Under the shouts of the crowd.
A palace banquet began.
The emperor introduced Zhan Tianye to the world.
Everyone praised him in various ways.
These praises were almost all from the heart. They knew very well how much the Emperor valued the Prince of Jin. Seeing the current situation, some of the princes accepted their fate, while others clenched their fists in secret.
Why should they, who had been fighting for years, have their father's trust so easily taken away by an illegitimate child who appeared out of nowhere?
Even this day's glory?
Zhan Tianye, sitting beside the Emperor of Western Xia, had a cold expression, showing no sign of happiness or pride from being showered with glory.
He was indifferent, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.
Seeing the Prince of Jin so composed, the officials were all amazed in their hearts, no wonder the Emperor valued him so much!
This kind of composure, facing a mountain collapsing before one's eyes, was something no one else could match.
And everyone's eyes were sharp; they all saw the Emperor's joy when introducing the Prince of Jin, so they all understood the Emperor's intentions.
For a moment, the ladies of each household were quietly instructing their daughters.
Yun Shu's heart was wrapped in a cloud of doubt, and her thoughts seemed to be frozen. Distracted, she heard the Minister's wife instructing Qin Lingyue beside her.
"You must perform with all your heart when you go up later. This is your only chance to be seen by the Prince of Jin, do you understand?" The Minister's wife's voice trembled as she said this.
So excited!
Qin Lingyue nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining with excitement, "Mother, I understand, I will go all out!"
The Minister's wife suddenly thought of something and looked at Qin Linglong, "Linglong, don't cause any trouble today."
Yun Shu raised her eyes, the unconcealed cold light like a freshly sharpened blade fell on the Minister's wife's face.
The Minister's wife's heart suddenly trembled, and the blood drained from her face in fright.
How could this be!
Qin Linglong actually had such a fearsome gaze!
But the next moment, she reacted, attributing the look to hatred. She calmed her surging fear and was about to offer more advice when she heard a noncommittal "mm."
The Minister's wife frowned tightly.
A chilling sensation rose from the bottom of her heart, and the gaze of 'Qin Linglong' she had just seen lingered in her mind.
She had underestimated Qin Linglong!
When she returned this time, she would deal with Qin Linglong properly! What a little vixen!
As Yun Shu withdrew her gaze, she saw the coldness in the Minister's wife's eyes. She frowned slightly.
Then she slightly raised her eyes and looked at Zhan Tianye not far away.
Clearly within reach, yet she could not take half a step closer.
She needed an opportunity to speak with him alone.
She would find a chance tonight.
Making a decision in her heart, Yun Shu picked up her teacup and took another sip.
At the same time, Princess Sheng Yue and Qian Jin were both staring intently at Zhen Lin's every move. As long as Zhen Lin left temporarily, whether it was to relieve herself or go anywhere else, they would immediately follow.
Ningde County Princess's heart was somewhat fluttering. She didn't know why her heart couldn't stop beating, and she was somewhat absent-minded, but on the surface, she did not reveal the slightest of her thoughts.
Because of the close proximity, she could see the Prince of Jin with just a glance.
A casual glance made her heart beat uncontrollably.
She knew this was not good. Before the Prince of Jin's intentions were clear, she absolutely could not lose her heart first. So she pursed her lips and suppressed her thoughts.
Suddenly, she noticed Princess Sheng Yue constantly looking in a certain direction.
Following Princess Sheng Yue's gaze, she saw her brother.
Her brother, having recently suffered from poisoning, had a pale complexion and was not drinking wine, but sipping tea. Why was Princess Sheng Yue staring at her brother?
She always felt that Princess Sheng Yue was about to do something, so she immediately turned her head and said to Lü Qiao, "Lü Qiao, keep an eye on Princess Sheng Yue's actions."
"Yes, County Princess."
The Emperor of Western Xia looked at Zhan Tianye and said in a voice only they could hear, "Jin'er, look at these women. Do you like any of them? Besides the main consort, who must be Ningde County Princess, you can like anyone else."
He wanted to settle Jin'er quickly and have Jin'er have many children after marriage. Only then would his heart truly be with Western Xia.
Zhan Tianye heard this, his expression remained cold, showing no emotion, "Father, you decide."
Seeing Zhan Tianye's indifference to women, the Emperor of Western Xia had arranged for palace maids of outstanding beauty to be sent to Zhan Tianye's bed in the past few days, but without exception, they were all kicked out by Zhan Tianye.
Did he not like beauty so much?
Could it be because of that woman from Eastern Ning?
No, impossible, clearly...
His thoughts abruptly stopped.
The Emperor of Western Xia realized that he had almost revealed his true thoughts in front of everyone.
Now, some people were already performing.
One by one, the young girls were truly pleasing to the eye.
The Emperor of Western Xia had a youthful heart, and his harem always had new additions each year.
Today, he could take this opportunity to choose one or two for himself.
Ningde County Princess looked at the beautifully adorned, alluring faces, and her expression turned cold.
Suddenly, Lü Qiao said, "Huh? Why has the Prince of Jin left?"
Upon hearing this, Ningde County Princess immediately swept her gaze to the side and saw the Prince of Jin standing up and walking away.
The woman below was playing the zither, her skills were excellent. He did not appreciate it but left instead?
The woman seemed to have noticed Zhan Tianye's actions, her fingers began to falter, and the music became chaotic.
Qin Lingyue saw this and secretly chuckled. The Prince of Jin leaving meant he disliked Miss Zhang's zither music. This time, Miss Zhang was truly humiliated tonight!
Just as she was secretly gloating, she suddenly realized that 'Qin Linglong' beside her had disappeared.
"Mother, Qin Linglong is gone, I don't know where she went," Qin Lingyue quickly said to the Minister's wife.
The Minister's wife turned her head and saw Xiao Huan standing beside her. Seeing that Qin Linglong was not there, she immediately asked Xiao Huan, "Where is Linglong?"
Xiao Huan was also confused. "Miss was just here, I..."
She herself was bewildered. She had been standing by her young lady's side, but after just looking at Miss Zhang, her young lady had disappeared!
"Quickly go find Linglong! Make sure she doesn't make any mistakes in the palace!" the Minister's wife ordered through gritted teeth.
Xiao Huan took the order and hurried to search.
But the imperial palace was so vast, where could she find her young lady? Could her young lady have gone to relieve herself?
"This is bad! The Prince of Jin has left temporarily, could that vixen Qin Linglong have gone to find the Prince of Jin? She's too bold!" Qin Lingyue suddenly realized this possibility.