Chapter 112

Rong Xi smiled. "It is merely this commoner's duty."

Commoner?

The Emperor's thoughts stirred. The corners of his lips lifted as he smiled. "The auspicious hour is approaching. You two should go to Phoenix Perch Hall first and wait there with the officials."

With that, he tossed the Firearm to a palace attendant and strode away.

"His Majesty is quite fond of the Firearm." Qin Ke seemed pleased for Rong Xi. "Perhaps he will reward you."

Rong Xi did not care about rewards. "Are the fireworks ready?"

The fireworks contained gunpowder and were flammable, so by rights, they could not be casually brought into the palace. However, Qin Ke had already explained to the Emperor that they were meant to give the Empress Dowager a surprise.

The Emperor still retained some of a young man's temperament, so he naturally agreed.

"They are ready. Tonight, they will surely leave everyone gasping in amazement." Qin Ke's expression was exceedingly gentle, his brows and eyes brimming with thick affection.

The two walked together to Phoenix Perch Hall.

Inside, the dining tables had all been arranged. The officials and their families sat separately according to rank, with men and women at different tables.

Minister Rong was a third-rank official, making him the lowest-ranked person in the hall. His table was therefore near the hall doors, with Madam Rong Zhou seated opposite him.

When Rong Xi and Qin Ke arrived before Phoenix Perch Hall, Rong Weijing could not help lifting his head to look.

He recognized Prince Qin, but who was the young man beside him? Why had he never seen him before?

His bearing did not lose in the slightest to Prince Qin's.

Though Rong Xi held no official status, he had been specially summoned by the Empress Dowager, valued by the Emperor, and