Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?

Chapter 1002 - 731: Between Palace and Court, Beasts Feasting on Privilege?

The atmosphere in the hall changed immediately upon seeing her.Among those who could attend the Emperor’s banquet today, there were only two women: one was the officially titled Princess Qin, and the other was Yu Mingyue, who followed the Han King—now the Crown Prince—on his expeditions, in the capacity of an official from Jixian Hall.

Even without having to spy, everyone was well aware of His Majesty the Emperor’s intentions.

Therefore, when many ministers saw her, although they dared not blatantly flatter, each still managed a smile, some even abandoned their decorum to fawn upon her. But when they heard what she said upon entering, especially those two sentences, everyone’s expressions changed.

Shen Wuzheng’s face immediately darkened.

Yu Mingyue entered, undeniably boosting Yu Wencheng, and seeing everyone rendered speechless by her words, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat triumphant, yet at that moment, Shen Wuzheng stepped forward, a grim face, asking, "What did you just say?"

Yu Mingyue didn’t expect him to be the first to speak.

Regarding the previous incident where she intended to take his life, Yu Mingyue knew it was impossible to hide; however, Shen Wuzheng, being a gentleman, would maintain decorum among everyone, even if he nearly died and wouldn’t truly tear into her at this moment. But he approached her actively, and seeing his face, it was terrifyingly dark.

Yu Mingyue was taken aback for a moment, immediately regaining her composure, perhaps because of the "toxic chicken soup" she mentioned, still incomprehensible to them.

At this time, she felt a surge of strong superiority, accustomed to it these days, only thinking even such a famous scholar, having extensive knowledge, was ignorant like a child in front of her.

Thus, she smiled faintly and said, "Toxic chicken soup, is it?"

"..."

"It’s those words that seem comforting on the surface but are utterly useless, merely deceiving oneself."

The crowd exchanged glances.

Some showed a sudden realization, but some still furrowed their brows, even revealing some hidden worry, while others directly looked upon her with angry disdain, unabashed.

Shen Wuzheng, unfaltering, said further with a grim tone, "That’s not what I’m asking."

"Hmm?"

"I’m asking about the first two sentences."

"Murder and arson bring golden belts, bridge building leaves no corpses," Yu Mingyue repeated, then sneered, "Why, is there a problem?"

"..."

"This world is indeed topsy-turvy. Good people suffer, evil ones enjoy. Are you still going to deceive yourself, turning a blind eye to all of this?"

"..."

"I only spoke the truth, what, can’t accept it?"

"..."

Shen Wuzheng remained silent, his face becoming increasingly unpleasant.

Although Shang Ruyi was also angry, at this moment, she was more worried about Shen Wuzheng, because since childhood, she had never seen him so angry, even to the point of his expression becoming distorted due to clenched teeth; besides, his hand hanging at his side clenched tightly, turning his knuckles white, and his finger bones began to crack.

At this moment, Yu Wenye coldly spoke, "Swallow back such topsy-turvy words!"

His voice was different from Shen Wuzheng or Shang Ruyi’s; not only was it cold and stern, but it also carried an invisible pressure belonging to a martial artist and an upper echelon. Yu Mingyue was originally haughty, but hearing his voice still made her heart shrink a little.

She frowned, looking at Yu Wenye.

Yu Wenye stepped forward, blocking in front of Shen Wuzheng, and said gravely, "I ask you, in a world upside down, evil ones enjoy pleasure. Then here, adorned with gold and silver and surrounded by attendants, are you suffering or enjoying, is it black or white?"

"...!"

Yu Mingyue was taken aback, not having reacted yet, Yu Wenye continued, "If suffering, how has the court wronged you? What has His Majesty’s gracious banquet done to wrong you?!"

"..."

"If enjoying, then are you good or evil?"

"..."

"Are all the people here evil? Then isn’t it in the halls, rotten wood as officials, beasts feasting in court?!"

His voice was thick and deep, opening like a bell, and at this moment his words were even more resonant, deafening. The surrounding officials had resentment in their hearts but, having to maintain their dignity, wouldn’t directly speak; at this moment, they spoke coldly, "Indeed, we wear golden jade belts, doesn’t that make us murderers and arsonists?"

"We are all beasts."

"Old Zheng, I heard you took dozens of silver taels recently to repair the bridge in the west of the city, now look."

"Haha, indeed, we deserve to have no corpses."

Seeing this situation, Yu Mingyue became somewhat flustered.

Only then did she realize that the belts worn by these people around her were all inlaid with gold and jade, and even her own belt was set with gold foil and jade tokens. In her eagerness to argue back against Shen Wuzheng, she had forgotten that such words, in this era, could rebound on her.

She hurriedly said, "I, I am not—"

Before she could finish, another voice interrupted her. Although this voice carried a natural gentleness compared to Yu Wenye’s deep and sonorous tone, it also added a seriousness at this moment: "Lord Yu’s words were just a slip of the tongue, second brother, there’s no need to hold it against her."

Everyone turned their heads and saw a tall, handsome, and gracefully poised figure slowly walk in from outside the hall.

It was none other than the newly appointed Crown Prince of the Dasheng Dynasty—Yu Wenqian!

Upon seeing him, everyone hurriedly knelt to pay respects, even the cold-faced Yu Wenye and Shang Ruyi, and Shen Wuzheng, who had been gritting his teeth as if there was a suppressed fury within him left unvented, all bowed to him.

"No need for such formalities, everyone."

Yu Wenqian gently raised his hand to indicate, at this moment, he happened to walk to the side of Yu Mingyue, looked down at her somewhat pale face. Perhaps because he had just stepped out of the night, there was also a haze of night shadow in his eyes. After a silent pause, he said, "But such slips, Lord Yu, should be avoided in the future."

"I—"

Yu Mingyue was anxious and hurried to explain, but when she met his gaze, her throat involuntarily choked.

It was Yu Wencheng on the side who said, "What she said was true—"

This time, his words were also cut off.

Because just as everyone quieted down, watching this scene before them, which seemed like an "internal drama" of the Imperial Family, the high-pitched voice of Eunuch Yu reverberated, immediately causing everyone’s heart to sink.

"His Majesty the Emperor arrives!"

Upon hearing the Emperor was coming, everyone was taken aback and dared not express any emotions. They all tidied their clothes and solemnly faced the stately figure walking in slowly from outside the hall, and chanted, "Long live!"

Yu Wenquan slowly entered the hall.

His face showed no emotion, yet only Eunuch Yu, who followed closest, could barely discern a hint of displeasure flickering in those still awe-inspiring tiger eyes, and this hint of displeasure was enough to emanate a pressure that left everyone afraid to breathe. Eunuch Yu turned to glance coldly at Yu Mingyue kneeling beside him and shook his head.

Only then did Yu Wenquan say, "Rise."

Everyone thanked and stood up, watching as Yu Wenquan walked silently towards the throne in the hall; no one dared to speak, and they all quietly found their seats and sat down.

For a moment, the entire Bai Fu Hall was left with only the sound of footsteps and the rustling of garments.

Everyone knew, the Emperor was displeased.

Yu Wenquan, coming from a military background, inherently carried a fierce demeanor, yet after ascending to the supreme throne, he would often show a smile to be close to the ministers, and even purposely share some casual talk with old acquaintances to build rapport. In similar night banquets like this, he would certainly pull everyone into light-hearted conversation after entering to ease the atmosphere.

But he hadn’t said a word, and clearly, his mood was different from usual.

And as Shang Ruyi and Yu Wenye walked forward to find their seats, they exchanged a glance—they both understood well enough that Crown Prince Yu Wenqian must have accompanied the Emperor here; otherwise, with only two or three steps’ distance between them, he wouldn’t dare to walk ahead of his father.

The reason he came in first was clearly because they had all heard Yu Mingyue’s words.

Such words could be spoken by citizens complaining at street corners or as a wicked person’s self-consolation when committing evil, but for those who have studied extensively, governed the state and served as officials in the court, they must never be spoken!

This is not only an attitude but also a belief.

Yu Mingyue, saying such words in this place, in front of these people, wasn’t it akin to urging everyone to compromise with the world’s evils? When these people face life’s choices again, choices that may even concern the nation’s future and the people’s fate, to which side will they lean? What consequences will ensue?

Such words are utterly detestable!

From Yu Wenquan’s attitude at this moment, it was apparent he was furious, but he was also mindful of the face of the Yu Family and even more mindful of Yu Mingyue having followed Yu Wenqian on the expedition to Taiyuan. Tonight was a banquet celebrating the victory in Taiyuan. If punishment came before the festivities even began, then tonight’s night banquet would be rendered completely useless.

Therefore, he let Yu Wenqian come in first to stop Yu Mingyue’s nonsense, then he himself entered—

Yet there was no pleasant expression.

As the Emperor sat down in front, the Crown Prince, King Qin, and Princess Qin also took their seats. It was only then that everyone thanked and found their seats. After sitting down, Yu Wenye coldly glanced at the opposite side, because at this moment, Yu Mingyue, with her current position being just a minor official in the Jixian Hall, was separated by several tables from Yu Wenqian.

Now, all her earlier arrogance was gone, and when she sat down, her legs felt weak, causing her to stumble a bit.

She seemed to be starting to worry.

Tonight’s grand appearance at the banquet was naturally to welcome Yu Wenqian’s grand celebration of his conferment during the day and possibly even a decision regarding her future tonight, but after all that had happened just now, Yu Mingyue suddenly felt a sense of unease.

At this moment, she also felt a bit of regret.

Why did she indulge in verbal skirmishes!