“What’s wrong with Momo? Why did she choke like that?” Zhou Wan You quickly patted the little dumpling’s back.
“Mother, I’m fine.” The little dumpling tried to lift a smiling face, then glared at Ye Ning Yuan, “You shut up!”
Ye Ning Yuan pouted aggrievedly and fell silent.
The little one was too naive, unable to stand such a small matter.
“Since that is the case, please come up,” Emperor Ye Yao’s voice came from the main seat.
Su Yun Mo looked up and frowned.
Please what?
It was all Ye Ning Yuan’s fault for interrupting; she hadn’t heard a word of what they were saying.
“Please, let’s have singing and dancing to liven things up. This is a necessary program for a palace banquet, and this time the dancers are from Nanjiang themselves. I heard one of them has quite a background,” Ye Ning Yuan chimed in.
Su Yun Mo gave her a lingering glance.
Ye Ning Yuan was helpless, “Aren’t you curious? Your confusion is all over your face. I couldn’t stand it, so I answered for you. Is that wrong too?”
The little dumpling smiled gently, then raised the small hammer she was using to crack nuts.
Ye Ning Yuan immediately covered her mouth.
As the music began, dancers in Nanjiang-style attire entered from the hall doors.
Each of them was graceful and beautiful, with fair skin and captivating figures, truly embodying delicate beauty and slender waists.
One woman among them was different from the others. Her face was covered with a veil, and bells were tied to her feet. With every sway of her waist, the bells emitted a clear and pleasant sound.
When the music reached its crescendo, the woman spun rapidly. The long veil covering her body fell to the ground, revealing skin as delicate as a peach and a waist that could be held in one’s arms.
Everyone let out a gasp, having never witnessed such a dance.
Soon, as the song concluded, the dancers retreated, and the woman also departed gracefully.
In the grand hall, all the men craned their necks to look outside, as if their souls had been captivated by the sound of the bells.
Emperor Ye Yao led the applause with three claps, “The charm of Nanjiang has truly opened my eyes.”
The others also chimed in with flattery.
Hu Bao stood up, cupped his hands, and said, “This is merely a small token of goodwill from the King of Nanjiang. There is one item that the King of Nanjiang specifically entrusted me to bring as a gift to Your Majesty.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up, and they began to guess what precious treasure it might be.
A deep glint flickered in Emperor Ye Yao’s eyes.
Hu Bao clapped his hands, and a person carrying a tray entered, with a small box placed on it.
The crowd whispered amongst themselves, all guessing what this item could be.
Su Yun Mo narrowed her eyes.
This was the point.
“This box is called the Qian Suo Box, an item left by the first King of Nanjiang. It contains treasures within,” Hu Bao raised his voice.
“The King of Nanjiang said that if anyone can open the box, all the treasures inside will belong to them. However, if they cannot, I will have to take the item back.”
This statement shocked everyone.
An item meant as tribute was to be taken back? Wasn’t this clearly an attempt to intimidate the Zhao Yao imperial family?
Ye Jing Cheng, holding a cup of wine, curled his lips playfully, “Nanjiang’s actions seem to be aimed at undermining Zhao Yao’s prestige. Third brother, you are always quick-witted. Do you happen to have a way to unlock this box?”
Ye Jing Yu replied with a blank expression, “Imperial brother, you were born a few years before me and naturally have more experience. If Father needs someone to help unlock it, Imperial brother is more suitable than I.”
Ye Jing Cheng smiled without speaking.
Hu Bao continued, “The King of Nanjiang repeatedly stated that this box is valuable. If there truly is a capable person in Zhao Yao who can unlock it, in addition to the treasures within, a thank-you gift will be given. May I ask if Your Majesty would agree?”
Everyone looked towards Emperor Ye Yao.
Hu Bao’s words were a provocation to imperial authority; refusing was not an option.
Emperor Ye Yao said calmly, “Since it is a valuable item from the Nanjiang royal family, I naturally wish to see it. I agree.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Hu Bao had expected him to agree and waved his hand.
The attendant then carried the tray around the crowd.
However, after a full circle, no one could unlock it.
Emperor Ye Yao’s gaze deepened slightly.
It wasn’t the first time in recent days that people had been sent to find skilled craftsmen to open this box, but there had been no progress. He hadn’t held out much hope today either.
Hu Bao shook his head and sighed, “It seems the people of Zhao Yao are not destined to have this treasure. It appears I must take it back.”
Ye Ning Yuan moved her hand away from her mouth slightly, “Momo, why don’t you try? You have good luck, maybe you can open it.”
Su Yun Mo turned to look at her, and she immediately covered her mouth again.
The little dumpling took a piece of pastry and took a bite.
Taking on such troublesome matters would attract attention if she succeeded, and invite ridicule if she failed.
She wasn’t that foolish.
“Imperial brother, I’ve heard that the young lady from the General’s mansion is exceptionally intelligent. Perhaps she can unlock the Qian Suo Box,” Ye Yun Shuang’s words drew everyone’s attention.
*Crack!*
The pastry in the little dumpling’s hand was crushed. She took a deep breath and gritted her teeth in frustration.
She must have forgotten to check the almanac before leaving home today.
Zhou Wan You frowned and stood up, “Your Majesty, my daughter is young. Although she has some minor cleverness, I fear she is not capable of this task.”
Ye Yun Shuang sneered, her praise laced with sarcasm, “Your esteemed daughter is far more than just a little clever. This princess believes she is exceptionally astute, surpassing many people at such a young age.”
This hateful girl always liked to oppose her, didn’t she?
This time, she would make sure to see just how capable she really was.
If she couldn’t unlock it, she would seize the opportunity to have her brother charge her with deceiving the emperor. In front of the Nanjiang envoy, her brother would likely find it difficult to refuse.
But if she succeeded… Humph, impossible, she absolutely couldn’t unlock it!
Ye Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow and whispered, “Momo, this woman wants to see your show.”
Su Yun Mo gave her a cool glance. After Ye Ning Yuan covered her mouth again, she said in a childish voice, “Momo doesn’t like playing with boxes.”
“Since it’s a game, why not give it a try?” Hu Bao suddenly said.
Everyone was somewhat surprised.
Many had witnessed the conflict between Ye Yun Shuang and the young lady from the General’s mansion when she first arrived. They understood the deeper meaning behind Ye Yun Shuang’s suggestion for Su Yun Mo to try and unlock the box.
But why was this Nanjiang person also agreeing?
Ye Jing Yu glanced at Hu Bao, a deep glint in his eyes.
Although Emperor Ye Yao was slightly displeased with Ye Yun Shuang’s suggestion, he showed no outward reaction and said gently, “Although Momo usually dislikes it, she can try today. It’s alright if she can’t unlock it; I won’t blame you.”
It was good to let the little girl try, a last resort.
Ye Yun Shuang’s face immediately fell.
Saying he wouldn’t blame her, Imperial brother was preemptively blocking her words.
Seeing that Emperor Ye Yao had spoken, Zhou Wan You had no choice but to swallow her refusal.
The Qian Suo Box was handed to Su Yun Mo.
Su Yun Mo glanced at the box but couldn’t discern anything. She reached out and covered it.
Never mind, she’d just fiddle with it a bit and then say she couldn’t unlock it. After all, His Majesty had said he wouldn’t blame her, and Ye Yun Shuang couldn’t say anything more.
Everyone watched the little dumpling.
Hu Bao also stared intently at her.
Su Yun Mo placed her small hand on it, then withdrew it, about to say she couldn’t do it.
*Snap!*
The box opened.
Everyone was stunned.
Ye Yun Shuang suddenly stood up, her face filled with disbelief, “This is impossible!”