Chapter 34: Palace Banquet Storm (4)

The hall, which had been somewhat noisy, fell into absolute silence in an instant. No matter what they were doing before, everyone performed the kowtow ceremony. Except for the officials sitting on the second level and the martial generals guarding the palace who could kneel on one knee, everyone else was prostrate on the ground. Zhuo Qing hadn't reacted in time and was pulled by Mo Bai to kneel halfway on the ground. The only person standing in the palace was the dazed Yan Ruxuan.

Lou Xiyan's eyes darkened; he grabbed Yan Ruxuan's hand and pulled her to his side. At the same time, the figures of the Emperor and Empress appeared at the entrance of the Great Hall...

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor!"

Shouts that resounded through the hall began the moment the Emperor and Empress stepped in. Zhuo Qing raised her head slightly and squinted to look. Yan Hongtian was dressed in a bright yellow fine-silk ceremonial robe, with a white jade ring belt at his waist and a black-gold jade crown on his head. His cold eyes were still piercing; paired with this outfit, it was enough to make people afraid to look directly at him. In fact, except for Zhuo Qing's peeking, no one dared to raise their heads. The Empress looked young, in her early twenties. With golden hairpins and jade pendants, her hair was piled high, and she wore a dark red gorgeous gown that trailed behind her. The skirt hem embroidered with peony patterns made her look dignified and noble, but even with a status as noble as hers, she could only follow by the Emperor's side and could never walk shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

Zhuo Qing sighed secretly. She finally understood why ancient monarchs were so convinced they were the Son of Heaven and why it was so easy for them to become muddled rulers. When everyone was prostrate at your feet, how many people could still remember who they were?!

Yan Ruxuan stared blankly at her hand, her face burning so hot it was almost on fire, her heart beating like thunder. All sounds could not enter her ears; she could only hear the sound of her own thumping heart. Just now, he had actually taken the initiative to hold her hand. Although it was only for a very short moment, she felt the gentle strength of his slightly cool fingertips lightly gripping her wrist. Raising her head slightly, looking at that fair and handsome profile, Yan Ruxuan knew that no matter how much despair and heartache he caused her, she could never let him go, because a long, long time ago, besides him, her heart and her eyes could no longer hold any other man.

With his keen eyesight, he naturally saw clearly that the palace maid was Princess Zhaoyun. A flash of disgust crossed Su Ling's cold eyes; women were indeed troublesome things. A woman's perspective could never understand the occasion or see the situation clearly.

Amidst their respective inner thoughts, Yan Hongtian had already walked up to the highest platform and sat down on the dragon chair, while the Empress sat on his right. Yan Hongtian raised both hands horizontally and said in a loud voice, "All officials, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." After another uniform response, as if rehearsed countless times, the ministers sat down one by one.

Finally able to stand up straight, Zhuo Qing rubbed her knees in frustration. Mo Bai had suddenly pulled her just now; her knees were probably going to be bruised. Just as she thought this, Mo Bai's cold gaze fell on her hands. Zhuo Qing curled her lips and stood up sheepishly.

"The Beiqi envoys are here to pay their respects."

The ceremonial officer shouted loudly again. Three figures walked slowly toward the end of the golden long carpet: two men and one woman.

All three were dressed in gorgeous clothes. The tall, thin man stood at the very front, the sturdier man stood behind him, and what attracted Zhuo Qing's attention was the woman. She was definitely a great beauty that one could not ignore. It wasn't that her features were particularly exquisite, but rather that flamboyant aura—her eyes were like dots of lacquer, her gaze like autumn water, and as she looked around, she invited exploration.

"May the Qiong Emperor be blessed." The three performed the half-kneeling ceremony.

Yan Hongtian replied loudly, "Rise, be seated."

"Thank you, Qiong Emperor."

The seats the three of them took were actually the three empty long tables next to Su Ling. The thin man bowed slightly toward Su Ling, and Su Ling still had that cold face, only nodding slightly in return.

Su Ling's somewhat rude response did not bother the man, who sat down elegantly.

Yan Hongtian's booming voice rang out again: "Since you have come from afar, first taste the unique Chenxiang Jianniang of Qiongyue. Grant wine."

"Thank you, Qiong Emperor, for the reward."

Three palace maids dressed in blue palace attire held wine pots and walked to the side of the long tables, kneeling halfway to pour wine for them.

Sure enough, whether in ancient times or modern times, banquets were always this boring and dull. The difference was that before, she could at least sit and eat, and leave whenever she wanted; now she could only stand... Zhuo Qing yawned out of boredom. Her eyes swept over the palace maid opposite, and Zhuo Qing's breathing tightened. The woman pouring wine for the Princess actually had two obvious knife scars on her face, also on her right cheek. Could she be Qing Ling?!

Naturally, it wasn't just Zhuo Qing who noticed the palace maid; a flash of surprise also crossed Lou Xiyan's eyes. That woman should be Qing Ling. She was very similar to Feng in both figure and appearance. The difference was that the light in Feng's eyes revealed a clear and proud brilliance, while her eyes were filled with desperate coldness and numb indifference.

But why was she at the banquet, and why was she serving the Beiqi Princess? Was it the Emperor trying to humiliate her? Lou Xiyan glanced at Yan Hongtian without a trace. From his eyes, Lou Xiyan also saw a hint of surprise. It seemed it wasn't his arrangement. Then the only person who would make such an arrangement was the Empress.

Matters of the inner palace were not things he should manage. Feng behind him made no big movements. Lou Xiyan lowered his gaze slightly and waited to see what would happen.

Perhaps Zhuo Qing's gaze was too intense, or perhaps it was the so-called telepathy, but the palace maid suddenly raised her head, and her gaze collided with Zhuo Qing's.

Seeing Zhuo Qing's face clearly, the woman's eyes widened suddenly, and the wine pot in her hand almost slipped. Seeing her expression, Zhuo Qing felt a chill in her heart. She should be Qing Ling, but she was definitely not Gu Yun. If she were Gu Yun, she wouldn't recognize her unrecognizable self, and the calm Gu Yun would never be so agitated, letting people see her thoughts.

Zhuo Qing withdrew her gaze in disappointment. The woman also realized she was too composed and lowered her head, but her slightly heaving shoulders still showed how agitated her mood was.

The three finished the fine wine in their cups in one gulp. The Third Prince of Beiqi, Xu Xunsi, said respectfully with a smile, "Truly good wine! Rich and mellow, smooth on the palate. Representing Beiqi to pay respects this time, being able to witness the strength and the grand demeanor of the Qiongyue Great Nation, we are convinced and hope to take this opportunity to express our country's heart of submission to Qiongyue."

Yan Hongtian nodded slowly, looking like he understood, and replied enthusiastically, "Beiqi is a neighbor of Qiongyue. It is indeed a good thing for the two countries to exchange envoys and have more contact. Since the Third Prince has arrived in Qiongyue, you might as well travel around; Qiongyue still has some beautiful scenery."

Yan Hongtian didn't pick up his topic at all. Xu Xunsi already understood in his heart that he was not keen on forming an alliance. Following his words, Xu Xunsi smiled, "Thank you, Qiong Emperor, for your kindness. Qiongyue has a vast territory and beautiful mountains and rivers; it is naturally breathtaking. This time, the Seventh Sister has also specially prepared a water-sleeve dance to wish Qiongyue prosperity and hope that the two countries will be friends for ten thousand generations."

"Oh?" Using the beauty trap so soon? Yan Hongtian raised his cold eyes and laughed loudly, "I have always heard that the Seventh Princess's dancing skills are superb. Today, I would like to appreciate it properly."

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 35 =====