When the wine was extinguished, the singing and dancing stopped.
After the banquet, the guests gradually dispersed and returned in high spirits. The sound of the zither seemed to still linger in his ears. The festive atmosphere of the banquet gradually faded. The servant maids shuttled between the tables and were busy tidying up.
The guests bid farewell to Hong Kuang one by one. Hong Kuang was naturally too busy to split his attention, so he could only turn around and apologize to Huangfu Yifeng,""Sorry for neglecting your highness! The dew is cold at night. Please go to the study first. This old man will come later.”Seeing that Huangfu Yifeng did not object, he turned to the butler who had been standing beside him and instructed," Big Fortune, lead the way for His Highness.”
The butler bowed respectfully to Huangfu Yifeng.""Your Highness, please follow me."
Huangfu Yifeng stood up and smiled at Hong Kuang,""Then this king will wait for Prime Minister in the study.”
"Your Highness, please."
Huangfu Yifeng did not bring any extra people and only let Ying Yun follow him. Then, he left with the steward of the Prime Minister's Residence leading the way.
After all, it was the Prime Minister's residence. Although it did not occupy as much space as the Imperial Residence, it was definitely not small. There was still a certain distance between the banquet venue and the study. The Prime Minister's residence manager was afraid that Huangfu Yifeng would be bored, so he led him slowly to the study as he strolled around.
Ying Yun took advantage of the moment when the manager was leading the way and whispered into Huangfu Yifeng's ear,""Wangye, you spent so much money to buy that fox because you knew that there was something strange about it? Then why did he leave it with Gu Yin? That woman…"
Huangfu Yifeng waved his hand and smiled without answering.
Placing him beside her was naturally a test. Now that things were clear, Huangfu Ye wanted to win Hong Kuang over, and that Ice Fox must have something very important to Hong Kuang. That was why Hong Kuang, who usually didn't go out of the house except for the morning court session, would personally go and get it. Perhaps Hong Kuang was already working for Huangfu Ye. As for Gu Yin, if she was really on Huangfu Ye's side, she would naturally know the secret of the Ice Fox. This fox would be handed over to Hong Kuang sooner or later. If Gu Yin was not, then it would be a good thing.
Led by the steward, they walked along a winding corridor and heard a commotion coming from the courtyard not far away.
Big Fortune saw Huangfu Yifeng looking at the courtyard and hurriedly introduced,""That's Young Miss 'courtyard. Young Miss likes peace and quiet, and there's always nothing going on here. I wonder what happened tonight. Does your highness want to go and take a look?" Although he asked this question, he was actually worried that something had happened to the young miss and wanted to see what had happened.
Seeing Big Fortune's anxiety, Huangfu Yifeng did not put himself in a difficult position. Anyway, he had nothing to do, so it was good to go and take a look. Although he was not particularly interested in this lady of the Prime Minister's residence who was rumored to be gentle and generous, and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Chief."
When Big Fortune heard that his highness had agreed, he hurriedly walked towards the courtyard, completely forgetting that he was going to "lead" Huangfu Yifeng in. However, Huangfu Yifeng did not blame him. He slowly walked towards the elegant yet luxurious courtyard.
"Forget it, forget it! Don't use a bamboo pole! You scared Yingyou! Take the bamboo pole away." A woman waved at the servant. Although she was anxious, her tone was still gentle and pleasant.
"Miss, what should we do?”
"Think of another way…You-Er, don't be afraid. I will think of a way to save you!”The woman stood under the tree and raised her head to comfort him gently.
" Meow!" A cat's meow came from the tree.
"Miss, what happened?" Big Fortune rushed to Hong Ling 'er's side. Seeing that she was unharmed, his worried heart finally relaxed.
"Big Fortune! You came at the right time! Help me think of a way. Youer is hiding on the tree and doesn't dare to come down!”When Hong Ling 'er heard Big Fortune's voice, she quickly turned around and grabbed Big Fortune's arm to ask for help.
It was a woman as pure as a lotus. Dressed in green, her face was as white as jade, her lips were cherry white, and her eyes were like stars. Her black hair was quietly draped behind her back. She was like a piece of beautiful jade, quiet but breathtakingly beautiful.
However, Huangfu Yifeng was more interested in the cat on the tree.
It was a very…strong cat. Its fur was yellow and white. Ignoring its size, it was still a cute pet.
It was impossible to find out how the fat cat managed to climb up the tree. What was known was that the cat couldn't get down. Its giant ball-like body shivered on the tree.
"Miss, why don't we let the guards go up and carry it down?”Big Fortune suggested.
"Good idea! Little Yang, hurry up and carry You-Er down!”The woman quickly turned around and instructed the guard.
"Yes, Miss." A guard hung his sword on his waist and flew up the tree. However, before her feet could touch the tree branch, the cat roared crazily and waved its claws in the air. It was probably frightened by the person who suddenly flew up and almost fell off the tree. Hong Ling 'er was so scared that she hurriedly shouted,"Little Yang! Come back! Don't go near it! It was afraid! Youer, don't move! Be good and hold the branch tightly!"
She really hoped that she knew qinggong too. That way, she could go up. Youer definitely wouldn't be afraid.
However, this didn't work, and that didn't work either. What should he do?
Huangfu Yifeng leaned against the door of the courtyard and watched the group of people running around anxiously under the tree. The excitement was over, and he wanted to leave, but he couldn't grab the steward to lead the way.
"Wangye, why don't I bring that cat down?”Ying Yun was getting impatient.
"That cat is already so scared that it doesn't recognize people. It won't even touch the people it's familiar with. In addition, its owner's heart hurts so much that he calls people back when he sees the cat scared.”
"Then what should we do? We can't just wait here." It was getting late, and most of the people in the Imperial Residence were asleep.
Just as he was about to say something, Huangfu Yifeng saw a group of people outside the door carrying the remaining items of the banquet and preparing to clean them up. He thought of something and straightened his body to walk over. When those people saw his highness come over, they were flustered and hurriedly bowed.
Huangfu Yifeng didn't say anything either. He glanced at the items on the trays, picked up a plate, and left, leaving behind a group of confused servants who looked at each other. The servant girls blushed. Seeing his highness so close, their hearts were in chaos.
The people in the courtyard who were at a loss for what to do were stunned when they saw Huangfu Yifeng walking over. Only Big Fortune knew that he was His Royal Highness. He suddenly remembered his business and turned pale with fright." Your Royal Highness, I…" He was about to kneel down and apologize, but Huangfu Yifeng stopped him. Huangfu Yifeng then turned to Hong Linger and said with a faint smile,""Miss Hong, can you let me try? Perhaps I can make Miss's beloved cat come down.”
When she saw a handsome man appear in front of her, he was elegant with a hint of coldness. His dark eyes were distant but polite like the night, and Hong Ling 'er's heart instantly beat twice as fast. She lowered her head in panic to avoid those alluring eyes and whispered,"Please do as you please, Your Highness."
After getting his master's approval, Huangfu Yifeng no longer had any worries. He took a piece of dried fish from the plate and threw it onto the tree trunk in front of Fat Cat.
Its fleshy nose twitched, and the frequency and magnitude of its fat body trembling greatly decreased. Its neck, which was almost invisible, was pulled out. It opened its mouth and stuck out its tongue, and the dried fish entered its stomach. Just as it was about to remember where it had appeared, another piece of dried fish accurately landed on the spot where the other piece of dried fish was. After repeating this many times, Fat Cat had almost forgotten about her fear. She stood up and prepared to look for the next piece of dried fish.
Huangfu Yifeng took a piece of dried fish and handed the plate to the servant beside him. He did not throw the dried fish on the branch again, but threw it vertically up. He followed closely behind.
The piece of dried fish brushed past Fat Cat's nose and then fell. Fat Cat was so tempted that she didn't notice that a person had already jumped to her side. She only lowered her head to grab the food. Huangfu Yifeng seized the opportunity and stretched his hand across the fat cat's stomach. He pulled it into his arms and flipped it back to the ground. He handed the cat, who had yet to realize what had happened, to Hong Ling 'er, who was stunned by the side.
Without waiting for Hong Ling 'er to speak, Huangfu Yifeng turned around and asked Big Fortune,""Chief, can we go now?”
"Yes!" The manager nodded quickly. Your Highness, this way please!"
By the time Hong Linger regained her senses, Huangfu Yifeng had already disappeared outside the door.
Her starry eyes looked longingly in the direction where the handsome man had disappeared. She recalled the extremely handsome qinggong of this wise man. Kong jumped up and down handsomely, and a blush appeared on her delicate face.
"Your Highness, please." Big Fortune pushed open the door of the study room and moved to the side. After Huangfu Yifeng and Ying Yun entered, he followed them in and gently closed the door.
Hong Kuang was already seated at the table. When he saw Huangfu Yifeng enter, he stood up and cupped his hands,""Your Highness, please sit."
"I didn't expect to make Prime Minister wait so long.”
"Your Highness is too polite. Your Highness is interested in the scenery of the residence. This is the honor of the Prime Minister's residence.”
"Is that so? May I know why the Prime Minister asked me to stay?”Huangfu Yifeng didn't say anything more and went straight to the point.
"About this, your highness should also know? Big Fortune, bring it up." Hong Kuang smiled and stroked the goatee on his chin as he looked at Huangfu Yifeng meaningfully.
Soon, an object wrapped in bright yellow silk was placed in front of Huangfu Yifeng. Hong Kuang looked at him calmly.
"Don't you know what I mean?”Huangfu Yifeng pushed the object in front of Hong Kuang's eyes, but he was still calm." Do you dislike a gift for the Prime Minister?"”
"Disdain? Your highness is really crushing this old man! How could this old master dislike this royal keepsake? I just don't dare to accept it!"
Not everyone could own a golden dragon, even if they were relatives of the royal family. Only the princes who were especially valued were qualified to have it. Now, Huangfu Yifeng had given this golden dragon to Hong Kuang. Everyone knew what this meant.
"Prime Minister, just accept it. Since this prince has decided to give it to the Prime Minister, what does the Prime Minister have to worry about?”
"Your Highness, aren't you afraid that this old man will hand this golden dragon over to the Emperor?”
"Prime Minister, do you really not understand, or are you pretending not to understand? If this golden dragon appears in the Prime Minister's hands, won't our relationship be unclear? What Imperial Father hated was that officials and ministers formed cliques with each other. The Prime Minister was an understanding person. He naturally knew whether or not he should hand it over. Moreover, although the court had formed a faction in private, it seemed that the Crown Prince's faction was still the strongest. Presumably, the Prime Minister would not be stupid enough to offend both sides.”Huangfu Yifeng slowly stated the pros and cons in a flat tone. Since he dared to take it out, he would definitely not let her suffer a loss.
"Your highness is really ruthless. This is making things difficult for this old man. If this old man doesn't accept it, it's obvious that I'm going against the Crown Prince. If this old man accepts it, I'm afraid that I'll have to go through fire and water for the Crown Prince in the future.”Hong Kuang pretended to be upset, but his eyes were still calm, as if he didn't care about this dilemma at all.
"Do you think the matters of the Imperial Court can stump the Prime Minister? If the Prime Minister didn't want to accept it, would he be afraid that he couldn't think of a way? However, from the beginning, the Prime Minister only asked me what my intentions were and never mentioned anything about returning it. Do you think that the Prime Minister is deliberately making things difficult for me?”
"Haha! Your Highness has good eyesight! How could I not join such a talent? It is my honor to be able to work under your highness. However, there is one thing I don't understand." Hong Kuang laughed loudly, his eyes full of admiration for Huangfu Yifeng, for his wisdom and courage. To take such a risk, not only did it require courage, but it also required confidence in one's choice.
"Prime Minister, there's no harm in speaking frankly." Huangfu Yifeng smiled. Even at this moment, one could not tell what he was thinking from his face.
"Everyone knows that wangye and the crown prince have a very good relationship. However, under the temptation of power, there were countless examples of brothers turning against each other. Could it be that His Highness had never been interested in the throne?”
If it was anyone else, Hong Kuang would definitely not say such words. However, if it was Huangfu Yifeng, he was very relieved. He might not have seen through what kind of person Huangfu Yifeng was, but he would definitely not slander or falsely accuse him. This made him quite admire him.
"Prime Minister, you have to be careful when you say this." Huangfu Yifeng's black eyes flashed, but he still maintained his calm smile.
"Your highness, don't be anxious. This old man has no other intentions, I just admire your highness. His Royal Highness was calm and collected when he encountered problems. He knew people accurately and deeply. He was bold but careful when it came to employing people. He was brave and resourceful. He had extraordinary insight and courage towards the country. He had the talent of a general and also the demeanor of an emperor. He was on par with the Crown Prince. Why was his Royal Highness willing to be under others and be willing to give advice to the Crown Prince?”
"Prime Minister, you flatter me. Even the Prime Minister said that this Prince and the Crown Prince are on par, so what difference does it make who owns the world? This Prince's heart is not in the court, the throne is only a restriction. With the Crown Prince's character, this king can rest assured. If the world is handed over to him, the prosperity of the country is just around the corner, so why wouldn't this king be happy?”What a joke. A few years ago, even the heavens had helped him escape the disaster of the "crown prince". If he went to snatch the "crown prince" that he had lost with great difficulty, wouldn't he be asking for a beating? He was secretly pleased when he thought of Huangfu Zhuoqing's expression as if he had stepped into a manure pit.
However, on the surface, he still had to say it in a dignified manner.
Although neither of them had the heart to be the emperor, they knew that they had to seize the throne. There was no one in the court. The other princes were either only good at eating and drinking, weak and incompetent, or ruthless and could not distinguish between loyalty and treachery. The world must not fall into their hands. Back then, they had already successfully won the position of Crown Prince. Now that they had reached the critical moment, they could not afford to make any mistakes.
"Hearing your highness 'words, this old man is extremely ashamed. Your Highness's boldness of vision is a great blessing to the world. This old man will naturally do his best to assist the Crown Prince!"
"That's good. Then I'll have to trouble Prime Minister to keep this golden dragon for me.”
"Rest assured, Your Highness!"
"It's getting late, this prince won't disturb you any further.”Seeing that the matter was settled, Huangfu Yifeng stood up and bade farewell.
"This lowly subject respectfully sends off your highness!"
"Prime Minister, please wait. On your birthday, you should have a good reunion with your family.”Finishing, without waiting for Hong Kuang to ask Big Fortune to send him off, he took Ying Yun and used Lightness Skill to disappear into the night.
Looking at the direction Huangfu Yifeng disappeared in, Hong Kuang was deep in thought. It seemed that the rumors that King Jing possessed peerless martial arts were not untrustworthy.
"Old Master, can we really accept this token?”Big Fortune, who had been standing silently beside Hong Kuang, asked uneasily.
"Don't worry, I have my own arrangements." He didn't look away. His eyes were still looking out of the window.
"But Your Highness…"
"King Jing's character is trustworthy. There are only two people I admire in the imperial court. One is Huangfu Zhuoqing, the other is Huangfu Yifeng…Heh, Concubine Xiao actually gave birth to two such outstanding sons.”
" But Miss seems to…"
"If King Jing wanted to use Ling 'er, wasn't that a good opportunity? However, his highness had always paid attention to propriety and was cold and polite to Ling 'er. He could be considered a gentleman. However, Ling 'er, this is not something we can interfere with. If we let her do as she pleases, I'm afraid that the one who will be sad will be herself.”Even though he wasn't present at the time, he was still very clear about what had happened.
Thinking of his only granddaughter, Hong Kuang sighed softly, looked away, washed up, and went to sleep.
On the other side, Ying Yun and Huangfu Yifeng asked,""Your highness, now that even the Prime Minister has surrendered, your highness shouldn't have to worry about this?”It had been a long time since he had seen Huangfu Yifeng take a good rest.
"Do you think Hong Kuang is trustworthy?”Huangfu Yifeng's cold voice drowned out the night wind with a faint smile.
"Your Highness, you mean…"
"We still have a chance to fight Hong Kuang.”
"Then why did Your Highness try to win over an untrustworthy person?”Ying Yun was completely confused.
"Covet? Yun, Zhuoqing and I don't need to win over anyone.”His cold tone was filled with an overbearing arrogance.
"Your Highness, is it for…?"
"Take the Commander Seal."
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