Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 165 The Allure of Honeyed Words and Hidden Daggers

The voting in the hall continued for some time, mostly involving young men and women. As for the older ones, they either disliked joining in or were concerned about their status, and basically did not participate.

After the imperial family members, when other young men and women from the imperial relatives voted, more people also voted for Zhang Dai.

As Li Xia said, no matter how pleasing the Prince of Ruyang's dance skills were, it was merely a matter of proficiency; the style and taste were not particularly high. Zhang Dai's poem, while not a masterpiece, still demonstrated exceptional skill in rhyme and meter in its creation within such a short time.

Even so, Zhang Dai's votes were far behind those of the Prince of Ruyang. The attendants in the hall were naturally happy to flatter the noble prince of Ruyang, and they brought several containers and placed them in front of him, filling them with artificial flowers.

In this way, the contrast between the two sides became even more obvious: the Prince of Ruyang had several boxes full of artificial flowers in front of him, while Zhang Dai had not even filled one box.

While both were handsome young men with outstanding charm, this comparison naturally made the Prince of Ruyang appear spirited and dashing, while Zhang Dai seemed somewhat downcast and dejected, even appearing inferior in terms of demeanor.

Fewer and fewer people in the hall participated in the vote, and even if more people joined in, it would not change the huge gap in votes between the two sides. It was clear that the victory of the Prince of Ruyang was already secured!

Some of those who voted for Zhang Dai couldn't help but sigh with regret upon seeing this. As for the royal family members who had intended to ridicule Zhang Dai, they laughed without restraint.

Even the Prince of Ruyang had a smile on his lips at this moment. With the posture of a victor, he turned his head, raised his chin slightly, and looked at Zhang Dai with a slightly condescending gaze.

However, just when everyone thought the outcome was settled, Prince Ning, who was sitting in the upper seat, stood up from his seat, bent down, picked up a fake flower, and walked into the hall. He actually wanted to participate in the young people's game and vote.

Everyone was astonished by this scene, and some even wondered to themselves how Zhang Dai had offended the Ning Prince's family, that someone of the Ning Prince's high status would have to step in and humiliate him.

However, what happened next surprised everyone even more. Prince Ning, holding a fake flower, walked straight past his son and instead went to Zhang Dai, putting the flower in his hand into the box.

Zhang Dai was not surprised by this, and simply bowed slightly in greeting.

Prince Ning didn't offer him any words of encouragement. He simply glanced at him calmly before turning back. When he reached his son, he said in a deep voice, "I admonish you not to be arrogant!"

When everyone saw this, they thought that Prince Ning did not truly appreciate Zhang Dai, but only wanted to take this opportunity to teach Prince Ruyang a lesson so that he would not be arrogant and impetuous. So they all applauded and praised Prince Ning for his excellent family education, and for being a wise king of the time.

Zhang Dai didn't say anything, only glancing down at the less than one box of artificial flowers in front of him, then at the several boxes in front of the Prince of Ruyang, and finally at the Prince's handsome, subtly cold face, where he smiled and nodded. "I may have lost, but your father thinks I've won, so be it!"

The fact that his father had suddenly voted for Zhang Dai had already surprised and displeased the Prince of Ruyang, but the sage's subsequent statement only made him feel worse.

"My son comes from a privileged background, so he should be carefree and indulge in pleasure. His flower servant is skilled and amazing, and is considered the best among his disciples. It is only natural that relatives and friends gather to praise him!"

The emperor first pointed at the Prince of Ruyang and said with a smile, but then changed his tone and said seriously, "Even when you are in seclusion or bored, you should read books. If you gain something from reading, you will be so happy that you forget to eat. The ancients did not deceive us. Do not be laughed at by Xu Gong of the North City."

As he spoke, the emperor raised his hand to summon the attendants in the palace and ordered them to fetch two brocade robes and jade belts from the inner treasury and distribute them to the two men.

Hearing this, Zhang Dai felt a little better. At least all his efforts to flatter him and stand here as a background figure for half a day hadn't been in vain. He muttered to himself as he bowed and then rose to dance in gratitude. To be honest, his dance was not as graceful and pleasing to the eye as that of the Prince of Ruyang.

The Prince of Ruyang looked rather grim, but he dared not be disrespectful in the palace. He also bowed and danced to express his gratitude before returning to his own seat.

"So who actually won?"

The young disciples who had enthusiastically voted in the hall were still somewhat confused, so Li Xia, who was huddled in his seat, asked in a low voice.

When his father, Prince Xin'an, heard this question, he glared at him and then scolded him in a low voice: "After you go home, you should read more books and stop indulging in idle play!"

The banquet had come to a close, and the emperor still wished to keep the two kings in the palace to continue the festivities all night. However, both kings politely declined the invitation and took their leave. Seeing this, how could the other guests be so tactless as to linger in the palace? So they all bowed and took their leave as well.

After chatting with the two princes for a while, the emperor rose and left the palace to rest. It was already night, and the curfew in the city had long been in effect, so the palace needed to arrange for eunuchs to guide these imperial relatives back to their respective residences.

These trivial matters were handled by Gao Lishi and other chief eunuchs. Zhang Dai, at Consort Hui's signal, rose and followed her to the side hall. "Sixth Brother, you did a good job tonight! I was originally thinking about how to stop that treacherous servant Wang Maozhong from making a comeback, but I didn't expect you to have already made arrangements. First, you sent your poems to his daughter, and then you questioned her in the hall and exposed her!"

After settling down in the side hall, Consort Wu Hui couldn't help but praise Zhang Dai highly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai was both amused and exasperated, sighing at his aunt's vivid imagination. "I was almost scared to death back then," he thought, "how come you think it's a carefully orchestrated scheme? Do you think I can predict the future? How can I be so sure that Wang Maozhong's daughter will sing this song?"
He recalled the angry look in Wang Maozhong's eyes when he saw him in the palace. Could it be that the guy also thought this was his conspiracy?

He wanted to offer a further explanation, but Consort Wu Hui said gleefully, "After this incident, this thieving servant should give up. He knows that his daughter has no right to enter the palace and serve the emperor. By going against the will of heaven and man, he is only bringing trouble upon himself!"
"Then your aunt's entry into the palace can be planned at a leisurely pace. This matter still requires your careful planning, Sixth Brother; don't be lazy! I've received so much help from you, and only now do I finally understand the convenience of having a capable companion!"

Having enjoyed the various personnel benefits brought about by Zhang Dai's wisdom and strategies, she now has an increasingly high level of trust and reliance on this cunning strategist.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai could only laugh awkwardly. Even if he possessed extraordinary talent, there was no position prepared for him in the Imperial Secretariat, so he could only start by serving his aunt well.

After recounting these events, Consort Wu Hui suddenly frowned and asked, "Sixth Prince, how did you come to have a grudge against the Prince of Ning's family?"

Speaking of this matter, Zhang Dai was also somewhat bewildered and helpless. He simply shook his head and said frankly, "I really don't know why I am disliked by the Prince. The only thing I can think of is that I had a minor argument with the local scholars from Jingzhao Prefecture recently. Perhaps there were relatives or friends of the Prince of Ning involved, which led to the feud. The Prince of Ning is of a high position, and I cannot get close to him. Apart from that, what other opportunity could I have to offend the Prince of Ning?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Wu nodded slightly, then said in a deep voice, "If that's really the case, then Prince Ning is indeed a bit petty. As an elder, if he's too lazy to mediate when he sees a dispute between young people, he should simply turn a blind eye. How can he take advantage of his seniority to bully the young and side with one side?"

But after saying this, she looked at Zhang Dai and said, "Since there is no irreconcilable conflict or grudge between us, it is not a big deal. Another day, I will step in and lead you to apologize to Prince Ning and ask for his forgiveness."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai's face immediately turned cold. He truly didn't know why he had offended Prince Ning, and he genuinely didn't want to make enemies of Prince Ning's family. But this feud had arisen inexplicably, and now he was being asked to kowtow and apologize to Prince Ning? Wasn't that insane?
Moreover, even if he didn't know how to provoke Prince Ning at first, after the banquet just ended, Prince Ning undoubtedly harbored even deeper resentment towards him, making it even more difficult to resolve the matter.

No matter how humble and cautious this guy is, that's in the eyes of the emperor. Who does he think he is, worthy of the emperor's laughter and forgiveness?

Seeing Zhang Dai remain silent, Consort Wu sighed again and said, "I know that you, Sixth Brother, are upright and hard to bend. You are unwilling to bow your head to others even when you are wronged. But you must also understand your aunt's difficulties. In my early years, I was unable to have many children. Fortunately, Prince Ning and his wife adopted your cousin and raised him carefully, which is why I have children."

You are a junior I admire and trust, while Prince Ning is my uncle who has been kind to me. If you two were to develop a deep-seated grudge based on a momentary outburst, wouldn't that put your aunt in a difficult position?

From this perspective, Prince Ning and his wife did indeed owe Consort Wu a great debt of gratitude, which explains why Consort Wu felt somewhat conflicted. However, Zhang Dai did indeed need Consort Wu's help at the moment, and he certainly couldn't let his aunt be caught in such a dilemma of loyalty and obligation.

After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Prince Ning is high above, and I am just a despicable person. What right do I have to presume to hope for Prince Ning's love or hate?"

These are two completely unrelated groups of people who rarely encounter each other in daily life. Knowing that I don't like them, I will be even more careful to avoid them in the future, and never let my aunt be put in a difficult position.

"Alas, you are a fine young man in every way, but you are too proud. Prince Ning is a respected elder of the time and is naturally favored by the Emperor. What harm will it do to him if you distance yourself from him out of spite? You will only cut off a connection with the upper class for yourself!"

Consort Wu Hui was clearly dissatisfied with his answer, so she sighed again.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai sneered inwardly. Let you two experience the charm of honeyed words and a dagger in your hearts. Let me explain why we don't need to take Prince Ning too seriously!

"My aunt's teachings are truly wise. Although I am clumsy and stubborn, I am well aware of the good intentions behind my aunt's plans for me!"

He first offered a few compliments to Consort Wu Hui, then said, "I am not proficient in the profound arts of fate and divination. But I can still discern the basics of human relationships and worldly affairs. Prince Ning, as the eldest son of the legitimate wife, is relegated to a lower position than I am; he truly has fortune but lacks the mandate of heaven."

My cousin is the son of the Emperor, and I have been staying with his family for a time, so I am naturally grateful for their care. However, the son of the Emperor has his own destiny to inherit, and it is truly inappropriate for me to become entangled with the fate of this humble subject!

Consort Wu Hui had been secretly resenting Zhang Dai for being too stubborn, but after hearing these words, her expression immediately became serious.

She lowered her head and pondered for a while before looking up at Zhang Dai and saying, "Sixth Brother, you are right. I was obsessed before! However, these words must be kept private between my aunt and nephew. Remember not to divulge them to outsiders!"
While respect must be shown to Prince Ning, one should not overstep boundaries. Sixth Brother, there's no need to worry about this. Even if Prince Ning or someone else maliciously slanders you before the Emperor, I will defend myself!

Zhang Dai chuckled upon hearing this. "Your husband is much more sensible than you. Otherwise, why would Prince Ning have reluctantly voted for me?"
At least in the near future, the sage has not forgotten that before "Yao Tian" became "Huang Tian", even if Prince Ning had any dissatisfaction with him, he would not dare to openly and blatantly attack him.

(End of this chapter)