Never learning clowns

Inside the grand hall the palace was in full festive mode. Foods and drinks were being served one after another.

Music and dancing, emperor and empress were in very good mood. Yusheng also was in moderate mood, until the people who couldn't wait anymore started to act.. again.

Third prince stood up gave a grand bow.. Fuhuang this prince has found something and wants to share with you, empress mother and esteem lord of the valley.. seeing the nod from emperor he waves his hand.. a servant brought two wine pitchers and placed them at the table.

"Fuhuang this is a medicinal wine made from 1000 years aged ginseng. This prince has heard this wine is great for ones physical health also can be used as a medicine".. explains third price proudly.

It was indeed a rare wine but because he was Yusheng's enemy the attention and impression he wanted to create was impossible.

Yusheng smelled the wine then.. "umm... good wine, but emperor how come you didn't mention this lord you are not feeling physically fit of your current age, if you had mentioned, this lord would have given you accupunture healing to make you feel better corresponding to your age.. third prince is filial... good"

Everybody stilled their breath. This was implying that third prince thought of emperor as an old man needing to drink medicinal wine to remain healthy. For a monarch and a man it was a great shame.

Third prince was feeling happy and mad. Happy that Yusheng gave the attention and even complimented him, and mad because she at the same time had managed to pull his fathers wrath upon him.

Third prince, who told you that this emperor is not feeling well, or is it you think that this emperor has become old and probably hand over this throne?? Questioned emperor with anger whipping through his voice..

With a bang .. he kneels.. "mercy fuhuang.. this prince has no such thoughts.. this prince just wants for fuhuang to remain healthy forever. For fuhuang to never age and step immortality is this prince true desires"..

Seeing how beautifully he bootlicked ....emperor took a peek at Yusheng asking whether to press the issue further or not..

Then getting his signal Yusheng speaks... "oh.. this lord has seemed to misunderstand.. but third prince one should be very careful with things that has herbs in it.. as you know if used wisely is elixir but if taken lightly becomes poison... though the wine is indeed a rare and good thing but emperor has a healthy body so it would rather not work well for him but after 10 years this wine will be elixir for him.

Emperor this lord thinks third prince didn't knew in depth about this wine.. he has good and filial intentions hence forgive him to give this lord a face."

After being forgiven third prince sat back with glee, with the way Yusheng had talked for him third prince heart was feeling all pink and mushy. He felt next time he certainly would be able make connection with her.

Even prime minister Zhou was thinking the same as the prince. Because of last episode noble consort mu was not allowed in today's banquet but that part was easily forgotten by her son and brethen after Yusheng spoke up for the third prince.

Similarly Song Hui guessing the third prince's intention towards Yusheng was feeling great anger towards third prince. Yusheng was his.. where did this clown came from.. was what on his mind.

Though on his side but song hui knew in truth that he was not a king material, but to soar high and the previous dealings his father had made was the reason he was under his banner, praising him high and appearing friendly. But this very moment he wanted to gouze his eyes out and rip the smile out of his face.

Feeling the situation out of the hand, he stood up gently went in front and gave a grand bow.

"Emperor this little one has also prepared a bit of something, hoping to present"... after getting the signal his servant brought a cloth covered tray.

Gently taking of the cover he explains..."this little one was just searching around the market for book when chanced upon these scrolls, it is a musical score of Ambush from ten side but in qin piece and a poem lost in history by the great li po"

It was clear that the music score was for Yusheng and the poem was for the emperor.

Slowly he recites the poem...

A Mountain Revelry

To wash and rinse our souls of their age-old sorrows,

We drained a hundred jugs of wine.

A splendid night it was . . . .

In the clear moonlight we were loath to go to bed,

But at last drunkenness overtook us;

And we laid ourselves down on the empty mountain,

The earth for pillow, and the great heaven for coverlet.

Everyone praised Song Hui.. while Yusheng was controlling her best to not kill him, it was the same even in previous life this was the very way he had trapped her,

Giving this once lost rare qin piece, to win an impression over her. This piece was the start of all the mayhem. This piece was the main root cause which led her to interact with song hui. Then slowly she naively believed his every word dragged deeper into his trap until she lost everything.

Song Hui .. not this life.. promises Yusheng.

"Hmm.. good piece.. say heir of duke ying what made you present this particular piece to this lord?

Happy that she was paying attention he replies..

"Esteem lord..last time this little one heard you playing and knew that you are certainly a master, hence coming upon this exquisite yet hard piece, thought in your hands would this piece come alive, giving it the highest level of appreciation."

Zhou xuan had her fist gripped inside her sleeves till blood was drawn, minister Zhou also had his eyebrows furrowed seeing this Yusheng thought of an idea hence.. she looked and smiled gently..

"Indeed a gentlemen.. well deserved title.. here as a return gift not as rare as the piece you have given this lord still doable".. she took out the brush made from red sandle wood which she was planning to throw, but unknown to others it became a treasure.

Duke Ying was brimming with glee, though inside Song Hui was gloating upon his success on the surface he was calm, thanking he went back to his seat.

Thus the banquet ended on much pleasant note when compared to previous one. Unknown to have fallen on the grand trap made by Yusheng.