Chapter 60 Betrothal Gifts

There was still quite a long time before the banquet officially began.

Tang Zhaozhao kept her mother and Aunt Lin company, chatting with them to pass the time.

Inside the inner hall, guests were gradually arriving in greater numbers.

When Xie Tingyao arrived and caught sight of Tang Zhaozhao engaged in lively conversation, she glared fiercely at her before turning away to take her own seat.

Having brawled with Liu Rulan by the icy lake, she had not only received a severe reprimand from her father, but had also been summoned into the palace by her aunt for another heavy scolding.

She hated Liu Rulan and disliked Tang Zhaozhao even more.

Because after completely burning bridges with Liu Rulan, she had learned from the latter's own lips that Crown Prince Brother was utterly determined to marry Tang Zhaozhao.

Therefore, she found it utterly impossible to pretend that nothing was the matter.

Lin Guanguan witnessed Xie Tingyao's reaction.

She teased lightly, "Zhaozhao seems to have offended quite a few people!"

Tang Zhaozhao's cheeks puffed out, clearly showing she had not yet finished swallowing the food in her mouth.

She muttered indistinctly, "No fear. If they dare to provoke me, I'll just beat them until they never dare to do it again."

As she spoke, she gave a little wave of her fist.

Watching Tang Zhaozhao like this, Lin Guanguan could not help but think of her former self.

A sudden trance washed over her—at what point had she herself become so weak?

It must have started after her father passed away.

A woman who has lost her support also loses her inner confidence.

As Tang Zhaozhao turned her head to look at her, Lin Guanguan immediately recovered her composure.

She said with doting affection, "Zhaozhao, why don't you become my goddaughter? Aunt Lin has no children of her own. Later, when you settle down and start a family, Aunt Lin will prepare a generous dowry for you."

Tang Zhaozhao tilted her head and glanced at her mother.

Song Rongzhi chided playfully, "Of course you have to contribute to my daughter's dowry. As for children, you will have your own in the future."

Though meant as words of comfort, Lin Guanguan was deeply touched.

Especially when Tang Zhaozhao called out, "Godmother, don't worry. In the future, I will take care of you in your old age."

Lin Guanguan's eyes reddened instantly.

Her appearance caught Song Rongzhi completely off guard.

Tang Zhaozhao was also somewhat at a loss.

Had she known, she would have phrased it differently.

Fortunately, Lin Guanguan quickly gathered her emotions and steered the conversation to another topic.

Amidst such idle chatter, noon arrived imperceptibly.

The time for the imperial banquet was drawing near.

When Tang Wu returned, Lin Guanguan stood up and left.

Tang Zhaozhao watched as she took a seat beside a gentleman.

The man was around the same age as her father, dressed in formal official robes that looked remarkably upright.

Though middle-aged, it could not conceal his refined and scholarly appearance.

So Aunt Lin fancied this kind of gentleman after all.

To outsiders, the man's solicitous inquiries made them look like a deeply affectionate couple.

However, the fleeting flash of disgust in the man's eyes did not escape Tang Zhaozhao's notice.

Tang Zhaozhao leaned over to her mother's ear and whispered a few words.

Song Rongzhi was so startled that the wine cup slipped from her hand.

Seeing this, Tang Wu hurriedly asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

Instead, Song Rongzhi looked at her daughter and asked nervously, "Zhaozhao, you aren't tricking your mother, are you?"

Tang Zhaozhao shook her head decisively.

Song Rongzhi slumped back in her seat, utterly limp.

Seeing the mother and daughter speaking in riddles, Tang Wu wanted to ask what had happened.

Yet at that very moment, a resounding voice rang out.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

"Consort Jing has arrived!"

"Prince Lin has arrived!"

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

At the entrance of the grand hall, the appearance of bright yellow figures immediately cut off the question Tang Wu was about to ask.

Tang Zhaozhao, however, looked toward the entrance at the man seated in a wheelchair.

Though wearing a mask, it could not hide the innate nobility radiating from him.

Why had he come as well?

Not only Tang Zhaozhao was thinking this.

Everyone present shared the same thought.

This sole prince of the State of Kang, the Emperor's only surviving younger brother, had never once shown his face at any palace banquet since he lost the use of his legs.

Some pitied him, while others gloated over his misfortune.

Regardless, no one dared to voice any comments about him.

After all, before his paralysis, he had been a man of swift and merciless judgment.

No one dared to provoke him lightly.

Pushed into the hall by Ah Nan, Prince Lin exchanged an inadvertent glance with Tang Zhaozhao as he passed her, a faint, ambiguous smile curving his lips.

Tang Zhaozhao cursed inwardly.

Just a showy peacock, what was there to be smug about?

The arrival of the Emperor caused everyone present to rise to their feet and bow in salute.

Standing firm at the main seat, he raised a hand and said, "Everyone be seated. No need for excessive formalities at today's banquet."

"We thank Your Majesty," the crowd replied in unison.

Just as Tang Zhaozhao sat down, her gaze drifted to an unremarkable spot.

The person occupying that seat seemed to sense her gaze and looked up as well, locking eyes with her straight away.

Murong Qing nodded slightly, his expression entirely placid.

It was as if it were a purely subconscious gesture, completely natural.

Tang Zhaozhao quickly withdrew her gaze.

The man's eyes were far too clear, making it impossible for her to read him.

Could it be him?

Meanwhile, a hearty laugh burst from the Emperor.

Looking at Tang Wu, he declared, "General Tang has guarded our borderlands for years as a pillar of our State of Kang. It is rare for him to return to the capital, and I am mindful of the sacrifices he has made for the country. I have specially hosted this palace banquet to express the gratitude of the State of Kang to him."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The Emperor's words were immediately met with echoing compliance.

Tang Wu hastily stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty flatters me. This is merely what this subject ought to do; I dare not claim any credit."

Waving a hand, the Emperor replied, "There is no need for such modesty. If I say you deserve it, you do."

Tang Wu promptly raised his cup of wine.

"This subject thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace."

As he drained his cup in one go, the Emperor smiled warmly and said, "Very well, let all my ministers drink to this cup with me!"

Civil and military officials alike raised their cups to drink together.

As Tang Wu resumed his seat, the Emperor stroked his beard and smiled.

"Though today's banquet is held for General Tang, it also serves as an early New Year celebration. None of you need to be overly restrained; liveliness and joy are what make people happy."

The crowd chorused in agreement.

"Your Majesty speaks truly!"

Tang Zhaozhao curled her lips as she watched the scene.

At the same time, she sensed a gaze lingering constantly upon her.

Turning her head, she saw it was none other than Prince Lin, that showy peacock.

Puffing out her cheeks, she deliberately ignored the gaze.

Beneath his mask, Prince Lin gave a helpless, wry smile.

Behind him, Ah Nan whispered, "Your Highness, the shopkeeper said that the gift was delivered, and the Second Young Miss likes it very much."

Prince Lin remained silent, finishing the wine in his cup instead.

The little girl who had seen him completely bare could naturally only belong to him.

Yet there were quite a few others in this great hall who had their eyes on this lass.

Prince Lin was unsure whether he harbored genuine romantic feelings for Tang Zhaozhao.

However, since they had already shared such intimate closeness, he was bound to take responsibility for the young woman.

Otherwise, why would he have bestowed that peerless set of rare treasures upon her?

To put it bluntly, that was Prince Lin's betrothal gift.

Had the clueless Tang Zhaozhao known what was in Prince Lin's mind, she would surely have strangled him on the spot.

How could receiving medical treatment result in someone being saddled with him like this?

Had she known that the priceless heirloom head ornaments were supposed to be a betrothal gift, Tang Zhaozhao would undoubtedly have grabbed the wooden box and smashed it straight into Prince Lin's face.

Crown Prince Murong Bo was also watching Tang Zhaozhao, though his gaze was fraught with complexity.

The image of Tang Zhaozhao gripping Liu Rulan's neck was something he simply could not put out of his mind.

Yet giving up the Tang family entirely was utterly out of the question.

Still, what if he married her and she went mad one day and choked his neck as well? Crown Prince Murong Bo dared not even imagine such a scene.