Departing from their previous indulgence of Na Zhen's whims, Madam Yue Zhao, accompanied by several maids, approached Wen Ru Song.
With utmost seriousness, she stated, "We were previously unaware of the magnanimity of the new dynasty's Emperor and Empress, and fearing the suffering of the Wu tribe people, we have offended Your Highness, Her Highness the Princess Consort, and Elder Wen. After the guidance provided by Your Highness and Her Highness the Princess Consort just now, Yue Zhao feels deeply ashamed. I implore Commander Wen to be accommodating and allow Yue Zhao to personally apologize to Your Highness and Her Highness the Princess Consort, and to offer Elder Wen my most sincere blessings. I ask this of you, Commander Wen, and may the Azure Dragon God bless you."
Having finished speaking, Madam Yue Zhao clasped her hands in front of her chest and curtsied, her demeanor no longer arrogant or haughty.
Wen Ru Song's gaze swept past Madam Yue Zhao, exchanging a look with someone not far away, before he haughtily engaged Madam Yue Zhao. "My grandfather's invitation to the two ladies for the birthday banquet was at the behest of Your Highness and Her Highness the Princess Consort. The intention was to inform the millions of Wu tribe citizens near the new capital that the new dynasty would treat all its subjects justly. However, it now appears that the two ladies are unwilling to become subjects of the new dynasty. May I inquire if the attitude of the two ladies also represents the will of the six million Wu tribe citizens?"
Of the new dynasty's sixty million subjects, the Wu tribe constituted a tenth of the population, a number not to be underestimated. However, if Si Feng Wu, who held significant military power, were to engage in conflict with the Wu tribe, the army that could be raised from these six million people would be insufficient. Moreover, the Wu tribe had always been bound by family and tribal ties, lacking any systematic military organization. They still relied on curved knives and long spears, which would lead to complete defeat against the new dynasty's army, which was over half equipped with modern weaponry.
As the legitimate eldest grandson of the Wen family and the commander of the imperial guard, Wen Ru Song was, in effect, a close confidant of the Emperor. His words, to outsiders, were a precise transmission of the intentions of Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan, the soon-to-be Emperor and Empress. Consequently, upon hearing Wen Ru Song's words, Madam Yue Zhao and Chief Na Zhen were stunned.
However, Madam Na Zhen quickly regained her composure, her voice sharp as she exclaimed, "What do you mean? Are you serious? Your Wen family eagerly invited us to the birthday banquet, and now you're not only blocking us from entering but also threatening us with the safety of the Wu tribe citizens? How can such a court earn the trust of my six million Wu tribe citizens?" Her expression and demeanor suggested she was openly declaring that the Wu tribe would not submit to the new dynasty's rule.
With Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan backing Wen Ru Song, he was undeterred by their taunts. Hearing Chief Na Zhen clearly expecting a refusal, or even a conciliatory response, he stated directly, "If Chief Na Zhen is truly confident in leading the Wu tribe citizens to oppose the new dynasty, then my Prince and Princess Consort await to see how you establish a 'state within a state.'"
Having spoken, he waved his hand, summoning the manor's guards. "Escort the two ladies back. Remember, do not allow them to enter the Wu tribe villages, lest the world perceive my Wen family as ill-mannered." The guards, who had been observing for some time, were quick to understand. They lowered their heads and feigned innocence, "Young Master, you are too kind! They caused trouble at the Elder's birthday banquet, and you still want us to escort them back?"
Wen Ru Song looked at Madam Yue Zhao and Chief Na Zhen with a complex expression. "The Princess Consort said this is called 'politely seeing them off.' Others may be unrighteous, but we must not be." With that, he turned and entered the Wen manor, his refusal to allow Madam Yue Zhao and Chief Na Zhen entry clearly stated.
Inside the Wen manor, after receiving the greetings of the assembled guests, Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan were seated in the most honored positions below the main seat. Upon entering, Wen Ru Song went directly towards Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan and announced loudly in front of everyone, "Reporting to Your Highness and Her Highness the Princess Consort, Madam Yue Zhao and Chief Na Zhen have been persuaded to return."
Hearing this, the officials seated below showed expressions of satisfaction. Shen Da, the Minister of War, was the first to voice his agreement. "Excellent! A mere Wu tribe woman, clinging to her centuries-old status and presuming to attend Elder Wen's birthday banquet, deserves to be turned away. Let the world know that while the court can protect all its people from enemies, it will never compromise with anyone who intends to fracture the new dynasty!" Shen Da, who hailed from the Xuanjia Army, was also the first official to transition directly from a border general to a court official. However, in the past six months, his capabilities had been recognized by both the court and the public, and he had gained a group of like-minded colleagues. Nian Zhiyao, the Minister of Works, immediately concurred. "Minister Shen speaks truly. The Wu tribe's impolite actions are clearly a provocation to the new dynasty's authority. If we tolerate such behavior, who knows how many will follow suit? We must reject them without hesitation!"
...The officials of the new dynasty were largely selected by Elder Wen and Elder Chi, with Si Feng Wu and Lu Qing Wan meticulously vetting them. Therefore, for the moment, no one dared to openly oppose them. As a result, the atmosphere in the hall was surprisingly harmonious. After a brief period of venting their frustrations about the Wu tribe's provocations, the conversation shifted back to the birthday banquet. The members of the Wen family successively presented their gifts to Elder Wen. It was rare for the descendants, who often served on the borders, to gather, and Elder Wen's aged face beamed with a reserved happiness. Madam Wen, seated beside him, exuded a gentle aura, akin to Guanyin Bodhisattva on a lotus pedestal.
The Wen family's descendants were the first to present their birthday gifts to the elder couple: the sonorous stone from the eldest son, Wen Tan; the Longquan inkstone and a Duan inkstone from the second son, Wen Qi; and the double-sided embroidery titled "Peach and Plum" from the First Madam Wen... Each item presented caused a stir of astonishment among the attendees. Everyone, with feigned admiration, praised the gifts. Even Han Guang, who was known for his bluntness, spoke with envy, "Elder Wen's legacy is vast, and he has sons like Governor Wen and Prefect Wen. With his eldest grandson also so accomplished, it truly makes one green with envy!"
Han Guang was forthright in his opinions. As soon as he finished speaking, someone beside him couldn't help but chime in, "Minister Han, if one didn't know better, they'd think only the eldest son of the Wen family is accomplished! I hear that the third son and second son are also formidable generals in the southern territories, striking fear into the hearts of the southern barbarians? And the fourth daughter of the Wen family has received guidance from the master of the Medicine King Valley; her future is boundless!" Upon hearing this, the crowd engaged in further flattery. Following this, opera troupes from various regions performed, entertaining the guests. Elder Wen's birthday banquet was as lively as any occasion for a respected elder.
Everyone had been apprehensive, but in reality, until the end of the banquet, no alarming incidents occurred. As everyone breathed a sigh of relief, they also felt a sense of anticlimax, a vague disappointment for reasons unknown. After several rounds of drinks and courses, Si Feng Wu was the first to announce his departure. After all, Wen Tan and his brother had returned after a long absence, and they would be leaving again in a few days; he wanted to leave them some time for family reunion.