Chapter 188

When the dance ended, the string and bamboo music gradually faded.

Consort Shu's smile was full, her voice gentle: "I have long heard of the great name of the Immortal Envoy from Lie State; I never expected you to be so pure and lovely, truly endearing."

She looked at Tuan Tuan, as if she were a kind elder.

Gongsun Zhi clenched his fists upon hearing that, his gaze toward Tuan Tuan surging with deep-seated hatred, his face twitching slightly.

Gongsun Hong lightly coughed without changing expression, giving him a warning glance.

Gongsun Zhi's body stiffened; he lowered his eyelids, concealing his uncontrollable gaze.

Consort Shu smiled, raising her hand to point at the ice cream just presented to Tuan Tuan by the attendant, her voice growing gentler: "Immortal Envoy, having come from afar as a guest, please try this ice cream."

This is a secret recipe of the Da Xia imperial palace, made with the finest cow's milk, bird's nest, and honey; the process is elaborate, rarely made a few times a year; it is especially pure, sweet, and nourishing, suitable for children.

Xiao Ze was about to speak to excuse Tuan Tuan when a voice came from outside the hall.

"The Xilu envoy, Jifeng, has arrived!"

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Uncle Ji is here?" She stretched her little head toward the hall door.

All that could be seen was a tall, sturdy figure striding in against the light.

Jifeng walked up to the imperial steps and bowed, his voice like a great bell: "I am Jifeng of Xilu; I was delayed on the road, and after hurrying I have just arrived; please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Gongsun Chi's face remained calm as he waved his hand: "The Xilu envoy has come far and endured hardship; how could I blame him? No matter, please take your seats."

The attendant quickly led Jifeng to a seat, which happened to be opposite Tuan Tuan.

Tuan Tuan happily waved her little hand at him.

Jifeng winked at her, making Tuan Tuan giggle: "Uncle Ji is so fun!"

Gongsun Hong's face darkened: "Jifeng! In Lie State that day you set fire to my residence, and yet you dare come to Da Xia!"

Seeing Jifeng seated, Consort Shu quickly hid her displeasure, put on a gentle smile again, and looked at Tuan Tuan: "Immortal Envoy, this ice cream has been sitting a while, its texture suffers; now is the best time to eat it, please try it quickly."

Tuan Tuan looked at the small bowl before her, lifted her head to meet Consort Shu's gaze: "Lady, why are you so eager to have me eat this? Is there something in it?"

"Pfft—" Jifeng spat out a mouthful of wine he hadn't yet swallowed.

Immediately he laughed loudly, coughing earth-shatteringly: "Hahaha… cough cough cough…"

The people of Lie State all lowered their heads, pressing their lips tightly, enduring it, not being as blatant as Jifeng.

Consort Shu's face changed: "This damned girl!"

She steadied herself: "Immortal Envoy, perhaps you didn't hear clearly; I just said this contains only good things, which no child would dislike."

"Oh!" Tuan Tuan replied casually, but still didn't touch it.

Consort Shu was so angry her smile could barely be held.

Gongsun Zhi couldn't hold back: "Mother Consort means well, but the Immortal Envoy keeps refusing, which is truly unbecoming of an envoy."

Tuan Tuan suddenly realized: "So this lady is your mother consort! No wonder she keeps staring at me."

She gave Gongsun Zhi a hehe laugh: "I'm not an envoy! What decorum do I need?"

"You!" Gongsun Zhi was left speechless by her.

He really couldn't understand why, whenever he met this brat, he only ended up suffering a dumb loss, never once gaining the upper hand.

Jifeng had just smoothed out his breath from earlier; hearing those two lines, he laughed so hard he slapped the table.

Xiao Ningxun rubbed Tuan Tuan's little head, thinking, this is my sister's most formidable trait: a mouth full of truth that makes people furious, leaving them no room to rebut.

Consort Shu slowly rose, personally picking up the untouched ice cream before her, moving with lotus steps, she walked to Tuan Tuan.

"Perhaps there is some flaw in your bowl, or the attendants neglected their duty, causing you to refuse to taste it."

Her voice soft, her posture extremely humble, she offered her own ice cream to Tuan Tuan: "Then please try this bowl of mine, Immortal Envoy."

Jifeng narrowed his eyes; the Lie State entourage furrowed their brows.

Envoys from other countries, well aware of the feud between the two nations, seeing the two sides clash, remained silent spectators.

Xiao Ningchen sprang to his feet; Tuan Tuan tugged his sleeve: "Second brother, don't be angry."

She glanced at Consort Shu's false smile: "But your bowl doesn't look very tasty either!"

As her words fell, "Chirp chirp! Chirp!"

A few clear, pleasant cries came from outside the hall; behold, two black-and-white magpies flew through the open hall doors, nimbly entering this splendid golden hall.

They chased each other, soaring and dancing above the hall, graceful in posture.

A Da Xia official immediately praised: "Your Majesty's great fortune!"

"To have magpies appear at the palace banquet is a great omen, showing the prosperity of Da Xia! Even auspicious birds come to congratulate!"

Other officials immediately echoed.

"Today's grand feast, with distinguished guests gathered, who would have thought it would even attract magpies!"

"Yes! An auspicious sign!"

As they were speaking, the two magpies suddenly swooped down,

as one flew over the ice cream in Consort Shu's hand.

Plop!

A fresh bird dropping fell precisely into the center of the milky-white ice cream.

At the same moment, another magpie swept past Consort Shu's head, its tail dipping.

Plop!

Another warm, grayish-white dropping landed on her fair, delicate, well-maintained handback!

"Ah!" Consort Shu let out a sharp scream, her arm recoiling and her hand loosening.

Clang—splash!

The ice cream bowl in her hand fell to the ground, the milky-white ice cream mixed with bird droppings splattering speckled onto her scarlet skirt, a mess!

The two magpies, as if having completed their task, flew off without lingering.

Just now the officials who had praised the auspicious omen were left speechless; the main hall fell silent in an instant, and everyone was stunned.

The Pure Consort stood rigidly in place, her cheeks flushing purple.

"Pfft… Hahaha!" Jifeng's boisterous, unrestrained laugh rang out again, "Sure enough it's a lucky bird! It really understands people! Hahaha!"

The people of the fierce nation tried hard to endure, yet their shoulders twitched uncontrollably, clearly struggling hard to suppress their laughter.

Tuan Tuan blinked, "See, I wasn't wrong, even the little bird dislikes this, Madam, I won't eat it any more!"

The Pure Consort heard that, snapped her head up, her eyes filled with unabashed fury, staring intently at Tuan Tuan.

Xiao Ningxun pulled her younger sister into her arms and glared back, "Madam, please compose yourself."

"Enough!"

From the throne, Gongsun Chi's deep voice finally came, "Attendants, escort the Pure Consort back to the Palace to change."

Several palace maids came over and helped the Pure Consort down.

Seeing his Mother Consort embarrassed in public, Gongsun Hong's expression darkened.

Wu Luo looked at Tuan Tuan, excited and greedy‑eyed.

No wonder Zhi Er, despite bearing overwhelming fortune, keeps being thwarted.

This girl's fortune is simply too strong; if I could use it… no, I must make it serve me!

The inner attendant clapped his hands, and several dance maids entered in a line.

"This is Da Xia's 'Nine Fermentation Welcome Dance'; please, esteemed guests, enjoy it together!"