, it might win him over.

Speaking of beauties, within the palace there were no shortages—princesses, daughters of ministers—all stunning in their own right. Even a picky man like Prince Jing should find one to his liking among them.

With this thought, Nangong Lin’s worries vanished.

“Your Majesty could hold a banquet, inviting daughters of ministers as well as Prince Jing. What happens next can be left to the young ladies themselves,” He Minmin suggested, her eyes full of scheming.

Nangong Lin’s spirits lifted at her proposal. Indeed, it was an excellent plan. If they arranged this marriage alliance, cooperation and submission would naturally follow.

“Then we shall follow the Empress’s suggestion. I will draft an edict now to invite Prince Jing to tomorrow night’s banquet,” Nangong Lin said, rushing to the desk and beginning the draft without paying attention to He Minmin.

Soon the imperial edict was issued; within moments, the banquet was officially set. But as it was a last-minute event, preparations had to start from scratch, leaving a sense of urgency.

“Your Majesty, leave the preparations to me. As head of the Six Palaces, it is my duty to assist,” He Minmin volunteered upon seeing Nangong Lin’s concern.

Nangong Lin, relieved at having someone take charge, readily agreed.

With only a day and a night to prepare, they wouldn’t get much sleep. Nangong Lin glanced at his bed, then at He Minmin, and said, “Stay here tonight; tomorrow you can start early with the arrangements.”

The emperor’s quarters were not far from the kitchen and main hall, so early morning preparations wouldn’t feel rushed.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” He Minmin said, smiling faintly and bowing. On the surface, she was staying to help with preparations, but in the eyes of others, it appeared the emperor had spent the night with her—a perfect opportunity to assert herself over Consort Sun.

He Minmin silently planned her strategy, keeping her expression neutral as she helped Nangong Lin change his clothes.

The night passed without dreams, and morning arrived. He Minmin, following Nangong Lin’s instructions, had already begun organizing the banquet. The most important elements were the dishes and the beauties. Prince Jing had traveled far; the meal had to be exquisite.

Regarding the beauties, He Minmin left nothing to chance. In addition to daughters of ministers, she arranged a group of specially trained dancing girls, whose performances were exceptional—perfect for entertaining the elusive Prince Jing.

“Your Highness, the kitchen reports that all the dishes are ready, just waiting for the banquet,” a maid stepped forward to update He Minmin.

“Good. Make sure everything is done properly,” He Minmin instructed.

“Yes, Your Highness!” the maid responded.

Once the maid left, He Minmin lay back down. Exhausted from the day’s events, she intended to rest.

Before she could close her eyes, the sound of the emperor’s arrival outside startled her upright. What was happening? Shouldn’t everything be fine? How had the emperor arrived at this hour?

A thousand thoughts raced through her mind. Finally, she steadied herself and went out.

“Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!”

“Stand up,” Nangong Lin interrupted curtly. He Minmin, startled, was about to speak, but Nangong Lin continued: “Empress, I have a matter to entrust to you. I wish for you to handle it.”

Realizing it wasn’t a problem, He Minmin’s heart relaxed. “Whatever Your Majesty commands, your servant will carry it out diligently.”

Nangong Lin nodded approvingly and went straight to the point: “Today, you shall invite that goddess doctor from a few days ago. Her medical skills have been valuable—rewards should be given where due.”

He Minmin had anticipated this. She had long known that once Yin Qingyue demonstrated her skills, Consort Sun would attempt to curry favor. This banquet was the perfect opportunity to draw her closer. Most importantly, it was the emperor’s command.

He Minmin calculated the benefits in her mind, each thought bringing her more delight.

“I shall obey the edict!” Her voice rang with enthusiasm as she received the order.

Nangong Lin smiled and nodded. “Excellent.” Then he left.

Following the emperor’s instructions, He Minmin quickly made her way to Yin Qingyue’s quarters.

“Her Highness the Empress has arrived!”

Yin Qingyue paused, then walked outside. Why would the Empress come to this secluded quarters?

Seeing Yin Qingyue’s face, He Minmin was momentarily startled but quickly regained composure. “No need for formalities. Stand up,” she said, stepping forward and helping Yin Qingyue to her feet.

For an ordinary person, this would have been terrifying, yet Yin Qingyue remained composed. “Thank you, Your Highness the Empress.”

Her words carried almost no emotion, earning He Minmin a hint of admiration.

“Please, step inside,” Yin Qingyue said, leading He Minmin into the room.