Chapter 69

C69 – Is It Just a Piece of Meat?

All eyes naturally fell upon Wang Zizhao’s legs. His black attire concealed the view, but the way he moved provided some hints.

He had indeed recovered! Joy and disappointment rippled through the crowd.

Wang Zizhao made his way to the injured man’s side. Upon confirming that the wound had been tended to, he arranged for someone to assist the man out. “Ensure his recuperation is well taken care of, and teach him proper manners once he’s regained his strength. He appears rather clumsy; it’s no wonder even Third Brother Wang felt compelled to teach him a lesson on my behalf.”

Wang Zixian’s countenance stiffened, then transformed into a sardonic grin. “Ninth Brother’s esteemed tutor, Yan, is renowned. However, it’s understandable that recent illness may have temporarily preoccupied your focus on discipline. There’s no need to interpret Royal Brother’s intentions as interference.”

“How dare you!” Wang Zizhao dismissed him with a mere glance. He instructed the butler at his side, “Escort the young Tang of the Tang family to freshen up and change into clean attire.”

“Very well.” The butler proceeded efficiently. He assisted Tang Yue with every detail, from bathing to attire. Together, they retreated to the backyard.

Seated at the head of the gathering, Wang Zizhao extended his hospitality to the distinguished guests. “Today, I’ve summoned you all for two reasons: firstly, to express my gratitude to the young Tang for saving my life, and secondly, to reunite with friends and family, considering it’s been a while since we last met.”

“His Highness’s recovery is a matter of great significance to the nation, worthy of celebration,” commented State Duke Ann, his beard fondly stroked, as he cast a sly glance at Wang Zixian. His smile was as radiant as ever.

Wang Zizhao’s injuries had prompted a shift in allegiance among many ministers who had formerly supported him. Even his own generals had their reservations. Should other princes ascend the throne, the Hu family would be the first to face their ire.

The connections between these influential families were as intricate as intertwined vines.

“The border remains volatile, and the war rages on. Must we allow our people to suffer for the sake of one individual?”

“The Northern-Southern tensions have persisted for decades, with the North Yue seldom taking advantage. Ninth Brother is worried about the world’s preciousness, but is he underestimating North Yue? Is that a shared sentiment among all?”

Wang Zizhao didn’t provide a direct answer. He simply inquired, “How is Madam Qi?”

Madam Qi, the Third Prince’s biological mother, hailed from North Yue. This was Wang Zixian’s most prominent vulnerability. Those close to him understood that Madam Qi was a topic to be avoided.

Without awaiting Wang Zixian’s reaction, State Duke Ann continued, “The Third Prince was born in Ye City and raised there. He’s never set foot on the border. Naturally, he hasn’t witnessed the suffering of those who’ve lost their homes due to the war. An early end to the conflict could swiftly stabilize public sentiment.”

State Duke Ann’s words seemed to diminish Wang Zixian’s worth. A prince who’d never ventured beyond Ye City, what did he truly grasp about the world’s significant matters?

“You’re absolutely right. A proficient strategist needn’t personally undergo every experience to make decisions. Throughout history, few emperors have been personally involved in battles.”

Everyone regarded State Duke Lu with astonishment. They hadn’t expected him to defend Wang Zixian. Within South Jin’s imperial court, it was tacitly acknowledged that Wang Zizhao would be the next king. Under typical circumstances, very few would dare to challenge Wang Zizhao’s authority.

Wang Zizhao nodded composedly. “The duke speaks wisdom. Even without venturing outside, one can grasp the world’s happenings. Great sages possess extraordinary insight. One leaf reveals the season, and one word unveils the truth.”

Yet, the real question remains, can you, Wang Zixian, be likened to these great sages?

Tang Yue couldn’t help but suppress his laughter, acknowledging Wang Zizhao’s skill in delivering cutting remarks. From joking about his mother to subtly questioning his intelligence, Wang’s words, while not vulgar, held a sharp edge.

Half of Wang Zixian’s statement was accurate. He did wish for Tang Yue to be near him, though not solely for emergencies. He envisioned Tang Yue serving under his command.

During the meal service, Tang Yue realized that he had prepared numerous dishes during his stay at Prince Zhao’s Mansion. He had put forth considerable effort in crafting three daily meals for Wang Zizhao.

Aside from Zhao Sanlang and a select few young men, Tang Yue’s culinary talents were largely undiscovered by the other guests. Observing the unusual dishes, they inquired about the origin of Prince Zhao’s Mansion’s chef.

The meal proceeded harmoniously. Noble Heir of State Duke Heng contributed with humor and entertained the gathering, eliciting laughter from the elderly attendees.

After subsisting on porridge for a month, Noble Heir’s appetite had notched up significantly. When he beheld the presented meat, his gaze fixated with ravenous hunger.

Tang Yue cleared his throat gently and offered a reminder, “Noble Heir, it would be wise to limit your meat consumption. Otherwise, the progress of this past month might go to waste.”

Upon hearing Tang Yue’s counsel, State Duke Heng promptly instructed the removal of meat from the table. He joined his son in relishing a meal of porridge and vegetables.

This incident could have concluded here. State Duke Heng’s affection for his son radiated as brightly as the sun and moon. Noble Heir’s resolve to shed some pounds became a commendable tale.

However, it appeared that Noble Heir from State Duke Heng’s family hadn’t grasped this yet. While savoring his meal, he covertly cast glances at Zhao Sanlang’s neighboring table, yearning for a share of his meat.

Initially, this impulse wasn’t particularly remarkable. It was just meat, and most people wouldn’t utter a word if someone took a piece. But Zhao Sanlang was not one to endure such actions. He immediately exclaimed, “Give me back my meat!”

This enthusiastic outburst captured the attention of everyone in the hall.

State Duke Heng turned to see his son helping himself to Zhao Sanlang’s meat. Zhao Sanlang of the Zhao Family grabbed his son’s arm, striving to retrieve the meat.

His face flushed with embarrassment as he rebuked sternly, “Shun’er, what are you doing?”

Noble Heir was too preoccupied to respond; his mouth was brimming with meat. Furthermore, he was so agitated that he struggled to catch his breath, choking in the process.

State Protector felt awkward witnessing this spectacle. He even felt like strangling his own son. “Sanlang, it’s just a piece of meat. Why are you making such a fuss? You’re older than him; you should have let him have it. Father is truly disappointed in you!”

Zhao Sanlang widened his eyes. “That was... that was my favorite sauce, the secret recipe from the Tang family!”

He couldn’t fathom how the cook in his household had evolved. The recipe he brought back couldn’t replicate the original flavor. Each time he tasted it, something was amiss.

Spotting this dish at Prince Zhao’s Mansion was rare, and its tantalizing aroma was especially enticing. Just as he was about to dig in, a pudgy hand swooped in without permission. How could he endure this?

“But what? When I return, I will kneel in the ancestral temple for a day and transcribe our forefathers’ rules ten times!” State Protector asserted loftily.

Zhao Sanlang couldn’t retort, seething with frustration. He had exerted too much force, nearly crushing Noble Heir from State Duke Heng’s arm.

He clenched his teeth. This infuriating chubby man had caused him to lose face at Prince Zhao’s Mansion. He needed to sever all ties with Noble Heir from State Duke Heng, completely disassociating himself.

Tang Yue observed these two individuals in speechless incredulity. He truly wished he could disavow any knowledge of them. It was merely a piece of meat; was there really a need for such a scene?