MCUS Chapter 63

On the day of the festival, even before dawn, the palace bustled with activity. Everywhere, red lanterns swayed, colorful silks fluttered, and fragrant flowers filled the air, adorning the entire palace with resplendent beauty and a joyous atmosphere. The courtiers arrived early, not for a morning audience, but to participate in the emperor’s ceremonies, including the offering to the heavens and the ancestral worship.

Yan Ge felt like he hadn’t slept long when Huangfu Yuchen woke up beside him, opening his eyes to see him dressing. The young Crown Prince was also awakened, groggily attended to by palace maids.

Huangfu Yuchen leaned down to kiss Yan Ge, whispering softly, “It’s still early, go back to sleep.”

As Huangfu Yuchen attempted to withdraw, Yan Ge held onto his neck, taking the initiative to deepen the kiss. Huangfu Yuchen embraced his waist, pulling the parted curtains together, shielding them from the sight of others.

“Happy birthday Huangfu Yuchen!” Seriousness shone more intensely in Yan Ge’s eyes than his smile. “From now on, every year, whether it’s your birthday or mine, I hope we can celebrate together.”

“We will,” Huangfu Yuchen gazed at him tenderly. “Time will prove everything. By the way, there may be ministers who have seen the ‘Young Master Qin’. Now is not the time to reveal your identity. During the banquet, wear a veil or a mask.”

Yan Ge nodded. After Huangfu Yuchen and the young Crown Prince left, he was fully awake. He got up and returned to his palace, practicing swordplay and studying medicine.

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Huangfu Yuchen reappeared, accompanying Yan Ge to have some refreshments before finally going to the Empress’s Yongyi Palace.

Unable to contain his excitement, Yan Ge couldn’t resist changing into even more exquisite and luxurious attire than usual, urged on by the scent of incense and the promptings of attendants.

After getting ready, he went with Qiujiu to the reception hall. Four young eunuchs borrowed from Deng Mande followed behind, carrying the red-clothed birthday gifts.

Inside the reception hall, the decorations were equally festive, with guest tables set up and filled with fruits, pastries, and tea. In the corner, musicians played light and joyous melodies on their instruments.

“Yan Changzai has arrived—”

Before the hour of the Xushi arrived, several palace consorts had arrived early. As soon as they saw him at the entrance, Consort Zhao and the others cast their gazes towards him, observing the mask covering his face from just below his eyes to above his lips. They all covered their mouths and laughed, their mockery evident in their eyes.

They pondered -It was said Yan Changzai was the most favored by the Emperor, but today, despite allowing him to attend such a grand occasion, the Emperor made him wear a mask. It was clear he was afraid of embarrassing him!

Apart from them, there were also ministers and noble families present. Upon seeing Yan Ge’s attire, they could tell he was a male consort, but they dared not scrutinize further and quickly averted their gazes.

Only Prince Huangfu Yuhu stared at Yan Ge for a long time before retracting his gaze, a mischievous smile playing at the corner of his mouth, his thoughts unknown.

Yan Ge calmly walked forward, thinking to himself: Huangfu Yuchen, I’ve made great sacrifices for you. If you dare to betray me in the future, I will make sure you regret it!

Yan Xiaojing, the Minister of Rites, was among the courtiers. He felt distressed for his son but was unable to do anything about it.

After Yan Ge calmly paid his respects to the consorts and received the salutations of the ministers, he followed the guidance of the ceremonial officials and took his seat at the furthest end of the consort’s seating area—his designated position.

The consorts’ eyes carried a stronger sense of ridicule. They said he was the Emperor’s favorite, but for such an important banquet, the Emperor didn’t even arrange a prominent seat for him.

—“Master, when your position is higher, you must make them regret it!” Yan Jin defended Yan Ge.

Yan Ge smiled lightly. “Do I have to wait until my position is higher? The better my relationship with Yuchen, the more uncomfortable they will feel. Why should I take separate action?”

—“You are right, Master,” Yan Jin said, “You are truly composed.”

“Indeed.”

How could he not be composed? Even with Huangfu Yuchen protecting him, he believed that if he made the slightest misstep, all the consorts in the palace would pounce on him. There were plenty of people waiting to see him become a laughingstock.

“Song Guiren has arrived— Du Changzai has arrived—”

Yan Ge was taken aback. Why was Du Zhengfeng here too?

Song Ruhao and Du Zhengfeng entered the hall one after the other.

Seeing them both wearing masks on their faces, Yan Ge’s lips curved into a sweet smile. It must be that Huangfu Yuchen didn’t want him to feel awkward, so he decided to have both male consorts from the Chunfeng Palace attend, and they were also wearing masks, thereby downplaying his presence.

As Song Ruhao walked towards his seat, his gaze remained fixed on Yan Ge.

Yan Ge smiled sincerely and amiably at him, secretly thinking: I wish you would make a move so I have the chance to send you to the cold palace.

Du Zhengfeng’s attitude towards the other three male consorts remained normal from beginning to end, and it was the same now. After he sat down, he nodded slightly at Yan Ge.

Yan Ge secretly admired his acting skills. If it weren’t for Huangfu Yuchen’s revelation, he would never have guessed that Du Zhengfeng was a skilled shadow guard.

At the end of the hour of the Xushi, a eunuch’s sonorous chant resounded from outside the hall: “The Emperor has arrived—The Empress has arrived—”