Chapter 1280 - 53: Battle Between Father-in-Law and Son-in-Law (Part 2)
The riddle posed at the Welcome Banquet stumped the Beimo Minister, quashing King Beimo’s intention to undermine him.
Now, this difficult riddle has earned Su Yang three thousand taels of silver—what a delight!
With the three thousand taels in hand, Su Yang ordered a table full of fine wine and cuisines to reward his own temple of five viscera.
He solved the riddle publicly, stealing the limelight.
Moreover, with his exceptionally handsome appearance, he exudes an air of nobility with every gesture.
Many speculated on his family background, eager to make his acquaintance.
Su Yang loves lively company; dining alone indeed feels dull, and a table of delicacies loses its flavor.
When someone sought him out, it was ideal to have company for the meal.
Su Yang is generous and carefree, with witty and humorous conversation, enjoying himself with several men.
Eating and chatting simultaneously.
Su Yang didn’t mention being a Daqi native, so they took him for a Beimo person.
At the table, glasses clinked, poetry was recited, and discussions ranged from heaven to earth.
Su Yang’s literary talent is beyond reproach.
A man sitting next to him accidentally knocked a wine cup off the table.
Su Yang, with quick reflexes, caught the cup directly, and the spilled wine even poured back into it.
He demonstrated a slight skill, leaving the men around him astounded.
"Brother Su, your literary talent already leaves us awestruck; to think you’re also adept in martial arts," the man admired.
"It’s truly a blessing to befriend someone like Brother Su; may I ask where your family resides?"
Su Yang smiled and said, "My home is a bit far from the Capital City, hardly worth mentioning."
The men did not inquire further.
However, they unanimously believed Su Yang had a limitless future.
Su Yang also did not ask about their families; during the recent Welcome Banquet, Su Yang met many noble family members who didn’t recognize him, indicating they didn’t attend the banquet.
A third-rank official may bring family to the palace for the banquet, and while one could say they were delayed by matters, for all three not to attend is unlikely.
This shows that their fathers or grandfathers have not reached the third rank.
Su Yang’s friendships don’t depend on social rank; given his status, whether in Daqi, Nanlin, or Beimo, he is of the highest esteem.
If Su Yang were to choose friends by rank, he would truly have none.
When kindred spirits meet, a thousand cups won’t suffice.
After finishing a jar of wine, they became close friends.
The three planned to go boating and invited Su Yang along.
Su Yang eagerly agreed.
He was quite bored anyway, wondering how to pass the time.
As a result, Su Yang went on the boating excursion the next day, making him unreachable when King Beimo summoned him to the palace.
Due to the riddle Su Yang posed, the Beimo Minister did not hesitate to offer a reward for its solution; upon receiving the answer, it was immediately delivered to the Emperor for review.
If someone else got to it first, wouldn’t the three thousand taels be wasted?
But when the answer was delivered to the palace, it was late, and King Beimo did not summon Su Yang then.
The next day, after morning court, King Beimo was busy handling state affairs; when he remembered, Princess Yinchuan was already in the palace accompanying the Beimo Empress in flower appreciation.
With Princess Yinchuan absent, Su Yang certainly wouldn’t remain in the palace.
He went on a boating excursion with his newly made friends.
The Palace Attendant searched everywhere for Su Yang but couldn’t find him; knowing that two Hidden Guards followed Su Yang outside, ensuring no life risk, he reported back to the palace.
Upon the Palace Attendant’s report, King Beimo’s face turned extremely unpleasant.
He wasn’t concerned about Su Yang’s safety at all.
If even he, the King of Beimo, couldn’t manage him, how could anyone else?
If they could, he wouldn’t be the son of Marquis Dongxiang.
Unable to find Su Yang, King Beimo gave up searching and summoned the one who solved the riddle into the palace.
With so many court ministers unable to solve the riddle, and it being answered by a young man, how could such talent not be put to good use?
After returning to his residence, the minister instructed the steward to find the riddle solver, ensuring he is located promptly.
The next day, before the servant went to town to search, Su Yang accompanied Princess Yinchuan into the palace.
Princess Yinchuan understood what her visit meant; it might be years before she could return again.
She wouldn’t stay long in Beimo; she would use this valuable time to accompany the Emperor and Empress, being as filial as possible.
Though the Beimo Empress didn’t want it, even somewhat afraid of it.
Indeed.
In the harem, the most common way to show one’s heart is by personally making pastries and soups.
After the Beimo Crown Prince suggested Princess Yinchuan make shoes for Su Yang, Princess Yinchuan returned to the palace and had the maid bring needle and thread.
Watching her take up the needle, Su Yang was trembling with fear.
Afraid of repeating his elder brother’s mishaps.
He wasn’t short of shoes.
But openly asking Princess Yinchuan not to make shoes was clearly dismissing her needlework as subpar.