At the state banquet, the music and dancing never ceased, and the air was filled with cheerful conversations. The banquet tables stretched endlessly along the decorated brick road. Ji Lan sat alone in a high position, admiring the performances below.
Several princes sat at a distance, separated into two sides. Next to them were the left and right chancellors and important ministers. The officials were seated according to their ranks. Further away, separated by ornate screens inlaid with gold and silver jewels, were the ladies.
The complex ceremonial blessings had passed, and the guests were now enjoying fine wine while watching the dancing girls. Southern women sang softly with delicate voices, and the beauties danced gracefully like paintings.
After three rounds of wine, the dances changed several times. The dancers in splendid attire quietly retreated, replaced by a group of men holding swords, who performed a sword dance.
The light from the swords shone brightly, and suddenly a man in armor stepped forward, reciting a frontier poem in a deep voice.
Ji Lan sipped his drink lightly, listening to the recitation with a frown.
The long poem spoke of the grand achievements of the Great Ji Dynasty’s founding, its expansion and conquests, the reverence and submission of neighboring states, and the illustrious deeds of its emperors, each line filled with passion.
The drums grew faster and heavier, while the reciter’s voice turned somber, singing of the moon’s waning, the leaves’ withering, and the tragic history of the previous dynasty’s fratricidal downfall, using the past to warn the present. His voice was mournful, and the drumbeats were heavy.
“How dare you!” Dou Hongyan’s sharp voice shouted, and the Eastern Depot agents rushed in, their expressions cold and stern.
The drumming ceased abruptly, and the sword dancers stopped, kneeling down. The reciter, with tears in his resolute eyes, stood his ground, not kneeling like the others.
Dou Hongyan pointed at him and ordered, “Seize him!”
The Eastern Depot agents quickly descended the white stone steps from the high platform.
“The emperor murdered his brother and framed his kin, unworthy to hold the throne!” the reciter shouted.
Dou Hongyan leaped up to personally apprehend him.
However, before he could reach him, the reciter shouted again, “Alas, the Great Ji Dynasty is doomed to repeat the previous dynasty’s fate! Our ancestors cannot rest in peace!”
With that, he dashed his head against a stone lion pillar, dying on the spot.
Ji Lan wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, waved his hand casually, and said, “Ignore this traitor’s ravings. Clean it up and continue drinking.”
Ji Lan raised his cup, gently swirling the wine.
The sound of clothing rustling filled the banquet as civil and military officials raised their cups in response.
After finishing a cup of wine, the officials resumed their seats. The right chancellor stepped forward from behind his table, bowing to Ji Lan, and said, “Your Majesty, today’s state banquet also coincides with the New Year’s family reunions and celebrations. The Second Prince, missing the bond with Your Majesty, has traveled a long way back to extend his New Year’s greetings. However, he has not received Your Majesty’s summons. I wonder if Your Majesty could pardon his unauthorized return.”
Prince Guangxian laughed heartily and said, “The Second Prince encountered audacious bandits on his way to the border. We thought he had met an untimely end. It is truly a joyous occasion that he returns home safe and sound for the New Year. I rejoice on Your Majesty’s behalf!”
When Ji Lan ascended the throne, he had secretly sent assassins to kill Ji Yan. To avoid suspicion, they fabricated a story that Ji Yan had encountered bandits and died on his way to the border.
Ji Lan’s gaze sharpened slightly. He gently swirled the wine cup in his hand, and with an unchanged expression, he slowly said, “Second Brother’s return is indeed a joyous occasion. His effort to reunite with me from afar is truly commendable. How could I blame him?”
He leaned forward, placing his wine cup on the banquet table, and said, “Where is Second Brother? Why hasn’t he come to see me yet?”
A sound of footsteps came from one side, and Ji Yan emerged alone from the corner. He walked all the way to stand directly in front of Ji Lan, looking at him without kneeling.
Ji Lan smiled at him, waiting for him to pay his respects.
After a long standoff, Ji Lan chuckled lightly and said leisurely, “It seems Second Brother didn’t come today just to celebrate the New Year.”
Ji Yan responded coldly, “You have pursued me for a whole year, Third Brother. Even if I say I’m here to celebrate, it’s against my will. We are brothers; why speak such empty words?”
“Second Brother, you jest.” Ji Lan replied calmly, “Ever since you encountered bandits on your way to the border, I have been worried and prayed for you constantly. Where is there any talk of pursuit?”
Ji Yan sneered and said, “Bring him in!”
Ji Lan narrowed his eyes slightly.
After a flurry of footsteps, two guards dragged in a man with his hands and feet severed, throwing him to the ground. The banquet guests gasped, and the women peeking through the ornate screens cried out in horror.
“The emperor ordered the pursuit and execution of the Second Prince, kill without mercy…” the man stammered, his eyes vacant.
“Second Brother, is this a forced confession, or did you just grab someone to spout nonsense?” Ji Lan smiled gracefully, gently swirling the wine in his cup. “Second Brother, you haven’t even had a drink, yet you’re already speaking drunkenly.”
“Bring more people in!” Ji Yan commanded.
This time, a man and a woman were brought in. The man, known to many officials, was Xiao Qianzi, who had served Ji Yan for years. The woman, Qianqian, was a maid of Sun Yinlan.
“Third Brother, your methods of winning hearts are truly impressive. Xiao Qianzi, who has served me for years, was bought by you. You had them drug me and Sun Yinlan, staged a scene, and accused me of forcibly taking my brother’s wife! Sun Yinlan is your fiancée, and you still used your own woman!”
Another wave of astonishment swept through the banquet.
Ji Lan remained calm, responding coolly, “Last year’s Lantern Festival incident was indeed a setup against you, but it was Fourth Brother’s doing. Father has already exonerated you and sentenced Fourth Brother. Are you suggesting that Father was unjust?”
“Ha!” Ji Yan laughed, “Third Brother, you remain unfazed even as disaster looms. Today, you still lie without remorse!”
Ji Yan pointed at Ji Lan and loudly questioned, “Do you dare swear to the heavens that you did not frame me? Do you dare swear that you did not murder our eldest brother? Heaven sees all!”
Prince Guangxian’s eyes flickered as he stood up, saying, “Second Prince, what do you mean by this? How is this related to the Crown Prince?”
Another court official echoed, “The Crown Prince attempted to usurp the throne and has been dead for years. What do you mean, Second Prince?”
Ji Yan looked around and said, “Our eldest brother, as the legitimate heir, was destined to inherit the throne. Before the incident, Father had no intention of changing the crown prince. Why would he rush to seize power?”
With a sorrowful expression, Ji Yan continued, “Our eldest brother was extraordinarily talented, a prodigy praised by many sages. Yet he was murdered by him!”
The right chancellor’s eyes darkened, feeling sorrow. He had been the Crown Prince’s tutor and knew better than anyone the child’s brilliance. He had often believed that the Great Ji Dynasty would flourish under Ji Chong’s rule, replicating the feats of their ancestors.
Ji Lan nodded lightly and said with a sigh, “Our eldest brother was indeed extraordinarily talented. However…” Ji Lan’s tone shifted, “When the eldest brother passed away, I was not in the palace. The order to have him shot with arrows… came from you, Second Brother.”
Ji Yan gritted his teeth, the sound audible, and angrily said, “That’s because you created the false impression that our elder brother was trying to seize power, making me believe it was true!”
Ji Lan chuckled lightly and said, “According to you, my capabilities are indeed impressive. I can buy off anyone I want, and harm anyone I please.”
Sitting high above, Ji Lan surveyed the surroundings from his elevated position before finally fixing his gaze on Ji Yan. Although his face still wore a gentle smile, a coldness had crept into his eyes, and his voice turned icy, “But what you say today is merely one-sided, and the so-called evidence is not substantial. If, as you say, I can easily win people’s loyalty, why couldn’t you do the same with these servants?”
“Do you still remember me?” a raspy female voice rang out from the distance, harsh and grating, drawing everyone’s attention.
Wen Jingshan, supported by a cane in one hand and Xiaohe in the other, walked slowly forward.
Ji Lan’s smile faded gradually, his expression growing colder.
Wen Jingshan reached Ji Yan’s side and slowly removed the veil from her face. She turned, her gaze sweeping over all the officials, and with her sharp, piercing voice, she loudly questioned, “Five years have passed, does anyone still recognize me?”
The hall fell into a dead silence, until a young girl blurted out, “The Crown Princess!”
Realizing her mistake, the girl quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
Ji Yan’s face showed a look of shock. He had no idea Wen Jingshan would come today; he didn’t even know she was still alive! Seeing her now, his surprise was the same as everyone else’s present at the banquet.
Ji Yan’s mind raced, quickly pondering why Wen Jingshan would appear here. Who had brought her? He could only guess it was Ji Wujing. But why hadn’t Ji Wujing informed him beforehand? Looking around, he couldn’t see Ji Wujing, who had already gone to the Western Depot to find Chen He.
Wen Jingshan slowly turned, raising her head to look at Ji Lan on the high platform, her gaze icy cold. She said, “The Crown Prince always spoke highly of his third brother’s cleverness, hidden and unobtrusive. But the brother he praised so highly ended up killing him!”
Her raspy, furious voice questioned loudly, each word rising higher, like a vengeful ghost returning to exact retribution.
She continued to walk forward, each step punctuated by the heavy tap of her cane on the ornate tiles. Her gaze, filled with hatred, remained fixed on Ji Lan: “You not only killed the Crown Prince but also framed him. He was such a pure and upright person! The entire Crown Prince’s household, over three hundred people, my Wen family, two hundred people, all killed by you! How can someone like you be the ruler of the Great Ji Dynasty, accepting the people’s kneeling?”
Ji Lan’s face had lost all traces of a smile. He slammed his wine cup down heavily and said coldly, “Ji Yan, did you come to the palace today intending to rebel and seize the throne?”
“Rebel and seize the throne? Ridiculous!” Ji Yan pointed to the sky and shouted, “The one who rebelled and seized the throne is you! You altered the edict!”
Ji Lan sneered, “Second Brother, you’re speaking nonsense again. What kind of witness are you bringing this time?”
“The witness, of course, is here.” The voice belonged to Prince Linsi.
Ji Yan looked slightly surprised at Prince Linsi, just about to order the little eunuch who had served Emperor Chang to be brought up, but noticed the officials were all looking towards the back of the women’s seating area.
Ji Yan paused and followed their gazes.
Gu Jianli slowly emerged from behind the screen.