CH 113.1

Jin Wang Dotes on His Concubine Ch 113 Pt. 1

Translated by gingercat

Edited by gingercat

Emperor Hongjing was very happy today.

He reigned for thirty-two years, and the country was prosperous with its people at peace. In the early years, there were frequent wars at the border. But as the years went by, the barbarians had been beaten until they were on their last breath and were no longer a threat

Today was his fiftieth birthday. How many fifty years could one live? On this day, the entire country was rejoicing, and many nations sent their envoys to the capital to celebrate his birthday.

Emperor Hongjing was very happy, especially after seeing his eldest imperial grandson’s gift. He had gathered 99 people, who were over 70 years old, from throughout the country to enter the palace today to wish him a happy birthday. Emperor Hongjing was shocked by this but was very pleased.

Today, countless birthday presents were sent into the palace, including all sorts of treasures. Among them were many rare things and artifacts of great craftsmanship. Yet none of them pleased Emperor Hongjing as much as his eldest grandson’s gift.

When people reached old age, they would inevitably worry about the arrival of the end of their lifespan. Otherwise, Emperor Hongjing wouldn’t have wasted so much money and resources to organize this birthday banquet. This move of the eldest imperial grandson was undoubtedly to express to Emperor Hongjing that although living past seventy years wasn’t easy, it definitely wasn’t impossible. He would also be able to live a long time like these long-lived people.

Emperor Hongjing couldn’t hide his excitement and praised his grandson on the spot for his cleverness and filial piety. He even invited him to share his dining table, attracting countless looks from other people.

Over the recent years, there were rumours that the crown prince may only remain as the crown prince for a lifetime. Instead, the next successor to the throne may be the eldest imperial grandson. With Emperor Hongjing’s move today, it undoubtedly affirmed the status of the eldest imperial again.

The crown prince who was sitting at the lower-left table had an unpleasant expression. He bowed his head and downed several drinks in a row. The faces of An Wang, Dai Wang, Yong Wang, Jin Wang and others at the table with him were all abnormal. Especially Lu Wang, with his face all aggrieved. The birthday gift he had worked so hard to prepare wasn’t even as good as a couple of smelly old men that the stinky brat had found. 

According to his usual character, he would’ve long flipped the skies. Unfortunately, countless courtiers, officials and envoys from foreign nations were gathered together today in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. If he dared to make any fuss, Emperor Hongjing would skin him alive.

He poured himself a few drinks. As he looked around, his gaze fell on the crown prince. He stood up and walked over.

“Come, come, come. Eldest brother, I toast to you. Our eldest nephew is really something. Not only did he steal the limelight from us uncles, but even you, the father, had to retreat.”

“If you want to drink then drink. What are you speaking so much nonsense for!”

Lu Wang chuckled and clinked his winecup with the crown prince.

Halfway through the banquet, Emperor Hongjing left and the scene became very lively. Without the previous cautiousness from before, many courtiers left their tables to offer each other toasts.

During this period, quite a few people approached the crown prince to toast, but there were more toasts to the eldest imperial grandson. A single eldest imperial grandson caused the crown prince and the other princes to turn gloomy. Seeing this, the more seasoned ministers, who understood things better, let out a sigh in their hearts. 

The crown prince seemed to have drunk too much. With a flushed face, he pushed away Lu Wang who was still pestering him to drink. “I’m not drinking anymore. I’m going to the bathroom.”

Seeing Lu Wang’s drunken smile, he didn’t stay any longer.

After leaving the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the crown prince’s face fell.

He walked in a hurry and his steps were big and fast. His personal eunuch, Deng Cheng, could only trot behind him. He wanted to cry but didn’t dare to cry and was extremely pitiful.

When passing by Yanxi Palace, a woman dressed as a palace maid waved to the crown prince from around the corner.

The crown prince was already drunk and bleary-eyed. He took a closer look out of interest, then immediately followed the woman. The entire way, they avoided other people. With a left turn then a right turn, they arrived at an empty garden. It was surrounded by strange rocks and shadowed by many large trees, leaving the place very secluded.

This place was located behind an uninhabited hall on the east side of Yanxi Palace. Because there was a well in which several palace maids died, it was said to be a haunted place. Palace maids and eunuchs avoided coming here, and it soon grew deserted. 

The crown prince passed by a strange stone and saw a woman dressed in a palace maid costume standing in front of him.

Looking at the familiar and graceful back, the crown prince felt depressed but smiled and walked up to hug the woman from behind. The woman snorted then turned around. She was a stunning beauty.

“Even at this time, you dare to come to find me. You sure have guts!” said the crown prince, while rubbing the soft flesh in his hand with his palm.

“Only at this time, is there no one looking for me.” 

The crown prince leaned towards the woman’s ear. It was unknown what words he said, but they made the woman shy. She pounded him lightly in the chest with her fist. The crown prince laughed, picked her up, and carried her to behind a big tree that was close by.