Chapter 168: Palace Banquet

Tonight's palace banquet is held to welcome the Eldest Prince of Feng Guo on his visit to Qi.

Although Feng Guo and Qi Guo have maintained diplomatic relations for many years, this is the first time a prince has come to visit in person.

Therefore, Qi Zhaodi attaches great importance to it, setting up the palace banquet and ordering all officials of the third rank and above to attend as companions.

Lin Qingyue is a Prince of the first rank, so naturally, she must also be present.

This is the first time Lin Qingyue has worn a Prince's python robe. The patterns and colors are consistent with those of Dongfang Yan and the others, only the style has been changed into a female skirt.

Worn on Lin Qingyue, it is solemn yet bright, and paired with a golden crown headpiece of a phoenix spreading its wings, it is dazzling and eye-catching.

When Dongfang Yan sees her, he is dazed for a moment, and does not stint on his praise: "Qingyue, you are... very beautiful today."

Yet Lin Qingyue does not even give him a glance, walking straight past him.

But when she lifts her eyes to see the palace gate, the Crown Prince in his purple robes and jade belt standing before the steps, she smiles and goes over to greet him: "How is it that you, like me, arrived right on time?"

Dongfang Qi says: "I have been in the palace all day today. Seeing that the time was late and you hadn't arrived yet, I was afraid you might get lost, so I specifically came over to welcome you. So it turns out you were the one arriving right on time."

The words are a reproach, yet the tone is filled with gentleness.

He looks at Lin Qingyue with gentle eyes, nods, and says: "Not bad, this outfit really suits your temperament."

Lin Qingyue says: "Let's go in. If we are truly late, no one will pay attention to a carefree Prince like me, but you, the future Crown Prince, will be criticized."

"Mm, let's go."

Dongfang Yan takes in every move they make, his fists hidden within his wide sleeves clenching tightly, not even noticing as his fingernails dig into his flesh.

"Lin Qingyue, why is it that you can be pleasant when you are with the Crown Prince? Yet toward this Prince, you turn a blind eye?"

"Dongfang Qi, do you think you can win her over this way? The person I cannot obtain, even if you are the Crown Prince, don't you dare lay a finger on!"

In the daily routine of the Qi Guo Imperial Palace, the palace gates are closed at the hour of Xu (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM), and no one is allowed to enter or leave at will.

Today, because of the palace banquet held to welcome foreign envoys, the closing of the palace gates is delayed until the hour of Zi (11:00 PM - 1:00 AM).

As night first falls, the Imperial Palace has only just pulled back the curtain on the lively prologue. The palace lanterns on the eaves of Linde Hall light up one after another, illuminating the surroundings as bright as day.

The pleasant sound of silk and bamboo instruments drifts with the evening breeze into every corner of the palace.

Lin Qingyue strolls leisurely, admiring the night view of the Imperial Palace with great interest. Occasionally, when she encounters officials who greet her, she nods in response.

Thinking that she has never attended a palace banquet before, Dongfang Qi enthusiastically explains it to her:

"Palace banquets are generally held in Linde Hall. At that time, there will be singing and dancing for entertainment, as well as many fine wines and delicacies. If you don't want to socialize, just eat and drink, and watch the singing and dancing."

Lin Qingyue is more concerned about the current landscape of the world, asking: "You said earlier that after the Chaos Era, the three kingdoms of Qi, Chu, and Feng stood side by side? Are there only three kingdoms now?"

Dongfang Qi says: "Of course not only three, it's just that the three kingdoms of Qi, Chu, and Feng are the largest and are located in the Zhongyuan Wangchao region. To the west, there are the 26 kingdoms of the Western Regions, and to the south, there are also over a dozen small kingdoms."

"Initially, Qi Guo exclusively enjoyed the Zhongyuan Wangchao, until more than five hundred years ago, when many kings of Qi rebelled and it split into ten kingdoms. The ten kingdoms fought each other, and you sang your part while I took the stage. Today you proclaim yourself emperor, tomorrow I become king."

"It was chaotic for a full two hundred years. Until finally, the three kingdoms of Qi, Chu, and Feng began the era of the tripartite balance of power."

"In these three hundred years, although there have been occasional wars between the three kingdoms, the scale has not been large. Ten years ago, the monarchs of the three kingdoms held an alliance, agreeing not to attack each other."

"And our Qi Guo is the only country among the three that has continued from a thousand years ago to the present."

Lin Qingyue nods: "Then you really are a lone seedling—you said earlier that a prince and a princess from Feng Guo are coming this time. Have you met them before? I wonder what their purpose is in coming this time?"

Dongfang Qi says: "I have met them once. It was ten years ago, when I accompanied my Imperial Father to attend the border meeting of the three kingdoms; Princess Ling Xue and Prince Ling Zhen of Feng Guo were both there."

Just as he is speaking, a crisp and cheerful female voice is suddenly heard: "Brother Qi!"

The next moment, a young girl wearing a pink dress is seen pouncing over like a flying swallow.

Dongfang Qi is caught off guard and is actually pounced into a full embrace by the girl.

He hurriedly pushes her away, and subconsciously looks at Lin Qingyue.

Lin Qingyue frowns as she examines the girl: she is fifteen or sixteen years old, looking delicate and lovely. She was originally full of smiles, but when she is pushed away by Dongfang Qi, the smile on the girl's face disappears.

"Brother Qi, how is it that after a few years of not seeing each other, you have become so distant with Xue'er? Have you forgotten the days when we played together as children?"

While speaking, Ling Xue discovers that Dongfang Qi is looking at Lin Qingyue, so her gaze also shifts over, revealing a hint of amazement in her eyes:

"She is so beautiful, could she be your Crown Princess? No, that's not right, she is wearing a python robe, not a phoenix robe. I heard that your Qi Guo recently appointed a female Prince, could it be her?"

Just at this moment, another steady voice rings out: "Ling Xue, do not be rude!"

Then, a man with a stalwart figure and handsome features, aged about 30, is seen walking up the white marble stone steps.

He bows and salutes Dongfang Qi with a smile: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, it has been many years, I trust you have been well."

Dongfang Qi returns the salute and says to Lin Qingyue: "This is the Eldest Prince of Feng Guo, Ling Zhen, and this is Princess Ling Xue of Feng Guo."

Then, he introduces Lin Qingyue to Ling Zhen.

Ling Zhen says: "So this is the famous Prince Chaolan, heroic and spirited, truly a heroine among women."

Seeing that Dongfang Qi is only concerned with exchanging pleasantries with Ling Zhen, but is very distant toward her, Princess Ling Xue pouts coquettishly:

"Brother Qi, why won't you talk to me properly? Ever since we parted ten years ago, I have been thinking of you. This time, I came to Qi Guo from thousands of miles away specifically to reminisce with you."

Dongfang Qi reveals a proper smile, and his answer is also watertight: "Princess Ling Xue has traveled far and wide for the sake of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, and all of Qi Guo welcomes you immensely. The banquet is about to begin, Princess Ling Xue, Prince Ling Zhen—please enter."

Ling Xue still wants to say something, but is pulled away by her brother.

As the most honored guests, their seats are arranged in the upper section. As soon as they appear, many officials immediately come to chat with them.

Even Dongfang Yan actually takes the initiative to step forward and strike up a conversation.

He looks at Ling Xue with admiring eyes, and though it is unknown what he says, Ling Xue appears very happy, with smiles lingering in the corners of her eyes and brows.

Meanwhile, Dongfang Qi is at the table opposite, sitting next to Lin Qingyue.

For some reason, Lin Qingyue feels that there is always a gaze casting itself toward her from time to time.

Lin Qingyue lifts her eyes to look, and squarely meets Dongfang Yan's gaze.

Dongfang Yan is listening to Princess Ling Xue speak with a face full of spring breeze, while his eyes look toward Lin Qingyue with a slight provocation.

Lin Qingyue: "..."