Since being injured and falling ill with consumption, he hadn't appeared in public for nearly ten years, only occasionally attending royal banquets, or so it was heard.
It was truly impressive that the Bai family could invite him today!
"He is the seventeenth imperial uncle? The one the Southwest Ding Army swore allegiance to? How can he be such a sickly person?"
Across several tables, a young gentleman, still with a childish face, whispered his question.
His words were full of confusion. For the young men of noble families, their idols were the God of War Xiao Tingyi, a formidable figure who could kill gods and buddhas.
They had imagined him to be tall and mighty, astonishing in martial arts, perhaps with fierce, glaring eyes and an imposing presence, but they never expected him to be a sickly person who looked like he could be knocked down with a single punch.
It was truly incomprehensible.
"Speak softly, can you speak so freely about such a noble person?"
An older brother, who knew the truth, immediately reprimanded him, then spoke of past events with tears in his eyes.
"When His Majesty had just ascended the throne and his position was not yet stable, the Southern Yue invaded. Thirteen states in the southwest were captured by the Fierce Tiger Army. The Ding King, only seventeen years old, was ordered to take command and led 300,000 troops to fight against the Southern Yue's 700,000-strong army. After months of fierce battles, not only were the lost territories recovered, but the enemy was also utterly defeated. They suffered heavy losses, severely damaging the Southern Yue, which brought about the current era of peace."
As he spoke with emotion, he couldn't help but sob a few times.
Fortunately, they were seated in a secluded area, so they didn't attract much attention.
"And then, how did he... how did he become like this?"
He no longer dared to use the word "sickly." To speak such words about such a person was utter blasphemy.
"Alas, it's a pity. The Ding King was careless and was wounded in the heart by a Southern Yue assassin who had defected. If not for the miraculous healing of Physician Zhang at the time, he would likely not have had the chance to appear in the Eastern Capital."
"Since then, he has suffered from consumption. In the Ding King's mansion, bestowed by imperial decree, medicine was constantly administered. There were also court officials who intended to send their daughters to the King's mansion as consorts, but after three or four near-death experiences, no one cared about this once renowned Ding King anymore."
His words were filled with deep regret.
Such brilliant talent, like a shooting star, shone brightly for only a few months before disappearing into the dust of history. What a pity.
"Alas, if he were still here, I would surely follow him into the army, to show the world the true spirit of a Jin man!"
Seeing him like this, his tablemates couldn't help but shake their heads and smile bitterly.
He was indeed young and impetuous, completely unaware of the current court situation.
After the heavy blow to the Southern Yue, Emperor Qi had governed diligently for many years. Now, the Great Jin was a power that all its neighbors feared. Military officials were gradually marginalized, and more often, one saw disciples of the Emperor debating with their colleagues in court.
Emphasis on civil officials over military ones had occurred in just ten short years.
Therefore, most young men from noble families pursued official careers, with few joining the army.
Instead, those from humble backgrounds, who found it difficult to ascend, produced many generals.
Currently, important official positions in the court were mostly held by noble families, with those from humble backgrounds being mere footnotes.
Elder Xu was considered an outstanding figure among them, and thus he had many followers among scholars from humble backgrounds, and his prestige among the common people was even greater.
After a brief chat, Prime Minister Bai raised his cup, and the banquet officially began.
Feng Jinyao and Bai Siruo sat with their three aunts, while Bai Sihan sat next to Wei Lanxuan. The eldest aunt, Madam Lin, was displeased and was about to say something when the third aunt, Madam Shen, spoke first.
"Han'er is good friends with Miss Wei, and she insisted on sitting with her, so she won't be joining us. Big Sister, you don't mind, do you?" Before Madam Lin could speak, she immediately added, "Big Sister is kind-hearted, she wouldn't make things difficult for a junior, right?"
With these words, if Madam Lin were to find fault later, she would appear petty. This Madam Shen was not to be underestimated.
"Third Aunt, please be mindful of your words. The Bai and Wei families have never had any close ties. These two are meeting for the first time today, how close can they be? Send someone to call her back. Why is the host sitting at a guest table instead of the main table? Does she consider herself a guest?"
Bai Siruo's words were sharp and fierce, directed at Bai Sihan and Madam Shen. She was practically calling her ill-mannered without explicitly saying it.
"You..." Madam Shen was furious and wanted to retort, but was interrupted by Princess Wenyi beside her.
"Siruo, you must not be rude. No matter what, she is an elder. What is the reason for you to be so aggressive?"
The Prince of Kang's mansion had strict discipline, and Princess Wenyi, being from there, naturally valued rules above all else. Although she didn't particularly like Madam Shen and Bai Sihan, she didn't think Bai Sihan's actions were that detestable.
She was also a mother with only one daughter, and naturally hoped for her to have a good marriage. It was not difficult to wish for a high-ranking match.
Therefore, she felt it was necessary to be more tolerant towards them and reprimanded Bai Siruo a few words.
Bai Siruo pursed her lips and lowered her head, the handkerchief she was twisting revealing her unwillingness.
Feng Jinyao gently patted her hand and whispered a few words in her ear. Soon, the furrowed little face relaxed and regained its usual cheerfulness.
Princess Wenyi glanced at her daughter's undisguised emotions and sighed inwardly. She was indeed pampered, which made her completely unaware of the consequences of causing trouble. If she married like this, wouldn't she suffer in her husband's family to learn her lesson?
Thinking of this, Princess Wenyi became annoyed. She looked up at the men's table where her husband was seated and happened to catch sight of her nephew.
He was tall and strong, with a powerful physique. He bore some resemblance to his sister-in-law, but without diminishing his imposing presence. Suddenly, she had an idea, and the banquet in front of her became more enjoyable.
On the other hand, Madam Shen, who had been rebuffed, had a long face, her eyes filled with jealousy and resentment towards Bai Siruo.
Her husband was the illegitimate son of Prime Minister Bai. He had received little affection in his childhood and was not promoted after passing the imperial examination, so he had to go to Qiongzhou to start as a minor official of the ninth rank.
Fortunately, he was ambitious. Over the years, through diligent governance, networking, and leveraging his marriage to the Wei family, with the support of his father, the Prefect of Lingzhou, he finally obtained the position of Prefect of Qiongzhou.
Although his elder brother, Bai Chao'an, also held an official position of the fifth rank, he was an official in the capital and a Hanlin scholar, a position of high prestige, which was naturally superior to Bai Sanlang.
Therefore, in her opinion, Prime Minister Bai had not been a very good father. What was wrong with an illegitimate son? Wasn't he still his close blood relative?
Yet, out of consideration for that old shrew, Madam Xu, he had allowed them to be away for over ten years.
This time, her husband was finally able to return to the capital for his annual report. This time, no matter what, she had to find a way to stay in the Eastern Capital.
Seeing Princess Wenyi eating happily, and Madam Lin smiling as she accompanied Old Madam Bai and toasted the wives of various dignitaries, Madam Shen felt a lump in her throat, unable to swallow her food.