Chapter 148: A Welcome, and a Slap Across the Face

The welcome banquet was held in the newly constructed Xuan Prince’s Mansion in Jingzhou City.

Located in the southeast of Jingzhou City, along the main thoroughfare, the Xuan Prince’s Mansion, though not as grand or sprawling as the one in Shengjing, had been impressively expanded over recent days. Every brick and tile, every blade of grass and shrub, reflected the simplicity and boldness characteristic of the northwest. The upturned eaves and soaring corners carried a fierce momentum, adding a certain solemn gravity. On the vermilion main gate, the three characters “Xuan Prince’s Mansion” were inscribed in a sweeping, majestic script, evoking the image of dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing.

Meng Tianyan and his party, escorted by several guards, made their way from the Prefect’s Office to the Xuan Prince’s Mansion. Upon seeing the grand characters emblazoned above the gate, their expressions shifted subtly—pale and tense.

Although the emperor had already stripped Meng Yuanheng, the Xuan Prince, of his title and rank, what did it matter? Meng Yuanheng cared little for other titles and still called himself the Xuan Prince. What could anyone do about it? In the northwest, such imperial edicts were treated like scraps of paper, ignored by all.

Unlike the sparse reception they had received upon arrival in Jingzhou City, tonight’s welcome banquet was crowded and grand. Civil and military officials alike filled the entire banquet hall of the mansion. Seeing this, Meng Tianyan and Liu Wensheng’s faces darkened further with displeasure. Only Feng Ze remained his usual somber self, silently drinking in his seat, ignoring the noisy commotion around him.

Suddenly, the noise ceased abruptly, and the hall fell silent. Feng Ze turned to see a man in white, with hair as black as ink, escorting a graceful, serene woman dressed in green. The man exuded commanding presence, the woman dignified and elegant. Side by side, their contrasting colors—white and green—created a harmonious, natural image.

Yet, what appeared harmonious to others was like a sharp thorn piercing Feng Ze’s heart, tightening it painfully. His hand gripped his silver cup tighter, causing the wine inside to ripple. Fortunately, the cup was made of pure silver, or it might have shattered under his grip.

Qian Mo... Seeing her again after so long, a soft exclamation escaped deep within him, filled with longing and joy, but overshadowed by boundless bitterness and sorrow.

Meng Yuanheng gently guided Shen Qianmo through the hall, carefully helping her down a few steps before seating her beside him.

The chair at the head of the room was custom-made to Meng Yuanheng’s specifications—twice as long as a normal chair, resembling two chairs placed side by side but without an armrest in between, essentially a cushioned loveseat by modern standards.

Shen Qianmo glanced at the man seated close beside her, holding her hand firmly. She could only smile resignedly. This man had grown even lazier and clingier in her presence—preferring to sit rather than stand, to lie down rather than sit, always leaning on her shoulder. No wonder the chair was designed this way.

She recalled when she first saw this sofa, admiring Meng Yuanheng’s ability to apply what he had learned. She had mentioned it casually during their chats, but he had remembered every word.

As he lowered his head again, about to lean on her, Shen Qianmo gave him a timely side-eye.

“Could you please maintain the dignified and mighty image of the prince in front of all these officers and officials?”

Meng Yuanheng raised his eyebrows playfully but did not resist her request. Sitting upright, his calm and indifferent gaze swept over the crowd below, restoring his usual aloof and cold demeanor.

The military officers seated below were all from the Meng family army and the Feiyun Cavalry. Since capturing the eighteen cities of five states beyond the Zhengyang Pass, they had been stationed in various cities, rarely seeing the prince and princess. Tonight’s reunion was a rare occasion, filling them with excitement. Though surprised at the sudden change in the prince’s hair color, no one dwelled on it at such a moment. They knelt and saluted in unison, loudly proclaiming, “We pay respects to the prince and princess!”

Inspired by the soldiers, the civil officials also rose to pay their respects. “We pay respects to the prince and princess, congratulations on the princess’s safe return!”

Meng Yuanheng appeared in good spirits and waved his hand lightly, saying, “No need for formalities, please be seated.”

“Thank you, Prince, Princess,” the crowd replied before taking their seats.

Meng Yuanheng lifted the wine cup before him, his expression indifferent, and said toward Meng Tianyan’s direction, “Tonight’s banquet is specially arranged by me in honor of the Seventh Prince’s journey from Shengjing. I first toast to the Seventh Prince, Minister Liu, and General Feng.”

Though polite in words, his gaze held no warmth or courtesy. He merely raised his cup briefly, then drained it at once.

This unexpectedly courteous gesture startled Meng Tianyan, who was about to stand and return the toast. Seeing this, his face shifted awkwardly. Unsure whether to sit or stand, he bristled with irritation but could only grit his teeth and say, “Thank you for your hospitality, Xuan Prince.”

He then tilted his head back and drank deeply from his cup.

Liu Wensheng and Feng Ze, seeing Meng Tianyan’s reaction, could only respond perfunctorily and finish their wine.

After this toast, Meng Yuanheng paid no further attention to Meng Tianyan’s group. Instead, he turned to Shen Qianmo with a gentle glance. Understanding immediately, she nodded softly, and both raised their cups. Meng Yuanheng slightly raised his voice, addressing the crowd below, “The prince and princess toast all of you. Please, drink freely and without ceremony.”

“Thank you, Prince, Princess,” came the unified response.

As the wine circulated, the previously tense atmosphere in the hall relaxed. The military officers, bold and straightforward and familiar with Meng Yuanheng, grew lively after a few drinks, exchanging cups with enthusiasm. The civil officials, however, remained more reserved.

These officials had been recently selected from across the northwest. Known for his capricious temper and decisive ruthlessness, the Xuan Prince inspired fear. Receiving sudden notice to attend this banquet, they were cautious and wary, unsure of his true intentions. Each tread carefully, avoiding loud talk.

Meng Yuanheng’s indifferent gaze swept over the crowd. Casually, he tossed a booklet from the table toward Yun Yi’s seat.

“Yun Yi, read it aloud.”

“Yes, Prince,” Yun Yi sprang up, caught the booklet steadily, and unfolded it. His clear voice resonated through the spacious hall.

“Here are the official appointments for the five states and eighteen cities beyond the Zhengyang Pass in the northwest: Qiao Yuan is appointed Prefect of Jingzhou, Lv Meng as Prefect of Yunzhou, Wei Fengyan as Prefect of Yanzhou, and so forth...”

The lengthy list of appointments flowed clearly from Yun Yi’s mouth. Those whose names were called, after brief shock, showed joy. Now they understood why they had been invited to this banquet.

The Meng family soldiers were equally thrilled. Since capturing the eighteen cities of the five states in the northwest, many local officials had fled or retreated. The daily affairs of the cities had to be temporarily managed by military commanders. However, these battle-hardened officers were skilled on horseback and the battlefield, but utterly clueless when it came to paperwork and administration.

Hearing that the prince finally appointed civil officials to govern each city, they were beyond pleased. When Yun Yi finished reading the long list, they shouted loudly, “The prince is wise! The prince is wise!”

The newly appointed officials promptly left their seats again, kneeling to express their gratitude to Meng Yuanheng in loud voices.

However, Meng Tianyan’s face was pale and twisted with anger and distress. Were it not for his usual calm temperament and good upbringing, he would have long since stood up. Beside him, the hot-tempered but thin-skinned Liu Wensheng’s face had turned a deep purplish red. Even the usually silent and brooding Feng Ze could not help but glance at the radiant couple at the head of the hall, his deep eyes flickering with sudden realization and profound sorrow.

This was no mere welcome banquet—it was Meng Yuanheng’s blatant provocation of the Great Sheng court! By choosing this occasion to appoint officials, he was delivering a resounding slap to the imperial government.

Meng Tianyan’s hope that he would “return to the capital” was nothing but a dream.

The so-called welcome banquet ended amid the lively discussions and clinking glasses of the northwest’s civil and military officers, and the palpable discomfort of Meng Tianyan and his companions. The two hosts, who should have been attending to their guests, quietly departed early after Meng Yuanheng casually remarked, “The princess is pregnant and needs rest. The prince and princess will take their leave. Please enjoy the evening.”

Tonight, the moon shone brightly in a clear, star-sparse sky. The air was crisp, and even the wind had quieted—an unusual blessing in the northwest’s winter. On the rooftop in the mansion’s rear courtyard, far from the hall’s noise, the atmosphere was tranquil and cold. Two figures, one dressed in white and the other in green, sat close together, bathed in gentle moonlight, radiating warmth and serenity.

“Ah Heng, it’s been two days since the secret guards set out to Suzhou and Shengjing to fetch our guests, hasn’t it?” Shen Qianmo leaned on Meng Yuanheng’s shoulder, speaking softly.

“Mm, the secret guards move fast. They’ll arrive well before our wedding,” Meng Yuanheng replied in a low voice.

Shen Qianmo nodded, never doubting the efficiency of the Xuan Prince’s secret guards.

“I heard from cousin that uncle is already on the way to Jingzhou, and Qinglan sent word yesterday that my foster father has also departed from the abandoned city. When grandfather and the others arrive, they’ll all stay here in Jingzhou. The Xuan Prince’s Mansion will soon be lively again.”

“Mo’er, do you blame me?” Meng Yuanheng sat up, his clear eyes fixed on her, a trace of unease lingering beneath his gaze.

Both knew that after tonight’s banquet, the Xuan Prince’s Mansion and the Great Sheng court were irreparably estranged. What Meng Tianyan would do next was uncertain, so Meng Yuanheng had sent his secret guards in advance to secretly bring Shen Qianmo’s family and their retainers to Jingzhou, protecting them from Meng Tianyan’s wrath.

“What nonsense are you talking about? I’m glad you’re so thoughtful,” Shen Qianmo grasped his arm and leaned gently on his shoulder. “But what do you plan to do about Meng Tianyan and the others?”