"How dare a princess from another country covet the position of Empress? Truly, it's like a horse discussing its face's length!"
Upon hearing the concubine's cold laugh, the envoy from Dali remained unfazed. Instead, he smiled and said, "Your Ladyship, please do not be agitated. How dare we covet the Empress's position? We merely seek a title of concubine."
The princess of Dali lowered her head, listening to the envoy from Dali enumerate her virtues, his face a picture of desperate self-promotion. A mocking cold smile touched her lips.
When did people ever care about the feelings of their merchandise?
Even though it was merely the title of a concubine, Zou Yun'er could not suppress her cold laugh.
Ji Hong patted her hand in comfort, then addressed the envoy from Dali, "I have no plans to expand my harem at the moment. Envoy, it would be best to choose someone else."
The envoy pondered for a moment, his gaze shifting between Ji Jinmo. It was clear he wished for Ji Jinmo to step forward and marry the princess. However, if Ji Jinmo were to marry her, not only would he himself object, but the court officials of Lin Yuan Kingdom would also vehemently oppose it.
The reason Dali sought peace was simply because they had been terrified by Ji Jinmo. If Ji Jinmo were to marry the princess of Dali, who knew if Ji Jinmo might be influenced by her whispers?
Finally, the envoy cupped his hands towards the Emperor and said insincerely, "Your Majesty, the decision rests with you!"
...
Until the very end, Ji Hong did not give the envoy from Dali a definitive answer.
"Esteemed envoys, you have traveled a great distance and endured much hardship. Why not stay in Lin Yuan for a few more days? This would allow us to fulfill our duties as hosts. Coincidentally, in a few days, it will be our Lin Yuan Kingdom's annual winter hunt. We invite the envoys to join us and liven up the festivities. The matter of marital alliance between our two nations is of great importance, and we must carefully consider and select a capable and handsome individual who is a worthy match for the princess." Ji Hong said with a smile.
What could the envoy from Dali say?
When one is under another's roof, they must bow their head. Even if they were unwilling, they dared not offend Ji Hong. Thus, they could only agree, but still could not resist adding, "We hope Your Majesty can quickly select a suitable young man for our country's princess to ally with, so that we may return to Dali promptly and deliver this good news to our monarch."
Hong Yi smilingly agreed, "Very well, Chief Envoy Qin, rest assured. I will certainly make a decision with the court officials as soon as possible regarding the candidate for the marital alliance."
With that, he raised his wine goblet.
The palace banquet concluded with everyone's final toast. Ji Hong instructed the young master of Jin Yang Marquis Manor, Qin Qianyu, to take good care of the envoy from Dali, and then left the grand hall hand-in-hand with the concubine.
Subsequently, Ji Jinmo stood up, and under everyone's gaze, extended his hand towards Nan Shiying.
Looking at the hand Ji Jinmo offered, Nan Shiying blinked. She instantly understood his intention and, without hesitation, placed her hand into his.
The tips of their fingers brushed against their palms, like an electric current. Nan Shiying and Ji Jinmo's hearts leaped simultaneously, a silent, indescribable atmosphere flowing between them. It was akin to the aroma of aged fruit wine released the moment its bottle was uncorked, a scent both fruity and sweet, intoxicating with just a whiff.
Ji Jinmo's earlobes flushed slightly, and Nan Shiying's cheeks also bloomed with a faint blush.
She instinctively tried to withdraw her hand, but in the next moment, Ji Jinmo tightened his grip. With a slight exertion of force, he pulled Nan Shiying up from her seat, his clasped hand smoothly interlacing with hers, their fingers firmly intertwined.
For a fleeting moment, Nan Shiying felt as if the walls built around her heart let out a sound of shattering.
She lowered her gaze slightly, her long, curled lashes obscuring the ripple of emotion blooming in her eyes.
Lü Wan, standing behind them, was already beaming with suppressed laughter. If not for the inappropriateness of the occasion, she would have burst out laughing.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Nan Shiying and Ji Jinmo left the grand hall, their fingers tightly clasped.
Silence descended upon the hall.
Everyone merely watched their retreating backs, their expressions unreadable.
Only after they had walked away and completely disappeared from sight did the hall erupt in a cacophony of discussion.
Without a doubt, the deep affection between the Regent and his Consort would become the new gossip of the following day.
...
Their hands remained clasped until they entered the carriage.
The intimate, confined space intensified the amorous atmosphere. Nan Shiying, hearing her own heart beating like a war drum, took a deep breath. She tried to pull her hand away with all her might, but still couldn't free it from Ji Jinmo's grasp.
"My Lord, that's enough."
She controlled her voice, trying her best not to let any emotion betray her.
Ji Jinmo seemed to just then realize they were holding hands. He quickly released Nan Shiying's hand, his peripheral vision casually sweeping over it, revealing a look of disdain that was no surprise.
In this moment, silence spoke louder than words.
Nan Shiying almost laughed out of exasperation.
She let out a huff, lifted the curtain of the carriage window, and looked outside.
Ji Jinmo, however, lowered his head, glanced at the hand that had just held hers, and a faint, faint curve appeared at the corner of his lips.
As if he were smiling.
They traveled in silence until the carriage stopped before the gates of the Regent's Manor, whereupon they alighted, hand-in-hand once more.
The main gate opened and then closed.
The moment they were inside, their hands separated.
"My Lord, wishing you well!"
Nan Shiying performed a perfunctory bow to Ji Jinmo, then, with Lü Wan in tow, headed towards Xingyuan Pavilion. Ji Jinmo, however, did not proceed to the front courtyard but followed her, walking towards the rear courtyard.
"Oh, My Lord, are you planning to visit Madam Xinyang or Madam Rulan~" Nan Shiying taunted as she walked.
And he said they had no relationship?
If they had no relationship, what was he doing here?
Planning to chat by candlelight!
Ji Jinmo's voice remained completely devoid of inflection as he replied, "To the Consort's residence."
"Aiyo, going to—"
Nan Shiying immediately turned around, her voice involuntarily rising a few decibels. "No, My Lord, where are you going?"
"It seems the Consort has not been sleeping well these past few days and has become rather fiery? Why are your ears not as sharp?" Ji Jinmo gazed down at Nan Shiying from his superior height, his words as cold and venomous as poison.
Eating poison, are you? Your mouth is so venomous!
The little person in Nan Shiying's heart, armed with needles, wished she could strike every acupuncture point on Ji Jinmo. If she couldn't kill him, she wouldn't survive either, so Nan Shiying would have poisoned him long ago.
She forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes, offering insincere thanks, "Thank you for your concern, My Lord. Your servant's ears are quite well."
If only she wasn't gritting her teeth so hard.
Ji Jinmo curled the corner of his lips, his mood exceptionally pleasant, a smile even reaching the tips of his eyes.
Nan Shiying, huffing with indignation, turned her head and hurried towards Xingyuan Pavilion as if chased by a dog.
"Greetings to His Highness the Prince, and to Her Highness the Consort."
The servants of Xingyuan Pavilion, seeing the Prince and Consort return together, quickly bowed and offered their greetings. Bai Zhi joyfully brought out tea and snacks, intending to stay and serve, but was dismissed by Ji Jinmo.