Chapter 42 Sharing the Imperial Banquet Together

Ever since the names were proclaimed outside the Donghua Gate, the top three scholars of the imperial examination had become highly sought-after figures in the eyes of many officials in Bianjing.

For four or five days running, apart from busying himself with setting up his new residence, Zhao Han had been caught up in a whirl of various social engagements. Even though Wang Ruofu had dispatched servants to lend a hand, he had not been able to snatch even a moment of leisure.

Today, in the Sheng residence located at Jiying Lane, within the Hall of Flowing Brilliance—

Outside the window, the sun was gradually climbing higher. Wang Ruofu glanced at the time, her brows furrowing slightly.

"It is nearly noon. Why has the master not returned yet?"

Mama Liu pondered for a moment and offered comforting words, "Do not fret, First Madam. The master is most likely delayed by some official business, or perhaps he has been invited to drink with a colleague."

Wang Ruofu twisted her handkerchief, the more she thought about it, the more she felt something was amiss. In the past, if Sheng Hong was not returning to the manor for any reason, he would invariably send someone back to inform her, and would never disappear without a single word.

"Has Dongrong returned?"

Mama Liu shook her head. Just as she was about to speak, Dongrong, clad in a dark cyan short jacket, came running in, out of breath, and dropped heavily to his knees at Wang Ruofu's feet.

Seeing this, a premonition of disaster chilled Wang Ruofu's heart, and her eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

"What are you doing here? Where is the master?!"

Lowering his head and hesitating for a moment, Dongrong replied, "When the court was dismissed just now, this servant waited outside the palace gates for a very long time, but the master did not come out. So... so I plucked up the courage to ask Lord Qiu. Lord Qiu said... he said..."

"You rascal, out with it this instant!" Wang Ruofu stamped her feet in anxiety.

"Lord Qiu said that when the court was dismissed, he saw the master being taken away alone by a palace eunuch."

"This servant waited and waited outside the palace gates, but still could not catch a glimpse of the master. Having no other choice, I rushed back first to report the news." As he spoke, Dongrong's voice trembled slightly.

Wang Ruofu's face drained of color, her mind buzzing with a dull roar as her heart sank straight to the bottom.

To be summoned alone by an inner palace eunuch was by no means an ordinary occurrence! Furthermore, they had just arrived in Bianjing, and Sheng Hong was merely a minor official of low rank.

"Quickly, accompany me to see the Old Madam!"

With that, Wang Ruofu cared nothing for smoothing her garments and hurried straight to the Hall of Longevity and Peace, taking Mama Liu with her. She also instructed Dongrong to return and keep watch outside the palace gates, and to send word back at the very first sign of any disturbance.

Hall of Longevity and Peace.

At this moment, several young ladies, including Hualan and Minglan, were gathered here, accompanying the Old Madam to chat and pass the time.

Wang Ruofu burst in unannounced, dispensing with the usual formalities of having her arrival announced.

The Old Madam could not help but knit her brows. Seeing Wang Ruofu's hair slightly disheveled, fine beads of sweat dotting her forehead, and a look of confusion on her face, a sense of perplexity rose within her. After all, though Wang Ruofu's temperament was impulsive and hot-headed, she had never behaved with such a lack of decorum in front of her and the young ladies.

"Mother, something terrible has happened!"

"The master is in grave danger!"

As soon as these words fell, the laughter and chatter that had previously filled the room came to an abrupt halt.

Hualan's silk round fan stopped mid-air. Minglan turned her head to stare straight at Wang Ruofu. Rulan's Luban lock clicked to a halt in her hand, while Molan's brows furrowed deeply with a trace of disbelief.

"What nonsense are you uttering? Why would he suddenly be in danger when everything is fine?" The Old Madam's expression remained calm, her voice carrying an undeniable dignity.

Once Wang Ruofu explained the cause and effect, the Old Madam's gaze darkened slightly, and she merely said calmly, "His Majesty the Emperor is supremely benevolent."

"When the Imperial Garden lacks water, His Majesty worries that the palace servants might be punished, and would rather endure hunger and thirst than go to the Empress's palace for a drink of water. It is utterly impossible for him to punish a subject without cause."

While speaking, the Old Madam patted the back of Wang Ruofu's hand. "My son has always been cautious and has never made enemies at court."

"If there were truly any drastic changes, there would have been rumors and whispers beforehand."

"Do not frighten yourself needlessly, lest you end up causing a panic when there is no fire to begin with."

Hearing this, Wang Ruofu furrowed her brows, picked up the cup of tea left on the side table, and drained it in one gulp.

"Mother is right. If the master has still not returned by evening, I shall go and ask someone to inquire."

"Elder Sister..." Minglan tugged at Hualan's sleeve, her bright, limpid eyes shimmering with a trace of unease.

Hualan looked at this sixth younger sister, usually the most well-behaved of them all, and spoke softly, "Do not be afraid. Grandmother said nothing is amiss; Father will certainly be fine."

Minglan nodded. For now, she had moved to the Hall of Longevity and Peace to live with the Old Madam. The Old Madam was kind-hearted and could not bear to see the mother and daughter separated, so she had specially instructed that whenever Consort Wei came to pay her respects, she was permitted to stay for a longer period.

"Grandmother, First Madam, Molan is worried about Father and is feeling somewhat unwell. Please allow me to take my leave."

Molan rose and offered a graceful bow. Every gesture she made bore at least a ninety-percent resemblance to Lin Qinshuang, stirring a wave of revulsion in Wang Ruofu's heart.

"Since you are feeling unwell, go back and rest properly. Do not let your imagination run wild; your father will surely return safely," the Old Madam instructed.

With a submissive nod and lowered eyes, Molan left the Hall of Longevity and Peace with her maid Yunzai to report the matter to Lin Qinshuang.

"Hmph, putting on an act!" Rulan muttered to herself as she watched Molan's retreating figure.

As the hour of *Shen* approached, the sun slanted toward the west.

Everyone was still waiting anxiously for news when suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside.

Mama Fang hurried in to report, "Old Madam, First Madam, the master has returned!"

"The master!" Wang Ruofu cried out in a wave of overwhelming relief.

The moment she caught sight of Sheng Hong, casting aside all decorum, she took two or three strides forward and threw herself directly toward him.

Sheng Hong caught Wang Ruofu, gave a dry, awkward laugh, and then stepped directly before the Old Madam. He bowed respectfully with his hands folded in front of him, saying, "Your unfilial son has made you worry, Mother."

The Old Madam narrowed her eyes slightly. Seeing that Sheng Hong had not only returned safe and sound, but was also beaming with joy, with even the corners of his eyebrows carrying a look of elation, the heart that had been suspended in mid-air finally settled back into place.

Once Sheng Hong was seated, his voice was even louder than usual as he declared, "Mother, something momentous has happened!"

"Today, His Majesty actually kept me in the palace to partake of the imperial meal with him!"

"What? You shared the imperial meal with him?!"

Wang Ruofu instantly drew in a sharp breath and nearly slipped off her chair. She widened her eyes, staring at Sheng Hong in utter disbelief.

The Old Madam was equally struck with astonishment in her heart.

A minor official of the fifth rank without any notable achievements—to be able to share an imperial meal with the Emperor in the palace was simply unheard of.

Sheng Hong paused for a moment before continuing, "At first, your son almost thought it was my last meal before execution, and I was so frightened my legs turned to jelly."

"To my surprise, His Majesty spoke very gently. First, he asked about the recent locust plague in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and then we chatted about many trivial household matters, which left your son completely at a loss for a moment, stuttering and nearly tangling my tongue when replying."

"Before I took my leave, His Majesty even instructed your son to raise my children well and maintain strict family discipline."

"Does Mother know what His Majesty truly meant by this?"

The Old Madam picked up her teacup, her mind turning over the implications as she finally shook her head. "The grace of the sovereign is unfathomable."

"However, the fact that His Majesty kept you to share the imperial meal is ultimately a good thing and a supreme honor."

"You must bear this in mind: from now on, you must be extremely cautious in your words and deeds everywhere, and never casually discuss this matter with others."

Sheng Hong wore a solemn expression and nodded repeatedly. "Your son will certainly keep Mother's words firmly in his heart."