Chapter 363: Parted, Both Free, Each Happy

The palace banquet was scheduled for the start of the Wei hour, that is, 1 p. m.

When Ye Qingran arrived at Jin Luan Hall, many people were already inside.

Jin Luan Hall, normally used for court audiences, is already immensely spacious and vast; for the banquet it was temporarily altered and can accommodate over a thousand people.

The grand avenue leading to the Dragon Throne was laid with a red carpet a zhang wide, and hundreds of tables and chairs were arranged along the sides according to rank.

Dishes of fruits and vegetables, fine wines and delicacies were already laid out.

Palace maids in colorful gowns weaved among them, and the sounds of silk strings and bamboo flutes filled the air—a scene of extravagance.

Even outside Jin Luan Hall, many tables and chairs were set up for the officials' families who were not permitted to enter the hall.

In short, it was extraordinarily lively; ordinary people would never have a chance to see a more bustling palace banquet.

As soon as Ye Qingran stepped into the hall, the trio who had been waiting for a long time gathered around her.

"Sister Qingran, it's been several days since we saw you; we've missed you to death!"

"Master!"

"Ye boss, what have you been busy with lately?"

The three were dressed in splendid robes today—handsome men and beautiful women, all possessing dragon-like and phoenix-like bearing.

Xiao Hu Xiao Chen saw the three and obediently called them uncle and aunt.

The trio were melted by such soft, delicate, and obedient babies, and Xia Zhimeng couldn't help but want to hug them.

"Lately I've been busy finding fathers for the children!"

Ye Qingran raised an eyebrow at Gu Dongliu, her words startling him without cease.

All three clearly showed surprise.

They immediately thought Ye Qingran was joking, so they didn't take it to heart and soon moved on to other topics.

In the crowd, a pair of resentful, poisonous eyes fixed on Ye Qingran. Ye Qingran looked over and saw Mu Qingrou's gaze, as if laced with poison.

Since the last time she harshly tormented Mu Qingrou, she has been much more obedient. Clearly the Mu Family put in a lot of effort; otherwise Mu Qingrou couldn't be sitting here now.

Just a leaping clown. Ye Qingran ignored her.

Before the start of the Wei hour, Gu Huanghou led the harem's consorts, princes and princesses to appear, and everyone present rose to greet them.

The Imperial Clan's princes and princesses were led by Crown Prince Dongfang Qingxuan. The Crown Prince, already a dragon and phoenix among men, wore a purple robe, a jade crown, and his hair bound, further highlighting his extraordinary bearing.

From the moment Dongfang Qingxuan entered, his gaze scanned the crowd and soon spotted that radiant, elegant figure.

Even though everyone today was in splendid attire, dazzlingly dressed, that person stood out among the myriad colors with a simple elegance, forming a world of her own.

A flash of brightness streaked through his jet-black eyes, then quickly dimmed.

Now she is so dazzlingly sharp.

Perhaps she has always been this way.

How could he have been so blind back then, mistaking a bright pearl for a fish's eye?

Ye Qingran, of course, also saw Dongfang Qingxuan.

In her eyes, there was no ripple. Dongfang Qingxuan was merely a speck of cinnabar in the original owner's heart. To her, he was just a passing figure in life.

Since she put him to rest on Xuanwu Street, they have been apart, each enjoying their own happiness.

Ye Qingran withdrew her gaze, as if she had only briefly lingered on a stranger moments ago.

A look of loneliness surfaced on Dongfang Qingxuan's handsome face.

Gu Huanghou cast a glance at Dongfang Qingxuan; following his line of sight, she saw Ye Qingran and her complexion instantly darkened.

"That damned Fox Spirit!" Gu Huanghou muttered inwardly. She despised Ye Qingran. She had no idea what curse she had placed on her son. Lately, Qing Xuan has been obsessed with her, showing no interest in other women.

If Ye Qingran is not a Fox Spirit, then what is she?

Thirteenth Princess Dongfang Ling'er looked at Ye Qingran with intense hostility.

After Gu Huanghou sat down, Lin Xueyan finally arrived, fashionably late.

Everyone understood that Lin Xueyan clearly intended to make a grand entrance.

No one said anything, nor dared to.

After all, the National Lords of the three great nations came for Lin Xueyan; she has that confidence!

Thus, when Lin Xueyan appeared in Jin Luan Hall, all eyes fell upon her!

Today's Lin Xueyan was obviously meticulously prepared.

She arrived in splendid attire, her makeup exquisitely refined, her gown dazzlingly luxurious, like a celestial maiden descending from heaven, radiant and brilliant!

Her expression was so proud that it evoked an untouchable yearning.

Suddenly, the corner of her lips lifted slightly, and in an instant, it was as if a hundred flowers blossomed—national beauty and heavenly fragrance, dignified and noble.

"Is this the neighboring family's young lady Lin Xueyan? Truly a goddess-like bearing, astonishingly divine!"

"No wonder the Emperor Sovereign of the Summit of the Deer Hunt favored her; so that's why…"

"I recall five years ago Lin Xueyan wasn't this radiant; after five years at the Summit of the Deer Hunt, she seems to have transformed, so the Summit of the Deer Hunt truly is a wondrous place!"

Only a small fraction of those present have ever seen Lin Xueyan.

Seeing her in person today, I couldn't help but be dazzled.

"Xueyan!"

Yun Zhi saw Lin Xueyan and showed a look of delight.

It was her first time attending such a banquet, so she seemed very uneasy; she didn't know anyone besides Lin Xueyan.

"Yun Zhi," Lin Xueyan replied with a smile, though a trace of contempt crossed her heart.

She still couldn't look down on her; now she is also Xiao Chen's 'birth mother', so she naturally wouldn't become hostile.

Yun Zhi saw Lin Xueyan's radiant brilliance; everyone's gaze toward her was full of envy. She thought that if she could stand beside Lin Xueyan, she would surely gain more attention. So she stepped forward to grasp Lin Xueyan's hand, only to find it already occupied on the left and right by Lin Mother and Lin Xuewei.

She could only awkwardly return to her seat.

Lin Xueyan moved with light lotus steps, her posture graceful, walking toward Empress Gu.

"Xueyan, greet Empress Gu." Her voice was like a yellow oriole emerging from the valley, moving and pleasant to hear.

She merely bowed slightly, without performing the great salute like others.

Because of her status, no one would speak ill of her, for in everyone's mind Lin Xueyan comes from the peak of the hunt, her status noble.

"Xueyan, you've finally returned! After so many years apart, you've become even more lovely!" Empress Gu's face was full of surprise, her face full of joy.

She thought, Lin Xueyan is so beautiful and also from the peak of the hunt, making her a worthy match for her son Dongfang Qingxuan. If Lin Xueyan marries Qingxuan, the throne will surely fall to him, and she will certainly be able to lead Donglin Country to greater heights!

"Thank you, Empress, for your praise!"

Lin Xueyan was neither humble nor arrogant, indeed confident and proud.

"Xueyan sister, I'm Ling'er, do you still remember me?" Dongfang Ling'er stepped forward and took Lin Xueyan's hand, smiling ingratiatingly.

Now who doesn't know? In Xiliang City these days, the most sought-after person is Lin Xueyan; befriending her promises limitless future. Thus, even as a princess, she had to set aside her pride to cultivate a good relationship with Lin Xueyan.

A flicker of disgust crossed Lin Xueyan's eyes.