Jiang Suizhou could vaguely understand why Huo Wujiu had done what he did, but he still felt a bit incredulous nonetheless.
He could never have guessed that Huo Wujiu would be willing to take such a great risk just to stop him from kowtowing alone to the emperor.
Huo Wujiu must have known better than him that the emperor was a scoundrel with no regard for propriety or occasion. Had he been hit with a burst of fury, the emperor could have had him hauled back to the dungeon before the entire assembly of civil and military officials, to be flayed and dismembered.
Jiang Suizhou was somewhat shaken by this realization, but he didn’t dare glance at Huo Wujiu again.
At this moment, he needed to maintain his cold, arrogant demeanor and ignore Huo Wujiu completely. He barely touched the dishes on his table and only sipped some wine from time to time.
The officials in the hall also didn’t dare to approach him. When they toasted each other, they deliberately avoided Jiang Suizhou’s table.
This, in turn, saved Jiang Suizhou a lot of trouble.
Outside, the rain continued to patter, showing no sign of letting up. Amid the flickering lights and the clinking of cups, the feasting and toasting continued. Gradually, everyone began to show signs of drunkenness.
Some ministers started to step forward to toast the emperor.
Jiang Suizhou sat at his table, idly listening to their extravagant birthday wishes. He occasionally stole glances at Huo Wujiu out of the corner of his eye, his mind involuntarily replaying the earlier events.
A voice from the front of the hall drifted into Jiang Suizhou’s ear.
The man speaking was quite eloquent. He’d been rambling forever, and still he’d yet to finish his birthday wishes. Surprised, Jiang Suizhou deigned to turn his attention to him for a moment.
…Chen Ti?
It was the man who’d had his wife invite Huo Wujiu to the flower viewing.
Jiang Suizhou picked up his teacup and took a sip.
The man was truly a master of flattery. No wonder he’d thrived in a court beneath the thumb of Pang Shao.
Chen Ti drained his cup, then continued with his speech.
“Your Majesty, today is a joyous occasion. I would like to humbly ask for a favor,” he said with a smile.
“What is it?” said the emperor. “Speak.”
Chen Ti smiled, cup in hand.
“A few days ago, my wife sent an invitation to the Prince of Jing’s residence, inviting Madam Huo to a flower-viewing banquet. But Madam Huo is new to the capital and still a little reserved, so he declined the invitation.”
As he spoke, he turned and looked toward Jiang Suizhou’s table.
“My wife was afraid she might offend His Highness the Prince of Jing, so she specifically requested that I seek His Majesty’s approval. We wish to invite Madam Huo to the flower-viewing banquet at my modest residence in half a month’s time.”